Innovation: the key to the future

Because they are organic, businesses are always changing. InterfaceFLOR believes the direction of change can be influenced by empowering people to think about what might be possible and desirable - for the company and its customers - in the future.

At InterfaceFLOR, we pursue innovation. We believe that radical thinking will help us to achieve our vision of becoming sustainable - and ultimately restorative - by 2020.

The pace of change is accelerating. Our challenge is to see beyond what is probable in the short term, and to reach out for solutions that will answer the demands of customers and society in the longer term.

By thinking back to what interiors and floors were like 20 years ago, we can try to imagine how they will change and look in another 20 years. What materials will be most economically viable? How will designers respond to changes in the prevailing social conditions? How will shortages of raw materials such as oil affect our market place? What effect will global warming have on architecture and interior design?

The InterfaceFLOR Innovations Network has been established to consider the implications that arise from these questions. Its task is to assess the likelihood of these issues becoming reality and then to develop solutions that answer the emerging challenges in a sustainable and socially responsible way. Our goal is to create an innovations pipeline that will keep us at the forefront of our industry, and help us to evolve as a company that is in tune with social and environmental expectations.