Meet NAFCD's Newest Benefactor - Tarkett USA Inc.

Tarkett is a global leader in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces. With a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, carpet, rubber, wood & laminate, synthetic turf and athletics track, the Group serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. With almost 11,000 employees and 30 production sites, Tarkett sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to sustainable development, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy and promotes circular economy. Tarkett net sales of 2.3 billion euros in 2012 are balanced between Europe, North America and fast growing countries. Since January 2007, Tarkett has been jointly owned by the Deconinck family (50 per cent) and private equity funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (50 per cent). Tarkett's North American headquarters are in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

For more information about Tarkett global, please visit www.tarkett.com. To learn more about the company's North American commercial flooring solutions, including Johnsonite and Tandus Centiva, visit www.tarkettna.com and www.tandus-centiva.com.

To learn more about becoming an NAFCD Educational Benefactor, go here. NAFCD will be announcing all 2014 benefactors upon receipt of membership renewal.

NAFCD Membership Renewals

Your renewal notice have been mailed to your company's primary contact. Renew your membership to continue to take advantage of all the benefits of being an NAFCD member.

As a reminder, Distributor Members fall under a new structure that simplifies the previous offerings from five to three distributor sales volume categories and cultivates inclusiveness and independence for members. Companies that have acquired others will be able to share one membership, but will still be recognized separately as individual members. The new structure takes into consideration branches, geography and diverse product lines, and as a result, provides a greater number of individuals access to NAFCD. To learn more about Distributor Membership please visit our website.

Manufacturer Members are able to choose from several flexible packages depending on the timing of your needs. These flexible membership options have been outlined on our website. Please review each one carefully before making your selection as there are deadlines associated with each of the packages.

If you have not received your membership renewal package or have questions, please contact NAFCD Headquarters at info@nafcd.org or call us at (312) 321-6836.

Less-Than Truckload Shipping: Weight and Classification Tips

Many NAFCD members rely heavily on less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping to get their product where it needs to go. Unfortunately, shipping LTL can be a little bit complicated - but luckily, we're here to help you navigate through all the confusing terminology and hopefully avoid the extra fines that "guessing" can land you with!

In one of our most popular blogs of all time, we provided some pitfalls to avoid when listing the weight & classification of your shipments. Check out the blog here.

P.S. It was great meeting so many of you at the annual NAFCD conference this month! Many thanks to those of you who attended our presentation. Feel free to reconnect with Kathie Kingery or Pat Wallace if you have any further questions.

Introducing NAFCD Member Survey

Early next year, NAFCD is continuing outreach to members to learn more about your greatest needs. We are dedicated to understanding where you need help the most to grow your business. Using an independent market research firm with experience in the floor covering industry, we will be reaching out to members and asking you to participate in a comprehensive member survey.

What we learn from you will give NAFCD a chance to bridge the gaps and provide services and insight into areas where

you need assistance. Your feedback will play a vital role in establishing all components of the organization's new strategic plan. As a result of your feedback and the updated strategic plan, you can expect to see new ideas and new offerings from NAFCD later in 2014.

What can you expect?

The member survey will launch in February 2014. NAFCD Executive Vice President Michelle Miller will reach out via email with an invitation to participate. Participants will then have the opportunity to set an appointment with the market research firm - working around your schedule and providing flexibility for when you are available. The research firm will then set up a one-on-one telephone call to gather your input. We encourage you to be as candid as possible and to speak from the perspective of your business. All responses you provide will be anonymous. Watch for your email invitation this February.

NAFCD Membership Renewals Have Begun

As a reminder, all NAFCD memberships expire on December 31, 2013. Your renewal notice are being mailed to your company's primary contact this week. Renew your membership to continue to take advantage of all the benefits of being an NAFCD member.

Membership with NAFCD allows you to have access to:

Speaker presentations from the 2013 Annual Convention
The highly rated educational presentations offered at this year's Convention featured an impressive roster of though leaders. Topics covered included leadership improvement, economic trends, and developing a culture of accountability.

Economic Outlook Reports
Produced by ITR Senior Economists, the NBMDA & NAFCD Economic Outlook Report correlates macroeconomic data to specific product categories directly related to the building material industry. The report allows you to forecast what effect the economy has on your business and what you can reasonably expect for up to six quarters in the future.

Quarterly Executive Trends and Industry Research
NAFCD has partnered with Cleveland Research to provide you with the NAFCD Quarterly Executive Trends Index. The report is based on member data submission and provides valuable benchmarking and forecasting data. You can compare the results of your company with key trends identified by your fellow NAFCD members.

NAFCD Membership Directory
The online NAFCD Member Directory is the most up-to-date listing of more than 1,000 industry professionals from hundreds of floor covering manufacturers, distributors, and allied members. Updated daily, this directory has a quick, easy-to-use search engine that allows you to locate other members' areas of expertise, companies, and contact information (and makes it easy for other members to find you!).