January 15, 2025—Robert Varden, a leader in floorcovering installer training, and Kemp Harr discuss the industry’s readiness with trained installers to handle the inevitable uptick in demand that is expected later this year. Listen to the interview, taped at the CCA Global winter convention in Orlando, for more details.
January 14, 2025—Cathy Buchanan, owner of Independent Carpet One, and Kemp Harr discuss the shift in sales of better end goods, advertising and diversifying into kitchen and bath products at her retail store in Westland, Michigan. Listen to the interview, taped at Carpet One’s winter market in Orlando, for more details.
January 10, 2025—Dave Triepke and Grant Petruzzelli, CEO of Universal Metro and president/managing partner of Commercial Flooring Services, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent acquisition of Huntsville, Alabama based Commercial Flooring Services. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the partnership that was formed to extend the legacy of Randy Sexton’s commercial flooring operation moving forward.
January 9, 2025—Lori Kisner, Show Director for the Southwest Flooring Market, and Kemp Harr discuss today’s opening of the Southwest Flooring Market in Dallas which is in a new venue, the Lowe's Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. This year, Shaw Industries, BPI, Adleta and the Southwest Flooring Market are in one location. Listen to the interview for more details.
January 7, 2025—Tracy Daves, regional manager for Shaw Floors' Builder division, and Kemp Harr discuss the flooring trends in the builder/new home segment of the residential market. Listen to the interview for more details.
January 6, 2025—Craig Phillips and Jon Seigal, CEO of The Edge Flooring and director of Business Development with Flooring Partners, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Flooring Partners' acquisition of The Edge Flooring, a three-location flooring dealer based in Northern Ohio. Listen to the podcast to learn that Flooring Partner’s ESOP ownership structure was a big part of Phillips' decision to go this route.
January 3, 2025—Len Andolino, president of Couristan, and Kemp Harr discuss Len's new leadership role at Couristan and their fit within the soft surface flooring market. Listen to the interview for more details.
January 2, 2025—
Darren Hearns and Tom Urban, Owner and GM of Great Lakes Carpet and Tile, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss retail flooring business conditions and initial impressions of Mohawk’s Edge new product introductions. Listen to the interview taped last month at Mohawk’s Edge meeting.
December 23, 2024—David Chambers, Director of Flooring for Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions and the retailer's honor of being named regional recipient of the Karastan Retailer of the Year award. Listen to the interview for more details.
December 20, 2024—Michel Vermette, CEO of America’s Floor Source, and Kemp Harr discuss this Midwestern retailer's secret for beating the market and the reason that Mohawk named them Retailer of the Year for Karastan in 2024. Listen to the interview for more details.