MARTHA’S BACK: With her difficult times behind her, Martha Stewart has returned to the floor covering industry in a partnership with Safavieh for which she will produce a line of branded area rugs. The first collection of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will make its debut at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market in January of 2007. The collection will include handmade and machine-made rugs in a full range of sizes and styles that will be produced in Safavieh’s facilities in Nepal, Tibet, India and Pakistan. The rugs will retail from $200 to more than $3,000. The multiyear contract gives Safavieh the exclusive license to produce the Martha Stewart area rugs.

MILESTONE: In April, Norville Industries celebrated its 50th anniversary in the carpet business. Founded by Zack Norville as Textile Supply Co., it formed Twistex Corp. in 1958 and Dalton Tape & Bias in 1962 and three years later combined the units as Norville Industries. The company provides a single source for a wide variety of goods and services required for the manufacture and distribution of carpets, rugs and other textile industries, including backing, thread and packaging materials. “It’s been an incredible journey,” says Norville, who is still involved in daily operations. He got his training early. As a young man, he worked at Norville Chenille, a bedspread company started by his mother, Hallie, and continued while he attended Georgia Tech.

CONTINUITY: Zack Norville was always family oriented. During those 50 remarkable years, he raised four daughters and three have been involved in the business. Cathy Amos joined the firm in 1991 with a degree in Textile Science from the University of Georgia and management experience with Shaw Industries and Burlington Industries. She worked her way through the ranks and became president of Norville Industries in 2001. Another daughter, Patti Silvers, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia, joined the company in 1988 with her degree in accounting and experience as a CPA with leading firms, including Arthur Anderson. Now she manages Norville’s finances, personnel and daily operations. A third daughter, Nancy Hallsworth, also worked with the company. Daughter No. 4 is the nationally known Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition and other television programs. Warmest congratulations, Zack, you did a wonderful job—and you did it your way.

FAREWELL: After 21 years with Commercial Carpets of America (CCA), Dave Stafford retired on April 30. He was executive vice president of the company and has been “part of its growth from a small retailer with 12 employees to one of the largest companies in northern Virginia,” said Stafford. He also was a longtime contributor to Floor Covering News, having authored many articles for our “Installments” column, which is sponsored by the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association. Stafford will be working with CCA as a consultant on contracts and human resource issues in the coming months to make the transition a smooth one.

ADIEU: Another worthy participant in the floor covering industry has decided to retire. Frances Phillips, founder of Phillips Communications in Philadelphia, was a masterful publicist who spent the past two decades as public relations representative for Tarkett, when Ingvar Bachamre led the company, and subsequently for Domco, which she served until her retirement. Prior to that she represented Mannington and worked with Gerry Mueller. She says she will be spending more time with her husband, Barry, visiting family, volunteering and simply working in the garden. Sounds good, and well deserved.