INSTALL, a leading source of floorcovering installation training and certification, celebrated the achievements of several of its members recently during the finals of its 2023 Flooring Olympics. The finals represented the culmination of local and district flooring competitions and showcased the expertise of installers who excelled in both floorcovering techniques and efficiency.

What it Took to be a Winner

The final flooring competition, held at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Center, was a timed event. To qualify as the best of the best, finalists had to complete two distinct installation components within 90 minutes. During each task, installers had to demonstrate proper tool use, installation techniques, and safety protocols as well as efficiency.

The first component challenged installers to execute a six-inch integral base, otherwise known as a flash-coved installation, of linoleum sheet goods. The installation required one outside and two inside corners. The field seam was to be underscribed to a preinstalled linoleum piece, and all seams and inside and outside corners were to be net fit. The outside corner was also required to have a mitered boot plug, and no heat welds were permitted on the linoleum component.

The second component required installers to produce a heat-welded field seam on a flash-coved, integral base pre-installed homogeneous sheet vinyl installation. For this event, installers were scored on their ability to produce a quality weld that included appropriately grooving the material and starting and stopping the weld at the correct points without negatively impacting the surface of the flooring material.

All competitors were judged on the quality of their work and their completion time. Penalties were also assessed for installation errors, including any miscuts, improper use of personal protective equipment, and failure to follow work order specifications. At the end of the competition, five installers received medals, and another five received honorable mention.

Flooring Olympics Just One Sign of Bright Industry Outlook

For INSTALL members, the Flooring Olympics was one of many highlights during the organization’s annual, multi-day International Conference. Surrounding events included industry-focused presentations given by a multitude of experts, including Mark Bischoff, CEO and president of Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Cooperative, and Don Styka, director of field services with Tarkett.

INSTALL Executive Director David Gross opened the conference by addressing the organization’s commitment to collaborative growth and outreach and emphasizing the critical role that installation training and certification play in expediting the proficiency of apprentices.

Other speakers echoed Gross’s points, focusing attention on topics such as pre-apprentice training, apprentice retention, and the urgent need for top-quality resilient sheet goods installers. Key industry issues and solutions that were addressed included:

• Labor shortage:  The floorcovering industry anticipates a continuing shortage of qualified labor. To attract and retain new talent, floorcovering contractors need to provide a career path for new hires that includes ongoing comprehensive training and certification.
• Evolving training needs:  Speakers noted that the immediate need for skilled installers is driving the development of innovative recruiting programs and accelerating training courses with the goal of getting apprentices working more efficiently and effectively in shorter periods of time.
• The positive impact of government funding programs:  Recent government initiatives, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, were specifically identified as programs that could create opportunities for growth within the industry by leading to new projects that would create more jobs.

Demonstrating INSTALL’s integral role in helping the industry meet challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, Gross highlighted the organization’s track record, which included logging 10.6 million work hours in North America in 2022. The organization’s extensive reach, training programs, and certifications make it a vital player in the industry, and its collaborative approach to working with contractors and industry partners continue to add value that benefits the industry at large.

A Positive Outlook

Overall, the INSTALL events celebrated floorcovering installers with exceptional skills as well as the resilience of the floorcovering industry and its future potential. Optimism about the next several years abounded, and key leaders illuminated many opportunities for growth afforded by government programs and by the motivation, innovation, and drive of the industry itself.

2023 INSTALL Flooring Olympics Winners

First Place
John Sawyer, Messina Floor Covering, represented the Midwestern District and the Indiana / Kentucky / Ohio Regional Council

Second Place
Scott Nolte, Re:Source New Jersey, Inc., represented the Eastern District and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council

Third Place
Julio Cervantes, Kaiser Flooring, represented the Western District and the Southwest Mountain States Regional Council

Fourth Place
Brandon Ladouceur, Bousada Inc., represented the Canadian District and the Carpenters’ Regional Council

Fifth Place
Ernest Henry Nunes, F.A. Wilhelm, represented the Southern District and the Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council

Honorable Mention went to the following semi-finalists:
Glenn Knoeck – North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Scott Stauffer – Indiana / Kentucky / Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters
Alex Stauner – Mid-America Regional Council of Carpenters
Richard Olsen – New York City District Council
Rui M. Pedro – North Atlantic Regional Council