North American Laminate Floor

The North American Laminate Flooring Association
Membership Kit
The whole is greater.
If NALFA is new to you, we want you to be new to NALFA.
NALFA exists as an organization dedicated to a synergistic, industry-
wide approach to maintaining voluntary product performance standards
for laminate flooring throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
NALFA employs no paid staff. However, we rely on the enthusiasm and
dedication of our membership to ensure that NALFA succeeds in creating,
advancing and maintaining the highest standards possible. Membership
in NALFA provides companies with an opportunity to actively advance
the causes of our industry. Any products carrying the NALFA Certification
Seal of approval are considered to be quality flooring, underlayment and
accessories.
The information contained herein is what you need to know about
the benefits of joining NALFA. Included is a Membership Application for
new members, as well as a Renewal Application for existing members
who wish to renew their memberships.
To potential new members, we look forward to welcoming you aboard.
To existing members, we hope that you will continue to be the industry
role models that you have become.
NALFA is the premier trade association in the North American laminate flooring
industry, bringing its leaders together to promote and maintain a growing space.
An investment in NALFA membership equals an investment in knowledge and
a tangible return for your company. You’ll profit from the association’s 13+ years
supporting the industry through various initiatives:
• Installer certification classes taught by veteran experts offer an intense
2 days of laminate flooring installation education. Successful participants
not only expand their knowledge, but gain credibility to bolster
their business.
• Inspector certification classes are one-day curriculums designed
for inspectors who want to broaden their skills and gain an edge
on competition.
• Searchable website at www.nalfa.com facilitates the connection between
consumers and members with company highlights and a certified installer
and inspector locator.
• Semi-annual association meetings gather NALFA board members and
prominent industry players in one location for ongoing dialog and
continuous improvements and planning.
creating top-of-mind awareness
The NALFA Seal
As the recognized symbol of quality in the laminate
flooring industry, the NALFA Certification Seal is an
assurance of that quality to retailers, builders,
and consumers.
T h e N A L FA Se a l
N A L F A encourages its members to utilize the Seal in their own
advertising and marketing materials in order to identify themselves
as NALFA members, thereby leveraging the relationship in a manner
that indicates their own association with high quality products and
responsible industry growth, as well as enhances the value and impact
of any consumer advertising.
In order to earn the Certification Seal and the
quality that it represents, a laminate flooring
product must pass a rigorous & demanding series
of tests designed to evaluate its performance,
durability, and strength. Reputable manufacturers
understand the value of the Certification Seal to
the consumer, and aggressively seek NA LFA
certification for their products.
N A L FA strongly promotes the Certification Seal,
and encourages any retailer, builder, or consumer
in the market for laminate flooring products to seek
out those products that carry it. Only then can be
assured of the best quality that the industry has
to offer.
Public Relations
NALFA public relations efforts aim to maximize
awareness and communicate the value of the NALFA
Certification Seal among flooring distributors and
retailers. The ultimate goal of NALFA’s PR efforts is to
continually promote responsible growth within the
laminate segment of the North American flooring
industry.
Current and past activities include promoting all
NALFA-related news to trade and business-to-business publications. Placement includes over 30 publications such as: Floor Focus, Floor Covering Weekly,
Floor Covering Installer, Green Builder Magazine, and
Builder Magazine. The list of publications reached by
NALFA PR efforts continues to expand.
So c i al M e dia
NALFA’s online presence in social media channels allows
an ongoing dialog with distributors, retailers and end users.
You can find NALFA on facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Pri n te d Lite ratu re
NALFA brochures and other collateral materials are available to all NALFA members.
N A L FA We b s i t e
NALFA offers a broad platform of information about the laminate
flooring industry through its website. For consumers, the installer
and inspector locators, benefits of laminate, value of the certification
seal, how to select a product, informational guides, and FAQs provide
a wealth of information. The website serves as an all inclusive
information tool for consumers researching laminate flooring.
Member company website links are also listed at nalfa.com.
In stal l e r an d In spec tor Ce rti fic ation Programs
Includes: Laminate product knowledge, hands-on training for installation and
inspection, manufacturer education, and pass-fail evaluation.
For members, the site includes technical information, product
standards, training tools, market research, legislative information,
advertising materials (including logos & certification seal), tips, test
laboratories information, and much more.
Additional public relations efforts include promotion
of the LAMMY Awards to recognize individuals and
companies who have made a significant contribution
to the growth of the laminate flooring segment, and a
strong NALFA presence at Surfaces.
Looking to the future, NALFA PR activities will also
add a presence at additional related conferences
and conventions.
The goal is for all laminate manufacturers to strive
for NALFA Certification, and for distributors & retailers to consciously look for the NALFA Certification
Seal when choosing a laminate flooring product
because they know it represents the highest standards in the industry. NALFA PR efforts will continue
to promote this awareness by using traditional and
non-traditional methods to educate manufacturers,
distributors and retailers about the benefits of NALFA
membership and the NALFA Certification Seal.
Lammy Awards
Each year at Surfaces, N A L FA presents
the highly-publicized LAMMY Awards
(see following pages) to industry leaders.
Current NALFA Members
R egu l ar M e mbe rs
Columbia
Fausfloor®
Mannington Mills
Pergo, Inc.
T esti ng Labs M e mbe rs
As s o c iat e Me mbe r s
Quickstep
Shaw Industries, Inc.
TORLYS, Inc.
Mohawk
M.P. Global Products, LLC
Pak-Lite (PLI)
Pregis Corporation
Sealed Air Corporation
Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. • NCSU Hodges Wood Products Lab
SELIT Corp.
Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
NALFA presented the first LAMMY Awards in 2007 to recognize individuals
and companies that have made the greatest contributions to the responsible
growth of the laminate flooring industry during the preceding year. The
LAMMY Awards were created to recognize excellence in this continuously
changing and ever growing segment. For more than a decade, NALFA
members and associate members have made substantial contributions to
the industry and we want to continue to acknowledge their efforts. Through
the LAMMY Awards, NALFA can formally recognize these companies and
individuals for their contributions, encourage them to continue their efforts
and encourage others to follow in their footsteps. The NALFA Board of
Directors anonymously nominates individuals and organizations for each
category. The nominees are compiled, listed on ballots and sent for voting
to NALFA members as well as the editors of Floor Covering Weekly, Floor
Covering News, Floor Focus, Floor Covering Installer and National Floor Trends.
LAMMY Award Categories
Regular Member Company of the Year
Awarded to the NALFA member company that
has made the greatest contribution to the
responsible growth of the laminate flooring
category during the last year.
And the LAMMY goes to…
Associate Member Company of the Year
Awarded to the NALFA associate member company
that has made the greatest contribution to the
responsible growth of the laminate flooring
category during the last year.
Member of the Year
Awarded to the individual representative of
a NALFA member company who has made the
greatest contribution to the responsible growth of
the laminate flooring category during the last year.
Associate Member of the Year
Awarded to the individual representative of a
NALFA associate member company who has made
the greatest contribution to the responsible
growth of the laminate flooring category during
the last year.
Distributor of the Year
Awarded to a distributor of laminate flooring
who has made the greatest contribution to the
responsible growth of the laminate flooring
category during the last year.
Retailer of the Year
Awarded to a retailer of laminate flooring
who has made the greatest contribution to the
responsible growth of the laminate flooring
category during the last year.
Membership Categories
1. Regular Manufacturing Membership
This category includes a manufacturer, importer or marketer that offers laminate flooring for sale
within North America. It does not include flooring distributors. The Regular Member must maintain
an office of record within North America. Within a legal business entity, if the company has multiple
“brand” names, then the Regular Member must specify which brand name the “regular” member
membership is listed under and, thus, which company has voting rights.
Annual dues: $20,000
1a. Additional Brand Membership
This includes membership recognition of other “brand” names of a company that already possesses
Regular Manufacturing Membership under one of its brand names.
Annual dues, per name: $6,500
2. Associate Membership
Any corporation, partnership, or proprietorship, organized and operating in North America, not otherwise eligible for membership within a Regular Manufacturing Membership category that is regularly
engaged in the business of selling goods to businesses that are eligible to be Regular Members of the
Association, shall be eligible to be an Associate Member of the Association. Businesses that are also
eligible to be Regular Members shall not be eligible to join as Associate Members. There is no sales
criterion to be an Associate Member.
Annual dues: $10,000
3. Testing House/Lab/Academic Membership
Membership in this category is open to entities whose primary purpose is serving as a laboratory,
test house or academic institution that works in the area of laminates.
Annual dues: $5,000
4. Buying Group or Cooperative Membership
This category includes those entities that consider themselves Buying Groups, Marketing Groups or
Cooperative Groups within the flooring industry.
Annual dues: $5,000
5. Alliance Dealer Membership
Membership in this category is open to entities whose primary purpose is the sale of flooring
products within North America. A qualifying dealer must carry laminate flooring from one or more
NALFA regular manufacturing members.
Annual Dues: $249
(1 year, per location)
Bi-Annual Dues: $399
(2 years, per location)
Membership Application
C o m pa n y N a m e
C o n ta c t N a m e
Address
Phone
Fa x
Website
Board of Directors
Primary Representative
D E TA C H , F O L D A N D P L A C E I N STA M P E D, R E T U R N E N V E L O P E .
Direct Phone
Direct Fax
Title
Email
Board of Directors
Secondary Representative
Direct Phone
Direct Fax
Title
Email
Te c h n i c a l C o m m i t t e e
Primary Representative
Direct Phone
Direct Fax
Title
Email
Te c h n i c a l C o m m i t t e e
Secondary Representative
Direct Phone
Direct Fax
Title
Email
C at e g o r i e s o f M e m b e r s h i p (Please check appropriate box or boxes. See Membership category and pricing information on previous page.)
1. Regular Manufacturing Membership
1a. Additional Brand Membership
2. Associate Membership
3. Testing House/Lab/Academic Membership
4. Buying Group or Cooperative Membership
5. Alliance Dealer Membership
New member dues will be pro-rated for the quarter in which the member joins, based on the receipt of the first payment.
Board
Membership
Technical
Committee
Marketing
Committee
Educational
Committee
Underlayment
Committee
YES
Vote
YES
Vote*
YES
Vote**
YES
Vote**
YES
Vote**
ATTEND
Vote
YES
Vote*
NO
N/A
YES
Vote**
YES
Vote**
ATTEND***
No Vote
YES
Vote
YES**
Vote
YES**
Vote
YES**
Vote
Testing House/Lab/
Academic Membership
ATTEND***
General Sessions
No Vote
YES
N/A
YES**
Vote
YES**
Vote
YES**
Vote
Alliance Dealers
& Buying Groups
ATTEND***
General Sessions
No Vote
YES**
N/A
YES**
N/A
YES**
N/A
YES**
N/A
Regular Member
Additional Brand Member
Associate Member
* Membership as defined by the committee’s current policies. Technical currently has a 1 person-1-vote policy.
** M ay be invited to join the committee as needed. In some cases there are a limited number of participants. It should be noted that the membership criteria of all committees is determined by the Board.
*** May be excluded from Regular Member deliberations as required.
I T S H O U L D A L S O B E N OT E D that attendance at meetings, by ANY category of membership, can be limited due to financial
limitations, meeting space limits, the anticipated work load, etc.
M e m b e r s h i p C a t e g o r i e s : Please note that “Additional Label Regular Manufacturing Membership” is ONLY available to
supplement a Regular Manufacturing Member. In order to complete the application process for this category, please complete a separate
application for each and append these to the original application of the “sponsoring” member (i.e., the Regular Manufacturing Member)
for processing.
Please Describe the business your company is engaged in: Applicant certifies that he/she has read and understands the NALFA Bylaws and that he/she accepts them; and, if accepted into membership in
NALFA, he/she agrees to observe and be bound by the provisions thereof. Applicant further agrees, if accepted into such membership, to pay all
NALFA initiation fees, dues, and assessments when they are due.
A p p l i c a n t ( L e g a l N a m e ) Ti t l e D at e
S i g n at u r e P l e a s e m a k e c h e c k s paya b l e t o N A L FA a n d s e n d t o :
North American Laminate Flooring Association
Attn: Barbara Dodrill
1747 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 785-9500 FAX: (202) 835-0243
D E TA C H , F O L D A N D P L A C E I N STA M P E D, R E T U R N E N V E L O P E .
B e n e f i t s a n d R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s o f M e m b e r s h i p C at e g o r i e s
Membership Renewal Form
C o m pa n y N a m e
C o n ta c t N a m e
M e m b e r s h i p C at e g o r i e s
Please select an applicable category. In the case of selecting membership under 1(a), please indicate the
quantity of “other” brands. Please note that number 1(a) is ONLY available to a member in good standing in
category 1.
C at e g o r i e s o f M e m b e r s h i p (Please check appropriate box or boxes. See Membership category and pricing information on previous page.)
D E TA C H , F O L D A N D P L A C E I N STA M P E D, R E T U R N E N V E L O P E .
1. Regular Manufacturing Membership
1a. Additional Brand Membership
2. Associate Membership
3. Testing House/Lab/Academic Membership
4. Buying Group or Cooperative Membership
5. Alliance Dealer Membership
New member dues will be pro-rated for the quarter in which the member joins, based on the receipt of the first payment.
If selecting category 1(a) above, please identify the additional company/brand names included in your company’s renewal and include the dress, phone number and email):
necessary contact information (e.g., company address and website, NALFA Board and Technical Committee representative as well as their ad
Applicant certifies that he/she has read and understands the NALFA Bylaws and that he/she accepts them and agrees to observe and be bound by the provisions thereof. Applicant further agrees to pay all NALFA initiation fees, dues, and assessments
when they are due.
A p p l i c a n t ( L e g a l N a m e ) Ti t l e D at e
S i g n at u r e P l e a s e m a k e c h e c k s paya b l e t o N A L FA a n d s e n d t o :
North American Laminate Flooring Association
Attn: Barbara Dodrill
1747 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: (202) 785-9500
Fax: (202) 835-0243
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20006
1-202-785-9500 - Telephone
1-202-835-0243 - Fax
www.nalfa.com
[email protected]