Chicago, IL – At NeoCon 2009, Mannington Commercial has won a Best of NeoCon Silver award for its innovative online Virtual Library. The first of its kind in the floorcovering industry, the Virtual Library offers a 3-dimensional immersive product library experience, showing Mannington’s full range of carpet and hard surface floorcoverings on any computer with Web access.

Developed to serve the creative process much as a design firm’s product library does – yet without requiring valuable shelf space or creating waste that ends up in landfills – the Virtual Library is much more than a product showcase. It is a design tool that serves the way that increasing numbers of designers work during the early stages of exploring and experimenting with product choices.

“The Virtual Library is designed to leverage how the Web can serve the design community,” says Natalie Jones, Mannington’s Vice President of Commercial Brand Development and Creative Product. “Increasing numbers of designers tell us that they begin their search for products online, rather than with binders. More also want the freedom to work from home, hotels or in transit. The Virtual Library does all of this, dropping our full range of carpet and hard surface products on a user’s laptop.”

Housed on Mannington Commercial’s relaunched Web site, the design tool connects products with the design workplace more closely than ever by integrating with product information, easy sample ordering and sales and sales representative locators, all key functions from a designer’s perspective. Smaller design firms that might not have a robust product library can also access all of Mannington’s available products, and link through for physical sample orders.

It also supports Mannington’s commitment to innovate to reduce the environmental footprint of design and manufacturing processes, increasing the reach of sample binders without increasing the number of distributed physical copies. Because it does not require physical materials for construction and distribution. It can be updated without discarding outdated product or other information (and so never makes its way to landfills).

“As with any smart tool serving designers, the Virtual Library is built to be scalable,” says Jones. “We are continuing to look at the design process and talk with designers, finding ways to complement and enhance it. Phase two, already in the works, will including click-and-drag functionality that allows designers to create their own mood boards, and integration with information on how products can contribute to LEED.”

To use the Virtual Library and begin browsing the new site, visit ManningtonCommercial.com.


The Best of NeoCon jury is comprised of 42 corporate, government and institutional facilities management executives, interior designers and architects, who are responsible for selecting and buying furniture and furnishings for their specific organizations or clients.

Mannington Commercial has distinguished itself as one of North America’s premier manufacturers of high quality floor covering designs for hard and soft surfaces. Its range of choices in both categories is unparalleled, and its sustainability platform is built upon innovative measures to improve closed loop recycling, reduce waste streams and reuse waste materials. Mannington stands upon a better business ethic, better products and a better world for the good of the people who create and use their commercial and residential products. manningtoncommercial.com.