Economic turmoil remains the key issue for just about every business in the supply chain. For the distribution sector, the end of 2009 and the first 10 months of this year have been a mixed bag, as much depends on which part of the country they service. Nonetheless, the top players overall and within each flooring category managed to maintain their positions within the hierarchy of distributors.

How did they do this? Find out on pages 10 through 15 (print edition) with Floor Covering News’ annual survey of the distribution channel. Along with revealing the industry’s largest wholesalers and how they have been responding to regional issues, some of the top suppliers in resilient, laminate and wood discuss how their businesses have stayed ahead of the pack during these tough times.

Top 10 U.S. floor covering distributors

1. J.J. Haines & Co.
Glen Burnie, Md. • jjhaines.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $275
2009 sales (in millions): $285
Top brands: American Olean, Anderson, Armstrong, Artistic, Beaulieu, BonaKemi, Bostik, Bruce, Carpenter, Columbia, DriTac, Interceramic, Interface, Lamett, Leggett & Platt, LM Flooring, Mapei, Marazzi, Metroflor, Milliken, Mirage, Mohawk, Moreland, Nafco, Pennwood, Robbins, Roppe, ShawMark, Stanton, Tarkett, TEC, Virginia Vintage, Walk-On.

2. BPI
Memphis, Tenn. • bpidecosurf.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $195
2009 sales (in millions): $205
Top brands: American Olean, Anderson, Appalachian Hardwood, Ardex, ARKO Ceramic, Armstrong, Azrock, Bostik, Bruce, Cathedral Collection, Columbia, Crossville, Cullman Tops, Formica, Franklin Adhesives, Full Line – Installer Supply Centers, Future Foam, HanStone, Homerwood, IndusParquet, Johnsonite, Laticrete, LG, Mannington, Marazzi, Metroflor, Milliken, Nafco, Prestige, Qu-Cork, Quick•Step, Robbins Hardwood, Schluter, Tarkett, Teragren, Virginia Vintage

3. CMH Space Flooring Products
Wadesboro, N.C. • cmhspace.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $135
2009 sales (in millions): $134
Top brands: Altro, Amorim, Anderson, Azrock, Benissimo, Bona, Cikel, Congoleum, DriTac, Estrie, Florim, Harris Wood, Healthier Choice, Leggett & Platt, LG Floors, Marazzi, Mullican, Quick•Step, Qu-Cork, Roppe, Vintage Reclaimed, Virginia Vintage, WFI, XLBrands

4. Belknap-White Group
Mansfield, Mass. • belknapwhite.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $132
2009 sales* (in millions): $131
Top brands: American Olean, Armstrong, Avaire, Bruce, Crossville, Endura, IndusParquet, Interface, Kährs, Leggett & Platt, Milliken, Mirage, Nance, Orchid, ShawMark, Sponge Cushion, Teragren, US Rubber, Wicanders
*Fiscal year: Sept. 1 to Aug. 30

5. William M. Bird & Co.
Charleston, S.C. • wmbird.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $128
2009 sales (in millions): $130
Top brands: Armstrong, Bella Cera, Bruce, Interface, Konecto, Kährs, LM Flooring, Metroflor, Provencia, Quick•Step, Stone Peak, US Rubber, VPI, W.F. Taylor

6. NRF Distributors
Augusta, Maine • nrfdist.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $127
2009 sales (in millions): $115
Top brands: American Olean, Ancestral, Anderson, Award, Barefoot, Beaulieu, BSL, Columbia, Dixie Home, Gulistan, Harris Wood, Interceramic, J&J, Johnsonite, Kraus, Lauzon, Mannington, Marazzi, Mohawk, Monticello, Patcraft, Quick•Step, Shaw, Teragren, Tuftex, WE Cork, Weyerhaeuser

7. Apollo Dist. Co.
Fairfield, N.J. • apollodist.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $115
2009 sales (in millions): $125
Top brands: Armstrong, IndusParquet, Interface, Mirage, Sika, Somerset

8. FlorStar Sales
Romeoville, Ill. • florstar.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $110
2009 sales (in millions): $115
Top brands: Armstrong, BASF Adhesives, Bella Cera, Bruce, Endura, Healthier Choice, Homerwood, Interceramic, Interface, Johnson Hardwood, Milliken, Mullican, North American Setting Material, Lauzon, Lyptus, Qu-Cork, Robbins, Sika, Sound Seal, Timeless Floors, VPI

9. Tri-West Ltd.
Santa Fe Springs, Calif. • triwestltd.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $108
2009 sales (in millions): $115
Top brands: Armstrong, Interface, Kährs, LM Flooring, Metroflor (Konecto), Provenza, Quick•Step, Stone Peak, Structure Wood, US Rubber, VPI, W.F. Taylor

10. Ohio Valley Flooring
Cincinnati • ovf.com
Projected 2010 sales (in millions): $100
2009 sales (in millions): $125
Top brands: Armstrong, Bella Cera, Bruce, Custom Building Products, Endura, Homerwood, Interface, Kährs, Konecto, Marazzi, Metroflor, Milliken, Mirage, Multiply, Quick•Step, Robbins, ShawMark, Sound Seal, Stainmaster, Teragren, VPI, WE Cork