The year 2023 was full of ups and downs for the flooring industry, but what was consistent was an endless amount of news, style and innovation. 

Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) is accepting applications for its second round of scholarships until July 10, 2024.

Floor flatness is imperative to the success of a tile installation. Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, gives an example of a tile installation that does not adhere to the industry standard required for flatness and how that can impact the installer and the customer. 

In a new column, International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) Advisory Board Chair Rod Von Busch shares the journey that CFI is on to embrace change and diversity, the challenges it faces, what potential members can expect and how its current members are setting it apart. 

Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, walks us through the industry standards that are in place to help you achieve a successful cementitious backer unit installation under tile. 

Learn about the roadmap required to activate the imaginations of Gen Z recruits, which requires visions of stability, long-term career growth, and the potential to work on meaningful projects.

As the Federal Reserve's rate cut impacts the flooring sector, industry veterans demonstrate adaptability. Dan Frierson's 60-year journey at The Dixie Group showcases innovative leadership, while Starnet's long-standing members highlight stability. Our October issue also explores retail innovations, installation techniques, and pricing strategies, reflecting the industry's multifaceted nature and ability to navigate economic shifts.

Magic Cactus’ formulation features 2mg of THC, 4mg of CBG, and 6mg of CBD; a “2-4-6” ratio for what Locarni describes as an “approachable, session-able ‘buzz’” where consumers control the consumption experience.

Packed with antioxidants to combat oxidative stress and thereby enhance immune function, amaí’s Sparkling Hibiscus Flower Water offers a guilt-free way to stay hydrated, according to the company.

By leveraging Einride's offering of connected electric trucks, charging infrastructure and digital freight platform that optimizes operations with data-driven insights, PepsiCo aims to reduce its Scope 3 emissions.

These reports highlight that Hispanics now make up 20% of the US population and account for 71% of national population growth between 2022 and 2023. More than 25% of Gen Z and Gen Alpha identify as Hispanic, demonstrating the long-term potential of this powerful consumer group.

The CELSIUS ESSENTIALS line features boldly flavored performance energy drinks that are made up of the METAPLUS® blend and added aminos, helping support physical and cognitive performance. 

The Mycelium Collection features SRP TPU flooring technology, which transforms waste plastic bottles into circular flooring. 

The new ECOsurfaces Desert & River commercial flooring line from Ecore, a company that transforms reclaimed materials into high-performance products that make people’s lives better, offers the architect and design community an innovative solution that fuses aesthetics and sustainability with ergonomics, acoustics and safety.

Ecore International has been upcycling rubber into high-performance surfaces for over 40 years. The firm announces the launch of its TRUcircularity program, which aims to eliminate rubber waste by recycling and reimagining every end-of-life rubber floor. 

Gerflor, a global leader in designing and manufacturing specialized resilient flooring for sport, commercial, transport, and residential environments, is unveiling two new lines of Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) manufactured in the USA for healthcare and the education segments.

Shaw Industries has completed the installation of a half-acre solar array at its carpet tile manufacturing and recycling facility in Adairsville, Georgia.

PPG has signed a strategic agreement with flooring leader Shaw Industries Group, Inc. to offer the PPG Flooring line of resinous flooring products. The products will be available to Shaw’s customers in the commercial property market via its Patcraft brand. 

The company successfully completed a build-out with employee-centered construction for Crown Bakeries.

A single-stream mechanical recycling pilot demonstration produces the rFlex bale, a flexible packaging byproduct that could be used for future end markets and as a possible feedstock.

A brewer turns to Siemens for its turnkey Blockchain-based Trusted Traceability Solution to expedite future recall scenarios throughout the brewer’s extensive supply chain.

Changing consumer preferences and regulations have introduced additional complexity to supply chains, necessitating that food and beverage retailers invest in robust traceability solutions.

This month’s dry processing product focus covers bulk bag handling equipment.

Dust can occur during any stages of processing—here are products to help control it.

Nixon helps in guiding your facilities' assessment of agricultural and food processing risks through dust hazard analysis, NFPA 61 compliance, and leading options to address the risk of combustible dust explosions.

Gericke’s dust-free docking station is included as standard equipment on the bulk bag unloader.

The funds raised during the tournament will directly support the FCIF's mission of providing financial assistance to individuals within the floor-covering industry who are facing significant hardships due to illness, disability, or other unforeseen life-altering circumstances. 

Mohawk Builder Multifamily welcomed 11 designers from across the country to its inaugural design summit in Alpharetta, Georgia, to build relationships, garner feedback on flooring products in development, and share insights about the company's investments in innovation and sustainability.

AHSG and Commercial USA reported significant membership increases and purchasing power growth over the past few years. Read on for insights on how members have diversified their businesses.

Schönox FP is a flexible, one-part filling and priming compound for priming and filling in one step.

Laticrete introduces Hydro Ban Rapid Custom Shower System, a suite of niches, benches, seats, curbs, and other accessories.

Builder sentiment for new single-family homes increased in October, despite ongoing affordability challenges. The National Association of Home Builders reports optimism for 2025 market conditions, with builders anticipating easing inflation and moderating mortgage rates. The upcoming election remains a key factor in housing policy outlook.

Celebrity designer Jennifer Farrell announced her latest project, I.C.E. House (Interconnected Changeable Environments), set in historic stone farmhouses amid French vineyards. The two-year multimedia experience, culminating in 2026, showcases an adaptable "home of tomorrow" concept blending ancient architecture with modern luxury design.

USA Flooring announced the launch of a Partner Rewards Loyalty program, designed by The Incentive Group for Pro Customers, with support from Shaw Industries. 

Mannington Commercial's Shane Totten, AIA, director of sustainability, offers insights into the manufacturer's recent sustainability announcements. 

Belknap White’s Dave Godlewski, vice president ceramic, and Jane Twombly, director of specification, provided a more in-depth look at the company which is one of the largest flooring distributors in the country, discuss what’s coming for 2024, the opportunities they see on the horizon and the trends they are following this year.

Fishman Flooring’s new president Shane Richmond discusses the benefit of Employee Stock Ownership Plans, succession planning and the future of flooring distribution. 

Learn how this leader in resilient flooring emphasizes long-term planning, approaches the evolving role of digital printing, and discusses the importance of clear product storytelling. Plus, Wu highlights Novalis' commitment to domestic manufacturing.

SCI Floor Covering, backed by Ranier Capital, is expanding through strategic acquisitions in the Midwest. Despite some market softness, SCI President and CEO Dave Elberson remains optimistic about the flooring industry's outlook. Learn about his acquisition strategy, business outlook and SCI's career path for installers. 

No doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, but how is it being utilized in flooring installation? App developer and installer Jason Potts walks us through the newest features of AI bot Ballin Knows Best and what it means for the future of installation.

The guidance describes how firms can voluntarily engage with the FDA before marketing food from genome-edited plants.

The new ovens at the Sunland Park location are state-of-the-art six-truck, dual-purpose ovens, meaning that they have the capability of both smoking and sous vide cooking.

The California-based company is adding equipment, resources and production space to accommodate production of USDA-certified meat and poultry-based products.

In instant coffee production, the goal of separation technology is to produce optimum particle separation and yield, increasing the quality and purity of the finished product.

Learn how long cartridge filters last, how to know when they need to be changed and what you can do to extend their life and performance. 

An interest in shrinking the plant’s carbon footprint and a good neighbor attitude help ease hurdle rates for sustainability initiatives at this California craft brewery.

Finding a fun way to discuss carbon footprints in manufacturing and personal lifestyle requires a delicate balance, but New Belgium Brewing has found a way to strike the right note.

Efficiency was built into Frito-Lay’s Casa Grande plant a quarter-century ago, but the snack maker takes the facility’s energy- and water-conservation systems to a new level with near net zero.

A biogas system has transformed Stahlbush Island farms into a carbon negative operation, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it is responsible for creating.

In the past, Food Engineering’s Sustainable Plant of the Year story has focused on a single plant at one geographic location that has made significant strides in sustainability.