In a sudden shift of its top management, Tarkett has elevated Guillaume Laverdure to the position of president, Residential North America. He succeeds Jan Lembregts, who departed the company after serving as the Residential wood and resilient president, Tarkett said. Lembregts joined the company in 2001 as head of the Domco Tarkett resilient division.

In addition to the areas previously handled by Lembregts, Laverdure's responsibilities will include Tarkett's laminate and luxury tile business segments. In announcing the shift, Tarkett Residential president John Rietveldt said the change is in keeping with Tarkett's ongoing efforts to create a more efficient management structure.

"The creation of one centralized position responsible for all Residential business in North America is another step in consolidating and strengthening our North American team," Rietveldt said.

A 15-year veteran of the company, Laverdure most recently served as vp logistics for Tarkett Worldwide. He will report to Rietveldt.