Anchoring the Future: Beatty Floors Ltd. Expands Horizons with Acquisition of Raeco Western

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In a significant move for the British Columbia flooring landscape, Beatty Floors Ltd. has officially announced its acquisition of Raeco Western Ltd., a specialist in commercial marine surfaces. Effective January 1, 2026, this acquisition unites two of the region’s most established flooring entities, signaling a new era of expanded capabilities and specialized service.

A Strategic Milestone for Beatty Floors

For Beatty Floors, a company proudly Canadian owned and operated since 1929, this acquisition is an incredible move that significantly broadens its portfolio. For over 95 years, Beatty has been a leader in commercial flooring, specializing in sectors such as healthcare, education, and property management. By bringing Raeco into the fold, Beatty is not just growing its size but is expanding into the niche marine decking market.

Raeco Western brings over 50 years of expertise in marine surfaces, having served BC’s marine industry since 1964. Their specialized knowledge in International Maritime Organization (IMO) certified products—essential for ferries, tugs, and coast guard vessels—perfectly complements Beatty’s existing commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and long-term client relationships. With Beatty’s team of over 55 industry-trained mechanics, the integration of Raeco’s specialized team allows the combined company to serve a much wider range of complex projects.

Why This is Exciting for the Industry

This acquisition is a landmark event for the Pacific Northwest construction and marine industries. It creates a one-stop-shop for specialized flooring, capable of handling everything from high-gloss polished concrete in a commercial office to durable deck screeds on a naval trainer.

The industry benefits from the synergy of two companies that prioritize technical precision. Beatty is known for its award-winning work and detailed mock-ups, while Raeco is a trusted name for marine decking repair, maintenance, and emergency services. By merging these skill sets, the market gains a powerhouse provider that can navigate the rigorous safety and durability requirements of both land-based and sea-based environments.

A Win for the Starnet Network

Beatty Floors is a decorated Starnet member, having previously won the Gold Canadian Flooring Project award from the Starnet Design Awards. For Starnet, this move is exciting because it exemplifies the network’s 2025 fall meeting theme: “Lead with Vision, Build with Purpose.”

As Starnet members aim to outperform the market through innovation and collaboration, Beatty’s expansion into the marine sector adds a unique layer of specialized expertise to the Starnet cooperative. This acquisition strengthens the collective “service solutions” offered by Starnet members, proving that even a 95-year-old industry leader can continue to evolve and find new ways to dominate specialized markets.

By combining Beatty’s nearly a century of excellence with Raeco’s marine mastery, this acquisition ensures that whether a project is on solid ground or the open sea, the standards of quality and integrity remain unmatched.

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Partiers Win More Business: How Events Strengthen Industry Relationships

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Networking has always been a cornerstone of success in commercial flooring. But some members are proving that the best relationships, and the best results, are often forged not in the boardroom, but at the barbecue. Across the Starnet network, members who host professional, well-planned social events are seeing the business rewards of investing in connection, camaraderie, and community.

Kellen Flooring Solutions recently hosted an outstanding BBQ Cook-Off Party that brought together more than 100 customers and vendor partners. With exceptional barbecue, live music, and a lively atmosphere, the event created memorable shared experiences that translated into stronger relationships long after the grills cooled.

The Cloud’s with M. Frank Higgins hosted an unforgettable Halloween party, welcoming more than 100 customers, designers, and vendors to a creative night of costumes, conversation, and collaboration. The event was a standout example of how thoughtful planning and creative themes can make business gatherings both fun and strategically impactful.

Both events were hosted onsite at member facilities — a detail that gave guests a firsthand look at the companies’ culture, team, and commitment to partnership. Yes, it takes planning, logistics, and resources. But as many members have discovered, the investment pays off many times over, with enthusiastic support often provided by generous vendor partners who understand that these shared experiences build stronger, more successful connections across the industry.

Why Great Parties Build Great Business

Research supports what many in the Starnet community already know: people do business with people they trust and enjoy spending time with. According to Harvard Business Review, informal social settings foster trust and empathy — two factors that directly influence long-term partnership success. Likewise, studies from Forbes reveal that companies investing in relationship-based networking often see higher client retention and greater cross-collaboration with suppliers and partners.

For the commercial flooring industry, this means that a well-executed customer or vendor appreciation event is more than just a good time — it’s a strategic move. It strengthens vendor alignment, deepens customer loyalty, and helps position your company as an active, engaged leader in your local market.

Plan Your 2026 Event

With another busy year ahead, now is the perfect time to start planning your next customer and vendor appreciation event. Whether it’s a seasonal celebration, community outing, or creative theme night, partner with your vendors early, involve your team, and design something memorable.

After all, as many successful members have shown — when you invest in relationships, you inevitably win more business.

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Sources:

Brett, J. M., & Mitchell, T. (2020, January 31). Research: How to build trust with business partners from other cultures. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/01/research-how-to-build-trust-with-business-partners-from-other-cultures

Forbes Business Council. (2025, July 30). Relationship marketing: Building authentic customer connections. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/  forbesbusinesscouncil/ 2025/07/30/relationship-marketing-building-authentic-customer-connections/

Building a GEP. (2024, February 1). Supplier collaboration: The key to enterprise success. GEP Blog. https://www.gep.com/blog/strategy/supplier-collaboration-the-key-to-enterprises-success

Forbes Agency Council. (2023, August 18). 3 effective ways to build lasting client relationships. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/ forbesagencycouncil/2023/08/18/3 -effective- ways- to-build-lasting-client-relationships/

Starnet Members Outperform The S&P 500 In Revenue Per Employee

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In an era where Wall Street giants are celebrated for squeezing more revenue out of every employee, a cooperative of independent flooring contractors is quietly matching their playbook. While S&P 500 companies have spent decades investing billions into software, automation, and global scale to boost productivity, Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring members are approaching those same revenue‑per‑employee levels from the ground up—on job sites, in local markets, and through disciplined partnerships rather than massive corporate infrastructures.

S&P 500 Productivity Trend

Earlier in 2025 it was released that S&P 500 companies boosted revenue per employee from about $406,000 in 1991 to $642,000 today. This change reflects gains from technology and efficiency. Recent data from Matt Cerminaro confirms this, meaning it takes 1.55 employees to generate $1 million in revenue. 

However, what do these numbers really say? At $642,000 per employee, you only need about 1.55 people to produce $1 million in revenue, compared with about 2.46 people in 1991. That is a big step‑change in productivity over a single working lifetime. Framed differently, each employee now “carries” a far larger slice of the income statement, which is why investors treat revenue per employee as a shorthand for productivity and operating leverage. To put it simply, the larger companies are doing far more with less in today’s economy. 

Starnet’s Superior Performance

Starnet Worldwide, with over 170 commercial contractors across 390+ locations throughout North America, reports combined annual sales exceeding $4 billion for the third straight year in 2024, with the average revenue per Starnet member employee being about $550,000. Starnet’s $550,000 in revenue per employee is impressive considering it is approaching the $642,000 S&P 500 average while operating at a much smaller scale and in a far more labor‑intensive construction services niche. In practical terms, Starnet members are generating big‑company productivity levels without the advantages of trillion‑dollar balance sheets.

Some Starnet drivers include members leveraging structured pricing, vendor partnerships, and process optimization like streamlined bidding and project documentation. With almost 26% of members operating for more than 25 years, this depth of experience translates into repeatable playbooks and field execution that newer competitors often lack. Long‑tenured firms are also better positioned to standardize on preferred manufacturers, negotiate advantageous programs, and implement consistent job‑closeouts, all of which support higher revenue per employee and more predictable project outcomes.

P.S. If you want these productivity masters to install your commercial project…you can find a contractor near you here.

What Does This Mean For The Industry?

This productivity positions Starnet members as leaders amid a $7 billion commercial flooring market. It highlights scalable models for contractors, emphasizing vendor collaboration and data-driven KPIs. As AI and automation evolve, Starnet’s formula offers a blueprint for sustained growth in construction services.

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Sources:

Cerminaro, Matt (Chart Kid Matt). “Are S&P 500 Companies Really Doing More With Less?” Analysis of S&P 500 revenue per employee from 1991 to today, including the $406k to $642k trend and 1.55 vs 2.46 employees per $1M in revenue.​

Daily Chartbook – DC Lite #416. Visual summary of S&P 500 revenue‑per‑employee trends, featuring the 1991 vs 2025 comparison and the 1.55‑employees‑per‑$1M framing.​

Floor Covering News. “Commercial stats: Market challenges impact contract recovery.” July 2025. Overview of the 2024 commercial flooring market, including the approximately $7.019 billion market size and segment shares by end use.

NYU Stern – “Employee Metrics by Sector (US).” Background on revenue per employee across sectors, which helps frame how construction and flooring compare to tech and other industries.​

JJJ Floor Covering Announces Major Leadership Transition

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JJJ Floor Covering, a premier commercial flooring contractor serving California since 1964, is proud to announce a significant leadership change. After 25 years of dedicated service and leadership, Jim Jeffries is stepping down from his role, paving the way for Gigi Gutierrez to take the helm as the company’s new President.

As Jim prepares to enter a well-deserved retirement, the entire JJJ family—and the wider flooring industry—celebrates his incredible contributions. Over the last two and a half decades, Jim has been more than just a leader; he has been a pillar of the industry, known for his integrity, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence. His mentorship has paved the way for the next generation of professionals. We thank Jim for his tireless service, his passion for the craft, and the indelible mark he leaves on JJJ Floor Covering.

This transition marks a new chapter for JJJ Floor Covering, with the company expressing high confidence that Gutierrez will lead the organization to even greater heights. She will be supported by Vice President John Kells as the executive team continues to drive the company’s mission of quality and expertise.

A Legacy of Success and Craftsmanship

JJJ Floor Covering is a full-service commercial flooring contractor specializing in commercial carpets, sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl tile, and linoleum. Since 1964, they have delivered expertise and customer satisfaction across various market segments, including hospitals, corporate offices, and tenant improvements.

Under this new leadership, JJJ Floor Covering remains committed to the high standards that have defined the company for nearly half a century. The firm is widely recognized for its union-affiliated in-house labor, which ensures top-tier craftsmanship and a commitment to rigorous safety protocols. Operating out of a 30,000 sq. ft. bonded warehouse, JJJ provides a full suite of services—including design, furnishing, and installation—for a diverse range of sectors such as Education (K-12 and universities), Healthcare, and Federal G.S.A. Facilities.

Furthermore, JJJ Floor Covering continues to be a leader in diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. The company holds numerous prestigious certifications, including:

Gigi Gutierrez’s Vision and Industry Impact 

As the new President, Gigi Gutierrez brings a leadership style shaped by years of driving business development and client partnerships at JJJ Floor Covering Company Inc., where she previously served as Director of Business Development. Her deep familiarity with the firm’s operations and customers, combined with a strong track record of earning trust in the commercial flooring market, reinforces JJJ’s commitment to the full-service value its clients have come to expect. She stands as a pivotal voice in the flooring industry, helping champion inclusive growth and opportunity across the sector.

We are excited about this transition as it reinforces the strength of the Starnet Commercial Flooring contractor network. Gutierrez’s appointment signals a forward-thinking approach to leadership that aligns with Starnet’s goals of innovation, diversity, and excellence in the commercial flooring market. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the partnership between JJJ Floor Covering and the Starnet cooperative, fostering growth and continued excellence in the California market.

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Celebrating Excellence: A Deep Dive Into The Starnet Design Awards

For 28 years, the Starnet Design Awards have stood as a pinnacle of achievement in the commercial flooring industry. Often compared to the “Oscars” of flooring, this exclusive competition celebrates the intersection of innovative design, technical precision, and the collaborative spirit of Starnet members and vendor partners. If any of these categories, designs, or projects match your needs be sure to check find a reliable and professional contactor near you here.

With the 2026 submission deadline of January 15th fast approaching, let’s explore the diverse categories that define this prestigious event.

CORPORATE

The Corporate category highlights the evolution of the modern workspace. Moving beyond “boring” cubicles, this category celebrates designers who use flooring to foster productivity and brand identity in office buildings, lobbies, and conference rooms.

The 2019 winner, Interpublic Group Global Headquarters (by Architectural Flooring Resource, Inc.), showcased how vibrant colors and intricate layouts can make a floor the “star” of a corporate environment.

HEALTHCARE

In Healthcare, the stakes are high. Flooring must balance extreme precision and hygiene with a sense of healing. This category includes hospitals, clinics, and patient rooms where the material choices are critical to the facility’s function.

The 39 Rainbow Healthcare project in Kansas City, the 2015 Gold Winner by Interior Surface Enterprises LLC, remains a gold standard for how flooring can contribute to a therapeutic atmosphere.

EDUCATION

Focused on K-12 and higher education, this category looks for innovative learning environments. Judges look for projects that prioritize the needs of students while maintaining durability.

Success in this category requires a perfect match between flooring design and the surrounding environment to avoid “floor care nightmares” and ensure longevity. A good example is from 2025 with San Antonio Floor Finishers’ School of Science & Technology submission.

HOSPITALITY AND PUBLIC SPACES

This category covers a broad spectrum, including restaurants, libraries, health clubs, and hotels. These projects often involve massive scale and complex, varying patterns across large footprints.

Work by partner Universal Metro illustrates how high-traffic hospitality venues can achieve “cranked up” levels of creative design despite their immense size. The 2025 Grand Prize winner by Universal Metro the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort represents everything this category stands for and represents.

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS

As urban landscapes change, Mixed-Use projects—buildings containing at least two different types of facilities under one roof—have become a vital category. These projects require versatile flooring solutions that transition seamlessly between different functional areas.

The 331 Pine Street project in Jersey City, the 2023 winner by Flooring Central, stands as a prime example of innovative product use in a multi-functional space.

SINGLE SOURCE INTERIOR CHALLENGE

This niche category recognizes companies that provide both interior design and construction services. By keeping the design and installation “under one roof,” these firms assume all the risk but gain total control over the creative vision.

Midwest Floor Covering, Inc. took home Gold in 2024 for the Skutt Student Center at Creighton University, proving the power of a unified “single source” approach.

UNIQUE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE

This is widely considered the most exciting category because it focuses on the “level of difficulty.” While other categories prioritize design, this one is judged by technical experts on the complexity of the execution.

For this award, the written project strategy is vital. It must detail the obstacles faced and the innovative solutions used to overcome them. No project in recent years highlights that better than ReSource New Jersey’s NBC Sports 2026 Summer Olympics Studio which was not only the Unique Install Gold winner BUT the Grand Prize winner in 2017.

CANADIAN PROJECT OF THE YEAR

A newer addition to the awards, this category specifically honors the exceptional work of Starnet’s Canadian members. Unique in its structure, a project can be submitted for a specific sector (like Healthcare) and simultaneously compete for Canadian Project of the Year.

At the 2025 Starnet Design Awards the Canadians had their best performance in the history of the showcase. Our Canadian members are very valuable to the Starnet family and they overperformed with several awards and gold honors. The Canadian Project of the Year in 2025 by Maxwell Floors combined Canadian culture and masterful design. If you need reliable and professional commercial flooring contractors in Canada be sure to check out our excellent list of Canadian Flooring Installers.

ROB STARR PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Named in honor of the late Rob Star, who treated the Design Awards like “his baby,” this award is held dear by the community. It is the only category decided by the popular vote of Starnet members and vendors, making it a true peer-recognized honor.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (by WC Carpenter LLC) won the 2019 popular vote, proving that a project can be a “fan favorite” even if it doesn’t take gold in its primary category.

The 2025 Bonitz Product Show: A Strong Showcase of Partnership and Innovation

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The 2025 Bonitz Product Show delivered an impressive evening on the Charleston waterfront, bringing together a wide range of industry professionals for an engaging and well-executed event. This year’s gathering was elevated by its incredible venue, Holy City Brewing, which provided the perfect backdrop for networking and celebration. Guests enjoyed a custom-brewed Bonitz beer, excellent food, and live music—elements that added to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. With a record turnout of more than 400 attendees, the show demonstrated Bonitz’s continued commitment to fostering collaboration and showcasing the latest in commercial flooring solutions.

Bonitz Product Show Highlights

The event featured an excellent presence of Starnet vendors, many of whom highlighted new products, technologies, and design innovations. Their participation added significant value to the experience, reinforcing the strength of the Starnet network and its ongoing partnerships across the industry. 

The show also created meaningful opportunities for designers, architects, general contractors, and end users to connect with manufacturers and learn about emerging offerings. Events of this caliber play an important role in strengthening industry relationships and supporting continued growth for members and partners alike.

Stay tuned for upcoming Bonitz events, including the Bonitz 2026 Annual Sales Meeting, which will feature its own product show and continue offering valuable opportunities for engagement. Congratulations to Bonitz on hosting a standout event and thank you to all who contributed to its success!

A special thank you goes out to all Starnet vendors who took part, your engagement and support are essential to the success of events like this. We also appreciate the outstanding hospitality extended by Gerflor, whose private pre-event dinner for Bonitz leadership helped set a collaborative tone for the evening.

Starnet Preferred Vendors in Attendance!

Altro, Armstrong Flooring, AHF Contract, ARDEX, Daltile, Gerflor, J+J Flooring, MAPEI, Mohawk Group, Roppe, Schönox, Sika, Spray-Lock, Tarkett, and Tarkett Sports.

Parties Win More Business

Being known as a “partier” might have been frowned upon growing up, but in business, strategic socializing is one of the most effective ways to build relationships and win opportunities. The key is making sure these gatherings are professional, legal, and fun—and that you’re spending time with the right people: your customers and vendor partners. When done right, these events create an environment where trust and collaboration can flourish far beyond what emails or conference calls can achieve.

That’s why events hosted by Bonitz are so valuable. They’re not just parties—they’re platforms for strengthening partnerships, sharing ideas, and driving growth across the industry. When contractors, manufacturers, and service providers come together in a relaxed setting, conversations turn into opportunities, and relationships evolve into long-term success. These events help everyone in the commercial interiors ecosystem work better together, innovate, and ultimately grow the industry as a whole.

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The Future Is Now: Why You Need To Attend The Next Starnet Educational Roadshow

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The 2025 Starnet Educational Roadshow kicked off in New York City, delivering a powerhouse two-day experience designed to help members accelerate growth through strategic alignment. Hosted in partnership with Mohawk Group, this event brought together Starnet members, Mohawk Group leadership, and top industry strategists for actionable insights, networking, and a clear roadmap for success in 2026.

A Dynamic Start

The roadshow began with an exclusive networking night at Other Half Brewery, where attendees connected in a relaxed setting over craft beer, curated bites, and meaningful conversations. This pre-event set the tone for collaboration and partnership.

Day two featured a full schedule inside the Mohawk Group Showroom, focused on equipping members with tools and strategies to Meet More and Make More in the coming year.

1. A Vision for Market Alignment

Mohawk Group and Starnet leadership shared their national strategy driving regional success, emphasizing why alignment is the ultimate growth accelerator in 2025 and beyond.

2. Real Data, Real Opportunities

Members explored analytics revealing untapped verticals and underdeveloped segments, learning how to turn market intelligence into measurable wins.

3. High-Growth Segment Strategies

Attendees got a first look at Mohawk Group’s innovation pipeline and the verticals primed for expansion—plus how Starnet members can align to capture more share.

4. Partnership Selling in Action

Kevin Croshal demonstrated how Sourcewell transformed his business culture, opening doors far beyond flooring. A live Q&A gave members practical insights to replicate this success.

5. Field Service Insights

Richard Steinhoff of Mohawk Group shared actionable ways to leverage job-start support to reduce risk and increase margins.

6. Competitive Strategies That Win

The NYC team outlined value-first selling and differentiators that help members win without racing to the bottom on price.

7. Action Plans You Can Execute

Our very own Bruce Campos closed the day with a structured roadmap to drive accountability, assign owners, and implement changes immediately.

What’s Next?

The Educational Roadshow wasn’t just an event—it was a strategic catalyst. By combining data-driven insights, innovative product strategies, and collaborative selling models, Starnet members are positioned to dominate high-growth segments and deliver exceptional value in 2026. Head over to our events page to see a full library of Starnet Roadshow Events! Next stop…Orlando!

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How Commercial Flooring Contractors Can Leverage Sourcewell to Create New Market Opportunities

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By Mark Bischoff – Originally On Floor Trends & Installation on December 9th, 2024

For the last few years Starnet has been urging our membership to explore alternative approaches to the marketplace. This effort has been an attempt to expand the best practices out of the robust Starnet committee content and encourage innovation throughout the membership. Many of our entrepreneurial leaders have started their innovation journey to   transition from the irregular post-pandemic demand curve to the traditional segmented cycle of commercial construction. Some members have been a bit slow to respond, allowing the unsustainable demand of the last few years to consume their day-to-day. Despite the healthy backlogs nearly every member has reported through our regular backlog surveys, next year’s surge in seasonal demand may be preceded by a few months of scarce activity. The only way to avoid the anticipated operational and cash flow disturbance is to create demand. 

Sourcewell Alternative to Tender Work  

At the recent Starnet Fall Membership meeting we were fortunate to have Kirstin Westby, a supplier development executive at Sourcewell, address our entire network of attendees. A self-sustaining government organization, Sourcewell helps government, education, and nonprofit agencies operate more efficiently through a variety of solutions. Its program is branded as Canoe in Canada and Sourcewell in the USA.

Sourcewell has a framework built to manage suppliers of flooring products. Suppliers compete to win multi-year agreements and access Sourcewell cooperative purchasing professionals. These agreements include a menu of products that are useless without site fabrication and installation. To unlock real value, the agreements also allow for a full range of services associated with the flooring SKUs. This enables Starnet members to create demand for flooring SKU’s by offering properly installed floors per the manufacturer’s recommendations ready for use by the Sourcewell client. 

Recalling Blue Ocean Principles

Recognized as one of the most impactful strategy books ever written, Blue Ocean Strategy by Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne argues that cutthroat competition results in a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking opportunity pool. Red oceans are all the industries in existence today – the known market space, where industry boundaries are defined, and companies try to outperform their rivals to grab a greater share of the existing market. Cutthroat competition turns the marketplace bloody red. Hence, the term “red” oceans. Only one company can be low.

Blue oceans denote conditions that may not exist today—the unknown market space, unexplored and relatively untainted by competition. These markets are vast, deep, and powerful in terms of opportunity and profitable growth. 

This red or blue ocean concept describes the world where our members operate successfully every day‚—the red commercial flooring bid market and the blue negotiated market. Over the years, many members have expanded their business to “blue” negotiated work with key end users who have become lifetime clients. 

The Starnet Best Practices and Training Committee constantly reinforces and amplifies every example they find in the membership that reflects this alternative to the bid market. Starnet members believe that finding clients who are interested in the value of commercial flooring is expanding the market. This is far different from the ‘red’ specified market to bid, which is taking market share. 

Our industry must expand the market to remain healthy. Sourcewell is a perfect example to leverage Blue Ocean Principles with practical connections to the advantages of being Starnet members and Preferred Vendor Partners. Blue Ocean strategists recognize that red market limitations exist only in managers’ minds and do not let assumptions around existing market structures limit their thinking. To Blue Ocean leaders, extra demand is out there, largely untapped. The crux of the problem is how to create it. This requires a shift of attention from supply to demand, redirecting part of their team to abandon bidding and using the Sourcewell infrastructure to unlock new demand. This is achieved via the simultaneous pursuit of service differentiation value creation. 

Using Sourcewell to Create Blue Oceans

An owner once shared with Starnet staff, “We are so focused on the general contractor work, if an end user called in here and asked us to come out and look at their space, I am not sure which of our team members we would send to handle the client.” We are sure they can handle those requests, but it does show that a member who has dialed standard operating procedures for general contractor work (Red Ocean) may have to improvise for end user work (Blue Ocean.) We are recommending the following steps to our membership: 

  1. Skills Upgrade: Rather than relying on intuition, leaders must stop and consider if they have the right people in the right roles with the right skills to be successful in this Blue Ocean. Is this an opportunity to reduce onboarding productive associates from the industry norm of two years to less than one year? Successful sales leaders will need to build alternative sales processes to support this effort. Before launching an initiative like this, they can use Starnet resources and members who have already made the adjustment to prepare for a private market recession.
  2. Lead by Example in Support from the Top: Leadership support can make or break any initiative. When leaders engage with Sourcewell clients in their spaces and show support of their employees’ effort, the team will get behind the effort. 
  3. Establish Key Performance Indicator KPI Goals: Determine your key success measures you want to be working toward. “Sell more stuff” is not a key performance indicator (KPI), it is a result. An example may be 7% of total revenue with Sourcewell clients in the first year. Another may be to identify and provide educational communication to at least one Sourcewell client per day. Each KPI should have skills upgrade tied to it that requires training. The connection between sales learning activities and the Blue Ocean sales process must be there, or the sales process won’t be sustainable and scalable.
  4. Ongoing Reinforcement with Preferred Vendor Partners Sales Leadership: We are starting to see higher turnover in local manufacturer sales representative tenure. Increasingly our members are seeing the same person in a role for only 18-24 months. If you consider the massive disruption to Starnet member businesses and the average replacement cost of 150-200% of an employee’s annual salary, the impact on the bottom line can be startling. By rallying all our network partners to this initiative in a local market, more success can be realized, and tenure can be extended with Blue Ocean sustainable success.
  5. Use Technology and Data to Optimize Value: Having the right tools, most notably a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, is integral to sustaining a Blue Ocean effort. These tools are pointless if your team isn’t using them. Sourcewell clients are a perfect opportunity to expand a member’s capability in offering clients transparent reporting around spend, forward looking budget support, and accompany every quote with visualization to create excitement for future work. In addition, members can document and report unique data points interesting to Sourcewell clients such as sustainability, reclamation metrics, and participation of minority and disadvantaged contractor participation if the Starnet member is qualified.

Concepts are Easy – Execution is Difficult

Is Starnet creating a Red Ocean by exposing this opportunity publicly to the world in a trade magazine? We don’t think so. Writing or reading this article is easier than the effort required to execute this strategy. Beyond the capability needed to provide service to Sourcewell clients in the field, Starnet members must have entrepreneurial leadership ability. They have to be able to encourage commitment and lead their teams to approach the market fundamentally differently. Changing established human behavior in successful organizations is the most challenging business leadership obstacle. It is not for the faint-hearted, and weak leaders won’t even attempt it. They will continue allowing their teams to swim the Red Ocean out of habit if they meet traditional profit expectations. 

Sourcewell clients can be an example of a relatively unlimited Blue Ocean opportunity. Professionals manage hundreds of millions (potentially billions) of square feet of commercial space across the USA and Canada. Those spaces serve citizens daily and require an ongoing refresh to keep them safe and productive to serve society. Our Starnet members are highly qualified to participate in that Blue Ocean of Sourcewell clients.

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Dixie Contract Carpet Has Embarked On An Exciting New Chapter Under New Leadership

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About Dixie Contract Carpet

Founded more than 60 years ago by Leo Jacobson, Dixie Contract Carpet, Inc. has grown from a family-owned flooring contractor into the leading commercial flooring installation company serving Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia. As one of the original Starnet Members, Dixie is recognized for its large-scale performance capabilities and results-driven approach, earning lasting relationships across healthcare, education, government, and commercial interior markets.

For decades, Dixie has been a cornerstone in the Southeast commercial flooring market, delivering high-quality carpet, resilient, and hard surface solutions. Their reputation is built on expert consultation, impeccable installation, and partnerships with top manufacturers. From humble beginnings, Dixie has evolved into one of Florida’s leading independent flooring contractors.

Meet the New Owners

David Evans – With 43 years of dedicated experience at Dixie Contract Carpet, Evans has risen through the ranks from Senior Contract Specialist to Vice President of Sales and Estimating. His deep understanding of estimating, contracts, and client relations—combined with institutional knowledge of Dixie’s operations and culture. These traits uniquely positioned him to guide the company forward as President and Chief Operating Officer. Evans’ operational expertise ensures continuity and excellence during this exciting new chapter.

Jeff Blumberg  – Bringing over 30 years of industry leadership, Jeff Blumberg now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Before joining Dixie, Blumberg thrived in senior sales and management roles at MAPEI USA for more than two decades, earning multiple certifications (CSMTT, CTC, CSI, MSV) and four years of Construction Management studies at Bradley University. His technical expertise and strong partnerships with design, specification, and construction professionals will help drive Dixie’s growth and innovation.

Looking Ahead!

Under the leadership of David Evans and Jeff Blumberg, Dixie Contract Carpet is positioned to maintain its dedication to excellence while pursuing ambitious plans for diversification and growth. Clients can anticipate the same trusted service, now powered by enhanced leadership, service capabilities, and a clear vision for long-term advancement. This leadership transition is not just a change in ownership—it’s a powerful statement of confidence in Dixie’s future.

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