Flooring Podcast

The Week in the Flooring Industry with Floor Focus Publisher Kemp Harr

May 16, 2007—Kemp Harr, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine looks back at the past two weeks in the floor covering industry discussing: The Carpet America Recovery Effort's (CARE) annual conference last week in Charleston, SC; Home Depot’s first quarter earnings report; The softening of the remodeling market and the National Association of Realtors trimming its 2007 housing forecast; The expansion of Floor & Decor into Austin and Orlando and The Floor Trader’s expansion plans in Michigan; And Coverings’ record breaking debut in Chicago.

Contractor Dan Welch, Welch Tile & Marble, from Coverings 2007

May 15, 2007—Dan Welch, Welch Tile & Marble, Kent City, MI, from Coverings 2007 discusses his tile and store contracting business, its growth in recent years and his plans for the future. Welch also talks about his decision to attend Coverings, his preparation for the show and his reaction to the exhibits and seminars of the show.

Crossville Chairman Svend Hovmand from Coverings 2007

May 14, 2007—Svend Hovmand, Chairman, Crossville and Chairman of Coverings 2007, from Coverings, discusses the show, its attendee and exhibitor turnout, its 2007 venue of Chicago’s McCormick Place and his expections as to how Chicago will play in the show’s future. Hovmand also discusses technology in the ceramic industry and how technology has developed in recent years.

Donato Grosser from Coverings 2007

May 11, 2007—Donato Grosser, D. Grosser and Associates, from Coverings 2007 discusses, the North American ceramic tile market in 2006 and first quarter 2007, the show and its level of success in Chicago and his expectations for the future. Grosser also talks about product and growth trends for the North American market.

Bill Perkins, GranitiFiandre, from Coverings 2007

May 10, 2007—Bill Perkins, GranitiFiandre, from Coverings 2007 discusses the newest innovations rolled out at Coverings including a unique raised-floor porcelain system. Perkins also talks about the company’s plans going forward, its performance in 2006 and so far this year, the importance of Coverings to the company and its expectations for the year.

Crossville’s John Smith & Mark Shannon from Coverings 2007

May 9, 2007—Crossville’s President and General Manager John E. Smith and VP, Sales Mark Shannon, from Coverings 2007 discuss the show, its venue, McCormick Place in Chicago, the attendance and the importance of the show to the company. Smith and Shannon also talk about the marketplace and their expectations for 2007 and beyond and Crossville, its marketing direction, its plans for the future and the new products rolled out at the show.

Florim’s Jim Dougherty from Coverings 2007

May 8, 2007—Florim’s Executive V.P of Sales and Marketing, Jim Dougherty from Coverings discusses the new marketing strategies of Florim, the redefining of its Esquire and AFI (formerly American Florim) brands, the new products the company rolled out at Coverings, its efforts in North America and its new sales team.

ASCER’s Patty Fason – What’s Hot at Coverings 2007

May 7, 2007—Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers of Spain’s (ASCER) Patty Fason, from Coverings 2007 talks about the hottest trends, looks, sizes and colors rolled out at this year’s Coverings show at McCormick Place in Chicago. Fason discusses the driving forces behind some of these trends and looks and talks about the show from her vantage point.

NTR’s Tamara Christian on Coverings 2007 (17:16)

May 4, 2007—Tamara Christian, CEO, National Trade Productions, and Show Manager, Coverings 2007 discusses the show, the Chicago McCormack Place venue, the record setting turnout and the exhibitor participation at this year’s show. Christian also talks about the retail, architect and designer and distributor turnout at the show, the events that surround the show and whether Coverings will return to Chicago in 2009.

Shaw’s Abernathy & Callaway Discuss Shawfloor.com’s Newest Enhancement Try On A Floor – Part 4

May 3, 2007—From Shaw Industries, Steve Abernathy, Director of Marketing Technology and Todd Callaway, Manager, Interactive Marketing, in the final part of a four-part series, discuss “Try On A Floor," the most recent enhancement to the room visualization tool on the shawfloors.com web site. In this segment Abernathy and Callaway discuss retailer reaction to the Shaw internet site and their views on possible internet developments for the future including an ability to track shoppers who visit a company’s website, through to a purchase at a retailer’s location and the company’s views on future developments on Shawfloors.com.