DALTON, Ga. — Mohawk Industries has announced it will buy Australia’s largest carpet maker. The transaction is expected to be completed during the first half of 2018.

In a press release, Calhoun-based Mohawk said it had agreed to acquire Godfrey Hirst Group, “the leading flooring company in Australia and New Zealand.”

“Mohawk’s strategy in Australia and New Zealand has been to build a leading position in the flooring market,” said Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Mohawk’s chairman and chief executive officer, in the press release. “Godfrey Hirst’s marketing, manufacturing and distribution leadership will complement our current hard surface distribution and strengthen our portfolio. We will leverage our global flooring resources and talent to support Godfrey Hirst’s outstanding management and accelerate their growth strategies.” 

Terms of the deal were not announced, but the Australian Financial Review reported the deal is worth “just shy of” $600 million Australian or about $455 million American.

“They (Godfrey Hirst) have a facility in Calhoun,” said Dave Foster of TalkFloor with Floor Trends magazine, which covers the floorcovering industry. “They are the largest wool flooring producer in the world, and they have been operating in the U.S., and all over the world, for a long time. It’s basically a high-end product. It’s a most interesting move for Mohawk.”

The press release says Mohawk operates a warehouse and sales network in Australia and New Zealand “to distribute the company’s wood, laminate, LVT, vinyl and carpet products.”

Established in 1865, Godfrey Hirst has been owned and operated by the McKendrick family for the last 50 years, and, according to the press release, CEO and Chairman R.G. “Kim” McKendrick will continue to run the company.

“This is a great opportunity for Godfrey Hirst, our employees, customers and suppliers,” said McKendrick in the press release. “Mohawk and Godfrey Hirst share a long history as flooring industry leaders and a commitment to product innovation, design and superior customer service. This common heritage in our cultures, performance expectations and focus on excellence will enhance our growth opportunities in both soft and hard flooring.”