L.A. Train of Swiff-Train Dies at 86

Jun 8, 2026

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Lee Allan “L.A.” Train of Swiff-Train Company passed away at the age of 86 on June 3.

Train joined the family company, American Steel, and its subsidiary Swiff-Train after graduating from Tulane University in 1962, according to his obituary. There, he worked alongside his father and brothers, eventually taking the company national and international. At its height, the company employed more than 200 people and sold products in 54 countries.

When the company was sold in 2014, Train stayed involved. In 2023, he and his grandson Jake Train founded Train Industries, providing floor coverings and steel to commercial clients.

Zillow: Home Seller Activity Falls Year-Over-Year as Mortgage Rates Climb

June 8, 2026

Zillow: Home Seller Activity Falls Year-Over-Year as Mortgage Rates Climb

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May home sales rose 4.8% month-over-month to 341,929, but stood 2.9% lower than last year as new listings decreased 0.8% month-over-month and fell 4.1% year-over-year to 422,956, according to Zillow’s May market report.

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Sika (Baar, Switzerland) announced the launch of its “Bring It On” campaign, meant to show flooring professionals the breadth of its installation solutions.

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Construction industry employment rose by 17,000 jobs in May, as residential added 900 jobs and non-residential added 15,700, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

World’s Timber Industry Meets to End Illegal Logging

The first multilateral workshop to end global illegal logging involved the entire timber industry and was led by the U.S. Justice Department in Libreville, Gabon, May 18–22, according to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and reported on by Wood Central.

Horizon Acquires Rochester, N.Y. Installers Warehouse

Horizon Forest Products (Raleigh, N.C.) acquired Rochester, N.Y.-based flooring distributor Installers Warehouse on June 1. The move supports the company’s ability to serve its Northeast customers, it said in a press release.

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The construction industry added 25,000 jobs in April, ending the month with 259,000 openings, up 52,000 from last year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.

Private Residential Construction Spending Increase Driven by Remodeling

Private residential construction spending—driven by growth in single-family and home improvement spending—was up 0.8% in April and 1.7% year-over-year, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ analysis of data from the U.S. Census.

INSTALL Marks 25 Years By Raising Training Standards

As the International Standards and Training Alliance celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organization is focusing on performance assurance by establishing documented training and installer qualifications for the procurement process.

Today: FCIF’s Day of Giving

For the Floor Covering Industry Foundation’s Day of Giving today, the organization is collecting donations for families in the flooring industry facing medical hardships. Find out how to donate here.

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