March 31, 2004—From a recording lost since Surfaces 2004, Tarkett Commercial, President Gilles de Beaumont and VP Marketing, Diane Martel discuss the commercial aspects of the trade show Surfaces, the commercial marketplace in general, the company’s new commercial offerings and changes in the distribution ranks.
March 30, 2004—Branding expert, Paul Friedrichsen, Executive VP, The Hauser Group discusses Coverings 2004 the traffic, the attendees the exhibitors, the look and feel. Friedrichsen also looks at the new addition to the Orlando Convention Center, which housed the show and comments on the branding aspect of the show.
March 30, 2004—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: The Fortune 500 and the flooring industry and the probability of Wal-Mart eventually expanding into home improvement and installed products; Carpet One’s plan to add 250 stores over the next five years; American Biltrite courtroom asbestos win; Faus’ new Greenguard certification and; Federated pilot program with Cosi.
March 28, 2004—Ken Brown, Installation Specialist, Shaw Industries & President of the Dalton chapter, CFI discusses Shaw’s involvement with installation training, its certification of installers, the seminars he leads throughout the country. Brown also talks about his role with the CFI and the recent record setting meeting in Dalton that drew 115 installers.
March 26, 2004—From FloorRadio Favorites of 2004, aired March '04 - Evan Hackel, President Flooring America discusses the co-op, its size and growth patterns, shifts in floor covering business between big box home improvement players and the independent retailers. Also discussed, how Flooring America competes with the big box home retailers. Also discussed: the recent Flooring America convention, the organizations E-magination program and its new branding initiative.
March 25, 2004—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management looks at yesterday’s market increase, its causes, the indicators that signaled the up turn and yesterday drop in oil prices. Barker looks at the overarching effects of terrorism on the market and also the first quarter in the floor covering industry and Mohawk and its rise since the beginning of the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.