SVB Wood Floors owner Steve Brattin talks about being Chairman of the NWFA’s (National Wood Flooring Association) Board of Directors for 2024, and the opportunity it provides to give back to the industry that has given him so much over the last 30 years.
What Is the NWFA?
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is an international not-for-profit trade association representing all segments of the hardwood flooring industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, installers, importers/exporters, inspectors, and consultants. NWFA’s mission is to unify and strengthen the wood flooring community through technical standards, education, networking, and advocacy. They offer various programs and services including hands-on and online training. They host an annual Wood Flooring Expo, publish Hardwood Floors magazine, and feature an international Wood Floor of the Year Contest.
NWFA Vanguard and Ambassador Service Awards Winner
Steve has won two prestigious NWFA industry leadership awards in his career – the Vanguard and the Ambassador Awards. NWFA’s Service Awards recognize people who demonstrate dedication and commitment to their profession. Winners actively participate in the advancement of industry programs, projects, and initiatives through volunteerism. Achievements are awarded based on a cumulative summation of areas of service including, but not limited to, participation on NWFA boards and committees, participation in the Hardwood Federation Fly-In, NWFACP proctoring, and contributions to Hardwood Floors magazine.
The Vanguard Service Award is the first award one can achieve. This award requires earning 25 service points. Members can then earn the Ambassador Service Award, which requires earning the Vanguard Award, and an additional 25 service points. Vanguard Industry Leadership Award recipients must be nominated by an NWFA member and receive a majority vote of the NWFA Board of Directors. Steve earned his Ambassador Service award in 2019.
NWFA Relationships Helped Build SVB Wood Floors
Steve joined the NWFA in 2006. He was young and so was his business. He credits much of his success to the knowledge he gained by attending NWFA expos and the relationships he built with other professionals in the industry. He says it took the business to another level because of the partnerships, relationships, and mentors that he was able to surround himself with through his association with the NWFA. Because he had the opportunity to learn and grow through personal connections, he wants to make sure the next generation of young entrepreneurs in the wood flooring industry has the opportunity to make those connections and collect that knowledge as well.
In the Wood Floor Industry, Knowledge Is Key
“In an industry like wood floors, there is a lot to learn. There are right ways and wrong ways to do things,” Steve said. “Knowledge is key.” Because wood floors are a craft, hands-on training is important and knowing the process is critical. “If you have the right training and use the right tools and products, you’ll get great results. If you don’t, you’ll struggle. Obviously, hands-on training is critical for the wood floor installers and refinishers, but even SVB’s sales staff attends NWFA sales advisor training and some of the hands-on training as well. That way, they can walk the customer through each step of the process and answer any questions they may have. Steve was featured in NWFA’s Magazine. Read the article here: Chair’s Cut: Get to Know Steve Brattin
SVB Is a Two-Time Wood Floor of the Year Award Winner
Speaking of craftsmanship, SVB is a two-time winner of the Wood Floor of the Year award. The NWFA’s Wood Floor of the Year (WFOY) awards were developed to encourage and recognize innovative craftsmanship and design in wood flooring installations. Since the program began in 1990, more than 300 awards have been presented to NWFA member companies throughout the world. Judging is based on aesthetic value, quality workmanship, and technical challenge.
In 2009, SVB won the Wood Floor of the Year award from the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association). Making them the first ever Kansas City wood floor contractor to win a national award for wood floor design and installation. That year, there were 142 entries from the U.S., Canada, and Russia. They won Wood Floor of the Year again in 2016. The SVB floor was chosen out of 51 entries made by NWFA members from the United States, Canada, Russia, and Finland. If knowledge is key, SVB definitely knows what they are doing when it comes to wood floors and craftsmanship.
If you are interested in getting wood floors in your home, visit SVB Wood Floors’ showroom in Grandview, or, call them at (913) 359-4157 or (816) 448-8400, or schedule an in-home consultation.
