Flooring Podcast

Michael Longwell Discusses Airbase's Retail Business and the LVT Market

January 29, 2014--Michael Longwell, President of Pennsylvania-based Airbase Carpet & Tile, and Kemp Harr, discuss the wide variety of luxury vinyl products in the market today. Listen to the interview to find out what the category means to Airbase's business and how it fits into the firm's product mix. Also find out how Airbase views business conditions for 2014, and how it competes in the market against the mass merchants. This interview was taped at the National Floorcovering Alliance meeting in Las Vegas.

Jonathan Witt Discusses Oriental Weavers Rug Business from the World Market in Las Vegas

January 27, 2014—Jonathan Witt, Vice President with Oriental Weavers, and Kemp Harr, discuss the health of OW's rug business, product trends, and rising price points. Listen to the interview to hear more about OW's message from the World Market in Las Vegas.

Elise Demboski Discusses Mohawk's SmartStrand Unleashed Promotion

January 24, 2014—Elise Demboski, Vice President of Creative Services for Mohawk Industries, and Kemp Harr, discuss Mohawk's SmartStrand Unleashed promotion, which kicks off next week with Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl. Listen to the interview to hear more about this integrated year long promotion that includes national cable TV, social media, and point of sale material.

Eric Demaree Discusses the Highlights of Carpet One's 2014 Winter Convention

January 23, 2014—Eric Demaree, President of Carpet One Floor and Home, and Kemp Harr, discuss the business growth of this 900 member buying group in 2013 and the new products and programs that were rolled out at this week's winter convention in Phoenix, Arizona. Listen to the interview for more details.

Bruce Zwicker Discusses the Strategy Behind Haines' Acquisition of CMH Space

January 22, 2014—Bruce Zwicker, President and CEO of Haines, and Kemp Harr, discuss the news this week about Haines' acquisition of CMH Space. This is significant news as this combines Haines, the largest U.S. Floorcovering distributor with CMH which is number 3. Listen to the interview to hear the strategy behind the acquisition.

Cathy Buchanan Discusses Her Success and Recent Carpet One Greenberg Award

January 21, 2014—(Recorded live from the Carpet One Winter Convention in Phoenix, AZ.) Cathy Buchanan, Operations Manager for Independent Floor and Home in Westland, MI and Kemp Harr, talk about Cathy's distinguished honor in winning this year's Alan Greenberg Award. Listen to the interview to hear moare about this award and about business conditions and flooring trends for 2013 and 2014.

Vinnie Virga Discusses His Two New Big Bob Stores in New England

January 17, 2014—Vinnie Virga, a 5-store retailer in New England, and Kemp Harr, discuss the grand opening of Vinnie's two newest floorcovering stores. Listen to the interview to hear more details about store location selection, value brand positioning, grand opening strategy and economic outlook. Many people know that Vinnie has spent his whole life associated with retail floorcovering so he has a great deal of knowledge in this area.

Amie Gilmore Discusses the Highlights for the Upcoming International Surfaces Event in Las Vegas

January 15, 2013—Amie Gilmore, Associate Show Director with Hanley Wood, and Kemp Harr, discuss the upcoming highlights for the International Surfaces Event which starts on January 28th in Las Vegas. Listen to the interview to hear about a few of the new features of the show, how to navigate all the events and what type of crowd they are expecting.

Dr. Andreas Gruchow Discusses Why Domotex Germany is the World's Largest Flooring Exposition

January 14, 2014—Andreas Gruchow, Board member with Deutsche Messe, and Kemp Harr, discuss the continued success of the Domotex show in Germany. Listen to the interview to hear Dr. Gruchow talk about the various components of the show that makes it the largest internationally focused floorcovering exposition in the world, year over year. Deutsche Messe is the company that hosts all the Domotex shows worldwide.

Joe Williams Discusses the Growth of Beaulieu's International Business from Domotex

January 13, 2014—Recorded in Hannover, Germany at the Domotex show, Joe Williams, VP of International business for Beaulieu of America, talks to Kemp Harr. Listen to the interview to hear about the Domotex show, differences in the American and International flooring trends and what products are generating the most international interest.