Element K Chosen for First Wide-Scale e-Learning Deployment in the Carpet and Flooring Industry
Element K, a leading provider of corporate e-learning solutions for information technology and business skills training, announced today that it has signed an agreement to provide its fully-hosted e-Learning solution to Shaw Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet. Shaw Industries is the first company in the carpet and flooring industry to deploy a wide-scale e-Learning program.
Shaw Industries will use Element K’s e-Learning solution to provide consistent training, particularly in business and technology skills, to its geographically diverse divisions and to all employees requiring computer application training. The initiative also directly supports one of Shaw’s core principles – to attract, develop and retain the best people, in-part through continued education and training.
Shaw Industries, known in the carpet and flooring industry for innovation, regularly introduces new technologies and processes to nearly 30,000 employees in manufacturing plants and distribution centers in six states and twenty metropolitan areas. Element K’s e-Learning solution will help Shaw disseminate these technologies and also enable employees to increase knowledge and skills from their desktops, resulting in improved efficiencies and performance company-wide.
The agreement includes Element K’s learning management system (LMS) and access to Element K’s Office Productivity library. Element K’s LMS will provide Shaw with the opportunity to integrate proprietary content as needed in the future.
“Today’s innovative companies, like Shaw Industries, recognize that e-Learning is no longer merely an option to classroom training. e-Learning can be a strategic, competitive advantage, whether in the development of innovative products, the consistent dissemination of information, employee retention, or increasing workforce productivity,” commented Terry Nulty, president of Element K. “This agreement demonstrates that Element K’s e-Learning solution can help meet the business needs of customers in a variety of industries.”
“Shaw Industries chose e-Learning because the company is committed to offering employees access to knowledge – both to enhance their personal and professional lives and to further our company’s innovative culture,” said Jim Berry, CIO at Shaw Industries. “We chose Element K because they have a shared commitment to learning, nearly 20 years of experience in the industry – and, most importantly, because we were impressed with their knowledgebase, particularly on their support services teams.”
About Shaw Industries
Shaw Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is headquartered in Dalton, Georgia. With approximately $4 billion in annual sales and more than 30,000 employees, Shaw is the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet and the largest manufacturing employer in the state of Georgia. The company has over 70 manufacturing plants in 30 communities and six states, and modern distribution centers are located in 20 metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Shaw also has international manufacturing with its joint venture to produce carpet and rugs in Mexico.
Shaw has a tradition of manufacturing, distributing, and marketing the highest quality carpets at the lowest cost to all its domestic and international residential and commercial customers. The company is also noted in the carpet industry for innovation, leadership, product performance, quality, service, and value. With a production the equivalent to 528,000 miles of carpet, Shaw Industries’ U.S. operations comprise 373 acres of buildings and over 300,000 rolls of carpet in its “Just In Time” inventory. More information on the company can be found at www.shawinc.com.
About Element K
Founded in 1982, Element K is a leading provider of corporate e-Learning solutions for information technology and business skills training serving Fortune 1000 companies, universities, government organizations and individuals. A pioneer in IT training, courseware development and e-Learning, the company’s Web site (www.elementk.com) offers subscribers in 144 countries 24/7 access to more than 800 online courses on a wide range of IT and business topics. These include office productivity, design and media, computer programming, Web development, databases, hardware networks and operating systems, Cisco internetworking and telephony, as well as e-business, project and business management, and workplace safety. Element K’s integrated online solutions feature instructor-led online courses, self-paced tutorials, a comprehensive reference library and dynamic interaction with experts and peers. The company also hosts an online learning environment integrated with a powerful learning management system. More information on the company can be found at www.elementk.com.
