Interface Thailand Dedicates Factory to CEO Dan Hendrix
Interface, a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of carpet tiles and widely recognised as an environmental pioneer, today dedicated its Thailand factory to honour current CEO and Chairman of the Board Daniel T. Hendrix. At a dedication ceremony today at the Amata Nakorn Industrial Park in Chonburi, Hendrix was joined by business associates, friends and family who were on hand to celebrate the special occasion. The group included Mr. Charoen Usanachitt, founder and Chairman of Modernform Group Public Co., Ltd., the company’s original joint venture partner.
“This factory and its people hold a special place in my heart,” said Hendrix, who joined Interface in 1983 and has served as the company’s CEO since 2001. “It was a privilege to negotiate the original joint venture with Modernform, which resulted in a lifelong friendship with Charoen, and to choose the land upon which the factory would be built. It has been gratifying to watch the business grow, and even more gratifying to watch our local Interface associates integrate their own beautiful culture with the culture of Interface. It is truly uplifting, and I will remember this day as a highlight of my career.”
Hendrix was saluted by Interface associates, including Rob Coombs, President and CEO of Interface Asia-Pacific, who said, “When this factory was born, it gave our company a manufacturing stronghold in Asia and cemented our global presence. We have Dan to thank for leading the team, for this factory is now one of the safest, most productive and most efficient in our global portfolio. It is fitting that Interface honours Dan by dedicating the factory to him.”
Sangob (Sonny) Auloong, General Manager for Interface Thailand, reflected on the growth and success the factory has enjoyed since its construction in 1996. Over nearly 20 years, it has:
• Increased its workforce from 50 to 350 highly engaged, efficient and experienced staff that provide manufacturing, distribution, financial, and supply chain services to Interface’s customers throughout the Asia Pacific region.
• Served as home to the Universal Fibres regional yarn processing plant, and established a design centre that services Interface’s Asia Pacific customers.
• Significantly increased its production capacity by expanding in 2007, thereby doubling its size and simultaneously becoming the first LEED® certified building in Thailand.
• Served as a vital resource following the destruction of Interface’s Australian plant in 2012, and was instrumental in maintaining the success of Interface Australia’s business until its new plant was commissioned in 2014.
Auloong went on to say that the factory has always had a champion in Hendrix as it strives to help the company achieve its ambitious environmental and social goals. “The Thailand team has been inspired by Dan’s leadership to create a highly engaged and active program supporting a low environmental footprint and a strong connection with the local community. Most importantly, he understands that the critical factor for our success lies in our people and the culture in which we operate. Interface Thailand’s ability to foster a happy and productive workforce is a testament to his efforts in this area. He understands the importance of our culture.”
About Interface, Inc.
Interface, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial carpet tile. For 42 years, the company has consistently led the industry through innovation, and now leads the industry in environmental sustainability. It is setting the pace for development of modular carpet using materials and processes that take less from the environment, and is well along the path to “Mission Zero®,” a 21-year-old company-wide promise to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. Interface’s worldwide carpet manufacturing facilities maintain third party registration to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard, and it obtained the first-ever Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the commercial floor covering industry in North America. The company is recognized globally for its commitment to build environmental considerations into its business decisions. For additional information: interface.com and blog.interface.com.
