Newsline

Volume VII, Issue 14 - June 23, 2006

The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives

In This Issue:
-- SOA Cleaning Solutions Family Continues Growth
-- B2B Meeting Produces New Association
-- Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) Initiates Science Advisory Council
-- NeoCon Show Well-Attended
-- CEU Administrator Training Session Held
-- Sacramento Paper Details Californias New Carpet Purchasing Process
-- CRI Meetings
-- CRI Participation in Upcoming Events

SOA Cleaning Solutions Family Continues Growth

CRI Seal of ApprovalQuick-Spot® Hydrogen Peroxide-based Carpet Spotter and Heavy Duty Prespray are the latest cleaning solutions to earn designation as a CRI Seal of Approval certified cleaning product. The spot remover and pre-spray passed a series of stringent tests performed by an independent laboratory. Quick-Spot is produced by EnvirOx, LLC which is headquartered in Dabville, Illinois. Heavy Duty Prespray is manufactured by Johnson Wax Professional which is headquartered in Sturtevant, Wisconsin.

The tests for spot removers, pre-sprays and in-tank solutions include protocols for efficacy (removing stains), resoiling (whether the product attracts soil at an accelerated rate), pH (excessively acid or alkaline products can affect dyes and fibers), optical brighteners (can adversely affect color, appearance and performance) and colorfastness to light (residues on pile yarn can accelerate color change).

To date there are over 50 cleaning solutions which have earned SOA designation as being among the best cleaners on the market.

Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116.

B2B Meeting Produces New Association

Flooring B2B StandardThe Flooring Industry B2B Standard Committee held its annual meeting in Atlanta on June 21-22. CRIs Frank Hurd and Joan Seelaus participated in the meeting, where the committee approved the formation of a formalized Floor Covering Business-To-Business (B2B) Association. The purpose of the new 501(c)6 non-profit corporation is to "facilitate more efficient business communications within the floor covering and related industries, including but not limited to customer/supplier electronic transactions, to foster optimal development of the floor covering industry, and to promote leadership in the development of ethics, standards, and policy throughout the industry." CRI is one of the founding organizations, along with the World Floor Covering Association, Ceramic Tile Distributors Association, National Association of Floor Covering Distributors, and the National Wood Flooring Association.

Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428-2136.

Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) Initiates Science Advisory Council

At the recent Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) board meeting, the author of Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health, Dr. Michael Berry, the newly appointed executive director of CIRIs Science Advisory Council, outlined his plan for the Councils activities in 2006. The initial objectives of the Council are to establish a cleaning science research and analysis framework that will help define what is clean?; create a cleaning science information database on the CIRI website to catalog existing research; conduct a summer workshop to prepare a comprehensive State of Cleaning Science report for industry review and publication; and to prepare and present a three-year strategic information collection and research plan. In addition CIRI will look to its member organizations for researchers and scientists who can serve as adjunct advisors to the Council, to help with identifying and quantifying the research that has been, or needs to be, done. The initial $250,000 for the Council activities has been secured from sponsors of the Council. Dr. Berry also addressed Green Cleaning by recommending we look at the subject as Cleaning Green thus putting the emphasis on cleaning efficacy.

Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428-2136.

NeoCon Show Well-Attended

The 2006 NeoCon event was a smashing success by all counts. Traffic was up by a reported 15% this year and was one of the strongest showings in recent history. The sustainability theme was widely prevalent no surprise. However, unlike years gone by, this year was more about being sustainable (products and processes) versus talking about it. Thats exciting. Carpet tile sophistication continues to expand with many innovative new products. Once again Tricycle brought innovations to the floor in several areas. Details will be available in the numerous show trade reports that will be published.

Contact Bob Peoples at 706.428-2115.

CEU Administrator Training Session Held

The CRI recently conducted a training session for CEU administrators that was well attended and had representation from Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Beaulieu, Solutia, Mannington, Blue Ridge, J&J/Invision and Bentley Prince Street. CEU administrators are CRI member company representatives responsible for designating appropriate certified instructors within their companies who can teach the CRI courses in the marketplace. Administrators also take care of paperwork and other responsibilities as required by the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC).

These administrators will identify instructors within their companies who will undergo training at CRI in mid-July.

The following CRI-approved courses have been certified by the IDCEC and will be made available to qualifying instructors:

  • CRI-201 Carpet Specification Basics - Carpet Construction
  • CRI-203 Carpet Specification Basics - Dye Methods
  • CRI-206 Carpet Specification Basics - Introduction to Carpet Specification

Contact Pat Jennings at 706.428-2126.

Sacramento Paper Details Californias New Carpet Purchasing Process

The Sacramento Bee, one of the nations largest newspapers, recently did a feature on the new California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard which will go into effect on Sept. 1. According to the article, the new government purchasing policy is being watched closely by another dozen states.

The state of California buys about $26 million worth of new carpet for its departments and agencies each year. The state removes and needs to dispose of 5.3 million square feet of worn carpet every year. CRI was mentioned in the article and included quotes from CRI President Werner Braun.

Contact James Beach at 706.428-2116.

Read the article

CRI Meetings

* Market Issues Committee, June 26, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
* VOC Issues Management Team, July 11, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
* Sustainability Issues Management Team, July 12, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
* Standards & Specifications Issues Management Team, July 13, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
* Policy Committee, July 20, 9:00 - 11:00 am
* CRI Annual Meeting, November 9, Northwest Georgia Convention and Trade Center, 11:00 - 2:00 pm

CRI Participation in Upcoming Events

* Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Annual Meeting, September 16- 19, Phoenix, AZ
* Connections Trade and Convention Show, September 21-23, Las Vegas, NV
* ISSA/Interclean, 2006, October 4-7, Chicago, IL
* Megatex, October 31 – November 3, Atlanta, GA
* USGBC Greenbuild, November 15-17, Denver, CO

If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123.

Check our website calendar for other industry related events

Subscribe to the CRI mailing list!
Email: