North American Laminate Flooring Association

2004 in Review North American Estimates 2004 Adjusted w/other source figures Square Feet (At First Purchase) 851 million Dollars$1.103 billion Average Price$1.29

State of Laminate Industry Strong and Expanding –Category growth continues to be vigorous –Double-digit percentage increases in square feet and dollar over 2003 –Decrease in average price is still slowing, indicating continued strong sales of value- added products at high end

The past year has seen significant expansion in: Textured & In-register designs Pre-glued and/or easier assembly of product Beveled edges Design & Technology continue to be the primary drivers in laminate flooring’s success. Expanding Choices for the Consumer

Laminate flooring continues to have the largest continuous product growth in flooring industry Due To: Continuing rapid design and technological innovations Consistent residential growth Increases in commercial sales. Looking Ahead – What to Expect

Organization of North American manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring products Formed in 1997 Primary Mission: –To encourage the establishment and maintenance of high standards in laminate flooring in North America and to recognize those that meet these standards This year, in support of this goal, NALFA has developed… NALFA

BUYER’S GUIDES Specific for both Consumer/Residential and Commercial Applications Available at

Regular Members Faus Group, Inc. Kaindl USA Kronotex USA, Inc. Mannington Mills Pergo, Inc. Shaw Industries Wilsonart International Witex USA, Inc.

Associate Members MP Global Products, LLC Pactiv Corporation SaveWood, L.L.C. Sealed Air Corporation Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation Voltek Coveright DSM Melamine Dynea Overlays, Inc. IDT Laminates, Inc. Mead Westvaco MW Custom Papers

Regular Member –Manufacturer, marketer or importer of laminate flooring for sale in North America  Does not include retailers, buying groups, retail cooperatives, retail marketing groups or wholesale distributors Associate Member –Corporation, partnership, proprietorship or other entity regularly engaged in the business of selling goods or services to those that are eligible to be regular members Membership Requirements

Member’s Activities in 2004 Active voice in constructively building the industry Participation in setting voluntary standards Growing Interaction with ISO Growing Interaction with EPLF activities

NALFA Standards NALFA LF approved by ANSI Increasingly sophisticated products and growing commercial uses demanded more stringent requirements 3-tiered standard makes it easier for end-user to match product to application Test methods incorporated in document Considered a step in harmonizing with ISO standards

LF Residential Standards –Developed in 2001 form basic requirements for residential products Light Commercial Standards –Increased performance minimums for small offices, low-traffic commercial installations Commercial Standards –Top static load, thickness/swell, ball impact, wear resistance criteria for high traffic installations

Certification Process All sample products are tested according to established protocol Company submits its product to a testing facility Procedures are strictly specified for consistent testing Test labs are listed on the NALFA Web site

NALFA Certification Seal Benefits of seal –Visual symbol to assure users/specifiers that products have passed the required tests to conform to NALFA/ ANSI-LF standards –For marketing use on product packaging, collateral materials, advertising, etc. –PR efforts promoting fact that seal represents consistent performance standards

NALFA/EPLF Cooperation NALFA visited and presented at the General Session meeting of the EPLF in April, 2004 EPLF in turn, visited and presented at the NALFA Fall Business session in November, 2004 These two meetings are the beginning of a sharing of ideas, statistics and standards that will result in world wide benefits to our consumer and our industry.

NALFA/ISO Meeting NALFA hosted the International Standards Organization in March, Our goal is to harmonize as much as possible the ISO/NALFA (ANSI) standards. This hosting of ISO established the position of NALFA in international floor covering industry. Overwhelming attendance response by ISO.

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