February 27, 2018—Paul Comiskey, Retiring President of Dixie's Residential Business, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of his 45-year career in the carpet industry. Listen to the interview to hear a few memorable moments in Paul's career plus his plans for the next chapter.
February 26, 2018—Michael Martin, CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and Kemp Harr discus the imitation hardwood products that have impacted the sale or real hardwood products in the past year. Listen to the interview, recorded at Surfaces last month, to hear more about what the trade association plans to do to make sure the consumer knows the difference.
February 23, 2018—Don Maier, CEO at Armstrong, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of Armstrong's new product introductions for 2018 and the changes the company continues to make to match production capability with consumer demand. Listen to the interview for more on Armstrong's Surfaces presentation as well as Don's outlook on the coming year.
February 22, 2018—Randy Hatch and Richard Abramowicz, President and EVP at Southwind, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Southwind's business strategy and product focus for 2018. Watch the video to get a quick update on the company's 27 new carpet styles as well as extension to its LVT program. Randy and Richard bought the firm, formerly known as Cherokee Carpet, a year ago and this is their second Surfaces.
February 21, 2018—Jim Fiore, VP of Business Development with Samling Global, and Kemp Harr discuss Samling Global's debut at Surfaces and the roll out of AI.R and Lifecore brands. Samling Global has served as an OEM supplier to the distributor sector and is now approaching the market with its own brands. Watch the video to see more about the products' unique visuals and their indoor air quality story related to low formaldehyde emissions.
February 20, 2018—Blake Dennard, SVP of Sales and Marketing with Kaleen, and Kemp Harr discuss the rapid growth of Kaleen's broadloom wool carpet business. Watch the video to see the images of some of the 15 new styles introduced for this year as well as the firm's new merchandising system which has been expanded to showcase a wider range of products.
February 19, 2018—Raj Shah, President of MS International, and Kemp Harr discuss the growth and scope of MSI as well as its product focus for 2018. Watch the video, filmed at Surfaces, and hear Raj talk more about wood-look porcelain, outdoor pavers and textured walls—three of the biggest trends in his business.
February 16, 2018—Lindsey-Ann Waldrep, VP of Marketing for Crossville, and Kemp Harr discuss Crossville's new upscale porcelain tile products including Java Joint. Watch the video to see the firm's presentation at Surfaces as well as their continued focus on giving designers the components they need to create custom spaces for their clients.
February 15, 2018—Brad Root, SVP of sales and marketing for EF Contract, discusses Engineered Floors' decision to rebrand Bolyu Contract and Aqua Hospitality to EF Contract and EF Hospitality. Listen to the interview to hear more about the go to market strategy and the new leadership team for these two brands moving forward. Bolyu and Aqua Hospitality were part of the Beaulieu assets that Engineered Floors purchased late last year.
February 14, 2018—T.M. Nuckols and Dan Phelan, President and VP of Marketing and Hard Surface, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the nearly 150 new products being introduced in the residential business for 2018 in carpet, LVT and real hardwood. Watch the interview to hear more about how the three brands fit into the overall market, the firm's new mainstreet collection called Masland Energy, plus see the new Fabrica branded hardwood program which the firm spent over a year developing. The program offers flooring and feature wall products.