Flooring Podcast

Retailer Roundtable - B2B and How it Works – Part 1

June 12, 2005—In this the first part a WFCA sponsored four-part series, four 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 -- technology that permits retailers and suppliers to transact daily business via the Internet. In this segment the panelists preview the basics of B2B technology discussing the suppliers that are currently on the system and the types of transactions each can execute using the system. The panel also talks about their initial motivation for adopting B2B and how it has affected their business.

Tricycle’s Jonathan Bragdon on the Newest Simulation Technology

June 9, 2005—Jonathan Bragdon, President & COO, Tricycle, Inc discusses Jet Set, the company’s newest offering for use in the design, development and sampling of commercial carpet prototypes. Jet Set’s simulation technology permits carpet manufacturers to reduce the time requirements, cost and waste of producing new carpet styles. The system creates realistic simulations online and on paper that permits designers to quickly, efficiently and sustainably initiate the selection process and view products in simulated room settings.

CARE’s Bob Peoples on the Industry’s Carpet Recycling Initiative – Part 2

June 8, 2005—Bob Peoples, Executive Director CARE, Carpet America Recovery Effort & Director of Sustainability at the CRI, in the final part of a two-part series reviews CARE’s 3rd annual conference, which was held last month and discusses the changing marketplace for products made from post consumer carpet, including fiber underlayment, which offers an option for a potential problem in the market involving the flame retardant in rebond foam pad.

Frank O’Neill on the Weekly Events in the Flooring Industry

June 7, 2005—Frank O’Neill Publisher, Floor Focus discusses: Solutia's agreement with Monsanto and unsecured creditors that could lead to Solutia’s exit from bankruptcy; The naming to Jean desAutels to the post of Business Centre Manager of Tarkett’s North American Laminate unit; Lowe's expansion into Canada; Brazilian wood manufacturer Scandian's U.S. operation; and the Legacy Commercial Flooring operation in Ohio.

CARE’s Bob Peoples on the Progress of the Industry’s Carpet Recycling Initiative

June 6, 2005—Bob Peoples, Executive Director CARE, Carpet America Recovery Effort & Director of Sustainability at the CRI, in the first part of a two-part series, reviews CARE’s progress in its efforts to divert post-consumer carpet from landfills and discusses the organization’s 3rd annual conference, which was held last month. Peoples talks about some of the recently developed applications, which convert used carpet to new uses, the entrepreneurial companies responsible for these developments and his vision for future applications and a collection and processing infrastructure.

Barker on the Market

June 5, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks at the comments made by the president of the Dallas Fed indicating that the Fed may be close to ending its rate increases. Barker also relates last week’s economic news including Friday’s jobs report and recent increases in oil prices to the market.

Tom Rennie Evaluates the Commercial Market - Part 2

June 5, 2005—Tom Rennie, President, TLR Consulting & Editor of Commercial Carpet Digest, in the final part of a two-part series discusses the recent comments made by Honeywell chairman and CEO Dave Cote regarding the future sale of the company’s nylon unit. Rennie speculates as to potential buyers of the unit and the possible impact on the industry.

Tom Rennie Evaluates the Commercial Market - Part 1

June 2, 2005—Tom Rennie, President, TLR Consulting & Editor of Commercial Carpet Digest, in the first part of a two-part series, assesses the state of the commercial flooring market and discusses the affects price increases have had on the industry’s specifiers and manufacturers. Rennie also looks at the factors that have been affecting the corporate, hospitality, educational, health care and retail sectors of the market and the changing market for modular carpet.

Mullican Flooring President, Neil Poland

June 1, 2005—Neil Poland, President, Mullican Flooring looks at 2005 in the wood flooring business discussing raw material price fluctuations and the factors behind those fluctuations. Poland discusses wood flooring production in China and its affects on the U.S. market, the competitive environment in the domestic market, the possible disposition of Armstrong and its affects on the market and environmental concerns facing the industry.

Frank O’Neill on the Weekly Events in the Flooring industry

May 31, 2005—Frank O’Neill Publisher, Floor Focus remembers Bob Van Buren, Former Domco Tarkett CEO who died last week and also discusses: The clearing of the asbestos bill from the Senate Judiciary committee and some of the specifics about the bill; Honeywell Chairman and CEO Dave Cote’s comment about the sale of the company’s nylon unit; How young buyers are dominating the new-home market; April hardwood flooring shipments; and the return of the commercial market.