1987 Seventh Annual FCIF Banquet Honoring H. Arthur Williams, President and CEO of Mannington Mills, Inc.
FCIF’s seventh annual banquet was held on January 31, 1987 in the Westin Hotel’s Wellington Ballroom in Chicago. The honoree that evening was H. Arthur Williams, President and CEO of Mannington Mills, Inc.
Williams was a well-known figure in the floor covering industry, having dedicated 40 years of service to the field. His career began at Armstrong, where he worked for 15 years and eventually became Product Manager of Tile and Adhesives. In 1961, he joined Mannington Mills as Assistant to the President, later advancing to Executive Vice President, and ultimately becoming President and CEO in 1969. Known for his integrity and fairness, Williams built a reputation for honesty and reliability in business relationships throughout his career. At the time of the banquet, he had already announced his retirement to be effective April 1st of the same year, but Williams remained deeply invested in the future of the industry and continued offering his insights and guidance.
Williams' long-standing expertise was particularly focused on resilient products, though under his leadership, Mannington Mills expanded to include carpet, ceramic tile, and hardwood floors. His perspective on the evolution of the resilient floor covering sector, from manufacturing to marketing, was widely respected. In addition to his role at Mannington Mills, Williams served on the boards of various organizations, including FCIF, as well as the Resilient Floor Covering Institute and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce.
Born in Canton, NY, Williams held a BS in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s in Management Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, he served during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Williams had two adult daughters and lived in Northfield, NJ, with his wife, Mary.
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