By Steven Feldman
GLEN BURNIE, MD.— J.J. Haines, the largest floor covering distributor in the U.S., recently hosted about 75 suppliers, customers and former executives at its headquarters here in celebration of its 135th anniversary. At the same time, the wholesaler paid homage to its 100-year partnership with Armstrong, its largest supplier.

According the Bruce Zwicker , president, J.J. Haines, the distributor is among the 100 oldest privately held companies in the U.S. And the values on which the company was built— integrity, hard work, relationships and being the best—remain as the distributor’s core today.

Frank Ready, president and CEO of Armstrong Floor Products, put the partnership in persepctive: “For two companies to survive for 100 years, let alone get along for 100 years, is truly amazing. It all starts and stops with customers who want to buy from both of us. Without customers this is not possible.”

Mort Creech, chairman of J.J. Haines, took it one step further by attempting to quantify the scope of the relationship. “According to my calculations, we have delivered more than $5.9 billion in retail dollars of Armstrong products over the last 100 years.”

As part of the celebration, Zwicker announced what he referred to as a new tradition: a 25-year club for its customers. They will become a special group and receive targeted promotions. More than 335 Haines customers will be initiated in this club, he said. “And we are still finding more.”

While 25 years is impressive, J.J. Haines took the opportunity to acknowledge its “longest customer,” Floors Etc. by N. Ginsburg and Son, Hunt Valley, Md., which has been doing business with the company for 110 years. Stanley Ginsburg, president and now in his 55th year with the company, accepted the award.