Hicksville, N.Y.—Rising energy costs are continuing to take their toll on everyone, especially resilient manufacturers who have reached the breaking point. Two weeks ago, FCNews reported in “Al’s Column” that Congoleum Corp. was initiating a 2% price hike on all residential products effective Sept. 1 (FCNews, July 24/31).

Since then, more escalating energy costs and raw materials price increases have force the company to revise its original notice, said Dennis Jarosz, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Now, on Sept. 8 all residential and commercial products will see a 4% increase.

On or around the start of September, the other major resilient players—Armstrong, Mannington and Tarkett—have each said they, too, will be increasing their prices due to various escalating costs they can no longer absorb.

“In recent months we have absorbed cost increases through continuing productivity improvements and manufacturing efficiencies, and have held pricing as long as we could,” explained Paul Murfin, vice president of sales for Armstrong Floor Products, as the company announced an average 5% hike effective Sept. 1. “This situation is not indigenous to the flooring industry, and hard surface flooring continues to be a great value within the category.”

Armstrong’s price increase is for residential and commercial sheet and tile (VCT) products as well as ceramic and limited laminate offerings. In addition, the company said it will be initiating an energy surcharge on select products.

Mannington Mills said its increase goes into effect with shipments on Sept. 5, and calls for a 5% to 7% hike on all commercial and resilient products.

Like Armstrong, Mannington attributed the increases to several factors, most notable “the rising prices of oil and natural gas which impact both manufacturing and transportation costs.”

At Tarkett, Gilles de Beaumont, president of Tarkett Commercial, said his side of the business will implement a “moderate price increase” of 4% to 6% on all commercial tile, sheet vinyl and linoleum products. It will go into effect Sept. 1.

At press time, there was no announcement of a price increase from Tarkett’s residential business. Company officials said there has been ongoing discussion about what to do in light of the sustained record oil and energy prices, but no final decision had been made.