Shaw Industries Group Inc. — a United States-based floor covering provider and subsidiary of
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. — has opened a 210,000-square-foot carpet tile manufacturing plant in
Nantong, China, to help the company expand its market presence in Asia and meet increasing demand
for commercial carpet tile in that region.
“Two thirds of the world’s carpet tile is sold outside of North America — the majority in
Asia,” said Vance Bell, chairman and CEO, Shaw Industries. “Sales in China, in particular, have
grown 20 percent annually, making it the world’s third largest carpet-tile-purchasing country. Our
new plant expands our opportunity to serve this growing market.”
The carpet tiles, which feature designs created by Shaw in the United States, are made using
the company’s Eco Solution Q® fiber, EcoWorx® backing systems, and EcoLogix® carpet cushioning
systems. The tiles are completely recyclable, bitumen- and polyvinyl chloride-free, and Cradle to
Cradle certified (CM) to the Silver level.
Shaw built the Nantong facility according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED®) Gold standards for New Construction, and also is applying for ISO International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and 14000 certifications. The facility currently
employs 100 people and will employ 250 people once it is operating at full capacity.
“Nantong’s woven textile heritage mirrors the communities in which we’ve manufactured
flooring in the southeastern U.S. for more than half a century,” said Jeff Galloway, vice
president, Asia Pacific, Shaw Industries. “The feeling of being at home in China is due in even
larger part to the reception and cooperation we’ve enjoyed from the Nantong government, the
officials in the Nantong Suzhou Science and Industrial Park, and all those with whom we’ve done
business in China, including our newest Shaw associates.”
September 17, 2013