The Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) annual meeting in Dalton, Georgia, highlighted an industry balancing success with new challenges, from global growth to mounting regulations.
"We're going to educate customers and consumers to advance technical initiatives and to advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry," said CRI President Russ DeLozier during his opening remarks. "And we're going to do that with science, and we're going to do it with integrity, and that's our mission."
CRI reported significant achievements in technical certifications and legislative affairs. The organization's Green Label Plus program has achieved broad international reach on the technical front, now holding 646 certificates across 26 countries and six continents. The program, which measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and maintains AAP accreditation, is complemented by the even more extensive Seal of Approval program, which has issued 790 certificates globally.
A significant victory came two weeks ago when the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) officially validated that carpet sold in California does not contain perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)—a chemical that can cause health problems and is on the Proposition 65 list—confirming the industry's long-standing compliance practices.
On the legislative front, CRI faced numerous challenges across multiple states, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws emerging as a primary concern. An EPR is an environmental policy that holds producers responsible for managing their products throughout their lifecycle. In California, despite intensive industry opposition, Bill 863 passed with a 24-9 vote following a complex "gut and amend" process, DeLozier reported. Hear more about the California legislation from Bob Peoples, executive director of Carpet America Recovery Effort, in the FLOORtalk podcast.
New York continues to grapple with implementing its 2022 EPR law, facing unique challenges around industry cooperation and antitrust considerations. However, there were some positive developments: Minnesota saw its first year without new legislation after a decade of continuous activity, and Illinois did not introduce new bills following nine years of challenges.
Looking ahead to 2025, DeLozier said CRI is actively monitoring seven states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Hawaii—while maintaining engagement through various legislative channels and events. The organization's government relations team, led by Jen Stowe, VP of government relations, continues to build relationships through "red carpet events" at legislative conferences, working to represent industry interests at both state and federal levels.
As the event's keynote speaker, Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams gave a local perspective. She expressed gratitude to the floor covering industry, highlighting its historical significance and her connections as a fourth-generation Dalton resident. She discussed the need for forward-thinking strategies to retain manufacturing in northwest Georgia, including labor force planning and retention incentives.
"This is where relationships with our governmental leadership have really come into play, and as appropriate, the City of Dalton looks forward to being a strong voice and supporter for the floor covering industry," Sams said.
DeLozier encouraged meeting attendees to continue pressing forward and honoring their work: "You've heard that phrase, 'The Carpet Capital of the World' so many times you probably roll your eyes—don't let that happen. Your impact as manufacturers, as leaders, as employees, as associates in flooring, is huge—not only to our country but to the world as a whole."
2024 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award
During the meeting, CRI awarded three industry leaders with the 2024 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award in recognition of their contributions to the carpet industry, including their efforts to engage extended producer responsibility (EPR) in California.
DeLozier and industry veteran Joe Yarbrough, past president of The CRI and last year’s award recipient, presented the awards to John Bradshaw of Shaw Industries Group, Inc., Ashley Young of Mohawk Industries, Inc., and Shawn McGill of Engineered Floors.
2025 CRI Board Leadership
The meeting also saw a change in board leadership. The 2025 CRI Board of Directors includes Jay Brown of Bentley Mills; Dan Frierson of The Dixie Group; Robert E. Shaw of Engineered Floors; Tom Pendley of Mannington Mills; Patrick Keese of Milliken & Company; Joe Semaan of Mohawk, Industries; Tim Baucom of Shaw Industries; and Winn Everhart of Tarkett North America.
The 2025 CRI Board Officers include Chairman Tim Baucom of Shaw Industries; Vice Chairman Joe Semaan of Mohawk Industries; Treasurer Becky Boley of Shaw Industries; CRI President Russ DeLozier; and Secretary Michelle Freshour.
