Flooring Podcast

Bob Hill, Chairman of FCA & WFCA – Part 2 (16:50)

July 11, 2006—Retailer Bob Hill, Founder and Chairman of Floor Covering Associates and the recently elected Chairman of the World Floor Covering Association, in the second part of this three-part series, discusses 2006 year-to-date, Home Depot and Lowe’s as well as the nation’s mid-tier floor covering retailers and the competitive environment within the markets served by FCA. Hill also talks about the FCA network of stores, his suppliers and his involvement with the World Floor Covering Association

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Flooring Industry (33:48)

July 11, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine discusses: Tarkett AG majority shareholder the Deconinck family's move to sell a stake its holding company to buy out minority shareholders; Faus Group’s naming of SPI Floors as its newest distributor, the rapid rise of distributor Hoboken/ SPI Floors and the changing scene in the industry’s distribution community; Amtico’s talks with the private equity arm of Dutch bank ABN Amro; And a look at Floor Focus magazine’s Annual Retailer Survey.

Jon Dougal – The Newest and the Latest in Sustanability – Part 2

July 10, 2006—Jon Dougal, Senior Editor, iGreenBuild.com, in the second part of a three-part series, in a sustainability update discusses consumer attitudes about environmental responsibility and how they may take form in years to come. Dougal also discusses the subject of bamboo and strand bamboo and their varying degrees of environmental-friendliness.

FCA & WFCA Chairman Bob Hill – Part 1

July 10, 2006—Retailer Bob Hill, Founder and Chairman of Floor Covering Associates and the recently named Chairman of the World Floor Covering Association, in the first part of a three-part series, discusses his multi-store operation, which includes floor covering centers, a home furnishings and a design center and the FCA Network of stores a national network of licensed floor covering retailers. Hill discusses the origins of the company, its rapid growth and his plans for the future.

Jon Dougal – The Newest and the Latest in Sustainability – Part 1 (11:14)

July 9, 2006—Jon Dougal, Senior Editor, iGreenBuild.com, in the first part of a three-part series, provides a sustainability update discussing the rate at which companies are initiating sustainability programs and the motivators causing these actions as well as some of the environmentally oriented products, which have been introduced in both the commercial and the residential markets.

Don Marlowe and the Styles and Colors of NeoCon

July 6, 2006—Designer and stylist Don Marlowe, Don Marlowe and Associates looks back at NeoCon and discusses the dominant styles, colors, textures and designs that were rolled-out at the show. Marlowe talks about some of the standout introductions at the show and the factors that have influenced carpet and floor covering design, how the role of carpet and floor covering designers and development people has changed over the years. Also discussed are some of the designs and colors in non-floor covering sectors of the show and how the influence they may ultimately carpet design.

Barker On the Market

July 6, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks back at the market over the past several weeks discussing its pullback since mid-May. Barker talks about Fed chairman Bernanke and the comfort level the market appears to have achieved with the new Fed. He also discusses the good news is bad news reactions the market has to positive economic news, today’s upcoming jobs report as he previews the upcoming earnings season and his expectations for both Mohawk and Interface.

Chilewich’s Joe Sultan Discusses Plynly, a Woven Vinyl Flooring Product

July 5, 2006—Joe Sultan, an owners in Chilewich, in a conversation recorded at NeoCon, discusses Plynyl, a unique woven vinyl material used in the commercial floor covering sector. Sultan discusses the product, which is available in both wall-to-wall and tile form, its polyurethane and vinyl backings and the types of commercial and residential applications where it has been specified, including light commercial and office space as well as retail and hospitality applications.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Flooring Industry

July 4, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine discusses: The retirement of Shaw President Julian Saul; The reopening of Shaw’s Pittsburg Tennessee plant as a hardwood facility; Florida Tile’s plans to build a new porcelain line at its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; The ceasing of operations of the industry’s credit program FLEX; The WFCA’s new chairman Robert Hill; Home Depot’s focus on China; The granting of a European patent for small strips; and the 5th Annual CARE conference slated for Charleston, SC in 2007.

McDevitt Discusses the Economy – Part 1 (14:16)

June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist, in the first part of a three-part series, evaluates yesterday’s GDP report, discussing the growth of the first quarter and his expectations for the remainder of the year and 2007. McDevitt looks at yesterday’s rate hike by the Fed and discusses the statement issued by the FMOC and its meaning for future rate increases.