January 19, 2005—Lee Horwitz, owner of A&M Carpets and Big Bob’s of Fresno, California, in the first part of a two-part conversation discusses his company’s growth, how he has approached his market with a higher end and a cash and carry Big Bob’s, his experience with hard and soft surface products and competing with the big box players. Horwitz also talks about how he came to open a Big Bob’s and the success he has had since.
January 18, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio, discuss sustainability highlights of 2004; StarNet’s combining with The Invironmentalists; Corporate Interiors acquisition of the St. Louis unit of The Invironmentalists; Record-setting attendance at the Builder Show; Faus licensing technology to Berry Floor; Home Depot expectations for 2005 and the roll-out of its Special Order Services Initiative, a new technology platform to produce growth in the installation arena.
January 17, 2005—Paul Friederichsen, EVP, The Hauser Group, from the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, reports on the International Builders’ Show 2005, discussing the crowds, the exhibitors, the attendees, the mood and the venue. Friederichsen talks about the exhibitors that made the biggest splash, the show's floor covering exhibitors and the events surrounding the show.
January 16, 2005—In this the second segment of a special four-part series produced by the World Floor Covering Association and FloorRadio, special guests Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder - legislative counsel for the WFCA, with Washington legal firm Collier Shannon Scott look back at the presidential election of 2004. In this segment Columbus and Sinder look at the polls and the role the media played in the in the election of 2004.
January 16, 2005—Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter, President, LGM Technical Carpet Services discusses a commercial installation where four similar types of carpet, all from the same manufacturer, react differently to moisture. One of the carpets in this installation ends up with wrinkles and bubbles.
January 13, 2005—Lori Dowling, CEO, Starnet, Bob Sabosik, Chairman, StarNet Board & President of M.E. Sabosik and Ron Rose, Executive VP Sales, The Invironmentalist discuss the combining of StarNet and The Invironmentalist Commercial Services Network, the elements of the move and what it means to Starnet members and the markets they serve. Also discussed, the installation, maintenance and lift technologies involved in the transaction as well as a look at the marketplace and expectations for 2005
January 12, 2005—Pam Bowe, The Bowe Company, discusses the upcoming World Floor Covering Association sponsored seminar she will be leading at Surfaces 2005. Bowe offers a preview of the seminar, which targets retailers with information on B2B or Business-2-Business technology, the software currently available to retailers as well as the competitive, cost savings, productivity and accuracy advantages of acquiring and using the technology. The seminar is scheduled for Wed. and Thurs., Jan. 26 and 27, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 11, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Flooring America’s first infomercial and CCA's purchase of Flooring Canada; Sears Canada’s purchase of Cantrex; R.C. Willey’s new store in California; SunTrust’s raising its rating on Interface to buy; and the dropping of the office vacancy rate in 4th quarter.
January 10, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit & Wisdom discusses the evolution of branding, a trend that has seen many major national brands have migrate toward discount–oriented big box retailers, and how this trend equates to the floor covering industry. Trivers also looks for the Kmart/Sears deal and speculates as to its chances for success.
January 9, 2005—In this the initial presentation of a special quarterly series produced by the World Floor Covering Association and FloorRadio, special guests Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder - legislative counsel for the WFCA, with Washington legal firm Collier Shannon Scott - look back at the presidential election of 2004. This first-part of a four part series analyzes what happened in the election, what drove the record turnout, and what issues caught the interest of voters. The second through the fourth and final segments will be aired on Monday, Jan. 17, Monday, Jan. 24 and Monday, Feb. 1.