After leaving the laminate flooring business in North America two years ago, Formica is back with the help of experienced laminate maker Kronotex USA. A new premium laminate flooring brand, called Formica Flooring, was launched today by Kronotex. With extensive distribution agreements and a comprehensive marketing program, Formica Flooring is targeted exclusively to the specialty retail channel.

Dave Stafford, executive vp of Commercial Carpets of America, announced that he plans to retire April 30.

Patti Stasiak, president of All American Wood Register, passed away March 24 from complications due to bone cancer. She was 58.

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.

With the launch of the Mohawk Heritage Initiative program, The Mohawk Group is doing its part to keep historical buildings covered. In a licensing agreement with the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation, the contract carpet maker will produce replicas of historical carpeting and custom designs for historical sites registered with the National Trust. Proceeds from the installation of the special carpeting will benefit the nonprofit group.

As reward for dutifully walking the show floor at Surfaces, Bob Allen, president, Allen's Floor Systems in Oklahoma City, OK, is set to ride off with a new Harley-Davidson. The retailer was among those entered in a "Win a Harley Contest" at the February convention in Las Vegas. Those who had a card swiped by participating companies at the show where entered in the drawing for the motorcycle.

The contractor network FloorExpo has announced the results of a 12- week Body-for-Life Corporate Challenge that encouraged participants to tone up and slim down. Based on the best-selling book Body-for-Life, individual and team participants agreed to live a healthier life style and be judged based on before and after photos as well as essays about their experience.

Although sales were up by more than $8 million over the previous year, Congoleum Corp. reported a $21.6 million loss in 2005 due to asbestos liabilities. A recently released financial report for the Mercerville, N.J.-based company indicates that expenses related to asbestos litigation grew significantly last year.

Mohawk Industries said it has agreed to purchase a Propex Fabrics Inc. plant in Roanoke, Ala. that produces secondary carpet backing. The facility employs approximately 470 staff members.

Flooring maker Congoleum Corp. recently filed its latest modified plan and disclosure statement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, a step that the company said it hopes will bring it closer to Chapter 11 emergence.