Flooring Podcast

Hosko, Giancola and Howerton Discuss the Multifamily Sector - Part 1 (16:27)

May 30, 2006—From the multifamily sector of the housing industry, in the first of a five part series, floor covering contractors, Jerry Hosko, president, Redi Carpets of Houston, with locations throughout the country and Rick Giancola, owner St. Louis-based United Carpets, both members of the MultiFamily Solutions unit of FloorExpo and Graham Howerton, vice president of the MultiFamily Solutions discuss their operations and the sector in last year and this year and the uniquenesses of the sector.

Rohit Bhargava, Ogilvy Public Relations, Blogs and Corporate Communications – Part 1

May 29, 2006—Rohit Bhargava, VP, Interactive Marketing, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and host of the blog Influential Interactive Marketing, in the first part of a three-part series, discusses blogging, and how blogs work as he offers some examples of the most popular blogs on the internet. Bhargava talks about where blogs fit in the corporate world discussing some of the more successful corporate blogs and the primary function served by marketing-oriented blogs.

Phil Gutierrez & Steve Silverman of Abbey Carpet – Part 3

May 25, 2006—From Abbey Carpet, in the final part of a three part series, Phil Gutierrez, chairman & CEO and Steve Silverman, president & COO discuss trading-up and satisfying the demands consumers have for more distinctive products and the broadening use on hardwood and ceramic in today’s homes. Gutierrez and Silverman discuss competition, dealing with a more informed consumer, the company’s approach toward technology and dealing with suppliers in 2006.

Bob Peoples on the Progess of CARE in 2005 - Part 5

May 25, 2006—Bob Peoples, Executive Director, Carpet America Recovery Effort, (CARE) and Director, Sustainability, CRI, in the final part of a five-part series talks about retail organizations that have become involved in the Care Program, and he offers tips on how retailers, large and small can get involved in and learn more about the CARE program and play a role in diverting post-consumer carpet from landfills. Peoples also talks about Champion Polymer, the company that received CARE’s Recycler of the Year award and Ron Greitzer, CEO, Los Angeles Fiber Co. who was named the CARE person of the year.

Bob Peoples on the Progess of CARE in 2005 - Part 4 (12:34)

May 24, 2006—Bob Peoples, executive director, Carpet America Recovery Effort, (CARE) and director, sustainability, CRI, in the fourth part of a five-part series, discusses more of the challenges being faced in developing post-consumer carpet collection and processing networks systems and the networks that are currently in operation. Peoples also discusses some of the successes that CARE entrepreneurs have realized during 2005, and programs that will ultimately be aimed at establishing procurement guidelines for governments, state, local and federal.

Phil Gutierrez & Steve Silverman of Abbey Carpet – Part 2 (13:57)

May 24, 2006—From Abbey Carpet, in the second part of a three-part series, Phil Gutierrez, chairman & CEO and Steve Silverman, president & COO discuss business in the first quarter and their prime concerns going forward, including the rising price of energy. Also discussed are the pressures on today’s independent retailer, competition from the big box players and their concentration on installation and Abbey's approach to expansion.

BrandBiz’s Paul Friederichsen and the Value of PR (13:13)

May 24, 2006—Paul Friederichsen, president of the marketing and advertising firm BrandBiz discusses the advantages of including public relations in an overall program of advertising and communications. Friederichsen offers some ideas about content for press releases, tips on working with editors, and planning promotions and in-store events.

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

May 23, 2006—Frank O’Neill, publisher, Floor Focus, discusses: Lowe’s first-quarter earnings, comparing the company results with those of Home Depot, reported a week ago; John Rietveldt president of Tarkett's residential division decision to leave the company to join American Standard; Mohawk’s move to require maintenance by CRI Seal of Approval cleaning systems to keep warranties valid; The passing of Chico Batavia and Faus Group founder Andres Faus; The addition of Hoboken/SPI Floors to Faus Group’s distribution network; And the retirement of Lori Dowling as president & CEO of StarNet.

Bob Peoples on the Progess of CARE in 2005 - Part 3

May 23, 2006—Bob Peoples, executive director, Carpet America Recovery Effort, (CARE) and director, sustainability, CRI, in the third part of a five-part series, discusses CARE’s recently concluded 4th Annual Conference and the some of the potential models for national, post-consumer collection and processing systems and the challenges being faced in building these networks. Peoples talks about how floor covering retailers, very likely, will become involved in these future collection systems, and some of the problems being faced in processing of post-consumer carpet.

Phil Gutierrez & Steve Silverman of Abbey Carpet – Part 1 (14:43)

May 22, 2006—From Abbey Carpet, in the first part of a three part series, Phil Gutierrez, chairman & CEO and Steve Silverman, president & COO discuss the Abbey organization, business during the year 2005 and first quarter 2006, and the company’s retail operation in Naples, Florida. Gutierrez and Silverman talk about the changes that have occurred within the retail store and how it has helped Abbey develop its programs and products.