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.

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise 11,000

Washington, DC, January 26, 2006--First-time claims unemployment benefits rose 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 283,000 in the week ended Jan. 21, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Participants from South Korea, Spain, Austria and

Hannover, Germany, January 25, 2006--The major prizes of Contractworld award 2006 were presented to participants from South Korea, Spain, Austria and Germany on Saturday, 14 January, during a special ceremony held in Hannover.

Ryland 4Q Earnings Up 49%

Calabasas, CA, January 25, 2006--Homebuilder Ryland Group Inc., reported fourth-quarter earnings that rose 49% from the year-ago period on higher home sales.

Centex 3Q Earnings Up 30%

Dallas, TX, January 25, 2006-- Home builder Centex Corp., said fiscal third-quarter profit leapt 30 percent as its houses fetched higher prices on the market, and the company kept costs under control.

Lear Posts Major 4Q Loss After Charges

Southfield, MI, January 25, 2006--Lear Corp., reported a steep fourth-quarter loss as the automotive components maker racked up more than $400 million of impairment and restructuring charges.

EU Acts to Reclaim State Aid to Beaulieu Group

Brussels, Belgium, January 25, 2006--The European Commission said Wednesday it was taking Italy and Belgium to court for failing to obey orders to reclaim illegal state aid, including Belgium's payments to Beaulieu Group.

Commerce Secretary Sees GDP Growth at 3.5%

Warsaw, Poland, January 24, 2006--Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez told a meeting with U.S. investors during his visit to Poland, the U.S. economy should keep on growing at around 3.5 percent.

Rockland Recalls 50 Employees

Monon, IN, January 24, 2006--Rockland Flooring is issuing recall notices to employees who were laid off last October, when production orders shrank.

Coverings To Offer Free Seminars

Alexandria, VA, January 24, 2006--Coverings 2006 announced recently that attendees in Orlando (April 4-7) can choose among more than a dozen free seminars on topics such as inventory, employees and showroom design.