September 3, 2019—Stephanie Manis, Executive Director with the American Flooring Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss the upcoming Floor-Tek show scheduled for September 10-12 in Dalton. Listen to the interview to learn more about this show and the changes the AFA is making since the last time the show was held in 2016.
August 28, 2019—Thomas Trissl, owner and principal with HPS Schönox, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions and the growth strategy for Schönox, now in its seventh year here in the U.S. Listen to the interview to hear more about the firm’s background, competitive advantage and investments for future growth.
August 22, 2019—Chuck Bode, Co-owner of CB Flooring and Chairman of Starnet, and Kemp Harr discuss the growth within the contract flooring business in 2019 vs. 2018. Listen to the interview to get both a national read from Starnet and Northeastern U.S., read from CB Flooring, as well a few other nuggets about the economy, Chinese tariffs and the multi-family housing market.
August 19, 2019—Jeff Macco, co-owner of Macco’s Flooring in Wisconsin, and Kemp Harr discuss how Jeff trains his retail sales associates to properly position the waterproof performance of LVT flooring. Listen to the interview for more details and also learn more about what’s helping his six-store retail chain grow in a flat market.
August 16, 2019—Harlan Stone, CEO with HMTX Industries, and Kemp Harr discuss Harlan’s recent Wall Street Journal article, continuing growth of LVT and Harlan’s position on the waterproof performance of LVT. Listen to the interview for more details.
August 15, 2019—Dan Frierson, Chairman of the Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Dixie’s improved financial position and the investments the company has been making to put the company in a profitable growth mode. Listen to the interview for more details on the changes Dixie is making to improve their business performance.
August 12, 2019—Eric Astrachan, Executive Director of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), and Kemp Harr discuss 2019 tile consumption and the TCNA’s position on waterproof flooring claims. Listen to the interview to hear Eric discuss how some products aren’t as waterproof as they claim to be.
August 9, 2019—John Baugh, Managing Director with Stifel Nicolaus, and Kemp Harr discuss the second quarter results for Mohawk, Interface and Armstrong and the market dynamics effecting the growth within the flooring business. Listen to the interview for more details. John is hoping to see a stronger second half but recognized the issues created by the glut of LVT inventory brought in prior to the higher tariffs.
August 7, 2019—John Toliver, former owner of Toliver Carpet One and Prosource Phoenix, and Kemp Harr discuss John’s decision to sell his five Carpet One stores and three Prosouce stores in the Phoenix area. Listen to the interview for more details on the family history, valuation process and timing.
August 2, 2019—Kip Howlett, President of the Decorative Hardwoods Association, and Kemp Harr discuss the significant increase in anti-dumping duties that are being retroactively levied on all Chinese engineered hardwood flooring. These duties, when added to the Section 301 tariffs, significantly alter the cost basis of these products. Listen to the interview for more details as well as what the association is doing to promote real wood products versus the look alike alternatives.