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Carpet One Announces Annual Award Winners at 2005 Winter Convention

February 12, 2005
Carpet One

MANCHESTER, NH (February 12, 2005) –– Carpet One congratulates the top retailers and industry leaders who were recently recognized at the 2005 Carpet One International Winter Convention held in Grapevine, Texas.

“This year, we reevaluated the awards that we present,” explained Evan Hackel, President of Carpet One. “We wanted to make sure that these awards are meaningful to our members – they should be something that our retailers strive for each year and are really proud to receive.”

Carpet One presented awards in eight different categories, based on enthusiasm, participation and percentage of sales increase during the past year. In addition, they recognized an outstanding business partner for its dedication to the Carpet One membership.

“All of the award-winners are extremely committed to improving their businesses and have been very successful during the past year,” said Carpet One COO Charlie Dilks. “They are setting a strong example for other members – we really commend them for their efforts and accomplishments.”

Carpet One presented the following awards at their 2005 Winter Convention:

Spirit of Carpet One Award: Carpet One in Fort Wayne, IN
This award recognizes the retailer that most embodies the Carpet One spirit. This member is enthusiastic and involved in Carpet One and is continually striving to improve their business by participating in Carpet One programs, like Installation Excellence, the “Destination: Carpet One” store planning program and “Carpet One Welcomes Your Support,” the community relations campaign that raises funds for breast cancer awareness.

Wally Hileman Award: Bachmeier Interiors Carpet One in Coralville, IA
This award was created in honor of Carpet One’s Vice President of Membership from 1991 to 1998, Wally Hileman. This was a pivotal time of growth for the company, during which membership increased by 350 percent and members from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand joined the organization.

The Wally Hileman Award recognizes a new Carpet One member who has been with the company for no more than two years and has shown a significant increase in sales, while demonstrating commitment to Carpet One and a desire to improve their business.

Titanium Sales Achievement Award – percentage: The Great Home Store Carpet One in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
This award recognizes the member who has been with Carpet One for more than two years and has shown the greatest percentage increase in purchases from the previous year.

Titanium Sales Achievement Award – dollars: Floors, Inc. Carpet One in Texas
This award recognizes the member who has been with Carpet One for more than two years and who has shown the greatest actual increase in purchases from the previous year.

Commitment to Education Award: Migala Carpet One in Michigan
This award goes to the member who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to educating his or her staff during the past year. This retailer attends University events throughout the year with a goal of graduating 100% of his or her staff from Carpet One University.

5-Diamond Award of Excellence: Foxy Carpet One in Ocala, FL
This award recognizes the Installation Excellence Five Diamond member who exhibits the most outstanding level of customer relations on a consistent basis. Foxy Carpet One received the highest average score on their customer satisfaction surveys over the past year, representing the very best in customer service excellence.

Community Service Award: Carpet One of the Gulf Coast in Panama City, FL
This award recognizes one retailer that has made an outstanding commitment to their community through Carpet One’s community relations programs during the previous year. Carpet One of the Gulf Coast participated in the “Carpet One Makes A Difference” campaign for breast cancer awareness and Toys for Tots. The store sold over 160 welcome mats, donating profits from sales to their local American Cancer Society chapter. John Shepard also volunteered to be the regional coordinator for Toys for Tots this winter. In addition to using his store as a donation drop-off center, John coordinated with other collection centers in the area and organized the actual distribution of donations throughout the community. He collected over 3,700 books and toys for children in the Panama City area and hopes to continue his support in the future.

Special Achievement Award: Aggieland Carpet One in College Station, TX
This award recognizes a member who has made a significant achievement or excelled in their implementation of a Carpet One program during the previous year. Carpet One presented Aggieland Carpet One with this award based on their outstanding implementation of the “Destination: Carpet One” store planning program. Aggieland Carpet One became the first Carpet One store to renovate their store using “Destination: Carpet One,” when they opened their new showroom in December 2003.

Partner of the Year: Mannington Mills
This award recognizes the organization that has made the most significant impact on the overall Carpet One membership during the past year. Mannington Mills has provided Carpet One retailers with a consistently outstanding level of customer service and innovative products. Plus, they recognize and support the entrepreneurial spirit of Carpet One.

About Carpet One

Carpet One (carpetone.com), the largest unit of CCA Global Partners, is North America’s largest floor covering retailer with locations in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The stores are known for a broad selection of floor covering products, distinctive warranties, excellent service and exclusive brand names such as Liz Claiborne Flooring, LEES For Living and Good Housekeeping. Headquarters are in Manchester, New Hampshire; Ontario, Canada; and Queensland, Australia.