Flooring Podcast

WarmlyYours GM George Selvais on Cash & Carry Radiant Heat

March 29, 2006—George Selvais, General Manager of radiant heat systems manufacturer WarmlyYours, looks back at Surfaces 2006 assessing the show and specifically action on the lower level of the Sands Convention Center. Selvais also talks about the level of market acceptance the concept of radiant is gaining in U.S. and Canadian markets and the newest introduction from WarmlyYours, an easy to install line of cash & carry products specifically designed for bathrooms. This new offering is marketed from a rack in the retail store and can be installed by the floor covering installer.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on Floor & Décor, Clarion, Pergo in India and Carpet’s Niche Players

March 28, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ discusses: The opening of the 13th Floor & Decor location in Tampa and the growth of the mid-tier retailer sector; More information on Clarion, the Tarkett/Aconcagua joint venture in Clarion Pennsylvania; Pergo’s growth in India; The health of the smaller, niche carpet mill; And Faus Group's presence at Domotex asia/ChinaFloor, featuring Faus Shanghai, the company’s new operation in China.

FloorExpo President Jay Smith – Part 2

March 27, 2006—Jay Smith, President, FloorExpo unit of CCA Global Partners, in the final part of a two-part series, discusses this organization, the nation’s largest residential flooring contractor organization and the builder and multifamily markets it serves. Smith talks about FloorExpo’s membership and changes with the contractor sector, the company’s HomeSolutions and MultiFamily brands, trends within both market segments, the dynamic of upgrading, and the goals of the organization.

Rae Anne Cordick, President, Fabri-Zyme and Inventor of Odor Elimination Technology

March 26, 2006—Rae Anne Cordick, President, Fabri-Zyme and the inventor and license-holder of the odor-elimination enzyme technology used in carpet, hard surface and carpet cushion by several of the industry’s major manufacturers and licensed under the Odor-Eaters brand. Cordick discusses the characteristics of this technology, how it works in flooring products, consumer priorities and expectations regarding odor and how sales people can most effectively sell products that offer this attribute.

Barker on Interface, the Fed, Presidential Ratings and the Market

March 23, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the two analysts’ downgrades of Interface this week and what it means for investors, the ups and downs of the market this week, its reaction to yesterday’s housing numbers and what the market anticipates from next week’s Fed meeting. Barker also talks about energy prices and their possible affects on corporate profits and the possible affects of President Bush’s declining approval ratings on the market.

FloorExpo President Jay Smith – Part 1

March 22, 2006—Jay Smith, President, FloorExpo unit of CCA Global Partners, in the first part of a two-part series, discusses this organization - the nation’s largest residential flooring contractor organization - and the builder and multifamily markets it serves. Smith talks about FloorExpo’s membership, changes within the contractor sector, the company’s HomeSolutions and MultiFamily brands, trends within both market segments, the dynamic of upgrading, and the goals of the organization.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on Propex & Armstrong’s and Shaw’s Wood Moves

March 21, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ discusses: The naming of Joe Dana as been President & CEO, Propex Fabrics, replacing Ed Stanczak; Armstrong’s two hardwood acquisitions Capella Engineered Wood and HomerWood and the company’s announced partnership in a engineered wood plant in China as well as the wood flooring market in general and Armstrong’s place within it; The conversion of a Shaw yarn plant into a engineered hardwood plant; The official opening of Mohawk’s yarn facility in Bennettsville South Carolina.

Bart Bettiga Exec. Dir. NTCA on the Ceramic Industry, Contractors and Coverings '06

March 20, 2006—Bart Bettiga - Executive Director, National Tile Contractors Association and Chairman of Coverings 2005 discusses some of the changes that have occurred in the ceramic tile industry and the shortage of qualified tile installers that the industry is facing. He also talks about the movement of carpet, wood and vinyl installers towards ceramic and the expansion taking place within many of the nation’s tile contracting firms, he also shares his expectations for further changes in this arena and discusses the electronic technology level within the contracting sector and the industry in general. Bettiga also previews looks at Coverings 2006.

CRI President Werner Braun on Deep Cleaning Systems Testing and the School Forum

March 16, 2006—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug Institute, (CRI) discusses the newest phase in the association’s Seal of Approval program, the testing program for Deep Cleaning Systems, talking about the test procedures and the performance criteria of the test. Braun also talks about a forum that the association will be taking part in, in a school system in Hartford Connecticut where some parents were leading a movement to remove carpet from the school building. Braun also discusses the associations up coming Issues Conference, scheduled for April 12.

Barker on the Lorberbaum Family’s 10b5-1 Plan & the Market

March 16, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the Lorberbaum family group, which is headed by Jeff Lorberbaum, and their plan to sell some of their share in the company via a rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Barker also talks about what’s behind the 'up' state of the market this week and why the market has appeared to forget about the Fed. Barker also looks at the affects of this week’s economic reports and especially the housing start numbers and rising energy prices on the market.