May 11, 2010—Jay Smith, president of the FEI Group, and Kemp Harr, discuss the emerging signs of the start of a turnaround in the builder business this year. Some major builders are projecting a profit this year, and others have started buying land again as they are flush with cash. Also, listen as Smith decribes how FEI's membership is growing, including eight new flooring-related members this year.
May 10, 2010—Massimo Ballucchi, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Vitromex, and Kemp Harr discuss their Covering's booth theme and their market position as the leading Mexican supplier to the U.S. for ceramic and porcelain tile. Listen to the interview to hear more about Vitromex and their new products for 2010.
May 7, 2010—Jeff Hamar, co-owner of Galleher Corporation, and Kemp Harr discuss Jeff's decision to buy back the west coast distribution company that he and his brother sold to Itochu in 2007. Listen to the interview to hear Jeff give his view on the evolving role of distributors in the flooring industry.
May 6, 2010—Michael Johnson, an architect and professor at Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Kemp Harr discuss his design of the hospitality pavilion for the Italian Ceramic Trade Association and his view of some of the world's most talented architects.
May 5, 2010—Dr. Svend Hovmand, former President of Crossvile Tile and this year's Tile Person of the Year, talks with Kemp Harr about his vision 25 years ago to open a porcelain tile plant in rural Tennessee. Listen to the interview to hear more about Svend's background and both the challenges the tile industry faces and the accomplishments it has achieved.
May 4, 2010—Massimo Barbari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Florida Tile, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's new re-imaging efforts, recent manufacturing investments and new products introduced at Coverings 2010. Listen to the interview to hear more details and to hear what Florida Tile's distributors think about the business outlook for 2010.
May 3, 2010—Hector Narvaez, VP of Sales and Marketing for Marazzi USA, and Kemp Harr discuss Marazzi's recent investments in ink-jet technology and other enhancements in its Florence, Alabama plant. Listen to the interview to hear more about Marazzi's latest news from Coverings 210 in Orlando.
April 30, 2010—Tony Nixon, Legacy Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss this Ohio based flooring contractor's rapid growth in the polished concrete business. Listen to the interview to hear how Legacy Floors (a Starnet Worldwide Flooring member), got into the polished concrete business and expanded it with national retail accounts like West Marine and The Limited.
April 29, 2010—Donato Grosser, of D. Grosser & Associates, and Kemp Harr discuss the overall decline of the tile market in the U.S. and how that has affected imported products from Italy. Listen to the interview to hear more details around the Italian Tile Association's strategy and Donato's outlook for the future.
April 28, 2010—Randy Gablehouse, the long-time head of commercial sales for Armstrong World Industries, and Kemp Harr, discuss the hightlights of Gablehouse's 35-year career with Armstrong. He's unusual in the industry in that he spent his entire career with one company. Over the years he's worked in a variety of roles. Gablehouse retired in March.