January 11, 2010—Charlie Dilks with CCA Global and Paul Murfin with Armstrong discuss the details around their decision to establish a "direct" channel relationship in 2010. Listen to the interview with Kemp Harr to hear what both entities stand to gain and the role Armstrong's distributors will continue to play.
January 8, 2010—Danny Girton with the Guinness Book of World Records, who was on hand to judge the Shaw Anso Pie Fight, tells Kemp Harr what he was looking for as Shaw set out to set a world record for pie fights. The previous record of 269 people was set last September. The Shaw promotion was designed to show that Anso could withstand soiling from chocolate, apple, and cherry pies.
January 6, 2010—Rita Dommermuth, VP of Sales for Domotex, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights for the worlds largest global flooring expo which will be held in Hanover Germany from January 16 to 19. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the anticipated attendance, U.S. participation, Contract World, a bus tour of German retailers, and more about the weather forecast.
January 5, 2010—Kelly Cooper, Surfaces Expo Marketing Manager, and Kemp Harr discuss indications from pre-event bookings that attendance for the February Surfaces should be up from last year. Listen to the interview to hear more about this and about other key changes to this year's residential flooring trade show.
December 30, 2009—Jim Bethel, CEO of J+J/Invision, and Kemp Harr discuss the evolution of the flooring industry as Bethel prepares to retire at the end of the year. Listen to the interview to hear the highlights of his career and his plans for the future.
December 29, 2009—Jeff Meadows, Executive VP of Residential for Beaulieu of America, and Kemp Harr briefly discuss Beaulieu's new stain warranty, a new line of soft nylon and polyester carpets and a few other programs that will be introduced at Surfaces 2010 in Las Vegas in a few weeks.
December 23, 2009—Neil Poland, President of Mullican Hardwood, and Kemp Harr discuss yesterday's news that Mullican announced a $6 million expansion. Listen to the interview to hear more about the long range outlook for wood flooring and also an update on what is going on with board lumber prices.
December 21, 2009—Mike Leary, Director of Anso Fiber, and Dani Brock, Marketing Communications, discuss with Kemp Harr highlights of the enhancements Shaw is making to the Anso brand for 2010. Listen to the interview to hear about the new lifetime soil and stain warranty, the new color wall, the "Anso? Hope so" consumer campaign and a tease about an upcoming torture test.
December 18, 2009—Emily Morrow, Director of Color, Style and Design with Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr discuss the three primary resources Shaw uses to gather the color trend information it uses in new products. Listen to the interview to hear Emily discuss the Color Marketing Group, its own customer feedback, and how Shaw monitors regional product sales.
December 17, 2009—Kermit Baker, Chief economist with the American Institute of Architecture, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent drop in the Billing Index. Listen to the interview as Kermit talks about the impending economic recovery and offers an historic view which could shed some light on what might happen in 2010.