The Chicago Floorcovering Association is the oldest and largest association in the United States. Just after the war, as the men returned, the industry began to gear up for post war production to meet the needs of the American consumer.

 

During the war the floor covering industry produced little if any products for the American public. The carpet companies were making blankets and ducking, the hard surface mills were making battleship linoleum for the Navy and used their felt making equipment to print camouflage on the ducking made by the carpet mills.

 

The first charter members saw a need to bring together floor covering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to address the needs of a growing industry, The association was originally chartered in January 1946. The Associations first officers were William J. Malloy- President, William Gill – Recording secretary, Theodore Horwich – Financial secretary, and E.A. Hartman was the chairman of the first nominating committee.

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From its early roots, the Chicago Floorcovering Association has grown and the various committees now serve as models for other associations. The CFA was the pioneer floor covering association in establishing a scholarship program for the children of its members.

 

To the charter members who started the association we say thank you, to the next generation we ask that you take it further than we have gone.