National Floor Trends articles from August 2005

National Floor Trends archives from August 2005

Close the information gap and you too can hit the B2B highway.(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2005... When floor covering retailers talk about how they use their computer, they often sound like someone who drives their fancy sports car to the local market, but never gets on the highway. By and large, they seem content to limit their computer...

B2B study Part II: technically speaking, retailers are only scratching the surface; Survey finds floor covering dealers still use computers mostly for crunching numbers.
August 1, 2005... It would be hard to find a retailer in the floor covering business who still has not gotten around to installing some type of computer system. Desktop and laptop computers now have a ubiquitous presence in retail offices and showrooms. This is...

FC M.V.P. (Floor Covering Most Valuable Practices): Super Floors of Alaska, LLC.(Interview)
August 1, 2005... Editor's note: As part of NFT's commitment to identifying those floor covering retailers who are working to optimize their information technology, we bring you another FC MVP (Floor Covering Most Valuable Practice.) Although the retailer...

Q & A: software makers address concerns about B2B; Vendors seek to quell retailer worries about loss of control, security, mishaps and ROI.
August 1, 2005... Editor's Note: National Floor Trends invited a number of leading computer software vendors to respond to questions raised by retailers participating in the on-going B2B Study conducted by the World Floor Covering Association and National Floor...

Trends in residential carpet: industrial strength designs with a cottony feel.
August 1, 2005... For years, carpet makers didn't have to give much thought when asked to name the No. 1 color choice for residential settings. It was beige, more beige and various shades of beige. Yet while this easy-to-match, unobtrusive earth tone has been a...

Laminate Flooring Market Study: products are better, worries are few and installation is a snap.
August 1, 2005... The growing importance of laminate flooring was readily apparent last month when Mohawk Industries agreed to spend $2.6 billion to acquire the parent company of Quick-Step, a top laminate maker in the U.S. Although the deal has a number of...

Install it wrong, and that beautiful resilient floor becomes a world of trouble.(Resilient Answer Man)
August 1, 2005... What were the job site conditions?... Was the floor preparation adequate?... What testing was conducted?... What adhesive was used?... How was it applied?... When you are troubleshooting, the questions seem endless, but there is a good reason...

Mohawk goes laminate: buys Quick-Step for $2.6 bil.(News)
August 1, 2005... Furthering its quest to become "a total flooring company," Mohawk Industries said it has agreed to acquire the maker of the popular laminate flooring brand Quick-Step for about $2.6 billion. The move to buy the Belgium-based company, Unilin...

Gilford reorganizes after adding Misco territories.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Products and territories acquired from the defunct distributor Misco Shawnee have prompted Gilford Flooring to restructure its operations. The Jeffersonville, Ind.-based company, which acquired Misco's territories in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana,...

New Beaulieu Group to merge hard and soft surfaces.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In a move to unite hard and soft surface manufacturers in eight countries the European De Clerck family says it will create the Beaulieu International Group, based in Waregem, Belgium. One of the key players, Roger De Clerck, is the founder of...

Tile Institute reports on crack isolation installs.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Offering new information on floor crack isolation membranes, the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) has posted a report on the subject at its website, www.ctioa.org. Titled "Ceramic Tile Installation on Floor Crack Isolation Membranes,"...

Three distribs honored for having Mirage 'Spirit'.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Prefinished hardwood floor maker Mirage recently recognized three distributors with its annual Spirit of Mirage Awards. This award is given to distributors who have demonstrated "the most effective results in training, merchandising and sales...

Pacific Northwest Division.(People)(appointed John Stoklosa, John Stoklosa and Kurt Paulson)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Following the retirement of Shaw's Midwest Division vp, John Stoklosa, the former Midwest Division has been altered to create two new divisions. Trey Thames, formerly Southwest regional manager, has been promoted to vp of the Great Lakes...

Beaulieu of America's.(People)(appointed Richard V. Abramowicz)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Richard V. Abramowicz, formerly Beaulieu of America's North Texas regional sales manager, has been promoted to divisional vp of the carpet maker's central sales division. In his new role, Abramowicz will be responsible for regional and...

Foamex International.(People)(appointed Richard K. Born )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Foamex International has named Richard K. Born vp of sales, East region for the Foamex Carpet Cushion division. A 30-year veteran of the flooring industry, Born most recently was Armstrong World Industries' vp of residential sales.

QEP.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... With the acquisition of adhesive maker Capitol USA, QEP announces several organizational changes. Industry veteran Eric Demaree joins the company as executive vp of sales. Wayne Harley, vp commercial sales, and Jeff Johnson, vp marketing, join...

StonePeak Ceramics Inc.(People)(appointed Drew Giungo and Doug Snell )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... StonePeak Ceramics Inc. has added Drew Giungo and Doug Snell as regional sales managers for the Northeast and Southeast regions, respectively. They will be responsible for developing relationships with distributors and promoting the firm's...

Tarkett.(People)(appointed Lise LeBreton)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Lise LeBreton, formerly director of laminate products for Tarkett, has been named the company's new director of styling and design. In this role, LeBreton will head up the design department and be responsible for product conception, design and...

Flexco.(People)(appointed Bob Milk )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Flexco has named Bob Milk as director of operations. He will be responsible for the entire manufacturing processes for Flexco products, including analyzing future needs and industry changes. Milk has experience in the flooring industry and...

Glitsa American.(People)(appointed Chris Pryjomski )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Chris Pryjomski has joined floor finishes maker Glitsa American as Southwest sales and technical rep. The 17-year professional will be responsible for servicing distributors in Idaho, Utah, Montana, California, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico and...

Faus.(People)(appointed Dan Snapper )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Faus has named 20-year industry veteran Dan Snapper as national sales manager. He will be responsible for developing customer distribution in the North American market, implementing sales strategies and increasing market share for the Faus...

Bostik.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Bill Rice, a flooring sales manager with 20 years of experience, has joined adhesive and sealant maker Bostik as territory manager--Carpet, Vinyl and Patch Products, for 12 East Coast states. He will also serve as territory manager, Bostik...

TileAmerica! names Laticrete top supplier.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Tile and stone installation products maker Laticrete International was named Supplier of the Year by TileAmerica!, a 49-year old retailer/wholesaler based in New Haven, Conn., with six locations in the state. Each year, TileAmerica! staff...

In memoriam: Bob Weseman.(News)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 1, 2005... Bob Weseman, a long-time veteran of the floor covering industry who is credited with building Mohawk's profile in hard surface categories, died June 17 after a long battle with cancer. A native of Chicago, Weseman went into flooring after...

Bolick Distributors.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Making its first foray into the residential sheet flooring segment, Bolick Distributors, based in Baton Rouge, has joined Domco's distributor network. The firm will distribute Domco's full line of sheet flooring products and accessories in...

Scandian Wood Floors.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Brazilian exotic hardwood flooring maker Scandian Wood Floors has brought on board Herregan Distributors of Eagan, Minn., as a new distributor. Along with its home state, Herregan will serve Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri,...

Innovision Flooring Corp.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Kenilworth, N.J.-based Innovision Flooring Corp. has been named the U.S. distributor for commercial vinyl flooring maker LG Floors. Innovision will distribute LG Floors' full line of sheet, tile and specialized products across the country.

Alloc.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In a move to extend its reach in America's upper Midwest, Alloc has reached a distribution deal with Tri-State Flooring. Based in Sioux Falls, S.D., Tri-State will distribute Alloc's full line to the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and parts of...

Flexco.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Fort Collins, Colo.-based distributor Western Trade Supply has joined Flexco's roster. The firm will distribute Flexco cove base, stair treads and accessories throughout northern Colorado, southern Wyoming and southeastern Nebraska.

Tile maker GranitiFiandre opens location in Boston.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In a move aimed at enhancing its position in the Boston design community, Italian tile & stone maker GranitiFiandre (in partnership with Northeast distributor United Distributors Tile Group) has opened an exclusive. Geologica Showroom, located...

Report: China imports $500 mil. in U.S. hardwood.(News)
August 1, 2005... Just-released figures tracking 2004 word exports show that China has grown to become America's big customer for hardwood. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) says that the value of imported U.S. hardwood products last year reached...

WarmlyYours, HVAC maker partner on new warming mats.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WarmlyYours will make and market a line of premium quality floor warming systems carrying the name of HVAC control technology maker Honeywell. The warming systems will be designed for residential tile, stone and hardwood floor use, with...

Expanded 'green' content added to EcoSurfaces' site.(News)(www.ecosurfaces.com)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Reacting to the demand for environmental credentials, EcoSurfaces Commercial Flooring has redesigned its website: www.ecosurfaces.com. In addition to browsing the rubber floor maker's products, users can now visit the new "What Makes Us Green?"...

'Truly outstanding' welcome for Design Tech in Texas.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... With an eye toward building the distribution network for commercial flooring in the state of Texas, Design Tech Commercial Distributing has opened a 38,000 square foot warehouse in Houston. Right from the start last spring, the company saw a...

Capel banks on big returns with Vegas showroom.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... In a bid to further increase its visibility among designers, area rug maker Capel has cut the ribbon on a showroom in Las Vegas's World Market Center, home of the Las Vegas Furniture Market. Located at 495 S. Grand Central Parkway, in space...

Hunter Douglas.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Custom window coverings maker Hunter Douglas recently won the 2004 HR Service Excellence Award. This honor recognizes outstanding quality in human resources and is administered by HR Solutions Inc., an international management consultant...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... ADG 2005 Design Center Management Symposium -- San Diego. (619) 269-1211, Aug. 11-12. CFI 12th Annual Convention -- St Louis. (816) 231-4646. Aug. 11-13. NTCA Total Solutions 2005 -- Las Vegas. (601) 939-2071, Sept. 8-10. NeoCon...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2005... CARPET SHIMS and UNIVERSAL SIDE SHIMS easily eliminate the problem of height differences from carpeted floors to ceramic or hardwood floors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * No more double tack strips. * No more building ramps with...

Q Floors.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2005... Cutting-Edge Technology with Old-Fashioned Personal Attention [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Learn how to enjoy the powerful time-saving benefits of B2B, with QFloors software. We'll patiently hold your hand every step of the way. (You'll...

Starline Associates.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2005... Starline Associates, Inc. delivers the best value for the money with Silent Blue[TM] Laminate Underlayment. Silent Blue combines closed cell construction. IIC 72, STC 73 ratings and waterproof technology eliminating the need for film and...

Mohawk U.: teaching students to say "Yeah, I get it.".
August 1, 2005... After more than 10 years and some 38,000 students, Mohawk University, has a new dean. While Kirk Williams' title is actually director of national sales training, he says his focus is to increase learning opportunities in an industry that still...

Healthcare facility floors offered Parterre's 'Remedy'.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Parterre Flooring Systems introduces the Remedy Health Floor, a sheet vinyl floor designed for healthcare facilities. Remedy addresses the healthcare industry's "stringent needs for flooring that's sanitary and durable, yet still looks great,"...

New BR-111 POP display showcases floor 'Fashion'.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... Exotic hardwood flooring maker BR-111 presents the Fashion Under Foot POP merchandising unit. Designed as a complete in-store selling system, the Fashion Under Foot display can house more than 55 SKUs and 25 exotic hardwood species in a compact...

Tuva Looms bears fruit with Zeftron nylon carpets.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Tuva Looms has unveiled nine new woven commercial carpets carrying the Honeywell Enviro6ix designation, meaning that the yarn systems comprise at least 25 percent recycled content. The new carpets are Case Study, Chenille Check, Cube, Double...

Roppe's BaseMates molding comes in 15 'stackable' designs.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Roppe presents BaseMates, a patent-pending stackable trim molding system. Made of PVC-free rubber compound, BaseMates offers 15 different wall base configurations--four 1 1/8-inch shoe mold profiles, along with four 3/4-inch and seven 1...

Urban pieces augment Peronda's Ural series.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Peronda presents Ural, a ceramic tile series colored in tones of brown, beige, black and gray. A range of specialty pieces and crystal and stainless steel borders are also available, and are meant to give an urban feel to the series. Peronda...

Floral patterns accent Eliane's Assiria series.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Designed for walls and floors, Eliane's Assiria series features ornamental designs and classic marble shadings. Simple roses and lilies accent both tiles and decorative pieces. Assiria comes in four marble-like hues--Alpe, Marfim, Gelo and...

SunTouch's GroupStat masters large installs.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The GroupStat control system from SunTouch is designed to regulate the temperature of up to 10 heating units across a large floor, and is made up of "slave" and "master" units. Each "slave" unit, which comes in 120- and 240-volt models, is...

Franklin's newest Titebond made stronger to grab better.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Franklin International introduces high-grade Titebond 821 Premium urethane flooring adhesive. With increased bond strength to 220 psi, 821 Premium is the first Titebond adhesive designed for use with solid wood, which includes 3/4-inch solid...

Cosentino likes the leather in new Silestone countertops.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Cosentino brings a new textured surface to quartz countertops with Silestone Leather featuring Microban antimicrobial technology. The product's distinctive leather texture comes in 16 colors, and is complemented by a new line, the River Series....

NWFA training CDs designed for contractors' bottom line.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has released "How to Make Money on Every Job," the latest two-CD set in the association's Management Education Series. Designed for flooring contractors, the set compares and contrasts margins and...

Roberts 10-128 Mini Stretcher locks and unlocks for rug repair.(Products)
August 1, 2005... New from Roberts Consolidated Industries is the 10-128 Locking Handle Mini Stretcher. While the stretcher is locked via the unit's Ratchet Lock System, an operator can have his or her hands free to repair seams or tuck carpet, the company says....

Musson's Uno-Tred is both tread and riser.(Products)
August 1, 2005... Musson introduces the Uno-Tred all-in-one combination tread and riser, made of solid rubber. Since there is no separation between tread and riser, the product offers a clean design look. Musson says. Uno-Tred comes in 25 designer colors, and is...

Junckers Black Oak flooring exhibits a 'Designer's Touch'.(Products)
August 1, 2005... By fuming its 9/16-inch White Oak Variation flooring, Junckers has created Black Oak--Designer's Touch. The prefinished solid hardwood flooring is distinguished by hearty-grained, dark brown oak hues with touches of its original, naturally...

Domco shows its 'Eloquence' in newest mid-priced floor.(Products)
August 1, 2005... New from Domco is Eloquence, a mid-priced resilient floor. The 24 patterns and colors in Eloquence offer a mix of popular and classic designs and use surface texturing, three-dimensional effects and varying gloss levels for their distinct...

Altai tile new from Vives.(Products)
August 1, 2005... The Altai series of ceramic tile from Vives Ceramica are designed to present a natural look. The series comes in five colors and four sizes 9.8-by-9.8-, 15.7-by-15.7- and 15.7-by-23.6-inch tiles, and 11.8-by-11.8-inch mosaics. According to the...

NeoCon report: the walk: long. The pace: quick. The floors: fabulous!(Showroom Management)
August 1, 2005... For those who have never been to NeoCon, think of it as a cross between Oscar Night and the Super Bowl for the contract furnishings business. Held each June in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, it's the industry's prime showcase of furniture,...