November 21, 2011—Paul Friederichsen, Owner of Brand Biz, and Kemp Harr discuss the Future Focus awards created to identify and give recognition to the rising leaders of the floorcovering industry. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this noteworthy initiative and the process for nominating candidates.
November 18, 2011—Alexander Collot d'Escury, Chief Commercial Officer for Desso, and Kemp Harr discuss recent independent research by TNO in Holland that proves carpet absorbs more particulates from the air than hard surfaces. Listen to the interview to hear how the European carpet market is using this information to reverse the trend by asthma and allergy doctors to advise patients to remove their carpet.
November 17, 2011—Michael Vogel, CEO and Founder of the DCS Partnership Group, and Kemp Harr discuss the DCS Annual Meeting that was held last week in Sonoma, California. This year the meeting was focused on the builder sector of his business. Listen to the interview to hear the highlights of this meeting and the tone of the flooring contractors who focus on this sector of the market.
November 16, 2011—Gary Cissell, Director of Floors for Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss NFM's decision to open its 4th superstore location in The Colony, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this new store and about the current sales levels for flooring in NFM's existing stores in the Midwest.
November 15, 2011—Frank Hurd, COO with the Carpet and Rug Institute, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of CRI's annual meeting held last week in Dalton. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the meeting, changes to the Board of Directors, how the carpet industry is tracking for 2011 and about the CRI's reduced budget moving forward.
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.