For the past several years, FCW has produced both a Made in America issue and a World Marketplace issue. It may seem that they are opposing publications — one champions home grown manufacturing and the other the wide world of imports. What they really do, though, is shine a light on what is a very dynamic sourcing landscape for floor covering today. Just as we cheer on domestic facilities opening up, we applaud innovation being found in other parts of the world.
It really requires both issues to tell the full story of what is happening in product manufacturing and sourcing today. And every product’s story is different.
Take hardwood. That category literally went to the Hill to call foul on imported engineered products from China for dumping and countervailing. That was the story several years back. Since then, much has changed. Engineered product is for sure still being imported, and from all over the world. But total imports have declined. Meanwhile, more manufacturing has come onshore. Today, folks like Mullican and Armstrong have shifted to only supply U.S.-made hardwood.
Luxury vinyl tile’s (LVT) story is a bit different. The category continues to grow exponentially and no one country can keep up with demand. But LVT also shows the wonderful dynamic of having both imported and domestically-made product available. You can’t argue the innovation that comes from overseas in certain categories. Just think about USFloors’ Coretec story. While that product will have U.S. production, it took combing the world to find the right components to change the game in vinyl flooring and bring a waterproof story to retail.
At the same time, there is great plant expansion here — you only need to look at Mannington’s Madison, Ga. operation or IVC’s in Dalton. Those businesses have transformed and so have the regions in which they manufacture.
And that’s really the story of Made in America. It’s not a debate on whether imports or domestics are better than the other. It’s about the transformation of U.S. manufacturing and our ability to be a powerhouse. It’s about bringing logistical benefits to the customer while supporting a community with employment and infrastructure.
I love the stories that come with plant expansions here. It’s not just the employment in the plant but all of the things that come with building a community — restaurants, retail, schools and on and on.
I spend every Fourth of July in Martha’s Vineyard — it’s a family tradition now for more than a dozen years. I love everything about the small towns dressed in red, white and blue; a parade hosting the fire department, the local farm institute and camps; and, a day ending in spectacular fireworks.
At the same time, I love seeing the world — learning about new cultures, crafts and culinary specialties. It’s the same view I have of flooring. I’m proud of the inroads we’ve made here to become more competitive and to invest in our businesses and communities. I also am curious about new constructions, processes, designs and benefits that often come from other countries. After reading this special Made in America issue of FCW, you can look forward to the World Marketplace issue in September.