January 6, 2012—Ron Lee, Executive Director with ReSource Commercial Flooring Network, Michel Vermette, senior vice president for commercial and international business with Mohawk, and Kemp Harr discuss the motivation behind the decision for ReSource and Mohawk to form an alliance. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this alliance and hear Ron and Michel talk about their outlook for 2012.
January 5, 2012—Steve Griffith and Gary Johnston, CMO and Director of Stainmaster Marketing (respectively) with Invista, and Kemp Harr discuss the latest ultra-soft fiber from Stainmaster that will be introduced at Surfaces this year. Listen to the interview to hear more details about its durability and the consumer promotion planned for this new carpet innovation.
January 4, 2012—Jan. 4, 2012 -- Kermit Baker, chief economist with the American Institute of Architects, and Kemp Harr discuss what may lie ahead this year for commercial and residential construction and remodeling. Listen to the interview to hear Baker talk about the slow upward trajectory of the economy and how he expects continued volatility this year.
January 2, 2012—Tom Davis, retiring President and CEO of Mannington Mills, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of his career in the flooring industry. Listen to the interview to hear Tom talk about the past and the future from his perspective as an industry leader.
December 27, 2011—Terry Gray, senior vice president of marketing with NRF Distributing, and Kemp Harr discuss NRF's decision to expand their distribution partnership with Johnsonite and Tarkett. Listen to the interview to hear more about NRF and details about this decision.
December 21, 2011—Michael Martin, CEO with the National Wood Flooring Association, and Kemp Harr discuss the new standard for factory finished solid wood flooring. Listen to the interview for more details.
December 16, 2011—Keith Campbell, Chairman of Mannington Mills, and Kemp Harr talk about Mannington's solid growth in the last year, and its continuing prospects for growth next year, even in this down economy. Listen as Campbell talks about the various product categories and how he's optimistic that pent up demand will help drive sales next year. He also talks about the pending change at CEO.
December 14, 2011—December 13, 2011--Scott Sandlin, VP of Shaw's hard surfaces business, and Kemp Harr discuss Anderson's recent decision to focus on two core brands. Listen to the interview to hear Scott talk about Anderson's continued focus on their distribution partners and their new retail Preferred Partner program.
December 13, 2011—John Wells, President of Interface Americas, and Kemp Harr discuss Floor Focus' December article on Ray Anderson and some of his character traits that led to his visionary achievements. In addition, John and Kemp discuss carpet tile's marketshare growth, which has recently taken a leadership position versus broadloom in a few of the commercial vertical sectors. Listen to the interview for more details.
To read the article about Ray Anderson from the December issue of Floor Focus click here.
December 12, 2011—Onuora Ogbukagu, Spokesperson for Domotex Germany, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights for Domotex 2012--the largest flooring expo in the world. Listen to the interview to hear details about the wood flooring summit, the changes in the exhibit hall layout, and a few of the featured exhibitors for this annual show which is scheduled for January 14 to 17 in Hannover, Germany.