Flooring Podcast

Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus Magazine

March 23, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Pergo’s move to consolidate its European operations; Danish flooring producer Junckers’s 2003 loss; Changes at Shaw Commercial; The modernization of Shaw’s Andalusia extrusion facility; Former Invista’s Steven McCracken appointment as CEO of Owens-Illinois; Armstrong request for another extension for its Bankruptcy plan; Shaw’s Steve Branfield’s testimony before the House Science Committee on behalf of the carpet industry.

Simonson, The Internet & the Flooring Industry

March 22, 2004—John Simonson, CEO, Webstream Dynamics looks at the Internet and the floor covering industry discussing the most effective ways retailers and manufacturers can maximize their efforts on the Internet including capitalizing from search engines and increasing the usefulness of their Websites. Simonson also talks about some of the newest web tools and technology that's now available.

CRI’s Braun & Seelaus

March 21, 2004—From the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), President Werner Braun and Director of Communications Joan Seelaus discuss a recent roundtable discussion on the style, design and function of today’s carpet and a recent round of meeting with members of the Georgia congressional delegation. Also discussed is a pending research project concerning the effects of carpet on individuals. Also discusses is the availability of CRI videos on the association’s website, carpet-rug.com.

Paul Friedrichsen on Linking Your Brand to a Felon

March 18, 2004—Branding expert, Paul Friedrichsen, Executive VP, The Hauser Group looks at the effects Martha Stewart’s conviction has had on the Martha Stewart brand and the manufacturer’s whose products are linked to the brand including Shaw Industries, Sherwin-Williams and Bernhardt Furniture. Fredrichsen discusses the options open to these manufacturers, the moral element and the potentially negative implications of association ones company brand with a convicted felon.

Barker on the Market

March 17, 2004—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management, looks at the effects the Fed’s decision to leave rates as they are and their comments on not increasing rates any time soon, had on the market. Barker also comments on mortgage rates, the bond market, the effects of the falling dollar on the economy and the consumer and the effects of the Madrid bombing on the market.

Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus Magazine

March 16, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: The Pergo acquisition that never happened; Unilin decides on Thomasville for its $80 million plant; Armstrong’s Bankruptcy on hold and its commercial tile plant in Lancaster that may wind down; Congoleum’s 4th quarter; The delay of the Invista/Koch deal and; SI Flooring Systems' price hike.

Tom Jennings, The Philosophy of a Mid-to-High End Retailer

March 15, 2004—Tom Jennings, President Bud Jennings Carpet One, Lawrence, Kansas discusses this large, mid-to-high end retail operation and his marketing philosophy, which includes providing high-quality service and shifting the stores layout frequently. Jennings also discusses his competition, his emphasis on ceramic, his earlier-adapter stance with technology and his product mix.

Jon Trivers What’s Happened to Expo? Extending Stainmaster & Markets – Part 2

March 14, 2004—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit & Wisdom, in the 2nd part of a 2-part series looks a techniques independent retailers can employ to better compete with the big boxes, more on the ho-hum performance of Home Depot Expo and Sears’ Great Indoors. Trivers also discusses the upside and the downside of extending the Stainmaster brand into vinyl and pad, and the market season with Surfaces 2004 and the regional events of Shaw and Mohawk.

2004 Favorites - Jon Trivers, Big Boxes Targeting the Independents - Part 1

March 11, 2004—From FloorRadio Favorites of 2004, Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit & Wisdom, in an interview aired in March, looks at a Bud Light Men of Genius radio ad recognizing the carpet installer. Trivers also discusses Home Depot’s and Lowe’s strategy to net the independent retailer’s customer, with Home Depot’s it’s the new Floor Store test store in Florida, with Lowe’s it’s the “Up the Compendium” marketing philosophy. Trivers also looks at lackluster track record of Home Depot’s Expo and Sears’ Great Indoors.

Barker Looks at Thursday’s Market Plunge

March 11, 2004—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the Dow’s 168-point drop yesterday, prompted by the al Qaeda-linked terrorist acts in Madrid. Barker also discusses the market’s likely reaction going forward.