Article Number: 4026
Education, Training, Karastan Does It Again
During December, STAR FLOORING and DESIGN, a major retailer located in Wichita, Kansas hosted a KARASTAN two-day woven and patterned carpet workshop. The intensive, hands-on installation training involved working in modules that are 18-feet by 24-feet to install difficult woven patterned carpets.
Chad Mohr, Flooring Manager and Duane Roach, Installation Manager coordinated the workshop with Steve Kendrick, Karastan Regional Vice-President of the Southwest Division and Richard Clark, Territory Manager representing Karastan. The professional stretching modules and staircases were constructed by Star Flooring for the two sessions.
Jim Walker, Director of Installation Training for Karastan, “This is one of the best hands-on training programs we have conducted. Every installer came to enhance his skills and be one step ahead of the competition by doing so. The attitudes and the professionalism were of the highest degree. It is very rewarding to know that this group not only has the skill and knowledge to provide the ultimate in customer satisfaction, but they have the desire to go above and beyond what is expected. This is what the Karastan Certification is all about.”
Richard Clark, Karastan Territory Manager, “After the seaming exercise was complete, I was amazed to see the completed seam construction in a very difficult pattern. Each installer constructed a twelve-foot seam creating one large carpet. The seams were graded according to Karastan standards. The seaming was so perfect that we could sell this as a finished area rug. Watching Jim upholster a stair without staples is something you never forget. Installers who use this method are satisfying more than our customers’ expectations.”
Chad Mohr, “All of the installers were very appreciative of the opportunity to not only meet Jim, but take in his knowledge and experiences. Jim does an awesome job of relating to installers and he is able to keep their attention the entire time. He does this by sharing his own experiences along with clearly communicating what is needed, while doing hands-on training. Our company looks forward to sponsoring another certification in later 2009.”
“Pride and professionalism are very important elements of the Karastan Certification. Being the best installer does not always achieve customer satisfaction. We are guests in the customer’s homes and offices and it is important to present ourselves as professionals. Karastan customers have high expectations of the installation and the persons who are performing the work. It is our job as installers to deliver this every time,” commented Walker.
Many sales associates were also present to gain a more thorough understanding of how the best installation starts at the time of the sale. Communicating with the customer what the installer can deliver and providing a detailed diagram can make or break an installation. Walker stressed that creating a partnership with the installers leads to increased and continued customer satisfaction.
Jim explained the various weaves; velvet, Wilton and Axminster in the Karastan line and demonstrated the required seaming techniques. The pattern tolerances were also explained and Ed Braile, Karastan instructor, demonstrated methods to identify and correct bow, skew, pattern elongation and edge deviation. The importance of pattern and backing identification were covered thoroughly in the class.
During the seam construction exercises, discussion focused on the various methods of seaming, using the seam tape applicable to the carpet backing, the use of a seam weight and the correct six-inch roller. The seams were inspected for low rows, missing yarns, overlapped material and gaps. None of these conditions were present in the finished product.
Each installer located the numerous patterns and was expected to describe the type of pattern. It was also necessary to explain the pattern count and problems that occur if an insufficient number of patterns are available in the width of the carpet.
Working in the modules, the discussion focused on the use of the correct tackstrip, placement of the tackstrip and installation of the cushion that is appropriate for the job. Correct pattern alignment, cutting windows, and using the powerstretcher and wall trimmer in the appropriate manner were critical points of the testing procedures.
The custom upholstery techniques were also demonstrated and then performed by the group. The Karastan written test was successfully passed by all attendees.
The installers who obtained their Karastan Certification were Heath Baker, Mike Cox, Dakota Crawford, Mike Havens, Michell Hilton, Jared Keesling, Duane Roach, Mike Slider, Ron Tidwell, Rodney Vickers, Ray Watters, Dave West and Clint Williams.
Karastan’s latest certification requirements are available from the representatives. Each installer of the sponsoring dealer receives the new Karastan DVD that displays seam construction, powerstretching methods, stair upholstery and contains individual sections on the installation of the Kara-Loc backing, and Wilton, Velvet and Axminster carpets. The 70-page Karastan installation resource guide is also presented to each participant to use for future reference. All of the materials are also available in Spanish.
Those who successfully complete the course receive the Karastan Certificate, ID badge, Karastan shirt and are noted by Karastan as certified installers. Karastan also provides a technical service line for installers when questions arise concerning the installation.
Chad Mohr, Flooring Manager and Duane Roach, Installation Manager coordinated the workshop with Steve Kendrick, Karastan Regional Vice-President of the Southwest Division and Richard Clark, Territory Manager representing Karastan. The professional stretching modules and staircases were constructed by Star Flooring for the two sessions.
Jim Walker, Director of Installation Training for Karastan, “This is one of the best hands-on training programs we have conducted. Every installer came to enhance his skills and be one step ahead of the competition by doing so. The attitudes and the professionalism were of the highest degree. It is very rewarding to know that this group not only has the skill and knowledge to provide the ultimate in customer satisfaction, but they have the desire to go above and beyond what is expected. This is what the Karastan Certification is all about.”
Richard Clark, Karastan Territory Manager, “After the seaming exercise was complete, I was amazed to see the completed seam construction in a very difficult pattern. Each installer constructed a twelve-foot seam creating one large carpet. The seams were graded according to Karastan standards. The seaming was so perfect that we could sell this as a finished area rug. Watching Jim upholster a stair without staples is something you never forget. Installers who use this method are satisfying more than our customers’ expectations.”
Chad Mohr, “All of the installers were very appreciative of the opportunity to not only meet Jim, but take in his knowledge and experiences. Jim does an awesome job of relating to installers and he is able to keep their attention the entire time. He does this by sharing his own experiences along with clearly communicating what is needed, while doing hands-on training. Our company looks forward to sponsoring another certification in later 2009.”
“Pride and professionalism are very important elements of the Karastan Certification. Being the best installer does not always achieve customer satisfaction. We are guests in the customer’s homes and offices and it is important to present ourselves as professionals. Karastan customers have high expectations of the installation and the persons who are performing the work. It is our job as installers to deliver this every time,” commented Walker.
Many sales associates were also present to gain a more thorough understanding of how the best installation starts at the time of the sale. Communicating with the customer what the installer can deliver and providing a detailed diagram can make or break an installation. Walker stressed that creating a partnership with the installers leads to increased and continued customer satisfaction.
Jim explained the various weaves; velvet, Wilton and Axminster in the Karastan line and demonstrated the required seaming techniques. The pattern tolerances were also explained and Ed Braile, Karastan instructor, demonstrated methods to identify and correct bow, skew, pattern elongation and edge deviation. The importance of pattern and backing identification were covered thoroughly in the class.
During the seam construction exercises, discussion focused on the various methods of seaming, using the seam tape applicable to the carpet backing, the use of a seam weight and the correct six-inch roller. The seams were inspected for low rows, missing yarns, overlapped material and gaps. None of these conditions were present in the finished product.
Each installer located the numerous patterns and was expected to describe the type of pattern. It was also necessary to explain the pattern count and problems that occur if an insufficient number of patterns are available in the width of the carpet.
Working in the modules, the discussion focused on the use of the correct tackstrip, placement of the tackstrip and installation of the cushion that is appropriate for the job. Correct pattern alignment, cutting windows, and using the powerstretcher and wall trimmer in the appropriate manner were critical points of the testing procedures.
The custom upholstery techniques were also demonstrated and then performed by the group. The Karastan written test was successfully passed by all attendees.
The installers who obtained their Karastan Certification were Heath Baker, Mike Cox, Dakota Crawford, Mike Havens, Michell Hilton, Jared Keesling, Duane Roach, Mike Slider, Ron Tidwell, Rodney Vickers, Ray Watters, Dave West and Clint Williams.
Karastan’s latest certification requirements are available from the representatives. Each installer of the sponsoring dealer receives the new Karastan DVD that displays seam construction, powerstretching methods, stair upholstery and contains individual sections on the installation of the Kara-Loc backing, and Wilton, Velvet and Axminster carpets. The 70-page Karastan installation resource guide is also presented to each participant to use for future reference. All of the materials are also available in Spanish.
Those who successfully complete the course receive the Karastan Certificate, ID badge, Karastan shirt and are noted by Karastan as certified installers. Karastan also provides a technical service line for installers when questions arise concerning the installation.
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