9th Annual Conference Edition In This Issue:

• 8th Annual CARE Conference and 2009 Annual Report
• 2009 CARE Award Winners
• Starnet Worldwide and Resource Commercial Flooring Receive Awards
• New CARE Board Members
• Carpet and Rug Institute – Blog
• 7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting, Save the Date, Registration & Call for Papers
• 7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunities
• CARE Partners with Dalton State to Provide Internship Opportunities
• CARE Membership Program
• Letters …

Dear CARE Supporters

Welcome to this issue of the CARE Newsletter. We are just coming off of a great 8th Annual CARE Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we had record attendance. The venue was superb for networking and one-on-one meetings. We had over 125 attendees, of which 45-50 were new to the Conference. Thanks to everybody for your attendance, and a special thank you to Jeremy and the team who did an awesome job in managing all of the logistics for the meeting.

As required by our CARE bylaws, we presented our Annual Report at the Conference. I am pleased to share a summary of that report with you, most notably our collective achievement of diverting 311 Million pounds of carpet from the landfill. This was an increase of 19 Million pounds (+6%) versus 2008. This is an excellent accomplishment, considering that sales in the carpet industry were down in 2009, and the economic climate was not healthy. It is a tribute to all of the CARE members that we returned to year over year growth in 2009, and we thank you for that commitment to the mission of CARE. The outlook for CARE in 2010 is good, and we will be working hard to continue on the path of significant growth for our members.

As many of you know, we also held our initial MOU 2012 meeting at the end of the CARE Conference. We were pleased to have approximately 38 attendees at the meeting, representing many different stakeholder groups. In the meeting, the attendees recommitted to the mission to divert carpet from the landfill and recycle/reuse carpet. Further, Werner Braun, CRI and Garth Hickle, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, were selected as co-chairs of the MOU Joint Committee. The next meeting of the MOU Joint Committee will be held September 9, 2010.

Thank you for your continued support of CARE. Together, we are making a sustainable difference.

8th Annual CARE Conference and 2009 Annual Report

Carpet Landfill Diversion Increases in 2009

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) reports that, in 2009, Care members diverted more than 311 million pounds of post-consumer carpet from landfills. Of that amount, 246 million pounds – nearly 80 percent of the total – was recycled back into carpet and other consumer products. Also in 2009, the carpet recycling industry continued its growth trend, employing more than 1600 people across the United States. This and other information is contained in CARE’s 2009 Annual Report which was presented at the carpet recycling group’s Eighth Annual Conference held April 26 through April 28 at the La Posada de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

View CARE’s 2009 Annual Report and Past Annual Reports

View the Full Press Release on CARE’s Annual Report

Here is what some of the attendees had to say about the conference:

• The Overview of Recycling Industries and US Mill Roundtable were very beneficial.
• 95% of attendees surveyed were satisfied with the networking time.
• 93% of attendees were satisfied with conference content.
• Learning about different recycling industries and their challenges were beneficial.
• Great Presentations, Great Networking
• The networking and the ability to build business relationships was great.
• Learning how reclaimed carpet can be used was the most beneficial aspect of the conference.

8th Annual Conference Web Page

Conference Presentations

2009 CARE Award Winners

Santa Fe, NM – April 27, 2010 – The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) honored two leaders from the growing world of post-consumer carpet recycling at the organization’s eighth Annual Conference held April 26 through April 28 at the La Posada de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The recycling group announced winners of the CARE Recycler of the Year and Person of the Year awards.

Shaw Industries and Georgina Sikorski Receive Honors

View the Complete Press Release

Starnet Worldwide and Resource Commercial Flooring Receive Awards

Santa Fe, NM – April 25, 2010 – Representatives from Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership and ReSource Commercial Flooring Network were presented Awards of Excellence from the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) at the carpet recycling group’s 8th Annual Conference held April 26-28 at the La Posada de Santa Fe resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The awards recognize the two companies’ years of commitment to CARE, and most recently, their support of CARE’s Aligned Dealer membership program. In 2009, both Starnet and ReSource made it possible for their dealers to join CARE as individual members. Thanks in large part to the support of Starnet and ReSource and their members, CARE’s Aligned Dealer membership program had a successful first year, helping to increase CARE’s overall membership to 280, up from 50 in 2008.

View the Complete Press Release

New CARE Board Members

Vann Brown – Mohawk Industries

As Vice President of Innovation & Technology at Mohawk Industries, Vann leads the company’s research & development, environmental services, and sustainability efforts developing advanced/emerging technologies and concepts for flooring applications that deliver tangible, environmentally responsible, market-focused products to add value to the business and to encourage continued growth.

Vann has over 20 years experience in research management with multi-national, technology-based durable goods companies. Prior to his present position, he was the global carpet business manager for Shell Chemicals, moving PTT (Triexta) polymer into a leading position for carpet applications, and he pioneered the product applications and business development activities to commercialize bio-based Polylactic Acid (PLA) polymers at NatureWorks.

Larry Cook – Beaulieu Group

Director of Manufacturing Initiatives, has been with Beaulieu Group LLC since August 1999. Currently oversees yarn, backing and carpet manufacturing with a focus on process improvement, cost reduction and elimination of waste. Initiated many of the recent (past 6 years) recycling initiatives at Beaulieu, while reducing waste numbers and increasing yields. Involved in many areas of Beaulieu other than Manufacturing (Accounting, I.S., Planning, Engineering, and Quality Assurance) working to improve processes and standardize operations.

Prior to Beaulieu, he served in the US Navy on Nuclear Submarines (enlisted) and in the Aviation Supply and Logistics field (officer). Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. Currently serves as the CRI Chair for the Government Issues Committee (GIC) and the Vice Chair for the Sustainability Issues Management Team (SIMT).

Glen Hussman – Tandus Flooring Inc.

Glenn Hussmann is President and CEO of Tandus Flooring, Inc. In his role, Mr. Hussmann reports directly to the board and works with the Tandus leadership team to achieve the company’s strategic growth initiatives.

Mr. Hussmann has also recently earned LEED AP accreditation from the USGBC.

Prior to joining Tandus in 2007, Mr. Hussmann was the President, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Reeves Brothers Inc., a global producer of specialty coated fabric products. In addition, Mr. Hussmann has held various leadership positions during an 18-year career in the Plastics division of General Electric.

Tom Pendley – J&J Industries

Thomas Walter Pendley, Vice President of Product and Finance, was born on December 15, 1969. A 1989 graduate of Dalton High School, Tom received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in May of 1993 and his Masters of Business Administration from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt in May of 1997.

Previously employed by SunTrust Bank in Nashville, Tennessee and Chase Securities Inc. in Houston Texas, Tom joined J&J Industries, Inc. in July of 1998 as a Management Trainee. Since that time he has worked as a Special Projects Manager, Director of Carpet Manufacturing, Senior Director of Operations and, most recently, Vice President of Product and Finance.

Tom is married to the former Cami Moss and they have three children, Carter, Brady and Callie. Tom and his family reside in Dalton.

Carpet and Rug Institute – Blog

In an effort to reach a broader audience, the Carpet and Rug Institute has started a blog. The CRI blog is designed as a forum for discussing soft floor covering issues, as well as a strategic outpost for tracking the pulse of this great industry.

I encourage CARE members and friends to subscribe to the CRI Blog. You have two options available: subscribe for email updates [new blogposts will go directly to your email inbox] or for updates via RSS feed [to your feedreader – e.g., Bloglines].

Simply click on http:/www./carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/, look on the right sidebar for ‘Subscribe’ and enter your email address into the subscription box. You’ll be asked to transcribe some characters – to make sure you’re human – which will trigger an email that you will need to open, and then click on the link within to complete the verification process. That’s it. You’re done!

If you have any comments or ideas for stories, we’d be happy to hear from you.

Bethany Richmond
Communications Manager
The Carpet & Rug Institute
706-428-2125

7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting Save the Date, Registration & Call for Papers

7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting – October 26 & 27, 2010

The 7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting will be held October 26 and 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millennium Center.

The Hilton Millennium Center is full service hotel within minutes of the Atlanta Airport. The hotel features a complementary airport shuttle, wireless Internet in guest rooms and meeting space and complementary self parking.

Meeting Registration will be available on the CARE Website starting May 31, 2010

Hotel Reservations

CARE has negotiated a group room rate of $134.00 for the night of the October 26th. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 404-766-0303 or 800-445- 8667. Please identify yourself as being affiliated with CARE’s 7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting.

View the Hotel Brochure (205 KB)

Call for Papers

CARE is looking for relevant and timely papers that would be of benefit to its entrepreneur community. If you feel you have a presentation that fits this criteria or if you have presentation ideas that you would like to see, please take a moment to submit a paper or idea. As with all of CARE’s meetings, they are put on to benefit our membership. Your input will help us determine the best topics.

Submit Paper or Presentation Ideas

7th Annual Entrepreneur Meeting Sponsorship and Exhibit Opportunities

Only four exhibit spaces availible for the meeting – please make your reservations early.

In an attempt to increase the exposure of carpet recycling equipment, this year’s Entrepreneur Meeting has provided space in the foyer for up to four exhibitors. The space will be allocated based on the sequence the booths are booked from CARE. The fee for one of the four 6 foot table top spaces is $500. The fee includes skirted table, chairs and a free registration.

If interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this event , please contact Jeremy Stroop at 706-428-2127.

CARE Partners with Dalton State to Provide Internship Opportunities

The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has launched its internship program with Dalton State College.

CARE Welcomes Josh Humphrey – CARE’s First Intern

CARE is glad to welcome Joshua Humphrey as its first intern! Josh is a junior at Dalton State in Dalton, GA, and his major is Management Information Systems. He is involved in such extracurricular activities as the College Republicans, Toastmasters International, and the Business Networking Club. Joshua has been brought on board to help CARE in the management of its data of the membership program, and CARE is glad to help him further his experience in data management and an overall better understanding of a business atmosphere.

“Since the beginning of Josh’s internship, I have been impressed with the knowledge and work skills he has brought with him from Dalton State,” explains Jeremy Stroop, CARE’s Operations Manager and Internship Supervisor. “I truly believe this program is going to benefit both the CARE organization and the students that come through the program. My goal is that after working with CARE for a semester, the students will be able to transition into a full-time corporate position with ease, since they have learned the required real world skills necessary to be successful in a business environment.

When asked about the internship experience, Josh had this to say, “This internship has given me the hands-on experience in my profession, and it has given me insight into the business workings of the biggest industry in our area and how carpet recycling can help benefit the industry.”

Josh’s internship with CARE ends in June. If you are interested in learning more about Josh and how he can bring valuable resources to your business team, please contact him by email.

CARE Membership Program

Membership That Makes a Sustainable Difference

If you are either directly involved in, or aligned with, the carpet industry, please support the efforts of CARE and do your part to make a sustainable difference. As a member of CARE, you will be part of a nationwide organization that is diverting carpet from the landfill and finding valuable uses for post-consumer carpet.

You can now sign up to be a member of CARE on line. Using drop down menus, you can find which CARE member category fits you or your organization.

Types of Membership

CARE membership categories include: member, affiliated association, international organization, individual supporter or student.

Member Benefits

As a member of CARE, you will enjoy:

• Organizational Privileges
• Networking with other CARE members
• Significant Discounts on Annual Meeting
• Access to Member Only Resources
• Marketing Support
• Promotion on the CARE Web Site
• Use of the CARE Logo

In the Member Only Section, you will now be able to find other members using our Member Directory, access Marketing Materials, apply to present at the next Annual meeting, and enjoy many other features. Check out the CARE website for more information.

Join CARE Now!

Letters

We would like your feedback on this newsletter, ideas, concerns, or questions. We’ll include them in future newsletters.

Thanks!