Flooring Podcast

Jon Trivers - the Retail Sector in 2005 – Part 2

January 4, 2006—Industry speaker and FCW columnist Jon Trivers, in the final part of a two-part series, looks back at the year 2005, discussing the largest shifts, trends and changes that occurred in the retail sector of the floor covering industry, discussing the effects of price increases on the segment, and the changes they have driven. Trivers looks how mill affiliate groups and buying groups fared during the year, the increase of imports during the year, as well as how floor coverings as a sector managed in 2005 against other categories such as home entertainment, vacations and MP3 players.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill - The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

January 3, 2006—Floor Focus magazine publisher Frank O’Neill discusses: major homebuilders and raw materials prices and their impact on the floor covering industry in 2006; the denial of Armstrong’s reorganization plan by the U.S. Court of Appeals; DuPont’s dealings with the United Steelworkers’ “Corporate Campaign;” the settlement of pending patent infringement cases by Faus and Pergo; The “second act” of Home Depot’s Bob Nardelli; Solutia’s November profits; the filing of Foamex’s reorganization plan; Roger Milliken stepping down as Milliken’s CEO, and the naming of Krista Eliason as president of International Design Guild.

Evan Hackel, President, Carpet One

January 2, 2006—In an archives presentation Evan Hackel, president, Carpet One, discusses the Carpet One Winter Convention 2005, the recent changes that have occurred within the organization, the marketplace and his focus as the new president of the cooperative. Hackel also compares the goals of co-op Ace Hardware, which include adding 1,100 stores as a means of competing with Home Depot, with those of Carpet One. He also discusses his approach to advertising, CCA member-oriented technology, Revelation, and the organization’s new distribution network.

Jon Trivers - the Retail Sector in 2005

January 2, 2006—Industry speaker and FCW columnist Jon Trivers, in the first part of a two-part series, looks back at the year 2005 discussing the largest shifts, trends and changes in the retail sector of the floor covering industry, discussing the effects of price increases on the segment and the changes they have driven. Trivers looks at how mill affiliate groups and buying groups fared during the year, the increase of imports, as well as how floor coverings as a sector managed in 2005 against other categories such as home entertainment, vacations and MP3 players.

WFCA Chairman Aaron Pirner with a B2B Update

December 29, 2005—In an archives presentations aired in September, 2005, Aaron Pirner, CEO of CAP Carpet and chairman of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), discusses the progress of the industry’s B2B initiative and the recent meeting of the Flooring Industry B2B Standards Committee. Pirner also talks about the increased involvement of distributors in the program, the heightened participation among manufacturers in the program, the formation of an association of floor covering software providers, which took place at the meeting, and the growing awareness of the program among retailers.

Architect & Designer Peter Conant on the Commercial Market Place

December 28, 2005—In an archives presentation, architect and designer Peter Conant, Principal of the New York-based architectural firm Conant Architects discusses the economy, its affects on business and the changing New York market. Conant looks at the changing focus of corporate clients, design trends in 2005, his views on basic floor covering product groups and how they have affected the way he writes specifications. Conant also discusses his priorities when initiating a project, his approach, the checklist he follows and the role maintenance plays in his flooring decisions.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill – The Year 2005 in the Floor Covering Industry

December 27, 2005—Floor Focus magazine publisher Frank O’Neill looks back over 2005 in the floor covering industry discussing the industry’s 10 most significant developments, which had the greatest impact on the industry during the year. Discusses are industry events from rising raw materials prices and acquisitions to the building of new manufacturing facilities in the U.S., changes in the retail and commercial sectors and developments among the big box players.

CRI President Werner Braun looks Back at 2005 and Ahead to 2006

December 26, 2005—Werner Braun, President the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) discusses some of the highlights of the carpet industry during 2005 and discusses the association’s mission and the progress it has made toward its goals a during the year. Braun also discusses the progress made in the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE)and two industry-wide problems, which the association has recently launched programs to deal with: the problem of carpet installation and; the quality level of FHA base-grade product used in starter homes and the negative impact it is having on homeowners.

DuPont Spokesman Dan Turner on the Steelworkers Allegations

December 21, 2005—Dan Turner, a spokesman for DuPont discusses the allegations made yesterday by the United Steelworkers (USW), which said stain-repellent chemical used in carpeting may pose a health hazard. Turner pegs these allegations as is "simply not true". He discusses the chemistry behind the carpet treatment that measures the company has taken to ensure the safety of its products. Turner also discusses the recent merger of USW with the Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy (PACE) union and PACE’s announced “Corporate Campaign” against the DuPont company.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill - The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

December 20, 2005—Floor Focus magazine publisher Frank O’Neill discusses: The Floor Focus contract dealer survey, which covered the likes and dislikes of the nation’s contract dealers, how they present products and how they have changed over the past two years; Tandus’ third quarter earnings; November hardwood flooring shipments as reported by NOFMA; The purchase of a gas company by Spanish ceramic tile producers; The purchase by Greenpeace of illegally cut Brazilian timber, which they parked in front a Sao Paulo police station; and the launch of BASF’s ammonia-free latex binder for carpet backing.