Flooring Podcast

Bill Carstarphen Discusses Pharr Business and the New Brand for the Parent Company

July 19, 2017—Bill Carstarphen, President and CEO of Pharr, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, discuss Pharr's new branding strategy as well as the growth of Phenix and Pharr Yarns and Fibers, Bill's two businesses that are focused in the flooring business. Listen to the interview to hear more about the diversity of the company and its continued investments. Below is the new parent logo for the company.
 

Blake Dennard Discusses Kaleen's Rug Business and the Atlanta Rug Market

July 14, 2017—Blake Dennard, SVP with Kaleen, and Kemp Harr, discuss Kaleen's fit within the rug market, the firm's mix of sales and it's channels to market. Listen to the interview to hear how Kaleen offers a smaller display footprint for those retailers that don't want to use the more traditional floor to ceiling wall racks. Also learn more about their growth rate in area rug business.

Blake Dennard Discusses Kaleen's Rug Business and the Atlanta Rug Market

July 14, 2017—Blake Dennard, SVP with Kaleen, and Kemp Harr, discuss Kaleen's fit within the rug market, the firm's mix of sales and it's channels to market. Listen to the interview to hear how Kaleen offers a smaller display footprint for those retailers that don't want to use the more traditional floor to ceiling wall racks. Also learn more about their growth rate in area rug business.

Dave Snedeker Discusses Nebraska Furniture Mart's Rug Business from the Atlanta Rug Market

July 13, 2017—Dave Snedeker, division merchandise manager with Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr, discuss trends in the rug market while Dave is focused on this topic at the Atlanta Rug Market. Listen to the interview to hear more details about NFM's rug business, which is both brick and mortar and e-commerce based, as well as his flooring business overall. Surprisingly, carpet is his fastest growing category so far this year.

Johnny Massey Discusses Brintons' Ownership Change From Carlyle to Argand

July 11, 2017—Johnny Massey, VP of Operations with Brintons USA, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, discuss Brinton's private equity ownership change from Carlyle to Argand. Listen to the interview to hear more about the improvements the company has made in their business since Carlyle acquired them from the Brintons family in 2011 and the firm's plans for the future.

Cathy Buchanan Discusses Showroom Remodel & Business Conditions as a Flooring Retailer near Detroit

June 30, 2017—Cathy Buchanan, Co-owner of Independent Carpet One, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions, promotion, and showroom displays for her independent flooring retail store outside of Detroit. Listen to the interview to hear why her family's business is doing well.

James Lesslie Discusses NeoCon and Engineered Floors' Ongoing SAM Plant Expansion

June 28, 2017—James Lesslie, EVP of Sales and Marketing with Engineered Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss J+J Flooring Group's NeoCon experience and the ongoing expansion of EF's SAM plant plant in Dalton. Listen to the interview for more details and to hear James talk about their fit within the marketplace.

David Gerson Discusses NeoCon and Interface's Quiet Mark Award for LVT

June 26, 2017—David Gerson, VP of Marketing for Interface, and Kemp Harr discuss NeoCon and Interface's Quiet Mark award for its LVT Sound Choice backing. Listen to the interview for more information as well as hear David talk about the negative attribution of too much polished concrete in commercial work spaces. He feels the pendulum will swing back soon.

Rich Mandel with Sterling Carpet and Flooring Discusses The Recent News of Royalty Mills Closing

June 21, 2017—Rich Mandel, Co-owner of Sterling Carpet and Flooring in Anaheim, California, and Kemp Harr discuss last week's news that Royalty Carpet Mills has gone out of business. Listen to the interview to hear more about this story and also learn more about Sterling's growth and transition to leadership by Rich's son, Dan.

Cheryl Durst Discusses the IIDA's Brand New Headquarters on the Chicago River

June 20, 2017—Cheryl Durst, CEO with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and Kemp Harr discuss the IIDA's new headquarters which held its grand opening during the NeoCon Event. Listen to the interview to hear more about the design of the space and why this 15,000 member organization decided to move its headquarters out of the Merchandise Mart to this new location and some of the work place thinking that was integrated into the design.