Flooring Podcast

Trading Spaces’ Frank Bielec & Tarkett Commercial’s Diane Martel

November 14, 2005—Frank Bielec, designer on the TLC show Trading Spaces and Diane Martel, VP, Marketing, Tarkett Commercial’s VP of Marketing, just prior to a personal appearance, won by an Asheville, NC retailer in a Nafco by Tarkett promotion, talk about the Bielec’s relationship with the company. Bielec talks about Trading Places, how he became a designer on the show and some of the funnier moments he experienced while taping the show. Bielec and Martel talk about the personal appearances and the reponses the resulted at the winning retailers.

From GreenBuild 2005 - Bentley Prince Street President, Anthony Minite

November 13, 2005—From GreenBuild 2005, in Atlanta, Anthony Minite, President, Bentley Prince Street, discusses the growth of GreenBuild the show, its history, the attendees and exhibitors at the show. Minite talks about the rapid adoption of sustainability standards in the marketplace, the architects and designers who attend the show and their changing requirements, and the third quarter and 2005 within the Bentley Prince unit of Interface.

From GreenBuild 2005 - Interface Marketing VP Tracy Cook

November 13, 2005—From GreenBuild 2005, Tracy Cook, VP Marketing, Interface discusses the company’s sustainability commitment, its Atlanta showroom, which was the first LEED-CI certified showroom in the U.S. and the company’s presentation at the GreenBuild show, which includes both commercial modular and the company’s residential modular offering InterfaceFlor. Cook talks about the show’s expansion to include residential products and the growth of modular carpet in the marketplace in recent years.

Milliken's Bill Gregory From GreenBuild 2005

November 10, 2005—From GreenBuild, 2005 in Atlanta, Bill Gregory, Director of Sustainability, Milliken Carpet discusses the show, its rapid growth over the past few years and the show’s attendees. Gregory also talks about CRI’s new sustainability standard and what it means to industry manufacturers and customers, Milliken’s corporate-wide commitment to sustainability and the company’s environmentally-oriented product offerings.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill - The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

November 8, 2005—Floor Focus magazine publisher Frank O’Neill discusses: The completion of Shaw’s acquisition of Honeywell’s nylon carpet fibers unit, the future of the Anso and Zeftron brands, retail programs and sales to other carpet mills; The exclusive Mohawk/Dupont Sorona polymer partnership; Unilin’s UK patent infringement court victory; Faus Group’s steps toward its new Georgia manufacturing facility; The CRI’s new sustainability standard; and Bentley Prince Street’s 100% recycled yarn product.

American Home Surfaces Group President Bruce Weber

November 8, 2005—Bruce Weber, President of the retail group American Home Surfaces Group discusses the organization, its makeup, history, size and plans for growth. Also discussed is the groups recently held convention in Pasadena and the new products and programs launched at that convention. Weber also shares his views on the internet, competition, including the big box players, technology and consumer preferences.

Tamara Christian on Coverings' McCormick Place Move

November 7, 2005—Tamara Christian, President, National Trade Productions and Show Director of ceramic and store trade show Coverings, discusses the decision to move the show to Chicago’s McCormick Place in alternating years beginning in 2007. Christian also talks about the expectation of increased attendance as a result of the move, McCormick as a venue, the space the show will occupy and the related cost factors related to the facility. Christian also previews Coverings 2006 discussing her attendance and exhibitor expectations. Also discussed are the factors that govern the show’s owners vision of the show.

Ron Greitzer, CEO, Los Angeles Fiber Company on Recycling Carpet

November 5, 2005—Ron Greitzer, CEO, Los Angeles Fiber Company, discusses the history of this company that successfully produces and markets carpet cushion that is manufactured from recycled post-consumer carpet. Greitzer talks about the manufacturing and collection process and where the product, Reliance Carpet Cushion fits with the marketplace. Greitzer also shares his expectation for the future of recycling and discusses carpet recycling past, present and future and the factors that he feels will drive this segment of the business in the future.

Leary and McGinnis on Shaw’s Plans for the Former Honeywell

November 3, 2005—Mike Leary, Director, External Fiber Sales and Marketing and Lashon McGinnis, Advertising Manager, Shaw Industries discuss this new unit of Shaw, which had formally been Honeywell Nylon. Leary and McGinnis talk about how the new unit fits within the Shaw organization, the company’s approach to the Anso and Zeftron brands, its approach to mill-related fiber sales and its plans for the retailer-oriented marketing efforts, which were a part of Honeywell’s program. Also discussed are the company’s plans for Evergreen, the carpet recycling facility acquired by Shaw in the Honeywell transaction.

Susanne Klaproth on the New Show, Domotex Middle East

November 1, 2005—Susanne Klaproth, Project director, Deutsche Messe, discusses the three international floor covering shows produced by the company, Domotex Hannover, Domotex asia/ChinaFloor and the newest show Domotex Middle East. Klaproth talks about the countries and the markets served by the Domotex Middle East, the venue, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, her expectations for the show. She also offers previews of both Domotex 2006 and Domotex asia/ChinaFloor 2006.