CLEVELAND (July 03, 2007) – In a move intended to focus product development, marketing and service on the needs of local markets, Tarkett announces a management reorganization to three key regionally-based businesses.

Whereas Tarkett has operated as two global segments, residential and commercial, all businesses within North America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe will now be strategically managed at a local level.

In this reorganization, Tarkett announces the appointment of Jeff Buttitta, president and CEO of Johnsonite, as head of the North American unit. As well as continuing to lead Johnsonite, Buttitta will oversee the other North American commercial and residential Tarkett businesses. Dragan Zarkovic, previously in charge of all global residential business, will lead Tarkett’s efforts in Eastern Europe while Regis de Boissieu, previously in charge of all of Tarkett’s commercial efforts, will lead Western Europe.

“We recognize that there are factors that make each geographic market unique in product needs and service needs, in channel structure and in culture, “stated Buttitta. “By reorganizing into a regional structure, our objective is to better understand and execute against these differences, and to deliver a brand experience that ultimately satisfies the desires of the final customer and our market channel partners, particularly here in North America, a key priority of Tarkett shareholders.”

Day-to-day operations of the separate businesses within North America will continue to be managed locally. Notably, Gilles de Beaumont continues as President of Tarkett Commercial Tile which includes Azrock and Expressions in Houston, TX and Guillaume Laverdure as President of Tarkett residential business headquartered in Farnham, Quebec.

The world wide headquarters of Tarkett is located in Paris, France, was founded over 130 years ago and is now the largest resilient manufacturer in the world with over 28 production centers and sales in more than 100 countries. Its comprehensive product lines are recognized throughout the industry for innovation, excellent design and high quality. The corporation’s core businesses in North America will continue to be segmented into two divisions, commercial and residential. The core products are resilient flooring, including linoleum, rubber, vinyl and vinyl fiber-backed flooring, laminate flooring products and specialty flooring such as accessories, stairwell management, and egress routing systems. In North America the products are marketed under the brand names Tarkett, Domco, Azrock® by Tarkett, Nafco® by Tarkett, Expressions™ by Tarkett, and Johnsonite®.

*Editor's Note: Look for more on this development in the July 23-30 Issue of FCNews.

For additional information or questions, please contact Jeff Krejsa at 800.899.8916 or jkrejsa@johnsonite.com.