Interview Archives

August 2, 2011—Tracy Hammond, VP with Dutco Worldwide, and Kemp Harr discuss details around the new U.S. debt agreement that should be signed into law today. Tracy has an enlightened perspective as a Washington insider who also serves as the lobbyist for the Carpet and Rug Institute. Listen to the interview to hear details about the compromises that were made on both sides of the isle.

July 29, 2011—Charlie Dilks and Jeff Meadows, with CCA Global and Beaulieu of America respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the new Resista Refresh carpet collection--one of the major product launches rolled out at the Flooring America and Carpet One conventions this week in Anaheim. Listen to the interview to hear Charlie give details about why CCA Global picked Beaulieu's carpet to update the Resista carpet assortment in all Carpet One and Flooring America stores. To help with this launch, Resista will be advertised this Fall on cable television stations.

July 28, 2011—Eric Demaree, President of Carpet One Floor and Home and Kemp Harr discuss Carpet One's tone of membership and what Carpet One members are doing to gain market share. Listen to the interview recorded at the CCA Global Convention in Anneheim, CA to hear more about Carpet One's retail approach and about some of the new products being rolled out at the convention.

July 27, 2011—Keith Spano and Jim Duff, Co-Presidents of Flooring America and Flooring Canada and Kemp Harr discuss some of the highlights from this week's Flooring America Convention in Aneheim, CA. Listen to the interview to hear more about how the members are feeling about the state of retail based on current market conditions, the new Flooring America 3 year plan and some of the new products being introduced.

July 26, 2011—Jack Raidy, President and owner of W.F. Taylor, and Kemp Harr discuss Taylor's new pressure sensitive flooring installation film that has been developed as an alternative to troweled-on flooring adhesive. This innovative new film can be used on install carpet tile, luxury vinyl tile, VCT, Sheet flooring and even wall base. Listen to the interview with Jack to hear more about this product and current business conditions.

July 22, 2011—Georgina Sikorski, Executive Director with CARE, and Kemp Harr discuss the smooth implementation of California AB 2398, a new state law that requires consumers to pay a $.05 per square yard recycling fee on all new carpet purchased in California. Listen to the interview to also hear more about CARE's 2 Billion yard milestone and where most recycled carpet is used today.

July 20, 2011—Santo Torcivia, the leading economist who focuses on the Flooring Industry, and Kemp Harr discuss the latest edition of the U.S. FLOOReport. Listen to the interview to hear Santo talk about his economic outlook, anticipated increases in exports with reductions in imports, continued shifts in where consumers buy flooring and which product categories will grow in the coming years.

July 19, 2011—Tom Levi, President and Co-owner of Levi's for Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss Tom's growth and continued success as an independent flooring retailer in central Ohio. Listen to the interview to hear more about his successful strategy.

July 18, 2011—Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist with the National Association of Manufacturers, and Kemp Harr discuss Chad's outlook for economic growth for the second half of 2011. Listen to the interview to hear Chad discuss why he has a positive outlook for the second half of the year.

July 12, 2011—Ron Braam and Mike Junkins with Manufacturers Chemicals, and Kemp Harr, discuss the company's success at moving away from petroleum based chemicals to chemicals made from plants or waste stream by-products. Manufacturers Chemicals produces yarn processing lubricants, specialty dyes, levelers and dispersants. Now owned by publicly traded Synalloy, Manufacturers Chemicals is one of the original core chemical suppliers to the carpet industry.