By Drew Hash, President and CEO of Southwind Flooring
- What types of wood visuals are currently driving laminate sales, and have you introduced any new species or looks in recent years?
White Oak with more character and not as strong with consumers who are looking for a clean oak. And Hickory for the same reasons.
- How has consumer perception of laminate aesthetics evolved, and are there any features—like texture, finish or plank size—gaining traction?
We believe the biggest feature that is gaining consumer attention is “waterproof” and it appears to be gaining traction and renewed interest in laminate. At Southwind, we have two waterproof laminate collections: Resurge and Revive.
Sourcing & Selling: Where Hard Surface Is Coming From (Hard surface sourcing strategies and how suppliers are navigating global pressure points)
- Where are you currently sourcing your hard surface products (resilient, laminate and wood) and have you shifted sourcing strategies recently?
We source domestically and overseas.
- What do you see as the biggest advantages of sourcing internationally vs. domestically for hard surface?
Demand in luxury vinyl is still outpacing the industry’s domestic capacity. So, it’s more of a necessity than an advantage.
- How are you addressing retailer or consumer concerns around import products, especially amid tariffs, freight costs or ongoing supply chain disruptions?
At Southwind, we keep a close eye on supply chain and product offerings. We’re closely monitoring market indicators and adjusting production and inventory accordingly. We are not tied to any single country or vendor. We diversify to remain flexible. That way our dealers can depend on us to meet their customers’ demands for products.