About van Gelder Inc.
van Gelder Inc. is a family-run business with over 47 years of experience in specialty flooring products. Our extensive range includes entrance matting, anti-fatigue flooring, logo and commercial mats, modular carpet tiles, the TacFast® Carpet Tile System, grid matting systems, and luxury vinyl planks and tiles—just to name a few. These products continue to play a vital role in creating safe, clean, and visually appealing commercial interiors and entranceways.
We are committed to continuously improving our offerings to meet and exceed LEED and environmentally friendly standards. Our dedicated sales, customer service, and support teams are well-equipped to handle all your matting and specialty flooring inquiries.
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We understand that you have choices when it comes to commercial flooring and matting. Our team looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you on future projects.
Sal & Mariette van Gelder
Sal and Mariette van Gelder, a Dutch and a french immigrants, founded Charles van Gelder Importers, Inc. (AIA member) in 1978. The business began in upstate New York as a distributorship for Axminster wool and other flooring products, initially sourced from a Quebec-based company that was liquidating inventory. Within four years, the company became solely owned and operated by the van Gelder family. Over time, the product offerings expanded to include padding, sundries, Magee carpets, and van Gelder’s own private-label brand—Guildcrest.
Early 1980s Expansion
In the early 1980s, the company branched out beyond traditional carpeting, leveraging international relationships to introduce high-quality, durable fiber-bonded carpet to the U.S. market. These carpets were designed to capture up to 80% of dirt, dust, and moisture before it could damage interior environments. This innovative product, also known as needlepunch carpet, carved out a unique market niche. During this period, regional distributors began sourcing entrance matting and carpet tiles directly from van Gelder.
Strategic Growth
The company adopted a two-fold strategy:
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International Trade Expansion: The focus remained on offering premium imported needle-punch carpet and tiles to its Northeast clientele.
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Domestic Geographic Expansion: A national agent network was developed to reach new customers across the United States.
In late 2012, the name “Charles” was officially dropped from the company name, as Charles had not been involved in operations for many years. The company rebranded as van Gelder Inc.
Present Day
Today, van Gelder Inc. blends legacy with innovation. Led by a management team with deep experience in international trade, design and development, we remain committed to offering cutting-edge flooring technology. Our product line now includes health-conscious, environmentally sustainable options such as:
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Needlepunch carpet tiles that combat dust mites, bacteria, mold, and fungi
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Flooring solutions designed to reduce triggers for asthma and allergies
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Tiles with recyclable backing
We pride ourselves on producing the highest-quality needle-punch flooring in the industry, complemented by a growing portfolio of solutions for every environment. Our advanced technology and personalized service allow us to offer unmatched flexibility and lead times. With a second-generation leadership team at the helm, we continue the legacy established over four decades ago—rooted in integrity, guided by innovation, and inspired daily by our dedicated employees, customers, and vendors.
Always first class since 1978.
