Flooring Podcast

Floor Focus Publisher Kemp Harr and the Week in the Flooring Industry (33:51)

April 11, 2007—Kemp Harr, publisher of Floor Focus magazine discusses the changes in marketshare between independent retailers and the big box home improvement chains as presented in the April issue of Floor Focus magazine, touching on the residential replacement and builder sectors. Also discussed: A recent Barron’s article on Interface and the growing carpet tile market; Year-to-date construction data from Reed Construction and; The merger of software companies RFMS and Pro%Cent.

Rug Decor’s Scott Hayim on Marketing Rugs–Part 3 (11:58)

April 11, 2007—Scott Hayim, President of the Rug Decor unit of CCA Global, in the third part of a four-part series discusses the company’s growth plans, the size options and prime locations for stores, the company’s approach to merchandising and displaying rugs and the company’s approach to selling online and through catalogs.

Rug Décor’s Scott Hayim on Marketing Rugs – Part 2 (11:33)

April 10, 2007—Scott Hayim, President of the Rug Décor unit of CCA Global, in the second part of a four-part series, talks about competition in the rug sector from home improvement chains and discounters to speciality rug retailers, independent floor covering retailers, department stores and online retailers and catalog houses. Hayim discusses the price categories of rugs and Rug Décor’s unique selling proposition and the company’s plans for adding 40 stores by 2008.

Rug Décor’s Scott Hayim on Marketing Rugs – Part 1 (10:31)

April 9, 2007—Scott Hayim, President of the Rug Décor unit of CCA Global, in the first part of a four-part series discusses his background in the rug industry, the Rug Décor operation, its history and membership and the ideal location for a store. Also discussed is the the growth the rug sector has experienced in the past 5 years and the relationship that exists between rugs and hard surface flooring and the other factors that have had an impact on rug sales.

Armstrong’s Frank Ready on the Post-Bankruptcy Armstrong – Part 4 (8:16)

April 6, 2007—Frank Ready, President & CEO, Armstrong World Industries, Flooring Division, in the final part of a four-part series discusses the most recent products the company has introduced and his vision of where the entire hard surface market will be heading going forward. Ready talks about Armstrong’s view toward quality and where it fits in the company’s overall strategy. Also discussed are recent developments in the industry, laminate and hardwood production in China and the current situation in the intellectual property arena,.

Armstrong’s Frank Ready on the Post-Bankruptcy Armstrong – Part 3 (11:55)

April 5, 2007—Frank Ready, President & CEO, Armstrong World Industries, Flooring Division, in the third part of a four-part series discusses the builder market and the company’s strategy to reduce cost in the sector through improvements in installation. Also discusses is the company’s approach to the independent retailer, the vinyl marketplace, the company’s vinyl operation and its plans long-term in the category.

Thomas Baert on ChinaFloors Timbers – Part 3 (9:33)

April 4, 2007—Thomas Baert, president and owner of ChinaFloors Timber Shanghai, in the third part of a three-part series discusses the standards of quality held by ChinaFloors Timber, some of the problems that often face North American companies attempting to buy product in China, the intellectual property situation that exists in China and his expectations for growth in Chinese exports in the years to come.

Floor Focus’ Publisher, Frank O’Neill, The Week in the Flooring Industry (34:34)

April 4, 2007—Frank O’Neill, Co-publisher, Floor Focus magazine reviews the week in the floor covering industry discussing: The turnout for Domotex asia ChinaFloor 2007 and the growth the show has enjoyed since its debut; Armstrong’s 4th quarter results; Pfleiderer acquisition of Pergo, its expansion plans and the anticipated expansion plans in the U.S.; Solutia’s addition of nylon 6,6 pellet capacity; Home Depot’s plans to cut back its growth plans and: The expansion of brick and clicks in the floor covering marketplace.

Armstrong’s Frank Ready on the Post-Bankruptcy Armstrong – Part 2 (10:46)

April 4, 2007—Frank Ready, President & CEO, Armstrong World Industries, Flooring Division, in the second part of a four-part series discusses the company’s branding strategy, as well as its overall product strategy and its plans for product launches. Also discussed is the hardwood flooring market of North America, the company’s hardwood flooring unit, the acquisitions the company has made and the gains it has realized in the sector in the last year as well as its plans going forward.

Armstrong’s Frank Ready on the Post-Bankruptcy Armstrong – Part 1 (11:22)

April 3, 2007—Frank Ready, President & CEO, Armstrong World Industries, Flooring Division, in the first part of a four-part series discusses the environment in the residential arena in 2007, the housing market and comments on the company’s process of reviewing its strategic alternatives. Ready also talks about the post-bankruptcy Armstrong, the company’s flooring unit as it exists today and the effect bankruptcy had in the division as well as how the company is perceived by the retail community.