Flooring Podcast

Hughes on the Mohawk, Unilin Deal

July 6, 2005—Keith Hughes, Director in Equity Research, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey looks into the Mohawk/Unilin transaction discussing Unilin the company, its flooring, HDF and roofing products, its margins, its management and its positions in both Europe and the U.S. Hughes also talks about the selling price, $2.6B, the company’s strong, vertically integrated position in the U.S., the synergies between the two companies and his expectations for the future, in the U.S. and abroad.

Mohawk’s Unilin Acquisition Conference Call -- Part 1

July 5, 2005—In a conference call recorded yesterday, Jeff Lorberbaum Mohawk Chairman, CEO & President and Mohawk CFO, Frank Boykin discuss the details of the company’s pending $2.6 bilion acquisition of Unilin, answering questions from a number of analysts.

Retailer Roundtable Part 4 – Competing with the Big Boxes and Why B2B

July 3, 2005—This is the final part of a four part of four-part series sponsored by the WFCA. In this segment four panelists: Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet; Kurt Duitsman, EVP, Carpetland USA; John Brady, CEO, Floorz; and Rick Julius, CFO, Georgia Floors look at B2B technology in the floor covering industry discussing how this new technology stacks up against the technology used by big-box, home improvement competitors and the advantages that the industry system delivers to industry retailers. The four panelists look at the security aspects of the B2B system and also offer some helpful advice to retailers who are contemplating the addition of industry-specific software to their operations, and they also address industry suppliers who have not yet elected to transact business via B2B with their retailer customers.

Barker on the Market

June 30, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks at the Fed’s move yesterday when it raised rates for the ninth time in one year increasing the federal-funds rate to 3.25%. Barker also discusses the message that accompanied the rate increase and shares his views as to whether the Fed will continue to raise rates in the future, the market’s reaction to the increase, the state of market over the past few weeks and his take on oil prices.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue

June 30, 2005—Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, during a visit to the Dalton area carpet manufacturing hub and a stop at the Carpet and Rug Institute, discusses his tour of a Mohawk facility, the state’s role in the industry and specific issues that may affect the industry.

Dave Hartman on the Hard Surface Sector

June 29, 2005—Dave Hartman, CEO of the market development firm, Alexandria Associates looks at the hard surface sector of the industry discussing the expansion in the laminate, hardwood, ceramic and stone sectors over the last several years. Hartman talks about the process many consumers go through prior to a buying decision, the trend towards more exotic species in hardwood and laminate and his take on the hard surface industry of the future.

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

June 28, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses the reported bidding by equity firms and Mohawk for a position in laminate producer, Unilin Holding and the progress on Unilin’s Thomasville, NC manufacturing facility, which is nearing completion. Also discussed: The sale of Hanley Wood, the owner of Surfaces the trade show; Home Depot’s designer recruitment efforts at NeoCon and the company’s acquisition of Williams Brothers; Godfrey Hirst’s proposed merger with Feltex; Clayton Homes pending acquisition of Karsten Homes and Mannington celebrates 90 years in the business.

Trivers on Retailing and the Evolving Consumer

June 27, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit & Wisdom discusses trends within the nation’s big box retail community and how these trends could ultimately affect floor covering retailers. Trivers looks at Wal-Mart’s move to attract more upscale consumers equating it to a similar move at Home Depot. Also discussed are the types of consumers who buy more expensive merchandise, the role that the in-store environment plays in shopping and why consumers shop at major home improvement stores.

Retailer Roundtable - Part 3, Saving Time & Money with B2B

June 26, 2005—This is third part of a four-part roundtable sponsored by the WFCA. In this segment four retailer panelists: Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet; Kurt Duitsman, EVP, Carpetland USA; John Brady, CEO, Floorz; and Rick Julius, CFO, Georgia Floors look at B2B technology in the floor covering industry discussing the reaction of their personnel to B2B in their operations, and the speed with which their people adapted to it. The panelists discuss the company-wide cost reduction and systems improvement each enjoyed once B2B was incorporated within their operational systems, offering specific examples of cost savings. Each panelist also talks about the investment they made to acquire industry-specific software and the effort expended to train their staffs.

Customer Focus and the Bottom Line with Craig Cunningham

June 23, 2005—Craig Cunningham, President, Customer Integrated Solutions discusses customer focus - a management component that’s often overlooked in today’s internalized, cost-cutting environment. Cunningham talks about linking an organization to customers to identify their real needs and expectations and developing strategies to improve sales, and distribution management and the bottom line.