Interface, Inc.

Interface, Inc. is a global manufacturer of commercial flooring with an integrated collection of carpet tiles and resilient flooring, including luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and nora brand rubber flooring.[4]

Interface, Inc.
TypePublic
Nasdaq: TILE
S&P 600 Component
IndustryTextile industry
FoundedLaGrange, Georgia (1973)
FounderRay C. Anderson
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia
Area served
Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific
Key people
Daniel T. Hendrix
(Chairman, President, CEO)[1]
Products
  • Modular carpet tile
  • Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)
  • nora rubber flooring
RevenueIncrease US$ 1.2 billion (2018)[2]
Decrease US$ 76 million (2018)[2]
Decrease US$ 50 million (2018)[2]
Total assetsIncrease US$ 1.3 billion (2018)[2]
Total equityIncrease US$ 354.77 million (2018)[2]
Number of employees
4,094 (2018)[3]
SubsidiariesFLOR, nora
Websitewww.interface.com

Company information

Interface, Inc. and its subsidiaries sells modular carpet tiles, luxury vinyl tile and Nora brand rubber flooring.

Its founder, Ray Anderson, was featured in the documentary film The Corporation discussing environmental sustainability in modern business. Interface was founded in 1973 by Ray Anderson, whose decade and a half in the carpet trade had led him to create one of the first U.S. manufacturers of carpet tiles, also known as modular carpet or carpet squares. Carpet tiles, which originated in Europe, became highly popular during the 1980s as an alternative to broadloom carpet, especially in office environments that at the time were switching to flexible, “open” plans that required easy access to wiring and infrastructure beneath floors. Interface grew to become the largest carpet-tile maker on the planet.[5]

Then, starting in 1994, Interface focused on environmental sustainability, especially in reducing the use of petroleum.[6] At this time, the company announced a program called Mission Zero with a goal of eliminating any negative impact the company may have on the environment by 2020.[5] Since 1996, Interface chose to adopt an innovation-based green strategy.[7] In a short period, it managed to reduce its impact on the environment by one third.[6] Each year, the company releases its annual EcoMetrics, demonstrating the company’s environmental impact and progress.

In 2016, Interface announced its new mission, Climate Take Back, which aimed to reverse global warming.[5] In 2018, Interface announced that all of its products, including all carpet tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), are carbon neutral across the entire product lifecycle through its Carbon Neutral Floors program.[8] in 2019, 90% of Interface’s energy came from renewables.[9]

Interface was recognized as Recyclers of the Year by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE).[10] In 2006 and 2016, Interface was voted number one in Globescan's survey of environmentally sustainable businesses.[11] They are also the recipient of The Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development (Environmental Achievement) (2008). Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has heralded Ray Anderson and Interface for their sincere commitment to sustainability and protecting the planet's natural resources.[12]

Historical
  • 1973: Ray Anderson creates Carpets International.
  • 1974: Carpets International introduces GlasBac, a patented structured backing system that has become the industry standard for high-performance modular backings.[13]
  • 1982: Carpets International becomes Interface Flooring Systems, Inc, and acquires Compact Carpet of Canada, renaming it Interface Flooring Systems Canada, Inc.[14]
  • 1994: Ray Anderson experiences "spear in the chest” epiphany, leading Interface to establish Mission Zero.[15]
  • 1994: Ray Anderson reads Paul Hawken's book The Ecology of Commerce, inspiring his first environmental speech; develops framework to track and measure sustainability progress, classified as Mount Sustainability.
  • 1995: Interface establishes ReEntry Recycling Program, which reclaims carpet to ensure used flooring tiles do not end up in landfills.[15]
  • 1996: Interface partners with yarn suppliers to develop recycled nylon.[16]
  • 1998: The company introduces NexStep polyurethane cushion backing.
  • 2001: Interface establishes new backing system, GlasBacRE, now featuring up to 81% total recycled content.
  • 2003: Interface launches first residential product through FLOR.[17]
  • 2003: Interface becomes the first carpet company to receive Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification for its products and the first company to introduce Climate Neutral product offering through its Cool Carpet program.
  • 2006: Interface unveils TacTiles, the first glue-free and sustainable flooring installation method.[18]
  • 2008: Interface is first to pilot Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).[19]
  • 2010: Interface develops first product with 100% recycled nylon with yarn supplier Aquafil.
  • 2012: Interface announces Net-Works in partnership with the Zoological Society of London to collect discarded fishing nets for recycling into new yarn.[20]
  • 2015: Interface introduces Skinny Planks, 25 x 100 cm carpet planks that can be used to create similar patterns to those found on timber or vinyl flooring.[21]
  • 2016: Interface launches new mission, Climate Take Back, which aims to reverse global warming.[22]
  • 2017: Interface announces entry into the hard surface flooring category with a line of luxury vinyl tile (LVT).[23]
  • 2017: Interface announces Proof Positive, a first-of-its-kind, carbon negative carpet tile prototype.[24]
  • 2018: Interface develops first carbon negative carpet tile backing, CircuitBac Green, to further reduce flooring’s carbon footprint.[25]
  • 2018: Interface acquires Nora Systems.[26]
  • 2019: Interface declares its entire portfolio carbon neutral across the entire product lifecycle through its Carbon Neutral Floors program.[27]
  • 2019: Interface celebrates Mission Zero success and continues to activate on Climate Take Back; releases 25th Sustainability Report, highlighting lessons learned and key EcoMetrics.[28]

References
  1. "Interface, Inc. Announces Leadership Transition". Office Insight. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. Interface, Inc. "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  3. Interface, Inc. "Interface 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Interface, Inc.
  4. "Interface Americas". Interface.
  5. "Inside Interface's bold new mission to achieve 'Climate Take Back'". GreenBiz. June 6, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. "Sustainable Growth – Interface, Inc". Fast Company. March 31, 1998. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  7. Lampikoski, T (2012), "Green, Innovative, and Profitable: A Case Study of Managerial Capabilities at Interface Inc.", Technology Innovation Management Review, 2 (November): 4–12, doi:10.22215/timreview/624
  8. "Interface Carbon Neutral Floors Program Adds nora Rubber Flooring". Facility Executive. February 26, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. Kennedy, Sarah (December 11, 2019). "How flooring manufacturer Interface is cutting carbon pollution". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  10. "Press Release: Carpet Cycle, InterFace Flor Named CARE Recyclers of the Year, Moot Honored As CARE Person of the Year, Annual Report Released". Carpet America Recovery Effort. May 9, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  11. Ellis, Tania (2010). The New Pioneers: Sustainable business success through social innovation and social entrepreneurship. p. 41. ISBN 9780470971314.
  12. "Seeking Sustainability". Carpet America Recovery Effort. May 10, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  13. "To use PVC or not to use PVC?". Floor Covering Weekly. January 18, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  14. "Interface, Inc". Georgia Encyclopedia. August 19, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  15. "How a carpet maker became an unlikely hero of the environmental movement". Fast Company. January 2, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  16. Eric Nelson (August 18, 2009). "How Interface innovates with suppliers to create sustainability solutions". Global Business and Organizational Excellence. 28 (6): 22–30. doi:10.1002/JOE.20285. ISSN 1932-2054. Wikidata Q104832504.
  17. "Interface Announces Its First Residential Product: FLOR". Building Green. June 1, 2003. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  18. "What's In Your Product". Architect. November 18, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  19. "TacTile Carpet". Interiors and Sources. January 1, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  20. "Interface, Aquafil and Zoological Society of London collaboration announces expansion". Econyl. September 22, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  21. "First Look: New Skinny Plank collections from Interface Carpets". Corporate Workspace. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  22. "Inside Interface's bold new mission to achieve 'Climate Take Back'". GreenBiz. June 6, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  23. "Interface adds LVT to carpet tile for total flooring options". Floor Covering Weekly. February 8, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  24. "Interface Unveils Prototype Carpet Tile to Inspire New Approaches to Address Climate Change". PR Newswire. June 7, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  25. "Interface Launches Carbon Negative Carpet Tile Backing". Floor Trends. July 24, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  26. "Interface Completes Acquisition of Nora Systems" (Press release). Interface, Inc. August 7, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2019 – via PR Newswire.
  27. "Interface Expands Carbon Neutral Floors Program to Include nora Rubber Flooring Products". Interface. February 21, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  28. "Interface Announces Mission Zero Success, Commits to Climate Take Back". Floor Trends. November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
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