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In 1958, one year before Hawaii became the 50th state in the Union, a husband and wife team of Raymond and Carol Mori launched a new flooring business designed to capture a share of the burgeoning multi-family housing market in this territory on the verge of statehood. Looking back on the history of Island Flooring, our growth has mirrored the development of Hawaii, and our successes have paralleled the many accomplishments of our magical state.
Supporting the houSing Boom
In the 1950s, Raymond Mori had already been serving as a painting contractor in the islands for several years, and he was very aware of the expansion opportunities ahead for Hawaii. He decided to focus his business exclusively on flooring, concentrating on the residential housing market. He and his wife saw the tremendous economic growth predicted for Hawaii after statehood, and by concentrating on this market segment, they could maximize their profitability. This strategy supported Island Flooring for the next 10 years.
Of course, the attraction of an economy backed by the U.S. government spurred growth in hospitality. More and more people sought to visit the islands, and new hotels were required to satisfy the increased tourism demand. The education market also became an area of focus for the company as the state's increasing population resulted in a need for more schools. In the early days, carpet and vinyl tile were an essential staple for Island Flooring. The Moris started with approximately four installers working primarily on Oahu, home to the state's capital and largest city, Honolulu.
A LeAderShip poSition
Over the next 56 years, the Mori family successfully built...