Garner, N.C.—This summer and fall, specialty dealers across the country will be given an up-close look at the multitude of happenings at Pergo via the manufacturer’s “Go Ahead, It’s Pergo” national truck tour. Over the next three months, two H1 Hummers will be simultaneously driving up, down and across the Eastern and Western portions of the U.S. with a customfitted trailer featuring a variety of educational and fun activities to enlighten dealers and their staffs about everything the mill is doing to help the specialty segment. The truck tour coincides with the start-up of Pergo’s new DL Press Plant at its manufacturing facility here as well as bringing more milling capabilities along with the launching of a number of innovative laminate products and displays. In addition, the company is moving full-steam ahead with its separate business unit, Simple Solutions, which manufactures, markets and sells its patented four-in-one molding system by the same name, and it opened a new, state- of-the-art distribution center next door to the manufacturing plants. “We’ve been very busy,” said Brad Ries, marketing assistant. “And the majority of what has been done is geared for the specialty retailer segment.” Now, it’s time to get the word out, he explained, hence the truck tour. “It is designed to reach out to specialty dealers in a more personalized and direct way. This will give us an opportunity to spend quality one-on-one time with retailers who support Pergo and provide them with the resources and education they need to increase sales.” Dealers and their staffs will be treated to a catered breakfast as the Pergo team sets up the various components of the truck. Included is a full-scale bowling lane made of Pergo Select to demonstrate the product’s durability; cleaning and installation demos; an interactive video presentation showcasing the company’s history, brand message, new manufacturing technologies and capabilities, and new products and displays the company is launching this fall. Pergo designed the trailers to be more than just an educational piece for dealers. “We’re encouraging retailers to make this a special day,” Ries said, “by getting the word out to the community.” For example, he said a local radio station can do a live broadcast on-site, special promotions and sales around Pergo can be announced, along with prizes and giveaways to get consumers to participate. Speaking of prizes, one lucky dealer will win a Hummer 3 as part of a nationwide sales contest. Details will be announced, or ask your local Pergo distributor or representative. Going Direct While Pergo Select remains a high pressure laminate floor, technological advancements in recent years have allowed the company to manufacture its other products via the direct pressure method. Because North America represents approximately 60% of Pergo’s worldwide sales, the company added more than 47,500 square feet to its manufacturing plant to build a state-of the-art direct pressure production facility. Using German equipment, Pergo customized it with numerous features including an innovative alignment system for ultra-realistic registered embossed bonding. The new line gives Pergo more than 75 million square feet of additional capacity, “and gives our North American design team the ability to really be creative since they can now work hand-in-hand with the manufacturing process,” Ries said. Don Cybalski, Pergo’s design manager, agreed, saying, “by having everything in house, we can take full advantage of our technologies to try new things. It’s been a great asset and our customers will see it in the new products we have coming out.” For example, the new Pergo Vintage Home Traditional Strips collection “offers the look and feel of a true vintage hardwood floor,” he said. Featuring three narrow strip board lengths, micro-beveled edges and Pergo’s TruWood Textures technology, it comes in six varieties of oaks, cherries and maples, while its sister collection, Vintage Home Planks is available in 12 styles, including oak, walnut, cherry, maple and hickory. Pergo’s Accolade brand has been given a new collection as well, Tile-On Plank. Available is four popular ceramic/porcelain/stone styles, it “allows consumers to achieve a flawless tile floor that has the look and feel of the real thing,” Cybalski, explained, “yet there is no grouts, adhesives or mess to deal with as each plank of four 12-in. tiles simply click together.” With these as well as an array of other new products coming out, the mill has updated its displays so dealers of all sizes can easily showcase the entire Pergo collection. In each case, the units are color-coordinated with new consumer literature to make it easy for both the salesperson and customer to find the right product. And, all feature new lifestyle scenes which depict busy, active families in real life settings to help convey the company’s message: “Go ahead. It’s Pergo.” While the company has planned for a busy summer/fall, Tony Sturrus, president and CEO, said it continues to look at and work on things to ensure Pergo remains the category market leader in the years to come. “We’ve been working hard the past couple of years to build our relations with the specialty retail segment and will continue to do so because it remains a very important part of our business.” For more information on any of Pergo’s new initiatives, or to find out when the truck tour will be passing your way, call 919/773-6000.