March 21, 2012—Kermit Baker, Chief Economist with AIA, and Kemp Harr discuss the February architecture billings index released today which shows a fourth month of positive activity with architects. Listen to the interview to hear Kermit say that he feels that the economic recovery finally has some traction.
March 16, 2012—Dan Frierson, Chairman of The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Dixie's fourth quarter and the year end results for 2011. Listen to the interview to hear Dan talk about how his product-driven company achieved profitability last year, in spite of the difficult economy.
March 15, 2012—Don Finkell, Shaw's CEO for Hardwood Flooring, and Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, discuss the retail concept store in Shanghai, China. Listen to the interview to hear Don talk about the strategy behind this retail store, how flooring is sold in China and how the market has evolved in the past 10 years.
March 14, 2012—Santo Torcivia, an Independent Flooring Economist who publishes a quarterly report called the Market Monitor, and Kemp Harr discuss his latest report which was released yesterday. Listen to the interview to hear Santo talk about where the economy is today, mild marketshare gains by the home centers, and share shift between flooring categories.
March 13, 2012—Andrea Guidetti, Export Manager from Fiandré in Italy, and Kemp Harr discuss the latest news from one of the most innovative tile companies in Italy. Listen to the interview to hear about their name change, their heritage as the company who developed the porcelain category and their latest architectural skin product—called Extreme. This interview was recorded in Sao Paulo at the Revestir Brazilian tile expo.
March 12, 2012—Russell Grizzle, President and EO of Mannington Mills, and Kemp Harr discuss Mannington's acquisition of Amtico—an international manufacturer of LVT flooring. Listen to the interview to hear Russell talk about the strategy behind the decision to buy Amtico and the integration plans moving forward.
March 9, 2012—Antonio Carlos Kieling, CEO with Anfacer (the Brazilian trade association for tile manufacturers), and Kemp Harr discuss Antonio's recipe for drawing such a large crowd to the Annual Revestir Brazilian tile show. Listen to the interview to hear Antonio discuss the size of the crowd, the tie-in of great speakers, and the cause of the decline in Brazilian tile imports into the U.S.
March 8, 2012—Marcio Muller, VP of North American Sales for Eliane, and Kemp Harr discuss Eliane's position as the largest tile producer in Brazil and the only Brazilian tile company with a presence in the U.S. Listen to the interview taped yesterday at the Revestir Brazilian Tile Expo in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
March 7, 2012—Shannon Bilby Vogel, Director of Social Media for Creating Your Space, and Kemp Harr discuss how the new social media website Pinterest can help flooring retailers and consumers. Pinterest, the fastest growing social media website, organizes photos around topics of interest, which can help anyone who's thinking about remodeling. Nearly all of the use of Pinterest is by women.
March 6, 2012—Elena Grant, VP of Marketing for the Coverings International Tile Trade Show, and Kemp Harr discuss the upcoming show in Orlando in April. Listen to the interview to hear more about Coverings Central, which will have sessions focusing on social media and how it pertains to the tile industry. Also hear about the new Coverings Installation and Design Awards, recognizing the synergy between design and installation, and another new event, Contractor Days.