January 21, 2015—Susanne Klaproth, Director of Domotex, and Kemp Harr, talk about the features of Domotex that attract a global audience year after year. Listen to the interview to hear Susanne talk about the attendance level, range of audience and new programs at this year's show in Germany.
January 20, 2015—Jonathan Train, the newly appointed CEO of Swiff-Train and EarthWerks, and Kemp Harr, discuss the growth of the LVT business since they got into it 30 years ago. Listen to the interview to hear more details about EarthWerks, the Global LVT market, and the value of Domotex as an international show.
January 19, 2015—Pete Sigman and Chris Bryant, Vice President of Innovations and Vice President of Research and Development, respectively, for Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr, discuss a new carpet backing system called Lifeguard that has been in the works for several years. Listen to the interview to find out how this system has the potential to change the backing industry by making the entire carpet a thermoplastic that potentially can be recycled.
January 16, 2015—Helmut Twilfer, President of Schönox in Germany, and Kemp Harr, discuss the development and benefits of Schönox self leveling compound which is made in Germany and has been introduced in the U.S. market by HPS Subfloors. Listen to the interview to hear more about the invention and its benefits.
January 15, 2015—John Baugh, Industry Analyst for Stifel Nicolaus, and Kemp Harr, discuss the recent news that Mohawk is acquiring vinyl firm IVC. Listen to the interview to find out why the acquisition makes sense for Mohawk, as well as details about the state of the luxury vinyl market.
January 14, 2015—Alex Peykar, President of Nourison, and Kemp Harr, discuss Nourison's acquisition of Hagaman Carpets (based in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia). Listen to the interview to hear how Nourison plans to integrate this niche, high end broadloom carpet maker into their global operations.
January 13, 2015—Bill Carstarphen, CEO of Pharr Yarns; Mark Clayton, President of Phenix; and Rich Pattinson, President of Pharr Yarns, discuss the merger between Phenix Carpet and Pharr Yarns. Listen to the interview to hear more details about these two businesses, their fit in the marketplace and how this merger strengthens both entities and still allows Pharr to grow its business with its diversified mix of yarn customers.
January 12, 2015—Amie Gilmore, Show Director for Surfaces, and Kemp Harr, discuss expectations for next week's Surfaces show which is one week earlier this year to facilitate a tie-in with Design and Constructions week. Listen to the interview to hear more about the 125,000 people that are expected in Vegas next week to attend the five different shows that are all taking place in the same week. Amie also talks about a couple of new education and orientation events plus the Emerging Professionals social event.
January 9, 2015—Cathy Buchanan, Operations Manager at Independent Carpet One in Westland, Michigan, and Kemp Harr,discuss a few of the victories she has had at her store recently and her take on the new product introductions from Carpet One's winter convention.
January 8, 2015—Eric Demaree, President of Carpet One Floor and Home, and Kemp Harr, discuss the group's performance in 2014, its key initiatives for 2015, as well as the challenges retailers face in this ever evolving sector. Listen to the interview to hear more and to hear Eric's outlook for 2015.