Vol. 64 No. 12 A Hearst Business Publication June 22, 2015 $4 F LOOR C OVERING W EEKLY The Industry’s Business News & Information Resource Mohawk stakes resilient claim with IVC buy 25 Paul Murfin, IVC, and Brian Carson, Mohawk Shaw’s wood team eyes top spot Investments, domestic production pave the way By Mallory Cruise [Dalton] The leadership team for Shaw’s hardwood has one goal and one goal only — to be the No. 1 wood supplier in the industry. Since embracing that goal a few years back when it purchased Anderson and then launched the Epic brand, Shaw’s made significant investments in the category all the while emphasizing its American made story. The team, which is comprised of Scott San-dlin, vice president of business development, hard surface; Natalie Cady, hardwood cate-gory manager; and, Drew Hash, vice president of hardwood, told FCW that a key part of reaching this goal is serving its customers and Continued on page 24 Scott Sandlin US lumber on stronger ground Supply rises, prices drop By Mallory Cruise For the last few years, U.S. hardwood makers have felt the squeeze of short lumber supply and rising demand, forcing them to increase pricing over and over again. But now, they said, supply is finally normalizing, prices are holding steady and the overall environment is healthier. In fact, Neil Poland, president of Mulli-can Flooring, said from a supply perspec-tive, it is the healthiest market he’s seen since 2012. “Red and white oak, hickory and maple are all at adequate amounts of supply across all species and grades for the first time in several years,” he said, adding the price of lumber has come down from the peak achieved in 2014. But, he said, demand is also changing. “Solid wood flooring consumes approxi-mately 8 percent of the hardwood lumber produced in the U.S. The key to the market right now is that demand from China on higher grade lumber has weakened. In general, there isn’t a strong lumber demand Continued on page 26 Periodical Bob Shaw, Engineered Floors commit to grow NW Georgia 28 For breaking news updated each business day, visit us online at www.fcw1.com