This issue marks 20 years since I started writing for the flooring industry trade journals back in 1995.

Nearly 15 years ago a number of industry players—manufacturers, distributors, retailers, contractors, software providers and others—got together and decided to start the process of bringing the industry’s technology into the 21st century.

OK, so 2014 wasn’t as fantastic a year as most hoped. That doesn’t mean it was a bad year.

Last year, Mohawk Industries told its aligned dealers with the recession over they needed to “Own the Moment.”

The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is a non-profit organization dedicated to financially assisting anyone in the floor covering industry who has suffered extreme circumstances—whether through an unexpected illness or life-changing medical disability.

One of the best moves Floors and More ever made was a year into the company’s life when its founders Dan and Brenda Billingsley decided to take their tile store from a city address to its current location on Interstate 30, a direct link between Dallas and Memphis, Tenn.

Ten years ago, Mohawk Industries launched the SmartStrand carpet brand featuring triexta fiber and it quickly rose to become the most successful product introduction in the company’s history, which dates back to 1878.

Come check out the latest industry news and see what is going on within the flooring industry!

When it comes to behind the scenes we believe the part of the project you don’t see is what really makes a difference.

It seems like not so long ago, I remember being a much younger sales advisor at a retail floor covering store in Southern California.