Flooring Podcast

Michael Riley and Andy Brumlow of Oriental Weavers Discuss New Broadloom Products at Surfaces 2009

March 3, 2009—Recorded at Surfaces, Mike Riley, President, and Andy Brumlow, Director of Broadloom, discuss the company's entry into the broadloom category.  Historically known for leadership in woven polypropylene area rugs for 25 years, Oriental Weavers now sells U.S. made, woven broadloom carpet in a wide assortment of fashion forward designs.  More information on these products is available at www.owrugs.com.

Piet Dossche Discusses New Products and Recent Changes at US Floors From Surfaces 2009

March 2, 2009—Recorded at Surfaces, Piet Dossche, Owner and CEO of US Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's new products, its environmental focus, its recent expansion in Dalton, Georgia, and its minority ownership by Amorim (the largest cork flooring manufacturer in the world). Watch this interview to hear more about US Floors and its new Eco-Design Center of cork and bamboo products in a color bank of 48 colors. 

Karen Levey-Lynch Discusses Johnsonite's Brand Focus at Surfaces 2009

February 27, 2009—Recorded at Surfaces in Johnsonite's outstanding display, Karen Levey-Lynch, a New York design consultant, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's Science of Happy theme, Johnsonite's new website that will be rolled out in March, and the company's focus on solutions versus products.

Bridgett Kelly Discusses British Wool's Focus at Surfaces 2009

February 26, 2009—Bridgett Kelly of the British Wool Marketing Board tells Kemp Harr about the unique characteristics of British wool fiber, why it's a good choice for high traffic areas like casinos and cruise ships, how the sustainability movement is helping drive sales, and why it's taking marketshare from synthetics.

Roger Farabee Discusses Quick-Step and Laminate Market Overall at Surfaces 2009

February 25, 2009—If you are curious about trends in the laminate market, don't miss this interview with Roger Farabee, Senior VP of Marketing for several of Mohawk's hardsurface brands. Not only does Roger discuss strategic moves that Quick-Step is doing to take marketshare but he also explains in detail where the laminate market is going. Two new products that Quick-Step is introducing this year are Allustra, a high gloss laminate, and Sculptique, a rustic soft-scraped product, both of which are value priced and Made in the U.S.

Kennedy Frierson of Masland Discusses New Products at Surfaces 2009

February 24, 2009—Kennedy Frierson of high end carpet maker Masland tells Kemp Harr about the firm's new products, especially its Masland Avenue collection, as well as the firm's aggressive expansion of its wool product line that it introduced in late 2007.

Jane Little with Faus Group Discusses Surfaces 09

February 23, 2009—Recorded at Surfaces 2009, Jane Little, Director of Marketing at Faus Group, discusses the range of products Faus offers in the upper-end laminate sector, the company's new VP of Sales, and its ongoing expansion in Calhoun Georgia.

Ralph Boe Discusses Beaulieu's New Products and Programs at Surfaces 2009

February 20, 2009—Recorded at Surfaces, Ralph Boe, President and CEO of Beaulieu of America, and Kemp Harr discuss the company's 2009 product introductions, the strength of the Bliss brand, and its patent-pending display system.  Ralph also discusses some of the reasons why carpet is starting to recover some of its share loss.

Kim Holm Discusses Agreement with Elegant Living to Sell Mannington Branded Product in China

February 18, 2009—Kemp Harr and Kim Holm, President of Mannington's residential business, discuss the agreement signed last week with Elegant Living to sell Mannington branded product in China.  Listen to the interview to hear why this is such big news and is a bit of an about face from the flow of goods we've seen over the past decade. (8 min.)

Jack Raidy of WF Taylor Discusses New Environmentally Friendly Adhesives at Surfaces 2009

February 18, 2009—In an interview with Kemp Harr, Jack Raidy, President of W.F.Taylor, provides a quick background of the company's business model and its leadership in environmental certification. Jack also discusses his company's new M.S. Plus wood flooring adhesive, and the value of attending this year's Surfaces expo.