September 14, 2017—Blake Dennard, Sr. VP with Kaleen, and Kemp Harr discuss the launch of Kaleen's licensed area rugs with Rachael Ray. Listen to the interview to hear more about the price points and design coordination of the products in the three collections in this program as well as hear about current market conditions.
September 13, 2017—Ed Keller, CEO with Hadinger Flooring in Naples, Florida, and Kemp Harr discuss hurricane Irma's impact on the area and specifically with the firm's retail flooring business. Listen to the interview to hear about current conditions and how long it might be before consumers reach out to repair their damaged homes.
September 12, 2017—Jerry Kessie, a cleaning and restoration expert in the Tampa Bay area, and Kemp Harr discuss the aftermath of Irma and what retailers should tell their home owners who are inquiring about next steps if they have wet floors. Jerry owns Floorcovering Technologies and is a certified master cleaner.
September 5, 2017—Tom Debusschere, CEO of Balta, and Kemp Harr discuss Balta's revenue and earnings growth for the first half of 2017. Listen to the interview to get a better understanding of Balta's business both in Europe and here in the U.S. Balta, the leading soft surface producer in Europe went public in June of 2017 and is now the parent company for Bentley Mills. In addition to the Bentley business, Balta also has a substantial rug business here in the U.S.
September 1, 2017—Steve Kuhel, product manager with Tarkett, and Kemp Harr discuss the launch of ProGen rigid core LVT flooring. Listen to the interview to hear more about its construction, physical properties and availability. While Tarkett was a little delayed in entering the multi-layer LVT category, the firm feels it is entering the product with category with the right product.
August 31, 2017—Curtis Callaway, Director of International Communications and Community Relations for Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr discuss Shaw's support plans for their employees, retailers and the community in the Houston, Texas area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Listen to the interview for more details.
August 30, 2017—Kathy Janssen, Meeting Planner with the National Floorcovering Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss the conditions in Houston today as the sun comes out following Hurricane Harvey. Listen to the interview for more details.
August 25, 2017—Chuck Cook, Owner of Cook's Carpet and Flooring in Waynesville, North Carolina, and Kemp Harr discuss this independent retailer's success story and his recent decision to join Carpet One. Listen to the interview to hear more about he and his wife Barbara's success.
August 24, 2017—Keith Gray, director of applied research with J+J Flooring Group, and Kemp Harr discuss J+J's commitment to fund a senior living post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of a recently completed senior living facility to seek feedback on the performance of the interior finishes. This project extends beyond the floors. Listen to the interview to hear more about what SAGE is, when the results will be presented and what J+J's role is in the project.
August 15, 2017—Charlie Dilks, Chief Product Officer at CCA Global, and Kemp Harr discuss product and channel shifts within the retail flooring business. Listen to the interview for more insight on the consumer's preference for hard surface, the long term health of the independent retailers as well as the threat of e-commerce to brick and mortar stores.