Article Number : 1280 |
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| Date | 8/22/2006 10:00:51 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1280 |
| Abstract | By Matthew Spieler Arlington, Tex.—After 14 years and certifying approximately 20,000 installers, the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), in conjunction with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)... |
| Article | By Matthew Spieler Arlington, Tex.—After 14 years and certifying approximately 20,000 installers, the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), in conjunction with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), is ready to bring installation training and certification to the next level. At CFI’s 13th annual convention here, the two organizations announced a unique partnership that will give the installation group the opportunity it needs to bridge the gap between mill, distributor, retailer and installer. To begin with, Jon Namba, a Master II installer and past president of CFI, who for the past five years has been WFCA’s technical director, will move over to CFI as the organization’s executive director. In addition, WFCA is turning control of its technical services over to CFI. This includes the Technical Services Hotline and all installation training programs. The full transition is not expected to be in place until mid-September. Namba replaces CFI founding member and CEO Jim Walker, who held both positions. He decided it was time to pass the leadership baton “and let the world see there are other people involved who make the decisions other than Jim Walker.” Walker was quick to stress this change does not mean he is leaving CFI, as he remains its CEO. “I’m definitely not going anywhere—I’ll be the custodian if that’s what it takes to best serve CFI and better installers everywhere. That’s all I and everyone else here has ever cared about and that’s why we are making these changes.” Chris Davis, WFCA’s president and CEO, not only called the deal a “win-win” for all concerned, including the industry as a whole, but told Floor Covering News recent changes in the association and industry dictate this was the right move. “This is a positive thing for us and CFI, and Jon will be a great addition and asset—he has a very positive face and he loves CFI and the idea of making people and the industry better.” He explained contracting CFI to run its technical services is not some new concept for WFCA. “I have always believed in working in partnership with organizations whenever possible,” noting because of his small staff, the association has done this type of thing before. “When we ran Surfaces, five of the eight people I had to put it together were contracted. “The point is,” he added, “there are certain things that CFI can do more effectively than WFCA can. Therefore, it makes good sense for us to tap into its resources and further cement the ties we have together.” Long Time Partners Those ties go back to when Davis was first hired by WFCA almost 13 years ago, a short time after CFI’s formation. In fact, in the last nine years alone, WFCA has “invested” heavily in CFI to allow it to better implement its many certification programs. “Without WFCA’s support,” Walker said, “we would not be as strong and visible as we are today; we’d be just another organization—existing but going nowhere and accomplishing very little. Chris Davis, along with the WFCA board, believes in us and they have made a big difference in bettering the overall quality of installation in this industry.” Davis said when he first came into the industry, he established four pillars for how the WFCA would conduct itself: • “Professionalism: Work with and advance anything that could enhance the professionalism of the industry; • “Perception: Raise the level of public’s perception of people in floor covering. Want it to be as extremely professional as possible and have the right kind of people with which to deal; • “Partnerships: If we saw something being done better than we can, we need to figure out a way to partner with that entity or person. We don’t care who gets the credit, we just want it done the best possible way, and • “Profitability: Everyone involved in floor covering deserves to make a buck—and that includes the installer.” He noted partnering with CFI all these years has been the right thing to do because it represents the four pillars on many levels. “CFI can be more effective and efficient at reaching the industry’s installers than we can. CFI has done a tremendous job certifying installers and raising their level of professionalism. But the truth is, many of these mechanics need some type of training before they can get certified—that’s the great thing about CFI, it does not rubber stamp certifications. This will give it the necessary resources to put together a total program to best suit the training and certification of installers.” Industry Changes Along with the realization CFI is better qualified in this area, recent changes within the industry made this the appropriate time for the change. First, Davis said there is a real realization among the manufacturers that they have some responsibility when it comes to installation. “This is a new concept, as historically they said it was the dealer’s. But they, as well as others, are waking up to the fact we are all partners working to make the end customer happy and there is no longer room for finger pointing.” Second, WFCA’s board recognized the organization was not doing a great job with installation, even though it had established the RITE program for many years. “RITE was not necessarily right,” he explained. “It was not [Namba’s] fault as he did a great job forging relationships with other organizations such as the National Wood Floor Association (NWFA) and Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), to better installation in all segments of the industry. It was the WFCA membership and board that failed him.” Walker said the RITE program covered all aspects of floor covering and there was simply not enough time for one person to do it. “Now there are more resources to call on. The structure is still in place and we can cherry pick at our discretion or we may implement it on a larger scale. It’s still too early to tell what exactly will be done.” As for bringing in a new executive director, Bob Gillespie, the first person certified by CFI and a past president and current member of its executive board as well as a WFCA board member, said this move was a long time in the making and that Namba was one of a number of people who were considered. “We felt with the changes taking place we needed someone in the wings, a new leader just in case,” he explained. “Jim Walker is not leaving us and we hope he never does, but we felt this was a way to help build a bridge, not just a crosswalk. “We didn’t just pick Jon,” Gillespie continued. “We had a list of names, we created a set of criteria for the position and, like many times with the executive board, we debated the issue more than five minutes. But each time, Jon’s name kept coming up. We’re very fortunate to have him in CFI and we look forward to the next 15 or 20 years.” Walker noted the new executive director will not just be calling on large—and small—mills, but workrooms as well. “We want to be at the trenches, where it all happens, and let them know what CFI is all about and see how we can help them. Even if it is just in contacts with other installers around the country because it’s a smaller world and they are doing jobs all over and not just in their local cities. CFI can help connect them with people who are professional and do quality work all over the country, and even in other parts of the world. “And,” he continued, “with Jon’s personality and knowledge of the industry—there is not a product he does not know about—he will be a great asset in moving CFI and installation forward. “Our hope is,” Walker concluded, “Jon can show manufacturers that CFI has a history and track record of doing the right thing—common sense says it’s good for the industry. For his part, Namba is excited to be coming back home. “I know WFCA wants CFI to be as successful as it can be and is committed to supporting the further growth and influence of CFI. I look forward to working with all concerned to improve installation and advance the lives of those who make their living installing floor covering.” But, he told the CFI membership, it will not be an easy task and that everyone in the organization needs to do his part. “I look forward to bringing CFI to the next level, but I am only one vote—just like you. The executive board is the backbone of this organization and the people on it work hard to make CFI great—they are not your normal set of volunteers. “And,” Namba added, “even though me and [Walker] have fancy titles, we’re are just the worker bees. So I look forward to being out there promoting CFI and working with manufacturers, distributors, dealers, other installers and whomever it takes to raise the overall quality of flooring installation.” Though WFCA is contracting CFI to run its installation services and Namba has moved over, Davis stressed the association is “not taking over CFI. We have no interest. Why would we mess up something so successful?” |