DALTON, Ga. – Shaw Industries Group Inc. will expand its reach into the hard surface flooring market with the purchase of USFloors. Terms of the agreement, announced Oct. 18, were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

With annual sales of $4.8 billion, Shaw is considered the world's largest suppliers of carpet and other floor coverings, including carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile and synthetic turf. The company said its acquisition of USFloors will complement its position in the hard surface and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring markets. USFloors produces wood-plastic composite (WPC) flooring, as well as cork, bamboo and hardwood products, under the COREtec®, Natural Cork, Natural Bamboo, Navarre and Castle Combe Floor and Wall brands.

Based in Dalton, Georgia, USFloors was founded in 2001 by Piet Dossche, CEO. In 2008 the company became the first domestic producer of cork and bamboo flooring with the opening of its 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Dalton, where it also produces FSC-certified hardwood flooring. USFloors also has distribution facilities in Dalton and Augusta, Georgia, as well as Anaheim, California. It also has an international presence.

"We are proud and enthusiastic to become part of Shaw Industries and join this team of high quality and dedicated people,” Dossche said. He added that joining with Shaw will enable the company to "expand our leadership position in the WPC segment even faster and solidify our COREtec® brand as the global benchmark for this new flooring category.”

“We are excited to welcome Piet Dossche and the USFloors team to Shaw Industries,” said Vance Bell, chairman and CEO. “Our companies share similar values and focus on innovation, style and design and sustainability leadership. Combining the fastest growing company in the fastest growing segment of the flooring business with Shaw’s LVT position creates a significant opportunity for the combined companies.”

Shaw hardwood flooring

Shaw is also fast becoming one of the largest and fastest growing hardwood flooring manufacturers. Earlier this year, the company completed a $40 million expansion of its hardwood flooring manufacturing facility in South Pittsburg, Tenn., adding 60 percent more capacity at the facility to meet the growing demand for its engineered hardwood flooring products.

At the time, Bell noted that “Hardwood is important to Shaw’s business growth strategy.” He added, “The expansion of our South Pittsburg engineered hardwood facility is a prime example of our continued investment in new product development and advanced manufacturing practices.”

Scott Sandlin, Shaw vice president of Hard Surfaces, also said, "We will continue to invest in the category toward our goal of being the unquestioned leader in wood flooring.”

Based in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The company employs more than 20,000 associates with offices, R&D, manufacturing, warehousing. distribution locations and showrooms throughout North America, as well as Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Shaw's brands/divisions include: Anderson, Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract, Shaw Floors, Shaw Hospitality, Shaw Sports Turf, Southwest Greens and Tuftex.