Q.E.P. Co.'s fiscal 2004 financial results have come in with net sales up 10.8 percent to $143.3 million vs. fiscal 2003 net sales of $129.3 million for the year ended Feb. 29, 2004. For the fiscal 2004 fourth quarter, net sales were a quarterly record $37.5 million up 16.1 percent compared with $32.3 million for the same period last fiscal year. Q.E.P. has recorded quarterly year-over-year increases in 22 of the last 24 periods.

Wisconsin-based floor products manufacturer VPI has appointed General Distributors Inc. as its distributor in Oklahoma.

C&A Floorcoverings (C&A), a Dalton, Ga.-based commercial floorcovering manufacturer, was honored with an Environmental Improvement Award during the 26th Anniversary Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards Luncheon.

William Chapman has joined Tarkett Commercial as vice president of manufacturing.

Amtico Co. Ltd., the U.K.-based luxury flooring manufacturer, has announced that Mary Docker will be retiring this month as CEO of the company's Amtico International Inc. U.S. subsidiary.

Housing starts rebounded briskly in March, rising by 6.4 percent. That figure represents the largest increase in 10 months.

To further support the mission of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), Surfaces and Hanley Wood will donate $100,000 to that organization over the next five years.

In a strategic move to more efficiently manufacture and market their combined hospitality flooring products, ModaVation by Lees will be merged into The Mohawk Group's Durkan Patterned Carpets division, effective April 15.

Scott Lithgow has accepted the position of northeast regional sales manager for Mullican Flooring. Lithgow most recently served as regional sales manager for Lauzon Flooring.

Designer Doug Wilson from the cable television show "Trading Spaces" will make a special appearance this weekend at Avalon Carpet Tile & Flooring in Cherry Hill, N.J.