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Starnet Commercial Flooring members gathered in Columbus for hands-on Floor Care Training in hard and soft surface cleaning and machine maintenance, hosted by Legacy Maintenance Services.

The best professionals never stop learning, and this event showed it. Members from across the network came together to learn from each other, compare notes, and sharpen the skills that keep their clients’ floors performing for years.

What Members Learned

The training focused on practical skills crews can put to work right away. Attendees covered best practices for cleaning hard and soft surfaces, plus machine maintenance tips that help equipment last longer and work better on every job.

Just as valuable was the time spent together. Members swapped real jobsite experiences and problem-solved together. They left with new connections they can call the next time a tough project comes up.

Led By Industry Experts

Thank you to the host that made all of this possible, Legacy Maintenance Services. This gave members the space and flexibility to train in a real working environment. The instruction came from two long time floor care professionals Bill Luallen of XL North and Bob Deweese, whose world-class teaching gave attendees insights they can use immediately.

Why Ongoing training Is Important For Your Teams

For building owners and facility managers, flooring is a major investment. How it’s maintained has a lot to do with how long that investment lasts.

Products change, cleaning methods improve, and equipment keeps evolving. A contractor who stopped learning years ago is working with yesterday’s playbook. A contractor who keeps training brings current methods to your building and knows how to care for the specific surfaces you’ve invested in. They can also spot small problems before they turn into expensive ones.

That’s why continuous training, like this event, is part of what Starnet members do. Live events keep member’s skills sharp, and the network keeps them connected to people who are solving the same problems. The result is a stronger group of professionals who are better prepared to help clients protect their interior investments.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

Don Brletic, President of Beatty Floors Ltd. and a Starnet Commercial Flooring member, has been appointed Board Chair of the National Floor Covering Association of Canada (NFCA). It’s a proud moment for Don, for the Beatty Floors team, and for the entire Starnet network.

A New Chapter For National Floor Covering Association of Canada

The National Floor Covering Association of Canada brings together people from across the Canadian flooring industry and gives them a shared voice. With Don stepping in as Board Chair, the association begins an exciting new chapter under a leader who knows the industry from the inside.

So who is Don Brletic?

Don is one of the most respected leaders in the Canadian flooring community. He brings years of experience in strategic leadership and business development in the commercial interiors sector, and he has served on numerous local and national boards. He’s also been a dedicated NFCA member for many years, so this appointment reflects both his long commitment to the industry and the strength within Beatty Floors!

Beatty Floors Ltd. is a commercial flooring contractor and a proud member of the Starnet network. The company has earned national recognition by winning Canadian Project of the Year twice! Which says a lot about the quality of its work and the team Don has helped build.

Don joins several other Starnet friends on the NFCA board, including Don Styka of Tarkett and Brent Johnsen of Mapei.

As we congratulate Don, we also want to recognize fellow Starnet member Rick Wagner of Maxwell Floors for his 11 years of service as NFCA Board Chair. Rick’s leadership helped strengthen the association and set it up for continued success.

Congratulations, Don. We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for the NFCA!

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By Chad Grote – Niagara Machine, Inc.

Recently, Niagara Machine partnered with Interior Surface Enterprises to provide hands-on training in resinous flooring systems and polished concrete. Led by Andrew Lembke and Chad Grote of Niagara Machine, the program combined practical application techniques and onsite support, giving Jacob and Ben Porter’s teams the knowledge and experience needed to confidently expand their concrete flooring capabilities

Interior Surface Enterprises has built a strong position in its marketplace through quality workmanship, dependable project execution and a commitment to serving its customers. The company’s reputation is supported by an experienced team that understands the demands of commercial flooring and recognizes the importance of continually developing new capabilities. Jacob and Ben’s teams are investing in education, equipment and expanded service offerings that allow them to provide more complete flooring solutions to their customers.

The training focused on surface preparation, proper installation techniques and complete system execution using Niagara Machine’s equipment, diamond tooling and Diama-Coat resinous flooring products. The team worked through the critical steps that contribute to a successful installation—from evaluating and preparing the concrete to mixing, applying and finishing the selected coating or polished concrete system.

Since completing the training, Jacob and Ben’s teams have successfully installed several large resinous coating and polished concrete projects. These new capabilities complement the company’s established commercial flooring expertise while creating additional opportunities to support general contractors, architects, facility managers and end users. Their success demonstrates the value of combining quality products with hands-on education, strong technical support and a contractor committed to doing the work correctly.

Niagara Machine’s relationship with Interior Surface Enterprises extends well beyond supplying equipment and materials. Andrew and Chad continue to support Jacob and Ben’s teams as they evaluate projects, select the appropriate systems and build upon the skills developed during training. This ongoing collaboration helps Interior Surface Enterprises confidently pursue larger and more technically demanding concrete flooring opportunities.

We’re grateful to Jacob, Ben, and the entire Interior Surface Enterprises team for their commitment to investing in their people, expanding their services and delivering outstanding results for their customers. This partnership is a great example of how Starnet members and preferred vendor partners can work together to create new opportunities, strengthen their businesses and advance the flooring industry through education and collaboration.

Interested in scheduling resinous flooring or polished concrete training for your team? Contact Chad Grote, Director of Strategic Accounts at Niagara Machine, at 303-868-9623.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

The Accelerating Growth of Construction Robotics

The commercial construction industry is undergoing a technological transformation. Long challenged by stagnating productivity and severe trade labor shortages, job sites are increasingly turning to automated solutions. Global on-site construction robotics has grown into a billion-dollar market that continues to expand. As contractors face an aging workforce and tighter project schedules, automated tools are proving their value on real job sites by delivering meaningful labor savings, faster cycle times, and reduced physical strain on field personnel.

Human Friendly Robotics Joins the Starnet Network

A key player bringing this technological shift directly into the commercial flooring sector is Human Friendly Robotics. Founded with the vision of equipping skilled tradespeople with augmented capabilities, the company manufactures purpose-built, jobsite-ready autonomous equipment. Their robotic designs are currently focused on the commercial flooring and electrical markets. It is exciting to see Human Friendly Robotics has stepped forward as a service provider within the Starnet Commercial Flooring network.

At Starnet we represent the most influential companies in the contract flooring industry, By integrating robotic flooring deployment into Starnet’s extensive network, commercial flooring contractors gain access to cutting-edge field automation designed specifically for high-volume commercial installations. Some of the Starnet members have already assisted Human Friendly Robotics to expand their job site testing and practical capability.

Inside Human Friendly Robotics and “Tyler”

The foundation of their fleet is Tyler, a tiling and flooring robot launched in 2024. Proudly designed, assembled, and manufactured in the USA, their autonomous equipment works alongside crews to handle repetitive, physically demanding work so professionals can focus on the skills that make them great. Guided by a single operator, Tyler’s 50-lb chassis scans commercial floors and installs tile, vinyl, or carpet at roughly 150 sq ft per hour (~1,200 sq ft per 8 hour shift). With well over 1,000 hours of active robotic deployments across U.S. commercial properties. Human Friendly Robotics is expanding into additional trades and preparing for its second round of fundraising to further scale operations.

Expanding Industry Leadership Across the Starnet Network

Starnet’s collaboration with Human Friendly Robotics marks a strategic step forward in their market leadership. Adding robotics to the skilled tradespeople in the field will allow Starnet members to respond to expanding project pipelines.

“We’re thrilled to bring the leading flooring robotics company and leading flooring trade association together in this partnership,” – Shamoon Siddiqui, CEO at Human Friendly Robotics.

The network will benefit from adopting field-validated robotics with existing flooring product designs and have a distinct competitive edge moving forward as robotics and flooring products work as systems in the field.

“Collaborating with the biggest and best in commercial flooring to advance the industry is something we’re proud to be a part of,” – Don Skenderian, GTM at Human Friendly Robotics.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

DCO has been serving customers throughout Savannah and Coastal Georgia for years. Now, with a new Savannah location and operational warehouse, they’re putting down deeper roots in a market that has long been an important part of their work and growth.

From hotels and resorts to private clubs and large-scale commercial projects, DCO has contributed to some of the region’s most recognizable spaces. Their completed projects include the Thompson Hotel, Hotel Bardo, The Cloister at Sea Island, Ocean Forest Residences at Sea Island, Colleton River Club, Berkeley Hall Golf Club, and Ford Field & River Club.

These projects represent more than a portfolio of completed work. They reflect years of relationships with owners, general contractors, designers, vendors, and installation partners throughout Coastal Georgia, and an understanding of what it takes to successfully deliver complex commercial projects in the region. 

DCO’s new Savannah location builds on that foundation.

A Stronger Local Presence

For DCO, being local is about more than having a physical address. Their Savannah location and warehouse gives their teams greater access to people, materials, and resources, allowing them to support customers and projects throughout Savannah, Coastal Georgia, and Central Georgia more efficiently.

DCO provides comprehensive commercial flooring project management, from estimating and product selection to specification, substrate preparation, installation, and site management. Having those capabilities supported locally strengthens our ability to make commercial construction easier for our customers through strong project management, communication, and trusted relationships. 

That investment is already supporting significant work in the market, including the Manger Hotel and Georgia Ports Authority projects, representing the range of opportunities we’re seeing throughout the region.

Here to Stay

As Savannah and Coastal Georgia continue to grow, DCO is committed to growing alongside them.

Their new location isn’t the beginning of their relationships in Savannah. They’ve completed projects throughout the region, built lasting relationships with customers and partners, and established a local team and warehouse to better serve the market moving forward.

DCO is proud of what they’ve already accomplished in Savannah, and Starnet is excited about what’s ahead for our Starnet member.

DCO’s continued investment in Savannah reflects the kind of market leadership and long-term commitment that strengthens the Starnet network. By expanding its local presence with dedicated facilities, project management resources, and deep relationships throughout Coastal Georgia, DCO is enhancing the service capabilities and expertise that owners, designers, and contractors depend on for complex commercial projects. As Starnet members continue to grow in key markets, investments like this help reinforce the partnership’s reputation for delivering exceptional commercial flooring solutions backed by local knowledge and national strength.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

Select Tile, Marble & Flooring has officially joined Starnet Commercial Flooring, marking a significant milestone for the company and Starnet. This partnership adds on to a strong region with the network, with the New England region taking home four Starnet Design Awards in 2026 and continuing to lead the way in business growth.

About Select Tile

Based in Salem, NH, with places of business in Boston, Portland, Milford, and Oakland Park, FL, Select Tile is recognized as a strong provider of commercial flooring products and services throughout New England. The company operates with a clear mission to provide high-quality flooring solutions and exceptional installation services while maintaining a strict commitment to safety, scheduling, and budget. As a full-service provider, they manage projects from concept through completion, offering a diverse range of products including tile, stone, carpet, resilient flooring, hardwood, and specialized solutions like concrete polishing and vapor control.

Joining Starnet

By joining Starnet, Select Tile becomes part of a trusted partnership of commercial flooring contractors that stands as a leading group in the contract flooring industry. Membership in Starnet offers Select Tile access to industry-shaping programs, including networking opportunities, professional education through Starnet University, and comprehensive industry research. This partnership allows the company to leverage national scale and resources while continuing to provide personalized attention and expert workmanship to their regional clients.

The leadership at Select Tile has expressed great enthusiasm for this new journey, highlighting several Starnet exclusive opportunities.

“Everyone at Select Tile, Marble, and Flooring is excited to begin this journey of collaboration with the industry’s leading contractors, vendors, and educators. We look forward to learning, sharing knowledge, and working together to enhance the client experience. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this esteemed organization and sincerely thank you for welcoming us,” – Jon Bak, Vice President of Sales

Starnet is equally enthusiastic to welcome Select Tile into our elite network of commercial interior experts. We are eager to see how we can help support Select Tile’s continued success. We are excited to share this warm welcome to the Select Tile team, and we are looking forward to the shared expertise and innovation that this partnership will undoubtedly bring to the contract flooring industry.

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Explore the growth of Commercial Flooring Toledo, a Starnet member specializing in healthcare and education. From its humble beginnings in 2010 to winning Gold at the 2025 Starnet Design Awards, discover how Mike Rajner and his team prioritize customer responsiveness and innovative flooring solutions.

The Origin Story: Grit and a Card Table

The journey of Commercial Flooring Toledo began during a volatile economy. After their previous employer closed its local branch, Mike Rajner and his father, Chuck, were encouraged by loyal customers to stay in business.

Starting with nothing more than a shared computer and a card table in, the duo handled every aspect of the business themselves, from estimating and project management to physical deliveries. To build a sustainable foundation, they intentionally kept overhead low and reinvested everything back into the company, with neither taking a paycheck for the first year.

Market Specialization: Healthcare and Education

In the Toledo market, which lacks a high density of Fortune 500 headquarters, Mike Rajner specializes in two stable and growing sectors, healthcare and education. They offer solutions for all markets, but over the years these two segments have been the backbone of the company.

• Education: The company primarily focuses on direct end-user relationships with school systems. This strategy allows them to manage complex renovation schedules during tight Christmas and summer breaks, often completing projects “on time and on budget” despite high pressure.
• Healthcare: By building trust with architects and designers, they provide “early-entry” consulting, offering budgeting and material recommendations long before the first tile is laid.

Award-Winning Design and Innovation

One of the coolest features when you visit Commercial Flooring Toledo is that they don’t just install products; they showcase flooring throughout their entire office. They have linoleum desks and porcelain wall panels. This continuously commitment to excellence paid off at the Starnet Design Awards. They won Gold at the 2025 Design Awards for the Owens Community College Nursing Center. By working closely with construction managers and designers from the early stages, they executed a facility that was both beautiful and highly functional for medical training.

A Starnet Advantage and A Winning Culture

As a long-standing member of the Starnet Commercial Flooring cooperative, Mike Rajner credits the organization with helping the company punch above their weight class. Key benefits include:

• Networking: They have access from the best practices and market insights from non-competing peers across the country.
• Vendor Access: They get direct conversations with upper management at major flooring manufactures.
• Professional Development: Thanks to Starnet University they extended their technical services into epoxy, polished concrete, and more.

The core philosophy of Commercial Flooring Toledo is simple: make the customer’s job easier. Mike Rajner emphasizes that they are not just installers, but partners who help clients navigate long-term maintenance costs and scheduling challenges. “We’re not going to dodge phone calls or avoid people,” Mike notes, reinforcing that honesty and responsiveness are the pillars of their continued success.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

The Starnet Educational Roadshow recently made a stop in Seattle, WA for another great time of professional development and industry connection. This latest stop served as a key event for members to gather for accelerating growth and strategic alignment.

Highlights from the Seattle Roadshpw

The experience began with an exciting Mariners baseball game, providing members with a relaxed and enjoyable environment to network, strengthen existing relationships, and build new connections before the event’s educational programming began. The following day brought attendees together for an engaging and intensive session focused on the theme, “Accelerate Growth Through Strategic Alignment.” Throughout the event, four key pillars served as guiding principles: clarity, growth, alignment, and action. One of the most impactful takeaways, consistently highlighted by attendees, was the opportunity to learn from one another while strengthening professional relationships across the entire Starnet network, reinforcing the power of collaboration and shared expertise.

Why Attend and Starnet Educational Roadshow? Next Stop…Chicago!

Members are encouraged to participate in the Educational Roadshow because it is far more than a standard training event; it is an opportunity to leave with practical insights, new perspectives, and actionable tools to take back to their businesses. By attending, members gain the chance to collaborate with peers and engage in strategic conversations that drive long-term business success.

The momentum from this successful stop carries forward as the Starnet Educational Roadshow prepares for its next stop in Chicago!

We would like to extend a big thank you to all the Starnet members who attended, shared their expertise, and contributed to the vibrant conversations in Seattle. We also want to give special recognition to Mohawk Group for their continued support in making these Educational Roadshows possible.

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Find A Professional Near You With Starnet Commercial Flooring

Starnet is thrilled to announce that three of our members, M. Frank Higgins & Co., Inc., Island Flooring, and Interior Surface Enterprises, have been named winners of the ARDEX Oktoberfest Experience Giveaway! These industry leaders have earned an incredible 6-day, 5-night trip to Germany, which includes round-trip airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, and a group Oktoberfest experience. We are incredibly proud to see our members recognized for their commitment to using high-quality products and their continued excellence in the flooring industry.

The Road to Germany: The ARDEX Contest

To secure their spots, these companies participated in a competition held from December 15 through June 30. The contest required participants to track and upload receipts for qualifying ARDEX self-leveling products. Only the top five participants with the highest spend across the nation were selected for this unforgettable trip. In addition to the Oktoberfest festivities, the winners will enjoy organized ARDEX cultural activities and ground transportation for all scheduled events during their stay from September 27 to October 3.

M. Frank Higgins & Co. Inc.

Based in Berlin, Connecticut, M. Frank Higgins & Co., Inc. is a premier commercial flooring contractor serving the Northeast. As a dedicated Starnet member, their current owner, Steve Cloud, serves as the Chairman for the Starnet Board. Their expertise spans multiple sectors, including healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and corporate retail, providing a wide array of products from luxury vinyl and hardwood to even specialized wall systems and countertops.

Island Flooring

Founded in 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Island Flooring has grown over its 57-year history to become the largest flooring contractor in the state. With a robust team of over 60 employees and 48 union installers, they specialize in a comprehensive range of services including carpet, hardwood, resilient flooring, ceramic tile, and stone. Island Flooring serves a diverse clientele across commercial, residential, military, and institutional markets, maintaining a long-standing reputation for quality work.

Interior Surface Enterprises

Operating out of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, Interior Surface Enterprises is a family-owned, relationship-driven business with over 30 years of industry experience. They offer a complete commercial flooring solution. They provide in-house expert guidance to architects and interior designers to ensure the most appropriate product selection for every project.

Thank you ARDEX!

We are honored to have ARDEX as a preferred Starnet vendor. Headquartered in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, ARDEX is a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-performance flooring and surface materials. Their extensive product line, ranging from subfloor preparation and moisture control to tile and stone installation systems, is industry-renowned for reliability. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation makes them an incredible partner to Starnet and our members.

Starnet once again extends a massive congratulations to the teams at M. Frank Higgins, Island Flooring, and Interior Surface Enterprises. Your dedication to your craft and your partnership with leading vendors like ARDEX continues to set the standard for our organization. We hope you have an incredible, well-deserved time exploring German culture and celebrating at Oktoberfest. Have a safe and wonderful trip to Germany!

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