September 30, 2011—Darrel Collier, Synthetic Fibers Analyst with Tecnon Orbichem, and Kemp Harr discuss the increase in polymer prices since the beginning of 2011 for Polyester, Polypropylene, Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. Listen to the interview to hear Darrel talk about each polymer that's used to make carpet, how much it's gone up since the beginning of the year and why.
September 28, 2011—Howard Brodsky, Co-CEO of CCA Global, and Kemp Harr discuss last week's Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Event that was held at Barnsley Gardens in Georgia and raised $160,000 for the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF). Listen to the interview to hear more about this event, the FCIF and about current market conditions with CCA's members.
September 23, 2011—Ryan Fason, a ceramic tile consultant with p.a.t.t.i., and Kemp Harr discuss tile trend observations from this year's Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy. Listen to the interview to hear Ryan talk about the show and what it takes to be successful at selling as a retailer.
September 22, 2011—Armando Cafiero, managing director of the Italian Ceramic Tile Association, and Kemp Harr, from the Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy, discuss the growth of Cersaie, the largest ceramic tile show in the world. Listen to the interview to hear Armando talk about Italian tile, where use is growing, and how his association plans to increase its tile sales in the U.S.
September 21, 2011—Hector Narvaez, head of marketing and sales for Marazzi USA, and Kemp Harr discuss activity at the Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy, where the interview was recorded. Listen to the interview to learn who attends the world's largest tile show and why. Find out how the show is similar in some respects to the North American Auto Show, as well trends Narvaez is seeing this year.
September 19, 2011—Steve Fitzgerald, owner of CC Carpet in Dallas, Texas, and Kemp Harr discuss Fitzgerald's grand slam promotion, in which the store reimbursed customers for their September purchases after Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers hit a grand slam. Listen to the interview as Fitzgerald talks about the details of the program and how it has resulted in national publicity.
September 16, 2011—Franco Rossi, President of Aquafil USA, and Kemp Harr discuss Aquafil's sustainability achievements, which have been summarized in a recent company report. Listen to the interview to hear Franco talk about Aquafil's key sustainability achievements, its re-polymerization plant in Slovenia, and current market conditions.
September 15, 2011—Dean Harris, Design Principal with JPC Architects in Bellevue, Washington, and Kemp Harr discuss JPC's winning entry in the anuual Vision Design Awards. Listen to the interview to hear more about JPC, their winning entry, the Vision Design Awards and about current business conditions for this design firm.
September 14, 2011—Sam Burger, VP of Sales for Lexmark, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights from the Hospitality Design Boutique show which is currently underway at the Miami Convention Center. Listen to the interview to hear Sam talk about the traffic and business conditions from the floor of the show.
September 13, 2011—Ron Dunn, Co-CEO with Alliance Flooring, and Kemp Harr discuss key take-aways from Ron's "trip across America" where he and his wife personally visited with 100 members in a 30 day period. Listen to the interview to hear some great success tips on product diversity, focus on fashion (with vignettes and Ipad presentation tools).