sustainability brochure 2012 - mohawk group brochure.pdf · statement on a corporate office wall....

MOHAWKGROUP.COM | 800.554.6637

SUSTA SLT0003489

SUSTAINABILITY

By printing on Mohawk Options The Mohawk Group is preserving 41 trees, saving

17,617 gallons of wastewater flow, and conserving 29,376,000 BTUs energy.

SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS 1

Sustainability that works. It’s not just some mission statement on a corporate office wall. It’s a conviction that runs throughout The Mohawk Group and drives everything we do. You can see it in GreenWorks–our innovative set of sustainability strategies. GreenWorks not only casts our vision for a healthier world, but also provides our day-in, day-out playbook for positive, concrete action. It’s how we’re able to provide quality products and superior value for our customers while measurably reducing our impact on the planet, setting new standards for our industry, and improving the world we live in. That’s sustainability that works.

The Mohawk Group is a company of four commercial carpet brands and a hard surfaces brand, all working together to offer

an unmatched spectrum of products, services and solutions. We’re the commercial division of the world’s largest flooring

manufacturer and have installed literally hundreds of millions of yards of commercial flooring. No matter the size of your

floorcovering challenge, we have what it takes to meet your flooring needs.

Supporting company-wide sustainability goals, all our Mohawk Group facilities are managed through an ISO 14001 or other

environmental management system.

THAT WORKS

SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKSSUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS 32

To be real, sustainability initiatives must be truly viable, long-term, and third-party verified. Some can be small, simple steps. Others are enormous undertakings that involve major capital investment and significant cultural change. Either way, it’s about actions that result in a sustainability strategy that works for you, for our com-munity and for the planet we all enjoy.

ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS.WE’RE COMMITTED TO

Our commitment manifests itself in our continuous improvement of three crucial areas of our business:

OUR PROCESSESWe continue to shrink our manufacturing footprint–significantly

reducing the amount of resources we use while increasing our

recycling and reuse of waste. But we’re not stopping here.

We’re going after very aggressive reduction targets over the

next 8 years. Already, we’ve seen real progress towards our

2020 goals of 25% reduction of our intensities related to energy,

greenhouse gases, water, and waste-to-landfill. What are inten-

sities? They’re a measure of the amount of resources needed

to create our products. So far, our biggest improvements have

been in water and waste-to-landfill intensities–with impressive

decreases of nearly 9% and 7% respectively.

OUR PRODUCTSWe decided that sustainability must be built into every product

we make. So, we start at the very beginning of the product

lifecycle and look for innovative ways to make our designs

and our materials more sustainable. This can mean anything

from using post-consumer content...to making our products

more easily recyclable...to increasing their durability for greater

sustainable life. We then address environmental issues at every

subsequent stage of the product lifecycle.

OUR PEOPLESustainability is not just about the health of our planet. It’s also

about making life more livable for the people on it. So we’re

heavily invested in all kinds of social responsibility initiatives

involving health, safety, professional development, and com-

munity programs where we live and work.


OUR PROCESSES

If you’re serious about conserving water as a manufacturer, you have

to look at two things. First, how much water goes into your facility.

Then, what is the quality of the water leaving your facility as it re-enters

the environment. At Mohawk, we reduced our company-wide water

consumption by an average of more than 11% a year–every year since

2005. At the same time, we made major improvements in the quality

of wastewater released by our plants.

AWARD-WINNING INITIATIVES TO PRESERVE VIRGINIA’S JAMES RIVER

There’s a beautiful tributary along the James River by our Glasgow, VA facility.

It eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay, and we’re making a huge splash with

our initiatives to protect this fragile watershed. Since nitrogen and phosphorus can

upset the balance of the water, our engineers have found ways to reduce nitrogen

emissions by more than 65% (since 2006) and reduce phosphorus levels by over

75%. To do this, we eliminated an entire step in our process and changed the way

we dye yarn. We also began requiring suppliers to identify the phosphorus and

nitrogen levels of everything they send to our plant. Now that we’ve proven the

value of these new best practices, other Mohawk facilities can take advantage of

them, too. Having engineered significant portions of the facility to be as environ-

mentally sensitive as possible, we’ve earned ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2000

certifications and even been awarded the Virginia Governor’s Environmental

Excellence Award (GEEA).

OUR GOAL: Reduce our total water use intensity by

25% by the year 2020 (as compared to 2008 levels).

SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS4

WATERCONSERVATION

Glasgow, VA Facility

Landrum, SC Facility

Dalton Facilities

Chatsworth, GA Facility

Lyerly, GA Facility

All other Mohawk facilities


OUR AVERAGE YEARLY, GLOBAL REDUCTION IN WATER INTENSITY SINCE 2005.

11% OUR PROCESSES

2010 REDUCTION

NOW THAT’S INTENSE!

At Mohawk, you’ll hear us talking a lot about intensities. Water intensity. Energy intensity. Emissions intensity. That kind

of thing. Intensities are how factories measure the total amount of water (or energy or emissions) it takes to do the things

they do. We measure our intensities by the amount of resources needed to produce net sales. So how much water, energy,

and emissions does it take for us to create world-class carpet? Less and less.

WHERE DID ALL THE WATER GO? Look at our water usage in recent years, and you’ll see some dramatic reductions. How did we do it?

We’re continually upgrading to equipment and processes that use less water. For example, carpet dyeing

typically requires large amounts of water, so we made major changes to our operations. Instead of con-

tinuous dyeing (running carpet under a spray of dye), we switched to water-saving Beck dyeing (placing

the carpet in a vat of hot dye). Then, to save even more, we started using recycled water in the dyeing

process. At our Lyerly facility, where we Beck-dye SmartStrand® carpet, over 98% of the process uses 30%

recycled water (rinse water that is recaptured and reused in the dye cycle). That’s just one example. With

nylon fiber, our mills dye the yarn itself, not the whole carpet. To do this, we made a large capital invest-

ment in a single-end dyeing technology that reduced wet pickup (the amount of water absorbed by the

yarn) from 120% to 40%. We even use less water to wash the yarn after the dye is fixed.

REDUCTIONS IN WATER USE INTENSITYThe Mohawk Industries goal of reducing total water use intensity by 25% by

the year 2020 (as compared to 2008 levels) is ambitious, but doable–and we’re

already well on our way to achieving it.

9% 25%2020 REDUCTION GOAL

All 60 Mohawk manufacturing

plants contribute toward our

company wide goal of a 25%

total water reduction by 2020.

Commercial Plants

EASY ON THE EYES AND ON THE PLANET

In late 2011, we installed a new generation

printer at one of our Dalton, GA mills that lets

us create visually stunning carpet while using

fewer natural resources. Our new Spectronics

25X printer produces broadloom carpet patterns

with an unprecedented level of detail and rich

color. This high-resolution printer features

1280 jets per color (compared to 448 jets in

our previous printer). The results are beautiful,

but its resource usage is eye-catching, too. It’s

efficient design and much faster speeds mean

more throughput and less energy consumption.

Our goals with the new Spectronics 25X printer

are to reduce electricity usage by up to 10%,

steam usage by up to 20%, and water usage

by up to 30%.

OUR GOAL: Reduce our total

energy and greenhouse gas

emission intensities 25% by

the year 2020 (as compared

to 2009 levels).


OUR PROCESSES


It’s a lesson in less: we’re continually finding ways to do more

with less electricity, natural gas, and fuels while also reducing our

greenhouse gas emissions. How do we achieve such reductions?

The key to our success is that we attack our energy consumption

from so many different angles. Instead of just relying on a few big

initiatives to reduce consumption, we look at absolutely everything.

We’ve uncovered countless small changes throughout our operations that translate

to major energy savings. Our commitment to Kaizen–continuous improvement–

is a multi-faceted approach that includes energy assessments, company surveys,

automated reporting systems, Energy Treasure Hunts, and more. And, it’s not just

about what happens inside our mills. We look at energy usage in areas such as

warehousing and distribution, too. This means everything from using natural gas

powered trucks…to installing solar panels on the roof of our West Coast distribu-

tion facility (capable of harnessing enough energy to power approximately 2,000

average-sized homes). For a manufacturer of our size, all these different efforts

quickly add up to a greener world.

ENERGY& EMISSION REDUCTIONS


OUR PROCESSES

1.49To achieve significant, ongoing reductions in energy and emissions,

we have taken a three-pronged approach: (1) get every employee

involved in the effort; (2) make the most of current best practices and

proven solutions; and (3) quickly capitalize on new innovations.

GETTING EVERYONE INVOLVED At Mohawk, sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. That’s

why we hold Kaizen events that call on everyone who works

with a particular process to come up with new ideas for im-

proving that process. We even go on “Energy Treasure Hunts”

when a plant is shut down, identifying areas where we may

be losing, leaking, or wasting energy. Where is a light on that

shouldn’t be, or is a motor running unnecessarily? When you’re

the largest floor covering manufacturer in the world, something

as simple as raising employee awareness to turn off lights can

lead to major reductions in energy consumption.

OUR EFFORTS INCLUDE: Kaizen for continuous improvements in energy usage

Leak detection to help eliminate losses in compressed

air and water

Lighting replacements with energy efficient alternatives

Energy Usage Assessments and Energy Treasure Hunts

LEVERAGING PROVEN SOLUTIONS These are the manufacturing equipment upgrades and process

improvements that enable us to produce more product with

less energy and emissions. For example, compressed air is

actually one of the biggest resources we use in our plants. By

adding a variable frequency drive to an air compressor, we get

more control over its energy usage. With a significant portion

of our electricity usage tied to producing compressed air, this

is a big savings opportunity.

OUR EFFORTS INCLUDE: Direct contact water heaters to reduce energy usage

Air compressor upgrades and efficiency improvements

Boiler upgrades and efficiency improvements

Steam trap upgrades and efficiencies

Natural gas production and burner improvements

Adjusting plant operating hours to use off-peak power

PIONEERING NEW INNOVATIONS At our Summerville, GA plant, we turn over 3 billion plastic (PET)

bottles a year into carpet fiber and also recycle bottle caps.

It’s a remarkable sustainability story. But we’re taking it further

with innovations such as our new heat exchangers that are

designed to reduce natural gas usage (and the resulting green-

house gas emissions) in our recycling and extrusion processes.

By recapturing 100% of the hot water used in these processes

and recirculating it in our wash lines and boiler, we’re lowering

consumption of natural gas. We’ve reduced steam (and there-

fore gas) usage even more by totally enclosing our wash lines

with hydraulic lids that stay closed to prevent any of the steam

from escaping.

OUR EFFORTS INCLUDE: Use of alternative energy sources such as biofuels

Heat exchangers to reduce natural gas usage and emissions

Heat recovery processes that save energy

Capturing the sun’s energy through solar panels at our

Fontana distribution and warehousing facility

Greener, cleaner natural gas trucks

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES

BEST PRACTICES INITIATIVES

TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES

MILLION LBS.

OUR 2010 GLOBAL REDUCTION IN GREENHOUSE GAS INTENSITY. THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO REMOVING 20,588 CARS FROM OUR HIGHWAYS.


We’re making incredible progress in diverting carpet waste away

from landfills. One of our most exciting efforts is The Mohawk Group

ReCover program. ReCover diverts millions of pounds of commercial

carpet each year from landfills. And, because we’re willing to reclaim

carpet from anyone anywhere, we’re even keeping our competitor’s

carpets out of landfills.

Participants in our ReCover program range from a major national

retailer…to a world-leading financial institution…to one of the largest

movie theater chains in North America. We’re recovering carpet from

colleges, corporate headquarters, military bases, courts, government

offices, and more. Our relationship with Delta Air Lines means that

we’re even reclaiming old carpet from the planes you fly in.

WE CAN RECOVER YOUR OLD COMMERCIAL CARPET, TOO

All you have to do is call and notify us of your need. We’ll give you

a quote, help schedule transport, and make sure none of it ends up

in a landfill. It’s that easy. We handle all of the logistics for you.

For more information call 877-3RE-CYCL (877-373-2925).

WASTEDIVERSION

OUR PROCESSES

RECOVER & DELTA TEAM UP TO DIVERT

NEARLY HALF A MILLION POUNDS OF

CARPET FROM LANDFILLS

Delta Air Lines is no small consumer of carpet–

using more than 50,000 square yards every year.

And now, we’re helping them give that carpet

a more sustainable future. With our help, Delta

has become the first airline to develop a strategy

for diverting old aircraft carpet away from land-

fills. The results have been impressive.

From 2008-2011, our ReCover program has

helped Delta keep 440,520 pounds of carpet

out of landfills. Delta now has a dedicated

onsite trailer for their old carpet. We regularly

collect the carpet and take it to be used as an

alternative fuel resource–not only keeping it

out of landfills, but also helping reduce depen-

dence on coal. ReCover has given Delta a truly

end-to-end solution for diverting old carpet.

We provide the waste containers, coordinate

the shipping, and facilitate the waste diversion.

ReCover saves Delta money, while saving the

environment too.

OUR GOAL: Reduce our total

waste to landfill intensity 25%

by the year 2020 (as compared

to 2009 levels).


At Mohawk, we’re committed to keeping America beautiful. And this

commitment is clearly evident in the amount of waste we divert from

landfills every year: over 9,000 tons per year that include nylon, PET,

cardboard, paper products, plastics, and metals. We’re not only keep-

ing our own waste out of landfills, but also purchasing waste to use

in our manufacturing processes.

OUR PROCESSES

IN OUR 2010 GLOBAL WASTE TO LANDFILL INTENSITY.

OVER 9,000 TONS OF MOHAWK GROUP MANUFACTURING WASTE IS DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS EVERY YEAR.

9,000 TONS IS EQUIVALENT TO 40 STATUES OF LIBERTY

REDUCTION7%

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

WEIGHS 225 TONS

EVERSTRAND FIBER

Every year, we purchase approximately

3 billion recycled PET soda bottles to

create EverStrand fiber. This is roughly

20% of the bottles recycled in the US.

It takes an average of 40 bottles to

make one square yard of EverStrand.

Our ReCover program diverts millions of pounds of old

carpet every year, and a portion of it is then purchased by

our GreenWorks recycling facility. How does it work? First,

ReCover facilitates the collection and transportation of old

carpet (1). Then, the carpet arrives at one of our ReCover

partner recycling centers (2). There, the carpet is converted

into post-consumer fiber bales (3) while some of the carpet

waste is sold to be used as an alternative fuel source. Next,

our GreenWorks facility (4) purchases these recycled fiber

bales and turns them into engineered Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6

resin pellets (5). Finally, the pellets are purchased and used

to manufacture auto parts (6). It’s sustainability at its best.

DOOR MATS

We buy 23 million pounds of recycled

crumb rubber annually. That’s the

equivalent of 1.15 million tires every

year. We take these recycled tires

and create beautiful new door mats.

Welcome home, Sustainability.

CARPET BACKING

We recycle 1.7 million pounds of bottle

caps per year. These recycled caps are

turned into durable carpet backing used

in select Mohawk modular carpet tiles.

WE PURCHASE 20 TIMES MORE RECYCLED MATERIAL ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAN WE SEND TO LANDFILLS.

RECOVER PROGRAM AND OUR GREENWORKS FACILITY

1.15 MILLION RUBBER TIRES1.15 MILLION RUBBER TIRES

1.7 MILLION LBS.BOTTLE CAPS


3 BILLION PET BOTTLES3 BILLION

PET BOTTLES1.15 MILLION RUBBER TIRES


3 BILLION PET BOTTLES


When carpet looks great–and maintains its natural good looks longer–

then less carpet is being removed, transported, and replaced. That’s

a huge bonus for the environment. So one of the most important

things we do to promote sustainability is make beautiful carpet and

make it last longer. Our high performance fibers and quality construc-

tions extend the natural life of every carpet we produce. Breakthrough

technologies in stain and soil resistance–some engineered into the

fiber itself–keep Mohawk floor coverings looking newer, enhance

their durability, and make them easier and less costly to maintain.

IT’S MORE THAN MEETS THE EYES

If you could see what goes into our products, you would discover a world of new

innovations...from the world’s first renewably sourced fiber…to design and manu-

facturing breakthroughs that enable us to use more recycled and recyclable materi-

als in our products. In fact, we’re even using less materials overall to make our

products. It’s just another way that we’re making our planet a more beautiful place.

BEAUTIFULSUSTAINABILITY MADE

OUR PRODUCTS

Karastan: Knotted Weave, Harmonic Vibe, Plateau II | Lees: Shirt, Truth in Color Bigelow: Made to Move, Telfair Square | Merit: Event

NREL RESEARCH SUPPORT FACILITY:

A TESTAMENT TO OUR PRODUCTS

When the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

(NREL)–part of the U.S. Department of Energy–

set out to develop a new Research Support

Facility in Golden, CO, their goal was to design

“the most energy-efficient building in the world.”

The recently completed 222,000 square foot

facility is a glowing example of energy-efficient

construction and renewable energy technologies.

It’s certified LEED® Platinum–thanks in part to its

30,000 square feet of Mohawk carpet. Creating

a safe, healthy work environment– including

healthy indoor air quality–was a key priority,

so the project’s architects turned to Mohawk

modular carpet with thermoplastic backing.

Our carpet met their environmental goals with

100% non-PVC construction, low-to-no VOCs,

and 25% pre-consumer and 10% post-consumer

recycled content. As beautiful as it is sustainable,

the new NREL facility employs various colorways

of Mohawk carpet to define space throughout

the building’s open floor plan. Mohawk is proud

to have played a role in helping NREL meet the

highest environmental standards for its stunning

new facility.


OUR PRODUCTS

Many of our products

help contribute toward

LEED® certification.

When it comes to sustainable flooring choices, no one offers you more

than Mohawk. It’s not just that so many of our products are NSF-140

certified or that they help contribute toward LEED® credits, it’s that

they give you more options in everything from broadloom and modu-

lar…to woven, tufted, and hard surfaces. We also provide the support

and tools needed to help you make the best decisions for your design

and green certification goals. For example, with our online LEED®

PLUS Calculator™, you can search building products and calculate

LEED points and other environmental ratings in minutes, not weeks.

NSF 140 TELLS YOU OUR CARPET IS THIRD PARTY CERTIFIED

NSF 140 is the most comprehensive, rigorous environmental benchmark in the

flooring industry. At Mohawk, the majority of our carpets qualify for either NSF 140

Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification. Specific to carpet, NSF 140 offers objectively

verified, third-party certification of performance across multiple environmental

attribute areas. An essential element of this ANSI-approved sustainable carpet

standard is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA examines the environmental

impact of a carpet across its entire lifespan and is a great way to improve the

environmental footprint.

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council.

SPACESFLOORING FOR GREENER


SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS 21SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS20

OUR PRODUCTS

FROM THE FIELD TO THE FLOOR

SmartStrand® carpet fiber with DuPont™

Sorona® is a world first in renewably sourced

polymers. The key ingredient in Sorona comes

from plant sources, meaning 37% of Sorona is

derived from renewable resources. Every seven

square yards of carpet made with this remark-

able fiber saves enough energy and resources

to equal one gallon of gasoline–that’s significant!

But you don’t have to sacrifice performance

by choosing such an environmentally friendly

product. SmartStrand actually outperforms

and outlasts competitive stain-resistant fibers.

That’s because its stain protection is engineered

into the fiber itself–not just added on top. This

stain protection simply cannot wear out or wear

off. As a result, carpets made with SmartStrand

don’t need to be replaced so often. And that’s

good news for the planet. Why? Because the

longer a carpet stays on the floor, the less im-

pact it makes on the environment–with fewer

removals and installations, less transport needs,

and less carpet waste.

A revolution in sustainability...

SmartStrand® is the first renewably

sourced fiber that requires 30%

less energy to produce while also

reducing CO2 emissions by 63%

as compared to nylon 6 fiber.

DuPont™ Sorona® contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™ and Sorona® are trademarks or registered

trademarks of E. I du Pont de Nemours and Company and are under license

to Mohawk.

Mohawk is a leader in sustainability because we lead in innovation.

SmartStrand, the first carpet ever made with renewable resources,

is an example of what happens when you’re committed to pioneering

new ways to protect the planet. For years, Mohawk innovations have

been turning post-consumer waste–such as PET soda bottles, rubber

tires, glass and other materials–into high performance flooring prod-

ucts. As we continue to surprise our industry with new innovations,

we’re focusing much of our effort on creating environmentally friendly

products with pre- and post-consumer materials and making more use

of renewable resources.

INNOVATIONROOTED IN

100%

When it comes to building sustainable

products, it’s all about doing more

with less. We’re delivering more per-

formance with less materials every

day. Through micro-engineering and

dematerialization, we’re able to reduce

the overall amount of carpet fiber used

in our carpets while maintaining the

same exceptional quality and aesthetic

appeal. We’re also leaders in woven

construction. Woven carpets have less

impact on the environment because

they use less fiber than other types

of construction. Because the fibers in

a woven carpet interlace, the carpet

requires fewer raw materials such as

latex and secondary backings. This

also means that less energy is needed

to manufacture woven carpets. What’s

more, woven carpets typically perform

300% longer–adding years to the life

of a carpet and making it a leader in

sustainable flooring.

The tiny fibers that make up our carpets

are one of the biggest ways we protect

the environment. How? We start by

using as much recycled content in

our fibers as possible– intercepting

materials headed for landfills. For

example, our 100% solution-dyed fiber,

ColorStrand, uses 25% pre-consumer

recycled content. We also use highly

renewable content to help reduce our

dependence on petroleum-based prod-

ucts. We do this with products such

as SmartStrand®, which is made with a

fiber that is 37% renewably sourced.

And we don’t stop with the materials

themselves; we also look at how the

fibers are manufactured. Our innovative

processes reduce the amount of energy

consumed by minimizing water, steam,

and fossil fuels. Finally, we design

for durability. By minimizing matting,

crushing, fading, and staining, we help

keep carpets on the floor longer and

out of the landfill.

As one of the world’s largest producers

of carpet backing, we’re taking every-

thing from shrink wrap to bottle caps

and turning it into backing. We divert

massive amounts of waste from land-

fills while minimizing our use of natural

resources. We have even begun recy-

cling other companies’ waste streams

in our production of backings. By con-

verting to bio-based renewable materi-

als, we have reduced our dependence

on petroleum by 10 million pounds

annually. Innovative Mohawk backings

include our patented Unibond Flex,

a product that uses our Advanced

Thermoset Co-Polymer made with 33%

post-consumer content. We’ve also

made some of our backings recyclable

so that they can be turned into new

backing. It all adds up to big benefits

for the planet.

We’re constantly pursuing more

sustainable adhesives. Our innovative

Permalink™ adhesive film makes it pos-

sible to install new carpet tile directly

on top of previous carpet–repurposing

old carpet as the pad for the new

carpet. Another innovation, Self Lock®,

means that installers no longer have to

spread adhesive during modular carpet

installation. Pre-applied to the back

of each tile, this releasable adhesive

reduces the environmental impact of

installation, improves air quality, and

creates a safer, cleaner work environ-

ment. Boasting zero VOCs, NuSpraylok

is our non-toxic, water-based adhesive

that requires 80% less adhesive per

application. It’s easily releasable, which

means easier reuse and recycling of

the flooring.

It’s no secret that the consumption

of petrochemicals and added waste

from carpet samples puts more strain

on the environment. That’s why we’ve

employed a host of new innovations to

reduce the footprint of carpet samples.

From our high definition digital sample

libraries and online design tools…to

increased use of digital simulations in

the design process…to our Samples

ReCover program that collects and re-

cycles carpet samples used by design-

ers…to our SMART Book samples that

reduce dependence on actual samples

by over 60% –we’re changing the way

the industry thinks about samples. The

shift towards more simulations also

means faster, smarter ways for specifi-

ers to work and create–a true win/win.

Our robust suite of online tools gives

specifiers greener and faster ways to

do their best work. Custom websites

let them explore color and pattern com-

binations without ever having to order

a tufted sample. Visualizer™ delivers

full access to our library of modular

carpeting images and lets designers

view them in any installation method,

in three different working environments.

Drag & Fly™ boasts over 25,000 high-

res modular carpet images–all color-

accurate, properly scaled, and ready

to drop into any commonly-used design

software. The design community can

instantly download images to visualize

their designs in their own 3D or CAD

environment. Finally, our LEED® PLUS

Calculator™ shows how the carpet

selections line up with a project’s green

rating goals.


OF OUR CARPET IS

CRI GREEN LABEL PLUS

CERTIFIED

300+ PRODUCTS ARE

NSF 140 CERTIFIED

500+ PRODUCTS WITH

RECYCLED CONTENT

OUR PRODUCTS

PRODUCTSWe believe innovation is the mother of sustainability. For too long, our

industry has relied on too many inefficient, unsustainable approaches

to manufacturing, delivering, and installing its products. In recent years,

many improvements have been made, but we’re showing our industry

how much more is possible. We earned the Greenstep Pinnacle Award–

Environmental Leader of the Year, the highest honor in Floor Covering

Weekly’s GreenStep program. And we’re committed to leading the way

for a more environmentally-responsible carpet industry. It begins with

building green innovations into every step of the product lifecycle.

Here are just a few examples.

INNOVATIVE & SUSTAINABLE

CONSTRUCTIONS FIBERS BACKINGS ADHESIVES SAMPLING ONLINE TOOLS


Since 2001, Mohawk has contributed over $4 million to Susan G. Komen

for the Cure®–the global leader in the fight against breast cancer. As a

proud member of the Komen Million Dollar Council, Mohawk donates

between $0.05 and $0.25 for every square yard of carpet purchased

through our Specify for a Cure® program. Our steadfast commitment

to this important cause includes a minimum guaranteed donation of

$150,000 annually.

OUR PEOPLE

SAVE A LIFEFor Mohawk, community responsibility reaches beyond our environ-

mental concerns–right to the people who live and work in our world.

Our partnership with Komen is a great example of this commitment.

THE BEST IDEAS GROW FROM THE GROUND UP

It all started when one of our sales executives saw a report about Komen Race for

the Cure® while he was at home watching TV. He was deeply moved by the cause

and felt that Komen would greatly benefit from the kind of support Mohawk could

bring. That’s when our relationship with Komen was born. It’s this kind of grassroots

energy that drives so many sustainability and community initiatives at Mohawk.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP. LOCAL IMPACT

In one community, a cancer treatment center specified Mohawk carpet because

they wanted to see their carpet investment pay back in support of Komen. But

they had a special request. Could their Specify for a Cure® portion be donated

directly to the local Komen affiliate in their city? We said yes and found a way

to make it happen. Even though we partner with Komen at the national level, we

believe it’s important to have a local impact too–especially in a community where

our carpet goes.

SPECIFY FOR A CURE

Mohawk and Komen are standing together to win the

fight against breast cancer in every community.


OUR PEOPLE

Zero accidents. Zero incidents. Zero mishaps. That’s our

mission. And we’ve rolled out an innovative safety program

to help enable Mohawk facilities across the country meet

this goal. It’s all about creating a culture of prevention.

Everyone is responsible for being safe, all the time. The

results? From 2010 to 2011, our recordable incident rate

improved by 43%, and our lost time rate decreased by 11%.

Mohawk sponsors nearly a dozen Relays for Life in the com-

munities where we operate manufacturing facilities. These

24-hour, round-the-clock walk-a-thons raise funds for cancer

research and patient support. Mohawk employees organize

teams to participate in each event, and we’re typically the

largest corporate sponsor at each event. The Relays for Life

represent just one of many ways that Mohawk and our

people partner together for progress.

During every new hire orientation, new Mohawk employees

learn the essentials of our Greenworks™ program. They

learn about the core components where they can have an

immediate, direct impact: reducing waste (in production

or from personal use), reusing material (from scrap paper

to personal protective equipment), and recycling material

(paper, cardboard, aluminum, and plastic).

Each year, the Foundation awards grants to dozens of non-

profit organizations in the communities where we make our

products, with the goal of improving quality of life for our

people and their families. Hundreds of thousands of dollars

are donated every year to causes including early childhood

education, special needs children’s education and welfare,

health care, community building, domestic abuse prevention,

elder care, and arts and culture.

MISSION ZERO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

For the past seven years, Mohawk has been ranked among

the top 125 training organizations by Training magazine and

in 2012 was a part of the elite top five category. This pres-

tigious ranking reflects our commitment to organizational

development–from the plant floor to the C-suite. We offer

training both online and in the classroom, and we’ve been

especially commended for our outstanding training on prod-

uct knowledge and customer needs. Through our training

efforts, we’ve created an environment where individuals

can grow and thrive–personally and professionally.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

In a joint effort, Mohawk and our U.S. employees donated

more than $2.7 million to more than a dozen United Way

chapters in 2011, helping to improve lives in our local com-

munities. Mohawk is also the founding sponsor of the United

Way of Northwest Georgia’s Make a Difference Day initiative.

For the past eleven years, the third Saturday in October has

been dedicated to volunteerism–and Mohawk’s leadership

has resulted in more than 58,000 volunteer hours associated

with Make a Difference Day alone.

UNITED WAY

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION MOHAWK CARPET FOUNDATION

We’ve developed leading-edge health care initiatives for

employees and their family members. For example, we offer

on-site health care at no cost to employees, spouses, and

dependent children. It’s a powerful way to address the needs

of the 40% of our employees who do not have primary care

physicians. To make care and counseling more easily acces-

sible, we also provide on-site dental vans, mobile mammog-

raphy, and health care coaching. Comprehensive benefits

are offered to all employees working 20 or more hours per

week (hourly or salaried) who have been with us for at least

90 days.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

In July 2010, Hurricane Alex hit Monterrey, Mexico, and the

homes of almost 40 local Mohawk employees were lost or

severely damaged. To help them recover, more than 2,125

Mohawk employees donated approximately $124,000, and

the company added another $30,000. When tornadoes

ravaged northwest Georgia in April 2011, almost a dozen

employees lost their homes. That year, 761 employees

donated more than $47,000 directly to these employees.

The company added another $18,000, plus donations to local

Red Cross chapters. Employees also donated trailer loads of

bottled water, clothing, non-perishable foods, diapers, and

baby formula.

DISASTER RELIEF

CARINGFOR OUR COMMUNITIES

Inside the Mohawk community, we’re constantly doing things to make life

better through training, safety, and wellness initiatives. But we also realize

that our responsibilities extend far beyond our own walls into the larger

communities where we live and work. That’s why we’re involved in every-

thing from Komen to United Way to disaster relief. We even have our own

foundation that awards grants to non-profits in our communities.

$4.6 MILLIONIN PRODUCTS AND FUNDS WERE DONATED TO CHARITABLE INITIATIVES DURING 2011 BY MOHAWK INDUSTRIES AND OUR EMPLOYEES.

OVER

OUR WORKING COMMUNITY OUR LIVING COMMUNITY

Mohawk Options is FSC® Recycled 100% Post Consumer Waste, Green E Certified,

and Green Seal Certified.


You’ve seen how we’re making sustainability work across every aspect

of our organization–from our processes…to our products…to our

people. As we continue to work towards a more sustainable world,

we hope that you will too. We encourage you to keep the environment

top of mind–whether you’re a designer, specifier, facilities manager,

architect, or anyone else involved in the design and care of spaces.

And remember, when you specify Mohawk, you’re doing something

good for the planet. Together we can make sustainability work.

SUSTAINABILITY THAT WORKS

| 1975 WEST OAK CIRCLE, MARIETTA, GA 30062 | MOHAWKGROUP.COM | 800.554.6637

WE WANT TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE

Whatever you need to make better-informed, sustainable flooring decisions, we’re

here to provide it. We can help you figure out the best solution for your particular

application, guiding you through all our different brands, carpet styles, colors,

backings and more. If you have questions or would like to discuss your projects

needs with us, please contact your local Mohawk Group account executive or

call us at 800.554.6637.

RECOVER CARPET RECYCLING PROGRAM

Each year, an estimated 6 billion pounds of carpet waste is sent to landfills across

North America. Our ReCover program helps reduce this waste by allowing customers

to dispose of their old carpet without having to send it to the landfill. If you would

like to recycle your carpet, just call us at 877-3RE-CYCL (877-373-2925).

© 2012 The Mohawk Group

Lees: Beautiful Abandon CollectionCharacter Lines, City Fragments, Vacant Beauty

MOHAWKGROUP.COM | 800.554.6637

SUSTA SLT0003489

SUSTAINABILITY

By printing on Mohawk Options The Mohawk Group is preserving 41 trees, saving

17,617 gallons of wastewater flow, and conserving 29,376,000 BTUs energy.

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