March 24, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management further discusses the Fed’s decision earlier this week to leave interest rates unchanged, the nuances of the statement issued by the fed and the ensuing reaction by economists, the media and the market. Barker also talks about the deepening problems in housing market and situation in the subprime mortgage market, crude oil prices and the pending earnings season.
March 23, 2007—Paul Friederichsen, President of Brand Biz, in the first part of a three-part series, reviews the book The Little Blue Book of Advertising by Steve Lance and Jeff Woll. Friederichsen expands on some of the ideas in the book, such as thinking “Within the Box” and developing better methods of measuring the results of advertising and focusing on the customer and on a broad range of consumers.
March 22, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management, discusses the Fed’s announcement to leave interest rates unchanged, the statement that accompanied the announcement and the conflicting news coverage that followed.
March 21, 2007—Frank O’Neill, Co-Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, looks back over the week in the floor covering industry discussing the Kohlberg Kravis Roberts bid for Armstrong, the other private equity firms and companies that are expected to place bids and the possible outcomes if KKR, the owner of a 50% stake in Tarkett, were to succeed in the auction. O'Neill also discusses Pfleiderer reaching nearly 99% of Pergo shares in its tender offer for the company and how this acquisition may change the laminate landscape in North America. Also discussed: Dave Wootton’s pending retirement from Columbia Flooring and the new president, Greg Pray and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice's acquisition of ServiceMaster.
March 20, 2007—James Beach, Sr. Manager, Communications, Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), discusses the association’s recently launched continuing education unit (CEU) program offered in conjunction with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The courses allow professionals to acquire accredited hours for participation. Beach outlines the courses offered including: Carpet Construction, Dye Methods and Testing Methods, Introduction to Carpet Specification and Carpet Maintenance.
March 20, 2007—Vinnie Virga, President, Flooring America, from the Flooring America convention in Dallas, in the final part of a two-part series discusses the Flooring America brand in the marketplace, attracting consumers to members' locations, developing consistency among member’s marketing messages and how the organization recommends floor space allocation in members' stores. Virga also discusses installation industry-wide by looking at Flooring America members' operations, the company’s approach to environmental friendly products and the need for members to consider expansion.
March 19, 2007—Vinnie Virga, President, Flooring America, from the Flooring America convention in Dallas, in the first part of a two-part series, discusses the the meetings and events that makeup the convention, the marketplace in 2006 and 2007, the performance of the company’s members and his view that Flooring America gained share last year. Virga talks about the changes at Home Depot and his expectations for the future, changing consumer wants and retailer alignments with both buying groups and manufacturers.
March 18, 2007—Keith Hughes, Managing Director in Equity Research, SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey in the third part of a four part-series discusses the recent changes at Home Depot including the possible sales of the HD Supply unit, the company’s new chairman and CEO Frank Blake and the closing of the Floor Store freestanding floor covering unit. Hughes talks about the options ahead for the floor covering departments within the Home Depot stores and the needs to improve its service offerings and the avenues for expansion for the company in the future.
Marchl 23, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management discusses the general state of the market, its brief dip below the 12,000 mark earlier this week and why it didn’t drop more. Barker talks more about the subprime mortgage market and the growing impact its having on other sectors of the economy. Barker discusses some of the comments made by former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan on the topic of subprime mortgages and some of the other expert commentary made on the topic as well as moves in Mohawk shares over the past few weeks.
March 15, 2007—Keith Hughes, Managing Director in Equity Research, SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey in the third part of a four part-series discusses Interface’s performance during the 4th quarter of 2006, the state of the commercial sector and his expectations for 2007. Hughes talks about Interface’s modular carpet and broadloom sector as well as the its European fabrics unit. Also discussed is the post-bankruptcy Armstrong and his expectations for the future of the company.