Flooring Podcast

Mike Paparone, CEO, The Invironmentalists,

July 3, 2003—Michael Paparone, CEO, The Invironmentalists, formerly DuPont Flooring Systems discusses the company’s name and its change of focus to what it’s calling a new category in the building interior marketplace. Paparone talks about the company's shift in focus that's beyond just sales and installation an approach that concentrates on the total life cycle and continuous care. Initially this change will encompass floor coverings within the commercial market, ultimately it will incorporate the total interior.

Floor Focus Publisher Frank O’Neill

July 2, 2003—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus Magazine and Dave Foster, Host, FloorRadio discuss: The decisions of Mohawk and Shaw to exit Surfaces 2004 in favor of regional events and the effects on Surfaces and on retailers and; DuPont Flooring Systems name change to The Invironmentalists and the company’s shift in focus.

Mohawk’s Ed Williams on the Company’s Exiting Surfaces

July 1, 2003—Ed Williams, Senior VP, Marketing, Mohawk Industries discusses Mohawk’s decision to withdraw from Surfaces 2004, the rationale behind the decision, the regional events, which the company will hold in December and January instead of participating in Surfaces, who will be invited to the regional events and what retailers can expect at these events.

Dommermuth & Klaproth on Domotex 2004

June 30, 2003—Rita Dommermuth, Project Director Hannover Fairs USA and Suzanne Klaproth, Project Manager, Deutsche Messe, discuss Domotex 2004, the world’s largest floor covering trade show, in Hannover, Germany and Contract World, the show’s popular commercial element. Discussed are the expanded exhibit options for the upcoming show, changes in the U.S. Pavilion and the brand-new Georgia Pavilion. Also discussed is the Shanghai-based floor covering show, Domotex Asia, ChinaFloor.

Mannington Commercial’s Dick Bierie - Part 2

June 29, 2003—Dick Biere, President, Mannington Commercial in the second and final segment in a two part series discusses the company’s sustainability stance and its philosophy with regard to environmental issues. Bierie also discusses NeoCon, the recent StarNet convention and the company’s new product offerings.

Floor Focus Publisher Frank O’Neill

June 26, 2003—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus Magazine and Dave Foster, Host, FloorRadio discuss: the results of the Floor Focus annual Retailer Survey and the surprising results that indicate the potential effects the economy has had on independent retailers. Survey results also point to current retailer attitudes about installation, margin levels, the Internet and what appears to be an increased propensity toward joining retail groups.

Barker on the Fed

June 26, 2003—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee’s move yesterday to lower interest rates and analyses the statement issued by the Fed yesterday as it moved to lower rates. Barker also looks at the effects the move will have on individuals and businesses.

Mannington Commercial’s Dick Bierie – Part 1

June 26, 2003—Dick Biere, President, Mannington in the first part of a two part series discusses the economy and how suppliers have reacted to a weakened economy, the company’s philosophy and approach to the marketplace, its stance with regard to products and its diverse product offerings and the company’s efforts in the area of sustainability. (The remaining two segments will be aired next week)

John Post Looks at Automation in the Flooring Industry

June 24, 2003—John Post, President, TSI Solutions discusses automation in the 2000s how it got to where it is and where its going, the tools of automation and what to expect from automation in the floor covering industry in the future.

Barker on the Market

June 23, 2003—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting this morning and the implications of a zero interest rate scenario and what it would mean for the financial and stock markets. Barker also looks at the market, its most recent pul back and what to expect in the future.