CFL’s new production facilities in Taiwan and Vietnam are up and running, with initial shipments of laminate and SPC having started in March 2019. This new production not only increases CFL’s total capacity globally, but also helps to address the tariff challenges for the U.S. market. Thomas Baert, Co-Owner of CFL, advised “In the past several months, we have worked diligently to expand our production outside of China. CFL will continue efforts to provide optimal solutions for our valued partners.”
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CFL signs patent partnership agreement with I4F Flooring for breakthrough engineered stone, wood veneer flooring board
– I4F receives licensing rights for new engineered stone, wood veneer composite base board
– Patented board resolves most moisture, heat issues associated with natural wood flooring
– Environmentally-friendly engineered stone composite works on all floor levels
WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO– I4F, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the flooring industry, today announced that it has signed a patent partnership agreement with CFL Flooring for a new engineered stone, wood veneer composite base flooring board. The breakthrough engineered stone, veneer board resolves virtually all the disadvantages currently associated with natural wood flooring by reducing moisture intake and flammability on any floor level or room type. In addition to I4F receiving licensing rights for the new board, the partnership also opens up future collaboration in the area of patented technologies. CFL is fast becoming one of China’s leading flooring manufacturers and a leading Asian flooring innovator.
The new sound absorbing board provides a stone-wood composite base that keeps the wood veneer level dry and heat resistant by substantially retaining moisture and heat within the stone-wood base. As a result, this new board can be used in any room and is particularly suited to those prone to high levels of heat and humidity like wet rooms, kitchens and greenhouses as well as on all floor levels, even basements. The new board is also environmentally-friendly as it uses less wood and eliminates the need for any sub-flooring.
Thomas Baert, President of CFL, said, “We are excited about working with I4F to promote this breakthrough technology. This technology, developed by Mr. Mondo Pallon, is the beginning of many more to come over the next months and years. Innovation is in the DNA of CFL Flooring and now secured through many approved and pending patents.”
Commenting on the new patent partnership, John Rietveldt, I4F CEO, added, “We believe CFL’s new engineered stone, veneer composite board could become the greatest thing since parquet! This latest partnership with CFL underscores our strategy to seek out and market flooring technologies that have a profound impact on today’s flooring landscape. This innovation resolves age-old issues linked to natural wood flooring while bringing exciting new possibilities back into the market. We will continue to work, in partnership, with the world’s leading and most innovative companies to find more exciting innovations that truly make a difference.”
CFL gains full representation rights to US patent for engineered stone with wood veneer construction
CFL Flooring announced it has reached an agreement with the owners of the US patent nbr 9.453,349 B2; related to wood boards and planks with an engineered stone base to license and sublicense the technology.
This agreement complements CFL’s own multiple patent applications, covering different compositions for the engineered stone.
Thomas Baert, President of CFL Flooring: “CFL is the industry disrupter with its construction on the base of Engineered stone. We believe that this will shape the innovation in the flooring industry the next years. We are ready to take the lead”.
CFL Flooring is the leading manufacturer and inventor of PVC-free engineered stone flooring. It positions its lines as the pinnacle of the waterproof category: superb stability, rigidity and unmatched wear resistance.
Surfaces 2019
Our main message on the show was that we believe the new engineered stone construction, entirely PVC-free, is the new breakthrough that will shape innovation in the flooring industry the next years and we are ready to take the lead!
CFL launches revolutionary PVC-free Engineered Stone category
CFL Flooring announced the launch of an exciting and new waterproof engineered stone. This revolutionary new product will be introduced at Domotex & Surfaces 2019.
CFL positions it as the pinnacle of the waterproof category, featuring advantages of a newly developed Rigid Mineral Stone Core: waterproofness, rigidity, unmatched wear resistance, and superb stability. Engineered stone can be seamlessly installed over large surfaces (up to 10,000sqft) with no transitions, installed in all spaces, including 3-season rooms and sunrooms, and is approved for kitchen islands to be placed directly on top. It has up to 30% better scratch resistance than the industry leading coatings, making it ideal for commercial and residential applications.
It’s 100% free of PVC and plasticizers, inhibits mold and bacteria growth, and features a pre-attached high performance underlay. The unique backing provides additional sound reduction, stability and comfort. It is certified and made from recycled PET plastic bottles.
“PVC-free engineered stone is a breakthrough innovation and is covered by a
series of worldwide patents. Waterproof has been the buzz word of
our industry the last years. The future of flooring is natural, recyclable,
100% stable, all in combination with being waterproof. Simply ask a customer
whether she prefers a stone floor or a plastic floor. Expect a real game
changer!” said Thomas Baert, President of CFL.
CFL starts three factories outside China
CFL is proud to announce that in order to support the fast growth of the company, and in consideration of the recent trade disputes between the USA and China, the company has initiated establishment of three new fully integrated production facilities outside of China. Products produced in these facilities will significantly expand CFL’s overall capacity, and will not be subject to the recent tariffs implemented – likely up to 25% total by January 1st. All facilities will be operational by January 2019.
Cited Tom Van Poyer, CEO: “We are committed to make our partners stronger than ever in this ever-changing and challenging business environment, and feel we are far ahead in pro-actively finding solutions for our customers. Across all categories, whether it is Laminate, SPC, WPC, or LV, we will continue to go the extra mile to bring the most innovative and differentiated products to the market place.”
Thomas Baert, President, also commented: “These manufacturing initiatives in countries outside of China mark the beginning of a more global expansion of our company. CFL has grown into a family of close to 3000 employees, and we are very committed to providing a platform for our customers to take market share in these changing times.”
Read about the news on
Floor Covering Weekly
Floor Daily
CFL Testifying Against Chinese Tariffs on Behalf of ACWJC in Washington DC
Norwalk, CT, August 24, 2018-The American Consumers & Workers Justice Coalition (ACWJC) took its fight against proposed tariffs on Chinese LVT imports to Washington, D.C. this week by testifying before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 301 Tariff hearings in the International Trade Commission hearing rooms. The Coalition was represented by Harlan Stone, one of the founders of the ACWJC and president of the Multilayer Flooring Association (MFA). Barron Frith of Creative Flooring Solutions (CLF), also a member of the MFA board and the Coalition, was also present to support the removal of LVT from the list of products that would be subject to additional tariffs of up to 25%.
Barron Frith :“We were here as the voice for the Coalition, which consist of over 120 companies representing manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and contractors that believe the tariffs will have a negative impact on our industry. Hopefully Washington is listening.”
U.S. Patent Office Grants CFL Waterproof Laminate Tech. Patent
CFL Flooring’s patent application for waterproof laminate technology has recently been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The company says this represents a significant development in the protection of CFL’s technologies and helps secure its position as a leader in bringing innovative solutions to the waterproof categories in the North American market.
“We’re extremely excited about this news. Our R&D teams together with our production units worked very hard in making our Firmfit products truly unique. Even in today’s highly competitive flooring markets we’re happy to continue to be recognized for bringing innovative products. While most competitors have been focusing on WPC (wood plastic composite) versions, Firmfit has quickly become a leader in its category because of the quality and performance of the product and this patent approval recognizes just that” offered Thomas Baert, president of CFL Flooring.
Expansion well under-way
The factory expansion of 500,000 sq Ft is fully in progress and is due to be completed February 2018. Progressing well, CFL is going through a growth sprint. Reaction of customers to all our new products are tremendous ! We can not be grateful enough to our worldwide partners !!
Read story on floor covering weekly
Breaking Ground for New 2017 Expansion
We held the ceremony on December 1st in its headquarters in the presence of over 300 people, including top international and local government officials.
It was a great opportunity to have our partners come visit our facilities and experience first hand our ambitious expansion plans for 2017.
The expansion will consist of a $20 million investment in new buildings at our headquarters. The facilities will add half a million square feet of new production space, and a new R&D center with focus on continuing to lead the development of waterproof flooring and take the category to a new level.
Thomas Baert – Co-founder : “Our new buildings will allow us to have the most professional Research and Development center in the country, and will include an independent accredited laboratory to be able to guarantee the highest quality standards. CFL has applied and received over 20 patents in the last several years. We strongly believe that innovation is the heart of the success of our company, and it will continue to be our focus thanks to these significant investments”