Flooring Podcast

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.

McDevitt Discusses the Economy – Part 2 (13:04)

June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist, in the second part of a three-part series talks about the Fed, inflationary pressure and their causes, and other factors effecting future interest rate increases. McDevitt also evaluates Ben Bernanke first months as Fed chairman and Bernanke's moves toward making the Fed “more transparent”.

McDevitt Discusses the Economy – Part 3 (19:01)

June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist in the final part of a three-part series discusses the debate over the differences in executive and rank-and-file worker pay. He also discusses the consumer, his expectations for retail spending for the remainder of the year, the commercial building marketplace and its anticipated growth into next year and his views on how much the housing market will slow.

Masland Contract’s President Ken Dempsey

June 28, 2006—Ken Dempsey, President, Masland Contract, in a conversation recorded at NeoCon 2006, discusses NeoCon the show, the traffic at this year’s show, the upscale nature of projects across all market segments including health care and educational markets. The role service plays in architect, designer and facility manager decisions. Dempsey also talks about Masland’s entry in the modular carpet arena with the rollout of 14 new tile products, the company’s goals in developing the offering, the reaction it received at the the show and the advantages of offering tile along with the company’s broadloom.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Flooring Industry (34:51)

June 27, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine discusses: The addition of Kemp Harr as a partner in Floor Focus and FloorDaily.net; Final NeoCon 2006 attendance numbers; Tarkett AG’s first quarter earnings; Home Depot’s incentives for good service; The closing of Tarkett’s Brookneal Virginia hardwood plant; The passing of Galaxy co-founder Irv Harvey and; Stock Building Supply’s acquisition of Coleman Floor.

Sonna Calandrino & Liz Calandrino – What Consumer’s Really Think – Part 1 (11:24)

June 25, 2006—From Fabulous Floors Magazine, Publisher Sonna Calandrino and Director of Consumer Research, Lis Calandrino, in the first part of a four-part series, discuss consumer likes and dislikes learned during a recently held consumer focus group, a joint-venture of Fabulous Floors and FloorRadio. Discusses is the need to hold focus groups as a means of constantly checking the pulse of the consumer, how floor covering consumers prepare themselves for shopping for floor coverings, how they view the shopping experience, how they assess the comfort level of a retail store and they feel about a salesperson who tries to change their minds.

Sonna & Liz Calandrino – What Consumer Consumer’s Really Think – Part 2 (13:23)

June 25, 2006—From Fabulous Floors Magazine, Publisher Sonna Calandrino and the Director of Consumer Research Lis Calandrino, in the second part of a four-past series reveal some of their findings from a recently held Fabulous Floors/ FloorRadio consumer focus group. Discussed are the strong feelings these consumers have for their homes, how these feelings are reflected in their approach to shopping, their stance on working with designers, and the kind of help they want and expect from a retail salesperson. Click here to view a photo album that goes with this interview..