Flooring Podcast

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.

WFCA, CEO, Chris Davis, Unveils WFCA.org – Part 2 (16:38)

September 13, 2006—Chris Davis CEO, World Floor Covering Association, in the second part of a four-part series discusses the association’s new consumer-oriented web site, WFCA.org. Davis discusses the dealer locator feature on the site, how it works and which retailers will be eligible to be listed. Davis talks about the options are available to WFCA members on the site; the Creating Your Space Elite dealer and the WFCA premium dealer. He discusses the premium options available to WFCA members including individual product catalogs, and pricing for the premium packages.

Floor Focus Co-Publisher Frank O’Neill and Industry Events of the Week (34:37)

September 12, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Co-Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses: The naming of Hal Long to the post of EVP, Operations at Shaw, the naming of Tim Baucom to the post of VP, commercial division and the naming of Bob Chandler to the post of VP, commercial sales; Tarkett’s first half 2006 earnings; The agreement of Congoleum’s reorganization plan; Tandus’ new recycled content backing and adhesive; The vetoing of Chicago's 'big box' wage ordinance and; The passing of industry pioneer Alan Lorberbaum.

Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader – Part 3 (11:32)

September 12, 2006—Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader, the newest unit of CCA Global Partners, in the third part of a four part series, discusses the unit’s value proposition and The Floor Trader’s marketing and advertising plans. Also discussed is the redefining of the nation’s discount locations and how U.S. consumers now view discounters in today’s retail environment and where The Floor Trader’s will position itself from a price point standpoint.

Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader – Part 2 (12:11)

September 11, 2006—Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader, the newest unit of CCA Global Partners, in the second part of a four part series discusses The Floor Trader model, its floorplan, the rationale behind the unit’s store layout and what consumers see as they enter a Floor Trader. Demaree also talks about the company’s first franchisee and the progress it has made since it opened. He discusses his view on consumer desires as it relates to a warehouse location and the type of consumer, upon which the unit will be focused.

Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader – Part 1 (10:46)

September 10, 2006—Eric Demaree, President, The Floor Trader, the newest unit of CCA Global Partners, in the first part of a four part series, begins to outline The Floor Trader concept, a cash and carry franchise unit, its footprint and how the concept works with the Stone Mountain and GCO Flooring Outlet operations. Demaree also talks about the company store and working laboratory in St. Louis.

Barker on the Market (31:56)

September 7, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks at the economic news of the week and its affect on the market. Barker discusses the guidance lowering news from homebuilders Beazer and KB Home, the negative news from the National Association of Realtors and his expectations for future housing developements and market reaction. Also discussed is the drop in oil prices, the Federal Reserve Beige Book and the options available to the FMOC at its next meeting and the historical aspects of the month of September on Wall street.

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

September 6, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Co-Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses his trip to Gandia, Spain and the headquarters and manufacturing facilities of Faus Group talking about the company, its global growth, its new facility in the U.S., and the expansion of its intellectual property. Also discussed: The resignation of Mac Bridger as CEO of Tandus and C&A Floorcoverings; July office furniture sales; Mohawk’s new CFO and controller; The expansion of Asian hard surface flooring in North America and; The latest on the sale of Feltex.

Brian Peters, Avoiding the Pitfalls of Health and Other Insurance

September 5, 2006—Brian Peters, managing director, Advance Insurance Strategies, discusses the changing insurance requirements for retailers, distributors and other mid and small size businesses and some of the typical insurance problems that befall many business people. Peters talks about some of the basic rules to observe in making insurance-related decisions, new coverages available to business people, navigating the host of health insurance options and dealing with flood insurance.

Larry Winter - The Right Time for Retailer Expansion

September 4, 2006—Larry Winter, Winter & Scoggins CPAs, discusses the firm’s name change from Winter & Harris CPA’s, the services the firm offers its clients and some of the more frequent problems that he has come across with his mid and small business clientele. Winter also discusses some of the expansion options open for floor covering, the prerequisites for retailers to consider prior to expansion and the factors a retailer should know to discover if expansion is not an attractive option.