Flooring Podcast

Geoff Gordon Discusses Visibility Upgrades the Fuse Alliance is Making

March 6, 2015—Geoff Gordon, Executive Director of the Fuse Alliance, and Kemp Harr, discuss the upgrades this group of commercial flooring contractors is making to its communications tools to clarify its message and raise its visibility. Listen to the interview, taped at the group's annual meeting in Las Vegas, to hear more about the meeting, the size of the group, the change in leadership, its national account program and other details.

Jamie Gilmore Discusses the Growth of Pavilion Floors in Boston

March 5, 2015—Jamie Gilmore, President of Pavilion Floors, and Kemp Harr, discuss the success and growth of this commercial contractor's business in the greater Boston area. Pavilion has been a Fuse Alliance member for 3 years. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the success of Gilmore's business.

Kip Howlett on the Formaldehyde Levels Used in Lumber Liquidator's Chinese Laminate Flooring

March 3, 2015—Kip Howlett, President of the Hardwood, Plywood Veneer Association (HPVA), and Kemp Harr, discuss how elevated levels of formaldehyde in adhesives reduce manufacturing costs. In this week's 60 Minutes newscast, it was revealed that Lumber Liquidator's was sourcing laminate flooring from Chinese factories that was labeled CARB compliant and was not. The most damaging part of the story came when the factories admitted they could make it either way but that CARB compliant products would cost more. Listen to the interview for more details.

Raj Shah Discusses MS International's Rapid Growth

March 2, 2015—Raj Shah, President with M.S. International, and Kemp Harr, discuss the background and business philosophy that has led to MSI's recent growth. MSI is a leading importer of stone and porcelain products with 19 warehouses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Don Maier Discusses Details Around Armstrong's Decision to Split into Two Companies

February 27, 2015—Don Maier, CEO of Armstrong Flooring Products, and Kemp Harr, discuss this week's news that Armstrong (AWI) will split into two companies. Listen to the interview to hear Don, who has been tapped to lead this new business, talk about the strategy behind this decision and what this new flooring focused business will look like. It will be early 2016 before this process will be completed.

Andrea Greenleaf Discusses Royalty Carpet's Investments for Growth

February 26, 2014--Andrea Greenleaf, President and Owner of Royalty Carpet Mills, and Kemp Harr, discuss Royalty’s brand focus and the product that seemed to be one of the most popular releases at Surfaces in January. Listen to the interview to hear more details plus Andrea’s outlook for 2015.

Kermit Baker on Why He Sees a Strong Recovery in Housing and Commercial Construction in 2015

February 24, 2015—Kermit Baker, the Harvard Economist who tracks both the Architectural Billing Index and part of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, is predicting a strong 2015 for both spending on residential remodeling and commercial construction. Listen to the interview to hear Kermit talk about what his recent studies are telling him. He is seeing increased spending in the education and healthcare sectors and says that remodel spending will fully recover this year from the dip brought about by the last recession.

Ron Dunn Discusses Highlights of Alliance Flooring Annual Meeting

February 23, 2015—Ron Dunn, President and Co-CEO of Alliance Flooring, and Kemp Harr, discuss what this buying group is doing to increase the success of the retail flooring sales of its membership. Alliance Flooring is a buying group that supports three different groups of retailers that go to market under the Carpets Plus/Colortile, Carpetland and Floorco brand names. Listen to the interview to hear more details.

Bob Peoples Discusses Effect West Coast Port Slowdown is Having on Carpet Recycling

February 20, 2014—Bob Peoples, Executive Director with CARE, and Kemp Harr, discuss issues that carpet recyclers are running into as a result of the west coast shipping port delays. Listen to the interview to hear more about this plus a quick update on changes to California's AB 2398 and the new funding from the industry's VPS program.

Bart Bettiga Discusses Why Coverings Show is So Important to Tile Industry

February 17, 2015—Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), and Kemp Harr, discuss this year's Coverings show scheduled for April 14 to 17 in Orlando. The NTCA is one of the five owners of this show. Listen to the interview to hear details about why everyone in the tile and stone industry needs to attend this show.