Shaw Industries has a long and storied history that has led the company to become one of the world’s leading flooring manufacturers. Its origins can be traced back to 1946, when it was first founded as Star Dye Company, a small business that dyed tufted scatter rugs. Throughout Shaw’s decades long history, the company’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations for quality, service and performance has remained at the heart of Shaw’s business model. “Great People. Great Products. Great Service. Always.” is Shaw’s mission.
Star Dye Company expanded dramatically when it added carpet finishing to its service offerings and became Star Finishing Company. In 1967, a holding company was formed to acquire Philadelphia Carpet Company (founded in 1846), and Star Finishing was added to the fold a year later, marking the company’s first move into carpet manufacturing.
By 1971, the holding company had gone public as Shaw Industries, Inc., with approximately $43 million in sales and 900 employees. And in 1985, Shaw made its first appearance on the list of America’s largest corporations, the Fortune 500, with more than $500 million in sales and close to 5,000 employees.
Shaw began a new chapter in its history in 2001 with its sale to Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. The holding company of investor Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway is known for buying and holding businesses that have a dominant market share, have strong management teams, and are considered under-valued in the stock market. With this transition, Shaw ended its tenure as a public company.
The late 1990’s and early 2000’s were filled with product diversification and growth in new product categories including: laminate, hardwood, carpet tile and turf. During this significant time of expansion, Shaw also began introducing environmentally friendly products. Shaw launched its pioneering, sustainable EcoWorx carpet tile in 1999. The company’s flagship product – sold via Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial and Shaw Contract brands – was the first flooring product to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification and was one of the first products of any kind to achieve the certification. Now, almost 90 percent of the products Shaw manufactures are Cradle to Cradle Certified– a testament to the company’s commitment to creating a better future for people and the planet.
In 2016, Shaw Industries grew its hard surface offerings by acquiring US Floors, an innovator and marketer of composite core flooring, as well as cork, bamboo and hardwood products. With the addition of US Floors, Shaw became a leading provider of resilient luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring–one of the fastest growing and highly demanded flooring categories amongst homeowners.
Today, under the leadership of President & CEO Tim Baucom, the organization has grown to more than 20,000 associates worldwide united in Shaw’s vision to create a better future for its customers, people and communities. Shaw proudly meets its diverse customer needs through an expansive portfolio of brands, including: Anderson Tuftex, COREtec, Floorigami, Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract, Shaw Floors, Shaw Sports Turf, Southwest Greens and more. The company is excited to enter an exciting new chapter of its history all the while still guided by its mission of “Great People. Great Products. Great Service. Always.”