CFI Establishes Outpost in China

Forney, TX, October 13, 2017-Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) has announced that it has expanded its presence in China. 

Negotiations to establish a CFI satellite operation in Shanghai have been underway since last summer.  

“A year’s worth of planning, negotiating and research has culminated in a partnership with the Shanghai Chemical Building Materials Trade Association,” Varden said.  “Our new arrangement in China represents CFI’s first free-standing overseas operation.”

The new facility, which will be overseen by Mr. Chun Yuan Qi Director of the SCBMTA, opened its doors on September 8 of this year. Qi will report to Robert Varden, vice president of CFI, who will remain based at CFI headquarters stateside. Introductory installation classes at the new facility are slated to commence Q4 2017.

The initial lineup of coursework will include carpet, tile and stone. All classes will be taught by certified CFI instructors who were trained by lead instructors from the United States. The Asian outpost will be offering a full slate of CFI classes in all categories of flooring by Q1 2018.

Varden said the critical shortage of trained installers extends well beyond the United States and affirmed CFI’s commitment to addressing the problem everywhere that it exists.