Winners of 2021 Emerging Leaders Award Announced

Universal Metro’s Estimation Lead, Victoria Turkich, receives award for young professionals making a difference in flooring

Victoria Turkich“February 2021 — Challenging times require exceptional leadership, and 2020 showed just how critical that can be. Across the country, young men and women in the flooring industry were rising to the challenge, from establishing safety protocols for staff amid a pandemic to helping their communities’ most vulnerable populations, and their creative and thoughtful solutions drew the attention of colleagues and peers.

Each year, the Emerging Leaders Awards recognizes the outstanding talent of people under 40 like these within the dealer/retailer/contractor sector. And this year saw the largest pool of submissions in the award’s history, which was judged by field veterans Ralph Boe and Paul Friederichsen. Among the winners are a president, vice presidents, managers and directors, all of whom are bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas to the flooring world and shaping the future of the industry.

Continue reading “Winners of 2021 Emerging Leaders Award Announced”

Universal Metro’s Unique Installation of Carpet Tile Creates Fully Immersive 360 Experience at The Outer Realm Art Exhibit

How do you push the boundaries on a gallery space? For artist Michael Reeder, creating a fully immersive 360 experience with carpet tile was just the answer. In collaboration with Milliken’s national designers, their Los Angeles-based sales team, and our team of project managers and installation mechanics, Milliken’s DDI process was engaged to create a custom, patterned carpet tile that would extend the canvas beyond the showpiece to the floors and walls that surround it. To do so, the custom carpet tile needed to be as bold and as the artwork itself, and the installation had to be as precise and meticulous as the artist’s showcased work.

Continue reading “Universal Metro’s Unique Installation of Carpet Tile Creates Fully Immersive 360 Experience at The Outer Realm Art Exhibit”

UMI Wins Silver Award for Unique Installation Challenge at Starnet Design Awards

This weekend, Universal Metro, Inc. was honored at Starnet Commercial Flooring’s Annual Design Awards with a Silver Award in the Unique Installation Challenge category.

The complexity of this project was rooted in OSHPD requirements, intricate designs, inherent moisture conditions, and phased scheduling that allowed an acute care facility to remain open and operational during nearly two years of construction.

We’re humbled and gracious for the recognition we received and the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of our team. Additionally, we’re grateful for the Vendor Partnerships that helped us execute this work and the design executed by c|a Architects of Long Beach, CA.

Continue reading “UMI Wins Silver Award for Unique Installation Challenge at Starnet Design Awards”

People’s Choice Gold Winner at 2018 Starnet Design Awards

A healthcare project once again took top billing in the Starnet Design Awards’ People’s Choice category. The Gold was awarded to Starnet Member Universal Metro for its work on the revitalized Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s (CHOC) NICU Wing. The new flooring features vivid colors and imaginative design that beautifies the environment, while creating a space conducive to patient care.
Continue reading “People’s Choice Gold Winner at 2018 Starnet Design Awards”

8 Starnet Members Honored as Floor Focus Future Leaders

“Once a year, Floor Focus Magazine recognizes the best of the up-and-coming talent through its Future Focus awards. Those eligible for the awards must be under 40 years old and employed in the floorcovering dealer segment, including retailers, distributors and commercial contractors. Congratulations to the eight Starnet Members for achieving this distinguished honor.”

We at Universal Metro are especially proud of our very own Director of Sales and Marketing, Grant Petruzzelli, who was among the eight Starnet members honored with this notable award. Continue reading “8 Starnet Members Honored as Floor Focus Future Leaders”

Winners of 2017 Young Professional Award Announced

Universal Metro’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Grant Petruzzelli, receives an award recognizing Young Professionals under 40 in the floor covering industry.

“Chattanooga, TN, January 24, 2017 — Floor Focus is pleased to announce the winners of its 2017 Young Professional Award, which, this year, focused on the retailer/contractor segment.

The award honors professionals, under the age of 40, who have proven themselves to be true leaders and help drive the industry forward.

Candidates must be nominated, and this year’s winners were announced at a cocktail event at Surfaces.

Continue reading “Winners of 2017 Young Professional Award Announced”