This past May, Floor Covering Weekly included a story on the pros and cons of click systems and the impact they’re having on the installer and DIY business. Two NALFA experts, Ron Starkey and Anthony Palandro weighed-in. Check it out:
http://bit.ly/q5OEjQ
(The following article appeared in Floor Covering News’ 25th Anniversary Edition on May 16, 2011)
A game changer in terms of performance, warranties, value
by E. C. “Bill” Dearing
President, NALFA
nalfa.com
Laminate Flooring emerged in North America in the fall of 1993 promising previously unheard of qualities. Imagine, a floor that was warranted against wear, fade and stains for an unheard of 10 years. And, it did not stop there. Laminate Flooring continued to grow in design, technology and sustainability to obtain incredible success and provide significant benefits to the consumer and flooring industry.
Prior to Laminate Flooring’s introduction in North America in 1993, it had already made significant inroads in Northern Europe, especially Sweden, Norway and Germany, and its value and performance were recognized by residential and commercial clients for several years. In fact, as early as the mid-1980’s, products like “Perstorp Super Flooring” were successful in Sweden. In case you don’t recognize the name, Perstorp Super Flooring was the forerunner of Pergo®.
Not many companies were manufacturing Laminate Flooring when the category was introduced into North America. Pergo arrived in 1993 and soon Witex® entered the market. Pergo experienced a welcome reception – its first major customer was Color Tile, which at the time was a national chain. Major groups, such as Carpet One® saw the potential of Lamiante Flooring early and soon a number of players vied for recognition in this startup category which quickly moved into all the retail chanels of distribution at that time. Most of these “first movers” didn’t come from the traditional flooring industry. Instead, they were producers of decorative laminate or MDF and HDF pannel manufacters. The primary goal for these pioneers was establishing a new use for an existing product.
North American flooring manufacturers were close behind the first wave of Laminate Flooring from Scandinavia. Credible and innovative manufacturers from both North America and Euorpe began their expansions into the market. These brand names included Wilsonart®, Formica®, Alloc®, Uniboard® and Fausfloor®. Within two years major flooring companies in North America either had their own offering or was in development of an offering.
THE DYNAMIC INTRODUCTION OF LAMINATE FLOORING
Arguably the top six reasons for the success of Laminate Flooring’s introduction period and the start of its positive influence in North American flooring were:
The landscape of flooring dramaticaly evolved once more when well established North American flooring producers became involved with their own Laminate Flooring brands which generated an even more astounding growth and acceptance level.
By the fourth year following the introduction of Laminate Flooring at Surfaces, ’97, the entire flooring industry was paying considerable attention to style, color and warranties to demonstrate a range of choices for the consumer. Hard Surface products especially began to market products with added protection value in the area of wear resistance. In many instances, packaging was dramatically altered to the new consumer friendly, shorter cartons.
The successful launch of this new category was good for the entire market. It positively influenced the flooring industry by holding up to promises at a fair price, with honest margins for all. The consumer’s appreciation was apparent because Laminate Flooring volumes grew by double digits while its share of market increased each year.
THE FIRST CONFUSION AND THE SOLUTION
By 1997, we all knew what constituted Laminate Flooring. It was very straight forward, right? The answer was a resounding “no.” Several forces that could have destroyed the category in its infancy were swirling around chief among these were two major items that were causing mischief and needed to be addressed:
In 1997, a group of motivated individuals, manufacturers and importers who were dedicated to the success of the new category took the initiative to face these dangers for all and developed the trade association called the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) whose primary mission was to develop voluntary performance standards for laminate flooring and recognize those products.
In due course, other manufacturers and importers joined. A membership tier was added for Associate Members, those firms who provide material or services to the Laminate Flooring industry. Today, the Associate Members participate fully in NALFA committees and are valued because of their specialty focus. Presently, NALFA’s membership consists of some of the most recognizable brands in the laminate industry: Columbia Flooring®; Fausfloor; Mannington Mills®; Mohawk®; Pergo, LLC; Quick Step®; Shaw Industries, Inc.® and TORLYS, Inc.
There is no equivocation with NALFA Standards and testing. They are ANSI Standards and every NALFA Certified product must conform to exact testing thus providing assurance of performance that benefits the industry and consumer. NALFA developed its NALFA Certification Seal for product packaging to help the end user identify products that have passed its testing. The association has also expanded to help establish consistency and quality in installation of Laminate Floors with the NALFA Installer Certification School and the NALFA Inspector Certification School. For more information, you can visit the website at www.nalfa.com.
PERFORMANCE TIMELINE
Reflect back to1992, or immediately pre-Laminainate Flooring, and you will recall a far different flooring lanscape with regard to design, warranty and packaging offerings. All that changed with the introduction of this of this upstart category and thanks to our innovative manufacturers and limitless technological opportunities, Laminate Flooring will continue to improve and benefit the entire industry.
Laminate Flooring’s producers consistently demonstrate that our category is not limited by nature or a “we always did it that way” mentality. From innovative designs and demonstrable sustainablility to quicker and more secure installations, such as the another major “game changer”: glue-free locking systems, we continue to push the envelope, an attitude that will continue to impact our industry byond the category.
The future is what one makes of it. From our personal vantage point of being involved in Laminate Flooring in North America from its start, we believe that the category is nowhere close to being a mature category, in fact Laminate Flooring is just getting warmed up!
NALFA recently announced a new class has been added to its inspector certification class calendar. Laminate flooring inspectors can now register for the class to be held in Charleston, SC on September 16, 2011. NALFA also announced a date reschedule for its September class in Chicago, IL from September 27 to October 13, 2011.
The remaining 2011 Inspector Certification Class calendar is as follows:
6/24 — Salem, NJ
8/26 — Vancouver, CA
9/16 — Charleston, SC
10/13 — Chicago, IL
11/11 — Calhoun, GA
The cost for the class is $350 and includes all instructional materials, lunch, membership certificate, and an ID card. Interested participants should call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 or send an email to teubanks@kmtcreative.com for more information or to register.
The recent NALFA Inspector Certification Class held in Dallas, TX received rave reviews from participants.
Here’s a peak inside. Congratulations to each of you on your new certification!
Let’s face it, we live in a DIY world and many homeowners buy laminate flooring to install it themselves. How are you ensuring that potential customers who are looking for a quality laminate installer are finding you? We have one exceptional way to stand out in the crowd and increase your business.
The NALFA certified installers program will catapult your skills to the next level. Spend two days with veteran installer and instructor, Anthony Palandro, learning advanced techniques in a hands-on environment. What’s more, when you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive NALFA membership privileges and become one of the elite installers listed on the searchable directory at nalfa.com. Talk about increasing your visibility!
Six sessions remain in 2011. Classes are kept small to maintain the highest level of involvement and attention. There is no better laminate installation program available!
Call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 for pricing and registration information. (email teubanks@kmtcreative.com).
Installers receive hands-on training at the Seattle, WA installation class.
Remaining 2011 Schedule:
June 13 & 14: Calhoun, GA
July 12 & 13: City of Industry, CA
Sept 19 & 20: Salem, NJ
Oct. 17 & 18: Calhoun, GA
Nov 8 & 9: City of Industry, CA
Dec 6 & 7: Seattle, WA
NALFA’s Installer Certification School previously scheduled for April 19 & 20 in Seattle, WA has been rescheduled for May 10 & 11. The complete and updated schedule is below. Interested participants can call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 (email teubanks@kmtcreative.com) for more information or to register.
2011 Installer Certification School Dates:
March 22 & 23: City of Industry, CA
UPDATED! May 10 & 11: Seattle, WA
May 16 & 17: Salem, NJ
June 13 & 14: Calhoun, GA
July 12 & 13: City of Industry, CA
Sept 19 & 20: Salem, NJ
Oct. 17 & 18: Calhoun, GA
Nov 8 & 9: City of Industry, CA
DEC 6 & 7: Seattle, WA
Upon successful completion of the class, installers earn NALFA certification and membership to the organization for one year. They are listed within the search directory on the nalfa.com website and have unlimited access to NALFA marketing assets to help promote their certification in their new business endeavors.
The cost of the program is $500 ($450 for NALFA members) and includes all instructional materials, on-site tools, meals, membership certificate, and an ID card. Certified installers may renew their membership yearly for a cost of $100.
NALFA 2011 Inspector Certification classes are filling fast! To meet demand, we’ve added a new course on April 29th in Anaheim, CA. For more information or to register, call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 or email teubanks@kmtcreative.
2011 Calendar:
3/9 — Raleigh, NC
3/18 — Dallas, TX
NEW! 4/29 — Anaheim, CA
5/27 — Toronto
6/24 — Salem, NJ
8/26 — Vancouver
9/27 — Chicago, IL
11/11 — Calhoun, GA
Members of the inaugural NALFA Inspector Class at SURFACES 2011
If you’re a flooring inspector, you don’t want to miss out on NALFA’s new 1-day certification class designed especially for you!
Join Us for One of Our 2011 Dates!
Raleigh, NC – Wednesday March 9, 2011
Dallas, TX – Friday March 18, 2011
Toronto – Friday May 27, 2011
Salem, NJ – Friday June 24, 2011
Vancouver – Friday August 26, 2011
Chicago, IL – Tuesday September 27, 2011
Calhoun, GA – Friday November 11, 2011
The cost for the class is $350 and includes all instructional materials, lunch, membership certificate, and an ID card. Interested participants should call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 or send an email to teubanks@kmtcreative.com for more information or to register.
After a successful launch at the 2011 SURFACES show, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) is ready to officially unveil its NEW Inspector Certification Class. This affordable one day class is designed just for inspectors who want to expand their knowledge and get an edge on the competition!
The NALFA inspector certification class is the FIRST an ONLY course dedicated exclusively to laminate flooring and endorsed by the leading North American laminate flooring manufacturers. Benefits include:
The one-day curriculum covers:
Join Us for One of Our 2011 Dates!
Raleigh, NC – Wednesday March 9, 2011
Dallas, TX – Friday March 18, 2011
Toronto – Friday May 27, 2011
Salem, NJ – Friday June 24, 2011
Vancouver – Friday August 26, 2011
Chicago, IL – Tuesday September 27, 2011
Calhoun, GA – Friday November 11, 2011
The cost for the class is $350 and includes all instructional materials, lunch, membership certificate, and an ID card. Interested participants should call Teiya Eubanks at 423-316-1566 or send an email to teubanks@kmtcreative.com for more information or to register.
NALFA has been setting the standard in the laminate flooring industry for the past 13 years. For more information, please visit www.nalfa.com
From left to right: Matt Heil (Associate Member of the Year), Bob Pratt (MP Global, Associate Member Company of the Year), Jack Boesch (MP Global Associate Member Company of the Year), Bill Dearing (NALFA President), Drew Mittelstaedt (Longust Distributing, Distributor of the Year), Jean Briere (Shaw Inc., Member Company of the Year), Roger Farabee (Member of the Year), Eric Mondragon (RC Willey, Dealer of the Year)
The North American Laminate Flooring Association is proud to announce the winners of the 5th annual 2010 LAMMY Awards, which celebrates companies and individuals who have provided exceptional contributions to the laminate flooring industry over the previous year.
“Each of these winners are a testament to the commitment and continuing strength of our category,” says Bill Dearing, president of NALFA. “The LAMMY Awards are a great way for NALFA to formally recognize them for their efforts and to encourage others to do the same.”
The 2010 LAMMY Award winners were announced at a NALFA-sponsored breakfast on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at SURFACES.
The 2010 LAMMY Award winners are:
Member of the Year:
Roger Farabee, Mohawk
Associate Member of the Year:
Matt Heil, Pregis
Distributor of the Year:
Longust Distributing
Associate Member of the Year:
MP Global Products
Member Company of the Year:
Shaw
Dealer of the Year:
RC Willey
The NALFA Board of Directors anonymously nominates individuals and organizations for each category. The nominees are compiled, listed on ballots and sent for voting to NALFA members as well as the editors of Floor Covering Installer, Floor Covering News, Floor Covering Weekly, Floor Focus and National Floor Trends. NALFA presented the first LAMMY Awards in 2007.
