Roppe releases inaugural sustainability report

Ostoria, Ohio—Roppe Corp. a leading manufacturer of commercial resilient rubber and vinyl flooring and part of Roppe Holding Company (RHC), has released its inaugural Sustainability Report, formalizing the company’s environmental, social and governance commitments.

The report, which marks a milestone in Roppe’s 70-plus-year history, details commitments that have long guided the company’s product design and operations. It highlights Roppe’s efforts in circular product design, emissions reduction and resource conservation, covering  product health and safety as well as employee well-being. The report also addresses Roppe’s support for its employees and communities.

“This report is our way of putting a stake in the ground,” said Jacob Gentillon, director of sustainability at RHC. “It shows where we stand today and gives us a clear benchmark as we work toward our future goals. We’re proud of what we’ve built and just as focused on what comes next.”

The report also outlines “The Path Forward,” RHC’s strategic plan through 2030. RHC transitioned to 100% employee ownership earlier this year.

Read the full report here.

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Tuesday Tips: Finish strong

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts present short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance of doing 100 things just 1% better than your competition.

In this week’s Tuesday Tips, Tom Jennings, retail training expert, explains why the final moments of a sales presentation matter. Finishing the sale strong can shape how customers remember the entire experience.

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NALFA fall meeting to preview laminate market insights

Savannah, Ga.—The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) will bring industry leaders together here Oct. 13-15 for its Fall Meeting.

NALFA’s member-led technical, underlayment, mouldings and marketing committees will use the meeting to advance several initiatives. Their work includes standards development, certification, product performance, technical education and category communications. The committee structure gives manufacturers, suppliers and other members a direct role in shaping NALFA’s technical guidance and industry resources.

The fall meeting will build on work from NALFA’s Spring Meeting in Phoenix. Members will also evaluate new market information, identify emerging needs and establish priorities for 2027. In addition, members will preview initial findings from NALFA’s new 2026 Industry Intelligence Program. NALFA designed the Industry Intelligence Program to provide a broader view of the laminate flooring market. The program examines market conditions, business trends, retail dynamics and field-performance issues.

“Understanding what is happening in the laminate flooring market is only the first step,” said Tom Wright, NALFA president and vice president of product management & innovation at Mohawk Industries. “The real value comes from using that insight to guide where NALFA can have the greatest impact. Fall Meeting will bring market intelligence together with the technical expertise of our members to help shape the standards, resources and priorities the industry needs next.”

Register here.

 

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Retailers reveal the suppliers they win with

Successful collaborative relationships between retailers and suppliers requires considerable investment in time and other resources. These partnerships often involve strategic alignment, resource sharing and ongoing engagement to adapt to market changes and consumer needs.

In the flooring industry, suppliers providing high-quality flooring options help retailers maintain customer satisfaction and brand reputation, which is crucial for repeat business. As such, the retailer-supplier dynamic must be in synch on everything from product choice to installation.

FCNews’ seventh annual “Retailers Reveal the Suppliers they Win With” highlights the special bond flooring dealers—as well as distributors— have with their supplier partners.

Read the full feature here.

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Mullican expands Castillian, Wexford collections

Castillian Contemporary

Johnson City, Tenn. — Mullican Flooring has launched a new addition to its Castillian engineered collection. In addition, the company has expanded its Castillian Premier product line with two new colors and added new colors to its popular Wexford solid offering.

Castillian Contemporary is crafted from European white oak and offers 7.5-inch-wide planks in lengths up to 6 feet. Each plank features beveled edges and ends, along with an aluminum oxide finish and a 50-year finish warranty. Available in three sophisticated colors — Broadway, Midtown and White Oak Natural — Castillian Contemporary brings understated elegance, warmth and modern style to today’s interiors.

“Castillian Contemporary has a clean, fresh look, with the quality and precision you expect from engineered flooring,” said Neil Wenger, senior vice president of sales and marketing,  Mullican Flooring. “The AB Grade gives it a more consistent appearance, while the subtle wire-brushed texture and longer, random-length boards help create a smooth, natural flow from one end of the room to the other.”

Castillian Premier additions

Mullican Flooring expands its Castillian Premier product line with two new colors — Crescent Bay and Shorehouse. These colors enhance Castillian Premier’s timeless appeal with a refined, modern touch that is ideal for interiors that value both tradition and style. Precision-made from the finest European white oak, Castillian Premier offers wire-brushed treatments, NWFA Certified Refinishable wear layers, extra-wide 9.44-inch planks in random lengths up to 7 feet and a 50-year finish warranty.

New looks for Wexford

Mullican has also added four new colors to its popular Wexford collection of solid white oak wood flooring. These fresh offerings—Blonde Drift, Cashmere, Honeygrain and Wheatstone— bring a wider range of warm tones designed to complement both classic and modern interiors. Manufactured in the United States and offered in random lengths up to 7 feet, Wexford offers a classic hardwood flooring look that has been enriched with a wire-brushed surface texture and beveled edges and ends. Available in 4- and 5-inch widths, the collection features an ultra-low gloss finish that is protected by a lifetime warranty.

Oak Cashmere

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Retailers React: How has the weather impacted your business?

Every two weeks, FCNews seeks out flooring retailers across the country to offer their advice on hot topics of the day. To what extent has the weather impacted your business?

Here are their responses:

“The weather always impacts business, both positively and negatively. In the winter, snow and ice always negatively impact our business. In the summer, heat typically doesn’t figure too much into the equation—except when older clients don’t want to go out in that weather. Natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes, while devastating to the end user, typically boost business because insurance claims and restoration work significantly increase due to those events.”

—Eric Langan

Carpetland USA

Davenport, Iowa

“I am happy to say we really have not been impacted. The rain was a lot there for awhile, but it really didn’t cause flooding; thankfully no bad tornadoes in our area.”

—Penny Carnino

Grigsby’s Carpet Tile & Hardwood

Tulsa, Okla.

“The weather in my areas consisting of fires, drought, high heat and some flooding may have had some impact on our business. I can’t really say it is good or bad, or if that’s the reason we have been up over 7% the last two months. It’s been a great summer for my business.”

—Eric Mondragon

RC Willey

Salt Lake City

“Honestly, we haven’t had any weather issue yet; hurricane season just started, so we will see. Unbelievably, we still have two jobs to do from the last hurricanes [in 2024].”

—Mike Montgomery

Montgomery’s CarpetsPlus Colortile

Venice, Fla.

“We’ve been dealing with extreme heat. Our mechanics have definitely been slowed by the heat of unloading materials, debris post installation and having to have more frequent breaks to stay hydrated during the hottest part of the year. Most have adapted to the extreme heat, but we do have some customers that say it’s too hot for them to come to us, so we take samples and visit them to make it more convenient and comfortable.”

—Carlton Billingsley

Floors and More

Benton, Ark.

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Alliance Flooring welcomes Cornerstone Flooring

Baton Rouge, La.—Cornerstone Flooring Companies has joined Alliance Flooring as the company refocuses on growing its residential division.

Jim Lloyd, president and founder of Cornerstone Flooring, considered several options before selecting Alliance Flooring. He said the group offered the support Cornerstone wanted while allowing the company to maintain its independence.

“We wanted to partner with a group that didn’t mandate to us or tell us what we had to do,” Lloyd said. “We wanted one that would support us and be our partner. We’ve been in business for 25 years and we wanted to keep our autonomy. Alliance Flooring lets us keep our independence and make decisions we feel are best for us and our market.”

Ryan Dunn, CEO and co-president of Alliance Flooring, welcomed Cornerstone’s residential division to the organization. “We are thrilled that Jim Lloyd and the Cornerstone Flooring residential division have chosen to join Alliance Flooring. For more than 25 years, the Cornerstone team has built a strong reputation as a respected commercial flooring provider and they are now bringing that same expertise and business approach to the residential market. Having experienced the benefits of a buying group, Jim and his team understand the value of finding the right partner—one that can provide resources, innovation and support while allowing them to maintain their independence.”

For more than 25 years, Cornerstone has built its business in the commercial flooring market. The company has developed manufacturer relationships, installation expertise and connections with contractors, builders, designers and property managers. Cornerstone now plans to use those strengths to expand its residential retail business.

Lloyd said visits to two Alliance Flooring member stores helped demonstrate what the organization could offer. “After visiting two of their members’ stores, I saw the benefits of what they could offer us and how they operate,” he explained. “They have what it takes to help small and large businesses succeed in retail. We noticed something right away—they don’t sit on their laurels. They are constantly looking ahead and keeping their members on the cutting edge with technology, merchandising and networking.”

Residential expansion takes shape

Manning Lloyd, Cornerstone’s corporate recruiter, brand and marketing manager, also cited Alliance Flooring’s approach to innovation. “I appreciate what they are doing. They aren’t satisfied with the status quo. In fact, they are continually innovating and making things better and smoother for us. They have an impressive team.”

Cornerstone will build its new showroom around Alliance Flooring’s Perfect Home retail selling system. The concept aims to create an organized shopping environment while improving merchandising efficiency and product presentation.

Ray DeWitt, who joined Cornerstone in June as residential manager, added: “At first, I thought we would have to do things the way they told us and that they wouldn’t be able to provide much to help us. I was wrong about that. This group is top-notch and a true partner that I can now see will help us be successful.”

Looking ahead

Cornerstone will retain its independence while gaining access to Alliance Flooring’s retail resources, technology and merchandising support.

“Another exciting aspect of this partnership is the future leadership already in place at both organizations,” Dunn added. “Jim has Manning, while Kevin and I have our sons, Ethan Logue and RJ Dunn, working alongside us as we prepare the next generation to carry both companies forward. That creates a natural connection between our organizations and a shared perspective on long-term growth, succession and the future of the flooring industry. We look forward to working with the entire Cornerstone team.”

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