DALTON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2007--California's Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has awarded Tandus, a commercial floorcovering company based in Dalton, Ga., an $83 million carpeting supply contract in connection with all future renovations and new construction projects throughout its nine college district, over the next five years. It is the largest such contract awarded, as well as the most environmentally sustainable, in the history of the flooring industry.

"LACCD consciously challenged the flooring industry to significantly improve the sustainable character and long term quality of carpet for the numerous public construction projects that will be using this contract. Tandus not only met the sustainable challenge, but offered a superior value to win this important bid," said Larry Eisenberg, Executive Director for Facilities Planning and Development for the LACCD.

This landmark, district-wide carpet bulk procurement comes on the heels of the LACCD's commitment and dedication to provide a better quality of life for its students through sustainable initiatives that are not only quantifiable, but that demonstrate stringent protocols for all future building projects.

With the support of its Board of Trustees, the LACCD worked to set environmental guidelines that all bidding vendors were asked to meet within their products/contracts. These requirements included:

-- Manufacturer has to demonstrate the ability to recycle products at the end of their useful life;

-- Minimum of 90% recyclability of all materials;

-- Third party certification that no antimicrobials have been added to products;

-- Third party certification that products are environmentally preferable;

-- All products must meet U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Guidelines to environmental marketing for recycled content;

-- 40% recycled content on all backing materials, met by third party certification; and

-- Minimum 10% recycled content on face yarn construction.

In addition, the manufacturer must have a take-back program in place for its products. To date, Tandus is the only carpet manufacturer with a sustainable warranty that guarantees that all carpet returned will be recycled in its entirety and that no portion will be landfilled, incinerated (including waste-to-energy), or disposed of in any other way.

Meeting the above requirements and beyond, Tandus' ER3(R) modular carpet tile and ER3 cushioned Powerbond(R) will now be the standard carpeting in any new and renovated projects in schools within LACCD's jurisdiction. In addition, these products meet the California Gold Platinum Standard.

"Tandus commends the LACCD for its thoroughness and rigor of their selection process, as well as its obvious demonstrated commitment to the environment," said Glen Hussmann, President and CEO, Tandus. "Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and we are honored to be embarking on such a positive path with LACCD, making a lasting and positive difference in the quality of life for its students through sustainable initiatives. We are proud to be the supplier chosen and recognized for our capabilities in design, technology and sustainability brought together in unison for such a flooring project."

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (LACCD)

The largest community college district in the United States, the LACCD, or the District, serves over one hundred cities and communities within a geographical area covering eight hundred and eighty-two square miles. The nine colleges within the District educate more than 188,000 students a year and include: Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College and West Los Angeles College. The mission of the District is to provide comprehensive lower-division general education, occupational education, transfer education, counseling and guidance, community services, and continuing education programs which are appropriate to the communities served and which meet the changing needs of students. More information can be found online at www.laccd.edu.

TANDUS

Tandus creates floorcovering solutions that enhance spaces for learning, working, healing, and living through inspired design, leading-edge technology, unprecedented achievement toward sustainability, and an absolute commitment to continued leadership. Drawing upon each brand's individual strengths, Tandus offers its customers single-source innovative product design and technology, comprehensive services, and environmental leadership. For more than 40 years, Tandus has been examining all the ways to be a better corporate citizen and environmental steward -- and then taking actions that lead to demonstrable, meaningful, quantifiable results. Based in Dalton, GA, Tandus can be found online at www.tandus.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Tandus Group

Tandus Group

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