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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

According to a 2014 study by the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing, the home improvement industry is expected to see double-digit growth through the end of the year.

Leading commercial interiors event NeoCon announces its call for programming submissions, opening October 30. Industry experts can propose CEUs, workshops, and talks for the 56th edition, scheduled for June 9-11, 2025, at The Mart in Chicago. 

Mark Bischoff, president and CEO of Starnet, shares his perspective on how its flooring contractor member companies have built infrastructures for growth and longevity.

The company will focus exclusively on non-alcoholic adult beverages and aims to build a portfolio of products across beverage categories, both through internal development and acquisition.

The 2014 Floor Trends Flooring Industry Study, conducted recently by BNP Market Research and compiled from answers given by readers of Floor Trends, Floor Covering Installer, Stone World, Contemporary Stone & Tile Design and Tile Magazine, offers a look at a flooring market poised for continued growth.

Industry veteran Paul Dominie has launched a new brand, Onn Surfaces, which provides timeless hard surfaces, including engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank, and glue-down luxury vinyl flooring.

Learn how Don Finkell, Emily Finkell, Carr Newton, and Jesse Xia launched East Paragon Flooring to bring the best in design, performance and value to the North American market. 

The coronavirus pandemic we’re dealing with has created a situation that is beyond anyone’s control. That means we adapt, adjust and make the best of it.

Food and beverage industry leaders join the Food Engineering Editorial Advisory Board to provide insights that inform coverage decisions.

A long list of concerns continues to keep businesses in the food processing industry on their toes. Inflation. Supply chain issues. Hiring challenges. The pandemic. However, a connective thread runs through these four: automation.

Treatment systems must demonstrate robust performance while handling both varying volumes and changing wastewater compositions.

The incredibly demanding operating application and washdown conditions, along with food safety concerns and regulations, have driven a shift toward IP69K-rated products.

Machine vision technology is emerging as a transformative force in driving productivity, enhancing quality control and revolutionizing packaging inspection processes.

The collaboration will share clear, concise messaging and resources that enable the industry to take action in preparing for FSMA Rule 204, which mandates a comprehensive tracking and tracing system for certain high-risk foods listed on the U.S. FDA's Food Traceability List.

Food waste is a big part of the conversation with consumers in 2023. Consumer research conducted by Do Good Foods in September 2022 reveals that “Americans want to be more climate-friendly, and nearly half are more concerned about food waste than they were a year ago.”

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, Jayme Laser, Savannah Stellhorn and Jaclyn Navara share their experiences in the food industry and offer insight on how to support current and future women engineers.

Turn Industry 4.0 from a concept into a tangible business use case with this helpful assessment. Discover the key elements to implementing a successful project that provides business results that align with your company goals.

This year, the exhibition spaces at the show span 15 halls, and the 145,000-square-meter exhibition floor hosts 606 exhibitors, including 38% non-Italian companies from 25 different countries. 

Brazil, the world's fourth-largest natural stone producer and leading U.S. supplier, is intensifying efforts to expand its market presence through export incentives and education. 

AB 863 will replace the current carpet recycling program, which has consistently met state goals, with a complicated new program that is both untested, unproven, and more costly, said The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), which opposes the measure. See previous coverage here. 

The construction industry in Nigeria plays a pivotal role in economic growth, yet it faces a critical challenge: a shortage of skilled labor. This study aims to identify the key factors influencing skilled labor availability in Nigerias construction sector and propose actionable solutions. Through an extensive literature review and distribution of questionnaires to construction professionals...

The crypto industry was the largest corporate donor to this year's elections. Now it has a crypto-friendly president headed to the White House, while critics worry about the fallout for consumers.

“Nobody really comes here,” the waiter at my hotel said. “People only stop when they’re driving through.” I heard that a lot during my recent three-night visit to Thunder Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada.

The Indian film industry has emerged stronger post COVID-19 with a new focus on modern filmmaking techniques and distribution models, according to experts from the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide.

[Domestic] :
A new online labor union welcomes all members, regardless of occupation or industry, including job seekers who are not currently employed. The civic group Workplace Gapjil 119 announced the union’s launch Monday, saying it is based on an internet community and anyone can participate. The group said ...

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[Economy] :
The minister of trade, industry and energy has met with automotive and battery industry representatives ahead of Donald Trump’s return to power in the U.S. The ministry announced on Wednesday that the meeting took place earlier in the day, with participants highlighting the importance of South Korean ...

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Chinese maker of products for the textile industry has located its first US manufacturing facility in Conover, creating 78 new jobs.

To transform the offshore oil and gas industry’s safety culture, operators, contractors, subcontractors, associations representing these groups, and federal regulators should collaborate to foster safety throughout all levels of the industry and confront challenges collectively, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced it will award up to $10 million through a new funding opportunity to support research projects that will advance understanding and facilitate improvement of safety culture in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Renewed interest in exploration of the moon has the potential to benefit lunar science greatly and could evolve into a program facilitated by partnerships between commercial companies and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), say companion reports by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers guidance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to inform the next revision of a permit program that requires industries to manage stormwater to minimize discharges of pollutants to the environment.

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced $7.25 million in grant awards for eight projects focused on strengthening safety culture in the offshore oil and gas industry.

NASA should collaborate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), industry, academia to research the full effects that increased unpiloted air vehicle traffic would have on society, including ramifications to sound, privacy, environmental matters, and cybersecurity, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the U.S. by 2050 is feasible and would not only help address climate change but also build a more competitive economy, increase high-quality jobs, and help address social injustice in the energy system, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Industry leaders, policymakers, administrators, and researchers will gather in person from Jan. 9 to 13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., for the 101st annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

As part of the shift to a net-zero carbon emissions economy, industry and government should begin planning for the deployment of carbon dioxide utilization systems to turn captured CO2 into useful products, such as aviation fuel and aggregates for construction.

Big Tech companies are likely to get less time than startups, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), government departments and other state governments to implement the rules around the DPDPA, the official had said. The government is also ready with a broad draft of the 21 rules under DPDPA, the official had said, adding that the government would now begin consultation on these rules.

Big data allows retailers to analyze vast sets of customer information including purchase history, demographics, browsing behaviour, and social media interactions. This enables highly targeted marketing campaigns, product recommendations, and loyalty programs.

With the increased focus on data security and privacy, BPO service providers will need to restructure their data compliance plan ahead of time. This is not only to ensure that the soon-to-be-updated rules are implemented in a timely manner but also to improve customer service efficiency and increase the firm's general reputation.