The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) and International Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) have signed a letter of intent to acquire the assets of Natural Fiber Installers Certification Inc. (NFIC). Established in 2006, NFIC is the oldest and largest recognized certification, education and training entity for installers, salespeople and inspectors in the natural fiber industry.
NFIC will operate under the CFI umbrella while maintaining its unique identity, according to the WFCA.
NFIC is a critical player in the industry with more than 600 certified installers. Its training covers a wide array of materials including natural fibers such as woven/tufted wools, Axminster, Wilton, velvet, flat weave, sisal, handmade and seagrass. Notably, NFIC’s certification serves as a prerequisite for CFI’s Master II certification, highlighting the natural alignment between the two organizations.
The acquisition aims to:
- Expand the opportunity for installers to obtain NFIC certification by broadening its reach.
- Grow the scope of technical training provided by NFIC to non-installers.
- Hold training sessions to develop new instructors, expanding the current team to increase the number of trainers.
Steve Abernathy, COO of WFCA and executive director of CFI stated, “We are thrilled about the acquisition of NFIC. This merger will allow us to reach new heights in education and training for flooring professionals. With NFIC’s esteemed reputation and shared values, we are poised to continue leading the industry with unmatched expertise and innovation.”
“Joining forces with WFCA and CFI is a monumental step for NFIC,” added P.J. Arthur, CEO and founder of NFIC. “Our combined expertise and resources will enable us to offer unparalleled training and certification options, fostering excellence in the natural fiber sector.”
Find out more about NFIC at https://nficnet.com.
