Barnwell, S.C.—Krono-tex USA continues to strengthen its presence with the specialty retailer by beefing up its sales and marketing staff, as well as ensuring its products are kept out of the various lawsuits concerning patent infringement.

“We’re well positioned to serve our customers,” said Norman Voss, president and CEO. “We’ve added regional sales man-agers who will work exclusively with the independent distributor/specialty retailer channel, and a marketing manager to help tell the story of our products.”

Regarding patents, he said, “For several years now, many laminate flooring manufacturers, and in some cases their customers, have been subject to litigation. We didn’t think we could expect our customers to continue to face this kind of legal uncertainty. It was upsetting business, affecting the growth of the product line and raising unfair questions about our company’s integrity.”

To help put an end to the latter, the laminate manufacturer’s parent company, KronoGroup Switzerland, has struck licensing agreements with Unilin and Välinge Aluminium, holders of the world’s two most widely used mechanical locking patents. It means all Krono-Group products are free of any patent infringement.

“If you’re carrying a Kronotex product you are covered from any possible patent infringement,” Voss explained. “These agreements offer our customers the greatest possible legal certainty when choosing products.”

At the same time, he added, the company continues to “forge ahead” on developing innovative technologies, styles and designs. “Keeping customers protected from patent litigation will never get in the way of our efforts to produce pioneering, high-quality products.”

To do this, a trial production facility has been built in Europe to test products and production methods.

For more information on Kronotex, call 803/541-3463.