October 14, 2004—Bruce Weber, President, American Home Surfaces Group, from the AHSG’s annual convention in Naples, Florida, talks about the group--how it began, its size and the makeup of the membership. Weber also discusses the group’s relationship with its vendors, its unique focus, and the programs rolled out at this convention.
October 13, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: the American Home Surfaces Group and its recent convention, Lowe’s decision to reduce the amount of laminate it buys from Armstrong; Shaw’s process for converting carpet and wood manufacturing waste into steam energy to reduce post-manufacturing carpet waste in landfills; Honeywell Nylon and CWI announce a new collection.
October 9, 2004—Ralph Boe, President, Beaulieu of America discusses the Beaulieu of today, the changes that have occurred within the company over the past three years including the addition of a board of directors, the company’s new philosophy with regard to products and service and its redefined approach to the independent retail community. Boe also evaluates the flooring marketplace, the rising cost of raw materials and his expectations for the future.
October 9, 2004—John Dowdell, Director of Sales & Marketing, BP Fabrics and Fibers talks about the announced acquisition of the company by three investment firms and plans for the unit's future as an independent company. Dowdell also discusses the investment companies’, product and expansion plans and the possibility of acquisitions in the future.
October 9, 2004—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug Institute discusses industry consolidation and its effects on the association. Braun also provides a progress report on the Carpet America Recovery Effort(CARE) and the CRI’s cleaning and maintenance initiatives and also looks at the rising cost of petroleum and how the industry may deal with that in the future.
October 7, 2004—Bob Miller, President & CEO, and Don Roberts, Vice President Sales Edge Flooring in the first part of a two-part series talk about a new flooring category that permits the installation of ceramic tile, granite and stone with the click-joint the ease of installing laminate. Discussed are the company’s Dalton, Georgia assembly operation, it's D-I-Y program at Lowe’s and the company’s planned launch with independent retailers.
October 7, 2004—Werner Braun, President, Carpet & Rug Institute discusses the association’s new logo and new look reflecting its and the industry’s environmental and advocacy-oriented direction.
October 7, 2004—Bob Miller, President & CEO, and Don Roberts, Vice President Sales Edge Flooring in the final part of a two-part series talk about this new flooring category that permits the installation of ceramic tile, granite and stone with click-joint the ease of installing laminate. Discussed are the company’s Dalton, Georgiaassembly operation, its D-I-Y program at Lowe’s and the company’s planned launch with independent retailers.
October 5, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Recent price increases in the hard and soft surface sectors; Lowe’s policy of holding the line on vendor price increases and its new Roll-Back Pricing Strategy; Cuts at a Honeywell nylon plant; The outcome of a Milliken/Interface patent infringement suit; Turner Construction goes green: International plastics firms plans for biodegradable and bio-based products; and CCA/FCIF Golf Tournament yields $120,000 for the FCIF.
October 3, 2004—Jon Dougal, Sustainable Design Associates, looks at energy and the future in light of dramatically increasing oil prices. Dougal discusses the likelihood of petroleum substitutes being developed including an economy based on hydrogen, looking at the strong and weak points of this option. Also discussed are the possible substitutes for plastics derived from petroleum such as nylon, polypropylene and vinyl.