Mohawk’s Flooring Rest of the World Segment to See Change

Mohawk Industries has announced a planned transition for its Flooring Rest of the World segment.

Wim Messiaen will oversee the division effective Feb. 1, 2024.

“Wim has an excellent record as an inspirational leader,” says Mohawk CEO Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum. “His expertise includes driving organic growth on an international scale, including brown and greenfield initiatives and numerous acquisitions and divestments. Wim has successfully launched new product categories and built brands from the ground up, as well as reorganizing businesses to optimize their results.”

Messiaen will join Mohawk in mid-October, from VPK Group where he served as CEO of the corrugated packaging division since 2018. Prior to that, he worked for 16 years with Etex, a leading global building materials company. Earlier, Messiaen served as managing director of Domo Group’s contract carpet tile division.

Messiaen will succeed Bernard Thiers as president. Thiers has led Mohawk’s Flooring Rest of the World segment since 2009. Under Thiers’ leadership, the business executed multiple transformational acquisitions, including IVC Group in Europe and Godfrey Hirst, the largest flooring business in Australia and New Zealand. He built the panels and insulation businesses into industry leaders both through organic growth and acquisitions. Thiers’ focus on product innovation led to the creation of breakthrough innovations in flooring, resulting in a leading patent portfolio and licensing business.

“I appreciate Bernard’s many important contributions to the growth of our business,” says Lorberbaum.
Thiers will continue in a senior advisory role after Messiaen takes over the reins to ensure a successful transition of the business and its strategies.