Flooring Installation Summit Addresses Quality, Availability of Skilled Labor

Dallas, TX, August 3, 2016—Approximately 80 industry professionals gathered in Dallas, Texas this week at the Omni Dallas Hotel to address concerns over the quality and availability of trained floorcovering installers.

As part of the event, seven industry professionals participated in a panel discussion. Representing the manufacturers were Tom Lape with Mohawk Industries, Keith Campbell with Mannington Mills and Mark Shannon with Crossville. Other panelist included Fred Williamson with Starnet, Bret Miller with the National Wood Flooring Association, Tom Cartmell with Mr. Davids and Mike Welch with EJ Welch. Scott Humphrey with the WFCA moderated the panel.

The three key areas addressed at the meeting were availability of labor, quality of training and compensation: what can the industry do to attract more skilled people who are willing to focus on floorcovering installation as a career? What programs are in place to make sure installers are adequately trained, and, what is the right level of compensation for a skilled craftsman who chooses this career path?

As part of his remarks on the panel, Keith Campbell, chairman of Mannington Mills, reminded those in attendance that installation has been a key area of concern in this business as far back as he can remember. New factors that are contributing to the limited supply of young talent focused on serving as certified installers were: competition from other trades in the building sector, millennials who view labor roles as an undesirable undertaking, lack of information regarding potential earnings, and government incentives to help high school graduates continue their higher education.

Much of the follow-up from this summit will be carried forward by the various trade associations that were represented at the event. Informa Exhibitions, which hosts the annual Surfaces trade show, served as the organizer for the event. The timing and location for the summit was chosen to coincide with annual meeting of the Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI), which is taking place the second half of this week in Dallas.

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