Flooring Podcast

Tom Rennie on Surfaces, Carpet in the Marketplace and the Future of Fiber Brands – Part 1

February 13, 2006—Tom Rennie, TLR Consulting and Editor, Commercial Carpet Digest, in the first part of a two-part series, analyzes Surfaces after the departure of Mohawk and Shaw. Rennie also looks at the show’s trend toward hard surface and discusses his belief that carpet’s loss of market share in the U.S. has greatly diminished due to the category's strides at establishing itself as a fashion product. Also discussed is the showing Mainstreet Commercial gets at Surfaces and why the “wow” factor in residential carpet introductions no longer seems to exist. Rennie also discusses changes in the fiber sector and his expectations for Shaw’s Anso brand.

Trivers & Simonson Review their Surfaces Seminar on Retailers and the Internet

February 12, 2006—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit and Wisdom and John Simonson, President of Webstream Dynamics discuss a seminars the two presented at Surfaces 2006. The seminar, on how retailers can tap into the internet to improve their business, touched on the internet as it exists today and the necessity for today’s retailers to have an exciting presence on the internet and to view the internet as a medium just as radio or TV. Trivers and Simonson also discussed the necessity for retailers to sign-on to the industry’s B2B and Surfaces 2006 the show.

From Surfaces 2006 – Mannington’s Kim Holm & Ed Duncan

February 9, 2006—From Surfaces 2006 – Mannington Residential President, Kim Holm and Senior VP Marketing, Ed Duncan discuss Surfaces 2006 the show and the factors responsible for the increase in traffic and they also look back over the events of 2005. Holm and Duncan discuss the recent acquisition of Home Depot, competition and changes within the basic flooring categories as well as the company’s introductions, which include nearly 150 SKU’s across all hard surface categories.

From Surfaces 2006 – Ed Robbins, E.S. Robbins and the Newest in Carpet Runner and Chair Mats

February 9, 2006—From Surfaces 2006 – Ed Robbins, CEO, E.S. Robbins Corp. introduces the newest in carpet runner and chair mats, each feature velcro-like grippers on the underside, which prevents slipping and will not damage carpet or carpet backing. Both products are extremely clear, the chair mats are offered with a unique display rack.

WFCA President Chris Davis discusses “Creating Your Space” a New Internet-Based, Consumer Informatio

February 8, 2006—From Surfaces 2006, in the final part of a two-part series, Chris Davis, President of the World Floor Covering Association discusses “Creating Your Space” a new undertaking by the association. “Creating Your Space” is a new website that will seek to inform and assist consumers in the market for floor covering. The goal of the site is to instill confidence in the consumer and assist the in making informed product selection by providing unbiased information and advice, and then to connect consumers with WFCA member retailers in their area. Davis discusses the details of the plan, how retailers can be a part of the project and association’s goals for the site.

From Surfaces 2006 - Gary Cissell, Nebraska Furniture Mart

February 8, 2006—From Surfaces 2006 -- Gary Cissell, Nebraska Furniture Mart discusses the show Surfaces, its importance to him and his people, how he shops the show and how he views it without Shaw and Mohawk as exhibitors. Cissell talks about the marketplace, competition, the growth of Nebraska Furniture and its plans for the future. He also discusses the manufacturers who take part in the show, his suppliers and his goals for his visit to Surfaces 2006.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill – Looks Back at Surfaces 2006

February 7, 2006—Floor Focus magazine publisher Frank O’Neill looks back at Surfaces 2006, the attendance, which unofficially was record-setting and the factors responsible for the turnout. Also discussed are retailer comments, the show’s exhibitors and the most impressive presentations at the show, the new-comer exhibitors, downstairs at the Sands and the most outstanding product introductions at this year’s show, the Las Vegas Market and the WFCA’s new rollout, Creating Your Space website.

WFCA's Chris Davis On Creating Your Space, a Internet-Based, Consumer Information Source

February 6, 2006—From Surfaces 2006, in the first part of a two-part series, Chris Davis, President of the World Floor Covering Association discusses “Creating Your Space” a completely new undertaking by the association. “Creating Your Space” is a new website that will seek to inform and assist consumers in the market for floor covering. The goal of the site is to instill confidence in the consumer and assist in making informed product selection by providing unbiased information and advice, and then to connect them with WFCA member retailers in their area. Davis discusses the details of the plan, how retailers can be a part of the project and the association’s goals for the site.

From Surfaces 2006 - Beaulieu of America’s Bouckaert and Boe

February 5, 2006—From Surfaces 2006, Carl Bouckaert, Chairman, Beaulieu of America Chairman and Beaulieu President Ralph Boe discuss the year 2005 in the carpet industry, Surfaces 2006 and the company’s redefined mission as well as its focus for the future. Bouckaert and Boe discuss the consumer and retailer surveys and “mystery shops” conducted by the company, the products rolled-out at Surfaces and their expectations for 2006.

From Surfaces 2006 - Unilin CEO, Frans De Cock

February 5, 2006—From Surfaces 2006, Unilin CEO, Frans De Cock discusses the U.S. and European laminate market and the competitive aspects and pricing history of both markets, the Mohawk/Unilin deal and what it has meant to Unilin. De Cock also looks back at Domotex and discusses Surfaces 2006 and the company’s approach to the U.S. market, the company’s U.S. new facility and the products introduced at Surfaces.