Flooring Podcast

Barker on the Mohawk, Raw Material Prices and the Market

October 2, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses Mohawk’s announcement last week to lower its 3rd and 4th quarter earnings guidance, the result of the affects of Hurricane Katrina on raw materials and energy costs, and why the market reacted as it did to the news. Barker talks about Mohawk’s announced price increase, and offers an update on the prices of oil, gasoline and natural gas and discusses the long and short-term implications. Plus, Barker looks at the affects of wide-spread price increases on inflation and the Feds likely reaction to these affects.

Floor Focus Magazine’s Frank O’Neill from Cersaie

September 29, 2005—From Cersaie, the world’s largest ceramic tile trade show, held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre in Bologna, Italy, Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine, discusses this show, its history and the mood of this year’s show. Frank discusses the exhibitors and their presentation at the show, the attendees, including some of the North American visitors as well as his take on the some of the new products and looks that are being launched at the show.

Excerpts from Mohawk Industries’ Conference Call Held Yesterday

September 28, 2005—Excerpts from Mohawk Industries conference call, held yesterday, following the announcement that the company had lowered its third-quarter EPS guidance to $1.60 to $1.63 a share, from its July guidance of $1.71 to $1.80 and also lowered its fourth guidance to $1.49 to $1.58 a share. Excerpts are of the Q&A session, with answered provided by Mohawk Chairman & CEO, Jeff Lorberbaum and by Mohawk CFO, Frank Boykin.

Warner Braun on the CRI Launch at the Kennedy Space Center

September 27, 2005—In the first part of a two-part series, Carpet & Rug Institute President Werner Braun, discusses the kick-off for the association’s new Seal of Approval program for extraction carpet cleaning equipment, which took place at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Braun recaps the event and talks about the first Seal of Approval certifications, which were presented during the event, the NASA developed technology, which is the basis for this program and discusses how this technology has been applied to the carpet industry as well as the reaction this program has garnered from major mills and how the program will affect all within the carpet industry.

The Sandy, Utah Big Bob’s Retailer Who Refuses to Lower His Flags

September 26, 2005—Kody Sorenson, a Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet dealer has flown 10 American flags over his store in Sandy, Utah for some time. Local government officials however approach Sorenson and demanded that he take the flags down. Sorenson refused and the story quickly became the media sensation of Utah. On FloorRadio, Sorenson discusses how this situation started, his feelings about the flag, how, as he awaits a court hearing, the ACLU became involved and how absolutely steadfast he is that the flags will stay. Sorenson also discusses his retail operation, its size, the Sandy, Utah market and his growth plans for the future. Click here for photos.

The Heroic Relief Efforts of Wyoming Retailer T.J. Haynes

September 22, 2005—T.J. Haynes, owner of Carpet Works, a retail floor covering store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, outlines the sizable Katrina hurricane relief effort that he and his wife Mary launched from their store, which saw numerous truckloads of supplies sent to aid victims of the disaster. Haynes discusses the steps he took to gain the interest of local media, shipping companies and businesses and to find space for the relief effort as well as provide transportation. Haynes also discusses how he recruited volunteers to process the supplies in this successful effort. He also talks about his floor covering operation, how he competes in a market the size of Cheyenne, his unique approach to the business and his expansion plans.

Barker on the Market, the Fed and Rising Energy Prices

September 22, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the Federal Reserves decision to hike interest rates following hurricane Katrina, looking at both sides of the argument. Barker evaluates oil, gasoline and natural gas prices, the Fed view on inflation and the statement it released indicating the likelihood of another increase ahead. Barker also discusses this inflationary cycle and its affects on players in the floor covering industry and third quarter and year-end earnings.

NeoCon East Guests – Part Two

September 21, 2005—Part two from last week's Neocon East at the Baltimore Convention Center, featured are representatives from three of the show’s exhibitors, Anne Garland, Contract Specialists, Honeywell Nylon, Mark Nestler, Atlas Carpet Mills and Rhonda Ross, VP Business Development, Centiva International. Topics include assessments of the commercial and governmental marketplace and the show, changes within the A&D community, product strategies, new product introductions and sustainability

Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Floor Covering Industry

September 20, 2005—Floor Focus Publisher Frank O’Neill looks back at the past two weeks in the industry talking about: Neocon East, which was held last week in Baltimore; Jack Mishkin, founder of Bentley Mill’s agreement with Bentley Prince to lead product design; The new Mannington/Tarkett Commercial VCT joint venture; Jan Lembregts and Jim Morando new roles at Tarkett Residential; A study that says the proposed $140 billion Senate asbestos bill will go broke within 3 years; And industry price increase announcements of the past two weeks.

Paul Friederichsen – Recognizing the Need for an Ad Agency & What to Expect When You Have One

September 19, 2005—Paul Friederichsen, CEO of the marketing and branding firm Brand Biz, in the first part of an ongoing series, offers some pointers to assist businesses in recognizing the need for an advertising professional and steps to follow to match the right agency to a company’s needs. Friederichsen outlines the benefits vs. costs approach to making an ad agency decision, the steps in determining the value to be gained from an agency, what specific functions a business should expect from an agency and solving the in-house vs. outside agency question.