News

Lumber Liquidators announces name change

Richmond, Va.-based Lumber Liquidators has officially changed its name to LL Flooring and named Charles Tyson president and c.e.o. The name change has come after the Lumber Liquidators stocks slipped earlier this year, prompting Charles Tyson financial analysts to suggest the company would benefit from a rebrand in the wake of the 2015 television news story about heightened formaldehyde levels in its laminate imports from China. In April, as a result of reduced demand and the changes in operating models due to Covid-19, it temporarily furloughed a number of store associates and reduced operating hours in its distribution centres, the company says. As demand returned through the quarter, it recalled associates, and as of late June, had invited all furloughed employees back to work and had returned to normal operations in its distribution centres.

Mohawk adds CEUs to digital learning series

Calhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Group has announced the addition of three new dates as part of the second half of its Resourceful CEU series, which established the digital program specifically to provide outlets for the contract design community while many professionals are still working remotely. Each CEU will be offered twice to accommodate larger groups and guests tuning in across different time zones. All continuing education courses take place on Wednesday afternoons from 12–1 p.m. EST and 3–4 p.m. EST. Each CEU is free to attend virtually, but attendees must register to view and receive credit. Mohawk has also debuted Personal Studio, styled p.s., an interactive visualization platform that allows designers to

create custom flooring solutions for carpet projects. The system is said to be the first of its kind as a single, consolidated carpet personalization design tool that can seamlessly handle every soft surface construction type. The digital assets produced through the platform can be used in standard CAD drawings and other 3D visualization software.

Teknoflor commits to carbon-neutral shipping

Milwaukee, Wisc.-based Teknoflor has partnered with logistics provider UPS of At lanta, Ga., in efforts to reduce the company’s carbon footprint with carbon-neutral parcel shipments. To continuously improve the company’s sustainability programs, all domestic Teknoflor samples and collat eral will be shipped via UPS carbon neutral shipping. UPS is said to use a carbon calcu lator to measure a customer’s carbon footprint, and the additional shipping expense paid to UPS for carbon neutral shipping is used to fund these carbon mitigation projects around the world. The UPS carbon neutral program has been third-party certi fied by Natural Capital Partners and verified by SGS, a recognized third-party certifier. Last year, UPS says it achieved 110,814 met ric tons of carbon dioxide reduction or offset worldwide (according to the company’s GRI Content Index).

FCEF expands board of directors

The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) of Dalton, Ga., has announced

Bill Gaddis Mike Beavers

the appointment of two new members to serve on its board of directors. Mike Beavers of The Woodlands, Tex.-based Flaherty’s Flooring America, and Bill Gaddis of Calhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Industries will be joining the board. With these additions, the foundation’s board expands to fourteen directors. In addition, the FCEF board of directors nominated and elected Jeff Honkenon of Engineered Floors of Dalton, Ga., as the new board secretary. The board will support FCEF in its mission to bring awareness to the opportunities that exist in the flooring industry through the recruitment, scholarship and placement of professional floorcovering installers.

Alberta legislature building to get $22.5 million restoration

Alberta Infrastructure has announced a project to restore the 106-year-old Alberta legislature building in Edmonton, Alta. The project scope includes the restoration and repair of the sandstone

cladding and windows. The project will begin in the southwest corner, followed by the southeast corner, and finishing off with the north portion of the building. The project is estimated to take three years. Project contractor Scorpio Masonry of Edmonton previously restored the east stairs leading into the legislature (shown) during the summer of 2011. Scorpio also has offices in Vancouver, B.C., and Saskatoon, Sask.

DriTac names Clarkson president

DriTac Flooring Products of Clifton, N.J., has named David Clarkson its president. Clarkson has held numerous positions with DriTac since 2003, most recently as senior vice-president of sales. He has also held positions in the David Clarkson flooring industry for the past 30 years including field sales, sales management and marketing. Yale and Myrna Block (formerly company president and vice president, respectively) remain as chairman and vice-chairman of the board of directors.

Restaurant design attracts international awards

Opened in 2019, Arthur’s Restaurant of Toronto, Ont., was designed by Torontobased gh3* and fabricated by Unique Store Fixtures of Vaughan, Ont. Unique

and gh3* have recently received two awards for the restaurant project, the Gold 2020 Shop! Design Awards for Restaurant Fine Dining and the Silver for A’Design Award and Competition Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category Award. The design has also been shortlisted for the International Hotel and Property Awards. The restaurant features an intimate lounge and bar area in addition to the main dining room that features an octagon ceiling with a centre dome as the main focal point.

LG Hausys America establishes flooring division

Atlanta, Ga.-based LG Hausys America has officially established its LG Hausys Flooring Division to serve the North American market. The division has launched with a lineup of products that include luxury vinyl tile, SPC, sports flooring and commercial sheet. The products will serve commercial and residential end-use applications. LG Hausys flooring products are designed, tested and

MORE INSPIRED MOMENTS ARE MADE ON MOHAWK

PRODUCT FEATURED: SOFT INTRIGUE II COLOR: NEW LIGHT

manufactured at LG Hausys’ manufactur

When we were little, we thought we could change the world. We still can. Answering the call of growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, Mohawk is committed to making a positive impact on the earth through innovative products. Our Continuum process has diverted more than 40 billion plastic bottles from waterways and landfills to become the fiber for EverStrand carpet. Your customers will love knowing that each square yard of our EverStrand carpet contains about 63 reclaimed plastic bottles – and will be inspired to help make the world a better place.

Learn how you can inspire customers and sell more EverStrand through its sustainability story.

Simply open camera, Tap Link

NEWS

ing facilities in South Korea. The company’s distribution warehouse in Atlanta serves as a backup inventory facility for its distributor partners, as well as for serving North American customers.

New dates for CFI convention and expo

The Forney, Tex.-based International

Certified Flooring Installation Associa

tion (CFI) 27th Annual Convention & Expo, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescheduled to December 9-11, 2020 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. Robert Varden, CFI executive director, notes that the association is committed to taking strong, proactive meaRobert Varden sures to help ensure the health and safety of its employees, members and partners, as well as attending floor covering professionals, during the event.

Ontario to invest $500 million on new schools

The Government of Ontario government announced it is investing over $500 million to build 30 new schools and make upgrades to 15 existing facilities. The investment will also generate nearly 900 new licensed childcare spaces. The funding could be used to replace aging heating or air conditioning systems, repair roofs and windows, and install accessibil ity features like elevators and ramps.

Dezeen Awards 2020 studio longlist announced

The longlist for the London, U.K.-based Dezeen Awards 2020 studio categories has been revealed, with 131 studios selected across six categories. Three firms in Canada have been recognized — Ste Marie Art + Design of Vancouver, B.C., for Emerging interior designer of the year, and Cecconi Simone and dkstudio architects, both of Toronto, Ont., for Interior designer of the year. Cecconi Simone (project shown above) is a multidisciplinary interior design practice in Toronto with over 50 staff. The practice was established by Elaine Cecconi and Anna Simone in 1982. A design firm founded in 2007 by Dmytriy Pereklita and Karen Mak, dk studio architects has offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Hong Kong. Ste Marie is a multidisciplinary design studio that focuses on experiential, strategy-lead spaces within the mixed-use development, multifamily and hospitality industries.

York University receives approval

to build its Markham Centre Campus

York University of Toronto, Ont., has commenced construction on its $275.5 million Markham Centre Campus (MCC). The campus is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023. The MCC will accommodate up to 4,200 students with the flexibility to respond to future growth demands. The capital funding for the campus includes financial commitments from York Region, the City of Markham and donor contributions, as well as the University’s existing capital funds.

WFCA growth in membership sets record

The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) of Dalton, Ga., says that it now has a record 10,000 members. The boost in membership figures can partly be attributed to the association’s decision on January 1 to offer free membership to all primary members (professional flooring dealers, inspectors, cleaners, designers). It also offers a tiered-membership format for others that is more conducive to their individual business needs (manufacturers, suppliers, distributors). Since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic impact, the WFCA shifted its efforts to focus on the emergent needs of its members, and the industry as a whole, it says, and has led the way in providing a crisis-communications effort offering guidance and resources on how to best navigate the complicated terrain. Membership growth has come from all sectors of the industry, largely fueled by manufacturing and industry groups.

NALFA announces new water resistant test

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) of Washington, D.C., has approved a new test method to determine if assembled laminate flooring planks can be considered moisture resistant. The test method will be an addition to the existing LF-01 Testing Standard. Laminate flooring manufacturers will have the opportunity to certify for Moisture Resistance in addition to the other factors currently contained in the NALFA Certified product standard. The current certification includes minimum requirements for multiple attributes including Fade Resistance, Stain Resistance, Impact Resistance, Surface Wear Resistance and VOCs. Products that pass the LF-01 Standards as well as the new Moisture Resistance test will be able to show an enhanced NALFA Certified Logo on pack

aging and in marketing materials. Being certified will be said to help consumers easily identify manufacturers and products that adhere to the strictest standard for water resistance in laminate flooring.

OAQ reveals 2020 architecture winners

The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) of Montreal, Que., has unveiled the winners of its awards of excellence and distinctions for 2020. This year’s Prix d’excellence en architecture were announced online, during a live, interactive gathering. A total of 15 projects were recognized from among 73 entries received. This year’s Grand Prix d’excellence went to the Espace Paddock, designed by Montreal-based Les architectes FABG. The project, on the site of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack in Montréal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau, also received the Ordre’s mention for Innovation. For more information about this year’s winners, visit the Ordre’s Prix d’excellence web page (in French): www.oaq.com/prix.

Install floorcovering network adds members

Install Warranty Contractors (IWCs) and Install Alliance Partners recently welcomed three new IWCs, including National Decor of Ottawa, Ont., and one new Alliance Partner, Coesfeld, Germany-based flooring manufacturer Parador. Becoming an IWC is the highest level of certification offered by Install and each company had to be nominated and complete a rigorous review to achieve this status. Alliance Partners work side by side with Install to bring technical expertise and product training to the flooring industry. Install, The International Standards and Training Alliance, is based in Washington, D.C.

Wajax to distribute PowerBoss floor cleaning equipment

Mississauga, Ont.-based Wajax is now the exclusive Canadian distributor of Power

Boss industrial floor cleaning equipment. PowerBoss is owned by the Bad Oldesloe, Germany-based company Hako, which is a international manufacturer and producer of cleaning products and technology. The PowerBoss products which Wajax now offers for sale include rider, walk-behind, and combination sweepers and scrubbers. Through its nationwide branch network, Wajax now also sells a line of chemical cleaning agents offered by PowerBoss that can be used with its equipment.

With Super SAM 125 ®

your neighbors aren’t that loud.

Super SAM ® 125 (Sound Abatement Membrane)

6” concrete substrate with a tile finished floor: IIC: 51 STC:54 ΔIIC: 22 6” concrete substrate with engineered hardwood finished floor: IIC: 51 STC: 52 ΔIIC: 23 Wood joist substrate with tile finished floor:

IIC: 56 STC: 61

Super SAM ® 125 provides up to 3/8” of crack isolation protection. Canada’s floorcovering magazine

NEWS

TISE moves to June

Show management of The International Surface Event (TISE) has decided to postpone the show, traditionally held each January in Las Vegas, to June 15-21, 2021. Virtual programming will be presented during the original show week starting Jan. 25, 2020, and educational sessions held in conjunction with the postponed June show kick off on June 15, 2021. For more information visit www. www.intlsurfaceevent.com.

IDS Toronto Announces New Dates

IDS Toronto (IDS21), will move its annual event to May 13 - 16, 2021 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. New this year is a virtual component that will sit alongside the physical event. This virtual piece will become part of the overall event offering allowing IDS21 to be more inclusive and connect with a larger audience. The reinvented IDS21 will bring the latest and most innovative ideas, products and trends to market. A hub for changemakers, design experts and visionaries, IDS has always focused on highlighting diverse voices and points of view to its audience and this year will be no different. With its ear to the ground,

IDS21 will be an important platform for the pressing conversations that society is facing through groundbreaking products, keynotes and conference tracks.

Bruce hardwood flooring

gets nod at Architizer A+Awards

Hydropel, the Bruce waterproof hardwood flooring brand from Mountville, Penn.- based AHF Products, has been selected as a Special Mention in the 2020 Architizer A+Awards for the Flooring category. As an Architizer A+Award Special Mention honoree, AHF Products has been identified as an industry leader for architecture and design worldwide. The awards program based in New York, N.Y., is focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture and products. With entries received from over 100 countries, the Special Mention distinction is awarded to work entered that exhibits remarkable achievement and that scored in the top five percent of entrants.

NSI presents

2020 Tucker Design Awards

The Oberlin, Ohio-based Natural Stone Institute (NSI) has presented the twelve winning projects of the 2020 Tucker Design Awards. Included among the awards were two Canadian firms, Lemay of Montreal, Que., for its Place Vauquelin project and Edmonton, Alta.-based Dialog for its Royal Alberta Museum project. The biennial Tucker Design Awards competition, which began in 1977, honours members of the design community who exhibit innovation and excellence in the use of natural stone. The NSI recognizes the 2020 Tucker Design Awards sponsors as KEPCO+,

Laticrete, Mapei, Cleveland Marble Mosaic, Coldspring, Lurvey, Picture This On Granite, Connecticut Stone, Dee Brown Inc., Tompkins Bluestone,

Northern Stone Supply and Bybee Stone Company.

Swiff-Train welcomes Cole Hood as sales director

Houston, Tex.- based Swiff-Train Company has appointed Cole Hood director of sales for SwiffTrain Distribution. Hood joins Swiff-Train with Cole Hood over 20 years in the industry, including over 15 years in multiple capacities at Mohawk Industries of Calhoun, Ga., and most recently at Dalton, Ga.-based Dream Weaver Carpet. Previous positions held include district manager, regional sales operations manager and director of national accounts, among others. SwiffTrain is a full line flooring distributor, as well as parent company and headquarters to EarthWerks, Pinnacle and Ground Control Surfaces flooring brands.

Neolith announces James Amendola as vice president

Almazora, Spain-based Neolith has announced the appointment of James Amendola as its vice president of North America. The appointment follows that of Jose Luis Ramon Moreno as c.e.o. in March and Sagi Cohen as advisory James Amendola board member in November 2019. Amendola brings experience from over three decades in the stone surfacing industry. Most recently, he held the position of director of sales and marketing US at SapienStone of Chicago, Ill. Previously, he was general manager at Coral Gables, Fla.-based Cosentino.