Founder of NWFA dies, aged 93
The National Wood Flooring Association founder passed away on February 19th, the day after his 93rd birthday, having injured himself moving snow in January.
The NWFA was founded in 1985 after Virgil Hendricks came up with the revolutionary concept of an industry-wide association for everyone involved in the hardwood flooring sector.
Hendricks took on the role of president for the association for the first five years of the association’s existence and, despite his advancing years, he continued to work as the president of his company, Mid-West Floor Company.
Jonny McSwain, former NWFA president, told Hardwood Floors Magazine: “He was a great mentor and I have a lot of respect for him because he put this whole thing [the NWFA] together.”
Colleagues were quick to pay tribute to the industry veteran who was said to live for his work and his passion for solid wood flooring.
General Manager at Lockwood Flooring, George Roth, told the magazine: “There’s nobody in the industry that had more passion for his businesses and people than Virgil Hendricks.
“Working with him for ten years, I never knew him to have a hobby outside of his businesses. It was a real honour and a pleasure to work with Virgil.”
The National Wood Flooring Association now has over 3,500 members across the world and prides itself on being ‘the ultimate source of information for wood flooring professionals.
