Armstrong Flooring announced its 2016 Elite Retailers of the Year: Gold – Baker Brothers; Silver – Riemer Floors; and Bronze – WorldWide Wholesale, as well as honorable mentions for United Flooring Group and Floor Covering Associates. The award is based on a variety of factors, including sales, lead conversion rates, overall program support, showroom quality and website excellence.
“With several hundred Elite showrooms nationwide, we wanted to recognize and thank the best of the best for their continuing excellence and commitment to the Armstrong Flooring Elite Program,” said Tom Cole, Manager, Aligned Retailer Channel Marketing, AFI. “We are grateful to work alongside a great team of retailers who are engaged and excited about our vision to be the world’s best and most trusted flooring company.”
The 2016 Gold Elite Retailer of the Year, Baker Bros, has been flooring Arizona since 1945. All seven locations are locally owned and operated; they are committed to giving customers the best that flooring has to offer, from product to installation.
In addition to being excited winners, Baker Bros is thrilled to be part of the Elite Retailer program. “Armstrong has a great brand which really stands for a commitment to excellence. They also are committed to producing products in the United States. Their company longevity and history make them a great partner for us. Being an Elite dealer has provided us with a launching pad to be the leader in hardsurface in our region,” said Owner Phil Koufidakis. “Partnering with Armstrong Flooring has allowed us to provide our customers with exceptional products at great pricing, all backed with outstanding service. We are also the only local company to have taken the time to have our installation teams certified by Armstrong. That is a powerful proposition for our customers, which is why we feel the program has been so successful for us.”
Silver Elite Retailer of the Year, Riemer Floors, was founded in 1946 by Harry Riemer, a flooring installer who decided to embark on a new venture in life, and to provide customers with quality products and professional installation. In the beginning, Harry sold, measured, and installed many of his jobs. Eventually, as his business grew, he recruited a number of his former co-workers into the business. Ultimately, he expanded from retail into commercial and new home-builder relationships. Seventy years later, the business is continued by his sons Dennis, Keith and Paul, and two granddaughters Kimberly and Ashlee, using the same principles instilled by their father/grandfather. The family-business mindset and commitment to quality and satisfied customers continues to differentiate Riemer Floors.
“The decision to become an Armstrong Elite Dealer was made at a difficult time, during the midst of a national recession and dire times in Detroit. It has proven to be a good decision to broaden our longtime partnership with the Armstrong brands and their people. Many of the programs associated with the Elite Program were driving forces, but the relationship with the Armstrong team of professionals ultimately made it an easy investment,” said Steve McNamara, VP Hard Surface, Riemer Floors.
WorldWide Wholesale has been named the Bronze Elite Retailer of the Year. Worldwide was founded in 1991 and recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. The company is based in central/northern Jersey and services the market through three large format stores. “The Armstrong Elite Program has helped broaden our product offerings, while connecting us with more consumers looking for those same products, through their sophisticated digital marketing and lead generation effort,” said Darren Braunstein.
This year’s Honorable Mentions are FCA Floor Covering Associates and United Flooring Group. FCA Floor Covering Associates is a Shorewood, Illinois based, family-owned business that started in 1976 as a carpet store with only two employees. Over the years, Bob Hill has guided this business to become one of the largest floor covering stores in the country. FCA offers a full range of floor coverings and services and has the most helpful and knowledgeable staff in the business. The United Flooring Group strives to provide clients with an unrivaled and smooth experience, leaving the customer with exceptional flooring and improved spaces. The company is the product of years of dedication and fearless pursuit for innovation by the owner and founder Carlo Garcia, who has 16 years of industry experience.
“Most people only purchase flooring a few times in their lives, so it’s important that they deal with professional retailers who can provide service, first rate advice, and installation. Customers will not find their residential floors anywhere but the best specialty flooring stores, as exemplified by this year’s award winners,” said Cole.