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.

Unemployment Rate Rises

Washington, DC, May2--The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 6% in April and companies cut jobs for the third straight month - particularly in manufacturing, airlines and retail - as the fragile economy continued to quash hiring prospects.

ASCR Certifies 30 New Restorers

Millersville, MD, May 7–Thirty leading professionals in the restoration industry have been designated Certified Restorers by the National Institute of Disaster Restoration (NIDR)

Bruce Workers End Strike

Beverly, WV, May 2--Workers at Bruce Hardwood Flooring in Randolph County voted to accept the company’s new contract offer Thursday afternoon, ending a strike that began Sunday evening at the plant in Beverly, near Elkins.

Kmart Readies for Bankruptcy Emergence

Detroit, MI, May 6--Kmart Corp.'s long-awaited day is at hand. The discounter is scheduled to emerge today from just more than 15 months of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with 600 fewer stores, new leadership and a $2 billion loan.

Berkshire Expects Earnings Jump

Omaha, NE, May 6--Berkshire Hathaway chairman and Chief Executive Warren E. Buffett told shareholders Saturday that the company would have first-quarter operating earnings of about $1.7 billion, which he described as "the best operating earnings we've

Honeywell Closes Transactions With BASF

Morris Township, NJ, May 1--Honeywell has completed two transactions with BASF, previously announced on January 14, in which Honeywell sold its engineering plastics business to BASF in exchange for BASF's nylon fiber business and $90 million in cash.

Productivity Improves in First Quarter

Washington, DC, May 1--U.S. productivity improved in the first quarter, increasing at an annual rate of 1.6% as companies produced more while they kept work forces lean.

Schools Find Carpet Hard to Keep Clean

Dalton, GA, May 7--Carpet and rugs are at the head of the class for commercial architects and designers but get low marks in schools, according to an article published in the Chattanooga Times/Free Press, which was based on results of a Carpet and Rug Ins

Armstrong Payouts To Be Smaller

Wilmington, DE, May 6--If you were expecting to get paid something out of Armstrong World Industries' bankruptcy reorganization, expect something less.

DuPont Forms Board of Directors for DuPont Textile

Wilmington, DE, May 1--DuPont has formed a board of directors for DuPont Textiles & Interiors (DTI), which began operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont in February. Effective May 1, the board will have full operating responsibility for DTI.