The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) hosted its 2026 fall meeting in Savannah, Georgia, where industry leaders gathered over three days to advance laminate flooring standards, installation guidance and market intelligence. Held from October 13 to 15, the event centered on sustainability efforts, installation procedures, and economic and operational challenges facing the industry.
Leadership changes and committee updates
NALFA president Tom Wright, vice president of product management and innovation at Mohawk Industries, emphasized the role members play in advancing the association’s work. “The dedication of our members is what moves NALFA’s work from discussion to action,” Wright said. “They bring the expertise, time and willingness to look beyond their own companies and focus on what will strengthen the industry for the long term. By channeling that commitment into stronger performance standards, better industry intelligence and greater confidence in laminate flooring, we can create lasting value for the entire category.”
During the meeting, several committee roles were confirmed or newly assigned. Anthony Drevet of Shaw Industries Group retained his position as chair of the technical committee, while Deanna Summers and Mickey Davis continued leading the underlayment committee. New appointments included Justin Hicks as co-chair of the marketing committee and Carl Sonego as chair of the inspector committee.
Technical standards and installation guidance
The technical committee reaffirmed the Sustainability Certification Standard (LF-02) and advanced LF-03, its Underlayment Certification Standard. The board also reviewed LF-04, NALFA’s Moulding Standard, as the association continued work on its standards and certification programs.
Discussions on installation protocols remained central to the agenda. Jared Mathusek, vice president of installation services at Empire Today, spearheaded efforts to standardize installation instructions. The initiative aims to help professional installers locate critical information more efficiently while improving navigation for do-it-yourself consumers. The proposed approach would not replace manufacturer-specific requirements.
Industry trends and economic analysis
NALFA shared preliminary results from its Industry Intelligence Program, which gathers feedback from executives, retailers, installers, inspectors and other flooring industry professionals. The findings aim to provide members with a broader understanding of market conditions and field experiences.
External experts also contributed to the discussions. Chris Kuehl of Armada Corporate Intelligence outlined economic pressures expected to impact the flooring market in 2027, while Ray Setlock from Smurfit Westrock addressed packaging and logistics challenges in product distribution. Both presentations identified operational obstacles affecting manufacturers and distributors.
NALFA will continue work on these initiatives at its 2027 spring meeting, scheduled for March 8–10 in San Antonio.
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