June 19, 2009—Mark Falanga, Senior VP in charge of Neocon for MMPI, and Kemp Harr discuss traffic and exhibitor numbers, and the value of this show to the interior furnishings business. Listen to the interview to hear his perception of how flooring manufacturers have evolved in design focus over the last 10 years.
June 18, 2009—Catherine Minervini, VP of Marketing at Bentley Prince Street, and Kemp Harr discuss changes in design trends and the inspiration behind some of BPS's latest product introductions. Listen to the interview to hear Catherine talk about the firm's expectations for Neocon, its new relationship with Aquafil and how the recession has affected design trends.
June 17, 2009—Antron has developed new bio-based carpet fiber that uses castor oil. Listen as Diane O'Sullivan, Antron's director of marketing, tells Kemp Harr how the firm's research and development group developed the new fiber, which contains 10% bio based material. She also talks about Antron's carpet reclamation program, and this year's Antron Product Innovation Award winners.
June 16, 2009—The Dixie Group has formed a new division aimed at the contract market called Whitespace that does business exclusively through the Internet. Listen as Ken Dempsey, president of Masland Contract and Whitespace, tells Kemp Harr about the innovative new business model and how it gives designers more options for their projects. The new division was conceived by Masland management and offers completely new lines of broadloom and modular carpet.
June 12, 2009—Hal Long, Executive VP of Operations with Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr discuss Shaw's recent decisions to build a PET recycling plant in North Carolina and a second waste-to-energy plant in Dalton, Georgia. Listen to the interview to hear more about Shaw's investments to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
June 10, 2009—Mark Falanga, VP with Merchandise Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights for next week's NeoCon show in Chicago. Listen to the interview to learn more about exhibitor and attendance statistics and speaker/seminar highlights.
June 9, 2009—Marty Schallock, Owner of Malkin's Carpet, and Kemp Harr discuss a residential interior designer event Marty held recently. His special guests for this event were Vicki Gillstrap, Mohawk VP of Color and Design, and Taniya Nayak, Designer on HGTV's Designed to Sell. Listen to the interview to hear how he positions nylon versus Smartstrand carpet fiber in Wisconsin.
June 5, 2009—Fred Poses (CEO) and Gary Lanser (VP of Flooring Business) with Ascend Performance Materials, and Kemp Harr discuss the business strategy and motivation behind this new company's acquisition of Solutia's nylon business. Listen to the interview to hear about SK Capital and this new company's competitive advantage in the nylon, and more specifically, the carpet fiber business. Fred Poses has a long history in the carpet fiber business with Allied Signal and Gary Lanser worked with Monsanto.
June 4, 2009—Christine Whittemore, Industry Consultant, and Kemp Harr discuss the recently launched CRI Consumer Blog. Listen to the interview to hear how consumers can find useful information and dispel some of the leading myths about carpet. To access the new CRI blog, go to www.CRIblog.org.
June 3, 2009—Recorded at the HGTV Green Home in Port St. Lucie, FL, professional house planner Jack Thomasson and Kemp Harr discuss this new home's LEED certification and the flooring products that were used. Listen to the interview to hear more about how consumers are becoming more environmentally aware. Also hear how Jack cuts through "greenwashing."