November 14, 2011—Dan Natkin, Director of Hardwood and Laminate at Mannington Mills, and Kemp Harr discuss last week's decision by the International Trade Commission to affirm punitive duties on engineered hardwood flooring imported from China. Listen to the interview to hear details from Dan, who has attended most of the hearings on this case.
November 11, 2011—Michelle Miller, Executive VP of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of this year's annual meeting held this week in Nashville, Tennessee. Guest speakers this year were Dr. Barry Asmus (economist), Stuart Varney (TV Journalist), and Jonathan Trivers. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the health of this sector of the floorcovering industry.
November 10, 2011—Jonathan Train, president of the Alliance for Free Choice in Jobs and Flooring, and Kemp Harr, discuss the International Trade Commission's decision to impose duties on engineered hardwood that's imported from China. Listen to the interview to hear how the average 4.5% duties will affect the industry and how the rates will be reviewed in the years ahead.
November 8, 2011—John Baugh, Managing Director with Stifel Nicolaus, and Kemp Harr discuss the 3rd quarter performance for Mohawk, Armstrong and Interface. Listen to the interview to hear more details about each of these publicly traded companies and hear John talk about the outlook for next year.
November 4, 2011—Kermit Baker, a Harvard economist who tracks the commercial and residential construction sectors, and Kemp Harr discuss Kermit's outlook on current economic conditions and the outlook for 2012. Listen to the interview to hear Kermit talk about the slow and steady improvement in both sectors.
November 3, 2011—Neil Poland, President of Mullican Flooring, and Kemp Harr discuss Mullican's news this week that they are moving their entire Johnson City operation and headquarters to a new facility and expanded its footprint to include a new engineered flooring line. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this decision and also hear Neil talk about the current and future outlook for hardwood flooring in the U.S.
October 31, 2011—Steve Roan, VP of Sales with Karastan, and Kemp Harr discuss last week's furniture show in High Point, North Carolina. Listen to the interview to hear how this show compares to the other rug markets and where the consumer buys rugs today versus a few years ago.
October 28, 2011—Phil Koufidakis, Owner of Baker Brothers, a seven-store retail chain in Phoenix, Arizona, and Kemp Harr discuss Baker Brothers' 10% growth, web marketing strategy and product mix. Listen to the interview to hear how this NFA member has grown in the past year.
October 27, 2011—Jim Mudd, President of the NFA, and Kemp Harr discuss highlights of the National Floorcovering Alliance's Fall meeting in Napa Valley, California. Listen to the interview to hear Jim talk about the overall health of this buying group's memebership and about his own business, Sam Kinnaird's Flooring, in Louisville, Kentucky.
October 26, 2011—Gary Cissell, Director of Floors at Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss retail flooring volume at NFM's three midwest stores. Listen to the interview to hear Gary talk about recent success he had with a "private sale," his sales mix of hard surface versus carpet, Stainmaster's new TruSoft Fiber and the membership tone at the Fall National Floorcovering Alliance meeting in Napa Valley, California.