Flooring Podcast

Frank O’Neill Looks at Both Sides of the U.S. Flooring Import Question

April 13, 2005—A look back at the events in the floor covering industry with Frank O’Neill, Publisher Floor Focus magazine. Discussed this week, the seeming breakthrough in the Senate asbestos bill and the effect on Armstrong; Actions taken by Roger Milliken and others in the textile industry seeking import restrictions. Also discussed, the dramatic increase in flooring imports during 2004 and the implications for the domestic industry; the expansion of the Dal-Tile/Emil Ceramica ceramic plant in Oklahoma; Tarkett’s U.S. laminate and panel JV with a Chilean company; Eliane’s expansion; and the pickup in international action at Surfaces 2005.

Jon Trivers and the Growing Threat of the Big Boxes - Part 1

April 11, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit and Wisdom, in the first part of a two-part series 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.

Dave Palmer and the World Market Center of Las Vegas – Part 2

April 10, 2005—Dave Palmer General Manager, World Market Center of Las Vegas, in the final part of a two-part conversation discusses this new center in downtown Las Vegas, how the project started, the facility and its size and the center’s long and short-term plans. Palmer discusses the upcoming home furnishings market scheduled for July and the winter market, which will coincide with Surfaces 2006.

Aaron Pirner, Retailing in 2005 and Beyond - Pt. 2

April 7, 2005—Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 12 store chain based in Wichita, Kansas, in the final part of a two-part conversation, discusses this unique operation, his retailing philosophy and the company’s purposeful plan for expansion. Pirner discusses team building, how his organization merchandises and competes with Home Depot, Lowe’s, online retailers and the other major players, pleasing the consumer. He also looks at spiffs and how they misdirect sales peoples, dealing with suppliers and the changing supply chain and lead times for price increases.

Larry Winter, What’s the Answer to Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs?

April 7, 2005—Larry Winter, Winter & Harris CPAs and FloorRadio regular discusses some of the reasons healthcare costs have spiraling out of control and offer some novel approaches for employees and large and small employers to deal with this problem.

Dave Palmer and the World Market Center of Las Vegas – Part 1

April 7, 2005—Dave Palmer General Manager, World Market Center of Las Vegas, in the first part of a two-part conversation discusses this new center in downtown Las Vegas, how the project started, the facility and its size and the center’s long and short-term plans. Palmer also discusses the upcoming home furnishings market scheduled for July and the winter market, which will coincide with Surfaces 2006.

Frank O’Neill and the Week in the Flooring Industry

April 5, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Armstrong’s fourth quarter and year-end earnings report; Mannington’s new ad program; Tai Ping’s acquisition of Edward Fields; Three months of increases in office product sales; and Teragren's new generation bamboo flooring.

Aaron Pirner, Retailing in 2005 and Beyond - Pt. 1

April 4, 2005—Aaron Pirner, CEO, CAP Carpet, a 12 store chain based in Wichita, Kansas, in the first part of a two-part conversation, discusses this unique operation, his retailing philosophy and the company’s road map for expansion. Pirner discusses team building, how his organization merchandises and competes with Home Depot, Lowe’s, online retailers and the other major players. Also discussed, pleasing the consumer, spiffs and how they misdirect sales peoples, dealing with suppliers and the changing supply chain and lead times for price increases.

Kronopol’s Paolo Zampieron

April 2, 2005—Paolo Zampieron, VP, Sales and Marketing at laminate producer Kronopol Marketing discusses Kronopol, its philosophy, its vertically integrated approach in Europe and its parent the Swiss Krono Holding Group. Zampieron talks about the company’s product offerings, its affiliate Supra Floors, its operation and its plans in North America.

Barker on the Market

March 31, 2005—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management discusses the erratic nature of the market, oil process, which are back above $55 and the talk of a pending “super spike” with oil reaching $100 a barrel. Barker looks again at last weeks down grade of Mohawk, the pending earnings season, 4th quarter GDP numbers and the possible effects a very positive or very negative unemployment report could have on the market and the effects tax time may also have on the market.