Hardwood Floors December 2019/January 2020

CHAIRMAN’S CUT WITH THE NEXT GENERATION Evolving

By Craig Dupra Chairman, NWFA

list. The next generation is vital to the health of the industry. Congratulations to them all for excelling in our industry and thank you for leading us forward. Within this group of “40 Under 40,” you’ll find that working in wood flooring is generational for some, while others have taken a leap by beginning their own business. These individuals go the extra mile for friends and family, and help their communities via coaching youth sports, participating in Habitat for Humanity, raising money for important causes, and donating time and products for flooring projects in churches. Beyond recognizing the “40 Under 40” recipients, the NWFA brings young leaders in the industry together via the Emerging Leaders Council. This group has grown over the last couple of years, and is now going to spearhead some advocacy efforts for encouraging others to choose careers in our trade. You can read more about their efforts and learn how to get involved on page 36. As Boomers age out, younger people will modify our industry to adapt to the changing business environment. I know my son has made fundamental changes to our businesses to make themmore competitive. I encourage all of us to work together, share ideas, and build strong relationships across generational lines. And, if you want to think positive about the coming year, as well as the future of the industry, please take a moment to read on page 38 how these 40 young men and women are leading the way. g

There are a lot of factors impacting the wood flooring industry as we head into 2020, including wood lookalike products, tariffs, and labor shortages. If these topics are also on your mind, know that we are not alone. Those concerns were widely shared by NWFAmembers in Hardwood Floors ’ 2019 Industry Outlook survey in the October/November magazine. Our business model as an industry is changing rapidly. The old commodity part of our industry is being replaced by look-alike vinyl flooring. The days of doing whole houses with 2 1/4” #1

As an industry, we need to recognize our competition and rise to the occasion. We have the best product, the best environmental story, and remain the floor covering that people aspire to have in their homes. Tile and vinyl make their products to look like ours, not the other way around. Ours is a luxury product and we need to make sure we present it that way to the public. How does our industry keep evolving and rise above all of these concerns? With a mix of the knowledge and experience of the more-seasoned generations, as well as the fresh thinking of the youth in our industry. Some of the youth who may help with solutions to the industry’s problems are

common red oak and sanding and

finishing it natural are going away.

featured in this edition of the magazine as part of the 2019 “40 Under 40”

hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com

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