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 customer experience shouldn’t end once the sale is complete. A thoughtful care package can help you stand out, exceed expectations and turn a transaction into a lasting relationship.
Solon, Ohio—Tarkett has introduced Pearla, a new terrazzo-inspired collection within its Johnsonite resilient rubber flooring portfolio.
Designed to resemble traditional terrazzo, Pearla brings a classic look to high-performance interiors. Johnsonite rubber flooring is designed to soften acoustics, improve comfort underfoot and offer easy, no-finish maintenance.
“Pearla adds greater depth, texture and flexibility to high-traffic spaces,” said Omoleye Simmons, vice president of design at Tarkett. “A layered mix of larger-scale chips in multiple tones delivers a rich, dimensional look that captures the feeling of traditional terrazzo.”
Pearla is available in 18 coordinating colorways. The collection spans neutrals, blues and greens with layers of chips and speckles in tonal and accent colors.
Tarkett can also tailor Pearla to match brand colors. Through the company’s Imaginations program, designers can create custom flooring insets such as logos or mascots. Coordinating Johnsonite Masquerade wall finishing borders can complete the terrazzo-inspired environment.
Performance and comfort
Pearla combines its design capabilities with features aimed at simplifying maintenance and supporting occupant comfort.
The non-PVC rubber tile requires no floor finish, helping simplify cleaning and reduce lifecycle costs. It does not hold dust or allergens and offers high indentation resistance. Pearla also provides natural slip resistance and underfoot cushioning. These features can support joints, improve ergonomics and soften acoustics in busy environments.
Like all Johnsonite rubber tile collections, Tarkett makes Pearla in the U.S. The collection is Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver and Declare Red List Free. Pearla is also eligible for Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program.
Shaw was founded in 1967 as a small carpet manufacturer. From the beginning, the company focused on building the capabilities needed to better serve customers.
Within a decade, Shaw was producing its own yarn and investing across its supply chain to improve quality, service and delivery. By 1971, Shaw had become a publicly traded company with approximately $43 million in sales and 900 associates. In 1985, it joined the Fortune 500 with more than $500 million in sales and nearly 5,000 associates.
Growth wasn’t driven by investments alone. It was supported by a culture that valued continuous learning, operational excellence, safety, respect and strong community partnerships. Those principles helped Shaw adapt as technologies advanced, customer expectations changed and new opportunities emerged.
Shaw has invested $1 billion in carpet manufacturing to align advanced capability with evolving market needs.
Over the following decades, Shaw continued expanding beyond its carpet foundation into rugs, hardwood, laminate, tile, resilient flooring, carpet tile and turf. Rather than allowing its manufacturing footprint to define the business, Shaw evolved its portfolio around changing customer needs, eventually building the family of residential and commercial brands that serve the market today.
That same forward-looking approach established Shaw as an early leader in sustainable product design and manufacturing. Beginning with the introduction of EcoWorx carpet tile in 1999, the company invested in innovations that advanced more responsible manufacturing while maintaining high performance. Those efforts helped create today’s industry-leading portfolio of Cradle-to-Cradle Certified products and continue to influence how Shaw approaches innovation.
Shaw Floors’ Pet Perfect luxury vinyl, Briard.
Shaw’s disciplined, long-term approach ultimately attracted the attention of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2001, the company entered a new chapter built around shared beliefs in strong leadership, enduring customer value and investments designed to strengthen the business over time.
Since then, Shaw has continued expanding its capabilities to meet the changing needs of the market. The acquisition of USFloors in 2016 strengthened Shaw’s position in resilient flooring and added COREtec, an innovative brand that expanded the company’s presence in one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories.
Today, Shaw is a more than $5 billion global provider of flooring and other surface solutions, supported by approximately 18,000 associates and a portfolio spanning residential, commercial and outdoor environments. While the business has changed dramatically over the past six decades, the philosophy behind its growth has remained remarkably consistent.
Creating a stronger community and a stronger company go hand in hand. Shaw supports communities through local partnerships, volunteering and philanthropic giving.
Throughout its history, Shaw has been willing to learn, invest, adapt and sometimes fundamentally change how it operates to create greater value for customers. For independent retailers, that commitment has meant a partner that continues to invest in products, innovation, service and support designed to help them meet changing consumer expectations and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.
The milestones tell only part of the story. Behind every investment, acquisition and expansion was a belief that standing still is not an option. Shaw has continually evolved while remaining grounded in the values that have guided the company from the beginning.
That commitment has transformed a small carpet manufacturer into one of the world’s leading flooring companies. More importantly, it continues to shape how Shaw creates value for customers and prepares for what’s next.
Shaw is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Shaw’s history and industry leadership have earned the company a strong portfolio of leading brands designed to meet a range of consumers, wherever they are in the market. Each residential brand is unique and differentiated to meet the needs of all types of consumers, from entry-level and high-end to Main Street, as well as the accessories needed to install them. Anderson Tuftex, COREtec, Shaw Floors, Philadelphia Commercial and TotalWorx Accessories reflect Shaw’s ability to serve a broad range of residential, commercial and specialty needs while helping retailers offer the right solution for every customer.
Kansas City, Kan.—Karndean Designflooring and Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) have partnered to create a new shopping experience for flooring customers.
The companies installed a high-visibility end-cap display at NFM’s Kansas City, Kan., store. The display showcases Karndean Design Aesthetics, which offers curated flooring recommendations based on three interior design approaches.
“Shoppers can use Karndean Design Aesthetics in different ways,” said Julie Thomas, senior retail channel manager at Karndean. “If any of our three aesthetics closely reflects their style, they can explore our curated flooring recommendations for that aesthetic. For homeowners who don’t have a clearly defined style or vision, the aesthetics can provide inspiration about what’s possible.”
The program encourages homeowners to consider flooring as part of their overall interior design. It also helps shoppers identify products that reflect their style and personality.
“We’re always looking for ways to create a more inspiring and informative shopping experience for our customers. This new Karndean presentation does exactly that,” said David Chambers, director of flooring at NFM. “It highlights the beauty and innovation of the Karndean brand while making it easier for customers to discover flooring solutions that fit their homes and lifestyles.”
Elevating the experience
Karndean Design Aesthetics also serves as a sales tool for retailers. Thomas trained the NFM sales team on how to use the program to create a more personalized shopping experience.
“Karndean Design Aesthetics are a conversation-starter to learn more about customers – their style, as well as their lifestyle,” Thomas added. “Ultimately, getting to know customers makes it easier to guide them to a floor they’ll love.”
The 9.5-foot x 7.5-foot display features illuminated moodboards representing each Karndean Design Aesthetic. It also offers free swatch samples of 36 Karndean floors, with 12 products representing each aesthetic.
A 24 inch touchscreen monitor lets shoppers compare their favorite floors in a virtual room. Customers can access the feature through the Karndean Floorstyle visualizer.
Chambers said the display, which has been in place since late July, is already attracting attention.
“Customers are naturally drawn to it because of the visual impact and how effectively it brings the Karndean brand to life,” Chambers said. “Our flooring sales team has also shared positive feedback, noting that the display creates great customer-engagement opportunities and makes it easier to showcase the distinctive design features that set Karndean apart. The enhanced presentation has generated curiosity around the brand and already become a focal point within the flooring showroom.”
Building customer confidence
Karndean flooring is also available at NFM stores in Nebraska, Iowa and Texas. John Callahan, national retail buying groups manager at Karndean, said the Kansas display reflects the relationship between the two companies.
“NFM sets the standard for home furnishings while offering its customers an experience unlike any other,” Callahan said. “We’re proud to be part of that experience and we’re grateful for the opportunity to bring the Karndean brand and our products to NFM shoppers in this new way.”
Chambers said Karndean’s combination of design and performance helps give shoppers confidence in their flooring decisions.
“Karndean is established as one of the most design-forward brands in the luxury vinyl category,” Chambers said. “The combination of beautiful wood and stone visuals and exceptional durability gives our customers the confidence that they don’t have to choose between style and performance.”
Infinity’s portfolio includes high-performance flooring.
Infinity Floor Group is a relatively new name in the flooring industry, but the experience behind it spans nearly every part of the business. Based in Dalton, the company brings Infinity Floor and Havencrest Surfaces together under one operating platform—combining resilient flooring, engineered hardwood, global sourcing, inventory management and nationwide distribution.
Infinity Floor was established in 2024 as an independent hard surface sourcing and distribution company. Led by Tyler Geren, the business was built by a team with extensive experience across finance, operations, product development, sales, purchasing, logistics, warehousing and customer service.
That team includes Bill Briggs, Darlene Wright, Brittany Wood, Elisabeth Beavers, Greg Geren, Bayron Cano and Angel Hernandez. Collectively, they have worked for many of the largest and most established flooring companies in and around Dalton, bringing years of practical industry knowledge to both Infinity Floor and Havencrest Surfaces. Their experience across multiple disciplines has been critical to developing the company’s operating platform, supporting its growth and managing the Havencrest transition.
The company was established around a straightforward operating philosophy: develop the right products, maintain meaningful inventory, communicate clearly and make decisions close to the customer. Infinity was deliberately structured as a hands-on organization capable of moving quickly and addressing problems directly.
Initial product rollout
Infinity’s first phase centered on imported hard surface products, including SPC, LVT, WPC and other resilient flooring categories. The company established manufacturing relationships throughout Asia and began developing products for the U.S. market, supporting warehouse programs, direct-container business and private-label opportunities.
Product quality and value were important but so were the less visible parts of the business: accurate specifications, dependable production, disciplined purchasing, quality control, freight management, claims handling and consistent follow-through.
From the beginning, product development, purchasing, inventory planning, logistics and customer support were treated as connected functions rather than separate departments. That integrated structure allowed the company to move quickly while maintaining direct visibility into the details that matter most to customers. It also helped shape the culture that continues across Infinity Floor Group today.
As the business grew, Infinity invested in the people, systems and infrastructure required to support a larger organization. The company implemented modern ERP and reporting systems, expanded its customer service and operational capabilities, and consolidated operations into a nearly 200,000-square-foot facility in Dalton. The facility provides room to expand inventory, receive imported containers efficiently and serve customers throughout the United States.
From resilient to real wood, Infinity provides a host of hard surfaces.
Growth through acquisition
The next major chapter began in 2026, when Infinity acquired the distributor business of PanTim Wood Products. The transaction brought established engineered hardwood collections, long-standing distributor relationships and extensive product knowledge into the Infinity platform. It also created an opportunity to build a dedicated hardwood business with the systems, warehousing, purchasing discipline and service model Infinity had already developed.
Rather than simply absorbing the business into Infinity Floor, the company launched Havencrest Surfaces as a separate, distributor-focused hardwood division. Havencrest carries forward the product heritage and customer relationships of the former PanTim distributor business while operating with Infinity Floor Group’s shared technology, warehouse, logistics, purchasing and customer service resources.
The transition officially began July 1, 2026, and required significant coordination across the organization. Hundreds of pallets were relocated, open customer orders and purchase orders were transferred, and product, pricing and inventory data were migrated into a new system. Customer service, accounting, logistics and warehouse procedures also had to be established while inbound shipments continued moving and customers continued placing new orders. At the same time, Infinity was completing a major warehouse and office move. The launch of Havencrest, and the physical consolidation of the businesses occurred almost simultaneously.
One of the earliest priorities was inventory. Demand from distributor customers was stronger than anticipated, particularly across several established hardwood collections. Infinity Floor Group responded by increasing purchasing, expanding inbound supply and building greater depth across key products.
Because hardwood manufacturing and ocean transit lead times are measured in months, strengthening the inventory position requires sustained planning and investment. The company’s focus is not simply to replace what is sold, but to build a dependable inventory model that supports current demand, future growth and the service expectations of its distributor partners.
The initial customer response reinforced the strength of the Havencrest opportunity. Distributor partners continued to support the established collections, and warehouse order volume exceeded early expectations. That demand confirmed the market opportunity for well-designed hardwood programs supported by reliable inventory, clear communication and responsive service. Today, Infinity Floor and Havencrest Surfaces operate as complementary businesses within Infinity Floor Group.
Infinity Floor continues to focus on resilient and other hard surface products, serving dealers, distributors and strategic partners through warehouse, direct-container and private-label programs. Havencrest Surfaces is dedicated to engineered hardwood and operates exclusively through distribution.
The two businesses maintain distinct product and market strategies, but they benefit from a shared operating platform. Finance, purchasing, technology, logistics, warehousing and customer service support both divisions. That structure allows the group to operate efficiently while preserving the individual focus of each brand.
High service, ample inventory
For a warehouse-based flooring business, service and inventory are inseparable. The group’s long-term plan is to maintain strong backing inventory in Dalton while continuing to offer direct-container programs for customers that require larger volumes, custom products or dedicated specifications.
The company also approaches purchasing and inventory planning with strong financial and operational discipline. Historical sales, open orders, current inventory, inbound purchase orders, factory lead times, ocean freight and tariffs all influence what should be ordered and when. By combining industry experience with current reporting and detailed operational data, Infinity Floor Group is building a more disciplined and forward-looking planning process.
The long-term objective is to build a durable hard surface organization that customers and suppliers can rely on. That means staying close to the business, responding quickly, maintaining accountability and following through on commitments.
As Floor Covering News celebrates 40 years of covering the people, products and companies that have shaped the flooring industry, Infinity Floor Group represents one of the industry’s newer chapters. Its foundation is built on many of the same principles that have always mattered: strong relationships, dependable products, meaningful inventory and consistent execution.
By Jerry Guo When we founded Lions Floor in 2017, we weren’t trying to become the biggest flooring company in America. We were trying to build the kind of company customers could rely on. We believed the flooring industry didn’t need another company simply sourcing products and competing on price. It needed partners who understood that long-term success is built through consistency—consistent quality, dependable supply, responsive service and relationships that last well beyond a single purchase order.
Nine years later, those beliefs remain unchanged. Ironically, we entered the industry just before one of the most challenging periods in modern supply chain history. Tariffs, a global pandemic, unprecedented freight costs, manufacturing disruptions and volatile demand tested every company in our business. While no one could have predicted those events, they reinforced something we believed from the beginning: success isn’t determined by who can simply buy flooring. It’s determined by who can consistently deliver for customers when the market becomes unpredictable.
That philosophy continues to shape Lions Floor today.Instead of chasing short-term opportunities, we’ve consistently invested in the foundation of our business. We’ve strengthened long-term manufacturing partnerships, expanded our nationwide distribution network, invested in inventory infrastructure and continued developing products that deliver lasting value. Every decision has been guided by one question: How does this help our customers succeed?
One lesson we’ve learned over the years is that dependable supply isn’t simply a logistics function—it’s one of the most meaningful forms of customer service we can provide.
Every retailer has experienced the difficult conversation with a homeowner whose project is delayed because materials didn’t arrive. Every builder understands the cost of waiting on inventory. Those moments reminded us that inventory isn’t just product sitting on a warehouse shelf—it’s a promise we’ve made to the people who trust us.
That’s why we’ve continued investing in our manufacturing partnerships, supply chain and inventory infrastructure. Today, that commitment is reflected in seven strategically located distribution centers, deep inventory across our product portfolio, and an operational strategy designed to deliver dependable product availability wherever our customers do business.
Natural Essence Plus
Combined with our growing portfolio of SPC, WPC, laminate, glue-down LVP, and loose lay flooring, those investments enable us to better serve retailers, builders, multifamily professionals and commercial customers throughout North America.
Those products represent more than new collections. They reflect years of investment in manufacturing oversight, product development, independent testing, authentic copyrighted visuals and continuous improvement. We’ve always believed quality shouldn’t be something claimed in advertising. It should be something customers experience every time they open a carton, install a floor and confidently recommend our products to the next customer.
As Lions Floor has grown, so has our understanding of what partnership truly means. Lions Floor is a trusted partner for retailers, builders and multifamily projects nationwide. Through consistent quality, dependable inventory, competitive pricing and a customer-first approach we’ve built our business around helping our partners succeed. Every investment we make is focused on strengthening those relationships and delivering long-term value.
We’ve never viewed our customers as purchase orders. They’re independent retailers building reputations in their communities. They’re builders working against demanding schedules. They’re multifamily professionals managing complex projects. When they choose Lions Floor, they’re putting their own reputation behind our products, and that’s a responsibility we never take lightly.
That responsibility continues to influence the way we do business. We invest in experienced people, responsive customer service, merchandising, marketing support and long-term relationships because we believe our success is directly connected to the success of our customers.
Onward and upward
Looking ahead, the flooring industry will continue to evolve. New technologies will emerge. Consumer preferences will change. Supply chains will continue adapting to new realities.
Our approach, however, will remain remarkably consistent.
• We’ll continue investing in long-term manufacturing partnerships.
• We’ll continue strengthening quality through product innovation and continuous improvement.
• We’ll continue expanding the infrastructure needed to support dependable supply.
• Most importantly, we’ll continue building relationships based on trust, accountability and consistent execution.
• We’ve never believed confidence is something a company can simply claim. It’s earned—through every partnership, every shipment, every product and every commitment kept.
Dallas Warehouse
That belief has guided Lions Floor from the very beginning, and it will continue shaping our story for many years to come.
Looking back, it’s fitting that our company carries the name Lions Floor. While the inspiration came from my father’s Leo zodiac sign, the lion has come to represent far more than its origin. It reminds us every day of the kind of company we strive to build—one defined by strength, courage, confidence and an unwavering commitment to those we serve.
Markets will change. Products will evolve. Our industry will continue to transform.
But those values—and our commitment to earning the confidence of our retailer and distributor partners—will continue to define the Lions Floor story for many years to come.
Our vision is to be the most trusted flooring brand in America, delivering authentic design and uncompromising quality that transform everyday spaces into places of pride, comfort and style.
Behind many of the flooring products manufactured and sold today are innovations that help determine how the floor installs, performs and stands out in the market. Unilin Technologies develops these innovations and licenses them to manufacturers around the world.
Unilin Technologies is the intellectual property and technology division of Unilin, a Belgian company founded in the 1960s. What began as a collaboration between flax farmers has grown into an international group and a subsidiary of U.S.- based flooring leader Mohawk Industries.
Alongside Unilin Technologies, the Unilin organization includes production divisions dedicated to flooring, insulation and wood fiberboards. This industrial foundation plays an important role in how Unilin Technologies develops its innovations. By working closely with R&D teams, engineers and production specialists across these divisions, the company gains practical insight into the realities of manufacturing. New technologies can be developed with production efficiency, product performance and large-scale implementation in mind.
Unilin Technologies is best known for its locking systems for flooring, including Uniclic, Unidrop and Unipush. These technologies have played an important role in the growth of laminate and resilient flooring by making installation faster, easier and more reliable. Their success is built on careful engineering, consistent quality and decades of flooring manufacturing expertise at Unilin’s own production site.
Today, Unilin Technologies manages close to 4,500 patents across more than 550 patent families. Furthermore, its portfolio reaches well beyond locking systems. It includes technologies for bevels, surfaces, core materials, waterproof technologies and manufacturing processes.
Through its licensing model, manufacturers gain access to proven technologies without having to develop every solution in-house. This can shorten product development cycles, reduce R&D costs and help bring distinctive flooring products to market more quickly. Unilin Technologies’ engineers also support licensees with technical guidance, training and implementation services by working closely with the engineering teams of manufacturers.
Broad technology portfolio
The history of Unilin Technologies begins with a breakthrough that changed modern flooring installation. In January 1997, Unilin introduced a new glueless locking system at Domotex Hannover – Uniclic. Unlike earlier systems that relied on glue, separate inserts or added components, this one-piece profile was milled directly into the laminate board. Its simple concept made flooring easier and faster to install while providing a strong, reliable connection between planks. Uniclic became the start of Unilin Technologies and helped establish click flooring as an industry standard.
In the years that followed, the company expanded its intellectual property portfolio beyond locking systems. New patents covered technologies such as beveled edges and embossing in register, which matches a floor’s printed design with its surface texture to create a more realistic look and feel.
In 2012, Unilin Technologies introduced the License to Click program. The program identifies flooring products manufactured under valid patent licenses, helping industry professionals recognize properly licensed products. It also makes infringing products easier to detect, supporting fair competition and protecting licensees and their customers.
In the years following, the portfolio continued to grow. Unizip followed in 2019 and introduced a breakthrough for installation of a herringbone floor with only one panel, while Unicoat entered the market in 2021 and revolutionized the water resistance of wood-based flooring. Unigrout arrived in 2022, offering resilient floors a more authentic ceramic tile and grout appearance. More recent developments also include technologies for creating perfectly matching flooring accessories.
Unilin Technologies today
Nearly three decades after Uniclic first entered the market, locking systems remain a cornerstone of the Unilin Technologies portfolio. The original one-piece concept has evolved continuously, keeping pace with new flooring categories and installation requirements. Today, Uniclic sits alongside systems such as Unidrop, Unipush and Unizip, giving manufacturers a broad range of options to support easier installation, stronger performance and more efficient production.
Uniclic itself continues to play a central role. In recent years, that role has become even more relevant as the flooring industry has faced increasing concerns over the quality and performance of some SPC locking systems. Problems linked to peaking, gaps and height differences have brought reliability back to the top of the agenda. For many manufacturers, distributors and retailers, this has even more increased the interest in Uniclic, which has a long and proven track record.
At the same time, Unilin Technologies has continued to build on the foundation created by its locking systems. Many of its current technologies are designed to work alongside the click connection or to improve another part of the flooring experience. They address challenges ranging from moisture protection and design consistency to installation efficiency, acoustics and accessory production.
Unicoat protects the edges
A strong locking system is the first safeguard against moisture entering the floor joints. Adding Unicoat strengthens that protection by adding a water-repellent coating to the panel edges, one of the most vulnerable parts of a wood-based floor. The coating acts as a sealant, helping liquids remain on the surface instead of penetrating the joints and reaching the core. When combined with a suitable click design, Unicoat significantly improves waterproof performance. It greatly exceeds the standard NALFA water-resistance test and also performs well under more demanding wet-cleaning conditions. This helps manufacturers create floors that remain reliable under everyday use.
Unigrout targets ceramic tile segment
Unigrout gives resilient flooring the appearance of ceramic tiles without losing the practical benefits of SPC. Its distinctive U-shaped bevel creates clearly defined grout lines, while a recently introduced cement-look lacquer makes the bevel closely resemble real grout.
Matching flooring accessories
Unilin Technologies has also developed a manufacturing method that transforms original flooring planks into matching accessories. Manufacturers can use the technology to create stair nosings, clickable baseboards and moldings that carry the exact design, texture and wear layer of the floor. This technology is applicable to wood, laminate and resilient flooring, making it unique in the market.
For stair applications, an HDF- or PVC-based insert determines the final shape of the stair nose. Manufacturers can create traditional rounded profiles or more contemporary square designs. The insert also reinforces the accessory, reduces the amount of glue required and supports a longer product life. Because the accessories are made from existing flooring planks, manufacturers don’t need to stock separate accessory ranges for every SKU.
Unizip – one panel herringbone
Unizip builds on Unilin Technologies’ locking-system expertise to simplify herringbone floors. This technology set a new standard when it entered the market a few years ago since it removes the need for separate A and B panels. This makes herringbone installation easier, faster and more efficient from start to finish. Today, it is a widely adopted solution used across the flooring market. The panel locks vertically and horizontally on all four sides and can be installed by angling or tapping, much like Uniclic. This makes installation more straightforward and accessible for professional and DIY installers.
Using one panel type also simplifies manufacturing, packaging, inventory and transportation. Producers no longer need to manage equal quantities of two mirrored planks.
Comfort Core – a quieter, softer floor
Comfort Core addresses the sound and feel of resilient flooring. It places a soft cushioning layer between the SPC core and the upper layers of the product. This construction reduces walking sound and creates a softer feel underfoot.
Solon, Ohio—Tarkett has introduced Pearla, a new terrazzo-inspired collection within its 
Kansas City, Kan.—
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Unicoat protects the edges