April 26, 2010—Kermit Baker, Chief Economist with the American Institute of Architecture, and Kemp Harr discuss the AIA billing index for March which is improving but still below 50, indicating a continued decline in billings. Listen to the interview to hear more about the different vertical sectors and kermit's overall view of the economy.
April 23, 2010—Jim Dion, an expert in consumer buying habits at retail, and Kemp Harr discuss Jim's upcoming seminar next week at Coverings in Orlando titled "Attracting the Consumer in 2010." Listen to the interview to hear highlights about Jim's talk and to hear more about where the consumer is mentally when it comes to retail buying.
April 21, 2010—Kathy Young, Creative Director for Residential Marketing with Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr discuss details about the 2010 HGTV Green Home. Listen to the interview to hear more about what Shaw gets out of the promotion, details about the home itself and about the flooring products selected for this promotion. As usual, the house will be given away at the end of the sweepstakes.
April 20, 2010—Don Finkell, CEO of Shaw's Hardwood Business, and Kemp Harr discuss Shaw's recent acquisition of Stuart Hardwood Flooring in Stuart, Virginia. Listen to the interview to hear how this unfinished solid hardwood flooring producer fits within Shaw's overall business. Also hear more about the supply and demand issues that are affecting hardwood flooring prices.
April 16, 2010—Werner Braun, President of the Carpet and Rug Institute, and Kemp Harr discuss a recent CRI board decision that provides two options that should improve the economic model for recycling post-consumer carpet and further reduce the amount of carpet that ends up in landfills. Listen to the interview to hear Werner provide details about the two options--a potential consumer environmental fee or an increase in landfill tipping fees. Also listen as Werner briefly discusses the statistics that indicate that the industry is seeing and uptick in business.
April 15, 2010—Larry Noel, VP of Retail Sales at Rite Rug, and Kemp Harr discuss the fit of carpet made with polyester fiber from a retail perspective. Listen to the interview to hear more about Rite Rug and how their retail salespeople position this product.
April 14, 2010—Paul Comiskey, President of Residential Business with The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr talk about polyester carpet fiber's fit in a company that is known for design and whose average wholesale price for carpet is $22 per yard. Listen to the interview to hear more about the growth of Dixie's Durasilk polyester business.
April 13, 2010—Thomas Rennie, principle with TLR Consulting, and Kemp Harr discuss the two primary reasons why BCF polyester carpet fiber is continuing to expand its footprint in the residential carpet market. Listen to the interview to hear more specifics about the pricing advantage and technological processing improvements that have enabled this fiber shift. Also listen to hear Thomas speculate that triexta will not be a Mohawk exclusive in 2011.
April 12, 2010—Alasdair Carmichael, with PCI Fibres, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent shift in carpet fiber demand, which shows polyester gaining against polypropylene and nylon staple. Listen to the interview to hear that the primary causes for the decline in polypropylene are styling shift and polymer price, and with polyester versus nylon, it's improvements in yarn performance based on new extrusion technology.
April 8, 2010—Jennifer Hoff, President of the Coverings Expo, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of the upcoming Tile and Stone show that will be held in Orlando April 27 to 30. Listen to the interview to hear the special events and seminars that Jennifer thinks attendees should put on their schedule.