Gerflor Group Has Announced Its Acquisition of Matter Surfaces

Gerflor Group, a global specialist in resilient flooring and surface solutions, has acquired Matter Surfaces, a prominent provider of entrance systems and architectural surface products in the U.S. commercial marketplace. The transaction marks a strategic step, merging two companies united by client focus, innovation, and a shared legacy rooted in customer service and design excellence.

Matter Surfaces, originally founded in 1971 by Bob and Catherine Schiffmann as Mats Inc., has evolved from a regional mat supplier into a distinguished brand serving the entire architectural surfaces market. The company remains driven by its founding family, with Paul, Richard, and John Schiffmann continuing in top leadership roles, supporting the business’ next chapter under Gerflor’s stewardship. Current CEO Barry Hume will remain at the helm and report to Benjamin Bachman, CEO of Gerflor North America.

“This partnership is less about change and more about progress,” said Benjamin Bachman. “Matter and Gerflor share a deep commitment to customer success, design leadership, and operational excellence. By coming together, we’re able to deliver even greater solutions and value for our partners across North America.” Matter Surfaces will continue as a standalone brand within the Gerflor North America group, ensuring continuity and stability for customers, suppliers, and associates.

More About Gerflor and Matter Surfaces

Gerflor, headquartered in France and operating in over 100 countries, is recognized across the institutional, athletic, and commercial flooring sectors. Its North American division encompasses several leading brands. The company continues to prioritize innovation, sustainability, and strong customer partnerships.

Matter Surfaces, from its Massachusetts base, now enters an exciting new phase, blending legacy family leadership with the global resources and reach of Gerflor Group. Both organizations look toward a future defined by growth, customer value, and continued focus on market-leading surface solutions.

Congratulations From Starnet Worldwide

Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership proudly congratulates both Gerflor and Matter Surfaces, longtime preferred vendor partners, on this exciting new chapter together. Their shared commitment to product innovation, customer experience, and design excellence helps drive the industry forward and supports successful projects across North America.

If you need these outstanding flooring products in any commercial space, Starnet’s nationwide network of commercial interior professionals offer local expertise and proven track records. Find a professional commercial flooring contractor through Starnet, and ensure quality installation for every project.

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M. Frank Higgins Recognized by ARDEX for Outstanding Partnership and Performance

M. Frank Higgins & Co., Inc. has been named the first-place winner of the ARDEX Polaris Giveaway, a national incentive campaign designed to celebrate strong partnerships and exceptional performance in the flooring industry. This recognition highlights Higgins’ commitment to excellence and the power of collaboration between installers and suppliers.

The campaign, which ran from December 2024 through June 2025, rewarded top-performing customers who consistently chose ARDEX products for their flooring projects. M. Frank Higgins earned the grand prize—a Polaris General XP 4-Seater—by purchasing the highest volume of ARDEX underlayment in the country during the campaign period.

Celebrating Collaboration and Loyalty

The ARDEX Polaris Giveaway drew enthusiastic participation from across the U.S., underscoring the importance of trusted partnerships in delivering successful project outcomes. Greg Hunsicker, Vice President of Business Operations at ARDEX Americas, shared, “We launched this giveaway to celebrate our customers and the incredible work they do. M. Frank Higgins has been a fantastic partner, and we’re thrilled to recognize their loyalty and support with this well-earned prize.”

This recognition serves as a testament to the value of long-term collaboration and the tangible benefits that come from investing in quality products and trusted relationships. Higgins’ consistent use of ARDEX underlayment and other installation solutions reflects a shared commitment to craftsmanship and innovation.

Industry Leaders Supporting Industry Excellence

This acknowledgments reinforce ARDEX’s dedication to supporting its partners and celebrating excellence throughout the flooring community.

M. Frank Higgins is based in Berlin, CT, provides a comprehensive range of flooring solutions—including hardwood, tile, vinyl, carpet, and more—serving sectors such as healthcare, education, hospitality, corporate, and retail. Their partnership with ARDEX exemplifies how high-performance materials and expert installation come together to deliver exceptional results. We are happy to see such a strong partnership within the Starnet Worldwide Network!

Looking Ahead

As ARDEX Americas continues to invest in initiatives that promote collaboration and recognize excellence, the flooring industry can expect more opportunities to celebrate the achievements of its top performers. The Polaris Giveaway is more than just a prize—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when suppliers and installers partner for success!

Announcing the Top Preferred Vendors At The 2025 Starnet Design Awards

We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the outstanding contributions of our preferred vendor partners in the Starnet Design Awards! This year, a remarkable 97 commercial flooring projects were submitted for consideration, showcasing the incredible talent and collaboration within our network.

The success of these award-winning installations is truly a testament to the quality and innovation provided by our vendor partners. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 vendors is based on the number of projects in which their products were used, demonstrating their widespread impact and integral role in these premier designs. We had a few ties, so we get to celebrate some bonus preferred vendor achievements!

  1. Mapei & Johnsonite – 57 Projects
  2. Tarkett – 43 Projects
  3. Uzin Utz – 33 Projects
  4. ARDEX – 28 Projects
  5. Measure Square – 27 Projects
  6. Mohawk Group & Daltile – 26 Projects
  7. Milliken & RFMS – 21 Projects
  8. J+J Flooring & Roppe – 20 Projects
  9. AHF – 18 Projects
  10. Wagner Meters – 17 Projects

These partners exemplify the spirit of collaboration and excellence that defines the Starnet network. Their commitment to providing top-tier products is crucial for bringing innovative and high-quality commercial flooring projects to life.

We extend our congratulations to all our preferred vendor partners and encourage everyone to continue fostering these successful partnerships to achieve future industry highlights. Be sure to submit your commercial flooring projects for the upcoming competition to showcase your incredible work!

Partner for success with Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring!

Who are the Top 10 BEST Distributors from 2024?

Every year, Starnet’s mandatory Preferred Vendor Survey uncovers the secrets behind member satisfaction with our vendor partners. The results are in, and once again, Starnet members are thrilled with their interactions, especially with those who master the art of distribution channel management. Our members rave about the flawless movement of products from manufacturing plants to local regions and the exceptional support from distributors, including sales and marketing resources, logistics, training, and more.

Understanding the vital role of distribution in our members’ success, Starnet conducted an in-depth survey to dive into the dynamics of the distribution channel. This survey evaluated the overall value of the distribution channel, pinpointed key qualities distributors should focus on to win business, and spotlighted the top-performing distributors.

133 Starnet members shared their experiences with 76 distributors across the United States and Canada. Distributors were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 representing excellence. The overall results revealed an average rating of 3.51.

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! We proudly present the top 10 performing distributors, along with their stellar ratings!

RankDistributorRating
1T & A Supply4.31
2Daltile4.27
3L. Fishman & Son4.23
4Tri-West4.12
5Professional Flooring Supply4.00
6C&C Wholesale Distributors3.94
7Tom Duffy/BR Funsten3.93
8Michael Halebian & Co. Inc.3.92
8Hank’s Specialties3.92
10Virginia Tile3.89

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to excellence.