Adding Value Through The Years1846
Philadelphia Carpets Company is founded to produce velvet carpets, beginning a legacy that spans the history of carpet in America.
1946
Clarence Shaw, father of CEO Robert E. (Bob) Shaw and J.C. (Bud) Shaw, co-purchases Star Dye Company, a company to dye rugs, spreads, and robes.
1946
Harry and Helen Saul expand their existing part-time chenille robe business into the full-time venture, Queen Chenilles, featuring the slogan "Fit for a Queen."
1958
Robert E. (Bob) Shaw becomes CEO of Star Dye, now jointly owned by Bob and J.C. He quickly decided to start dyeing carpet.
1967
J.C. Shaw organizes a holding company to acquire Philadelphia Carpet Company. The holding company adds Star Finishing, which evolved out of Star Dye, to the fold one year later.
1971
Philadelphia Holding Company goes public as Shaw Industries, Inc.
1972
Shaw takes the first step toward vertical integration by acquiring New Found Industries to generate its own yarn supply.
1973
Recognizing the potential of continuous dyeing processes, Shaw acquires Elite Processing, a state-of-the-art continuous dye plant.
1982
Shaw creates its own trucking subsidiary, dramatically improving the quality and speed of shipments to retailers nationwide.
1982
Shaw significantly expands direct sales to small, independent retailers, providing better service and removing costs from their bottom lines.
1983
Shaw establishes regional distribution centers. By the end of 1983, Shaw maintains six regional DCs. Shaw opens three more in the following two years and 20 more over the next twenty.
1983
Shaw acquires six yarn spinning mills, furthering its vertical integration and giving Shaw 100 percent of its own yarn supply.
1984
Shaw launches PRIDE, its internal quality process. The training, tracking, and goal-setting helps Shaw manufacture products to the highest quality standards.
1987
Shaw Industries purchases WestPoint-Pepperell Carpet and Rug Division, acquiring the Cabin Crafts and Stratton brands and adding 40 percent to the company's sales volume.
1989
Shaw Industries acquires the carpet division flagship Evans & Black brand of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., adding 30 percent to sales volume.
1992
Shaw Industries acquires Salem Carpet Mills, Inc., adding 25 percent to sales volume with the Salem Carpets and Sutton brands.
1992
Shaw acquires Amoco's polypropylene fiber production facilities, becoming the largest producer of polypropylene fiber in the world. The move helps Shaw customers capitalize on the tremendous growth of Berber styles.
1992
Shaw launches Home Foundations, a comprehensive carpet program designed specifically for builders.
1993
As area rugs grow in both use and popularity, Shaw forms the Shaw Rugs division.
1998
Shaw merges with Queen Carpets. Their respective strengths form a company even more committed to meeting the needs of the marketplace and bringing value to customers.
1998
Shaw commits to being a full-service flooring supplier by creating the Hard Surfaces division with the launch of Shaw Ceramics.
1999
Shaw Contract receives the Georgia Governor's Pollution Prevention Award for its revolutionary EcoWorx backing system, which is 100 percent recyclable into the production of more backing.
2000
Shaw says "yes" to its proposed acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., the holding company of renowned financier Warren E. Buffett, who has been called the ultimate long-term investor.
2002
Shaw opens its new, state-of-the-art laminate manufacturing facility. It is Shaw's first step into the manufacturing of hard surface flooring.
2002
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway acquires the 12.7% of Shaw Industries it didn't already own, giving it 100% ownership.
2003
Shaw completes its purchase of the north Georgia operations of the Dixie Group, acquiring such brands as Carriage Carpets, Bretlin, and Globaltex.
2006
Robert E. Shaw, the only CEO the company has ever known, and President Julian Saul, both announce their retirement, ending an era in both Shaw's as well as the industry's history. Vance Bell is named Shaw's new CEO and Randy Merritt is named President.
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