Interface, the world’s leading manufacturer of modular carpet tiles, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark this milestone, CEO Laurel Hurd sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss the company’s history, achievements, and future plans.
Founded in 1973 by Ray Anderson, Interface has been at the forefront of sustainable business practices since its inception. Anderson was inspired to make a change after reading Paul Hawken’s book “The Ecology of Commerce,” which highlighted the negative impact that businesses were having on the environment. He set out to create a company that would have a positive impact on the planet, and Interface was born.
Over the past 50 years, Interface has become a leader in sustainability, with a commitment to zero waste and carbon neutrality. The company has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 96% since 1996 and has set a goal to become carbon negative by 2040. It has also developed innovative products such as the Net-Works program, which collects discarded fishing nets from coastal communities and turns them into carpet tiles.
In the interview, Hurd reflected on the company’s achievements and the challenges it has faced along the way. She acknowledged that while Interface has made significant progress in sustainability, there is still much work to be done. “We’re not perfect, but we’re committed to continuous improvement,” she said.
Hurd also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company and the carpet industry as a whole. While the pandemic has presented challenges, she sees it as an opportunity to accelerate the shift towards sustainable business practices. “The pandemic has shown us that we need to be more resilient and adaptable,” she said. “We need to build more sustainable and regenerative systems that can withstand shocks like this.”
Looking to the future, Hurd sees Interface continuing to lead the way in sustainability and innovation. She highlighted the company’s focus on circularity, which involves designing products that can be reused or recycled at the end of their life. “We want to create a world where waste doesn’t exist,” she said.
In conclusion, Hurd’s interview provides insight into the history and future of Interface, a company that has been at the forefront of sustainable business practices for 50 years. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, Interface’s commitment to sustainability and innovation will be more important than ever.
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