September 6, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses the affects of Hurricane Katrina and its impact on members of the floor covering industry and its potential longer-term affects on prices. Also discussed, the pending acquisition of the nylon fiber business of Honeywell by Shaw, what was involved in the acquisition, what the acquisition means to Shaw, its competititors and the industry.
September 5, 2005—Larry Winter, Winter & Harris CPAs offers some helpful tips for large and small businesspeople related to hiring and delegation functions within their businesses. Winter also discusses methods to help safeguard business against losses from embezzlement.
September 5, 2005—Washington insiders Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder, legislative counsel to the WFCA, with the Washington-based firm Collier Shannon Scott, in the final part of a four-part a series, presented by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), discuss the image of the United States abroad and what that image means to programs of the Bush administration. Columbus and Sinder discuss some issues that are of prime importance to the floor covering industry such as rising energy prices, the proposed Senate asbestos bill and its chances of gaining passage, the affects of the revaluation of Chinese currency, legislation affecting healthcare, the estate tax and terrorism reinsurance legislation which could have a major affect on the commercial construction and flooring industries.
August 25, 2005—Washington insiders Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder, legislative counsel to the WFCA, with the Washington-based firm Collier Shannon Scott, in the third part of a four-part series presented by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), discuss the Bush administration’s performance at managing the economy and look forward to the 2008 presidential elections and the prospects for a host of players who appear to be positioning themselves to run including Hillary Clinton. Also discussed are the Democratic party’s efforts to redefine itself and how some of the misdirected statements of DNC Chairman Howard Dean and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid have played into that mission.
August 25, 2005—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist now in semi-retirement looks at the state of the economy answering the question: Is the economy cooling or not? McDevitt offers his forecast for the remainder of this year and into 2006 discussing rising oil prices, the toll they are taking on various segments of the economy and their affects on consumers, manufacturers and retailers. McDevitt also looks at the housing and construction markets, their strengths and weakness and where his sees these markets going this year and next. He also offers his insight into the Federal Reserve and when they may halt interest rate hikes.
August 24, 2005—Bobby Croghan, a designer with Interior Architects’ Washington, DC office discusses the firm's work at the “Best of Neocon” which will be on display at Neocon East Baltimore on Sept. 14-15. Croghan also looks at the growth of sustainability, LEED certification in the marketplace, the role that local, state and federal government has played in the process and his expectation for LEED in the future. Croghan also talks about his approach to selecting environmentally-friendly floor coverings and flooring components, where maintenance fits into the picture and offers thoughts on how suppliers could better meet sustainable needs.
August 23, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses: The measures planned by Pergo to reduce payrolls in Europe by 120 to trim overhead, plus a look at the laminate markets of the future in the U.S. and Europe; Personnel changes at Solutia; An ASID survey of homeowner's appetite for sustainability and the residential market for green products; And the FloorScore certification of Mannington products.
August 22, 2005—Washington insiders Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder, legislative counsel to the WFCA, with the Washington-based firm Collier Shannon Scott, in the second part of a four-part a series, presented by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), discuss some of the prime issues put forth during the Bush administration’s second term. Columbus and Sinder share their views on the administration efforts to gain Senate confirmation for appellate judge nominees and for Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, they also offer their thought on the proposals to change Social Security that have been put forth by the president.
August 21, 2005—Steve Bradfield VP, Environmental Development, Shaw Commercial Group, in an archives presentation first broadcast in November, 2003, discusses sustainability as a part of Shaw Industries` culture, sustainability and the bottom line and the shift that has taken place in recent years in corporate thinking in the U.S. with regard to environmental concerns. Bradfield also talks about sustainability and the future and his vision of where the concept will take U.S. producers in years to come.
August 21, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit and Wisdom, in a conversation that was first broadcast in April, 2005, discusses shifts in the retail sector, the declining number of floor covering retailers, Home Depot’s and Lowe’s dramatic market share growth and the role of installation in that growth. Trivers also talks about Ace Hardware’s growth plans in combating the two big box players, of adding 1,100 stores over the next 10 years and how this plan could prove a successful avenue for floor covering retailers, and the looming threat Home Depot and Lowe’s have for urban flooring retailers.