CRI Introduces Newly Identified Barriers
Efforts Underway to Lower or Eliminate Obstacles

Contact: CRI Communications Department, 706.428.2103

November 22, 2002, DALTON, GA - The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) announced plans to address newly identified barriers to profitability and growth at today's Annual Meeting, pledging work to lower or eliminate the targeted barriers during the next three-year budget cycle.

"Since CRI's mission is to lower or eliminate barriers to profitability and growth for our members, we have taken the direction our board has chosen for us to follow, and will work tirelessly in an effort to insure we have the very best alignment against these new barriers,'' said Werner Braun, president of CRI.

The CRI Board of Directors identified the following critical barriers to profitability and growth during their September meeting and CRI has been realigning its efforts and marketing strategies to address them:

1. Misperception that carpet is unhealthy. This barrier is composed of the several elements which all contribute to the misperception carpet is unhealthy:
   • Carpet has a mold problem;
   • Carpet aggravates asthmas and allergy;
   • Carpet is more expensive to maintain and sanitize;
   • And, carpet has a volatile organic compounds problem.
2. Misperception that carpet is not sustainable.
3. Misperception that carpet is not a competitive floor covering.
4. International government and trade issues affecting the industry.
5. Georgia specific legislative and regulatory issues that impact manufacturing and operations.
6. Cost of business-to-business transactions.

"We have been in the process of review of all our activities and have already begun to focus our energies towards these new set of barriers. We will soon have a new marketing strategy in place, and it is our intention to actively reach out to allies as we advocate the necessary messages to attack these newly identified set of barriers,'' said Mr. Braun.

"Our efforts will be one based on education as we seek out adversaries and challenge them in a way which confronts their conventional thinking. We have a very enthusiastic and capable staff, and combined with the expertise of our member companies, will work tirelessly to tear down these barriers,'' added Mr. Braun.