Flooring Podcast

Jon Dougal, the Future of Fiber Made from Renewable Resources and Biofuels – Part 4 (10:36)

September 20, 2006—Jon Dougal, President, Sustainable Design Associates in the final part of a four part series discusses producing polymers and fibers and fuel from renewable resources, such corn and other vegetable matter. Dougal talks about the impact biodiesel could have on the floor covering industry’s transportation sector and the cost of producing fibers and fuels from vegetable products and the future biomass.

Floor Focus Co-Publisher Frank O’Neill and the Events of the Week (33:27)

September 19, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Co-Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses the launch of the redesigned shawfloor.com website, which will be going live early next month. Covered is the research that went into the development of this site and some of the features including new visualization tools. Also discussed is the World Floor Covering Association’s new website, wfca.org, which was launched last week. Included in the conversation is the association’s approach to serve as an source for authoritative unbiased consumer information, and the new WFCA spokesperson. O’Neill also talks about the pending retirement of Columbia Flooring’s Dave Wootton and Invista’s nylon 6,6 expansion in Asia.

Shaw’s John Davis Looks at the International Market Place – Part 1 (16:36)

September 18, 2006—John Davis, VP, International Sales, Shaw Industries, in the first part of a two-part series, discusses the international floor covering marketplace focusing on growth areas, major problems in international markets, competition, pricing and factors that have been working in favor of U.S. floor covering producers. Davis looks at the Europe and the U.K. markets, discussing the economy, domestic producers and his expectations for 2007.

Jon Dougal, the Future of Fiber Made from Renewable Resources and Biofuels – Part 2 (11:01)

September 18, 2006—Jon Dougal, President, Sustainable Design Associates in the second part of a four part series discusses producing polymers, fibers and fuel from renewable resources, such corn and other vegetable matter. Dougal discusses some of the problem areas that could be created by this process, including the allocation of agricultural acreage. He also looks at a likely scenario for producing bio-diesel, that of having mini-production facilities along the nation’s highway system, which would supply fuel to the U.S. truck fleet.

WFCA, CEO, Chris Davis, Unveils WFCA.org – Part 4 (11:33)

September 18, 2006—Chris Davis CEO, World Floor Covering Association, in the fourth and final segment of a four-part series discusses the association’s new consumer-oriented web site, WFCA.org. Davis talks about the association’s fiscal goals in launching the site and its decision to not include advertising on the site. Also discussed is the growing sophistication of the internet and its growing importance to floor covering retailers and how retailers can become involved with the WFCA.com site.

WFCA, CEO, Chris Davis, Unveils WFCA.org – Part 3 (15:02)

September 17, 2006—Chris Davis CEO, World Floor Covering Association, in the third part of a four-part series discusses the association’s new consumer-oriented web site, WFCA.org. Davis talks about the overall goals the association has set for the site and his expectations for sign-ups. Also discussed are the promotional activities that the association will utilize to build awareness with consumers including personal appearances by and promotional activities by WFCA spokesperson, Rebecca Cole and the measures the association plans to take to gain positioning on search engines. Davis also talks about the reactions that the association has received as a result of its decision to launch the site.

Jon Dougal, the Future of Fiber Made from Renewable Resources and Biofuels – Part 1 (10:14)

September 17, 2006—Jon Dougal, President, Sustainable Design Associates in the first part of a four part series discusses producing polymers, fibers and fuel from renewable resources, such corn and other vegetable matter. Dougal defines biomass and biofuels and discusses the future of each and the prime drivers behind this growing phenomenon and when he feels these products will work their way into the mainstream. He also discusses how biofuels are being used today and their environmental and potential cost advantages

Larry Winter on the Value of Developing a Relationship with a Bank (12:07)

September 13, 2006—Larry Winter, Winter & Scoggings CPAs, discusses the value for small and mid-sized businesspeople to develope a relationship with a financial institution. Winter talks about the role bankers can play as a corporate advisor in the area of new credit products, payroll options, safeguards from fraud and the long-term value the relationship may bring in favorable interest rates.

Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader – Part 4 (10:26)

September 13, 2006—Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader, the newest unit of CCA Global Partners, in the final part of a four part series discusses installation in this cash and carry unit and the consumer-friendliness of the Floor Trader model. As a former Home Depot executive Demeree discusses the big box home improvement players, their approach to floor covering and their progress in the installation arena, he also looks at Home Depot progress in floor coverings during 2006 and how independants can better compete with this major players.

WFCA, CEO, Chris Davis, Unveils WFCA.org – Part 1 (16:34)

September 13, 2006—Chris Davis CEO, World Floor Covering Association, in the first part of a four-part series discusses the association’s new consumer-oriented web site, WFCA.org, which is being officially launched today. Davis talks about the long and short-term goals for the site, the naming of the site, the rational behind the development of the site and the role the site will play in educating and informing consumers and directing consumers to WFCA member retailers. Also discusses the sources of the product information offered on the site along with some of the site’s features, including the Workbook, Lifestyle and the Virtual Room Designer and the WFCA’s new spokesperson, Rebecca Cole, host of The Discovery Channel’s Surprise by Design.