June 8, 2012—Mark Falanga, President of MMPI who runs the annual NeoCon Show in Chicago, and Kemp Harr discuss the anticipated traffic at next week's premier interior furnishings show. Listen to the interview to hear Mark talk about the highlights of next week's show and many of the reasons why people come every year.
June 6, 2012—David Vita, Executive VP with Bolyu, and Kemp Harr discuss Beaulieu Commercial's "Look Book" picture book which they are using to provide inspiration and design ideas to their specifying customers. Listen to the interview to hear more about this commercial selling tool and also how Bolyu sees its fit in the contract carpet market.
June 5, 2012—Charlie Monroe, President and CEO of card-Monroe Corporation, and Kemp Harr discuss CMC's latest patent for its ColorPoint tufting technology which allows tufting technology to closely resemble the look that previously could only be achieved with Axminster woven technology. Listen to the interview to hear more about the tufting machine business, business conditions overall and the shift in the commercial sector from broadloom to tile.
May 31, 2012—Jeff West, VP of Marketing and Product Development with Patcraft, and Kemp Harr discuss Patcraft's move to the 10th floor at NeoCon (into the old Blue Ridge showroom) and the brand's entry into the LVT market. Listen to the interview to hear more details and to hear how Shaw's "performance" brand is seeing business conditions.
May 30, 2012—Steve Risotto, Sr. Director with the American Chemistry Council, and Kemp Harr discuss the issues with the recent Karlstads University study which attempted to prove that infants can absorb phthalates from PVC flooring. Listen to the interview to hear Steve discuss in more detail the implications from this study.
May 25, 2012—Charley Knight, VP with Interface Hospitality, and Kemp Harr discuss the penetration of carpet tile into the hospitality sector and a panel discussion that Interface hosted about the consumer's perception of eco-friendly hotel practices and whether it sways brand preference.
May 23, 2012—Andrea Bacchini, North American Sales Manager for Imola, and Kemp Harr discuss Imola's position as a global, Italian based, ceramic tile producer and their decision to exhibit at the Hospitality Design show for the first time this year. Listen to the interview to hear more about Imola's products and their target audience.
May 22, 2012—Jonathan Young, Global Sales Director with OW Hospitality, and Kemp Harr discuss his recent career move and OW's business strategy for the hospitality market. Listen to the interview to hear Jonathan's perception of the show and recent trends in the Axminster sector of the hospitality carpet market.
May 21, 2012—Barbara Marcy, Director of Product Design for Durkan Hospitality, and Kemp Harr discuss current design trends from this marketshare leader and Mohawk's new investments in tufted print carpet technology.
May 18, 2012—Lindsey Waldrep, VP of Marketing with Crossville, and Kemp Harr discuss Crossville's presence at the Hospitality Design expo and its new exclusive partnership to distribute large format thin tile manufactured by Laminam (System Ceramics) out of Italy. Listen to the interview to hear Lindsey's perception of the show and the Laminam fit in Crossville'l overall plan.