Are we building a workforce — or borrowing one?

Kaye Whitener

The flooring industry has talked about the installer shortage for years. But at the upcoming CFI Convention, scheduled to take place Nov. 10–12 at the Marriott Chattangooga Downtown, a panel of industry leaders will challenge attendees to consider a bigger question: Are we truly building a skilled workforce for the future—or are we simply borrowing the workforce we already have?

The question will be explored during a 90-minute interactive panel discussion in which I will serve as moderator. The discussion, which is designed for both commercial and residential flooring professionals, moves beyond simply recruiting more installers. Rather, it will explore what happens after someone enters the trade: how they are educated, how technical knowledge is passed from one generation to the next, whether professional competency is recognized, and whether flooring offers a career path strong enough to attract—and retain—the next generation.

The panel members represent several distinct perspectives across the flooring industry: Roy Allen Lewis, RAL Flooring; David Chambers, Nebraska Furniture Mart; Sandon Carson, Mohawk Industries; David Gross, executive director of INSTALL; John Steier, Steier Flooring; and Greg Wrenn, International Flooring Company (IFC).

Together, they bring decades of experience in installation, manufacturing, flooring dealership operations, workforce education, apprenticeship, technical training, business ownership and installer advocacy. That diversity is intentional. Building a sustainable workforce cannot rest on one organization or one segment of the industry. It requires manufacturers, flooring dealers, educators, training organizations, employers and installers to understand how their decisions affect the people entering—and remaining in—the profession.

Among the questions the panel will tackle: Is flooring installation a career talented young people intentionally choose—or simply one they happen to find? Does greater skill and continuing education lead to greater opportunity? Are experienced installers passing along current, technically correct practices—or sometimes repeating methods simply because “we’ve always done it this way”? And after a new installer receives formal training, who is responsible for protecting and reinforcing that education once they reach the jobsite?

The conversation will also examine the true value of quality installation. A flooring product may be engineered, tested and marketed to perform at the highest level, but ultimately the customer’s experience can depend on the professional who installs it. The panel will discuss how installation quality affects manufacturers, flooring dealers, employers, customers and the reputation of the industry as a whole.

Most importantly, this will not be six individual presentations. The session is structured as a conversation, with panelists building on one another’s perspectives—and with installers in the room invited to participate. Their experience from the jobsite will be essential to identifying what is working, what is not, and what must change.

The goal is not to announce another committee, task force or industry initiative. It is to challenge every part of the flooring community to ask what it can do differently to recruit, educate, mentor, recognize, advance and retain skilled flooring professionals.

The future of flooring installation will not be determined simply by how many people enter the trade—it will be determined by the kind of professionals we help them become, and whether we give them a reason to stay.

Attendees are invited to help shape the discussion in advance. Send questions to me at kwhitener@fcef.org with “CFI Convention” in the subject line.

 

Kaye Whitener is executive director of the Floor Covering Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting recruitment, training and retention of floor covering installers. For more information, email kwhitener@fcef.org.

 

The post Are we building a workforce — or borrowing one? appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Are we building a workforce — or borrowing one? Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Shaw Contract launches new carpet tile collection

Cartersville, Ga.—Shaw Contract has launched Simply in Motion, a carpet tile collection designed to create visual movement through layered textures, tonal gradations and dimensional patterns.

The collection features three styles in a 24 x 24 inch format. As part of Shaw Contract’s No Rules offering, installers can arrange the tiles in any configuration. This flexibility also allows facility teams to replace individual tiles without maintaining an inventory of matching attic stock.

Three styles offer distinct patterns

Simply in Motion includes three styles, each offering a different approach to texture and pattern.

Drifted Grids features a pixelated pattern with subtle shifts in texture and scale. The design creates structure and a sense of steady movement.

Shifted offers a more understated appearance. Its clean, modern design combines small-scale textures with subtle patterning.

Multilayered blends geometric impressions with diffused block patterns that flow into one another.

Available colorways include Warm Linen, Quiet Sand, Fog Motion and Dimensional State.

“Movement in a floor doesn’t have to come from a loud graphic or pattern,” said Reesie Duncan, vice president of global design at Shaw Contract. “With Simply in Motion, it comes from texture and tone, the way a pattern drifts or a color softens from one tile to the next. It reads calmly from across the room and keeps revealing more detail as you get closer. Because it’s a No Rules collection, that design holds up years later, when the space has changed and tiles have been swapped out.”

Flexible installation simplifies maintenance

The collection’s No Rules design allows installers to place tiles in any direction. According to Shaw Contract, this approach can reduce installation time and labor costs.

Facility teams can also replace damaged tiles without matching their original orientation. Mergeable dye lots allow tiles from future orders to blend with existing flooring without requiring an exact color match.

Simply in Motion coordinates with Solace, Shaw Contract’s new 4 mm wood-look luxury vinyl tile collection. The products allow transitions between carpet and hard surfaces without transition strips.

Sustainability and performance

Shaw Contract manufactures Simply in Motion with lightweight, PVC-free StrataWorx backing. The backing supports durability and installation flexibility while containing at least 25% pre-consumer recycled content.

The collection also uses EcoSolution Q100 nylon, which Shaw Contract allocates from 100% recycled pre-consumer sources. The company said the material contributes to the collection’s low carbon footprint, as reflected in the EC3 tool.

Simply in Motion holds Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver status and Living Building Challenge Red List Approved designation. The collection also carries Green Label Plus certification for indoor air quality.

Additional environmental documentation includes a third-party-verified Environmental Product Declaration and a Health Product Disclosure.

Shaw Contract said the carpet tiles are carbon neutral and manufactured in a carbon-neutral facility.

At the end of their useful life, the company will reclaim the tiles through its Environmental Guarantee program. Shaw Contract uses reclaimed materials to manufacture new EcoWorx carpet products.

Since 2006, Shaw has reclaimed and recycled nearly 1 billion pounds of post-consumer flooring.

Availability

Simply in Motion is available for order now. Shaw Contract offers all three styles through its Quick Ship program in select colors. Orders of up to 2,500 square yards can ship within two weeks.

The post Shaw Contract launches new carpet tile collection appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Shaw Contract launches new carpet tile collection Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Anderson Tuftex releases 2027 flooring trends report

Dalton—Anderson Tuftex, a premium hardwood and carpet brand of Shaw Industries Group, has released its first flooring industry trend report, The 2027 Floor Forecast.

The report examines changing preferences among homeowners and interior designers. It also explores the trends expected to influence residential flooring, including durability, sustainability and design.

Anderson Tuftex partnered with The Harris Poll to survey 512 high-net-worth homeowners and 251 interior designers who regularly work with flooring. The research examined consumer preferences, purchasing priorities and expectations for the flooring industry.

Slightly more than half of the designers surveyed agreed that their clients’ willingness to invest in home improvements has increased significantly in recent years.

The findings suggest homeowners increasingly prioritize quality and longevity. Designers are also balancing performance, aesthetics and sustainability when recommending flooring products.

“By bringing together data and insights from designers and homeowners, the first Anderson Tuftex 2027 Floor Forecast provides a clearer view of the priorities and preferences shaping the flooring industry today,” said Bailey Walton, vice president of Anderson Tuftex. “Our goal is to provide designers and flooring professionals with meaningful insights they can use to better understand where the industry is headed and make informed decisions for their businesses and clients. These findings will also help guide how we approach our own business, product development and the solutions we create for homeowners and designers in the years ahead.”

Durability drives flooring investments

Homeowners continue to prioritize durability when selecting flooring. Nearly seven in 10 respondents said they value flooring that lasts at least 15 years.

Additionally, 56% strongly agreed they would pay a premium for long-lasting flooring. Another 63% strongly agreed that the right flooring makes a strong impression when guests enter their homes.

These findings highlight the importance of products that combine lasting performance with visual appeal.

Hardwood trends favor natural aesthetics

Hardwood flooring preferences reflect an interest in natural beauty and craftsmanship.

Among interior designers, 52% reported growing popularity for solid or uniform finishes. The same percentage identified light finishes as an emerging preference.

Homeowners showed interest in distinctive flooring designs. Wide-plank flooring appealed to 43% of respondents, while 17% favored mixed-pattern designs.

Color preferences also reflected a shift toward warmer tones. Among homeowners, 37% preferred warm natural and honey tones. Another 13% favored medium and chocolate browns, while 11% preferred smoky midtones with subtle gray, charcoal or brown undertones.

Carpet gains renewed attention

The report also identified growing interest in carpet, particularly products that combine comfort with performance.

Among homeowners, 57% favored carpet designed for high-traffic areas. Pet stain and soil resistance appealed to 54%, while 51% preferred solid colors.

Interior designers also emphasized performance and natural materials. According to the survey, 31% always recommend performance carpet, while 29% always recommend wool carpet.

Warm neutrals led carpet color preferences at 28%. Earthy, nature-inspired tones followed at 16%, while cool grays and light gray accounted for 13%.

Looking ahead, 65% of interior designers predicted carpet would become more popular over the next three years.

Sustainability presents opportunities for education

Sustainability remains an important consideration in flooring decisions, although the findings revealed mixed consumer attitudes.

While 60% of homeowners identified sustainability as a crucial deciding factor, 52% said they were “not too worried” about it. Another 39% believed all flooring products were relatively similar in this area.

Among interior designers, 80% reported that clients frequently or always ask about sustainable flooring. Additionally, 43% said they proactively recommend sustainable products.

The findings suggest manufacturers and designers have opportunities to educate consumers about environmental considerations and product differences.

What’s next for flooring?

Looking ahead, interior designers expect sustainable materials and high-performance flooring to play significant roles in the industry’s evolution.

Natural, recyclable and low- or zero-carbon materials are expected to influence future product development. Designers also anticipate continued demand for waterproof flooring, solid or hard composites and products that resist scratches and stains.

Smart flooring innovations could also gain traction. The report identified integrated sensors, click-lock features and temperature control as emerging areas of interest.

Anderson Tuftex said the findings will help guide its future product development and business decisions.

The full report and additional information about the research methodology are available here.

The post Anderson Tuftex releases 2027 flooring trends report appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Anderson Tuftex releases 2027 flooring trends report Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Starnet Fall conference explores emerging opportunities

Mark Bischoff, Starnet president and CEO, welcoming attendees on opening day of the fall conference.

San Antonio—Day one of the 2026 Starnet Fall Conference kicked off in earnest here Oct. 22 with scores of commercial flooring contractors, key vendor partners and special guests in attendance.

The theme of the meeting, “Age of Abundance,” reflected the group’s shared commitment to growth, opportunity and the wealth of possibilities within the commercial flooring industry.

“We’re in a strange time when incumbent companies and brands operating with proven methods can win,” Mark Bischoff, Starnet president and CEO, told attendees in his opening remarks. “At the same time, we have new disruptive forces opening doors for those same companies to take a different path. Disruptive companies with management that wants to challenge the status quo will change the industry. It’s a window of opportunity on commercial that might close for incumbents when interest rates fall and the residential flooring business improves. We’re in a sweet spot right now that we’re calling the ‘Age of Abundance.’”

In order to capitalize on these emerging opportunities, however, commercial flooring contractors and their manufacturing partners must put themselves in the best position to succeed. According to Bischoff, this requires embracing technology, innovation and collaboration.

“We don’t innovate enough in the flooring industry,” Bischoff stated. “And no innovation equals low demand generation—and low demand equals low margin. There are so many other cool things that clients spend money on. In order to increase our productivity, we must be better at talent, operations and technology. That’s why Starnet focuses so many resources on these topics. We need to emulate the best in the world at creating excitement and demand for our floor covering products and interiors.”

The good news, according to Bischoff, is it’s in Starnet’s capacity to amplify that demand. “Our story can’t be delayed with construction. We can’t be waiting for the electricians and the plumbers. Our current story is demolish, prepare, fabricate, install. We don’t have to wait for 19th and 20th century products or the people that regulate our industry. We should be able to create our own success in a 21st century world.”

Steve Cloud, Starnet chairman, emphasized the importance of contractor/vendor partnerships.

Creating future pathways for success, Starnet noted, will require closer cooperation with the group’s vendor partners. That’s according to Steve Cloud, Starnet chairman and owner of M. Frank Higgins, a Berlin, Conn.-based commercial flooring contractor. In his opening remarks to attendees, he cited the importance of strengthening partnerships across the network.

“Over the 14 years that Higgins has been in the Starnet organization, we realized we stopped being an island in our own market,” Cloud said. “We had friends and we had family to help. The same is true for our vendor partners. Nobody here is an island. Starnet has always focused on its branded products.  As the world changes, we need to better support each other or we risk being left behind. So, to our vendor partners, how do we impact this industry through the rest of the decade and into the 2030s to better serve each other? We don’t know what technology is around the next corner, but what we do know is people enjoy doing business with people they know and trust.”

With that, Cloud issued a challenge to every Starnet vendor partner: “Picture what success looks like to you, and then use the Starnet staff, committees and board of directors to plan for that future. We want to be part of that plan.”

As Starnet plans to participate in this emerging “Age of Abundance,” Cloud sought to put things in the proper perspective. “It isn’t about having more, it’s about what becomes possible when we do this together,” he stated in his closing remarks.

Keynote speaker Leslee Owen, Movement Maker, discussed the rise of artificial intelligence as a means to generate leads and increase a company’s visibility online.

(Fore more on this story, look out for the upcoming issue of Floor Covering News.) 

 

 

The post Starnet Fall conference explores emerging opportunities appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Starnet Fall conference explores emerging opportunities Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Bentley earns CARE’s 2025 Recycler of the Year award

Los Angeles—The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has named Bentley its 2025 Recycler of the Year. The organization recognized Bentley for incorporating post-consumer calcium carbonate (PC4) from reclaimed carpet into its manufacturing process.

PC4 is a recycled mineral filler recovered from used carpet. By finding a new application for the material, Bentley is helping reduce waste and support a circular economy within the flooring industry.

“Utilizing PC4 into the manufacturing process has not been easy and there are still challenges,” said Sandy Eppard, senior director of sustainability and technical at Bentley.

Overcoming recycling challenges

PC4 can contain contaminants, including residual carpet fibers and latex. These impurities can clog equipment, disrupt material flow and create processing difficulties during manufacturing.

To address these challenges, Bentley worked closely with its supplier to remove contaminants and test for legacy chemicals. The company also installed additional filtration equipment to incorporate recycled content while maintaining its performance standards.

“The team remained committed to finding solutions because they saw the positive environmental impacts of the project, so they stayed focused on making it work,” said Ines Ware, sustainability director at Bentley.

CARE recognized these efforts when it selected Bentley for the award. CARE CEO and Executive Director Bob Peoples has described carpet recycling as a “heavy lift.” He emphasized the collaboration between recyclers and manufacturers needed to create new markets for recovered carpet.

For Bentley, the recognition reflects years of work to incorporate recycled carpet materials into its manufacturing process.

The company continues to address challenges associated with PC4 while exploring additional opportunities to advance sustainability and carpet recycling.

The post Bentley earns CARE’s 2025 Recycler of the Year award appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Bentley earns CARE’s 2025 Recycler of the Year award Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Remodeling market sentiment holds steady in third quarter

Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported stable remodeling market sentiment in the third quarter. The NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose one point from the previous quarter to 62.

The RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” Each question uses a scale from 0 to 100.

An index reading above 50 means more remodelers view conditions as good than poor. NAHB seasonally adjusts the RMI results.

The Current Conditions Index averages three components. They include the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately sized projects and small projects.

The Future Indicators Index averages two components. They include the current rate of leads and inquiries and the backlog of remodeling projects.

NAHB calculates the overall RMI by averaging the Current Conditions Index and Future Indicators Index.

“Remodeler sentiment remained stable in the third quarter, although remodelers in certain parts of the country continue to report issues with high material costs and finding enough labor to finish projects on time,” said Elliott Pike, NAHB Remodelers chair and a remodeler from Homewood, Ala. “Remodelers also report that economic uncertainty is making some potential customers hesitant to move forward with projects.”

Robert Dietz, NAHB chief economist, added, “The third quarter reading of 62 for the RMI is consistent with NAHB’s projection for remodeling activity to remain stable in 2026 and grow slightly in 2027. Labor shortages, exacerbated by immigration enforcement and competition from data center construction, are extending the time it takes to complete projects. Nevertheless, remodeling is gaining share in the overall construction market, as it is somewhat less sensitive than new construction to the current elevated interest rates.”

Current conditions remain strong

The Current Conditions Index averaged 70 for the third consecutive quarter. All three components remained well above 50.

The index for large remodeling projects of $50,000 or more increased two points to 66. The measure for moderate projects of at least $20,000 but less than $50,000 fell two points to 71.

The index for small remodeling projects under $20,000 slipped one point to 73.

The Future Indicators Index averaged 54, up two points from the previous quarter.

The measure tracking the current rate of leads and inquiries rose two points to 53. The component measuring the backlog of remodeling jobs also increased two points to 56.

The post Remodeling market sentiment holds steady in third quarter appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Remodeling market sentiment holds steady in third quarter Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Daltile celebrates Trade Pro Week

Dallas—Daltile is recognizing contractors and tile installers during its annual Trade Pro Appreciation Week this week.The event features tile savings, vendor discounts, tool deals and giveaways at Daltile locations nationwide.

As part of the celebration, Daltile will award three trade professionals and their guests all-expenses-paid trips to the 2027 Kentucky Derby.

The event also highlights Daltile’s ProContractor Program, which provides services and resources to help contractors and tile installers grow their businesses.

“Trade professionals are a key driving force within our industry, so Daltile is thrilled to honor three lucky trade pro winners (and their plus-ones) with a Kentucky Derby trip as a key part of this week’s celebration,” said Amber Leigh Martinson, vice president of marketing for Dal-Tile LLC. “For over 79 years, Daltile has been the resource for contractors and tile installers, providing the design, service, technology, manufacturing and distribution leadership trade pros need to succeed. It has been our pleasure to come alongside these professionals and equip them to serve their customers effectively and grow their own businesses for so many years.”

The company’s ProContractor Program provides exclusive contractor pricing, project support, tools and accessories. Trade professionals can also use Daltile’s free ProExchange app to search products, check inventory, place orders, make payments and schedule pickups.

“Daltile is committed to being the trade pro’s trusted partner, serving as their one-stop-shop for all tile, stone, countertop and installation needs,” Martinson said. “We have over 260 Daltile Sales Service Center locations nationwide offering unmatched product selection, service and availability year-round. In addition, we offer a user-friendly ProContractor Program complete with exclusive contractor pricing, comprehensive project support, tools and accessories. We also make it easy to conduct business with Daltile anytime and anywhere, on any computer, smartphone, or tablet via our free ProExchange app. With ProExchange, trade pros streamline workflows by accessing everything needed in one place—from product searches to viewing available inventory, placing orders, payment, order tracking, scheduling pick-ups and more.”

2027 Kentucky Derby giveaway

The giveaway is open to eligible tile installers, tile contractors and general contractors. Participants must have an active Daltile Trade Pro account, which is free. Participants can enter or win without making a purchase or payment.

Eligible professionals can enter at a local Daltile Sales Service Center or through the Daltile ProContractor website by selecting “Daltile 2026 Trade Pro Giveaway.”

The post Daltile celebrates Trade Pro Week appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Daltile celebrates Trade Pro Week Posted First on https://fcnews.net