In the ever-evolving landscape of the flooring industry, networking and collaboration have become crucial elements for success. Recently, Ted Messner, Vice President of Messner Flooring, embarked on a transformative journey with CCA’s Nex40, a dynamic group focused on fostering relationships and professional development within the Carpet One community. The highlight of this venture was a visit to Dalton, Georgia, where Messner and his peers were hosted by Shaw Industries, a leading name in the flooring sector.
At the heart of this initiative is a mission to build peer relationships, create networking opportunities, and share best practices and business strategies among its members. The ultimate goal? To leverage this collective knowledge for personal, professional, and cooperative growth. What began as a strategy to ensure success for the next generation of store owners has blossomed into a vibrant community of flooring professionals that Messner Flooring is proud to be a part of.
The trip to Dalton, Georgia, offered Messner and his fellow Nex40 members an exclusive look into the inner workings of Shaw Industries. The itinerary included tours of Shaw’s Broadloom Carpet Mill, Carpet Tile Mill, their cutting-edge Resilient Mill, a sprawling 1.5 million square foot distribution facility, and the main campus. This immersive experience provided valuable insights into the industry’s latest innovations and practices.
As the Nex40 group has expanded over the years, the camaraderie among its members has flourished. Networking events and vendor-sponsored mill tours have played a pivotal role in bringing the members closer. The group has spearheaded various initiatives aimed at professional development which empower members to enhance their skills, preparing them to run successful businesses and, in some cases, to take over the reins from their parents.
One of the standout benefits of Nex40 is its commitment to giving the younger members a voice in the industry. By providing support and mentorship, Nex40 aims to equip these emerging leaders with the tools they need to succeed. Through successful mentoring programs and exciting professional development opportunities, this program is not just creating leaders for today but for the future of the flooring industry.
Ted Messner’s journey with CCA’s Nex40 and the eye-opening visit to Shaw Industries exemplify the power of collaboration and mentorship in the flooring industry. As the group continues to grow, it serves as a catalyst for success, fostering relationships, sharing knowledge, and paving the way for the next generation of flooring leaders. In a world where business is as much about connections as it is about products, initiatives like Nex40 are shaping the future of the flooring industry, one partnership at a time.
