KING JAMES: Jim Marcus, the inimitable and quintessential industry entrepreneur, celebrated his 101st birthday on Nov. 1. The Remarkable Marcus made things happen; he dreamed, planned, took risks and his dreams became a reality. His long and illustrious career was born in 1943, when he founded Aldon Rug Mills, a company he later sold.

In 1968, he formed Commercial Carpet Corp. (CCC), which created Viking Carpet and Robertson Carpet. He then blended the three companies into Commercial Affiliates. He was innovative, indefatigable and a visionary. More than a half century ago, he and Gene Barwick championed tufted carpet in an industry heavily dominated by woven goods—and they prevailed.

Jim Marcus retired for the third and final time in 1999, at the age of 95, and left an indelible mark on the carpet industry. Happy birthday, Jim.

SMART MOVE: The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR) has cleaned up its calendar—one of the first to see a potential problem and solve it before it happens. The ASCR has decided to move its 61st Annual Convention and Exhibition from New Orleans to Savannah, Ga.
The Gulf Coast city is still recovering and rebuild ing, and rather than wait and see, the association booked the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort from March 14 to 17, 2006.

Attendees need not be concerned with last-minute changes of flight and lodging reservations in the event that New Orleans is not ready to handle the convention. The ASCR showed sensitivity to its members planning and preparations, and demonstrated caring leadership.

DONE DEAL: Mohawk Industries has completed its acquisition of Unilin, a Belgian laminate flooring manufacturer. The cost of the transaction was approximately $2.6 billion. Jeffrey Lorberbaum, Mohawk’s chairman and CEO, sees the acquisition as “strengthening our market position as a total flooring company. We have further diversified our product base, distribution strategy and geographical footprint through the addition of Unilin.”

The laminate company has a growing share of the U.S. market, indicated by its expanded production capacity and modern HDF board plant in North Carolina. Lorberbaum added: “Mohawk plans to continue supporting the Quick-Step brand through the existing distribution structure and customer base while still pursuing the introduction of new complementary brands and products.” The acquisition will impact Mohawk’s earnings in 2006—favorably, of course.

HIGH HONOR: The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) this past week honored its Circle of Excellence winners for their outstanding contributions toward sustainable, or environmentally friendly design.

Among the honorees was Ray Anderson, chairman of Interface, who won in the Enlightened Manufacturer category. His citation read: “Recognized as one of the world’s most environmentally progressive industrialists, founded Interface in 1973 and has led it to revolutionize the modern office environment with it modular carpet tile products.

His long-term objective is to achieve total sustainability in the manufacturing, reclaiming and recycling of carpet products. An engineering honors graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, he spent 14 years with Milliken and Callaway. He received many honors and served as co-Chairman of President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development.” Anderson was an excellent choice for the IFDA’s Circle of Excellence.

MILESTONE: Fred Chastain, an installation trainer for Romanoff Flooring in Atlanta, celebrated 50 years in the flooring industry on Nov. 2. He is a CFI Master Installer and a CFI Master II Installer and he is an invaluable asset of the CFI legacy. He contributes unstintingly to the progress and success of the renowned national association and as one member commented: “The F in CFI is for Fred.” Congratulations and long may Chastain reign.