Dalton, Ga. -- The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) recently announced the annual winners of the Gold Standard Award which recognizes stores that have created an outstanding consumer retail experience. In the category including retailers with sales over $10-million, H. J. Martin & Son based in Green Bay, WI, took home the top honors. In the under $10-million category, Carpet One of Billings based in Billings, MT, was recognized.

The first-place winner in the over $10-million category received a choice of one of either a two-day on-site custom CFI carpet seaming class or a two-day on-site custom sales training, plus a one-year online WFCA University tuition. The first place winner in the under $10-million category received the same options as above but a single-day of classes.

In addition to the recognized winners, each award category recognized 2nd and 3rd place recipients. Second place winners in both categories received an award of $1,000 in WFCA Trade scholarship funds, plus one year’s online WFCA University tuition while the 3rd place winners in both categories were honored with an award of $500 in WFCA Trade Scholarship funds, plus one year’s tuition to WFCA University online. Second place winners were Martins Flooring of Denver, Pa. (Over $10-million) and Harry Katz Carpet One in Mineola, N.Y. (Under $10-million); third place winners were My Flooring Texas of Webster, Texas (Over $10-million) and Russell Martin Carpet and Rugs of Naperville, Ill. (Under $10-million).

High-quality products and service have been the hallmarks of H.J. Martin and Son since its 1931 start in the garage of Henry John Martin on the near west side of Green Bay, Wis. And, while they have grown from the "small carpet store" down the street to the largest interior and specialty contractor in the U.S., they still complete projects of all shapes and sizes every day. Their first job was a residential, ceramic-tile bathroom, and those types of projects remain an integral part of H.J. Martin and Son's identity. They live by the words of their CEO, Edward Martin, "We're only as good as our last job.”

The company is also heavily involved in community and charitable causes. A family-owned company now in its fourth generation, H.J. Martin and Son is an active member of its home community in Green Bay and throughout Northeast Wisconsin. They've made substantial contributions to major community assets such as the P.H. Martin Webster Sports Complex and the Packers Heritage Trail that enhance quality of life and help bring in out-of-town visitors. They also give monetarily and through their work to numerous non-profit organizations, including the New Community Shelter, the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay and Brown County United Way.

Carpet One of Billings caught the judging panel’s eyes in the under $10-million category due to their company growth and dedication to total customer satisfaction on every job. They describe themselves as “deliberate, adaptive and efficient” in fulfilling the expectations of their customers. From their perspective, their success is due in part to their customer-centric service model handed down from the founders to the current generation of management. Their longtime motto is “The customer may not always be right, but they are always the customer.” In addition, their client relationships do not end when the job is over. Carpet One of Billings has ongoing, committed customer appreciation initiatives and, with a relationship built on trust and satisfaction, their customers have been returning for nearly four decades.

Carpet One of Billings supports at least a dozen community related causes through financial investments, sponsorships and in-kind gifts. Some of the beneficiaries of their generosity include local schools, athletic teams, non-profit organizations, churches and community associations.

To receive the Gold Standard Award in either category, companies are reviewed and judged based on: knowledge; customer service; quality of store image; and code of conduct. A company also must be a member of the WFCA, have been in business for at least 3-years, and have a clear Better Business Bureau report. To be considered, applicants must complete a multiple-page submission form and present multimedia marketing materials and other collateral, which is factored into the review process.

For more information, visit wfca.org.