Flooring Podcast

Treister Discusses the Changing Ceramic Industry

June 22, 2005—Ron Treister, President of the marketing firm Communicators International, looks at the industry’s ceramic sector discussing the changing approach many offshore manufacturers are taking in their marketing efforts and the changes in the U.S. distribution channels following Mohawk’s acquisition of Dal-Tile. Triester discusses the increase in attendance at the trade show Coverings 2005 and the increasing level of sophistication among the domestic manufacturers.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill Looks at Neocon

June 21, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses NeoCon 2005, the traffic, the mood and his overall impression of the show as well as the new product offerings in broadloom, modular and hard surface and his observations on some of the prevailing trends at the show including bright colors and patterns trends. O’Neill also reviews the awards that were presented at the show and his impressions of the architects and designers who attended the show.

Tom Rennie on the De Clerck Announcement

June 20, 2005—Tom Rennie, Principal, TLR Consulting and Editor, Commercial Carpet Digest discusses the recent announcement made by five members of the Belgian De Clerck family seeking to form a joint industry group among their five separate carpet mills. Rennie looks at the state of the European carpet industry and the possible rationale behind this move.

CRI’s Werner Braun the Launch of NASA Carpet Technology

June 20, 2005—Werner Braun, President, Carpet and Rug Institute discusses an upcoming visit of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, to the CRI and an industry forum on NASA-based x-ray florescence technology, which is currently being used in the carpet industry. The forum will take place at Georgia Tech and will be followed by a launch of the Kennedy Space Flight Center at Cape Canaveral. Braun also offers an update on the CRI’s Green Label Plus and what it means to the industry.

Retailer Roundtable - Part 2, Comparing B2B with the Old Way

June 19, 2005—



In this the second part of a four-part retailer roundtable sponsored by the WFCA, retailers: 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 and talk about their perceptions of current retail attitudes about B2B and industry-specific software. Each panelist discusses the process they used to assure they had made the correct software choice that would allow a fully integrated B2B process in their operations. Panelists also discuss the specific B2B functions that are available with their software packages and they compare the time and effort requirements to execute transactions using B2B verses the older paper, telephone and fax method.

Tom Rennie On NeoCon2005

June 16, 2005—Tom Rennie, Principal, TLR Consulting and Editor, Commercial Carpet Digest shares his impressions of NeoCon 2005, the crowds, the showrooms and the overall mood of the show. Rennie talks about the broadloom and modular products, styling and colorations that caught his eye, the best showroom presentations and how architects, designers and facility managers shop NeoCon.

Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter and the case of the Delaminating Sports Bar Carpet

June 15, 2005—Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter, President, LGM Technical Carpet Services discusses an installation in a sports bar, where carpet began to delaminate. Migliore reviews the problem and outlines how it ultimately was a the result of a manufacturing problem.

Mark Falanga Reviews NeoCon 2005

June 15, 2005—Mark Falanga, Vice President, Merchandise Mart looks back a NeoCon 2005, the attendance, the mood of the show and the increase in exhibitors and exhibition space. Falanga discusses the segments of NeoCon, the awards given during the show, the focus on sustainability as well as the various events and seminars that took place during the show. Falanga also looks a the future of trade shows and markets.

CRI’s Werner Braun on IAQ, Energy & ISO

June 14, 2005—Werner Braun, President, Carpet and Rug Institute, discusses a bill that recently passed the Vermont House of Representatives that seeks to limit the specifying of carpet in state building. The bill cites VOC emissions as the rationale for the ban, which Braun states, has repeatedly been proven to be erroneous. Braun also discussed the CRI’s alignment with the Consumer Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas and its efforts, as a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, to focus on non-tariff trade barriers, specifically international standards that disadvantage the U.S. carpet industry.

Carpets of Dalton’s Jerry Hennon

June 13, 2005—Jerry Hennon, General Manager, Carpets of Dalton, Dalton, Georgia discusses this unique and growing floor covering/furniture operation. Hennon talks about the Dalton location, the rationale behind the company’s expansion, its customer, Home Depot and Lowe’s and its competition and some his plans for the future. Hennon also looks at technology, advertising for the operation, the Internet and managing the sales force.