All Three Tandus Brands Honored with Multiple Antron Awards; C&A Floorcoverings Wins Second Consecutive Sustainable Flooring Award.

Business Editors

DALTON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2004

Tandus, a leading manufacturer of commercial floorcoverings, is pleased to announce that each of its three specialized floorcoverings brands - C&A Floorcoverings, Crossley Carpet Mills and Monterey Carpets - were honored March 25, 2004, in the 21st annual Antron (R) Design Award competition.

C&A Floorcoverings and its long-term installation at the Fairbanks (Alaska) International Airport earned its second consecutive Sustainable Flooring Award, while Monterey and C&A both received recognition in the Design Awards. Crossley and C&A were each awarded Product Innovation Awards for their breakthrough products Parallels and Chaos.

"We are thrilled that the outstanding creativity and commitment of our three design teams has been recognized once again with these awards," said Mac Bridger, CEO of Tandus. "Each of our brands has had tremendous success with Antron fibers over the years and we place a great value on our relationship with Invista."

Antron(R) Sustainable Flooring Performance Award

Recognizing sustainable interior design practices through the use of performance-driven flooring in commercial carpet applications, the award was open to projects with floorcovering made with Antron(R) nylon installed 10 or more years ago. This year's Grand Prize winner was Fairbanks (Alaska) International Airport, which features C&A Floorcoverings' carpet, known as Powerbond, that has been on the floor since its original installation in 1979. This year's award marks the second nod for C&A - last year's inaugural Sustainable Flooring Performance Award winner was Prospect Valley Elementary School in Wheat Ridge, Colo., with its 1967 installation of C&A's Guardian I floor covering.

The Fairbanks International Airport provides an unusual combination of challenges that are a recipe for stained, soiled and crushed carpet. However, the resiliency of Antron(R) fiber and the impervious closed cell vinyl cushion backing of Guardian I have proven resistant to the traffic of the passengers who bring a bit of Alaska's winter climate with them. Spring and summer months provide little relief due to the region's river bottom silt soil that is tracked in on feet. Maintenance staff feels prevention is the best defense against stains, soil and abrasive wear from the silt soil, and they perform routine vacuuming and hot water extraction to keep the Powerbond clean.

"The carpet has proven resilient to everything from the everyday challenges of an airport to the abnormal challenges of Alaska," said Mitch Stoutenberg, foreman of terminal maintenance services, Fairbanks International Airport.

Judges noted that carpet was the right selection for the installation for several reasons. "In addition to its cleanability, carpet is the ideal choice for the airport because it maintains temperatures, provides traction and controls noise," said Sheila Sheridan, recently retired director, Facility and Services, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Antron (R) Design Awards

Celebrating the marriage of unique interior design and innovative floor coverings, the Antron(R) Design Award recognizes designers who are setting new standards of creativity in commercial interior design through the innovative use of carpet. Two Tandus product brands were honored with merit awards this year.

Hospitality Merit Winner - C&A Floorcoverings

Hospital administrators decided to thank the employees of Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, Ill., for their hard work by designing a new hospital cafeteria with the ambience of an upscale dining facility. Designers at OWP/P chose an abandoned surgical unit in the center of the hospital campus to house the new facility. Gradating hues, skylights and indirect lighting were used to create an airy feeling. The light color palette and natural light make the 10 foot ceilings appear higher than they actually are and allow light to flood adjacent hallways.

Designers chose C&A Floorcoverings' Binary, a style produced in collaboration with noted designer Jhane Barnes, to define the dining area and control noise. Cleanability was a crucial factor, so a product featuring Antron(R) Legacy nylon with an impermeable backing and waterproof seams was the logical choice for the dining facility. The cafeteria has proved extremely successful with a 40 percent increase in employee traffic within the first two weeks of opening. "This friendly, large cafeteria is a quiet and elegant space," said Juror Clara Igonda, CNI Design. "The varying ceiling planes, wonderful colors and simple, neutral carpet design invites staff to enjoy a relaxing experience."

Large Office Merit Winner - Monterey Carpets

Designers at lauckgroup in Dallas, Tex. used symmetry and proportion in the design of Baker Botts, LLP to create a high-end environment. They relied on indirect lighting, a light palette of finishes and lake views to create a sense of energy in the space. Because a workplace that functions efficiently is important for a law office, the designers worked with the client to develop an innovative layout that locates private offices on the interior, has administrative clusters at office corners and shares lake views with all employees.

The office's curved avodire wood paneled walls and glassed office fronts create strong linear elements balanced by the subtle directional pattern of the carpet. Taos by Monterey Carpets, constructed of Antron(R) Legacy nylon, was used throughout the space. The carpet proves textured enough for corridors, but does not overwhelm small offices with pattern. "The design solution achieved a very professional image," said Juror Dean Newberry, Spillis Candela DMJM. "The carpet is subtle, providing a neutral, yet textural quality to the backdrop."

DuPont Antron(R) Product Innovation Awards

Honoring innovation in aesthetics, color and marketplace usage of new commercial carpet styles constructed entirely of Antron(R) nylon fiber, the Antron(R) Product Innovation Awards are divided into two categories -- broadloom and modular. Gold and silver winners are awarded in each category as well as merit winners.

-- Crossley Carpet Mills' broadloom silver winner Parallels,

takes an unconventional approach to carpet. This floor product

is simple, yet radiates a striking elegance. Loops are

precisely woven over the backing yarns, forming a flat weave.

The result is an intricately patterned, dense construction

that offers high-level performance. Parallels is constructed

of Antron(R) Legacy nylon with high recycled content,

combining color consistency and versatility without

sacrificing performance or compromising environmental

integrity.

-- Chaos, by C&A Floorcoverings, receives a modular silver award

for its paradoxical blend of geometry. Designer Jhane Barnes

developed the dynamic design, drawing inspiration from Chaos

Theory and fractal mathematics. By pushing the capabilities of

proprietary design software, she created a randomly laid

carpet tile with a unique organic expression, constructed of

Antron Lumena(R) solution dyed nylon.

ABOUT TANDUS

Tandus brings together the industry's leading specialized commercial flooring brands - C&A Floorcoverings, Crossley Carpet Mills and Monterey Carpets. Drawing upon the individual strengths of each brand, Tandus offers its customers single-source innovative product design and technology, comprehensive services, and environmental leadership. Based in Dalton, Ga., Tandus is a leading global commercial floorcoverings company. More information can be found online at www.tandus.com.