July 9, 2006—Jon Dougal, Senior Editor, iGreenBuild.com, in the first part of a three-part series, provides a sustainability update discussing the rate at which companies are initiating sustainability programs and the motivators causing these actions as well as some of the environmentally oriented products, which have been introduced in both the commercial and the residential markets.
July 6, 2006—Designer and stylist Don Marlowe, Don Marlowe and Associates looks back at NeoCon and discusses the dominant styles, colors, textures and designs that were rolled-out at the show. Marlowe talks about some of the standout introductions at the show and the factors that have influenced carpet and floor covering design, how the role of carpet and floor covering designers and development people has changed over the years. Also discussed are some of the designs and colors in non-floor covering sectors of the show and how the influence they may ultimately carpet design.
July 6, 2006—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks back at the market over the past several weeks discussing its pullback since mid-May. Barker talks about Fed chairman Bernanke and the comfort level the market appears to have achieved with the new Fed. He also discusses the good news is bad news reactions the market has to positive economic news, today’s upcoming jobs report as he previews the upcoming earnings season and his expectations for both Mohawk and Interface.
July 5, 2006—Joe Sultan, an owners in Chilewich, in a conversation recorded at NeoCon, discusses Plynyl, a unique woven vinyl material used in the commercial floor covering sector. Sultan discusses the product, which is available in both wall-to-wall and tile form, its polyurethane and vinyl backings and the types of commercial and residential applications where it has been specified, including light commercial and office space as well as retail and hospitality applications.
July 4, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine discusses: The retirement of Shaw President Julian Saul; The reopening of Shaw’s Pittsburg Tennessee plant as a hardwood facility; Florida Tile’s plans to build a new porcelain line at its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; The ceasing of operations of the industry’s credit program FLEX; The WFCA’s new chairman Robert Hill; Home Depot’s focus on China; The granting of a European patent for small strips; and the 5th Annual CARE conference slated for Charleston, SC in 2007.
June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist, in the first part of a three-part series, evaluates yesterday’s GDP report, discussing the growth of the first quarter and his expectations for the remainder of the year and 2007. McDevitt looks at yesterday’s rate hike by the Fed and discusses the statement issued by the FMOC and its meaning for future rate increases.
June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist, in the second part of a three-part series talks about the Fed, inflationary pressure and their causes, and other factors effecting future interest rate increases. McDevitt also evaluates Ben Bernanke first months as Fed chairman and Bernanke's moves toward making the Fed “more transparent”.
June 29, 2006—John McDevitt, former 3M Corporate Economist in the final part of a three-part series discusses the debate over the differences in executive and rank-and-file worker pay. He also discusses the consumer, his expectations for retail spending for the remainder of the year, the commercial building marketplace and its anticipated growth into next year and his views on how much the housing market will slow.
June 28, 2006—Ken Dempsey, President, Masland Contract, in a conversation recorded at NeoCon 2006, discusses NeoCon the show, the traffic at this year’s show, the upscale nature of projects across all market segments including health care and educational markets. The role service plays in architect, designer and facility manager decisions. Dempsey also talks about Masland’s entry in the modular carpet arena with the rollout of 14 new tile products, the company’s goals in developing the offering, the reaction it received at the the show and the advantages of offering tile along with the company’s broadloom.
June 27, 2006—Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine discusses: The addition of Kemp Harr as a partner in Floor Focus and FloorDaily.net; Final NeoCon 2006 attendance numbers; Tarkett AG’s first quarter earnings; Home Depot’s incentives for good service; The closing of Tarkett’s Brookneal Virginia hardwood plant; The passing of Galaxy co-founder Irv Harvey and; Stock Building Supply’s acquisition of Coleman Floor.