Kennesaw, Ga., Oct. 27, 2008—The Mohawk Group's commitment to "green" just got a boost—of gold. The commercial carpeting manufacturer's Chicago showroom has achieved gold-level certification from U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED-CI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Commercial Interiors). One of an impressive few Merchandise Mart showrooms to boast the coveted LEED recognition, the recently renovated and expanded space was designed by Ken Wilson, founder and principal of Washington, DC-based environmental firm Envision Design.

"This remarkable achievement speaks volumes to our overarching sustainable design philosophy," said Lewis Perkins, director of sustainable strategies for The Mohawk Group. "The Mohawk Group strives to be the most environmentally responsible organization inside and out, and our showroom is just one more way we are driving The Mohawk Group's mission forward."

The Mohawk Group's sustainable design approach aligns with the company's commitment to environmental solutions through recycled materials, daylight harvesting and use of locally manufactured products, among many others. Some of the showroom's most sustainable features—by the numbers—include:

• 100 percent of energy requirements are offset through green energy credits
• 99 percent of demolition, construction and packaging debris were diverted to uses
  other than a landfill
• More than 85 percent of all wood for the construction and furniture were sourced from
  well-managed forests and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
• 59 percent of all products and furniture specified in the construction were manufactured
  within a 500-mile radius
• Mechanical system exceeds ASHRAE 62.1-2004 requirements by 30 percent for
  outside air and ventilation

"When designing a sustainable space, it's essential that it truly reflects the character and mission of the customer," said Wilson. "The Mohawk Group is a firm believer in the importance of environmental responsibility—for its products, processes and now its showroom. The company should be proud of this LEED accomplishment."

A Showcase of Sustainability
"Our goal for the showroom was to capture our holistic approach to business—one centered on bringing people together and fostering innovative ideas—while highlighting our commitment to sustainability," added Perkins.

Unveiled to the public in June at NeoCon World's Trade Fair, the LEED Gold showroom is The Mohawk Group's first introduction of its new brand strategy and customer-centric business philosophy. The space showcases new products from each of the company's four brands—Karastan Contract, Lees Carpets, Bigelow Commercial and Durkan—as well as the company's "green" innovations including its PVC-free Encycle® modular backing system and the Greenworks Center.

To view The Mohawk Group's "virtual showroom" visit www.themohawkgroup.com/leedshowroom.

As a division of Mohawk Industries, The Mohawk Group is a long-standing industry leader in floor covering. It is driven by a philosophy of "innovation that works"—for its company, its customers and the environment. The flooring manufacturer strongly focuses on environmentally sound practices and innovative product and service solutions. For more information about Mohawk's sustainability initiatives, visit www.mohawkgreenworks.com.