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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.