Arlington, Texas—Market Maker Events has confirmed the 2027 Southwest Flooring Market (SWFM) will take place Jan. 7-8 at the Loews Arlington Hotel here. The event also coincides with the Shaw Dealer Meeting.
Manufacturers, retailers and distributors will convene here—a new location for SWFM—for two productive days of making new connections and exploring growth opportunities. Attendees will also get a preview of emerging flooring trends, the latest innovations and creative merchandising ideas.
SWFM will take place in the Honor Ballroom, located on the lobby level of the hotel. The venue offers a polished, convenient setting with easy access to restaurants and the rest of the Loews Arlington campus. Attendees can access to the Shaw Dealer Meeting via the Skybridge.
Moldings and accessories offer an excellent upsell opportunity for retailers looking to boost their sales. These products also can provide additional revenue stream when added to a total flooring job estimate. Choose from an array of add-on products including adhesives, moldings, stairway accessories and vents. Following are some products to consider:
Artistic Finishes
Artistic Finishes vents turn a functional necessity into a premium finishing touch—and a great upsell customers want. Instead of interrupting a beautiful new floor with a standard metal vent, custom-blended wood vents create a clean, cohesive look that complements the flooring. Flush vent options accommodate flooring from 3/8” to 3/4” thick, integrating seamlessly with the floor, while surface vents provide an easy drop-in solution. With wall-mount, under-cabinet, corner-base and custom options, these vents complete the room with the warmth of real wood and a polished, custom appearance.
DuraStair
DuraStair is the ultimate solution to renovate existing stairways or to finish the stairway in a new home. The product installs quickly and easily with a minimum of experience and tools. Tread and risers are designed to fit all types of stairs, including angular, straight and open stairways. This marching riser (shown above) is reversible, giving a classic white option.
Engineered Floors/ Xcessories
Engineered Floors’ Xcessories Adhesives and Floor Prep Systems provide a complete portfolio of high-performance, low-odor and low-VOC solutions for the most demanding commercial, institutional and heavy commercial flooring installations. The products are formulated for powerful, long-term bonds, superior moisture control and ease of application, making them the ideal choice for health-conscious projects and virtually all approved substrates.
ROX Group
ROX Group brings together the expertise of ROX Stair Parts, CG Hardwood Molding and Precision Flooring Products to offer a complete collection of hardwood stair parts, moldings and flooring accessories. From unfinished hardwood components to custom prefinished products, the company manufactures and finishes every piece to deliver the perfect match with leading flooring brands.
Ventiques
Ventiques’ vents gives retailers a powerful profit opportunity by transforming a simple, everyday product into a premium upgrade that customers can get excited about. With designer styles, fast installation and strong visual impact, shoppers see immediate value—making upsells easy and margins strong. Retailers benefit from repeat purchases, larger project tickets and a differentiated offering competitors don’t have. This low-effort, high-return add-on reliably boosts revenue.
Küberit
Küberit Innovative Profiles offer architects, designers and contractors an often-overlooked opportunity to add value and margin to virtually every project. From stair nosings and flooring transitions to edge protection and ramps for potential trip hazards, Küberit provides quality solutions to common finishing challenges. Premium materials, colors and finishes move customers beyond commodity options, while high aesthetic value makes profiles part of the finished design—not simply a necessity. The result: greater design flexibility, more solutions to sell and more profit.
TotalWorx
Engineered with the patented Straight Edge Grout Line, TotalWorx’s Trim Elite delivers a clean, professional finish while helping protect against chips and breakage. Its proprietary design features up to 23% more metal in the face of the profile, enhancing durability without compromising a streamlined look for hard surface installations.
Mohawk Performance Accessories
Mohawk Performance Accessories PerimeterSeal Tape is an innovative waterproof flooring accessory designed to seal the expansion gap around floating floor installations quickly and cleanly. Compatible with waterproof laminate and LVT floors, the tape can be installed behind baseboards or quarter round and is approved by Mohawk as an alternative to traditional PE foam backer rod and silicone sealant for qualifying waterproof floor applications. By reducing installation time, simplifying labor and offering a low-cost, high-value upsell opportunity on every waterproof flooring sale, PerimeterSeal Tape helps retailers improve margins while enhancing consumer satisfaction.
Versatrim
SlimTrim 3-in-1 molding from Versatrim delivers the versatility today’s flooring customers demand and the efficiency retailers value. Designed to work as a reducer, T-molding and end cap in one sleek profile, SlimTrim eliminates the need for multiple moldings while simplifying product selection and installation. It adapts to a wide range of projects with professional-grade results. Its durable aluminum-oxide laminate surface and strong PVC core provide long-lasting performance in busy residential and commercial spaces. Made in the USA, SlimTrim helps retailers streamline inventory while giving customers a reliable, all-in-one finishing solution that saves time, reduces complexity and enhances floor installation. The molding comes in thousands of colors and can be coordinated with all floor types.
Las Vegas—Informa Exhibitions has opened registration for TISE–The International Surface Event (a.k.a. Surfaces), which is scheduled to take place Feb. 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here.
TISE will bring together flooring, stone and tile professionals for product introductions, education and networking. The event will also spotlight new technologies, design trends and business solutions shaping the surface industry.
The exhibit floor will feature manufacturers and suppliers across multiple categories. TISE will also offer four days of educational programming, including classroom sessions, demonstrations and industry training.
“The flooring, stone and tile sectors are experiencing remarkable transformation fueled by evolving consumer expectations and technological advancement,” said Dana Hicks, group director for TISE. “Industry professionals are now serving buyers with different priorities and requirements, from global supply chain considerations and intelligent products to sustainability and versatile solutions. TISE 2027 creates a collaborative space where businesses can thrive and successfully manage these shifts.”
Exhibitors showcase new products
Products and technologies on display will address a range of market needs. These include environmentally focused finishes, new LVT visuals, antimicrobial carpet and recycled products. Engineered Floors, Mohawk Industries, Mannington Mills, AHF, Vermont Quarries, QEP/Roberts, Flow International and MTE Bridgesaw are among the companies scheduled to exhibit.
Attendees can also explore stone fabrication equipment, installation tools and technologies designed to improve operational efficiency. Workforce development will also be part of the program.TISE organizers have redesigned the exhibit floor around two primary areas: the SURFACES and STONE neighborhoods. The layout is intended to make it easier for attendees to find relevant products, exhibitors and demonstrations.
Education moves onto the show floor
TISE will expand its educational programming with several hands-on experiences and show floor presentations. The CAGE, presented by the Stone Fabricators Alliance, will feature demonstrations of advanced stone fabrication methods.
The new SURFACES Education District will include SURFACES Demos and SURFACES Talks. Both programs will offer daily educational content. The STONE Theater will feature programming produced by the Natural Stone Institute and Rockheads Group. Stone World will sponsor the theater.
The 2027 education program will cover business operations, installation, marketing and technology adoption. Returning programs include the Working with Natural Stone Architecture & Design Program and the Women’s Leadership Program.
The event will also include certifications, training sessions and seminars from the Natural Stone Institute, International Certified Flooring Installers Association, National Wood Flooring Association and other industry organizations.
The Education+ Pass provides access to educational sessions and supporting materials.
TISE is also introducing the Connect+ Pass. The program gives attendees five prescheduled meetings with exhibitors based on their product interests and business needs.
The National Installer of the Year Competition will also return. The competition highlights installation craftsmanship at a time when the industry continues to address a shortage of skilled labor. TISE will also present its Best of TISE Awards, recognizing products introduced across the marketplace.
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, WFCA is revisiting its three-part GROW series on using AI for hiring. This week’s Tuesday Tip features Session 1, “The New Hire Nobody Interviewed,” with Aaron Welch.
Welch explains why disappointing AI results often come down to poor direction, not the tool itself. Like any new hire, AI needs clear expectations and guidance to perform well.
Dalton–Sept. 14, 2026 – Shaw Industries Group, Inc. today announced that Vance Bell will assume the role of chief executive officer, effective immediately, following the departure of Tim Baucom from the role.
Baucom made significant contributions to Shaw during his tenure, and the company appreciates his leadership and commitment. “During Tim’s 34-year career at Shaw, he has exhibited Shaw’s values of honesty, integrity and passion,” said Vance Bell, Shaw chairman and CEO. “We thank Tim for his contributions to the company and wish him well in the future.”
Bell said Shaw has a strong position in the market and significant opportunities ahead. “I have full confidence in our team and our ability to deliver on these opportunities to serve our customers,” he added.
Bell will continue to serve as chairman in addition to his responsibilities as chief executive officer.
American Standard, EF’s digitally printed LVT line.
A clean-sheet vision.
In 2009, while the global economy was recovering from a historic downturn and established flooring manufacturers were leaning heavily on decades-old infrastructure, Engineered Floors set out to construct something entirely new. Guided by industry legend Robert E. Shaw, the company was established on a bold premise: build the most modern, vertically integrated and efficient carpet manufacturing facilities in the world right in north Georgia.
Rather than retrofitting outdated mills, Engineered Floors began with a clean slate and a green-field mentality. Central to this founding vision was PureColor, a revolutionary continuous solution-dyed fiber technology that transformed the soft surface landscape. Unlike traditional piece dyeing—where color is applied only to the outer surface like the skin of a radish—PureColor infuses color pigment directly into the liquid polymer matrix before it is ever extruded into fiber. This locks the shade through the entire filament like a carrot.
By placing color at the very core of the fiber, PureColor gave residential carpet lasting stain resistance, inherent UV fade protection and bleach-cleanable durability that would never wear off over time. Beyond consumer performance advantages, it delivered a massive environmental breakthrough for the industry by eliminating millions of gallons of water waste and significantly reducing thermal energy consumption compared to traditional dye baths.
Defining soft surface leadership
With PureColor establishing a brand-new standard for soft surface performance, Engineered Floors introduced its premier residential retail brand, Dreamweaver.
Tailored specifically for specialty retail partners, Dreamweaver brought luxury softness, rich color clarity and high durability to everyday homes. By consolidating yarn extrusion, tufting, finishing and backing processes under unified roofs in state-of-the-art facilities across northwest Georgia, Engineered Floors achieved unprecedented operational speed and quality control. Dreamweaver rapidly grew from an emerging residential line into a dominant, trusted go-to product collection on retail showroom floors across North America.
EF’s headquarters in Dalton
Strategic commercial expansion
Having proven the power of its four-wall manufacturing model in the residential soft surface market, Engineered Floors set its sights on expanding into the specified commercial, architect and design, and Main Street sectors.
First, Engineered Floors welcomed J+J Flooring into its corporate family, acquiring a revered brand backed by more than six decades of rich commercial heritage. Known for high-design modular carpet tile, broadloom, Kinetex, and resilient flooring, J+J gave Engineered Floors an immediate, respected footprint within the architect and design community for corporate, healthcare and higher education environments.
To complement J+J in the specified market, the company launched EF Contract, delivering high-performance carpet tiles, broadloom and hard surface products purpose-engineered for corporate and public spaces. Soon after, recognizing the unique demands of local business environments, Engineered Floors created Pentz Commercial Flooring Solutions. Pentz provided Main Street projects— from small offices to retail build-outs— with quick-ship access to durable, stylish commercial carpet tile and resilient sheet solutions.
Tailored housing market extensions
As residential market channels specialized, Engineered Floors established dedicated operational divisions to deliver focused products and tailored support for key housing sectors across North America.
Dwellings by EF was developed explicitly for single-family residential homebuilders, providing turnkey color palettes, dependable inventory and streamlined installation features designed to align perfectly with fast-paced builder construction schedules.
Concurrently, EF Multifamily was built to meet the demanding operational requirements of property managers, developers and real estate investment trusts. EF Multifamily delivered high-performance flooring tailored specifically for multi-unit housing—prioritizing extreme stain resistance, swift unit turnarounds, and long-term asset protection for property owners.
The domestic DLVT revolution and PureGrain High-Def
When consumer demand shifted heavily toward resilient flooring, Engineered Floors brought the exact same four-wall engineering philosophy to the hard surface sector. The company introduced the PureGrain hard surface family, offering a complete, multi-category suite of products: PureGrain High-Def, PureGrain Endure, PureGrain Renew, PureGrain Comfort and PureGrain Flex.
Standing at the absolute peak of this collection is PureGrain High-Def, representing a major leap forward in domestic resilient manufacturing as a leader in Direct Digital Print LVT (DLVT). While traditional LVT relies on printed paper decor films laminated onto cores—resulting in limited visual variety and noticeable pattern repeats—PureGrain High-Def utilizes state-of-the-art digital inkjet technology to print high-definition wood visuals directly onto the high-density rigid core.
By digitally capturing natural wood species, PureGrain High-Def is designed with 35 unique plank designs—virtually eliminating visible pattern repeats across an entire installation—paired with digital embossed-in-register texture that you can see and feel. Manufactured 100% domestically under one roof in Dalton, High-Def delivers authentic hardwood aesthetics while protecting distribution from ocean freight delays, tariffs and international supply chain volatility.
EF’s Monarch features PureColor technology.
Built for the future
From its founding in 2009 to its position today as a multi-category industry leader, Engineered Floors has consistently proven that vertical integration, continuous capital investment and American manufacturing innovation can redefine an entire industry. By uniting soft surface breakthroughs like PureColor with cutting-edge hard surface technology like PureGrain High-Def domestic DLVT, Engineered Floors continues to engineer the future of flooring across residential retail, builder, multifamily, Main Street and specified commercial markets nationwide.
Los Angeles—Bentley has launched In Concert, a new carpet series that reworks familiar patterns with expanded colors and coordinating options.
The collection grew from conversations between Bentley’s sales team and designers. One recurring question helped shape the concept: “Can I get this pattern in that color?”
Rather than simply reissuing archived products, Bentley combined existing patterns, colors and scales in new ways. The approach gives designers more flexibility when creating coordinated spaces.
In Concert draws from four recently launched Bentley collections: Culinary, Pacific Standard Time, Screen Door and Light Catcher.
The series brings back patterns including Dog Eared, Dust Jacket, Look Sharp, On The Block, Ritual, Impasto, Secco and Seeing Things. Bentley expanded the palettes and added complementary colors. This allows patterns to move more easily across collections while creating contrast and visual connection.
Expanded options for designers
In Concert includes 10 patterns and 15 color combinations for a total of 150 SKUs. Bentley designed the series to support projects that require consistency across larger environments while still allowing for individual expression.
The collection also includes Fan Club, a textured coordinating product. Its colors match the In Concert family, giving designers another option for building layered flooring schemes.
Bentley developed the series around how products work together rather than treating each pattern as a standalone offering. Colors can carry across patterns while designers shift scale and texture throughout a space.
The result gives designers new ways to use familiar Bentley products while maintaining a coordinated look across a project.
Arlington, Texas—Market Maker Events has confirmed the 2027 Southwest Flooring Market (SWFM) will take place Jan. 7-8 at the Loews Arlington Hotel here. The event also coincides with the Shaw Dealer Meeting.
Engineered Floors/ Xcessories
ROX Group
Ventiques
Küberit
TotalWorx
Mohawk Performance Accessories
Versatrim
Las Vegas—Informa Exhibitions has opened registration for TISE–The International Surface Event (a.k.a. Surfaces), which is scheduled to take place Feb. 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here.
Los Angeles—Bentley has launched In Concert, a new carpet series that reworks familiar patterns with expanded colors and coordinating options.