Early Life
Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum was born on October 24, 1954, in Calhoun, Georgia. His parents, Shirley and Alan Lorberbaum, were migrants from New York City. They founded Aladdin Mills in 1957, a company initially focused on manufacturing bathmats and rugs. Growing up in the carpet industry, Lorberbaum developed a strong work ethic and an understanding of the business from a young age.
Rise to Success
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1976, Lorberbaum joined Aladdin Mills. He held various leadership positions, including Vice President of Operations from 1986 to 1994. In 1994, Aladdin Mills merged with Mohawk Industries, a pivotal moment in Lorberbaum's career. He became the President of Mohawk in 1995 and CEO in 2001.
Key Business Strategies
Under Lorberbaum's leadership, Mohawk Industries experienced significant growth, largely through strategic acquisitions. A notable acquisition was the $1.8 billion purchase of Dal-Tile in 2002, making Mohawk the world's largest tile-maker. Another key acquisition was Unilin, a Belgium-based maker of laminate flooring, acquired for $2.6 billion in 2005. These acquisitions expanded Mohawk's product portfolio and geographic presence, allowing the company to cater to a broader customer base.
Philanthropy
The Lorberbaum family has supported educational causes from early childhood development through higher education. The exact monetary amounts for these philanthropic efforts are not readily available, but the family is known for supporting education.
