I4F shares its views on why the US tariffs on Chinese imports are triggering permanent change in the flooring industry

• Mohawk’s continues to impose expensive license fees for unused patents; actively lobbied against Chinese manufacturers in tariff discussions
• I4F promotes change for the greater good of the industry; offers strongest technologies on the market

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – I4F, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the flooring industry, today shared its views on why the US import tariffs on flooring products coming from China are triggering flooring manufacturers to make changes that will permanently impact their business for years to come.

The company said the time was ripe for manufacturers to renounce the payment of overpriced license fees for weak and unused patents to Mohawk – and its subsidiaries Unilin/Flooring Technologies – who, instead of supporting licensees, actively lobbied against them in favour of the tariff increases. The ten percent import tariff currently active on goods from China into the US is set to rise to twenty-five percent as from January 1, 2019.

I4F is a strong partner of the industry, offering meaningful flooring patents and technologies as well as access to some of the best technologies in the industry, including 3L TripleLock and Click4U. It provides full transparency on the composition of its license fees so that licensees can obtain the best return on investment while avoiding unnecessary payments for unused patents.

John Rietveldt, I4F’s CEO, says, “Mohawk’s prejudiced decision to go up against its own licensees in this issue has been the catalyst for the market to flex its muscles and demonstrate its ability to choose. In stark contrast, I4F has made freedom of choice its ethos since the very beginning. We continue on our strategic path to drive forward and accelerate accessibility to exciting flooring innovations that generate growth for our licensees. For those still hesitating, the moment for permanent change is now. Join I4F as a licensee and take a stand!”