March 2, 2005—Jon Dougal, President, Sustainable Design Associates and Publisher, igreenbuild.com looks at the sustainable properties of some of the products rolled out at Surfaces. Dougal also looks at bamboo, linoleum and cork from a life cycle and Leed rating system standpoint and measures a number of other floor covering products including laminate rubber, palm, stone and with the same yard stick.
March 1, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: The rejection of Armstrong’s reorganization plan by a U.S. District Judge; the 4th quarter earnings reports of Interface and The Dixie Group; Bentley Prince Street's process to produce carpet from yarn waste; Federated’s acquisition of May Department Stores and the proposed reinvention; and the expansion of the home improvement sector.
February 27, 2005—John Simonson, Internet expert and President of website development firm WebStream Dynamics, in a FloorRadio archive interview, provides an update on the dramatic growth of the Internet in both the number of websites and the number of regular users, as well as the expanding opportunities for advertising on the Internet. Simonson looks at how Internet shoppers typical use search engines and discusses some of the latest search tools, such as the local search features available on Google and other search engines, which represent a prime opportunity for independent retailers. Click here to view a live Flash demonstration of pay-per-click advertising on Google.
February 27, 2005—John Simonson, Internet expert and President of website development firm WebStream Dynamics, in the final part of a two-part conversation provides an update how the Internet is being used by big-box and independent retailers as well as manufacturers and other suppliers. Simonson discusses the increase in the use of Internet kiosks and virtual room designers in the retail environment, and how players in the floor covering arena are updating their websites more frequently and increasingly using some of these new features and tools. Click here to view a demonstration on how pay-per-click advertising works on Google.
February 24, 2005—Barry Cristea, Commercial Manager, The Americas, Shell Chemical discusses Corterra, a polymer from Shell for application in the carpet and other industries. Cristea talks about PTT Poly Canada - a 50/50 limited partnership between Shell and SGF Chimie - and the facility it recently opened near Montreal to produce this polymer. Cristea also discussed the history of Corterra and its unique anti-staining properties, applications where the polymer is being used in the carpet industry and its potential.
February 23, 2005—Recorded at Surfaces, Alan Wolk, President, Invista Interiors and Steve Griffith, VP, Invista’s Residential Flooring, in the final part of a two-part conversation discuss Surfaces, the year 2005, Invista and its transition from DuPont. Also discussed, the increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials and their affects on the industry, the Stainmaster brand and its expansion into non-carpet flooring products, and how carpet is faring from a market share standpoint.
February 23, 2005—From Surfaces 2005, Jim Dougherty, VP Marketing & Business Development, Crossville discusses the show, the year 2004 in the ceramic sector, Crossville’s unique relationship with Bentley Prince Street and the program that has resulted, expansion within the commercial market, the company’s focus on providing accent tiles and the technology that Crossville is putting to use on its website.
February 22, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Home Depot’s 4th quarter results including a 20% increase in service revenue; Mohawk’s 4th quarter and year-end results; January's record-setting housing starts; Changes at Tarkett Residential including the naming of Perry Coker as Sr. VP, Sales; Recent events at Forbo including the exiting of its president; The smuggling of flooring timber from Indonesia into China and; A Canadian installer hits the lottery for $24.6M.
February 21, 2005—Recorded at Surfaces, Alan Wolk, President, Invista Interiors and Steve Griffith, VP, Invista’s Residential Flooring, in the first part of a two-part conversation discuss Surfaces, the year 2005, Invista and its transition from DuPont. Also discussed, the increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials and their affects on the industry, the Stainmaster brand and its expansion into non-carpet flooring products, and how carpet is faring from a market share standpoint.
February 20, 2005—Evan Hackle, President, Carpet One, discusses the Carpet One Winter Convention the recent changes that have occurred within the organization, the marketplace and his focus as the new president of the cooperative. Hackle also compares the goals of co-op Ace Hardware, which include adding 1,100 stores as a means of competing with Home Depot, with those of Carpet One. He also discusses his approach to advertising, CCA member-oriented technology Revelation and the organization’s new distribution network.