Exclusive Stories

Executives across the rug sector point to a measured reality: AI and data tools are accelerating workflows and improving communication, while craftsmanship and human judgment remain central to the business.

From domestic production to global diversification, the soft flooring industry is confronting a new era of trade challenges.

As the U.S. area rug industry navigates a shifting global trade landscape, tariffs have emerged as a powerful dichotomy—at once a disruptive force and a catalyst for reinvention. Manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers alike are recalibrating sourcing, pricing, and distribution strategies to adapt and stay flexible, all while contending with the broader headwinds of inflation, volatile shipping logistics, and persistent economic uncertainty.

Domestic and global rug manufacturers alike are redefining what “Made in America” means—blending automation, agility, and design innovation to thrive amid shifting consumer trends.

As consumer expectations evolve and the retail landscape shift America’s area rug makers are rewriting the playbook on how to compete — and win — in a changing global market.

In the area rug industry, it is not uncommon to have siblings or an extended family working together to carry forward the family business of selling rugs. What is less common, however, is for that family unit to function together with great harmony and success for more than a quarter of a century.

“We believe labor is an important part of the supply chain, and our workers must be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” declares Patrick McDarrah, President of Emma Gardner Design, in New York City.

The Golden Milestone Marks a Legacy of Craftsmanship, Versatility, and Family

For five decades, Momeni Inc. has been a cornerstone of the area rug industry, known for its expertise, resilience, and steadfast dedication to excellence.

45 Years of Tradition, Innovation, and Family Friendliness in the Rug Industry

In the area rug industry, there is an elite group of industry veterans who have not only been in the rug trade for over four decades, but who have been trendsetters and taste makers in the industry, and who have had their family along with them to carry the business forward for the new generation.

Couristan steers business into the future with renewed focus on handcrafted quality and a bolstered leadership team of industry veterans. As it approaches its centennial milestone in 2026, Couristan—an iconic family-founded business in the flooring industry—is embracing its past while stepping boldly into the future. Known for nearly a century of producing handcrafted and machine-made rugs, broadloom, and custom carpets, the company is strategically positioning itself for growth, leveraging its storied heritage while adapting to the ever-changing landscape of floor coverings.