∂ Industry news EPLF mourns the loss of its first President We have only just been informed that Mr. Roland Elbracht passed away following a serious illness at the end of October, a few days before reaching the age of seventy. As EPLF's first President from 1994 to 1996, he was a driving force behind the establishment of the association, together with major players in the European laminate flooring industry. Mr. Elbracht combined expertise and dedication with a consistently optimistic charisma, which drew people to him and made him many friends. Even when his profession took him to new ventures, his friendly relation with the EPLF remained intact – all the more reason why the news of his death has deeply shaken its members, the Board and the Management of EPLF. “We mourn the loss of the man to whom we owe the foundations of what is now a 26-year success story,” says EPLF Chairman Max von Tippelskirch. “Our thoughts are with his family”.
2013. Both companies were acquired by SHAW Industries at the end of 2016. COREtec Floors continues its spectacular growth in the US as well as in Europe offering an easy-to-install, durable and attractive solution to its customers. Lamigraf is a Spanish family company which was founded in 1976 with the aim of designing, developing and printing décors oriented to surfaces for furniture and flooring industries. Lamigraf, which has production facilities in Spain, Germany, Brazil and China, aims to provide its customers with innovative design solutions and the highest quality standards. With this new addition, MMFA now counts 26 ordinary members (producers of MMF flooring or their European representations), 31 associate members (supplier companies) and three supporting members (scientific institutes).
New destination: Gloss factory Amsterdam
MMFA welcomes USFloors International and Lamigraf as new members MMFA, the Multilayer Modular Flooring Association, is delighted to announce that USFloors International joined the association as new Ordinary Member and Lamigraf as new Associate Member. “With USFloors International and Lamigraf we are gaining two outstanding members. Each of them will further strengthen our ambitions of promoting the image of multilayer modular floorings with their competences in the flooring field and related innovations. I warmly welcome both members to the association!” stated Matthias Windmöller (Windmöller), President of the MMFA. Jan Dossche, co-founder and President of USFloors International, said: “Recognized as being the architect of the multilayered modular waterproof flooring category, we are looking forward to supporting the association's efforts to promote research, development and standards within the category." Rafel Bosch, Unit Business Director at Lamigraf, added: “We at Lamigraf are happy to share our expertise and innovative ideas for developing printed décors for flooring and furniture with the MMFA and its members.” USFloors International is a family owned business, founded in 2015 by the two brothers Dossche as a subsidiary of USFloors Inc. which was founded in the US by Piet Dossche in 2001 and introduced the patented COREtec multilayered waterproof flooring brand in the US in
Industrial heritage The Gloss Factory (Glansfabriek) in Amsterdam has been given a new purpose after a major renovation. This location used to manufacture glossy paper for more than 50 years, the former timber merchant Fetim Group, which started in 1919, will use this building as their new headquarters. The Gloss factory has thus been given an office function, while retaining its architectural features. The Gloss factory, located at the Abram Dudok van Heelstraat 4, is a former 50-year-old factory where glossy paper was made. During the redevelopment of this building, the industrial appearance was used as a starting point. As many old ingredients as possible were retained, including the unique shed roofs what characterizes this unique building. During the renovation, a modern glass facade has been realized, which gives the Gloss factory plenty of daylight. Fetim Group officially entered their new headquarters on October 19th, 2020. “Our new head office allows our team to work together on innovative quality products, so that our customers are happy where they live and work. Moving into the Gloss Factory brings a new shine to this heritage, while celebrating the 100th anniversary of our company” - CEO Marcel Koekoek. Fetim’s new headquarters emphasizes the characteristics of our company: a lot of transparency and enabling a flexible way of working. The interior is built around a mezzanine floor with a lot of open space and natural lighting. “An environment to collaborate, innovate and connect with our customers and our colleagues from the multiple business units”.
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