MOHAWK GREENWORKS DEALER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:  ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Following are highlights of the sustainability and environmental programs of the Mohawk GreenWorks Dealer of the Year finalists, which may provide other flooring dealers with ideas that can benefit their businesses.

Kelly’s Carpet Omaha
Omaha, NE
Mike Hughes, Owner 

Economic Sustainability

·         Expanding into Internet sales

·         Has increased advertising 13% when most businesses are cutting back

·         Invested in “green” education

·         Have replaced older company vehicles with hybrid ones – reducing fuel costs and increasing cash flow for business expansion

·         Have added a hard commercial department to help offset decreases in new residential construction

·         Housing used carpet with plans to become a carpet and cushion recycling center that would add to revenues

Social Sustainability

·         Employs a full-time, credentialed educator with a masters degree to increase environmental awareness within the community and schools

·         Provides all the flooring for Project Night Lights – Omaha non-profit organization that designs custom rooms for children living with or recovering from serious conditions

·         A portion of every dollar earned is donated toward community and local schools as well as non-profit organizations

Environmental Sustainability

·         Hybrid vehicles have reduced fuel and energy needs

·         In the process of replacing nearly 1500 lights with high efficiency bulbs with doubled life expectancies and an 80% reduction in energy consumption

·         All buildings have been winterized and heating and air are digitally controlled by time of day

·         Company vehicles are equipped with GPS to minimize drive times

·         Currently diverting 84% of waste from landfill through in-house programs and the recycling of all commercial and residential flooring that gets replaced.

·         Sell full line of CRI certified carpet products as well as bamboo, cork, linoleum, rubber, wood, natural stone and ceramic tile.

Michigan Tile & Carpet
Battle Creek, MI
Hans Stark, Owner 

Economic Sustainability

·         Current recycling efforts have resulted in a refuse savings of $135.59 per month – over $1600 annually

·         New fleet vehicles are more fuel efficient and larger than previous trucks – saving energy and reducing the number of trips back to the warehouse for restocking.

·         Advertising has a green message

·         In-Store signage actively promotes environmentally preferred products.

Social Sustainability

·         Their recycling program is open to anyone that needs an option for carpet padding, couch foam, old mattresses or the like

·         Any building material in good working order is donated to Habitat for Humanity Re-Store

·         Have donated all flooring materials and labor to the builds done by the local Habitat group- 4 homes so far in 2008

·         Company vehicles are used to pick up and deliver slightly used furniture and appliances to needy families within the community

·         Free flooring repair for “Helping the Community” – a nonprofit geared at helping the homeless

·         Allow other non-profits to use their showroom at no charge

Environmental Sustainability

·         Has an active recycling program in place for the office(paper, water bottles) and for the flooring business(pad, cardboard, plastic wrap, floorcare bottles, wood pallets, metal, carpet)

·         Shipping peanuts are returned to the local UPS store

·         Emails are used to promote the program and employees are encouraged to bring recyclables from home if a program is not available in their neighborhood

·         Proposals and invoices are moving to electronic only

·         Installers and warehouse workers pick up scrap padding waiting for curbside pickup and put it in the company recycling bin – even if it was not from one of their jobs

·         Even though they have no source for carpet recycling, they have found innovative solutions for the product

Carpet Bonanza
Zeeland, MI
Dave Machiela, Owner

Economic Sustainability

·         Advertising efforts have focused on green aspects

·         Purchasing supplies locally

·         Reduced waste expense and operating expenses by eliminating all disposable items from the breakroom

·         Reducing additional waste expense by recycling paper, carpet cushion and carpet through Mohawk’s recycling program

·         Energy costs also reduced through efficiencies and building design

Social Sustainability

·         Known as a local supporter of non-profit organizations and community festivals

·         Specifically tied to non-profit groups that support individuals both personally and financially

·         For 6 years, showroom has been opened to Career Line Tech Center design students during the Parade of Homes to educate the designers on flooring design, construction and performance.

Environmental Sustainability

·         Since inception, they have diverted over 1 Million pounds of carpet cushion from landfills

·         Since April 1, 2008, eighty tons of carpet – 90% of all used carpet – has been recycled

·         Bulbs in the 30,000 square foot showroom have been changed to energy efficient ones

·         Foyer added to building that creates an airlock which has reduced temperature changes and increased energy efficiency

·         Programmable thermostats throughout the building

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Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk offers a complete selection of broadloom carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, vinyl, rugs and other home products. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry, which include Mohawk, Karastan, Ralph Lauren, Lees, Bigelow, Columbia, Century, Dal-Tile, American Olean and Quick-Step. Mohawk's unique merchandising and marketing assist our customers in creating the consumers' dream. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and over 250 local distribution locations.

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