Mohawk History
Mohawk Industries is one of the world’s largest floor covering manufacturers and distributors and is a leading producer of yarn, ceramic tile, area rugs and bath mats. Headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia, Mohawk designs, manufactures and markets woven and tufted broadloom carpet, area and accent rugs and mats and a variety of hard surface flooring products. The Company provides goods for all significant market segments, distribution channels and price points. Included in Mohawk’s family of brands are some of the most popular and prestigious names in the industry: Aladdin, Alexander Smith, American Olean, American Rug Craftsmen, American Weavers, Bigelow, Dal-Tile, Galaxy, Harbinger, Helios, Horizon, Image, Karastan, Lees Carpet, Mohawk, Mohawk Home SmartStrand, World, WundaWeve, Custom Weave, and Unilin.
Mohawk Industries’ 125 year history of excellence is a lasting part of the American floor covering industry. It is a story of innovative ideas and of hard working people who built a company in the 19th century that remains an industry leader today.
Since its inception in 1878, outstanding products have made Mohawk the most recognized carpet brand in history. Mohawk Carpet Mills had its beginning in 1878 when four brothers from the Shuttleworth family brought 14 second hand looms from England to Amsterdam, New York. By 1908, the fledging firm introduced a new carpet, Karnak, and its success was instant and phenomenal. Flooded with orders, the Company’s weavers worked four to five years without changing either the color or the pattern on their looms.
In 1920, the Shuttleworth Brothers Company merged with the nearby firm of McCleary, Wallin and Crouse to form Mohawk Carpet Mills, Inc. The corporate name was derived from the Mohawk River Valley in upstate New York where the city of Amsterdam was located. Even in the 1920s, mergers were strategic and designed to give the resulting company a competitive edge. The new Mohawk firm became the only mill in the United States to produce all domestic weaves of carpet: Wilton, Axminster, Velvet and Chenille.
Toward the close of the 1930s, Mohawk introduced Shuttlepoint, the first high and low loop textured design; Raleigh, the first sculptured effect in carpet; and Grosvenor, which by 1950 bypassed Karnak as the all-time Mohawk best-seller.
The 1950s became a period of expansion for Mohawk. The Company moved south, constructing manufacturing facilities in Mississippi and South Carolina. In 1951, Walt Disney Studios designed "Tommy," one of the most identifiable and effective company mascots in the history of American business. The "Tommy Mohawk" character was created for a series of animated television commercials with titles such as Tommy Tests Carpets, Tommy Plants Carpet Seeds, Tommy Falls for Minnie and others.
The 50’s became a period of expansion for Mohawk. Manufacturing facilities in Mississippi and South Carolina were constructed. In January of 1956, Mohawk Carpet Mills, Inc. and Alexander Smith, Inc. merged to form Mohasco Industries becoming the largest carpet manufacturer in the world.
In 1956, Mohawk and Alexander Smith, Inc. merged to form Mohasco Industries, at that time the largest carpet manufacturer in the world. Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company had a proud heritage dating to 1845 in West Farms, New York. The company’s innovations in Axminster, Moquett and Tapestry weaving made carpeting an affordable purchase for the middle class.
During the next fifteen years, through product innovations, market expansions, mergers and acquisitions, Mohasco became a leading producer of interior furnishings. The company expanded its offerings from carpets and rugs to include furniture, as well. At this time, Mohasco’s sphere extended to 81 locations throughout the United States, with domestic manufacturing operations at 26 plant locations in twelve states.
The Mohawk flair for inventiveness continued in the design shag category with the introduction in 1973 of Canyon Paradise. Introduced to rave notices, it became an instant success and for over two consecutive years achieved retail sales in excess of $50 million. In 1974, Mohawk established its Mohawk ColorCenter Dealer program. This program became the blueprint for successful retailer/manufacturer relationships. Even today this program remains the cornerstone of Mohawk’s efforts and the company’s mascot, Tommy, remains a visible part of the company through the ColorCenter program.
In January 1989, a group of company executives returned Mohawk Carpet to its roots by negotiating a buyout of the carpet manufacturing component from Mohasco Corporation. As the dynamics of the 1990s evolved, Mohawk remained steadfast in its vision to be one of the world’s leading high quality, value-oriented producers of carpet and rugs. Beginning in 1992, a series of strategic mergers and acquisitions redefined not only Mohawk, but the entire floor covering industry.
Each acquisition was uniquely suited to complement Mohawk’s strengths...Horizon Industries in 1992; American Rug Craftsman and Karastan-Bigelow in 1993; Aladdin Mills in 1994; Galaxy Carpet Mills in 1995; certain assets from Diamond Carpet Mills in 1997; Newmark Rug Company, American Weavers & World Carpets/WundaWeve in 1998; Durkan Patterned Carpets and Image Industries in 1999; Alliance Pad in 2000; Dal-Tile and American Olean in 2001-a move that made Mohawk a leading supplier of ceramic and stone floor covering-and Lees Carpets in 2003. Each of these companies’ strengths-technological advances; distribution networks; product innovations; customer bases; marketing strategies; employee excellence-was blended into the overall organization.
In just a few short years, through aggressive acquisitions and internal growth, Mohawk created a strong, diversified company - the world’s largest floor covering supplier, the country’s leading recycler of plastic soda bottles (which become polyester carpeting) and one of the country’s largest and most efficient distribution companies with a fleet of hundreds of trucks crisscrossing the highways of America each day.
The key to Mohawk’s success is the more than 25,000 employees who work diligently to produce, distribute, market, sell and support an expansive line of products. These men and women use state-of-the-art equipment to produce yarn, to tuft and weave carpet and rugs and to create ceramic tile. They apply cutting-edge logistics to transport yarn and finished goods across the county. They develop award-winning product designs, customer-friendly marketing strategies and committed customer support. The employees of Mohawk range from entry-level manufacturing and clerical employees to professionals recognized as industry leaders. Mohawk prides itself on a positive work environment and an opportunity for employees to improve their educations and work toward promotion.
Today, Mohawk sells floor covering and textiles for every room in the home and for every commercial application. Hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, ceramic tile flooring, stone and marble flooring and, via an exclusive distribution agreement with Congoleum, vinyl sheet flooring are among the newest Mohawk product offerings. What’s more, the company now offers woven bedspreads, tapestries, pillows, throws and window blinds. Mohawk products are found in major retailers across the country and the world. From Home Depot to Bloomingdales, from Lowe’s to Macy’s, from Target and Wal-Mart to specialty boutiques in large cities and small towns. Mohawk is making the world a more beautiful place.
From the original Shuttleworth Brothers in 1878, through the efforts of hard working, dedicated and skilled employees, Mohawk has built a reputation for value, design, service, quality and innovation-a reputation that will extend the company’s legacy into homes, offices and public spaces for many years to come.
