By Kathy L. Collins
Since merging with Sergenian’s, a Madison, Wisconsin based company, G. Fried Flooring America has grown and become a strong contributor to the local economy. G. Fried Flooring America is number 40 in the top 50 U.S. specialty retail floor covering stores. G. Fried Flooring America is located at 9329 E. Adamo Dr. in Tampa.
Rufus Ashby, a resident of Valrico, is President of the Florida Division. Ashby has a lifetime of experience in the flooring business. There are currently three G. Fried Flooring Americas in Florida- Tampa, Sarasota and Jupiter. The Tampa location alone employs 20.
Under Ashby’s direction, G. Fried Flooring America has become more diversified and economically strong. In addition to retail flooring, they have commercial sales associates and insurance and restoration sales associates who work in all facets of construction, restoration and remodeling projects. Ashby said, “This makes us more diversified so if one segment of the economy goes into decline, we not have all our eggs in one basket. This diversity and increased sales makes us stronger financially.”
G. Fried Flooring America is committed to its customers from the time of sale through installation. This applies to both residential and commercial customers. G. Fried Flooring America is also committed to the environment. Ashby explained, “No carpet that we remove from a customer’s home or business will ever end up in a landfill.”
G. Fried Flooring America has been a perennial winner of the Best of Brandon for Floor Covering stores. They were the 2012 Longboat Key Small Business of the Year, and they were the Sarasota Herald’s Readers’ Choice Award for best floor covering store for 12 years in a row.
Ashby’s commitment to his customers extends to the community as a whole. Ashby is a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 and a member of the Board of Directors of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as a Board of Trustee with Brandon Regional Hospital.
Ashby said, “As a company we support many charities, Chambers and civic groups throughout the year.”
For more information on G. Fried Flooring America, please call 435-9793 and Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flooringamerica#!/flooringamericatampa.
