WFCA Hall of Fame To Induct Munzinger, Pirner

Anaheim, CA, Jan. 25, 2013 -- New inductees into the World Floor Covering Association Hall of Fame are Fritz Munzinger and LaVone Pirner.

The formal induction will take place on May 9 as part of the WFCA’s Annual Meeting in Asheville, N.C. 

Munzinger is recognized for his merchandising and selling skill-set in the retail sector. 

During his career at Gulistan, Munzinger revamped the sales organization from one that called on distributor size accounts to one that called on key dealers in each market. He then helped to expand Baker Brothers from a 4-store retailer in Phoenix, to an 11-store chain that ultimately grew into one of the 50 largest retailers in the U.S.
 
Munzinger also became a pilot dealer for the Dupont Stainmaster Flooring Center Program, an organization of Stainmaster Carpet’s largest customers. He later launched Munzinger Consulting, working exclusively for Invista with manufacturers and retailers of all sizes to improve the mills’ and retailers’ over-all business model.

For Pirner it all began back in 1967,when he was approached by a friend and a family member about investing in a company called “Discount Carpet Center” – now known as CAP Carpet.

Starting with an inventory of just six rolls of carpet – all on consignment – Pirner grew his tiny business into 19 different business units that span the industry in the areas of retail, wholesale, transportation (aircraft interiors) and manufacturing.

He joined the Retail Floor Covering Institute, where he served on various committees and in every officer position, including president and chairman of the coard, from 1982-83.

Through this organization he met Howard Brodsky and Alan Greenberg. His relationship with them resulted in the founding of the Carpet Cooperative of America (CCA) in 1985. CAP was one of the founding members of CCA. Pirner still serves on the CCA Board of Directors and acts as an outspoken advocate for dealers.