Starnet® Worldwide, the world’s largest network of full-service independent flooring contractors, today announced that the organization has added six new members in the first half of 2017, bringing the network to a total of 171 independent contractors in the US and Canada. This marks an important trend for the organization, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“We are growing Starnet at a steady pace, providing valued benefits and best practices to our members,” said Jeanne Matson, President and CEO of Starnet. “We are very selective in the companies we bring into Starnet and are seeking new members who can benefit from our cooperative. There is power in numbers – in ideas and in enterprise solutions. More and more our members are finding that by working together, we all win.”
The six newest members have joined the Starnet network since the start of 2017, including:
Butler Floor and Carpet Company based in Butler, PA was founded by Eddie Trampson many years ago and was bought by Lloyd Croft in 1949. It is now a third-generation Croft-family business, meeting commercial and residential flooring needs across western Pennsylvania.
“You’re not competitors; you can share knowledge and tactics to make a successful company without worrying about being in competition,” said Tim Croft, Vice President, Butler Floor and Carpet about joining Starnet. “I was completely amazed by how welcoming everyone was, how much they shared, learning how these companies operate.”
DCO Commercial Floors is part of DCO, Inc., founded by Mike Blanton in 1978 as a residential flooring retailer with a strong focus on the customer where his value system still exists today. Mike’s son, Curtis, is running the business today. The company has three divisions: DCO Commercial Window Treatments, Dalton Carpet One and DCO Commercial Floors, based in Athens, GA. DCO Commercial Floors services clients nationally from Oregon to Florida with satellite commercial offices outside Atlanta and in Austin, TX.
“As part of Carpet One CCA residentially (with nearly 1,000 members) for almost 30 years, we understand the benefits of a coop and what a large group can bring to the table. We wanted to bring that same benefit of networking and sharing ideas that we have in our residential business to the commercial business. After doing some research, Starnet was the easy choice,” said Curtis Blanton, Commercial General Manager, DCO Commercial Floors.
Fabulous Floors, Inc was founded in 1987 and occupies 35,000 square feet of office, warehouse and showroom space between the headquarters in Carrollton, TX and facility in Bend, OR. Ninety-seven percent of the company’s revenues are generated through commercial sales with a strong emphasis on educational institutions, healthcare, tenant finish-outs and high-rise residential projects. The company continues to expand, with projects completed in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, New York, Virginia, California and Oregon and a satellite west coast office in Bend, OR.
“What an amazing network of people and resources to learn from, contribute to, and collaborate with,” said Joel Alhadef, Founder, and President of Fabulous Floors Inc. “We came away from our first Starnet convention – a most impressive display of professional commercial flooring dealers – feeling honored to have been accepted, to be a part of it, and impressed by the collective knowledge and participation of both the members and the vendor partners we met.”
Gulf Coast Flooring & Services began in 1986 as a family business. In 2008 Jordan Jenks entered the family business as a full partner. GCF is a company providing both residential and commercial businesses in Houston and surrounding counties with reputable, well-known products and quality service.
“We wanted to join Starnet because we believe that Starnet has a solid network of commercial flooring contractors that will assist us in the servicing of our outer market projects allowing us to partner within that network,” said Katherine Jenks, Partner at Gulf Coast Flooring & Services.
Rainbow Builders is a full-service commercial flooring and tile contractor, founded in 1980. With locations in Anchorage and Juneau, the company serves all of Alaska, focusing on the southcentral and southeastern parts of the state.
“We are excited to be part of, and interact with, other professional commercial flooring contractors. As we all know there are a lot of businesses in our profession that don’t play by the rules. Starnet represents the best of the best, and we are humbled to be accepted into this elite group,” said Nelz Barnett, President, Rainbow Builders. “We have been amazed and impressed by the interest and support of the vendors. Starnet sets the bar for professionalism in our field and is well respected in the flooring world. We’re pleased to be a part of that.”
Value Carpet One – Salisbury, MD was founded in 1964 to provide the community with the highest quality goods and services for their residential and commercial flooring needs. They now serve the eastern shore of Maryland, eastern shore of Virginia and lower
“We view membership in Starnet as an investment in our commercial business which is an important piece of our overall business,” said Chris Adams, President, Value Carpet One. “We’re able to learn best practices, which in turn allows us to maintain our position in the marketplace. It’s a valuable investment.”
