New association for multilayer flooring standards

Seven of North America’s flooring companies have come together to found an association to serve the North American floorcovering industry. The Multilayer Flooring Association (MFA) of Calhoun, Ga., founding companies are Armstrong Flooring, CFL, Mannington, Metroflor, Novalis, Torlys and USFloors.

Following the original seven, newer members that have joined include IVC/Mohawk, Congoleum and Earthwerks, with more at the discussion stage.

The association notes that since their introduction in 2012, polymer composite or wood polymer composite (WPC) rigid-core floor products have seen explosive growth across the flooring industry.

Consumers, purchasers and specifiers expect a discernible set of standards for this new category, the MFA says, and because these new multilayer floors do not properly fit into existing resilient or laminate standards, there is a need for a new industry association to define the quality and performance standards to sustain its future.

Founding board members are: Peter Barretto, president and CEO of Torlys, who is serving as marketing chairperson of MFA; Harlan Stone of Halstead International/Metroflor Corp., MFA president; Barron Frith, CFL, MFA vice president; Mark Hansen, Novalis Innovative Flooring, MFA treasurer; Jamey Block, Armstrong Flooring, MFA secretary; Philippe Erramuzpe, USFoors, MFA membership chairperson; and, Jimmy Tuley, Mannington Mills, member at large.