SHAW SCORES: Selling Power magazine has recognized Shaw Industries as one of the best manufacturing companies with 500 or more salespeople to sell for in the U.S. The magazine’s research team ranked companies based on performance in three key areas: compensation, training and career mobility. In the manufacturing category, Shaw was awarded second place honors, missing first place by a single vote. Randy Merritt, Shaw’s president, said the honor was a noteworthy one and highly regarded in the company. “We focus significant time and resources on evaluating our compensation packages, providing training that will yield successful sales representatives and encouraging career path mobility.” That’s what will get us through these difficult times—a competent, productive sales force.

INITIATIVES: The board of directors of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has finalized its 2009 key initiatives: membership retention and recruitment, strengthening its value proposition, a green plan, educational programming and advocacy of industry issues. Association president Jack Lindenschmidt added, “Our committees and board are also working on strategies to maximize participation in our conference program, providing research on what manufacturers need from distributors and what retailers want from us, and driving the value of distribution through the NAFCD.” Another important initiative: It has begun researching the possibility of sharing locations with related industry groups for its annual meeting, strengthening its programs and reducing costs incurred by those large events. That’s a great idea, especially now.

DINO-MITE: Not deterred by current events, J&J/Invision has opened a showroom in London. Partner in the U.K. operation is Mio Dino, a manufacturer of commercial office furniture and glass wall separation systems based in Italy. Expanding its global presence, J&J/Invision’s vice president, Marc Cormier, said, “This partnership has enabled us to become an international player in a market that is extremely hot. Not only does it put our company in play in the United Kingdom, it will act as a springboard to the rest of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and areas beyond.” If you happen to be in the neighborhood, visit the showroom at 8 St. John’s Lane, Clerkenwell, London ECs.

HELPING HAND: The World Floor Covering Association ( WFCA) has launched several initiatives to assist its members and the floor covering industry during the current economic downturn. “We strongly believe in working with other associations to impact public policy,” said Chris Davis, president and CEO of the WFCA. The group is already in discussion with other associations representing interests in the home furnishings field to join forces to advocate a tax credit plan to the Obama administration and congressional leaders to stimulate spending on home improvement items. Both the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) are also involved in the Home Furnishings Coalition, which includes a broad representation of associations in the home furnishings field. This is a bold and positive effort, and kudos to the WFCA for acting rather than retracting, for moving ahead rather than playing dead.

ANOTHER: The WFCA, ever vigilant, has joined Fix Housing First, a coalition formed to push for a housing recovery plan to revive the economy. Membership in the group comprises more than 600 organizations, including home building companies, manufacturers, the CRI and other trade associations. The effort, which adds new members daily, is pressing for a major stimulus package to stem the decline in home values, stabilize financial markets and reignite consumer demand. To get the economy moving again, the coalition is urging Congress to support enhancements to the home buyer tax credit and provide below-market 30- year fixed rate mortgages for home purchases. If the economy was as strong as the WFCA we would have nothing to worry about.