Tarkett Acquires Centiva Flooring

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative flooring and sports surface solutions, has announced that it has acquired the Centiva business from International Floors of America, Inc.  Centiva is an internationally recognized designer flooring brand, specializing in luxury resilient tile that enhances interior environments from corporate, hospitality and healthcare to education, retail and residential.

"As we continue to work in strengthening the experience our customers enjoy with our brands, we will make strategic choices that complement our existing efforts and strengthen our positions in key categories," stated Jeff Buttitta, President of Tarkett North America.  "The Centiva acquisition is a significant example of our commitment due to the growing demand for high design resilient flooring in North America and Centiva's focus on developing customers for life through a satisfying service experience."

In 1996, Thomas Trissl, founder and current CEO, created Centiva with one simple goal: to make the company the best.  Under Trissl's vision and leadership, Centiva created unique inspirational flooring solutions and combined them with first rate customer service, supporting architects and flooring specifiers as they work to achieve the precise balance between design aesthetics and structural mandates. When sustainable solutions and practices became a critical component in flooring specification, Trissl and Centiva developed the Green Way, a holistic approach to green stewardship, an approach similar to Tarkett's Balanced Choice practice.

"As we learned about the similarities in business models, we were excited to become part of Tarkett," stated Trissl.  "We share a fanatical commitment to the brand experience through customer-based manufacturing principles of flexibility, quality, speed, and customization."  

"Centiva fits so well within our business beliefs and philosophies," emphasized Buttitta. "We look forward to supporting the continued evolution of the brand and its strategies."  With the acquisition of Centiva as well as its separate, existing NAFCO brand and operations, Tarkett becomes one of the largest domestic manufacturers of LVT products in North America.

Centiva will continue to operate as a separate brand within Tarkett's North American portfolio, maintaining distinct manufacturing and business operations in Florence, Alabama where Centiva employs over 100 people.  There is no intention to change the focus of the brand, nor its routes to market. Trissl will continue as president of the Centiva business unit, and additionally will be part of the management team offering insight to the other Tarkett businesses within North America.

The financial terms of the acquisition are not disclosed.

About Tarkett:

With 2009 revenues of euro 1.7 billion, Tarkett is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surfaces.  Some 8,000 employees serve Tarkett's customers in 100 countries and from 29 production sites.  Since January 2007, Tarkett has been owned by the Deconinck family (50%) and private equity funds affiliated with KKR (50%).  Tarkett North America is a leading provider of innovative flooring solutions for the residential and commercial markets under the brands of Johnsonite, Azrock, NAFCO and Tarkett.  For more information, please visit www.tarkett.com

SOURCE Tarkett