NALFA Held Fall Meeting in Savannah

Springfield, MA, October 26, 2026—The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) convened industry leaders for its 2026 fall meeting in Savannah, Georgia, October 13 to 15, bringing together technical, retail, installation and market perspectives to advance work supporting the laminate flooring category.

Representatives from AGT, CALI Floors, Empire Today, Floor & Decor, Framerica Corp., Institute for Floor Covering Inspectors International, Interprint, Kronospan USA, Mannington Mills, Inc., Mohawk Industries, MP Global Products, LLC, NC State University, NSP Panels, Pak-Lite, Inc., SELIT North America, Shaw Industries Group, Inc., TORLYS, Inc., and Versatrim, LLC participated.

NALFA’s technical, underlayment, moulding and marketing committees met throughout the week to advance work in their respective areas. 

On standards, the technical committee voted to reaffirm LF-02, NALFA’s Sustainability Certification Standard and advance LF-03, NALFA’s Underlayment Certification Standard. The board also reviewed LF-04, NALFA’s Moulding Standard, as work continues across NALFA’s broader standards and certification programs.

Jared Mathusek, vice president of Installation Services at Empire Today, returned following his spring meeting presentation to continue the discussion around installation guidance. Members explored how a more consistent structure could help professional installers working across multiple brands find critical information faster, while giving DIY users clearer navigation without replacing manufacturer-specific requirements.

NALFA also shared initial results from its Industry Intelligence Program, which gathers perspectives from executives, retailers, installers, inspectors and others across the flooring value chain. The findings are intended to give members broader insight into market conditions and field experience while helping inform future technical, educational and market-development work.

Guest speakers added broader context to challenges members face today. Chris Kuehl, managing director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, provided an economic perspective on the conditions affecting business planning and the flooring market heading into 2027. Ray Setlock, segment vice president of Corrugated Packaging at Smurfit Westrock, and colleagues brought an operational perspective on packaging, product protection, and the path flooring takes from manufacturing to the jobsite.

The meeting also introduced new committee leadership, naming Justin Hicks of Mohawk Industries co-chair of the marketing committee and Carl Sonego of TORLYS, Inc. chair of the inspector committee.

NALFA will continue the work advanced in Savannah at its 2027 spring meeting, March 8 to 10 in San Antonio, Texas.