December 19, 2004—Geoff Kulesa, Director of Marketing, Service Magic - an Internet-based service that matches consumers with a wide variety of contractors, including floor covering installers and cleaning companies. Kulesa discusses the growing service market, the company’s plans for the future, its relationship with retailers and the company’s parent, IAC also the parent of LendingTree, Expedia and Hotels.com.
December 16, 2004—Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, Surfaces, Hanley Wood, provides a preview of Surfaces 2005, discussing the number of exhibiting companies, the amount of exhibit space occupied and advanced attendee registrations. Troop discusses the dynamics of Surfaces 2005, in the second year of Shaw and Mohawk regionals, and also the events accompanying the Surfaces, including the conference program, the Town Hall Meeting, Installation Showcase and the WFCA’s B2B presentation.
December 15, 2004—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management characterizes today’s market and discusses the market’s reaction to the recent drop in oil prices. Barker also looks at the Federal Reserve’s recent rate 0.25% hike and the Fed’s accompanying statement and talks about how why mortgage rates are dropping as the federal funds rate is increasing. Also discussed is the re-emergence of the IPO, Mohawk breaking ninety and the Santa Claus affect.
December 14, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: The Faus Group’s launch of the new brand, Faus Floor; The closing of an Armstrong wood plant in Arkansas and the company’s request in Bankruptcy court for $9 million for bonuses for key employees; Mohawk’s $33 million expansion, Shaw’s last PVC run; Tandus' 3rd quarter earnings; RD Weiss’ acquisition of three more Invironmentalists units; And Summitville’s emergence from Bankruptcy
December 13, 2004—Paul Friederichsen, EVP, the marketing and advertising firm, The Hauser Group discusses advertising on the Internet looking at the differences between print and Internet advertising. Friederichsen discusses how to select the most productive sites, budget considerations, directory advertising such as Yellow Pages and also the do’s and don’ts of developing banner ads.
December 11, 2004—Rush Clark, VP Supply Chain & Acting VP Sales, Propex Fabrics, discusses the recent acquisition of this former BP, Amoco Fabrics unit by three firms investment firms, the Sterling Group, Genstar Capital, and Laminar Direct Capital. Clark talks about the firm’s goals and expectations, options that will now be open to the independent company, possible areas of expansion including non-polypropylene options and expansion outside carpet backing.
December 9, 2004—Juan Flores, GM, Faus Group, in the final part of a two part series, discussed the launch of Faus Floor, a new brand high-end laminate flooring, which will be offered exclusively to specialty retailers. Flores talks about the extensive technical service, merchandising and POP materials, new Websites and retailer support that will be available to support this launch.
December 9, 2004—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug institute (CRI), in second and final segment discusses the association’s recent survey of consumer attitudes including consumer views toward environmentally responsible carpet and recycling and how the survey date will be used. Braun also discusses CRI’s relationship with NASA and how space technology is being used in the carpet industry.
December 8, 2004—Juan Flores, GM, Faus Group, in the first of a two part series, discussed the launch of Faus Floor, a new, high-end laminate flooring brand offered exclusively to specialty retailers. Flores talks about the company’s newest technology including LongStrip, which permits two or more planks to be combined into one long continuous wood grain strip and the company’s Self-Alignment System, all of which will be in included in the wood grain and ceramic designs of Masterpieces Collection and rolled out at Surfaces 2005.
December 7, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: China, a threat or an opportunity; The CRI survey of consumer attitudes about carpet and other floor coverings; Surfaces, on the road to a record show in 2005; BP Fabrics is now Propex and what’s ahead for this newly independent company; And is another suitor, perhaps Vornado preparing to bid on Sears?