NALFA President Speaks At EPLF Conference

Bill Dearing, president of the North American Laminate Flooring Association, brought NALFA a step closer to constructive cooperation with European manufacturers at the European Producers of Laminate Flooring's spring conference in Aalen, Germany this May. Dearing was invited to attend the conference as guest speaker, along with Dave Goch, counsel for NALFA. This was the first time NAFLA participated in an EPLF event.

"EPLF's invitation presented a tremendous opportunity for NALFA to explain its mission and structure to our European counterpart," Dearing explained. "We were very pleased to be represented and to take advantage of this forum to build a stronger relationship between the two organizations."

Dearing presented a profile of the double-digit growth U.S. manufacturers have enjoyed over the last several years and explained the new three-tiered NALFA/ANSI Standard FL-01-2003, which was recently adopted in North America. The two organizations are working toward harmonizing standards and promoting the benefits of laminate flooring to dealers, distributors, architects, builders, specifiers and consumers.

"EPLF was delighted to host Mr. Dearing and Mr. Goch at this important meeting," said Ludger Schindler, chairman of EPLF. "Their presence signifies a readiness for cooperation between our two associations. The further development of laminate flooring products in the world market is clearly recognized to be in the interest of both groups."

In North America, laminate flooring manufacturers continue to capture market share within the flooring industry and to produce innovative products for a variety of markets. NALFA is working to guarantee that quality flooring for the residential, light commercial and commercial market reaches the right audience through its three-tiered certification program that outlines specifications for the different categories.

Formed in 1997, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) is comprised of US and Canadian manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring, who share a goal to encourage the establishment and maintenance of high standards in laminate flooring throughout North America. NALFA does not require that members submit their products for testing. For more information, visit www.nalfa.com

The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) is comprised of more than 20 companies producing and marketing laminate flooring in the European Union. The association only accepts members committed to high standards of quality and those implementing suitable production processes. Among the association's major objectives are the promotion of research, development and standards; validation of the hygienic and environmental properties of laminate flooring products, and explanation of consumer benefits. For more information, visit www.eplf.com.