Parkett Magazin – i4F: John Rietveldt in an interview of the month

We are thrilled to share Parkett Magazine’s interview of the month with our CEO, John Rietveldt.

The official interview in German is available here.

The English translation is available below.

i4F at Domotex: A New Era of AI-Driven Innovation

At Domotex, i4F commanded attention with a new brand presence under the motto ai4F, visualizing the patent and technology specialist’s new strategic approach. The goal is to fundamentally integrate AI into the company to accelerate innovation – making it more efficient and intelligent through scientific analysis and data-driven insights. Parkett Magazin spoke with i4F founder and CEO John Rietveldt about this complex topic.

Parkett Magazin: Mr. Rietveldt, you kicked off 2026 with two trade fair appearances: Domotex in Hanover and TISE in Las Vegas. How do you evaluate both events in hindsight?

John Rietveldt: Domotex was very well attended this year, and many leading industry players were there. Despite current market challenges, we felt a very positive energy. Our licensees were particularly enthusiastic about our AI strategy, ai4F, and our latest technologies – i4F Stair Tread Technologies, i4F CeraGrout® for walls, and i4F HerringB/ONE, our i4F Drop-Lock single-plank solution for herringbone floors. Everyone is aware that constant change has become the new normal, and the industry is actively seeking smarter, more meaningful ways to innovate.

As for Surfaces [TISE], even a severe snowstorm across much of the U.S. didn’t stop visitors from attending, which speaks volumes about the current momentum. For us, both events were not just an opportunity to showcase products, but to present our new mindset. Innovation is no longer defined by isolated progress – it’s about structure, connectivity, and providing technologies as part of a system. That is why we introduced our new AI strategy, which positions AI as a practical, long-term tool integrated into everything we do – to better support our licensees, facilitate decision-making, and optimize performance.

Ultimately, this marks the beginning of a forward-looking development aimed at continuously improving product performance through structured scientific analysis, particularly regarding click systems and the material composition of decorative panels.

Parkett Magazin: What role do trade fairs play for you in general?

John Rietveldt: Nothing can replace personal interaction. At trade fairs, we bring technologies to life and gain insights that drive real innovation. They offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with our licensees, as well as professionals like installers, partners, retailers, and potential customers.

There is no substitute for the physical demonstration of our technologies – it provides clarity, makes them easier to understand, and allows visitors to truly experience the value. This helps us strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones. Most importantly, we receive authentic feedback and can exchange ideas, which helps us understand market needs and shape our future solutions. We feel an obligation to be where the industry converges; it is vital for future development.

Parkett Magazin: In Hanover, you presented a new booth under the motto ai4F. What is the concept behind it?

John Rietveldt: ai4F is our new strategic blueprint based on the vision of integrating AI as a fundamental layer within i4F. This is intended to transform our mindset, our innovative power, and the continuous evolution of our technologies.

Parkett Magazin: “Constant change has become the normal” – that sounds a bit general. Can you describe this new AI strategy in more detail?

John Rietveldt: Ultimately, we are building a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to redefine how profile selection and performance optimization are approached for every type of licensed product, reducing the need for laborious milling tests. Primarily, we focus on gaining a deeper understanding of how click systems reach peak performance and identifying the best material compositions for decorative panels.

Parkett Magazin: What do you expect from AI integration for your company?

John Rietveldt: By merging extensive data on material compositions, click systems, and real-world performance, the AI continuously learns and generates data-driven recommendations. This includes adjustments to compositions and processes that lead to better results. A reporting framework aligned with measurement protocols ensures consistent, comparable results, while specialized research partnerships allow us to quantify and understand this at a deeper level.

Parkett Magazin: And how do your licensees benefit?

John Rietveldt: They benefit at every stage. From the start, they get clearer insights into market trends based on real data, providing a solid foundation for strategic decisions. In development and manufacturing, AI helps simplify implementation and ensure quality by virtually reducing endless tests. It identifies exactly which profile or technology is best suited for their specific materials and desired performance. This ensures greater certainty, faster development cycles, fewer errors, and ultimately fewer complaints. In short: AI helps licensees move from guesswork to informed decisions.

Parkett Magazin: You already used AI actively at your booth in Hanover. The eye-catcher was your new AI chatbot, “disguised” as a phone booth. How does it work?

John Rietveldt: Yes, we introduced our first conversational ai4F agent, which can interact in three languages: English, German, and Chinese. Our ai4F Pod is exciting because it merges the analog and digital worlds. Visitors could place a product sample with an NFC tag on the scanner; the Pod recognizes the technology immediately, links to our website, and answers questions based on our knowledge base. It’s a dynamic system that gets smarter with every conversation – a big step toward networked knowledge exchange in the flooring industry.

Parkett Magazin: You also brought new technologies like “Stair Tread Technology.” What is that?

John Rietveldt: We introduced two new patented stair technologies to solve a major challenge: making stairs a seamless unit with the floor rather than a separate, add-on element. By perfectly matching the stair covering in material, decor, and structure to the floor, we create a fluid transition. There are L-shaped and U-shaped profiles compatible with all stair types. They are water-resistant, easy to install without aluminum profiles or structural changes, and work with SPC, LVT, WPC, laminate, and wood – though we are starting with SPC as it’s the fastest-growing segment.

Parkett Magazin: CeraGrout® technology was also a focus. It’s not brand new, but you’ve diversified it…

John Rietveldt: Exactly. We introduced i4F CeraGrout® Wall, an extension that brings the aesthetics of modern rectified ceramic tiles from the floor to the walls. It perfectly mimics the look of tiles with integrated grout but offers practical benefits: it’s more hygienic, easier to clean, waterproof, and easier to install or replace. It allows for a uniform ceramic look across floors and walls without the labor associated with traditional tiling.

Parkett Magazin: What must your innovations and technologies fulfill? How do you select them?

John Rietveldt: For us, innovation means intuitive solutions that solve real challenges, deliver measurable performance, are effectively scalable, and stay ahead of expectations regarding design, installation, and recyclable materials.

Parkett Magazin: Which technology has been the most successful to date?

John Rietveldt: Easy installation combined with high water resistance remains at the heart of our developments. Our i4F Drop-Lock Technologies are the foundation. Take i4F HerringB/ONE as an example: traditional herringbone relies on A and B planks, which creates complexity in manufacturing and logistics. With i4F HerringB/ONE, we used our i4F Drop-Lock expertise for a simple, intuitive single-plank system. This simplifies installation, reduces waste, and improves efficiency while maintaining the authentic design the market wants.

Parkett Magazin: How open is the flooring industry to innovation, especially your AI strategy, given it’s a traditional environment?

John Rietveldt: Absolutely open! There is real momentum for AI globally, and our industry is no exception. AI is no longer just a future concept; we see practical benefits today. It helps structure complexity and improve decision-making. Instead of being disruptive for disruption’s sake, AI is becoming a natural extension of how we develop and implement innovation.

Parkett Magazin: What is on your agenda for the rest of the year?

John Rietveldt: Our priorities are clear: we will continue to advance our core and new technologies while evolving our AI capabilities to eliminate time-consuming processes that add no value. Geographically, we are continuing our expansion in all regions, with a strong focus on Europe and the USA. Germany remains one of our most important strategic markets. This year is about evolution: strengthening our portfolio and ensuring our technologies are the first choice for industry players who want to generate real value.

This concludes the interview conducted by Claudia Weidt.