Interface Inc.

Interface Inc. is one of the most distinctive stories in the global textile and flooring industry, founded in 1973 by Ray C. Anderson in LaGrange, Georgia. What began as a modest venture to bring European carpet tile technology to the American market quickly grew into a global phenomenon that would redefine not only the flooring industry but also corporate thinking on environmental sustainability.

Ray Anderson established the company originally under the name Carpets International, with the ambition of making modular carpet tiles — a concept that was innovative at the time — accessible to the American commercial and institutional market. The company produced its first carpet on New Year’s Eve, 1973, employing just 15 people. In 1982, Carpets International was rebranded as Interface Flooring Systems, Inc., a name that better reflected the company’s growing portfolio and international reach.

Interface became the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet tiles, a position it has maintained for decades. The company sells its products in more than 100 countries and operates manufacturing plants in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Thailand, and the Netherlands. Its portfolio includes modular carpet tiles, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and Nora brand rubber flooring.

In 1994, Ray Anderson underwent a profound personal transformation regarding environmental responsibility, leading Interface to launch Mission Zero — a pledge to eliminate any negative environmental impact by the year 2020. This commitment to sustainability became a defining characteristic of the company, inspiring other corporations to pursue greener business practices. Interface subsequently launched its Climate Take Back initiative, aiming to restore the environment beyond simple neutrality.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Interface Inc. employs approximately 3,600 people worldwide and remains a publicly traded company. Its products are widely used in corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and hospitality environments across the globe.