Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1545365
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 15, 2026 19 its headquarters, and roughly 300 employees elsewhere, with most based at four locations in Georgia, where HMTX has warehouse, product testing and customer service facilities. Overseas, the company maintains offices in the Netherlands, Ireland, Shanghai, Korea and Hong Kong. Stone said Connecticut provides strong access to talent and proximity to New York's legal, banking and financial ecosystem. But he acknowledged that the state's housing costs make it difficult to place lower-wage jobs here. "We have to limit it just to the high- paying jobs," Stone said. HMTX also became the lead plain- tiff in a yearslong legal challenge to Section 301 tariffs — duties imposed on a wide range of Chinese imports during President Donald Trump's first administration. The company has argued the tariffs were imposed improperly and has been seeking refunds on duties it paid, Stone said. HMTX and two subsidiaries filed suit in 2020. After losing in the U.S. Court of International Trade and on appeal, the company petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. The court has not yet decided whether it will hear the case. "We are questioning the legality of the method by which the first Trump administration put the tariff at the level they did and the manner that they did it," Stone said. HMTX's experience reflects a broader trend among manufacturers, according to Tao Lu, academic director of the University of Connecti- cut's master's degree program in supply chain management. Tariffs, political uncertainty and rising labor costs have prompted many companies to diversify produc- tion beyond China in recent years, Lu said. But the trend hasn't been universal. Many manufacturers continue producing in China because of its relatively low labor costs and exten- sive supplier network, and moving production elsewhere can take years, Lu said. Growing against headwinds Meanwhile, the broader flooring market has been under pressure, according to Stone. Higher borrowing costs, sluggish home sales and weaker renovation spending have weighed on demand. Even still, HMTX grew about 4% last year while the broader luxury vinyl tile flooring market contracted by about 3.5%, Stone said. "If the market's not growing, you've got to take the share away from some- body else," he said. The company is now looking to build on that performance under new leadership. Stone said the CEO search began in January following the departure of former chief executive Debarati Sen, and focused on finding someone with leadership experience in large home-improvement businesses, as well as the right cultural fit. Ahmad was chosen following a search that included both internal and external candidates. "In the end, Imran was the best person for the job," Stone said. Ahmad said he was attracted to HMTX because of its scale, growth potential and reputation for innovation. His first-year priorities include developing a business strategy that will support long-term growth for the company, he said. "The first year is laying the founda- tion, the structure, the investments that we need to then grow over the next, not just one year, but over the next two to five years," Ahmad said. "That strategy, that capability, that structure, the investments, all of that is going to be the priority over the first year." 'High-paying jobs' Connecticut remains an important part of HMTX's identity, even though its manufacturing footprint is global. The company is based in a 24,000-square-foot Norwalk headquar- ters building that opened in 2022. Two nearby 12,000-square-foot buildings support back-office operations, and one is currently being rebuilt. Stone said the company employs about 50 people in Connecticut, mostly in higher-level positions at Imran Ahmad was named CEO of HMTX Industries in May. HBJ Photo | Michael Juliano 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 | 860.242.8586 | pdsec.com Flex Shop Space For Rent CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE PDS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC Startline Business Park 100 South Satellite Road, South Windsor Individual Bays 1,200 SF to 10,000 SF INCLUDES • Bathroom • Unit Heater • 14' Overhead Door CONTACT DANJ@PDSEC.COM IF INTERESTED.