Download NALFASurfaces2004Presentation

North American Laminate
Flooring Association
2003 in Review
Total Industry Estimates
2002
2003
Square Feet
Sold
530 million
620 million
(17%)
Dollars Sold
$726 million
$810 million
(12%)
Average Price
$1.37
$1.31
State of Laminate Industry
• Strong and Expanding
– Category growth continues to be vigorous
– Double-digit percentage increases in square feet
and dollar value over 2002
– Decrease in average price is slowing, indicating
an increase in sales of value-added products at
high end
– Estimated share of overall flooring business
over 5%
Features and Benefits
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Pre-glued product strong performer
Embossed and in-registered decors expanded
Beveled edges adding dimension
Attached underlayment more prevalent in market
Looking Ahead – What to Expect
• Largest continuing product growth in flooring
industry
• Continuing rapid design and technological
innovations
• Consistent residential growth
• Significant increases in commercial sales; new
frontier offers high potential
What is NALFA?
• Organization of North American manufacturers
and importers of laminate flooring products
• Formed in 1997
• Primary Mission:
– To encourage the establishment and maintenance of
high standards in laminate flooring in North America
and to recognize those that meet these standards
Regular Members
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Faus Group, Inc.
Formica Corporation
Kaindl USA
Kronotex USA, Inc.
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Mannington Mills
Shaw Industries Inc.
Pergo, Inc.
Wilsonart International
Witex USA, Inc.
Associate Members
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DSM Melamine
Dynea Overlays, Inc.
Mead Specialty Paper
Midwest Padding,
L.L.C.
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Pactiv Corporation
SaveWood, L.L.C.
Sealed Air Corporation
Temple-Inland Forest
Products Corporation
Membership Requirements
• Regular Member
– Manufacturer, marketer or importer of laminate flooring
for sale in North America
 Does not include retailers, buying groups, retail cooperatives, retail
marketing groups or wholesale distributors
• Associate Member
– Corporation, partnership, proprietorship or other entity
regularly engaged in the business of selling goods or
services to those that are eligible to be regular members
Member Benefits
• Active voice in constructively building the
industry
• Participation in setting voluntary standards
• Interaction with ISO
• Valuable opportunities to network with other
laminate floor producers and marketers
New Standards
• NALFA FL-01-2003 approved by ANSI
• Increasingly sophisticated products and growing
commercial uses demanded more stringent
requirements
• 3-tiered standard makes it easier for end-user to match
product to application
• Test methods incorporated in document
• Considered a step in harmonizing with ISO standards
LF-01-2003
• Residential Standards
– Developed in 2001 form basic requirements for
residential products
• Light Commercial Standards
– Increased performance minimums for small offices,
low-traffic commercial installations
• Commercial Standards
– Top static load, thickness/swell, ball impact, wear
resistance criteria for high traffic installations
Certification Process
• Sample products tested according to established
protocol
• Company submits product to NALFA-approved
testing facility
• Procedures strictly specified for consistent testing
• Approved labs listed on NALFA Web site
NALFA Certification Seal
• Benefits of seal
– Visual symbol to assure users/specifiers that products
have passed the required tests to conform to NALFA/
ANSI-LF01-2003 standards
– For marketing use on product packaging, collateral
materials, advertising, etc.
– PR efforts promoting fact that seal represents consistent
performance standards
ISO Meeting
• NALFA will host international meeting in
March 04
• Delegates from 8 nations will discuss laminate
flooring standards, testing procedures
• Meeting also will draw carpet and resilient
flooring manufacturers
ISO Meeting
• Goal will be to harmonize ISO/NALFA (ANSI)
standards
• Hosting meeting positions NALFA as strong
player in international floor covering industry
• Overwhelming attendance response
Want to Learn More?
• For more information on NALFA standards or
membership:
1-202-785-9500
www.nalfa.com