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."
June 2, 2009—Jim Bethel, CEO of J&J Industries (a 52 year old commercial carpet manufacturer) and Kemp Harr discuss what it takes to be a successful family business. Listen to the interview to hear more about the award and the criteria that's used to select the winner.
June 1, 2009—Al Kabus, President of The Mohawk Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Mohawk's Re:work seminar series designed to provide unemployed designers and architects help in securing future employment. In this 10 city tour, Mohawk, the IIDA and Interior Design Magazine have teamed up to provide A&D professionals with outplacement assistance that includes portfolio evaluation, financial planning, resume writing assistance and job opportunity networking services. Listen to this 8 minute interview to hear more about how this came about and where they are in the process. To see the schedule and locations, go to www.themohawkgroup.com/rework
May 29, 2009—Patricia Flavin, Beaulieu's VP of Marketing, and Kemp Harr discuss Beaulieu's recent share growth, its continued success with the Bliss brand and details about its new Consumer Sweepstake. This is a great interview for retail flooring showroom salespeople to listen to for tips on selling flooring to women.
May 27, 2009—Tom Levi, Owner of Levi's 4 Floors in Ohio, and Kemp Harr discuss the strategic changes Levi's has made to increase sales. Listen to the interview to hear Tom's thoughts on the economy, changes in consumer buying habits and what makes this seven store Ohio chain successful.