Mohawk announces CEO succession plan

Paul De Cock

Calhoun—Mohawk Industries, Inc., announced that Paul De Cock, president and chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) and a director of the Mohawk board of directors, effective September 30. De Cock will succeed Jeffrey Lorberbaum, who will retire from his role as CEO at that time, and continue to serve as chairman of the board.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead Mohawk and look forward to building on the strong foundation in place,” De Cock said. “As CEO, my focus will be on continuing to generate momentum and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation while staying true to the values that got us here. I look forward to leading Mohawk through the next phase of its evolution—sharpening our focus, accelerating growth and pursuing new pathways that will define our future.”

De Cock brings more than two decades of industry, operational and commercial leadership experience to the CEO role. Since joining the company through the acquisition of Unilin in 2005, he has held increasingly senior leadership roles across geographies and product categories, including laminate, wood, LVT and carpet. During his tenure, De Cock has played an instrumental role in strengthening Mohawk’s international operations and advancing the company’s product portfolio. De Cock was appointed president and COO in February 2025 in connection with the company’s overall succession planning process.

Lorberbaum has served as chairman of the board since May 2004 and as the company’s CEO since January 2001. During his tenure, Mohawk grew through a combination of organic investments and strategic acquisitions to become the world’s largest flooring manufacturer with a portfolio of industry-leading and innovative brands.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Mohawk for the past 25 years, and I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished over this time. I know that I will leave the Company in good hands under Paul’s leadership, and continue to have full confidence that Mohawk’s best days are to come,” Lorberbaum said. “I look forward to serving as Chairman of the Board and working closely with Paul and the rest of the management team to support a smooth transition and continuing to strengthen the company.”

John M. Engquist, lead independent director, added, “On behalf of the board, I want to express our gratitude to Jeff for his extraordinary leadership as CEO. Under his vision and stewardship, Jeff transformed the company into the largest flooring manufacturer in the world, and we look forward to his continued leadership as chairman of the board. Paul has the deep respect of the company’s senior leadership team, a comprehensive knowledge of the flooring industry and is greatly admired by Mohawk’s employees worldwide—all of which will allow for a seamless transition of leadership.”

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Obituary: Dennis Blake, WFCA

Dalton—Dennis Blake, founder of Better Floors & Restorations and former chairman of the Western Floor Covering Association, died June 5. He was one of the industry leaders who helped form the World Floor Covering Association.

Blake spent more than five decades in the floor covering and restoration industry. During that time, he built a business, helped shape a national trade group and mentored a generation of flooring professionals.

“Dennis represented the very best of our industry,” said Scott Humphrey, CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “He was respected for his integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. Throughout his career, he generously shared his knowledge, mentored fellow professionals and built relationships that strengthened our industry. His impact will be felt for generations.”

Humphrey said Blake’s legacy can be seen in the organizations he helped shape and the people he encouraged throughout his career.

Building his legacy

Blake entered the flooring industry in 1972 when he joined the Placentia, California, company that would later become Better Floors & Restorations. In 1974, he purchased the business and spent the next five decades building it into one of Southern California’s most respected flooring and restoration firms.

Through decades of hands-on experience, Blake became a trusted resource for insurance companies, attorneys and industry professionals throughout Southern California. His expertise included flooring installation, restoration services, water and fire damage recovery, environmental remediation and flooring inspections.

Better Floors & Restorations served clients throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

Blake’s influence also extended beyond his own business. Through his involvement with Disaster Kleenup International, he served as chairman and president of the organization’s western division. In those roles, he helped elevate restoration standards, strengthen industry partnerships and support restoration professionals throughout the region.

Blake served as chairman of the Western Floor Covering Association from 1993 to 1994. His tenure coincided with one of the most important periods in the industry’s history.

Helping form the WFCA

During his term, the Western Floor Covering Association and the American Floor Covering Association began formal merger discussions. Those efforts led to the creation of the World Floor Covering Association in 1995.

As chairman, Blake helped lay the groundwork for a unified national trade organization. His leadership during that transition reflected the trust his peers placed in his judgment and vision for the industry’s future.

Blake continued to serve the association after the merger. He later served on the WFCA Executive Committee as vice chairman during the 2011-12 fiscal year. In that role, he represented Better Floors & Restorations and helped guide the association’s strategic direction.

Blake also held the Certified Flooring Executive designation. The credential recognizes professional achievement and leadership within the flooring industry.

In 2008, Blake passed leadership of Better Floors & Restorations to his daughter, Corinne Lindquist. She continues to lead the company as president.

After the transition, Blake remained active in the business as founder and vice president. He continued to share his expertise with employees, industry colleagues and the next generation of flooring professionals.

Blake battled ALS for more than four and a half years. During that time, his wife, Kay, supported him with care and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation in Blake’s honor. Donations can be made at FCIF.org.

The family will hold funeral services June 20 in Orange, California. The date would have been Blake’s birthday. Those seeking more information can contact the family.

Blake’s legacy lives on through the family business he built, the trade association he helped shape and the flooring professionals he mentored throughout his career.

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Kate Judd joins Tai Ping, Edward Fields

New York—Tai Ping and Edward Fields, global leaders in bespoke, hand-crafted carpets, have named Kate Judd managing director of the Americas. In the role, Judd will lead the strategic, commercial and operational direction of the business across the region. Her focus will include operational excellence, customer experience and long-term brand growth across the residential and contract sectors.

“I’m delighted to be joining a company that has led the way for decades,” Judd said. “Tai Ping and Edward Fields have been pushing creative boundaries and setting the bar for design, craftsmanship, service, values and manufacturing.”

Judd joins the companies after more than 13 years at The Rug Company. Most recently, she served as managing director, global partners and Middle East.

During her career, Judd has held senior leadership roles across global showroom development, international distribution and operational management. She has worked across major markets including London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Moscow, Cape Town and the Middle East.

Judd brings experience across luxury interiors, retail, brand experience and business transformation. She also brings a global perspective and a deep understanding of luxury clientele, contemporary design culture and experiential retail.

She is known for bringing commercial clarity and modern leadership to creative industries. Her leadership approach centers on accountability, collaboration and building cultures that balance creativity with commercial performance. Her work has focused on the intersection of brand, client experience, culture and growth. She has helped luxury businesses evolve while maintaining strong creative identities and craftsmanship.

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Flooring products earn Best of NeoCon honors

Chicago—The 36th annual Best of NeoCon Awards recognized several flooring-related products among its 2026 honorees.

The awards were announced June 8 at The Mart during NeoCon 2026. The program honored products from exhibiting brands that advanced design, performance, innovation and user experience in the built environment.

This year’s competition drew 274 entries from 97 exhibitors. Judges awarded 71 products across 42 categories. Honors included Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability and Business Impact.

Patcraft’s Wanderwood earned a Silver Award. Mohawk Group also earned recognition in the Sustainability Awards. Mohawk Group’s Hero Rubber made with Nike Grind also was named a Best of Competition finalist.

View the full list of 2026 winners here.

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NALFA adds Interprint to member roster

Springfield, Mass.—The North American Laminate Flooring Association welcomes Interprint as a new member, expanding its network of suppliers and industry partners. The addition supports NALFA’s focus on innovation, quality and design across the laminate flooring industry.

“NALFA is proud to welcome Interprint to our growing member community,” said Tom Wright, president of NALFA. “Their global experience in decor printing and surface design brings valuable perspective to the association and supports the continued advancement of quality, innovation and collaboration across the laminate flooring industry.”

Based in Pittsfield, Mass., Interprint is part of the global Interprint Group. The company is one of the world’s leading decor printers and a recognized technology pioneer in surface design. Since its founding in 1969, the company has helped shape interior surfaces through decor printing, design expertise and collaboration.

“Interprint Inc., the U.S. design and manufacturing location of the worldwide Interprint Group and a Toppan Company, is pleased to join the North American Laminate Flooring Association,” said Manoj Vengali, CEO of Interprint USA. “We value the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners to drive innovation, quality standards and long-term sustainability in decorative surfaces.”

Interprint’s products support residential and commercial applications, including flooring, furniture, cabinetry, countertops and retail fixtures. The company’s Pittsfield facility offers design and reprographic services, traditional and digital color labs, onsite engraving, finishing services and advanced rotogravure printing capabilities.

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Chicago Design Week draws crowds

Chicago—Chicago Design Week kicked off June 8-10 with NeoCon, the commercial design industry’s largest trade show, hosted here at The Mart. This year’s theme “Where Design Connects,” was evident in the hustle and bustle of showrooms and exhibition spaces—many of which featured the latest in commercial flooring design.

Attendance at NeoCon 2026 was on par with last year’s show according to pre-registration numbers. “Registration right up to the beginning of the show was based about where it was in 2025, slightly over,” said Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of leasing, NeoCon, told FCNews. “But I think the real telling number is that our hotel room block was up 10%, and I think from the energy and even the showroom visit numbers, that increase seems to resonate.

NeoCon had several new activations this year that drew swaths of attendees to these halls. For the first-time ever the show held a Preview Day on Sunday, with attendees able to spend quality time with participating brands. “Feedback so far is unanimously positive from all market segments, from showrooms and temporary exhibitors,” Morton explained.

At the same time, Design Days at Fulton Market continued to draw the design community to its streets. Now in its third year, the event counts five flooring suppliers among its featured showrooms: J+J, Tarkett, Mohawk, Milliken and Mannington Commercial.

(For more on NeoCon see the June 15^th print edition of FCNews.)

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Tarkett rolls out new Transcribe collection

Tarkett’s new Transcribe collection of carpet tile and LVT translates visual language into textured, dynamic flooring patterns.

Solon, Ohio—Tarkett has launched Transcribe, a premier carpet tile and luxury vinyl tile collection that draws inspiration from the human instinct to communicate through marks, symbols and layered forms.

“The Transcribe collection is inspired by layered forms that carry meaning across time,” said Omoleye Simmons, vice president of design for Tarkett. “Humanity’s form of expression has always evolved. Yet its purpose remains connection.”

The collection is designed for workplace settings. It gives each space a sense of identity, movement and connection.

“Every design in this collection feels intentional and is rooted in human experience, bringing movement and identity to the floor and balancing visual interest with the thoughtfulness to create environments that support a shared experience,” Simmons said.

Carpet and LVT styles

Transcribe includes four carpet styles in nine shared colorways. It also includes six LVT styles with four colorways each.

The carpet tile styles include Pulse Code, Dialect, Hieroglyph and Unsaid.

Pulse Code features rhythmic, irregular linework that turns raw information into texture. Dialect blends dense, varied marks into a layered visual language. Hieroglyph uses scattered symbolic marks to create a surface that feels ancient and contemporary. Unsaid uses restraint, with soft accents of color that add depth without visual noise.

The LVT styles include Code Work, Glyphic, Narrative Thread, Typeform, Without Words and Written Form.

Code Work uses a hand-drawn checked grid with organic markings and subtle color shifts. Glyphic draws from ancient marks and early scripts. Narrative Thread uses fractured lines and organic marks that suggest ideas moving through time. Typeform explores how communication changes through large-scale symbols and letter-like forms. Without Words combines oversized deconstructed letters into a modern textural pattern. Written Form uses layered shapes that resemble scattered alphabet characters.

Performance and sustainability points 

Tarkett offers all Transcribe carpet styles in ethos carpet tile and Flex-Aire cushion carpet tile. Ethos carpet tile is Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze v.4.0, Declare Red List Free and made with up to 78% recycled content. Tarkett designed the product for high-traffic spaces where easy installation matters.

Flex-Aire cushion carpet tile gives spaces a durable flooring option with added underfoot comfort.

The LVT styles are available in 3mm Contour LVT. The product features a 32-mil wear layer and Techtonic polyurethane floor coating. Contour LVT aims to give designers more creative freedom while delivering durability for high-performance spaces.

The entire Transcribe collection is part of Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program. Through the program, Tarkett can recycle the ethos backing back into itself. Contour also has an open-loop path to circularity.

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