Flooring Podcast

FloorRadio Archives Presentation – Trivers and the Growing Threat of the Big Boxes

August 21, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit and Wisdom, in a conversation that was first broadcast in April, 2005, discusses shifts in the retail sector, the declining number of floor covering retailers, Home Depot’s and Lowe’s dramatic market share growth and the role of installation in that growth. Trivers also talks about Ace Hardware’s growth plans in combating the two big box players, of adding 1,100 stores over the next 10 years and how this plan could prove a successful avenue for floor covering retailers, and the looming threat Home Depot and Lowe’s have for urban flooring retailers.

FloorRadio Archives Presentation – David Birnbrey, Location, Location, Location, Selecting the Right

August 21, 2005—In an conversation first broadcast in November, 2004, David Birnbrey, President, The Shopping Center Group discussed the science of retail site selection, the prime features that large and small retailers consider in selecting an ideal location and the latest technology available to assist in the process. Birnbrey also talks about the acquisition of Sears by Kmart and how the enclosed mall has fallen from favor, but may be readying for a comeback.

FloorRadio Archives Presentation -- Patty Fasan on the Newest Looks, Trends & Technology in Ceramic

August 21, 2005—Patty Fasan, a consultant working with ASCER, in a conversation first aired from Covering in May, 2005, discusses some of the newest looks introduced at the Tile of Spain pavilion at Coverings 2005. Fasan talks about some of the shifts taking place in ceramic including moves from vertical to horizontal looks and toward graphics and geometrics and even 3D effects. Also discussed is the movement toward more tactile products and a palette that includes richer and mid-tone colors, acid colors and metallic inserts as well as the expansion of technology in ceramic including antibacterial glazes, glow-in-the-dark safety, photo-sensitive and anti-slip tiles.

Racine’s Geoff Greeley Offers a Maintenance Update

August 20, 2005—Geoff Greeley, Director of Training & Technical Services, Racine Industries discusses the Host brand and offers an update on the performance of the maintenance business in 2005. Greeley also discusses the role maintenance plays in sustainability and indoor air quality, the general awareness to maintenance in the commercial sector and the manufacturing community and his extensive international travels on behalf of Racine Industries and how carpet maintenance is viewed globally.

Bruce Hammer on the Brazilian Wood Newcomer Scandia

August 20, 2005—Bruce Hammer, Sales & Marketing, VP with the Brazilian company Scandian Wood Floors discusses the company and its history in Brazil, its stance regarding sustainability and the company’s entry into the U.S. hardwood flooring market. Hammer assesses the U.S. hardwood market and discusses the company’s growth plans in the U.S. He also reviews the exotic species, which the company is introducing into the market, its method of distribution and its expectations over the next few years.

CRI’s Warner Braun on Intra-industry Cooperation, China and the CRI Launch at the Kennedy Space Cent

August 18, 2005—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), discusses the potential for domestic floor coverings associations to work together to address major global issues. Braun also offers a update on intellectual property issues involving Chinese produced carpets, the expansion of the CRI Green Label program to include adhesives and the September 12 launch, at John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, of NASA technology that is now in use at in the carpet industry.

Barker on the Market

August 18, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management, discusses second quarter earnings, which averaged above 12%, and the market’s lackluster reaction, the market’s reaction to rising crude oil prices and its affects on the economy and possible market scenarios if crude rises or if it falls. Barker also discusses the affects retail sales and other economic indicators are having on the market.

Brinton USA’s Stone and Adams

August 17, 2005—From Brintons USA, CEO, Jonathan Stone and VP, Marketing, Deborah Adams discuss Brintons the company, its history, its axminster technology and its product offerings as well as the changes that have occurred within the company’s U.S. operations over the past year. Stone and Adams discuss the company’s approach to the marketplace, changes within the market’s various segments, installation, the company’s design-oriented branding campaign and its aggressive plans for the future.

Washington Insiders Columbus & Sinder on Politics and the Bush Administration's 2nd Term - Part

August 16, 2005—Washington insiders Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder, legislative counsel to the WFCA, with the Washington-based firm Collier Shannon Scott, in this the first part of a four-part a series, presented by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), review the Bush administration’s second-term efforts to enact its agenda and the Democratic party’s second-term strategy to prevent that agenda from becoming law. Columbus and Sinder discuss their views on the progress being made in the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq and comment on the president’s initiative to spread democracy throughout the world.

Floor Focus’ Frank O’Neill Looks Back at the Week in the Flooring Industry

August 16, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine discusses: Shaw’s pending acquisition of the carpet backing operations of SI; The naming of Edmund Stanczak as the president and CEO of backing producer Propex Fabrics; Mohawk receiving FTC approval for the Unilin acquisition; Second quarter results from Home Depot and Lowe’s and progress both are making in the installation services; Columbia’s acquisition of Malaysian Engineered Flooring; Foamex’s financial difficulty; And the Las Vegas Market’s outstanding kickoff.