1960: Founding of UNILIN
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 70s
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, division insulation', started the production of insulating roof elements.
In 1988 the Dutch company UNILIN Multipré 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', which will later be
renamed in UNILIN, division panels.
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.
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, division flooring completes 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. 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
At the beginning of 2005, UNILIN, division panels acquired Hizodecor. UNILIN, division insulation further strengthened its
market position in Western Europe by acquiring Opstalan in the Netherlands. UNILIN, division flooring finalised the
construction of a new production plant in Thomasville (NC). This high-tech manufacturing facility has a production capacity of
30 million m²/year.
October 2005
The UNILIN Group is acquired by Mohawk Industries Inc.
2007
Integration of a new product line, engineered wood, in the Flooring division, with 3 production units in the US (Danville,
Holden, Melbourne) and 2 in Malaysia (Sungai Petani).
2009
UNILILN, division flooring acquires Spectrim, a distributor in the UK, which continues under the name UNILIN Distribution Ltd.
2010
Start-up new laminate production site in Russia. First production in 2011.
2011
Acquistion of the Australian distributor Premium by UNILIN, division flooring.
2012
UNILIN signs agreement with ARAUCO to form a joint venture that will manufacture and market laminate wood flooring in Brazil.