history

1960: Founding Unilin
In 1960, several families from south-west Flanders who were active in the flax industry began producing flax chipboards in Ooigem. They called the company 'Unilin'.

The 70's
The company grew fast but the availability of flax was limited, so in the seventies Unilin decided also to use wood as a raw material. This resulted in the production of wood chipboards. In 1973 Unilin further expanded its production capacity, and the name Unilin Benelux was adopted. The company, which would later be renamed 'Unilin Systems', started the production of insulating roof elements. In 1998 the Dutch company Unilin Mulipré joined their ranks for the production of prefab roof elements.

1989: Production of laminate floors begins
The acquisition of Fibrolin in 1989, a producer of melamine chipboards, results in the start of laminate floor production and the introduction of the Quick-Step® brand name. In 1992 the name Fibrolin was changed to 'Unilin Decor'.

1997: The invention of Uniclic
The year 1997 is a historical milestone in the history of laminate floors. Quick-Step® was the first manufacturer to market a glueless, integrated click system: Uniclic. This revolutionary click system is patented worldwide. The Uniclic system is unique because the planks can either be joined together using a rotating movement or simply by tapping them together on a flat surface. Uniclic has won many awards and the system is patented worldwide.

1998: Production of melamine chipboards and kit furniture
The acquisition of Tivapan in 1998, stimulates the further growth of melamine chipboards, and initiated a new activity to its list: the production of kit furniture.

1998: Own production of MDF/HDF starts
In the new manufacturing unit in Bazeilles (F), Unilin started its own production of MDF (Medium Density Fibreboards) and HDF (High Density Fibreboards) in 1999. MDF is used for the production of melamine chipboards and HDF as the basis for the Quick-Step® laminate floors. This is part of the vertical integration within the Unilin Group.

2001: Production of laminate floors in America begins
To meet the growth potential of the American market, Unilin acquired the Columbia Flooring plant in Thomasville (NC). This site is used for the production and distribution of Quick-Step® laminate floors in North America.

2003
In the town of Wielsbeke (B), Unilin Flooring completed a fully-automatic warehouse centre (CDC) with a capacity of 22,554 euro pallets. The logistics are centralised in Belgium and laminate floors are delivered to more than 100 countries. In the beginning of July 2003, the laminate floors unit was given a new name: Unilin Flooring. At the end of 2003, Unilin acquired an HDF production unit in Mount Gilead (US). As a result of these acquisitions, Unilin became the only company on American soil with complete control of the entire manufacturing process of laminate (vertical integration).

2005: Acquisitions
At the beginning of 2005, Unilin Decor acquired Hizodecor. Unilin Systems further strengthened its market position in Western Europe by acquiring Opstalan in the Netherlands. Unilin Flooring finalized the construction of a new production plant in Thomasville (NC). This high-tech manufacturing facility has a production capacity of 100 million m²/year. In July 2005, the Unilin Group was acquired by Mohawk Industries Inc.

2007
Integration of a new product line, engineered wood, in the Flooring division.