The ideal supplier/retailer relationship is more like a partnership, in which the two sides truly care about “winning together.”
The spirit of ‘we’re all in this together’ was reflected in this year’s Floor Covering News Retailers of the Year issue. Featured were some of the industry’s most accomplished dealers from both influential buying groups to no affiliation at all. In other words, it reflected the retail industry as a whole.
In choosing their top retailer partners, suppliers looked beyond sales volume to other key attributes such as communication skills, trust, company culture and even benevolence as differentiating factors.
Suppliers/vendors nominated up to four retailer partners for consideration and explained why they stand out. Floor Covering News then narrowed down the winners based on the scope of the merit attributed to each floor covering retailer.
Carpetland USA Flooring Center
Sturtevant, Wis.
What COREtec had to say: Carpetland USA is a true partner. They possess a relentless passion for the customer and are great supporters of COREtec. Our products, services and brand storytelling are well represented across their multiple locations in southeast Wisconsin, and their stores are often early adopters of new innovations and technologies that provide consumer benefits.
About Carpetland USA Flooring Center: With six locations Carpetland USA Flooring Center is southeast Wisconsin’s largest retail and commercial flooring provider; it has been servicing southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois area for more than 25 years.
What Carpetland USA Flooring Center had to say: “Partnering with COREtec has been one of the best decisions we have ever made,” said Emery Vamos, vice president. “As we all became more educated on the product category—and the performance of it over time—this decision became clearer than ever.
“With a large selection of quality WPC and SPC products, all with Unilin locking systems, we learned what a benefit that is. Combine that with the local sales representation, Shaw’s distribution and their gold standard customer service, it was a win for everyone. It’s a product you can sell with confidence and know it will perform as promised.”
The Floor Store
Richmond, Calif.
What COREtec had to say: The Floor Store is laser focused on serving the customer, and their talented sales consultants across their nine locations in the San Francisco Bay area are some of the best to ever do it. A large supporter of the COREtec brand, CEO Larry Flick understands the power of partnership and is heavily invested in leveraging the storytelling and quality products of COREtec to drive his own business—and the category—forward.
What sets The Floor Store apart from its competition is a strategic and intentional approach to advertising, inventory management and expertise.
About The Floor Store: The Floor Store has been a Bay Area fixture for nearly 35 years, with nine showrooms. The Floor Store has been Diamond Certified since 2008, a designation based on a customer satisfaction rating of 98% or higher.
What The Floor Store had to say: COREtec has been our ‘go to supplier’ of WPC since Piet Dossche first introduced LVP to the world. We stock over 40 SKUs and have a wonderful relationship with the COREtec/Shaw team. They were the first to have issues due to the UFLPA but were completely transparent about potential supply chain issues and were proactive in helping us work our way through them. Those issues are largely behind them now—first in, first out. I really appreciate the team spirt and can-do attitude of the COREtec/Shaw group.
Long Island Paneling Ceiling & Floors
Lindenhurst, N.Y.
What COREtec had to say: Long Island Paneling exemplifies customer and brand centricity. They’ve built their brand reputation and popularity by excelling at meeting their customers’ expectations and investing in products that deliver on the benefits they need most. COREtec is front and center in every showroom, and their knowledgeable associates leverage their industry expertise to find the right product for the right space with a design-driven mindset.
Dedicated associates are what makes Long Island Paneling stand out.
About Long Island Paneling Ceilings & Floors: Long Island Paneling, which began in 1964 in Lindenhurst, N.Y., has expanded to six showrooms/warehouses throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties during its 50-plus-year history. Even with this expansion, however, its goal has always been to keep the feel and focus of a small company.
What Long Island Paneling had to say: Having such a complete assortment of vinyl flooring from base grade to high end allows us to have something for every customer. COREtec has worked with our sales team so that everyone is fully trained on how to sell their products successfully. They stand behind everything they manufacture and bring to us, which allows for an excellent partnership. We are happy to represent them in all six of our locations.
Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings
Fort Myers, Fla.
What COREtec had to say: Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings is a standout COREtec retailer. As a Shaw Flooring Network customer they heavily support all Shaw residential brands and are committed to our shared and future success. This is a customer that asks, “How can we win together?”—a partner that’s invested in COREtec and the value our products bring to the market. What sets Wayne Wiles apart from its competition are the roots they’ve built in their community and their commitment to the customer.
About Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings: Mark Wiles, along with his father Wayne, the founder, helped build one of the most successful flooring companies in Southwest Florida.
What Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings had to say: “COREtec has been and continues to stay at the forefront of both our customers and RSA’s minds,” said Jon Moore, sales manager. “Not only does COREtec deliver a winning product, but the level at which our account is serviced is superior. We are fortunate to have such good representation both at the local level (Jake Stokes) as well as the regional level (Josh Hausfeld). Shaw and COREtec have allowed our company to sell with confidence and ultimately furnish a first-class floor. COREtec has set the bar and leads the way in the luxury vinyl category not only in our five locations but throughout the country.”
David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors
Knoxville, Tenn.
What Engineered Floors had to say: Engineered Floors truly enjoys working with [manager] Mike Hayes and his team. It is a true partnership when both our goals and values at EF line up perfectly with our customer, and this is exactly what we experience with David’s.
About David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors: David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors has been serving east Tennessee for more than 50 years with the highest-quality floor covering and commitment to customer service. In 1973, David Hayes established this locally owned and operated company and has since expanded to two locations.
Customer satisfaction remains a high priority at David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors.
What David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors had to say: David’s Abbey Carpet celebrated 50 years in 2023 and Engineered Floors is a big part of our celebration. “Bob Shaw [Engineered Floors’ founder] has always been one step ahead of other suppliers and his desire to be the best continues at Engineered Floors,” said Mike Hayes. “Mr. Shaw built his business on offering the best products with the best prices and the best service. Engineered Floors excels with the best service on the best products at the most competitive prices. Service by our local representative, April Fillyaw, is excellent, and Will Young [VP, strategic accounts], and the whole EF team is just a phone call away.”
DeGraaf Interiors
Grand Rapids, Mich.
What Engineered Floors had to say: It is great when doing business with a customer comes so naturally. Deb DeGraaf and her team are true partners in the business and challenge our team to bring truly innovative solutions to the business. The mix of business in terms of segment diversification also matches up very well with our model at Engineered Floors and provides several avenues of growth.
About DeGraaf Interiors: Since 1993, DeGraaf Interiors has been helping clients in Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, and surrounding areas in Michigan turn their vision for their homes into reality with high-quality carpet, flooring and tile. DeGraaf Interiors, a family-owned business, is a member of the National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA).
What DeGraaf Interiors had to say:
“Our business with Engineered Floors has grown over the years as they continued to develop great products and support our business,” said Deb DeGraaf, co-owner. “They offer up-to-date nice displays, and our local representation is one of the best. I have had the privilege to get to know Will and Joe Young better over the past few years and I appreciate their approach when it comes to working with their retail partners. They do not think inside the box; when I have asked for EF assistance with various marketing opportunities their team has been willing to help us with creative—all in an effort to support each other’s goals.”
RPS Carpet and Flooring Wholesalers
Rosedale, Md.
What Engineered Floors had to say: This is Engineered Floors’ favorite kind of customer: a stocking dealer that takes on downstream inventory and has aggressive growth plans. [Owner] Rob Smith’s organization is top notch and the growth of RPS not only shows a clear vision, but great execution of that vision.
About RPS Carpet and Flooring Wholesalers: RPS Carpet and Flooring Wholesalers is a family-owned and operated customer-centric business. Every member of its team—from the showroom to the warehouse—has years of experience in the carpet and flooring industry.
What RPS Carpet and Flooring Wholesalers had to say: “I started my business from scratch eight years ago and [Engineered Floors] was with me from the beginning,” Rob Smith said. “Their ability to provide product at a great price, the service they give us and how they handle business is why we are a good partnership.”
Smith noted that RPS Carpet and Flooring Wholesalers stocks more than $2 million worth of inventory that it sells to the trade. “We run 16 different carpet lines and Engineered Floors has the mass majority of them. They just give us top-level service and always have inventory in stock. If I’m running low, they make sure to get it to me. That’s where they stand out above the rest—their service level.”
Johnson & Sons Flooring
Knoxville, Tenn.
What Roomvo had to say: The retailer’s commitment to customers is inspiring, which is shown in their installation warranty and award-winning service. Johnson & Sons goes above and beyond to bring its customers the latest technology in flooring, having pioneered new initiatives that redefined the shopping experience. For example, they were among the first to introduce the Roomvo kiosk to their two showrooms in Tennessee.
About Johnson & Sons Flooring: Johnson & Sons Flooring, with two locations in Tennessee, is an award-winning dealer recognized by its supplier partners for its expertise in all aspects of flooring—product, style, design and installation. Among its differentiators: all Johnson & Sons installations come with a lifetime workmanship warranty at no charge.
What Johnson & Sons Flooring had to say: “For us [Roomvo] has been absolutely terrific,” said Aaron Johnson, founder. “Their in-store visualizer kiosk has been used extensive by our customers, and we are able to close deals faster because of it; the visualizer takes away the doubt people may have about making the wrong decision. With this tool they know they are making the right decision. And our leads continue to increase as well.
We have continued growing in spite of a downturned economy; we’re opening our third location Nov 11. A big part of that retail growth has been the technology that makes our shopper experience unparalleled. Investing in tools like Roomvo continue to deliver consistent leads and drive traffic into our stores.”
Nielson Fine Floors
Lincoln, Calif.
What Roomvo had to say: Nielson Fine Floors is dedicated to ensuring its customers are educated about the flooring industry and helping them make the right purchase decision. Nielson Fine Floors takes pride in delivering exceptional customer experiences at every step of the flooring selection process—whether in-store or online. In addition to their service guarantee, this family-owned business provides a range of complimentary add-on services, placing their customers at the forefront.
About Nielson Fine Floors: When James and Diane Nielson founded Nielson Fine Floors, their mission statement was to provide an overall experience just like they would personally expect when patronizing a local family-owned business. In the years since, that philosophy has taken on an even greater meaning.
What Nielson Fine Floors had to say: “We first came into contact with Leap Tools (Roomvo) in late 2021,” said James Nielson, founder. “We were very interested in the room visualizer tool and the positive impact it could have on our own business—in-home as well as in our showroom.
“We realized early on that this was an organization that was very progressive and committed to moving the industry forward through education and technology.
Leap Tools has been our website provider for some time and has been in constant contact on a personal level to keep it up to date and relevant, as well as handling our SEO and Google management. The results are impressive. They are a fantastic group of people who are all dedicated to the success of their clients as much as they are their own; we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Carpet Exchange
Denver
What RFMS had to say: Bruce [Odette, president] and Carpet Exchange have been RFMS clients for almost a decade. Bruce and his team have always been at the forefront of technology and process improvement. They have embraced all facets of our product offering and have been amazing partners providing us suggestions on how certain enhancements in our ERP will facilitate improvements for their workflow.
The team has utilized RFMS for the measure mobile application for accurate takeoffs and materials calculations, which in turn allows them to generate accurate proposals, and finally feeds scheduling, purchasing, stock allocations and inventory transfers.
When working with their team, it always feels like a collaborative effort, as we’re all rowing in the same direction. We have one goal to make their team more successful and efficient—and Carpet Exchange wants to be our partner in this.
About Carpet Exchange: Since 1987, Carpet Exchange has provided homeowners and businesses with best-in-class flooring and carpet installation across the front range in Colorado and in southern Wyoming. With 19 retail stores, Carpet Exchange ranks as one of the largest and most prestigious specialty flooring retailers in the nation.
What Carpet Exchange had to say: “RFMS has been a game changer for our business,” Odette said. “Their software has allowed us to be at the forefront of technology. This drives higher margins and efficiencies at every level. We are excited to integrate the new Next platform that is rolling out in the beginning of 2024. This web-based technology will be much more versatile, and intuitive than the current software.”
Haight Carpet & Interiors
Woodinville Wash.
What RFMS had to say: Haight Carpets has been a client of ours for over 18 years. In that time, we’ve seen their business grow—and the way they’ve used RFMS has evolved, too. Prior to RFMS offering a measure app, their shop at home sales team used our measure desktop application on a laptop and took printers to the clients’ homes to produce all the client-facing documents and then printed them onsite for the consumer. Fast forward and Haight now uses our mobile measure application, generates a digital proposal, captures a signature and collects a payment using our integrated credit card processing tools—all from a tablet while in the customers’ home.
When RFMS moved to a fully cloud solution Haight Carpets became an early adopter. They saw value in a single point of contact for their ERP tech stack and wanted to eliminate the need for an on-premises server.
About Haight Carpet & Interiors: Haight Carpet & Interiors is a family-owned and operated flooring business with over 65 years of experience in the flooring industry.
What Haight Carpet & Interiors had to say: “RFMS has been a great partner for us for many years. Their continued dedication to innovation has been instrumental in our ability to modernize our business. The RFMS mobile apps have been an incredible tool for our sales team out in the field and have allowed us to provide estimates faster and close more opportunities all with simplicity. Switching to their cloud solution has also saved me countless hours of server management and troubleshooting, and reduced expenses of third-party IT support services.”
