Flooring Podcast

CRI’s Werner Braun the Launch of NASA Carpet Technology

June 20, 2005—Werner Braun, President, Carpet and Rug Institute discusses an upcoming visit of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, to the CRI and an industry forum on NASA-based x-ray florescence technology, which is currently being used in the carpet industry. The forum will take place at Georgia Tech and will be followed by a launch of the Kennedy Space Flight Center at Cape Canaveral. Braun also offers an update on the CRI’s Green Label Plus and what it means to the industry.

Retailer Roundtable - Part 2, Comparing B2B with the Old Way

June 19, 2005—



In this the second part of a four-part retailer roundtable sponsored by the WFCA, 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 and talk about their perceptions of current retail attitudes about B2B and industry-specific software. Each panelist discusses the process they used to assure they had made the correct software choice that would allow a fully integrated B2B process in their operations. Panelists also discuss the specific B2B functions that are available with their software packages and they compare the time and effort requirements to execute transactions using B2B verses the older paper, telephone and fax method.

Tom Rennie On NeoCon2005

June 16, 2005—Tom Rennie, Principal, TLR Consulting and Editor, Commercial Carpet Digest shares his impressions of NeoCon 2005, the crowds, the showrooms and the overall mood of the show. Rennie talks about the broadloom and modular products, styling and colorations that caught his eye, the best showroom presentations and how architects, designers and facility managers shop NeoCon.

Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter and the case of the Delaminating Sports Bar Carpet

June 15, 2005—Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter, President, LGM Technical Carpet Services discusses an installation in a sports bar, where carpet began to delaminate. Migliore reviews the problem and outlines how it ultimately was a the result of a manufacturing problem.

Mark Falanga Reviews NeoCon 2005

June 15, 2005—Mark Falanga, Vice President, Merchandise Mart looks back a NeoCon 2005, the attendance, the mood of the show and the increase in exhibitors and exhibition space. Falanga discusses the segments of NeoCon, the awards given during the show, the focus on sustainability as well as the various events and seminars that took place during the show. Falanga also looks a the future of trade shows and markets.

CRI’s Werner Braun on IAQ, Energy & ISO

June 14, 2005—Werner Braun, President, Carpet and Rug Institute, discusses a bill that recently passed the Vermont House of Representatives that seeks to limit the specifying of carpet in state building. The bill cites VOC emissions as the rationale for the ban, which Braun states, has repeatedly been proven to be erroneous. Braun also discussed the CRI’s alignment with the Consumer Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas and its efforts, as a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, to focus on non-tariff trade barriers, specifically international standards that disadvantage the U.S. carpet industry.

Carpets of Dalton’s Jerry Hennon

June 13, 2005—Jerry Hennon, General Manager, Carpets of Dalton, Dalton, Georgia discusses this unique and growing floor covering/furniture operation. Hennon talks about the Dalton location, the rationale behind the company’s expansion, its customer, Home Depot and Lowe’s and its competition and some his plans for the future. Hennon also looks at technology, advertising for the operation, the Internet and managing the sales force.

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.