Coverings 2013, The Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience, attracted an increased number of architects, designers and specifiers this year when the four-day event was held in Atlanta for the first time, April 29-May 2. The audience segment grew by three percent, drawn by the opportunity to see the latest innovations by more than 900 exhibitors from 50 countries, and attend more than 70 free education sessions, many of which offered free CEUs.  

Overall Coverings 2013 drew over 22,000 attendees, on par with last year’s show.  There was something for everyone from Distributor VIP programs, Contractor Days, on-site Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) and the new Stone Zone for fabricators. All the buzz was shared at Coverings Central, the show’s social media hub.

Visitors took in continuing advances in thin tiles, large format tiles and tiles that mimic other materials such as wood with increasing fidelity.

“Coverings has engaged with the robust community of architect and designers in the Southeast for the past 12 months and we are pleased that they took advantage of all the show has to offer,” said Karin Fendrich, Coverings show director. “We know our exhibitors appreciate the added opportunity of reaching the growing specifier audience. At the same time, all our audience segments enjoyed robust programming and educational opportunities.

One of the many ways Coverings built support among the local design community was by sponsoring for the first time a special Best Use of Tile or Stone category in the ASID Georgia Chapter annual design competition. The Gold Award went to Jo Rabaut, ASID, and Georgia Rappole, Allied ASID, Rabaut Design Associates, for their work on the

Porcelanosa Atlanta, GA showroom. Kris Kirchner, ASID, Lisa Hatch, ASID, and Lauren Higgins, ASID, of K2J, Inc. claimed the Silver Award for the Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, GA. Rabaut and Rappole also took the Bronze Award for their Rothbloom Residence master bath in Atlanta.  

“Our ASID chapter greatly appreciated Coverings’ support of our design contest. The special category drew attention to the rich and varied design possibilities of tile and stone. We, of course, went to the Coverings show and it was fantastic. So many amazing new products to see,” said Janie K. Hirsch, ASID, J. Hirsch Interior Design, Johns Creek, GA.

At the show itself, the daily activity at the Installation Design Showcase was of particular interest to the design community as well as installers. The Showcase matched four outstanding Atlanta-based design firms with four of the nation’s finest installation teams. Design talents Michael Neiswander and Margaret Nysewander of Atlanta’s ASD Inc., conjured a spectacular bar—“a conceptual art piece, really” says Nysewander. It featured all-red tiles from different Ceramics of Italy manufacturers, applied in a faceted manner by Joel Phinney, Senior Project Manager of Rimrock Design, the Lake City, FL-based installer.

Hospitality-design veterans Foreman Rogers and Allison Isaacs of Atlanta’s tvsdesign evoked the grand feeling of a large hotel lobby on a small scale specifying Plane 5-foot by 10-foot engineered porcelain ceramic wall panels from StonePeak Ceramics as well as glass and mirror tiles, all installed by Rod Owen of C.C. Owen Tile Company, Inc., in Jonesboro, GA.

For an in-patient room in a women’s birthing center, Mary Porter along with Craig Anderchak—both of Atlanta’s VeenendaalCave Healthcare, set a serene, relaxed mood with Italian wall tile that resembled light-color fabric and a wood-look floor. Installer Chad Love of David Allen Company in Birmingham, AL, welcomed the opportunity to work with Strata Mat, a new coupling membrane by LATICRETE. 

Mark Williams of Atlanta’s Mark Williams Design Associates designed a masculine 1920s Gatsby master bath modernized with Deco undertones, using Noble Company products, TOTO fixtures and Crossville tile. Installer Buck Collins of Collins Tile and Stone in Aldie, VA, appreciated working with Crossville’s Laminan very thin wall tile.

Attendee Jennifer Wood, ASID, RID, LEED GA, and President of the ASID California Central/Nevada Chapter, took advantage of the opportunity to see just how important the ongoing designer/installer partnership is to a successful project. “It was exciting to see real-time grassroots designing in accordance to team building,” she said.

Coverings 2013 offered excitement for every audience segment. Participants in the VIP Distributor Program brought customer groups to the show including builder/contractors as well as specifiers. Traditions in Tile, Robert F. Henry Tile Company, and Crossville Tile & Stone were among the distributors who hosted personalized tour groups at Coverings.

For installers, this year’s show offered qualified attendees the opportunity for the first time to take the test for the new Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers. One of the most popular features at Coverings were the Live Installation Demonstrations offering an up-close look at how top contracting pros handle a variety of challenging tile installations.

As the premier event for tile and stone contractors, Coverings 2013 offered free education, live demos, networking opportunities and the return of Contractor Days that offered tours of the show floor with lunch and happy hour as well as access to the Contractor Lounge.

The new Stone Zone offered stone fabricators the opportunity to experience the latest in equipment, tools, accessories and supplies. In the Stone Zone, the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) presented ongoing demonstrations and educational “how-to” topics for fabricators and installers on everything from seam polishing to honing and antiquing.

With so much going on at the show, Coverings Central was a vibrant interactive area offering Tweetups, new Quick Fire sessions on how to best use social media, plus complimentary sessions on creating harmony between tile and stone, and other elements such as fixtures, paint  and appliances. Coverings Central was also the perfect place to take in the PROJECT: Green display of outstanding environmentally respectful projects.

As the largest international exposition dedicated to tile and stone, the 900-plus exhibitors offered an unrivaled view of the most current industry trends including thin tile, large-format tile, and antibacterial and self-cleaning ceramics, among others. Further advances in high-definition digital inkjet printing resulted in tiles that mimic stone, wood, fabric, leather, metal and other materials with amazing precision and realism.

Thanks to all the activity at the show, exhibitors reported their investments paid off. First-time exhibitor InnoDeck doubled its space for next year.  Rodolfo Jacobsen, export manager for Portinari, noted, “It’s important for us to be at Coverings not only for the American market, but also because we have our clients here from the Caribbean, Central America and Canada.”

“Exhibiting at Coverings is the thing to do. Coverings is the only show we do,” said Robin Vojak, owner, CR Studio 4, Inc. “It’s a great opportunity to find new clients.”

Lindsey A. Waldrep, VP Marketing, Crossville, said her firm comes to Coverings not only to see distributors, but also to support TCNA, and to reach out to contractors. “We’re really big on training, education and demos and Coverings gives us the opportunity to do all those things,” she added.

Hector Narvaez, executive vice president, Marazzi USA, agreed that it’s important for his firm to be at Coverings to show new products and to partner with distributors.  Aparici Tiles has been exhibiting at Coverings for 15 years, said Carlos Aparici, because the American market is very significant for his firm and the show is the ideal place to introduce new designs to dealers and distributors.

Coverings 2014 will be held in Las Vegas, April 29-May 2, 2014. Registration will open this fall.

To learn more about Coverings, visit www.coverings.com.

After considering the work of hundreds of leading tile distributors across the United States and Canada, Ceramics of Italy is pleased to recognize Mosaic Tile Company as the recipient of the 2013 Confindustria Ceramica North American Distributor Award. The award is annually presented at Coverings to a prominent North American distributor in appreciation of their dedication to the promotion of Italian ceramic tiles in the marketplace. This year, Mosaic Tile Company, a valued partner for the past 40+ years, joins this hall of fame list of distributors. With ten showroom locations on the East Coast, the company has distinguished itself as a leading resource for colorful, design-driven, large-format and eco-friendly tile.

As in past years, a Supervisory Committee made up of members of the Confindustria Ceramica Board of Directors, compiled a list of criteria based on recommendations from Italian ceramic tile manufacturers. Judges’ considerations included: long term competence and skill as an importer and distributor of Italian ceramic tiles; preference for Ceramics of Italy products in light of their unique aesthetic and technical qualities; fair-trade practices in the commercial relationship undertaken with Italian manufacturers; and best showroom and corporate image. Based on these standards, Mosaic Tile Company emerged as the clear winner, standing out in each of the rigorous categories set forth by the Italian ceramic tile industry.

Since 1972, Mosaic Tile Company has been dedicated to importing, distributing and marketing high-quality ceramic and porcelain tile to the United States. It is the largest independent distributor in the Mid-Atlantic, a region which has played an important role in the development of American culture, commerce, trade and industry. With ten design centers spanning from Baltimore, Maryland to Raleigh, North Carolina, the company prides itself on its superior service and wide selection of hard surfaces from around the world. Mosaic Tile Company’s current inventory features a long list of Italian manufacturers including: Atlas Concorde, Mirage, Monocibec, Serenissima, Florim, Marazzi, Del Conca, Edimax, Piemmegres, Imola Ceramica and Provenza, to name a few. Its tile gallery is filled with everything from large format porcelains to monocottura wall tiles to meet the needs of the commercial and residential markets. This past year, its sales of ceramic tiles accounted for over 75% of overall turnover.  

In addition to its wide range of tile from Italy, the jury was also impressed by the company’s commitment to sustainability. A supporter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Mosaic Tile Company brings “green” tile to the forefront of design. Its professionally trained design consultants are deeply educated on the environmental benefits of ceramic tile and up-to-date with today’s most important industry standards and environmental policies including LEED-compliant products, tiles made of pre- and post- consumer recycled material and setting materials that offer low VOC options.

Mosaic Tile Company’s 40+ year tradition of excellence will be celebrated at Coverings on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. During Ceramics of Italy’s annual cocktail party, Aperitivo Italiano, Vittorio Borelli, vice president of promotional activities for Confindustria Ceramica, will present Mosaic Tile Company with the 2013 North American Distributor Award. The party will be held on show site from 5:30–7:30pm in the Ceramics of Italy booth #2231. General Manager James Igoe will be on hand to accept the prestigious prize. The company will also receive a trip to Bologna, Italy to attend CERSAIE – the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings – from September 23-27, 2013.

Candid contractor comments

It may not be too fashionable, but I have been using drills from Milwaukee tools to mix mortar for years: variable speed, indestructible, inexpensive! I have two of them in my shop now that are more than 10 years old. I also use Makita cordless drills for drilling holes and driving backer-board screws. 

– Greg Michael, CTI, Michael’s Custom Tile, Inc., NTCA Five Star Contractor

I am partial to the DeWalt 1/2” VSR 550 rpm/rev Spade Handle Drill 9.0 amp. purchased through our local Mann Tool & Supply. We have found that “big box” tools seem to be made differently. The drill has enough torque to mix large amounts of thinset to the correct consistency without having to add additional water that would weaken the bond strength. The variable speed is essential when big batches of sanded grout are needed and we can mix it at the lower recommended speeds. The spade handle makes it easy to control and the tough case is durable when one gets “accidentally” knocked to the concrete.  We also use the Troxell “Egg Beater” mixing paddle that reduces air infusion and is easy to clean.

– Scott Heron, Precision Tile Company, NTCA Five Star Contractor

We look for ease of use, variable speed and long life in our mixers and drills!

– Buck Collins, Collins Tile and Stone, NTCA Five Star Contractor

For me, it is important to have a drill that is versatile enough to mix not only thin-set mortars, but also the medium-bed and dry-pack mortars that can be difficult to mix in a bucket.

– John Mourelatos, Mourelatos Tile, Inc., NTCA State Director

We look at variable mixers and how easy it is to switch from forward to reverse. It helps if it looks easy to clean with no exposed nuts or bolts. We like DeWalt. It’s nice when the chuck can be operated without a chuck key.

– Mike Weaver, Trendsetter Tile & Stone, NTCA State Director

When our company was in business, we really only used two types of mixers for thin-set and medium -bed mortars. One was a purpose-built mixer from Rubi, which came with a special paddle (like a giant paint paddle) that did not entrain air into the mix. The second type – and we had many more of these – was a Hole Hawg by Milwaukee, and Makita’s knock-off of the same drill (the Makita we liked because they were just as tough, but weighed less, so the helpers didn’t knock over the water buckets after spin-cleaning the paddle). We used these two drills because when mechanically set in low speed, they were the only ones that met the maximum allowable 300 rpm mixing speed allowed by mortar manufacturers. They were also extremely tough and durable. All the other drills out there (that are used by a majority of tile people I have met) have speeds ranging from 550 to 850 rpms, and this is just too fast, causing weak mortar by air entrainment, and lowering pot life and open time, all critical elements. We were always intrigued by Raimondi’s mixer which spins the bucket around a fixed blade. It would be perfect for large projects where all-day mixing with a couple of helpers is required.

– Michael Whistler, NTCA technical consultant/presenter

MIXER & DRILL PRODUCTS

Kraft Tool Co. introduces the Triangle Blade Mixer. The triangle shape was designed in coordination with the industry to thoroughly mix material including thin-set mortar, grout, and other concrete-based products. The design helps move material from the corners of the bucket for even mixing. Stainless steel construction allows for easy clean up. The 24” height is perfect for mixing in buckets. Made in the USA. www.KraftTool.com

MK Diamond’s lightweight, portable Canoga 70 Mixer is suited for mixing grout, thin-set mortar and polymer-based materials. It can mix all material from sand and cement to self-leveling epoxies, epoxy-based mortar, and concrete toppings. The Canoga 70 is designed for operation by one person and is quiet enough to operate anywhere. Dual handle design features fixed handles in front for pouring and rear handles for transporting. This durable mixer has an all-steel frame and is powered by a high torque 1/3 horsepower electric gear motor. Batch capacity is 1/4 to 1/3 bag, 2 cubic feet. ww.mkdiamond.com.

Rubi’s Rubimix-9 mixer provides great versatility for mixing cementitious adhesives, resins, paints and other materials by an interchangeable mixing paddle with M14 connection. Improved ergonomics creates comfort and a two-speed gearbox and electronic controller optimizes the mixing of each material.  Made of lightweight and durable materials, 1200 watts, with double insulation. www.rubi.com

Bosch Power Tools offers their most innovative rotary hammer, the RHH181 18V Li-Ion SDS-plus® Rotary Hammer, featuring Bosch brand’s innovative CORE brushless technology and a new chiseling function that increases the product’s versatility. The hammer provides drilling and chiseling in a lightweight, compact size. A new line of lithium ion batteries to be used with this tool offers up to 65% longer runtime and advanced CoolPack™ technology for up to 100% more recharge-life. www.boschtools.com

In stone sculpting, an artist taps a stone lightly with a hammer to see if it’s “true.” If it emits a dull tone, it has faults running through it that will crack it apart when you work on it. A clear ring, one that hangs in the air for a moment, means it’s true, has integrity, and, most importantly, will hold up under repeated blows. This is the same information we seek about our callings, and we need to be continually “tapping in” to discern their truth.
– Gregg Levoy,
Callings: Finding and
Following an Authentic Life

Recently I attended a workshop by Gregg Levoy (www.gregglevoy.com), author of the book Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, on the subject of the same name.

Part of the workshop involved a process of brainstorming. Actually it was more of a brainstorming barrage. A volunteer who was trying to expand a dressmaking business sat on stage – and once the purpose and target of her business was clarified – we all bombarded her with ideas in answer to the question: “In how many ways can I expand and promote my dressmaking business?”

In 12 minutes, we had 75 ideas. Levoy encouraged us to think outside the box and toss as many ideas as possible into the fray – no matter how outrageous. Of the gathered list, he encouraged asking four questions of each idea:

1. What’s good about this idea?

2. What are its problems?

3. How can they be overcome?

4. What new ideas does this one suggest?

This process seemed like a great one to share with TileLetter readers. How often do you brainstorm with your staff, workers, contacts, vendors, customers, clients about an issue you are trying to resolve? What would happen if you gathered a group of people together (either live or via Skype, email or social media) in a brainstorming session to generate new ideas, actions, contact, solutions, etc., in response to the question, “In how many ways can we __________________?” What untapped reservoirs of creativity might you unleash? What kind of enthusiasm might you generate? What kinds of novel and inspired solutions might result from unexpected sources? If you are feeling stuck concerning a problem or issue facing your business, why not try this approach and run each idea through the gauntlet of questions above to hone your solution to perfectly fit your business?

In the meantime, scour the pages of this issue of TileLetter for inspiration, solutions and suggestions that can enrich your business and make it more professional and profitable. Do you have an idea for a story or do you have one to contribute? Share it with me at lesley@tile-assn.com.

We’ve all had the opportunity to offer our services with “shades of gray.” Although each of us had a story to tell, we all agreed that the tile industry is being eroded by contractors who think they need to cut corners because if they don’t, they think others will. We all agreed that striving for “black and white” bids, proposals, and contracts is something our industry must take seriously.

Through conversations with other people, I’ve come to realize that when you choose to play in the gray because you think others will, it becomes much more difficult to return to the black and white. Over time, you find yourself unable to differentiate. You find yourself changed as a person.

The NTCA has invested in many quality labor programs: partnering with CTEF, creating CTI, ACT, and Five Star, to name a few.  Manufacturers and distributors have spent millions of dollars to provide solutions to difficult problems, funding countless programs promoting innovation and educating industry partners. And yet, many tile contractors focus on the easy solution: cut corners and sell on price.

I feel that quality will sell, and in the past, it did. Today however, we are in a battle of ethics with an attitude of “Buyer Beware.” I see undefined specs, unproven methods, and unethical labor practices that do not provide buyer protection or a fair playing field for tile contractors who provide “black and white” VALUE propositions.

How can we as NTCA tile contractor members resolve this issue?
Ask RFI (request for information) questions. Tile contractors need to point out undefined bid documents at the start of the bidding process.

Provide budgets that have specialty items listed as a checklist. Owners must see a defined budget number upfront. If they don’t budget for necessary specialty items, they have a hard time adding costs during construction.

Provide price breakdowns for unforeseen items like crack isolation, floor prep, specialty grouts and sealers, soft joints and pattern layouts.

Provide a proposal that speaks of quality and identify value investments with pay back.
Sell your company’s accomplishments (CTI, ACT, Five Star Contractor, and Trowel of Excellence).

This is the high road to success. I challenge you to work with your prime contractors to define challenges and provide value to consumers. The fact is, general contractors and construction managers have several scopes to analyze, and if you don’t discuss value, they can only make decisions based on price. Those who are successful – and who will continue to be successful – promote and provide value.

Sincerely,
Daniel Jay Welch, President NTCA,
Welch Tile & Marble Inc.

“When choosing the materials to be used in a historically-significant building, it is important that they be aesthetically pleasing as well as durable enough to last for the next 50 years,” said Roger Van-House of Emser Tile.

Quality honed by experience
To ensure that beauty will survive into the future depends on two equal factors: materials and installation. With over 40 years of experience, Merkrete Tile & Stone Installation Systems offered both time-tested quality and technical assistance to San Diego-based Source Floors, Inc. and NY Tile Company. The challenges in any renovation require real skill on the part of the tile setters and a product that will perform in any kind of adverse conditions.

“With Merkrete we knew we could count on quality and having the right product for a full range of installation challenges,” stated Nora Yim, president, NY Tile Company.

“We chose Merkrete because we wanted a product that we could stand behind and have a bullet proof warranty,” stated Brittany Holland Purdy, Project Manager, Source Floor, Inc.

For commercial applications, restrooms are always challenging. Selecting a waterproof membrane for this 10,000 sq. ft. project was one of the first considerations. Knowing that Merkrete offers a variety of membranes with code approval and flexibility was a key factor in the selection of all the materials used on Copley Hall.

“Merkrete’s SP 1, a rapid-curing membrane, allowed us maximum flexibility and quick drying,” said Yim. “Today, more than ever, time is money and liquid-applied materials like Merkrete’s SP 1 offer quality and speed of installation. With our reputation on the line for every job, I use Merkrete membranes and setting materials to ensure my future. I’m sold on Merkrete.”

Attention from the ground up
In renovation applications, sub- floor preparation is most challenging. For Copley Hall this was  especially true. The floors were in need of a complete tear-out, followed by a 2” float and self-leveling material to ensure that the floors were within tolerance for the 12”x 24” stone overlay. Using a mix of Emperador Light and Dark with Honed Vallentina marble made for an exquisite installation that was worthy of this landmark building. The use of Merkrete XXL 855 thinset, designed for large-format materials, allowed for adjustability as well as maximum flexibility in a high-performing mortar.  Grout selection is also of paramount importance. This is especially true for a commercial project because restrooms in this type of environment require maximum performance to withstand years of constant use. Staining by urine and harsh cleaners can cause failure in poor quality materials. Merkrete’s Pro Epoxy is a 100% solids material engineered to withstand all of the above.

“Merkrete’s epoxy is the best I have ever used,” stated Yim. “It was easy to install and clean-up was a breeze. It’s the only material I recommend for this type of application.”
For walls Merkrete Versatile XF grout completed the installation for this phase of construction. In the next year, two more phases covering lobby floors and meeting areas will be completed.

With a winning combination of supplier, installer and Merkrete materials, the Copley Symphony Hall will once again be the cultural center of this great American city, whose history and elegance is a testimony to its diverse people and history.

“It’s important to not only to be leaders in our industry, but also in every aspect of our business,” says Jim Fanning, senior vice president, Marketing, Dal-Tile. “It is important to our team members and our culture that we give back to the communities that support us.”

With 2,000 employees in over 260 locations, Daltile’s touch can be felt across North America. And through its Legacy of Giving, the company is touching more people, more communities, and more organizations in need than ever before.

“Through our Legacy of Giving initiatives we support the worthwhile efforts of organizations like the ASID Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and many local organizations,” continues Fanning. “We’re committed to leaving a legacy of giving back to those who give so much to us.”

Recently Daltile’s Legacy of Giving has focused on two major programs:  becoming a national corporate partner for Habitat for Humanity, and a company-wide contribution to military members and their families.

As a national corporate partner of Habitat for Humanity, Daltile will support the organization’s mission with monetary donations, products and the time and talent of employees by hosting housing builds in major metropolitan markets across the U.S.

“Daltile is helping those in need by creating beautiful spaces and affordable housing through donations of time, talent, tile, and funding to Habitat for Humanity,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director, Dal-Tile. “We’re thrilled to align with such a giving organization in the communities we’ve worked for many years.”

“Thanks to corporate partners, like Daltile, we’re able to continue to grow and meet our mission, and provide safe, affordable housing for families across the U.S. and around the world,” says Lysa Ratliff, senior director of Corporate Programs for Habitat for Humanity International.  With this assistance from Daltile, and its employees we’ll be adding to the more than 600,000 houses we’ve built and repaired and serve more than 3 million people worldwide.”

The Habitat for Humanity partnership kicked off on May 7 with the first housing build taking place in Houston, Texas. Following the Houston build, will be Phoenix on May 11, and then builds in major cities including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco and Washington D.C.

In addition to working with Habitat for Humanity, employees recently honored U.S. and Canada military members and their families as part of Daltile’s Legacy of Giving. The passion to say “thank you” and to give back came across loud and clear at the company’s recent National Sales Conference.

“When it comes to giving, there is no greater example than our military,” said John Cousins, vice president, Daltile. “Every day, brave service men, women and their families make tremendous sacrifices to preserve our freedoms.” During the conference in Orlando, Florida, employees honored U.S. and Canadian military and their families. Events included assembly of 900 care packages and the hosting of three special Marine families for a much-deserved vacation.

Cousins continued, “Our efforts at the National Sales Conference are a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military families each and every day.”

“We all know the pressures working families face, and typically there’s little time for rest and relaxation,” said Cousins. “The pressures and stress are compounded for a military family when its father, mother, son or daughter is away for extended periods of time. To express our deep appreciation for their sacrifices, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to give a few families the gift of time to spend together.”

During the conference, two medically retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeants, a Marine Gunner CWO-3 on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, and their wives and children enjoyed a four day vacation and their first trip to Disney World, courtesy of Daltile. The families were also honored during a special presentation, along with Daltile’s own employees who have served, or currently serve their country in the military.

Additionally at the conference, Daltile employees assembled care packages for American and Canadian active military members, wounded veterans and military families. Packages included necessities such as toiletries, as well as fun items like gift cards, headphones and playing cards. At the conclusion of the conference, Daltile employees loaded the care packages onto military trucks with the help of local Army and Navy Reservists for a grand send off.

“We are so thankful for the leadership position we have in our industry, and are thrilled to be sharing our success with the communities, and people, who’ve supported us,” says Fanning.  “Our legacy will be one of leadership, and giving back, for years to come.”

About Daltile

Daltile is an industry-leading brand of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, manufactured stone and natural stone tile products.  Daltile products are distributed through over 250 company-owned sales service centers, stone slabyards and gallery design centers that service a robust network of trade customers.  Dedicated to innovative product development and distinguished style, Daltile provides a rich palette of quality products created to inspire residential and commercial designs. For more information, visit www.daltile.com and follow Daltile on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit Habitat.org, follow us at facebook.com/habitat or at twitter.com/habitat.org or join Habitat’s blog community at habitat.org/blog.

BRANCH MANAGER
Best Tile
Richmond, VA

Classification: Exempt (salary plus commission/bonus); Fully benefitted
Posting Date: April 2, 2013

Job Summary: Reporting directly to the Regional Manager, the Branch Manager drives store profitability by meeting or exceeding sales targets, promoting the Best Tile product selection, and controlling operational expenses.
Key Responsibilities:

1. Creates a high performance culture by setting clear expectations and targets & analyzing performance.
2. Monitors customer satisfaction to drive store improvement, leading customer service by example.
3. Manages an appealing, easy-to-shop environment for customers by ensuring store standards are met.
4. Makes decisions and allocates resources, while measuring productivity and goal achievement.
5. Tracks store and individual performance data and responds with solutions that drive branch success.
6. Manages the recruitment, hiring, training, and development of the store team.
7. Ensures adherence to company policies and procedures.
8. Occasionally performs the work of the individuals supervised.
9. Collaborates and shares best practices with other branches to help drive district team performance.

Qualifications:

1. Relevant experience in a fast-paced tile & stone retail environment with increasing levels of responsibility.
2. Goal oriented, exhibiting business acumen and knowledge of retail management.
3. Ability to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships and professionally resolve conflict.
4. Possesses excellent listening, persuasion, reading, communication, and learning skills.
5. Analytical and able to quickly assess large amounts of information and data.
6. Shows exceptional judgment and decision-making skills.
7. Shows initiative when assuming new responsibilities and when facing challenges.
8. Willing and able to make a multi-year commitment to the position.
9. Qualities key to a successful manager, such as leadership, flexibility, sound business judgment, etc.
10. Capable of meeting the physical demands of the job.

To Apply:
External Applicants
Submit your resume and list of 3 professional references to Director of HR, East Coast Tile Imports, P.O. Box 909, Ludlow, MA 01056. E-mail: hr@eastcoasttile.com. Fax: 413.589.1969.
Internal Applicants (Current Employees)
Log into your HRB account and go to Index > Internal Job Postings for instructions.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until it is filled by the ideal candidate. Interviewing will begin in the 3rd quarter of 2013. The projected start date is in late 2013 / early 2014, although that date may change depending on the operational needs of the Richmond location and the availability of qualified candidates.
The East Coast Tile Group is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the face of our customers and encourages career development and advancement. We make every effort to hire, develop and promote qualified associates, and to providing equal employment opportunities, to all qualified associates and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or other protected categories.

After registering for attendance at Coverings, interested designers and architects can register at bit.ly/coveringsvip and select their lunch and tour dates. Upon arrival in the Italian Pavilion, they should check in at the Ceramics of Italy Info Desk in Piazza Ceramica (Booth #2231). Located in the heart of the Italian Pavilion, Piazza Ceramica, designed by NY-based architectural firm e+i studio, will feature a large open gathering space, piazza-like steps, and a dedicated Italian culinary team in the popular café and coffee bar. It will also include an interactive exhibit for the 20th Anniversary of the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition.

For more information, interested and qualified attendees can contact the Italian Ceramic Tile Industry through Novita` Communications at 212.528.3160 or kristin@novitapr.com.

According to Jay DeLuca, LATICRETE Product Manager, “This is the perfect product for installation professionals who need to make a last second touch-up or quick fix for tile or stone projects. It’s so handy, a contractor can keep a number of them right inside their truck, to always be ready when these situations arise.

“Basically, the product is a little epoxy stick, housed in a small, 7″ tube. It consists of a Part A center and a Part B outer layer. One simply breaks off a piece, kneads it to a uniform consistency and a chemical reaction starts to take place,” continued DeLuca. “In just five to ten minutes, the curing process begins, leading up to an incredibly strong epoxy bond.”

DeLuca went on to state that  LATAPOXY 310 SPOT-ON will be sold as a point of purchase item from contractors’ counters located at various distributors. “There are times when an errant tile needs to be re-affixed to the substrate. When a ceramic soap dish has fallen off the shower wall and must be quickly put back. With this product, contractors will get the same bond strength they’ve come to count on for bigger jobs using LATAPOXY 310 STONE ADHESIVE. But with our new epoxy stick, there’s no mixing, no need for storage… it is the ideal quick fix for those small situations that always need to be remedied right away. And, compared to other types of adhesives, there is no mess whatsoever

“You break, mix, apply and, you’re done!” concluded DeLuca.

LATICRETE International, Inc. provides globally proven construction solutions for the building industry.  LATICRETE^® products are manufactured and distributed worldwide in the commercial and consumer channels. The company’s philosophy of innovation and technical expertise has led to an unparalleled reputation and commitment to superior quality, performance and customer service. Engineered and produced in state-of-the-art ISO 9001:2008 certified facilities, LATICRETE offers a broad product portfolio including an extensive line of independently certified low VOC sustainable products. LATICRETE^®, LATAPOXY^®, SPECTRALOCK^®, HYDRO BAN^® and DRYTEK^® are registered brands of LATICRETE International, Inc. Corporate Website: www.laticrete.com.