NWFA completes 85th R.I.S.E. home with Gary Sinise Foundation

St. Louis, Mo.—The National Wood Flooring Association has provided flooring for its 85th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program.

The home dedication for retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Bowser took place Nov. 19, 2025, in Ashland City, Tenn. NWFA member Mullican Flooring donated the wood flooring for the project.

Bowser re-enlisted in the Army Reserves following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. While deployed in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was injured when two rockets exploded near him. The blasts resulted in the loss of his right leg.

“Sergeant Bowser underwent 14 surgeries following his injury but continued to serve through 2021 as staff assistant to the secretary of the Army,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA president and CEO. “His new home will be an enduring reminder of our gratitude for his service to our country. We’re honored to partner with Mullican Flooring to provide beautiful real wood floors for his new home.”

The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. In addition to the 85 completed homes, NWFA is working with its members to source wood flooring for 14 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. To date, 163 NWFA member companies have donated products, logistics and installation services across the United States. Those contributions total more than $7 million.

A list of participating companies is available at nwfa.org/giving-back.

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Unilin prevails against Vilox

Waregem, Belgium—A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled in favor of Unilin in a patent case against Vilox and one of Vilox’s licensees.

The March 3 decision found that products sold under a Vilox license infringed four Unilin U.S. patents. The jury also determined that Vilox willfully infringed the patents.

Because of the willful infringement ruling, the court will now determine whether additional damages should be imposed. The court could award up to three times the compensation for infringement. Both parties have the right to appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

“This is an important decision for Unilin, its licensed partners and for all companies that respect intellectual property rights,” said Bart Van der Stockt, president of Unilin’s IP business. “Unilin invests heavily in the development of innovative technologies that move the flooring industry forward. We remain committed to protecting our R&D investments and supporting a fair and competitive market.”

Unilin Technologies is known for its licensing model for flooring innovations. The company developed widely used locking systems including Uniclic, Unidrop and Unipush.

The company holds nearly 4,500 patents across more than 550 patent families. In addition to technology development, Unilin provides technical services to licensees and supports collaboration across the flooring industry.

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Shaw’s Candi Hampton receives IWBI Visionary Leadership Award

Dalton—Shaw Industries Vice President of Global Sustainability Candi Hampton received the 2025 IWBI Visionary Leadership Award from the International WELL Building Institute. The award recognizes individuals who advance health and wellbeing in the built environment through education and collaboration.

The recognition is part of IWBI’s annual Community Awards. The program honors leaders who promote people-first places designed to support occupant health and wellbeing.

“We are proud to recognize the 2025 Community Award honorees, the visionaries catalyzing a global shift toward people-first places,” said Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO of IWBI. “These leaders are redefining their industries and shaping the future of WELL.”

Hampton leads Shaw’s sustain[HUMAN]ability strategy, which places people at the center of the company’s sustainability efforts. Nearly 90% of Shaw’s products are Cradle to Cradle Certified. The certification evaluates material health, circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship and social fairness.

She also serves on the IWBI Global Commission for Healthy Indoor Quality. Hampton is a changemaker with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. The Manufacturing Institute named her a 2025 Women MAKE Awards honoree.

“Candi’s dedication to sustainability has made a profound impact on both Shaw and the broader industry,” said Shaw President and CEO Tim Baucom. “We’re proud of our legacy of leadership and the work Candi has done to build on that foundation and create a better future for our customers, associates, communities and the company.”

Hampton said the recognition reflects Shaw’s commitment to creating spaces that positively impact people.

“I’m truly honored to receive the IWBI Visionary Leadership Award and to be included alongside inspiring leaders from around the world,” she said. “At Shaw, we believe in the power of spaces and the ability of the places where we spend time to positively impact lives.”

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Modern Estimates partners with Flooring Stores United

Edmonds, Wash.—Modern Estimates, creator of the AI-powered estimating platform MEasure, has joined Flooring Stores United (FSU) as a preferred service provider. The partnership gives members access to a platform designed to help flooring retailers qualify shoppers and protect margins.

“FSU’s commitment to measurable value aligns with our mission to modernize the way flooring retailers across the country qualify shoppers, save money and protect their margins,” said Maksim Nazarhuk, founder and president of Modern Estimates. “Digital qualification is no longer optional. It is becoming operationally essential.”

The partnership positions FSU members at the forefront of the flooring industry’s digital shift. Consumer expectations continue to move toward instant pricing transparency. At the same time, traditional in-home estimating models are becoming more expensive and less efficient. Rising labor costs and wasted truck rolls continue to impact profitability for independent flooring retailers.

MEasure addresses these challenges with a web-based platform that allows retailers to offer branded Instant Virtual Estimates for labor and materials directly from their websites. Shoppers take a few photos and answer guided questions. Shoppers do not need to measure or have industry knowledge.

The platform’s AI processes the information and delivers structured project data to retailers before they schedule an in-home visit. The result, according to the company, is digitally qualified shoppers, fewer unnecessary site visits, improved close readiness and stronger margin control.

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Cyncly, Inhaus partner on digital retailing

Tuscaloosa, Ala.—Cyncly, a leading global provider of software and content solutions, announced a strategic digital retailing partnership with Inhaus, a premier manufacturer known for German-engineered, sustainable flooring.

This collaboration integrates Inhaus’s full product catalog into the Cyncly Websites digital retail ecosystem, providing independent dealers with high-conversion tools including AI-driven room visualization, direct-to-consumer sample ordering, and automated digital merchandising.

By activating Inhaus’s premium collections—including the PVC-free Ceramin, water-resistant Lamdura and eco-conscious Ecolam—within Cyncly-powered websites, the company said dealers can now offer a seamless experience that spans their digital storefront and physical showrooms.

“Our partnership with Inhaus marks a milestone in our mission to connect every stage of the consumer journey, from the first click to the final installation,” said John Weller, chief innovation officer, Cyncly Flooring. “By pairing Inhaus’s sustainable, German-engineered products with our digital retailing tools, we are giving independent retailers the competitive edge they need to simplify the buying process and grow their margins.”

Key benefits for flooring retailers include:

• Enhanced room visualization: Consumers can instantly see Inhaus products in their own rooms and in retail showrooms’ visualization kiosk.
• Frictionless sampling: Integrated online sample ordering streamlines the lead-to-sale pipeline, putting physical products in customers’ hands faster. Showroom sample check out and management helps retailers keep their best samples in stock.
• Seamless manufacturer collaboration: The partnership ensures efficient fulfillment of samples and digital assets, all powered by Inhaus, reinforcing their commitment to supporting their dealer network.
• Data-driven sales: Sales teams gain visibility into a customer’s online preferences, allowing for more personalized and effective in-store consultations.

“This initiative is about using the industry’s leading technology to support the independent retailer,” said Derek Welbourn, Inhaus CEO. “By leveraging Cyncly’s digital merchandising capabilities, we ensure that our commitment to innovation and sustainability is translated clearly to the consumer, making the path to purchase as simple and transparent as possible.”

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MSI expands hardwood lineup

Herringbone Wayland from the McCarran Collection

Orange, Calif.—MSI expanded its hardwood flooring lineup with the introduction of the McCarran and Kelmore collections. The engineered wood lines combine contemporary design with durability for residential and light commercial spaces.

The McCarran Collection features European white oak engineered planks designed to complement a range of interiors. The line includes 9.5-inch-wide planks up to 86 inches long as well as a 5 x 24  herringbone format for added design flexibility.

Each plank features a 7-ply core construction with a 4mm real sawn-cut veneer. A lightly wire-brushed surface and MSI’s CrystaLux Ultra finish provide texture and protection against everyday wear.

The Kelmore Collection features 7 x 48 European hardwood planks with a sliced finish that delivers consistent grain patterns and natural character. Finished with CrystaLux Ultra protection and built with a multi-ply core, the Kelmore Collection is designed for long-term performance. The line offers six color options ranging from soft blondes to rich browns.

Both collections in the new hardwood lineup designed for residential homes, multifamily developments and light commercial environments.

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Cali launches Longboards Icons premium WPC collection

San Diego—Cali launched Longboards Icons, a premium WPC luxury vinyl collection that builds on its bestselling Longboards line. The new collection targets growing demand for thicker and more premium vinyl options.

Longboards Icons features 14mm WPC planks. The added thickness provides cushioned comfort and improved sound insulation.

The collection retains the coastal oak aesthetic of the original Longboards line. Planks measure 9 x 72. The line features embossed-in-register wood grain and an upgraded 22-mil wear layer.

“Longboards has been one of our top sellers for years because it delivers what people actually want: beautiful durable floors at a fair price,” said Doug Jackson, CEO of Cali. “Icons takes that formula and makes it even better with improved visuals and more substantial planks. It is what the market is asking for.”

Key features include:

• 14mm WPC construction for added cushioning and sound absorption
• 22-mil wear layer for enhanced scratch protection
• 100% waterproof core for use in kitchens bathrooms and basements
• Embossed-in-register wood grain in coastal oak tones
• Click-lock installation over most subfloors without glue or nails
• 50-year residential and 15-year commercial warranty
• FloorScore certified for indoor air quality
• Coordinated trim and transitions for seamless installation

Cali said the launch positions the company to compete in the premium vinyl segment. The thicker profile addresses consumer concerns about hollow-sounding floors while maintaining waterproof performance and ease of maintenance.

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