Housing Starts and Permits Fell in February, Completions Rose
Washington, DC, March 16, 2018— Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,236,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Today's Flooring News
Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.
Spartan Surfaces Expands Representation of American Biltrite
Bel Air, MD, March 16, 2018—In the fourth quarter of 2016, Spartan Surfaces began its relationship with American Biltrite in the Midwest market, and, today, Spartan is the sole distributor of American Biltrite in 16 states.
Builder Confidence Remained Positive in March at 70
Washington, DC, March 15, 2018—Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes edged down one point to a level of 70 in March from a downwardly revised February reading on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) but remains in strong territory.
Palo Duro Hardwood Announces a New Management Team
Denver, CO, March 15, 2018—Together, Tom Ruekert and Marc Schulz will assume all responsibilities for management of Palo Duro Hardwood and for Lägler North America, effective immediately.
Card Monroe Corp. Wins ColorPoint Patent Infringement Case
Chattanooga, TN, March 15, 2018—After approximately three years of litigation, the patent infringement suit brought by Card Monroe Corp. (CMC) against Tuftco Corp. (Tuftco) for infringement of CMC’s United States Patents Nos. 8,141,505, 8,359,989, and 8,776,703 has been officially concluded.
Import Prices Rose 0.4% in February
Washington, DC, March 15, 2018—U.S. import prices increased 0.4% in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, after rising 0.8% in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Starnet & NTCA Complete First Joint Training Program
Darien, CT, March 15, 2018—Starnet Commercial Flooring announced that it completed the first annual Starnet NTCA Tile and Stone Training program.
Retail Sales Rose 4.0% YOY in February
Washington, DC, March 14, 2018—Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February 2018 were $492.0 billion, a decrease of 0.1% from the previous month, but 4.0% above February 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Distributive Trade Sales & Manufacturers' Shipments Up 5.7% YOY
Washington, DC, March 14, 2018—The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for January was estimated at $1,426.0 billion, down 0.2% from December 2017 but was up 5.7% from January 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
MFA & SCS Global Launch Pilot Multilayer Flooring Certification
Calhoun, GA, March 14, 2018—The Multilayer Flooring Association (MFA) and SCS Global Services announced a pilot certification for new resilient flooring products in the multilayer format with rigid polymer cores.