FCEF, WFCA advocate for the industry in Washington

Washington, D.C.—The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the future of the flooring industry and the broader skilled trades. FCEF executive director, Kaye Whitener, attended as a guest of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), joining WFCA CEO Scott Humphrey for a series of meetings with congressional offices and policymakers.

While Humphrey focused on discussions related to WFCA’s national advocacy efforts, Whitener represented the FCEF and the floor covering industry, emphasizing the foundation’s mission to address the nationwide shortage of qualified flooring installers through education, training and workforce development.

Throughout the visit, Whitener spoke on behalf of both the floor covering profession and the skilled trades community, underscoring the shared challenges of workforce shortages, limited trade education access and declining interest among younger generations in hands-on careers.

Whitener highlighted the FCEF’s success in launching and expanding technical college flooring installation programs across multiple states, as well as partnerships that bring training opportunities directly into local communities. By working with schools, industry partners and employers, FCEF is helping to establish structured educational pathways that prepare students for long-term, sustainable careers in the trades.

During meetings with federal leaders, Whitener also discussed future grant opportunities and support to expand FCEF’s reach and strengthen training infrastructure. The conversations focused on how federal funding and workforce grants could enhance technical education, provide scholarships and raise awareness about trade careers.

“These meetings reaffirmed the importance of connecting industry and government to support initiatives that encourage young people to pursue skilled trades,” Whitener said. “Investing in training today will ensure a strong, professional and sustainable flooring workforce for tomorrow.”

The FCEF delegation met with several congressional offices representing states where the foundation has strong industry support and active training programs. These meetings were particularly valuable because each of these members represents regions where FCEF’s mission is already taking root and making an impact.

During the visit, FCEF met with: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA); Rep. Rich McCormick (GA); Rep. Dale Strong (AL); Sen. Katie Britt (AL); Rep. Mike Ezell (MS); Sen. Tim Sheehy (MT); Sen. Ted Budd (NC); Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA); and Sen. Raphael Warnock (GA).

“These offices represent areas where FCEF-supported programs, industry partnerships and workforce development initiatives are active or expanding,” Whitener explained. “The meetings provided an opportunity to share success stories, discuss future collaboration and reinforce the importance of skilled trade education in their constituencies.”

Whitener summed up FCEF’s visit to Washington, D.C., as a meaningful step forward in advancing the organization’s stated mission to strengthen the floor covering industry through various means, including advocacy, education and opportunity.

“The flooring industry is a vital part of America’s skilled trades, and it’s essential that we continue working together to build training programs, create pathways and invest in the next generation of professionals,” she said. “With ongoing collaboration between FCEF, WFCA and national partners, we remain committed to ensuring a strong and sustainable future for the flooring industry and the skilled trades as a whole.”

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Milat Floor launches SPC production with Unilin systems

Waregem, Belgium—Unilin Technologies announced that Milat Floor, a subsidiary of Milat Carpet, began production of its new SPC flooring line featuring the Uniclic locking system. Production using the Unidrop system will follow soon. The move strengthens the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, easy-to-install and durable flooring solutions worldwide.

Following its licensing agreement with Unilin Technologies earlier this year, Milat Floor completed setup of its new SPC production facilities and is now operating at full capacity. The first collections using Unilin locking technologies are already in production and will launch to both domestic and international markets.

“At Milat Floor, innovation and excellence are at the core of what we do,” said Ismail Baysal, managing director of Milat Floor. “By incorporating Uniclic, known for its production efficiency and superior locking performance, together with Unidrop, which enables a fast and reliable installation, we are enhancing the performance, durability and ease of installation of our SPC flooring, benefiting both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. The choice for these click systems is a result of our focus on quality, the great reputation and the overwhelming demand for Unilin click systems in the flooring industry, specifically in the U.S. market.”

Uniclic, the first integrated one-piece locking system introduced to the market, remains the industry’s top choice for its production efficiency and reliable performance. The Unidrop system complements it with a user-friendly fold-down mechanism that allows quick installation while reducing edge damage.

“By choosing to integrate both Uniclic and Unidrop, Milat Floor signals a clear intention to lead the premium SPC flooring industry by prioritizing high-performance, premium and easy-to-install locking systems,” said Louis Van Roy, business development director at Unilin Technologies. “We’re eager to support them as they bring this new SPC offering to life.”

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Rugs USA launches Carmeon Hamilton rug collection

New York—Rugs USA, a leading e-commerce retailer and supplier of area rugs, announced the launch of the Carmeon Hamilton x Rugs USA collection, the designer’s first solo product collaboration.

“We are so thrilled to bring Carmeon’s first rug collection to market,” said Koorosh Yaraghi, founder and CEO of Rugs USA. “Her personality, her warmth and bold style come through in each piece. We’re in love with this collection and we know these rugs will excite our customers.”

Carmeon Hamilton, host of HGTV’s Reno My Rental and winner of the first season of HGTV Design Star: Next Gen, brings her signature style to this exclusive collection available only through Rugs USA.

“When I designed this collection, I drew from everything that inspires me—from the colors I’ve seen while traveling, the textures I love to layer and those bold global patterns that really bring a space to life,” Carmeon said. “Every rug is made to feel collected and soulful. Pieces that don’t just feel nice, but that pull a room together.”

The collection features 21 handcrafted designs made from natural fibers such as wool and cotton. Each rug is available in multiple sizes and crafted using a mix of hand-tufted, flatweave and hand-hooked constructions. Several designs include both loop and cut pile to add depth and texture.

Each rug reflects Carmeon’s blend of Southern warmth and bold, expressive style. From woven stripes to dimensional patterns, every design plays with depth, movement and texture. The palette includes earthy neutrals, lush greens and rich accents.

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NAFCD unveils new brand and website

Chicago—Last week the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) revealed its logo redesign and new website during the NAFCD Member Meeting at the 2025 NAFCD + NBMDA Annual Convention.

According to executive vice president Michael Wilbur, the change was made for members to better access the resources of their membership.

“We wanted to streamline the user experience, with fewer overall pages and easier access to the research and education tools that our members rely on,” Wilbur said. “The other goal of the website update was to demonstrate through design how our members have grown.”

The three main features of the website update include:

• Improved functionality — NAFCD members will be able to better access the tools and resources provided with membership, like the latest research and intelligence, education opportunities and industry events.
• Streamlined navigation — User accessibility has been improved by separating all the tools and resources into five categories: Membership, Education, Resources, Events and About NAFCD.
• A fresh, modern look — Reflecting 21st century design and user experience, the new website has grown with the floor covering distribution channel. Plus, the new logo represents the modernity and growth of NAFCD and better embodies the brand as a whole.

For more on the 2025 annual convention, see the 11/17 print edition of FCNews.

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Mapei’s Jim Whitfield honored with inaugural NTCA award

Deerfield Beach, Fla.—Mapei Corporation announced that Jim Whitfield, Mapei’s architectural technical manager, has been recognized by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) with its inaugural NTCA Technical Committee Impact Award.

(L to R) Mapei’s Jim Whitfield and Logan Reavis, technical services director, joined Anthony Fuller, PermaBASE’s director of technical and product development, at the NTCA Technical Committee Impact Award presentation.

The newly established award honors individuals whose expertise, dedication and volunteer contributions have made a lasting impact on the NTCA Technical Committee and the NTCA Reference Manual—an essential resource for tile and stone contractors nationwide.

“The NTCA Technical Committee recognized three committee members with the NTCA Technical Committee Impact Award for their hard work, consistent participation in new documents and support throughout the years of the committee and the NTCA Reference Manual,” said James Woelfel, chair of the NTCA Technical Committee.

Whitfield was the only manufacturer-based individual and one of three tile professionals who were selected for this first-ever recognition. A long-standing voice on the NTCA Technical Committee, Whitfield has volunteered his time and expertise for many years, helping to ensure that the NTCA Reference Manual accurately reflects the latest tile-industry technical information and installation best practices from the manufacturer’s perspective.

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the NTCA board and officers of the NTCA Technical Committee,” Whitfield said. “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with so many talented tile professionals over the years who share a passion for advancing our industry through education, innovation and integrity.”

Luigi Di Geso, president and CEO of Mapei Corporation, added, “Jim’s commitment to advancing technical excellence within the tile industry reflects MAPEI’s own dedication to quality, education and collaboration. We’re incredibly proud to see his leadership recognized by the NTCA.”

The NTCA Technical Committee Impact Award will be presented annually to individuals who exemplify exceptional contributions to the committee’s work and to the evolution of the NTCA Reference Manual.

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J+J Flooring launches Infusion, first rigid core collection

Dalton—J+J Flooring expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the Infusion collection, its first full line of rigid core LVT. The expansion strengthens the company’s position in the category with two patterns, each available in nine colorways.

“This is a big launch for J+J Flooring,” said Laura Holzer, design director, commercial division. “The performance and design introduce a great option for volume projects where price sensitivities exist, making it ideal for multifamily living units, guest rooms and senior or independent living spaces.”

The two patterns in the Infusion collection, Blend and Stir, offer distinct options. Blend features a rich, textured pattern that emulates seasoned oak, amber and walnut. Stir’s refined, modern design takes cues from maple and birch.

Both patterns come in 7 x 48 planks and nine coordinating colorways. Each was intentionally designed to work across J+J Flooring’s platform. The platform includes carpet tile, broadloom, LVT and Kinetex textile composite flooring.

Performance and quality remain priorities for this price-sensitive offering. PureGrain High-Definition digital printing increases color clarity by boosting dots per inch. Evertuff Clearcoat Technology provides protection against scuffs and scratches and reduces glare, making it suitable for commercial environments such as senior living spaces. The One2Click locking system enhances joint strength for long-lasting durability.

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Shaw’s EcoWorx Resilient receives HPDC award

Dalton—Shaw Industries announced that its EcoWorx Resilient flooring has garnered yet another award—this time it is one of four recipients of the 2025 Material Health All-Star Innovation Award by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC).

HPDC bestows this award to organizations that have demonstrated leadership in manufacturer-led innovation and transparent material health disclosure, and are actively evolving their products to reduce and eliminate the use of harmful substances in building products.

“We are honored to see EcoWorx Resilient recognized for its role in advancing material health and circular design,” said Candi Hampton, vice president of global sustainability at Shaw Industries. “This achievement reflects our team’s long-standing commitment to material health, transparency and meeting customer sustainability preferences without compromising on design, performance or cost.”

Building on the legacy of EcoWorx carpet tile—launched in 1999 as the industry’s first PVC-free and fully recyclable carpet product—EcoWorx Resilient uses similar ingredients in a hard surface format. It carries a Health Product Declaration (HPD), Declare label and product-specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and is expected to be Cradle to Cradle Certified later this year.

EcoWorx Resilient is also Greenhealth Approved, Greenguard Gold and Blue Angel certified, underscoring its alignment with rigorous material health standards. Through Shaw’s Environmental Guarantee and re[TURN] Reclamation Program, EcoWorx Resilient can be picked up at the end of its life on the floor at no cost to the customer for a 1,000 square foot minimum, supporting closed-loop recycling and product stewardship.

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