Flooring Podcast

Dev O’Reilly On Internet-Based Management Systems – Part 1

November 3, 2004—Dev O’Reilly, CEO, Roll Master, in the first part of a two-part series, discusses the progress of business management software and systems in the floor covering community. O’Reilly talks about central buying group Internet hub system and the potential implications of having access to both member and vendor data in a centrally located server. Also discussed is security, the progress of the industry-wide B2B initiative, the rate of speed with which retailer are moving to a management system and the future of the concept in the industry.

Frank O’Neill – The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

November 2, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: The announced retirement of Mohawk’s CFO John Swift; Interface’s 3rd quarter earnings and its decision to exit is owned dealer business Re:Sources; The Dixie Group’s 3rd quarter; Weyerhaeuser decision to buy into a Brazilian hardwood joint venture; Sears Canada's first off-mall coverings store; and changes in the retailing sector.

Dougal & Friederichsen on LOHAS – Part 1

November 1, 2004—Jon Dougal, Sustainable Design Associates, and Paul Friederichsen, The Hauser Group, in the first of a two-part series, look at LOHAS, which is an acronym for lifestyles of health and sustainability, a segment of the population that, among other things, focuses on purchasing sustainable products and supporting companies it views as environmentally and socially responsible. Discussed are the size of this group, the products it buys, the money it spends and the potential for floor covering producers to tap this market.

John McDevitt Analyzes the Economy

October 31, 2004—John McDevitt, former 3M corporate economist, assesses the state of the economy looking at escalating oil prices and the affects they have had on consumer and business spending as well as GDP growth. McDevitt also shares his forecast for oil prices as well as 4th quarter and 2005 GDP growth, looks at the housing and manufacturing sectors, analyzes some of the statements made during the current political campaign and discusses how businesspeople can best use economists’ forecasts.

Analyst Keith Hughes Looks at Mohawk’s & the Industry 3rd Quarter

October 28, 2004—Keith Hughes, Director in Equity Research, SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey looks back at the 3rd quarter in the floor covering industry, evaluating growth in both the residential and commercial sectors. Hughes also looks at Mohawk’s performance in the quarter, discussing the company’s reaction to raw materials price increases and progress in the Mohawk, Daltile and hard surface sectors.

Jan Lembregts on Tarkett’s $20 Million FiberFloor Plans

October 27, 2004—Jan Lembregts, President, Tarkett Residential, North America discusses the company’s recently announced $20 million plan to produce FiberFloor at its Farnham, Quebec facility. Lembregts talks about FiberFloor the product, which was developed at the company’s European unit, launched in North America at Surfaces 2004 and characterized by the company as a new flooring category.

Frank O’Neill – The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

October 26, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, FloorRadio discuss: Mohawk Industries 3rd quarter results, Tarkett’s $20 million investment to produce FiberFloor at the company’s facility in Farmham, Quebec; Pergo’s results for the first nine months of 2004 and the company’s decision to withdraw from Surfaces 2005; and a preview of the soon to be published Floor Focus Top 100 Retailers List.

Tom Rennie - Energy Prices and the Flooring Market

October 25, 2004—Tom Rennie, TLR Consulting & Editor of Commercial Carpet Digest discusses the consistently increasing energy prices and their affects on the economy and the floor covering industry. Rennie offers an historical perspective comparing the current situation to earlier spikes and evaluates the reaction of facility managers and commercial buyers to this situation and how it has affected the way they specify and buy floor coverings.

Mohawk Industries 3rd Quarter conference Call - Part 2

October 22, 2004—Mohawk Industries 3rd quarter conference call featuring excerpts from the question and answer portion of the call with answers delivered by Mohawk Chairman & CEO Jeff Lorberbaum and Chief Officer John Swift.

Mohawk's 3rd Qtr. Conference Call – Part 1

October 21, 2004—Excerpts from Mohawk Industries 3rd quarter conference call featuring opening remarks by Mohawk Chairman & CEO Jeff Lorberbaum and the question and answer session featuring answers from Lorberbaum and CFO John Swift.