Flooring Podcast

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.

NTP President Tamara Christian Previews Coverings 2006

March 15, 2006—Tamara Christian, President, National Trade Productions, and Show Manager of Coverings 2006, scheduled for April 4 - 7, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, previews the show discussing the venue and her expectations of attendee turnout. Christian talks about the various groups that attend the show including; distributors, retailers, architects, designers, fabricators, installers and people from the building and remodeling industry, the conference program and the events surrounding the show.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on Dixie, Distribution and the FloorWars

March 14, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill discusses The Dixie Group’s 4th quarter and year-end results: The expansion of Herregan Distributors’ Quick•Step territory and changes within the distribution sector including the importing of hardwood and ceramic; An upcoming Floor Focus article entitled, "FloorWars Home Centers vs. The Independents", written by Santo Torcivia, about the market share growth of the home improvement sector over the past 10 years.

Jon Dougal on Surfaces and Environmental Products

March 13, 2006—Jon Dougal, Senior Editor of iGreenbuild.com, discusses the product introductions at Surfaces 2006 from an environmental standpoint looking at the appeal of the industry’s residential products to a sustainable-oriented consumer. Responding to an unscientific poll he conducted among exhibitor sales reps with at the show, Dougal also talks about the general awareness levels that reps have about their company’s environmental policies. Also discussed is the market for environment floor covering products in the residential market plus consumer’s attitudes on recycling.

Mike Leary & Lashon McGinnis on Shaw’s Fiber Unit

March 12, 2006—From Shaw Industries, External Fiber Sales and Marketing, Mike Leary and Lashon McGinnis, discusses this unit, which had been Honeywell, its transition into the Shaw organization and the unit’s presence at Surfaces. Also discussed are the company’s plans with the Anso and Zeftron brands going forward, the unit’s relationships with its retailer affiliates and its relationship with other carpet producers in the industry.

Barker on the Market

March 9, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the two upgrades Mohawk received last month and he also looks at the nervous condition of investors and the resulting performance of the market over the past few weeks as well as the prime factors driving the market. Barker also discusses energy prices and their affects on the market, the Federal Reserve and his thoughts on where interest rates are headed and short- term factors affecting the market as he also offers some insight for 401K investors.

Interface President & CEO Dan Hendrix Reviews the Company’s 4th Quarter

March 8, 2006—Dan Hendrix, President and CEO, Interface discusses the commercial market's performance during 2005 and the company’s 4th quarter and year-end results. Hendrix also talks about the company’s segmentation strategy, its performance in the various segments of the commercial market, the growth within the North American and global modular marketplace and the company's position within the total modular market. Hendrix also talks about modular's position as the new product of choice across most commercial market segments and the 2005 performance in the Bentley Prince Street, fabrics and InterfaceFLOR sectors.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill on The Industry Events of the Week

March 7, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus’ discusses; Berkshire Hathaway’s and Shaw's 2005 earnings; Shaw’s move to convert a shuttered yarn plant in Tennessee into a hardwood flooring plant; A comparison of Home Depot’s and Lowe’s 4th quarter and year-end results; The expansion of Mohawk’s carpet tile capacity and the company’s acquisition of a Propex carpet backing plant; Sun Capital acquisition of LINQ fabrics; And the acquisition of Florida Tile by Italian producer Panaria.

Tarkett Commercial's Diane Martel on the Mainstreet Market

March 6, 2006—Diane Martel, VP Marketing, Tarkett Commercial, in a conversation recorded at Surfaces 2006, discusses the commercial aspects of the show, the changing nature of the Mainstreet sector and the challenges facing retailers within that segment. Martel also discusses the company’s product philosophy and the products introduced at Surfaces.