November 19, 2003—Keith Hughes, VP, Equity Research, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey discusses Chinese imports and how they have affected the U.S. textiles and furniture industries. Hughes looks at the movement to imposing tariffs, who if in favor and who is against the idea, and he also accesses the threat Chinese imports may hold for the carpet industry.
November 18, 2003—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus Magazine and Dave Foster, FloorRadio Host discuss: Koch’s acquisition of Invista; Shaw’s new marketing effort; Lowe’s and Home Depot’s 3rd quarter results; Tarkett’s move to retain Domco as an brand; the closure of Florida Tile’s Lakeland plant; Steve Forbes at Coverings and; Charlie Eitel stays on as chairman of Simmons after its sale.
November 17, 2003—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the how’s and why’s of the market’s recent slide and the possibility that a correction may be in the offing. Barker looks at the length of the current consolidation phase, the top three factors he keys on to read a situation like this and the historical aspects of the “Santa Claus” rally.
November 16, 2003—In the first part of an ongoing series, Paul Friederichsen, Exec VP the Hauser Group, discusses the process of advertising and establishing a company or product brand. Friederichsen also discussed the process of creating a core message, visualizing your target audience and how promotion affects the company image.
November 13, 2003—Pam Bowe, Principal, The Bowe Co. and StarNet advisor and Jim Creamer, Pres. & CEO. Potomac Floor Covering, and Chairman of Starnet’s Technology committee in the first part of a two-part series, discuss StarNet’s commitment to technology and its leadership role in the industry-wide B2B initiative. Also discussed, the recent meeting on the B2B initiative and the progress of that initiative as well as StarNet’s strategy to place its members on the leading edge of the industry’s technology.
November 12, 2003—Mike Paparone, CEO, The Invironmentalists, formerly DuPont Flooring Systems, from the U.S Green Building Council's Green Build show in Pittsburgh, discusses the show and the launch of the company’s Environmentally Preferable Flooring Management System, which has been certified by Scientific Certification Systems.
November 10, 2003—Mike Barker, Investment & Retirement Management discusses the market's ho-hum response to positive economic and earnings releases, the likelihood that the current environment is a prelude for a correction, the possibility of a sell-off or spike when/if the Dow breaks the 10,000 barrier and the bull vs. bear positions of the current market.
November 9, 2003—Gilles De Beaumont, President, Tarkett Commercial discusses the rollout of several new Azrock vinyl lines in VCT, VET and solid vinyl, including a broad array of slip resistant products. De Beaumont discusses the new marble, terrazzo and granite looks in the line, his view of some of the changes in the vinyl sector and his expectations for its future.
November 5, 2003—Michelle Troup, Senior Director, Surfaces, Hanley-Wood, discusses the changes in the upcoming Surfaces 2004, her expectations for the show, the exhibitor count and the show's new events including the Town Hall Meeting, the Surfaces Celebration with Cool & the Gang, the Installation Showcase and the new “Win A Designer” contest.
November 5, 2003—Gary Johnston, Brand Manager Stainmaster, Invista, discusses the company’s recently announced plans to launch a Stainmaster resilient line. Johnston looks at Invista’s long term branding strategy for the Stainmaster, the company's selection of Mannington as its resilient partner as well as its the marketing and pricing strategy for the new product.