Northport Flooring America remains dedicated to installing floors its customers adore
By Adam Cook
Visitors to the Northport Flooring America showroom are greeted by a wide array of flooring options, from luxurious hardwoods and plush carpets to modern laminates and stylish tiles.
While the spotlight is on comparing the latest trends and timeless classics on display, the behind-the-scenes efficiency and customer-centric service truly set this iconic Akron landmark apart as one of the region’s premier, full-service flooring companies.
The locally owned store is an industry powerhouse. Peel back the layers and a picture of meticulous planning, robust training and a commitment to quality emerges. Northport has an in-house edge with a deeply ingrained culture of personalized service.
“The people here truly care, and every customer has a name; they’re not just a number,” says Donny Green, a co-owner of the company and key figure in its back-of-the-house operations, speaking for the other co-owners Derek Fay, Steve Walbolt and Mike Guhde.
Northport strives to deliver a cohesive and satisfying experience beyond the showroom.
“We want to take care of customers from start to finish and ensure they have a great experience from the moment they walk in the door and browse the remarkable selection of flooring options to years after their installation is complete,” Donny says.
The store leverages its extensive buying power through Flooring America, the world’s number one purchaser of flooring materials.
In an era where impersonal online shopping often dominates, Northport’s approach stands out. Combining the reach and resources of a cooperative with more than 500 stores with the attentiveness of a locally owned store presents a unique value proposition.
“We have a one-, two- and three-heart warranty system, where each heart represents a different level of protection,” Mike says. “The highlight is our no-exceptions guarantee. If customers don’t adore their floor, they can pick out a new one. Thanks to our affiliation with Flooring America, we can leverage the strength of a 500-store network to offer these industry-best warranties. This guarantee covers both product quality and the installation, providing unparalleled peace of mind for customers.”
The affiliation with the cooperative also offers customers unmatched selection and pricing.
After the sale, back-of-the-house operations shine, and materials are ordered and received at Northport’s on-site warehouse.
“Having an on-site warehouse is a luxury many of our competitors don’t have,” Mike says. “It enables us to keep everything under one roof, from sales to operations. Our point-of-sale system also has an inventory management feature, so we can see what’s available in the warehouse at the click of a button. Jerry at the warehouse does a fantastic job maintaining inventory levels.”
As the warehouse manager since 1978, Jerry Supple’s dedication to managing every inch of inventory to ensure every job runs smoothly exemplifies the enduring reliability of Northport Flooring America. Its long tenure highlights not only operational excellence but also the enduring relationships that have come to define the company for many in the region.
And unlike many in the industry, Northport has long-term relationships with its installers, too, to ensure an equally consistent level of reliability. These professionals undergo continuous training by experts often brought in through Northport’s partnership with Flooring America.
“Training is a cornerstone of our operations,” Donny says. “Our installers participate in specialized programs to keep up with the latest industry standards, from waterproofing techniques to carpet seaming. This commitment to ongoing education ensures that our installations are always top-notch.”
Customization is another defining feature.
“We offer customization that many shops can’t, like carpet binding for area rugs,” Donny explains. “We can cut and shape rugs to fit any living space and finish the edges in our warehouse. This ability to provide custom sized and shaped area rugs and the necessary cushioning almost always in stock sets us apart from others who have to outsource.”
Customer-centric service makes all the difference.
“We stay humble and rooted in our family business tradition,” Donny says. “Unlike corporate giants, we treat our customers like family. We take pride in our work and focus on genuinely caring for our community. We know we won’t always be perfect, but by remaining realistic and dedicated to our customers, they, in turn, take care of us. That’s what’s kept us around all these years.”
Customer satisfaction is not just a goal; it’s a guarantee, harkening back to the one-, two- and three-heart warranties. At heart, Northport remains a family business. This connection drives its commitment to quality and service, ensuring every customer feels like family. The company’s approach is humble and realistic as it strives to improve and stay true to its mission of delivering exceptional flooring solutions.
From the backroom to the showroom, Northport is committed to ensuring that its floors are not just walked on but adored for years.
Northport Flooring America invites you to explore the showroom at 661 Portage Trail W in Akron and NorthportFlooring-America.com. To speak to someone on your design journey, dial 234-206-3792.