by KRISTI YORK

When asked about his company, Lanart Rug president Derek Galbraith has a unique response. “It sounds a bit archaic to say we’re in the carpet business,” says Galbraith. “I prefer to say: ‘Do you have one of those rectangular black mats with the square pattern? Well, that’s what we make.’ ”

The 1-by-1.2-metre (3-by-4-foot) Marathon utility mat has consistently been a popular item at Costco. The latest version (now known as the Nordic Entrance Mat) is waterproof and made from 100% recyclable materials. Widely used in homes and businesses, it has become a defining product for Lanart. “I always get great feedback about it,” Galbraith says. “It is a tough, sturdy mat that is ready for all types of Canadian weather.”

Founded in 1992, the company itself has also had to show toughness during the past two years. In the early days of the COVID-19 shutdown, Lanart continued to conduct sales online. However, in April 2020, an accidental fire completely destroyed its 190,000-square-foot manufacturing facility just south of Montreal. Fortunately, no one was hurt—but the company’s inventory and manufacturing equipment went up in flames.

Galbraith and his team rallied to find a new direction. “The non-woven equipment that makes the [Nordic Entrance Mat] is similar to the machines that make masks and gowns,” Galbraith explains. “Prior to the fire, we were in the process of converting some of our equipment to fabricate these items for the pandemic. We still wanted to make that happen.”

After a month of research and development, Lanart embarked on a new venture to manufacture 4 million L2 disposable gowns for hospitals and health care workers across Canada. “We had a new sense of purpose, we kept the majority of our staff employed and we were able to make a difference,” Galbraith says. Lanart is currently rebuilding its facility and will continue to manufacture the Nordic Entrance Mat as part of its Rug Basics brand.

To keep up with increasing demand, this proudly Canadian company also has a distribution centre in British Columbia. In addition to protecting entryways and outfitting front-line workers, Lanart has products to beautify your home. Its versatile mats, rugs and runners reflect the latest trends with a variety of colours and patterns.