CALHOUN, GA - Mohawk Industries Inc. recently cemented its place as a global leader in laminate flooring in completing its purchase of Pergo from Pfleiderer for $150 million in cash.

Pergo, which operates in the U.S. out of Garner, NC, plus a manufacturing and headquarters in Sweden, had sales of approximately $320 million in the U.S. and Europe ini 2011, according to Mohawk. Mohawk, a major player in all things flooring, including carpeting, tile and hardwood, previously purchased laminate flooring producer Unilin.

The sale marked financially challenged Pfleiderer's retreat from the North American market. The German-based company also sold its Uniboard MDF plant in Moncure, NC, to Arauco and Uniboard Canada to Kaycan last year.

Jeffrey Lorberbaum, Mohawk's chairman and CEO, said, "We are pleased to expand our laminate offering with the highly regarded Pergo brand and designs that complement our existing laminate products. The acquisition aligns Unilin's strength with specialty flooring retailers with Pergo's depth in the U.S. DIY channel. In addition, Pergo enhances our geographic position and provides a platform to further leverage Unilin's patented technologies. The combination offers significant opportunities to optimize the assets of both companies while strengthening the design and product performance of both brands."

In November, Exeter Property Group of Plymouth, PA, purchased the 180,000-square distribution center used by Pergo for $8 million.