NRF’s Paul Lachance, Lisa Francan of Sherwood Tile

Augusta, Me.— NRF Distributors enjoyed another successful Northeast Flooring Market (NEFM) here recently, as the annual trade show for the wholesaler proved once again that it is the event for the flooring industry in the Northeast, noted Terry Gray, NRF’s senior vice president of marketing.

“More than 1,500 retailers, manufacturers, architects, builders and installers attended NEFM 2006 to see the latest product introductions and the hottest floor covering fashions and trends,” she said.

In attendance were over 120 exhibitors, covering 175,000 square feet of warehouse space, who launched their new products and services in every flooring product category including carpet, laminate, ceramic, hardwood, stone, porcelain, vinyl, cushion, rubber and underlayment.

Reps from Alloc, Mannington Mills, Ragno, Mohawk Industries, Quickstep, Edge Flooring, ER Carpenter and Johnsonite were on hand to show their products and Mapei hosted demonstrations all day long showcasing adhesives, setting materials, epoxy grout, self-leveling and patches, noted Gray. “Serious buyers were present to make their decisions for the entire year. NRF wrote record sales that day, over $3 million.

“Food, games, prizes and non-stop entertainment continued all day long; accompanied by warm weather and a clear blue sky,” she added. “This year’s theme, “Grow Your Business,” certainly captured the show’s surroundings and large crowds of people gathered throughout the day.”

In a 30-year-old tradition, Gray emceed as 20 lucky finalists tried their keys to see if they started one of two brand new vehicles. A 2006 Lexus Hybrid was won by Morrison & Clark in South Barre, Vt., and a 2006 Corvette Coupe was won by The Floor Works in Bethlehem, N.H.

For more information on NRF, call 207/430-2818.