Beaulieu International Group’s (B.I.G.) Beaulieu Flooring Solutions Business Unit announced its intention to discontinue its Belgian tufted carpet operations.

The company reports that the market has been struggling with overcapacity for several years, caused by a shift in consumer preference towards alternative flooring types such as laminate, LVT and vinyl, in which B.I.G. has also been experiencing strong growth. The tuft segment today represents a small percentage of the group's total flooring business. Despite a transformation plan and growth investments in this business, current market conditions are making it impossible for the Tuft Division to be profitable in its current form.

The move will affect 174 jobs, and the company said it would make efforts to re-employ people within the group.