August 29, 2012—Marc Ammen (CEO) and Bill Goodman (VP of Sales and Marketing) with Universal Fibers, and Kemp Harr discuss the innovations that have led to the company's ongoing success in the commercial carpet market. Listen to the interview to hear about Universal's Revolve product that won a Best of NeoCon Gold award in June and the company's outlook for growth.
August 28, 2012—Paul Friederichsen, industry branding consultant, and Kemp Harr discuss the 2nd annual Future Focus Awards. These awards were created to identify and give recognition to the future leaders of the floor covering industry. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this years awards.
August 27, 2012—David Pennington, Mayor of Dalton, GA, and Kemp Harr discuss a recent NY Times' article written by Kim Severson that inaccurately portrayed the Dalton area stating, "Things in Dalton are so desperate that some people feel a little hopeful when they hear news about wildfires or floods or tornadoes." Listen to the interview for more details.
August 22, 2012—David Williams, VP of Horizon Forest Products; Joe Reddington, Division Manager with BPI; and Kemp Harr discuss the decision to change the format of the tradeshow element at the annual NAFCD meeting. Listen to the interview to hear David and Joe, both serving on the NAFCD board, talk about the strategy behind this decision and other highlights of the meeting.
August 21, 2012—Doreen Becker, Color Expert with Americhem, and Kemp Harr discuss her annual color trend seminar planned for September 20 at the Dalton Convention Center. Listen to the interview to hear more details. Also hear how the economy affects color and dress length.
August 17, 2012—Bethany Richmond, Director of Communications with CRI, and Kemp Harr discuss the improved access to the Carpet and Rug Institutes continuing education courses on the Hanley Wood University website. Listen to the interview for more details on this initiative plus a summary of the other CRI communications activities.
August 16, 2012—Bob Peoples, returning Executive Director with CARE, and Kemp Harr discuss his decision to return to this leadership role to direct the diversion of post-consumer carpet from the nation's landfills. Listen to the interview for more details.
August 15, 2012—Dan Frierson, Chairman with the Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Dixie's second quarter performance. Specifically, they discuss Dixie's 11% growth in the specialty retail sector and other new developments in its residential business. In addition, they discuss the recent personnel changes at Masland Contract where Lee Martin comes in as president and David Hobbs comes in to lead operations.
August 13, 2012—Mike Riley and Jonathan Witt, President and Vice President with Oriental Weavers, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's aggressive global showroom expansion at a time when sales are soft and price points have been dropping. Listen to the interview to hear more details about their business strategy, business outlook and expansions in High Point, NC, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York and London.
August 8, 2012—Jim Walker, CEO for Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI), and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights and anticipated attendance at this week's annual CFI convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Listen to the interview for more details.