Flooring Podcast

Chad Moutray with NAM Discusses his Economic Outlook and the Reshoring U.S. Manufacturing Trend

October 10, 2013—Chad Moutray, the economist with the National Association of Manufacturers, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, discuss NAM's economic outlook for the remainder of 2013 and the potential effect that the Washington shutdown could have on his estimate. In addition, Chad addresses the economic factors that are motivating companies to bring their manufacturing back to the U.S. Listen to the interview for more details.

Tracy Hammond Discusses Potential Solutions to End the Washington Stalemate

October 7, 2013—Tracy Hammond, a Lobbyist for the Carpet and Rug Institute with Polsinelli, and Kemp Harr, discuss key issues and potential solutions to resolve the government shutdown in Washington, DC. Listen to the interview to hear this Washington insider's perspective.

Russell Grizzle Discusses Mannington's LVT Expansion in Madison, Georgia

October 4, 2013—Russell Grizzle, President and CEO of Mannington Mills discusses Mannington's LVT expansion in Madison, Georgia. The expansion, which is estimated to cost $50 million, will add over 200 jobs and will quadruple the output of this LVT plant from what it was able to produce when Mannington purchased the plant as part of its Amtico acquisition. Listen to the interview for more details.

Michelle Miller Discusses the Upcoming NAFCD Meeting In Chicago

October 3, 2013—Michelle Miller, Executive VP with the North American Association of Floorcovering Distributors (NAFCD), and Kemp Harr, discuss the NAFCD's annual meeting that will be held in Chicago on November 12-14. Listen to the interview to hear details about how the organization has grown and changed and a few of the highlights for next month's meeting.

Howard Brodsky Discusses the FCIF Golf Tournament Results

October 2, 2013—Howard Brodsky, Co-CEO with CCA Global, and Kemp Harr, discuss the results of the Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament held at Barnsley Gardens in mid-September. Listen to the interview to hear more about the even, the Floor Covering Industry Foundation and a little about current market conditions in the retail floorcovering business.

Scott Sandlin Discusses Shaw's $40 Million Hardwood Expansion in Tennessee

September 30, 2013—Scott Sandlin, Shaw's VP of Hard Surface Flooring, and Kemp Harr, discuss a few details about Shaw's decision to invest $40 million to expand its Epic Hardwood facility in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the plant and market conditions.

Armondo Cafiero Discusses the Global Tile Market and Cersaie's Leadership

September 26, 2013—Armondo Cafiero, general director of the ceramic industry in Italy, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, talk about the Italian tile industry and how it continues to grow internationally. Listen to the interview to find out how extensively Italian companies are investing in their manufacturing facilities and how that factors in Italy's continued leadership in the industry. This interview was recorded at the Cersaie tile trade show.

Michael Johnson Discusses His Cersaie Presentation on Paolo Soleri and Women in Architecture

September 25, 2013—Michael Johnson, an architect and professor at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Kemp Harr, discuss Michael's two seminars at Cersaie 2013. The first debuts a movie on Paolo Soleri, who recently died, and the second is on the stature of women in the field of architecture. Listen to the interview for more details.

Giulio Bonazzi Discusses Aquafil's Econyl Depolymerization Investment in Slovenia

September 24, 2013—Giulio Bonazzi, CEO of Aquafil, and Kemp Harr, discuss Aquafil's Econyl fiber and the firm's depolymerization plant in Slovenia. Listen to the interview to learn details about the process Aquafil uses to repurpose post-consumer carpet yearn and old fish nets to create the Econyl yarns. Also learn about the history of this innovative company.

Brian Carson and Tom Lape Discuss Mohawk's New Continuum Process PET Carpet Fiber

September 23, 2013—Brian Carson, President, and Tom Lape, Director of Sales and Marketing, respectively for Mohawk Industries, and Kemp Harr, discuss the company's $180 million investment in its P.E.T. process, called Continuum, a new technology. It's the company's major investment in polyester carpet fiber, which is continuing to take share. Listen to the interview to find out what makes Continuum different and will help differentiate Mohawk products in the marketplace.