FCW’s GreenStep 2017
by Lauren Moore
Originally published on FCW Magazine
[Dalton] Flooring manufacturers may compete in nearly every facet of business, but when it comes to sustainability, they’re on the same team.
That was the theme at FCW’s ninth annual GreenStep awards event, held at the Dalton Country Club Sept. 13, where sustainability-minded leaders in the floor covering industry came together to be recognized for their efforts toward making a positive impact on the environment, the community, their customers and their employees.
“In 2009, we referred to GreenStep as an environmental awards program. It was about waste reduction, energy efficiency, limiting the use of harmful chemicals. And while that is still a large part of the stories we still tell today, GreenStep, along with the industry, has a much broader view,” said Amy Rush-Imber, editor in chief at FCW. “It’s more than being ‘green.’ It truly is about being sustainable.”
This year, two new categories were added to better reflect this view. The People Award recognizes commitment to health and wellness of company associates and the community in which a company lives, and the International Award recognizes companies and people whose commitment to sustainability extends across the globe.
George Bandy, Mohawk’s vice president of sustainability, was the first-ever winner of the GreenStep People Award, and said he was humbled and honored to be recognized. “I think this particular kind of awards ceremony gives us the opportunity to celebrate all of our successes and pushes us to move forward around all these areas like health and wellness, social sustainability and financial acuity,” he said. “As we do that, we get to collaborate, and move forward as an industry for Mother Nature.”
In addition to Bandy’s award, Mohawk received the Product Award for Airo, its new, recyclable soft flooring product; the Process Award for its Continuum PET process; and, was the honoree in the International Category for IVC Group’s green efforts in Europe and the U.S., and in the Promotion Category for its Cushion the Fight partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “I think you can see Mohawk is a business with a total commitment to sustainability,” said Paul Murfin, president of IVC Group. “I think that’s really exciting.”
