Shaw Industries recently supplied a 60,000-square-foot resilient sheet vinyl to be used in one of four temporary hospitals being constructed to serve the greater New York City metro area during the COVID-19 pandemic. This order was specifically for the Westchester County Center, a large convention center in White Plains, N.Y.
An internal team was mobilized to get credit approved, the product priced, and inventory released, all by Saturday, March 28. Product and adhesive were moved from Calhoun to Ringgold that evening. By Sunday morning, product had been transported from Plant LG in Adairsville to Plant 47 in Ringgold. The carrier arrived at Plant 47 to be loaded.
Both Plants LG and 47 are normally closed on Sunday, yet, 10 associates volunteered to come in and work to load the truck on their day off. By 10 a.m., the truck was on the road. On Monday, March 20, the truck was unloaded in White Plains and installation began.
In less than 48 hours from receiving that email, 60,000 square feet of flooring was installed. A building that usually houses basketball games, trade shows, and special concerts, now has a floor to accommodate the sick and those in need as a result of COVID-19.
As of Tuesday, March 31, another order has been placed. More flooring is needed for tents being set up in adjacent parking lots.
“We may ask ourselves if flooring is truly ‘essential’ during these difficult times,” said Dean Orem, divisional vice president of global logistics. “This is a great example showing how we can and do make a difference. The whole team stepped up and executed in this time of need.”
“Those 10 associates that came in to work on Sunday, they are the lifeblood of our company,” said Phillip Dial, Shaw Industries’ senior director of distribution. “For them to come in to help and serve, that tells volumes about our people. Our team definitely has a great sense of accomplishment from this.”
