Article Number : 4362 |
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| Date | 4/7/2009 9:51:53 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4362 |
| Abstract | By Matthew Spieler ZHEJIANG, CHINA—An “A” list of dignitaries and guests from around the world gathered to help Chinafloors officially open its new worldwide headquarters and manufacturing facility... |
| Article | By Matthew Spieler ZHEJIANG, CHINA—An “A” list of dignitaries and guests from around the world gathered to help Chinafloors officially open its new worldwide headquarters and manufacturing facility here. The 2 million-square-foot complex allows the company, which markets its products under the Lamett brand in North America and Europe, to consolidate its entire wood and laminate production in one, vertically integrated facility. With key government officials from the region, as well as from its sister province in West Flanders, Belgium, among the 450 people in attendance, Thomas Baert, Chinafloors’ president and co-owner, called the $25 million investment a dream, saying, “This factory is about people,” and dedicated the opening to the company’s 1,600 employees. “The goal has always been to build a ‘dream team,’” he said. That is, everyone having the same dream—achieving the same targets—and working hard to achieve them.” Paul Breyne, governor of West Flanders, from where Baert and one of his partners, Bruno Descamps, hail, said the building of this facility is not only “a fine example” of young entrepreneurs on the world market and what they can achieve, but what can happen when two government entities work together for the common good. “We may be different, but we have many similarities and goals.” The two provinces have been working together since 1997. In 2000 they signed a “friendship” agreement to cooperate in a number of areas, including environmental, education and social. In September 2005, they strengthened that agreement with the goal of developing business opportunities, and the Chinafloors factory is the first example. “Under the current world financial situation, it is more important than ever to have mutual cooperation,” said Gong Zheng, vice governor of Zhejiang Province People Government, calling it a “win-win for everyone involved.” Less than a week after the grand opening, the company received another boost of good news. During the 11th annual Domotex asia/ChinaFloor (DACF) market in Shanghai, Lamett was voted Top International Flooring Brand for 2009 as part of DACF’s first International Flooring wards. The awards are a way of honoring Chinese laminate and wood companies and their brands for such things as product innovation, environmental friendliness and luxury brand in China. (Editor’s note: FCNews will have more extensive coverage of this historic event and what it means to the U.S. market, as Baert stressed the company “fully believes” in the industry’s independent distribution model “and will be very loyal to it.” In addition, we will provide more detailed coverage of the first International Flooring Awards.) |