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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 • • • • 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 • • • • Faus Group, Inc. Formica Corporation Kaindl USA Kronotex USA, Inc. • • • • • Mannington Mills Shaw Industries Inc. Pergo, Inc. Wilsonart International Witex USA, Inc. Associate Members • • • • DSM Melamine Dynea Overlays, Inc. Mead Specialty Paper Midwest Padding, L.L.C. • • • • 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