The release of the Carpet America Recovery Effort's (CARE) Second Annual Report and the naming of Matthew Ewadinger, manager for the North Carolina Recycling Business Assistance Center, as CARE Person of the Year were among many highlights of the organization's second annual conference in Pensacola, Fla.

Armstrong Holdings Inc. has reported first quarter 2004 net sales of $845.0 million, a 9.0 percent increase over first quarter net sales of $774.9 million in 2003. Excluding the favorable effects of foreign exchange rates of $34.6 million, consolidated net sales increased by 4.4 percent.

Wisconsin-based floor products manufacturer VPI has appointed Dawn Wensauer to serve as the company's customer service/marketing specialist.

On April 27, the German Patent Office judged upon the cancellation actions that were initiated against Unilin's utility model DE 297 24 428. These cancellation actions were filed by Alloc (and the Berry Group) and several other laminate floor producers.

Metroflor has appointed J.J. Haines & Co. and Ohio Valley Flooring to distribute the company's flooring product lines.

Longtime Armstrong Holdings executive Stephen J. Senkowski has been elected an executive vice president of Armstrong World Industries.

Pergo is currently offering a nationwide sales incentive designed exclusively for specialty retailers who sell Pergo products.

Pergo has welcomed PTS to its distribution network.

Mohawk Industries realized record first quarter net earnings of $66.3 million, 59 percent above the same period last year, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 98 cents, 58 percent higher than last year, for the first quarter of 2004.

Alloc has appointed Louisville, Ky.-based Irvin Kahn & Son to represent the company's entire family of laminate flooring products throughout southwestern Ohio, southern Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.