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Oxi Fresh Wins Franchise Satisfaction Award

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:26:00 GMT

Lakewood, CO, March 15, 2010--Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning said its carpet cleaning franchise has earned a number seven ranking in the Franchise Business Review's 2010 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards.

Mohawk's Color of Spring Sale Begins March 29

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 15, 2010--Mohawk’s Colors of Spring flooring sales event begins March 29 for Mohawk Aligned Dealers and has several new features.

Crossville Offering Most Products in Plank Format

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:12:00 GMT

Crossville, TN, March 15, 2010--Tile maker Crossville is offering all of its products in plank shapes as well as traditional tile shapes.

Interface Upgraded by SunTrust Robinson

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:09:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 15, 2010--The stocks of Interface Inc. has been upgraded.

Consumer Net Worth Grew for Third Straight Quarter

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:02:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 15, 2010--U.S. households grew their net worth 1.3 percent to $54.18 trillion during fourth quarter 2009, according to a quarterly Federal Reserve report.

Sphinx Doubles Size of High Point Showroom

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:56:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 15, 2010--Sphinx by Oriental Weavers has doubled the size of its High Point showroom.

Improving Employment To Give Housing a Boost

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:46:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 15, 2010--Some economists believe that the housing market will withstand the removal of government stimulus in April and will rebound later in the year, with the help of an improving job market and more available credit.

Mannington Names Finalists in Design Contest

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:19:00 GMT

Calhoun, GA, March 15, 2010--Mannington Commercial has named the finalists in the second year of its Tx:Style Design Challenge.

Business Inventories Flat in January

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:32:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 12, 2010--Business inventories were essentially flat in January despite an eighth consecutive sales increase.

Home Furnishings Sales Up in February, NRF Says

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:14:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 12, 2010 – At some point in February, almost every single state had snow on the ground, but that wasn’t enough to keep house-bound consumers from a little shopping therapy.

Consumer Sentiment Dips in Early March

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Ann Arbor, MI, March 12, 2010--Consumer sentiment declined in early March, according the Reuters/University of Michigan index.

Retail Sales Stronger in February Than Expected

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:05:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 12, 2010--U.S. retail sales rose unexpectedly in February, according to the Commerce Department.

Oil Prices Higher, Up 17% Since Early February

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:47:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 12, 2010--Oil prices moved higher above $82 a barrel Friday after the International Energy Agency predicted a surge in Asian economic activity will make up for a fall in developed countries.

Congoleum Quarterly Loss Rises, Sales Fall

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:32:00 GMT

Mercerville, NJ, March 11, 2010--Congoleum Corp. reported a fourth quarter net loss of $8.2 million, or $0.99 per share, compared with a net loss of $6.4 million, or $0.77 per share, a year ago.

Survey Shows Hiring Plans Inching Higher

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Milwaukee, WI, March 11, 2010--A net 5% of employers said they expect to hire in the second quarter, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released Tuesday.

Commercial Delinquencies Rose in Fourth Quarter

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:26:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 11, 2010--Delinquency rates continued to increase in the fourth quarter for most commercial/multifamily mortgage investor groups, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Initial Jobless Claims Fall Second Straight Week

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 11, 2010--Initial jobless claims fell by 6,000, the second decline in a row, according to the Labor Department.

Qu-Cork Gets Greenguard Certifications

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:53:00 GMT

Memphis, TN, March 11, 2010--Global Market Partners Inc. said it is the first cork flooring company in the U.S. to achieve both Greenguard and Greenguard Children and Schools Certification.

Bethany Richmond Discusses CRI's Efforts to Educate Asthma & Allergy Doctors on Carpet

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:33:00 GMT

Bethany Richmond, Communications Manager with CRI, and Kemp Harr discuss the Carpet and Rug Institute's efforts to educate asthma and allergy doctors about the myths surrounding the impact carpet has on patients who suffer with Asthma and allergy symptoms. Listen to the interview to hear about Bethany's reception at a recent doctor's conference.

RugMark Publishes Sourcebook for Designers

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 11, 2010--RugMark USA is continuing its efforts to eliminate the use of child labor in the carpet industry by publishing the GoodWeave Rug Sourcebook.

NSF International Hosting Climate Policy Forums

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Ann Arbor, MI, March 11, 2010--NSF International has partnered with The Climate Registry to host a series of regional climate policy forums throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Pfleiderer Says Offices Searched in Antitrust Case

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:59:00 GMT

Neumarkt, Germany, March 10, 2010--Pfleiderer AG said that its offices were searched in connection with an investigation relating to possible violations of antitrust law.

Pace of Foreclosures Slowing, But Danger Not Over

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:53:00 GMT

Irvine, CA, March 11, 2010--The rate of U.S. foreclosures appears to be slowing.

Roubini Says Risk of Double-Dip Recession Growing

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:21:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 10, 2010--The economist known as Dr. Doom is warning that weak domestic economic data along with Europe's debt crisis is increasing the risk of double-dip recession in the U.S.

Wholesale Inventories Fell Again in January

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 10, 2010--Businesses reduced wholesale inventories again in January even though sales rose for a 10th consecutive month, according to the Commerce Department.

Tarkett Licenses Method To Make Eucalyptus Floor

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:01:00 GMT

Cleveland, OH, March 10, 2010--Tarkett has signed a license agreement with the Australian company Style, owner of patented technology regarding the use of natural fibers.

Joan Ceccarelli Discusses Design Trends in the Residential Market From a Designer Perspective

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:32:00 GMT

Joan Ceccarelli, Residential Interior Designer in Park City, UT, and Kemp Harr discuss residential flooring trends and Joan's role on the Surfaces Education Advisory Council. Listen to the interview to hear about current trends in the residential flooring sector and ways to keep abreast of this changing market.

Shaw Plant Earns Energy Star Designation

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:07:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 10, 2010--Shaw Industries' Plant 95 has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star designation.

Consumers Walking Away from Credit Card Debt

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:51:00 GMT

Arlington, VA, March 10, 2010--Consumers are increasingly walking way from credit card debt, according to a new report by CardHub.com.

Surfaces Organizers Get Jump on 2011 Show

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:33:00 GMT

Dallas, TX, March 10, 2010--Organizers of the Surfaces Expo said that 25% of the show floor for next year's event is already reserved by exhibitors.

Job Openings Increase in January to 2.7 Million

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 10, 2010--U.S. job openings increased by 193,000 in January to a seasonally adjusted 2.7 million, the highest level in nearly a year, the Labor Department reported.

Mannington Names Grizzle COO, To Become CEO

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:46:00 GMT

Salem, NJ, March 9, 2010--Mannington Mills announced today that Russell Grizzle has joined the company as COO until the end of 2011, when he will take over for current president and CEO Tom Davis, who is retiring.

Study Says Recession's Changed Shopper Behavior

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:44:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 9, 2010--Retailers and suppliers will need to adapt to consumers' new shopping behaviors, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Retail Forward.

NFIB Says Top Business Issue Is Lack of Customers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:37:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 9, 2010--The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism dropped 1.3 points in February.

Chain Store Sales Up 3.4% Over Last Year

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:27:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 9, 2010--Chain-store sales for the week ended March 6 rose 3.4% from the year-earlier period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

Mapei Partners With American Forests on Trees

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:23:00 GMT

Deerfield Beach, FL, March 9, 2010--In January, adhesives maker Mapei signed a partnership agreement to participate in the Global ReLeaf program with American Forests.

Mohawk Again Makes Training Top 125 List

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:15:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 9, 2010--Mohawk Industries has again been named as one of Training Magazine’s “Top 125” training organizations.

Shaw Wins Two Chattanooga Addy Awards

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 9, 2010--The Chattanooga Advertising Federation presented Shaw Floors with two ADDY Awards on Feb. 20 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Interface Completes Redemption of Senior Notes

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:01:00 GMT

Atlanta, GA, March 9, 2010--Interface Inc. said it has completed the redemption of $25 million of its 9.5% senior subordinated notes due 2014.

AIA's Home Design Survey Still Shows Contraction

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:40:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 9, 2010--The Home Design Survey Index of residential billings was up 12 points over last year to 32 in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the American Institute of Architects.

Business Economists See Higher Rates This Year

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:29:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 8, 2010--Business economists expect the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark interest rates within six months, according to a survey by the National Association of Business Economists.

Georgia Superintendent Recommends CRI Program

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:22:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 8, 2010--Georgia Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox has recommended implementing the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval testing program for carpet cleaning products.

Online Retail Likely To Grow in Double Digits

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:14:00 GMT

Cambridge, MA, March 8, 2010--Online retail in both the U.S. and Western Europe is poised for double-digit growth over the next five years, according to two new forecasts by Forrester Research Inc.

Oil Continues Move Higher on Economic Signs

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:05:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 8, 2010--Oil prices rose above $82 a barrel Monday.

NobleSeal Wins Preferred Brand Award

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:01:00 GMT

Grand Haven, MI, March 8, 2010--NobleSeal SIS won the tile industry's Preferred Brand award for sound reduction membranes.

CRI Goes to Washington, Meets With Legislators

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:57:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 8, 2010--The Carpet and Rug Institute met with various southern U.S. congressional members in Febrary to discuss issues of interest to the carpet industry.

Välinge, Beaulieu, Balterio Settle Patent Dispute

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:56:00 GMT

Racine, WI, March 8, 2010--Välinge, Beaulieu International Group and Balterio said they have settled pending patent infringement litigation in the U.S.

CARE Adds ReSource Network to Program

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:22:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 5, 2010--Carpet America Recovery Effort has added ReSource Commercial Flooring Network of commercial flooring dealers to CARE’s Aligned Dealer Program.

Fewer Jobs Cut Than Expected in February

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:11:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 5, 2010--Employers cut fewer jobs than expected and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent in February, according to the Labor Department.

Kermit Baker Discusses The Architectural Billing Index and His Economic Outlook for 2010

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Kermit Baker, Chief Economist with the American Institute of Architects, and Kemp Harr discuss the January Billings Index and the economic outlook for 2010. Listen to the interview to hear the latest thinking from this economic expert as he discusses many of the factors that have a bearing on how the economy will perform this year.

Group Alleges Fraud in Home Valu Bankruptcy Case

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:49:00 GMT

Minneapolis, MN, March 5, 2010--A group of area flooring and kitchen-counter subcontractors have accused former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz and others of conspiracy, theft, fraud and misrepresentation.

NeoCon Set June 14-16; Buildex To Make Debut

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:39:00 GMT

Chicago, IL, March 5, 2010--NeoCon World’s Trade Fair returns to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart June 14-16 for its 42nd year.

Oil Prices Back Over $80

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:15:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 5, 2010--Oil prices rose to near $81 a barrel Friday ahead of a key U.S. jobs report.

Retail Sales Up Sharply in February

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:09:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 5, 2010--Retail sales posted their sharpest increase since November 2007, a month before the recession began, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Pending Home Sales Decline in January

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:30:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010-- Pending home sales fell 7.6% in January, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Lumber Liquidators Expands Into North Dakota

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:39:00 GMT

Toano, VA, March 4, 2010--Lumber Liquidators has opened a store in Fargo, N.D.

Utah Retailer in Temporary Location After Fire

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:34:00 GMT

West Valley City, UT, March 4, 2010--The Carpet Barn has a new temporary location two months after a fire destroyed its previous location.

Consumer Bankruptcy Filings Up in February

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:28:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010--Consumer bankruptcy filings were up 14% in February compared with a year earlier, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Jon Logue Discusses Highlights of Alliance Flooring's Annual Convention

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:22:00 GMT

Jon Logue, Co-CEO with Alliance Flooring, and Kemp Harr discuss the upbeat tone of the membership at last week's meeting. Listen to the interview to hear the highlights of the meeting and more details about why the members are feeling good about 2010.

Real Estate Prices Up Over Year Ago, Firm Says

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:21:00 GMT

Truckee, CA, March 4, 2010--Clear Capital said Thursday that home prices nationally are up 5 percent compared to February 2009.

Mortgage Rates Back Below 5%

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010--The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average dipped below 5%, according to Freddie Mac.

Soaring Productivity Keeps Hiring Low in Late 2009

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010--U.S. businesses increased their productivity in the second half of the year more than previously reported, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Initial Jobless Claims Fall, 26% Lower Than 2009

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:04:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010--Initial jobless claims declined by 29,000 in the week ending Feb. 27 to 469,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Style Limited Names Two Board Members

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:54:00 GMT

Melbourne, Australia, March 4, 2010--Flooring firm Style Limited has named two new non-executive directors to the company’s Board.

Fed Report Shows Economy on The Mend

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:49:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 4, 2010--The U.S. economy continued to improve slowly in February, according to the latest Beige Book survey of economic conditions released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve.

Dave Gheesling Discusses The Future Outlook for The Builder Market

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Dave Gheesling, CEO with the FEI Group (formerly known as FloorExpo), and Kemp Harr discuss the future outlook of the builder market for 2010 and beyond. Listen to the interview to hear the optimism he is getting from his membership and also hear about shifts in consumer tastes when it comes to flooring and size of dwelling.

Job Cuts in Private Sector Down Significantly

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:14:00 GMT

Roseland, NJ, March 3, 2010--Private sector job cuts fell sharply in February, according to a report by ADP.

Fewer Home Sellers Cut Asking Price

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:10:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 3, 2010--Fewer U.S. home sellers cut their asking price in February and those who did made slightly smaller reductions, according to real estate website Zillow.com.

Planned Layoffs Fell Sharply in February

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Chicago, IL, March 3, 2010--The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell in February to the lowest level in nearly four years, according to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Armstrong Says It's Not For Sale

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Lancaster, PA, March 3, 2010--Armstrong World Industries reiterated that it is not looking for a new owner, its new chief financial officer said during Monday's conference call with analysts.

Homebuilder Hovnanian Swings To Profit

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:02:00 GMT

Red Bank, NJ, March 3, 2010--Homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises said Tuesday that it recorded a quarterly profit for the first time since 2006 thanks to a large tax gain.

Shaw's Spring is Green Promotion Starts April 16

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:58:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, March 2, 2010-Shaw's annual Spring is Green promotion is focused on budget-friendly and eco-friendly flooring.

Dow Selling Plastics Unit to PE Firm Bain Capital

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:21:00 GMT

Midland, MI, March 2, 2010--Dow Chemical Co. said it would sell its Styron plastics unit to private equity firm Bain Capital Partners for $1.63 billion.

Commercial Carpets of America Gets Private Equity

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

McClean, VA, March 2, 2010--Commercial Carpets of America has been recapitalized by Eureka Growth Capital and Shore Points Capital.

Chain Store Sales Up Over Last Year

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:11:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 2, 2010--Chain-store sales for the week ended Feb. 27 rose 0.7% from the year-earlier period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs.

Alliance Flooring Groups Name Retailers of Year

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:58:00 GMT

Chattanooga, TN, March 2, 2010--CarpetsPlus Color Tile and Carpetland USA Color Tile named their Retailers of the Year at their recent convention.

Economic Reports Still Trending Positive

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:47:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 2, 2010--Last week's economic reports were mixed, with five of nine indicators decreasing, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

NAHB Survey Shows Support for Fed Housing Help

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:22:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 2, 2010--Americans remain strongly committed to federal support for home buyers, according to a National Association of Home Builders survey.

John Baugh on Year End Results for the Publicly Traded Flooring Companies

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:04:00 GMT

John Baugh, managing director with Stifel Nicolaus, and Kemp Harr discuss the 4th quarter and year end results for Mohawk, Armstrong and Interface. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the performance of these three publicly traded flooring companies and John's outlook for 2010.

Flooring Warehouse Destroyed in Fire

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:58:00 GMT

Ellijay, GA, March 1, 2010--A fire destroyed a carpet and flooring warehouse in Gilmer County, according to reports.

Oriental Weavers Buys Textile Firm

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:54:00 GMT

Cairo, Egypt, March 1, 2010--Egyptian carpetmaker Oriental Weavers said it will buy land and assets of a startup textile firm as demand in its export markets picks up.

Manufacturing Continued To Expand in February

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:24:00 GMT

New York, NY, March 1, 2010--The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in February but at a slower rate than was expected, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

Personal Spending Up More Than Incomes

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:20:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 1, 2010--The commerce Department said that personal spending jumped by a larger amount than expected in January, although incomes didn't keep pace.

U.S. Construction Falls to Near Seven-Year Low

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 1, 2010--U.S. construction spending in January fell to its lowest level since June 2003, hurt by a decrease in private nonresidential spending.

Shaw's Earnings, Revenues Slide in 2009

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Omaha, NE, March 1, 2010--Shaw Industries reported net revenue of $4.01 billion in 2009, down 21 percent from the previous year's revenues of $5.05 billion.

Armstrong Adjusted Net Income Rises in 4Q

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:15:00 GMT

Lancaster, PA, March 1, 2010--Armstrong World Industries reported fourth quarter net sales of $653.0 million, down 8 percent, from $708.4 million in the same period for 2008.

Some Economists Predict Severe Housing Shortage

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:56:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 1, 2010--Some economists are beginning to warn that a significant housing shortage may be on the horizon.

NCSU Gives Capel Award for State Growth

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:47:00 GMT

Troy, NC, March 1, 2010--Capel Inc. said that it was recently honored by the North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Service as a recipient of the "1B4NC" award.

NALFA Develops Laminate Installation Video

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:43:00 GMT

Washington, DC, March 1, 2010--The North American Laminate Flooring Association has developed a video to guide proper laminate flooring installation.

Shaw Develops New Scuff Resistant Wood Finish

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:36:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 26, 2010--Shaw has rolled out a new high performance hardwood finish that is initially being used on its Epic engineered products.

GDP Revised Higher on Growing Inventories

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:28:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 2010--Fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product grew a little faster than previously reported, according to the Commerce Department.

Dave Kitts Provides Details on Mannington's Ability to Recycle Olympic Graphics into Flooring

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:24:00 GMT

Dave Kitts, Mannington's VP of Environmental, and Kemp Harr discuss Mannington's ability to convert Olympic graphics into commercial flooring tiles. Listen to the interview to hear Dave talk about how this came about with 3M. Dave gives detailed information about the carbon analysis that was done to make sure this was truly the right solution for all parties involved. You can also watch a 4 minute 3M video on this topic by clicking on this link.

http://solutions.3mcanada.ca/wps/portal/3M/en_CA/Olympics/Home/?WT.mc_id=www.3M.ca/2010

Renamed Parquet Association Gets New Members

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:22:00 GMT

Hannover, Germany, Feb. 26, 2010--The Global Flooring Alliance, a newly-named association to promote the use of parquet flooring, has three new members.

January Existing Home Sales Fall

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:12:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 2010--Home and condo resales in the U.S. fell 7.2% in January to an annual rate of 5.05 million, the lowest in seven months, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.

Consumer Sentiment Dips in February

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:08:00 GMT

Ann Arbor, MI, Feb. 26, 2010--Consumer sentiment was weaker in February, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers.

FHFA Says House Prices Fell in Fourth Quarter

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:07:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 2010--Federal Housing Finance Agency said U.S. house prices fell slightly in the fourth quarter.

Bernanke Says Deficit Reduction Plan Necessary

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:01:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 2010--Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said lawmakers need to develop a credible plan to deal with the medium-term deficit or there could be consequences for the economy.

J&J Wins GSA's Evergreen Award

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:40:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 25, 2010--J&J Industries said it has won the 2009 Evergreen Award from the General Services Administration.

Mohawk Swings To $20 Million Fourth Quarter Profit

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:16:00 GMT

Calhoun, GA, Feb. 25, 2010--Mohawk Industries reported fourth quarter net earnings of $20 million or $0.29 per share.

Commercial Loan Failures Could Ruin Banks: COP

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 25, 2010--Commercial real estate loan failures could destroy the banking system over the next four years much as the residential real estate collapse did in 2008.

Välinge Sets Up Fund To Protect 5Gs Licensees

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:19:00 GMT

Viken, Sweden, Feb. 25, 2010--Välinge said it has decided to offer all new licensees of its 5Gs technology protection against claims for license fees from other parties.

Initial Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:12:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 25, 2010--Initial jobless claims jumped 22,000 to 496,000 in the week ended Feb. 20, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Durable Goods Orders Surge Higher

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:09:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 25, 2010--Durable goods orders surged 3% in January to $175.7 billion, the Commerce Department estimated Thursday.

Frank Hurd Discusses CRI's Agenda with Delegation to Washington this Week

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Frank Hurd, VP and Coo with the Carpet and Rug Institute, and Kemp Harr discuss the key topics being discussed at this week's trip to Capitol Hill. Listen to the interview to hear more on their meetings with key politicians on Card Check, the Hire Act, Cap and Trade and the EPA's classification of Coal Fly Ash. Also hear more about the recent uptick in carpet production in the early part of this year.

Delta Hardwood in Expansion Project

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:04:00 GMT

Lee Center, NY, Feb. 25, 2010--Delta Hardwood Flooring Inc. has received a $50,000 loan from Mohawk Valley Edge’s Rural Development & Agri-Business Assistance Program, according to the Rome Sentinel newspaper.

Bernanke Says Interest Rates To Remain Low

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:02:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 25, 2010--Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday that he wasn't close to raising interest rates and tightening credit.

Stainmaster Exclusive to Lowe's in Home Centers

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:50:00 GMT

Kennesaw, GA, Feb. 24, 2010--Lowe's will become the only major home improvement retailer offering Stainmaster carpet.

Erinn Valencich Discusses Her New Role As Designer/Spokesperson for Quick-Step

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:31:00 GMT

Interior designer Erinn Valencich, Quick-Step's Celebrity Spokesperson, and Kemp Harr discuss Erinn's new role with the laminate maker. Watch the video to learn more about her microsite (www.quickstepstyle.com) and plans to use her design skills to promote Quick-Step.

New Home Sales Take Unexpected Dip

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:27:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 24, 2010--New home sales fell 11.2% in January to the lowest rate on record dating back to 1963, the Commerce Department estimated Wednesday.

NSF Names Sustainability Director

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:20:00 GMT

Ann Arbor, MI, Feb. 24, 2010--NSF International has appointed Malcolm Fox to director of sustainability programs.

Dixie Cuts Loss, Sees Improving Residential Market

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Chattanooga, TN, Feb. 24, 2010--The Dixie Group reported a net loss of $3,480,000, or $0.28 per share, for the fourth quarter, compared with a net loss of $31,868,000, or $2.60 per share, a year ago.

Retailers See Brighter Sales, DIY Trends Up

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:08:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 24, 2010--Discount retailers like Target and Sears Holdings' Kmart stores posted improved sales performances on Tuesday.

Välinge Settles Patent Dispute With Mannington

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:14:00 GMT

Viken, Sweden, Feb. 24, 2010--Välinge has settled its patent dispute in the U.S. with laminate producer Mannington Mills.

Toll Brothers Cuts Loss, Sees Increased Contracts

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:40:00 GMT

Horsham, PA, Feb. 24, 2010--Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers reported a first-quarter net loss of $40.8 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to a net loss of $88.9 million, or $0.55 per share, a year ago.

Style Limited Files Strand-Woven Timber Patents

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:25:00 GMT

Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 24, 2010--Style Limited said it has filed five new international patents, paving the way for the company to launch a range of new strand-woven timber products.

Invista Names Global Sustainability Manager

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Kennesaw, GA, Feb. 24, 2010--Invista Performance Surfaces and Materials, maker of Stainmaster and Antron carpet fibers, has named Derek Young global sustainability manager.

Architecture Billings Index Hits Five-Month Low

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:21:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 24, 2010--The Architecture Billings Index, a leading indicator of U.S. nonresidential construction spending, fell in January to its lowest level since August.

Interface Swings To Profit in Fourth Quarter

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:06:00 GMT

Atlanta, GA, Feb. 23, 2010--Interface Inc. reported fourth quarter sales of $230.9 million, compared with sales of $247.2 million a year ago, a decline of 6.6%.

Commercial Real Estate Soft in Fourth Quarter

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:31:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 23, 2010--Fallout from the recession continued to hurt commercial real estate in the fourth quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Commercial Real Estate Prices Rise in December

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:24:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 23, 2010--Moody’s reported that U.S. commercial real estate prices rose in December for the second month in a row, according to Seeking Alpha.

Consumer Confidence Falls on Jobs Picture

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:18:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 23, 2010--Consumer confidence fell in February to the lowest level since last April on concerns about the job market.

Most Economic Reports Last Week Were Positive

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:10:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 23, 2010--Last week's eight economic reports were virtually all positive.

Roger Farabee Discusses New Quick-Step Innovation and Product Introductions for 2010

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Roger Farabee, Sr VP of Marketing for Unlin, and Kemp Harr discuss Quick-Step's new GenuEdge and ScratchGuard technology along with their new product introductions for 2010. Watch the video to hear where laminate flooring firts with today's consumer from one of the largest domestic manufacturers in that category.

Tennant Swings to Quarterly Profit

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 23, 2010--Floor cleaning solutions firm Tennant Co. reported a quarterly profit of $6.7 million, or 35 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $16.9 million, or 93 cents a share, a year ago.

Home Prices Up for Seventh Straight Month

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:54:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 23, 2010--Home prices rose for the seventh straight month in December, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released Tuesday.

Välinge Wins Court Ruling on Patent Dispute

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:48:00 GMT

Viken, Sweden, Feb. 23, 2010--Välinge said it has won a key ruling in a patent dispute with Pergo over patents that Pergo has used against Välinge's licensees Berry/Alloc and Armstrong.

Groups Adopt Floor Flatness Position Statement

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:02:00 GMT

St. Louis, MO, Feb. 23, 2010--Two national flooring associations have endorsed a position statement on floor flatness tolerances written by the American Society of Concrete Contractors.

Home Depot Records Profit, Partly on Flooring

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:20:00 GMT

Atlanta, GA, Feb. 23, 2010--Home Depot reported a quarterly profit on Tuesday as it benefited from efforts to improve efficiency.

Consumers Want More Web Interactivity

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:20:00 GMT

San Jose, CA, Feb. 22, 2010--Companies investing in, or planning, rich-media and social media features are seeing the best results in terms of customer satisfaction and sales.

NALFA Begins Blog on Laminate Flooring

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 22, 2010--The North American Laminate Flooring Association has created the blog, “All About Laminate Flooring.”

Andy Brumlow Discusses New Products Introduced at Surfaces 2010 and Some New Rug Trends

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:17:00 GMT

Andy Brumlow, VP of Product Development for Oriental Weavers, and Kemp Harr discuss OW's new products for 2010. New this year, the company has expanded its broadloom offerings to include a New Zealand Wool, Axminister collection called Kensington. It is also introducing a reversible rug series called Options with 25 different pattern options. Watch the video to see and hear more about OW's business and some rug trends that Andy has been seeing.

Lowe's Reports Higher Quarterly Earnings

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:55:00 GMT

Mooresville, NC, Feb. 22, 2010--Lowe's Companies reported net earnings of $205 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, a 26.5 percent increase from the same period a year ago.

Oil Back Above $80 Again

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:42:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 22, 2010--Oil prices cracked $80 a barrel Monday in Asia, the first time in over a month.

ReSource Arizona Joins CARE

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:22:00 GMT

Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 22, 2010--ReSource Arizona said it has joined the Carpet America Recovery Effort, the nationwide carpet recycling and reclamation program.

Foreclosure Crisis May Be Turning Around

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:15:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 22, 2010--The foreclosure crisis is showing signs of slowing, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

BASF Announces Price Increase for Polyamide 6

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:05:00 GMT

Florham Park, NJ, Feb. 22, 2010--BASF said it will increase the price for Polyamide 6 polymer by $0.06 per pound effective March 1.

Uniboard Opens North Carolina Plant

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:32:00 GMT

Laval, Quebec, Feb. 19, 2010--Uniboard said it has finished its new medium and high-density fiberboard plant in Moncure, N.C.

Core Consumer Prices Fell in January

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:21:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 19, 2010--Falling housing prices were a significant factor in a drop of 0.1% in core consumer prices in January.

Analyst Likes Lumber Liquidators But Shares Sink

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:08:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 19, 2010--Investors hammered Lumber Liquidators stock on Thursday despite a fairly upbeat earnings report by the firm. The stock closed down more than 12%

Mannington To Recycle Graphics from Olympics

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:59:00 GMT

Calhoun, GA, Feb. 18, 2010--3M Canada Company and Mannington Commercial have formed a joint project to reclaim large format graphics used in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and recycle them into flooring.

Top Management at Home Legend Discusses Growth in 2009 and New Products for 2010

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:36:00 GMT

Clint Hubbard-CEO and Jamann Stepp-VP of Sales at Home Legend talk with Kemp Harr about the business strategy that has led to solid growth in 2009. Watch the video to see and hear more about the 46 new products they are introducing for 2010. Home Legend sells cork, bamboo, hardwood, laminate and area rugs. This year they have a license agreement with Disney for area rugs and laminate. The company first started selling flooring in 1997.

Remodeling Has Soft Fourth Quarter

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 19, 2010 - The market for residential remodeling remained depressed in the fourth quarter, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index.

Fed Makes First Interest Rate Move

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:44:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 19, 2010--The Federal Reserve on Thursday raised an emergency lending rate it charges banks, its first interest rate move since 2008.

Brumlow Named VP Product Development at OW

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 19, 2010--Andy Brumlow has been promoted to vice president of product development for Oriental Weavers USA.

High School Wins Sustainable Flooring Award

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Kennesaw, GA, Feb. 18, 2010--Fiber maker Invista said that Westminster High School in Colorado has won the Grand Prize for the Antron Carpet Fiber Sustainable Flooring Performance Award.

Wholesale Prices Up Sharply in January

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:29:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 18, 2010--Wholesale prices in the U.S. rose 1.4% in January on double-digit increases in gasoline and home heating oil, the Labor Department said.

Leading Economic Indicators Rose in January

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:23:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 18, 2010--U.S. leading economic indicators rose 0.3% in January, according to the Conference Board.

Lumber Liquidators' Profit, Sales Rise

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:19:00 GMT

Toano, VA, Feb. 18, 2010--Lumber Liquidators said that its fourth-quarter net income increased to $7.131 million or $0.25 per share from $6.498 million or $0.24 per share last year.

Al Penny Discusses Monticello's Market Fit & How This Carpet Producer Evolved Since He Bought it

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:00 GMT

Recorded at Surfaces 2010, Al Penny, CEO and Owner of Monticello Floors, talks with Kemp Harr about the changes he has led since buying the company a little over a year ago. Watch the video to hear about Monticello's fit in the market, its approach to distribution, its investments in innovation, its alignment with Aquafil fibers and its expansion into hard surfaces.

Mohawk, Shaw, Tandus Make Training Top 125

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:08:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 18, 2010--Shaw, Mohawk, and Tandus have all been named to Training magazine’s “Training Top 125."

California Contractor DFS Expanding Into Fresno

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:41:00 GMT

Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 17, 2010--DFS Flooring is expanding into Fresno and has named Phillip Montgomery to lead the operation.

Armstrong Adjusts Amount, Timing of Wood Increase

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:34:00 GMT

Lancaster, PA, Feb. 18, 2010--Armstrong said it will hike solid hardwood prices in the U.S. and Canada by 5% to 7% percent beginning April 1. I

Shaw Preparing To Add Carpet Powered Boiler

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 17, 2010--Shaw Industries showed off its 19-month-old carpet-to-energy facility Tuesday as the carpet maker prepares to add an even larger carpet-powered boiler at another Dalton plant.

Mortgage Application Volume Falls

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:16:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 17, 2010--Mortgage application volume last week dropped 2.1%, compared with the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Wednesday.

Industrial Production Rises Seventh Straight Month

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 17, 2010--U.S. industrial production rose 0.9% in January, according to the Federal Reserve. Production is now up in seven straight months.

Housing Starts Rise in January, but Permits Fall

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:08:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 17, 2010--Housing starts rose to their highest level in seven months in January, according to the Commerce Department.

Chain Store Sales Down Last Week 1.6%

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:02:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 17, 2010--U.S. chain store retail sales fell 1.6% the week of Feb. 13.

Paul Comiskey Discusses The Dixie Group's Brand Strategy and New Products at Surfaces 2010

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Recorded at Surfaces 2010 in Las Vegas, Paul Comiskey, President of The Dixie Group's residential business, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's brand strategy and new product introductions. Watch the video to learn more about the U.S.'s fourth largest carpet producer and its products.

Percentage of Delinquent Mortgages Hits New High

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:57:00 GMT

Chicago, IL, Feb. 17, 2010--The percentage of delinquent mortgages hit another record during the fourth quarter of 2009, according to credit reporting agency Transunion.

Builder Confidence Edges Up in February

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:38:00 GMT

Washington, DC, Feb. 17, 2010--U.S. home builders were slightly more confident this month that the housing market is recovering, according to a monthly survey released Tuesday by the National Association of Home Builders.

WFCA Names Gold Standard Award Retailer

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Anaheim, CA, Feb. 16, 2010--The World Floor Covering Association has named the Gold Standard Award for excellence in retailing.

Style Limited Licenses Technology to Tarkett

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:21:00 GMT

Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 17, 2010--Style Limited said it signed a patent license agreement with Tarkett to manufacture a new range of green flooring products using Style’s proprietary strand woven wood technologies.

Five Million Homes Headed Toward Foreclosure

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:23:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 16, 2010--Two new studies show there is more trouble ahead regarding foreclosures that will tend to depress home prices, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

Thomas Trissl Discusses Centiva's Market Focus and New Products at Surfaces 2010

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:17:00 GMT

In this interview recorded at Surfaces in Las Vegas, Thomas Trissl, President and owner of Centiva, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's market focus, its strategy for growth and its new product sample books. Watch the video to see shots of Centiva's booth and new product introductions.

New York Manufacturing Index Better Than Expected

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:51:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 16, 2010--Manufacturing in New York state rose in February as inventories rose, the New York Federal Reserve said.

Smithsonian Design Museum To Show Tricycle Samples

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:46:00 GMT

Chattanooga, TN, Feb. 16, 2010--Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum has selected Tricycle’s Tryk Sustainable Samples for display in its National Design Triennial.

Aquafil Gets Certification of Recycled Content

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:35:00 GMT

Cartersville, GA, Feb. 16, 2010--Aquafil USA has received final certification from UL environment about post industrial and post consumer content on Econyl 75 and Econyl Next, two fiber grade nylon polymers partially made using recycled material.

Carpet Maker Burtco Rebranded 'B Carpet'

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:40:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 15, 2010--For more than 30 years, Burtco has produced custom-crafted carpet for the hospitality industry. Now, a major change is underfoot.

Q.E.P. Closes on ArborCraft Acquisition

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:20:00 GMT

Boca Raton, FL, Feb. 15, 2010--Q.E.P. Co said it has completed the acquisition of Johnson City, Tenn. hardwood firm ArborCraft, LLC.

Don Finkell Discusses Anderson Hardwood's Newest Innovations and Product Introductions at Surfaces

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:29:00 GMT

Don Finkell, who is now CEO of Shaw Industries' Hardwood Business, talks with Kemp Harr in the Anderson booth at Surfaces 2010. Watch the interview to learn about Anderson's new Lustre Lock Ultra finish, its new Tropical Reflections collection and also get an update on the Lacey Act.

Looptex Mills Considering Expansion

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:13:00 GMT

Dalton, GA, Feb. 15, 2010--Looptex Mills Inc. may expand at its current location in Dalton, according to a story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Congoleum Files Modified Reorganization Plan

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Mercerville, NJ, Feb. 15, 2010--Congoleum Corporation said it has filed a modified reorganization plan and disclosure statement with the U.S. District Court.

Mapei Expanding Production in Dalton

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:50:00 GMT

Deerfield Beach, FL, Feb. 15, 2010--Mapei Corporation has acquired an additional 80,500-square-foot building on 5.2 acres in Dalton, Ga.

ServiceMagic Sees Surge in Remodeling Requests

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:38:00 GMT

New York, NY, Feb. 15, 2010--ServiceMagic.com said the number of remodeling service requests at its website increased 37% in the fourth quarter over 2008.

Mannington Names Hutchison Innovation Strategist

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:28:00 GMT

Calhoun, GA, Feb. 15, 2010--Mannington Commercial said that Bob Hutchison has joined the company as its chief innovations strategist.