DuChâteau® has named Tim Ryan its first wood flooring director. In the new role, Ryan will be responsible for training the company’s sales and customer satisfaction teams about the technical aspects of DuChâteau’s wood products in support of its sales and customer service goals. He will provide guidance in product development and innovation as a member of the company’s design council, and be actively involved in claims management, quality assurance and facility oversight.
Ryan brings more than 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, with an extensive background in hardwood products. His expertise includes sales management, marketing, merchandising, manufacturing, pricing and purchasing. He is based in Arizona and reports to Jim Heaton, DuChâteau’s chief operating officer.
“Tim has extensive scientific knowledge of wood and the processes and technologies that are used to create hardwood flooring options,” Heaton said. “His design and technical expertise, and experience with successful sales and distribution channels will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow in existing and new markets throughout the U.S. Tim’s position will be critical in helping DuChâteau continue to lead the industry in offering innovative, high-quality hardwood products.”
Ryan previously served as managing partner of The Ryan Group, a consulting firm that provides sales and marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and installation companies in the flooring industry. His firm also worked with architectural and design firms to help supply hardwood flooring options across multiple industries and channels.
He started in the industry as a sales representative with Longust Distributing, one of the nation’s largest flooring distributors. He held several positions with the company, including corporate operations manager and corporate vice president of hardwood and laminate. He helped develop several new product offerings including Hallmark Hardwoods and Legante Wood and Laminate, and worked closely with their suppliers Mannington, Teragren and Pinnacle Hardwoods.
Ryan studied business and marketing at Arizona State and then took a short course in material properties of wood and engineered wood composite design at Virginia Tech through its Department of Wood Science and Forest Products.
He has guest lectured on the technical and design aspects of wood flooring to design students participating in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) program at Mesa Community College and Phoenix College. He has also taught his version of Wood 101 at the University of Arizona and to architects, builders, retailers, flooring associations and distribution sales staff.
Ryan said the opportunity to apply his background and knowledge of wood products with an innovative and growing provider of custom wood flooring products made joining DuChâteau an easy decision.
“DuChâteau is an established leader in the wood flooring industry with impressive plans to continue its growth,” Ryan said. “I look forward to working with the leadership team to develop and market unique products that continue to differentiate the company and exceed customer expectations in support of this vision.”