July 30, 2009—Dick Miller, President of Davis and Davis, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent acquisition of Glen Eden Mills and the synergies and benefits to both brands. Listen to the interview to hear more about their brand focus, product positioning, and channels to market.
July 29, 2009—Werner Braun, President of the Carpet and Rug Institute, and Kemp Harr discuss the need for a new carpet installation standard and how the ANSI process differs from what has been done in the past with the CRI 104 and 105 standards. Listen to the interview to hear why the IICRC was tapped to lead this process and more about how this came about.
July 27, 2009—Jay Smith, President of FEI Group, and Kemp Harr discuss the motivation behind changing the name from FloorExpo to FEI Group, the organization's upcoming Fall meeting and recent business feedback from its membership in light of this economy.
July 24, 2009—Due to a recent article in Buildings Magazine that questioned whether modular carpet was a truly sustainable product, Jeff West, Director of Sustainability with Shaw, and Kemp Harr discuss this topic. Listen to the interview to hear some of the inaccuracies of this article and the green benefits of modular versus broadloom (approx 8 min)
July 23, 2009—David Knight, President and CEO of Teragren, and Kemp Harr discuss how their new FloorScore certification sets them apart from the other bamboo flooring suppliers. Listen to the interview to hear more about Teragren, their focus on bamboo building materials and how FloorScore certification helps their clients qualify for indoor air quality LEED points.
July 22, 2009—Charles Monroe, President of Card Monroe, and Kemp Harr discuss CMC's newest tufting innovation called ColorPoint, which allows carpet mills to create woven looks with the speed and flexibility of tufting. Listen to the interview to hear about the three new models and the hospitality focused mills that have recently purchased this new type of tufting equipment
July 21, 2009—Franco Rossi, General Manager for Aquafil USA, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's two new nylon 6 carpet fibers with recycled content. Listen to the interview to hear more about Aquafil's eco-nyl yarn, its expanded color line and its expanded relationship with Monticello.
July 20, 2009—Howard Brodsky, Chairman and Co-CEO of CCA Global, and Kemp Harr discuss the upcoming FCIF charity golf tournament scheduled for Sept. 24 at Barnsley Gardens Resort in Adairsville, Georgia. Listen to hear more about this upcoming golf tournament, the change in venue and more about the Floor Covering Industry Foundation.
July 16, 2009—Consumer Reports recently tested and compared strand bamboo and oak for hardness and other factors. Debra Hardin of US Floors, a bamboo flooring manufacturer, confirms Consumer Reports' conclusions and gives a basic lesson on how strand bamboo is manufactured and finished.
July 15, 2009—Recorded Tuesday on the last day of the Atlanta Rug Show, Chas Sydney, VP of Business Development, and Kemp Harr discuss the traffic, changes in the rug market channel and the advantages of this show in Atlanta versus the furniture show in Las Vegas. Listen to the interview to hear Chas talk specifically to flooring retailers about how to be successful with this potentially profitable flooring category. (approx. 8 min.)