National Floor Trends articles from August 2006

National Floor Trends archives from August 2006

With its new flooring, WFCA stands up for installation.(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2006... They say it took Michelangelo a bit over four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A crack team of installers, working sporadically on weekends, needed only three years to re-do the floors at the World Floor Covering Association...

Consumer focus groups: why they buy at big boxes and specialty flooring retailers.
August 1, 2006... Consumers shopping for floor covering are anxious about high-pressure sales. They want information that reflects their individual needs and they say retailers--big and small--generally fail to follow up after a purchase to see if everything is...

See me, touch me, spill something on me: carpet makers make their case with bold looks, a soft hand and technology ready for red wine and chocolate ice cream.
August 1, 2006... The housing market has been sizzling hot for much of the last decade, and some interesting residential design developments have just recently begun to reveal themselves. The design pendulum historically swings quickly when a new trend takes...

NFT market report: laminate steps lively, but price is still the bottom line.
August 1, 2006... Evidence that floor covering is taking bold strides forward can be readily found in the laminate section of most any specialty flooring store. Today's products look better, stand up to more wear-and-tear and have fewer maintenance woes than...

Unfinished hardwood flooring: for those who understand the true meaning of "green".(Guest Column)
August 1, 2006... An educated consumer is the best customer. There is no question about that. But relative to solid unfinished hardwood flooring, in many cases it's left up to your sales staff to educate the consumer. The people working in your showroom must be...

Gaining ground for two decades.
August 1, 2006... CCA Global Summit gives FA members a chance to reflect... and celebrate It was 20 years ago that a small but determined group of flooring retailers gathered together to form what would one day evolve into one of the most highly respected...

WFCA's HQ gets new floors to highlight 'talent and products'.(News)
August 1, 2006... Using products donated by some of the top companies in the industry, a small army of expert installers created a flooring showcase in what seems like an ideal location. The World Floor Covering Association's headquarters in Anaheim, Cailf. was...

'Immensely enjoyed my career': Saul retires as Shaw's president.(News)
August 1, 2006... After more than 40 years in the industry, Julian D. Saul, president of Shaw Industries, retired July 14. While he relinquished his day-to-day duties upon retirement, he plans to remain onboard as a consultant to the company. "I have...

WFCA elects Hill as chairman, appoint new officers at meeting.(News)
August 1, 2006... Robert Hill, who heads the $100 million Midwestern retail operation Floor Covering Associates Inc., has assumed his position as chairman of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). He succeeds Aaron Pirner of Cap Carpet Inc., Wichita, Kan.,...

Azrock by Tarkett honors 3 of its own.(News)(Chris Grimes, Bob Foy and Ted Higginbotham, awarded)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Caption: Tarkett recently celebrated the outstanding performance of three Azrock sales managers. At the company's sales meeting in San Antonio, Tarkett honored Chris Grimes (top photo), Bob Foy (center photo) and Ted Higginbotham (bottom photo)...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... CFI 13th Annual Convention -- Arlington, Texas. (816) 231-4646, Aug. 9-12. Source Expo -- New York, N.Y. (800) 564-5975, Sept. 8-10. NTCA Total Solutions 2006 -- Las Vegas. (601) 939-2071, Sept. 14-16. Decorex International --...

Offering increased capacity, Bond and Instabind merge.(News)
August 1, 2006... In a bid to increase the reach of its signature product, carpet binding maker Instabind, based in Murfreesboro, Tenn., has recently merged with Bond Products of Philadelphia. Bond, a 64-year-old company, produces narrow fabrics for binding and...

Georgia Gov. credits Shaw for 'Waste to Energy' plan.(News)
August 1, 2006... Describing Shaw Industries' energy conservation efforts as "innovative and creative," Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue recently visited the company's plant in Dalton, Ga., to offer his support for the ongoing effort. The governor singled out Shaw...

Industry gives green light to new B2B association.(News)
August 1, 2006... The Flooring Industry B2B Standard Committee recently approved the formation of the Floor Covering Business-To-Business Association. According to the committee, the nonprofit corporation will aim to "facilitate more efficient business...

Shaw goes globetrotting to tout Anso's CrossBond.(News)
August 1, 2006... To mark the 15th anniversary of the CrossBond fiber technology used in Anso nylon--and to make a point about its popularity--Shaw Industries has calculated that there has been enough carpet sold containing the fiber material to circle the earth...

Alloc has added two new distributors: Self's Inc., based in Wichita; and Dealers Supply North of Columbus, Ohio.(Distributor appointments)
August 1, 2006... Alloc has added two new distributors: Self's Inc., based in Wichita; and Dealers Supply North of Columbus, Ohio. Self's will represent Alloc throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, and parts of Arkansas and Missouri. Dealers Supply North will...

Faus.(Faus signs distribution agreement with SPI Floors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Faus announced it has signed an extended agreement with SPI Floors to distribute Faus' Fausfloor laminate program in Ohio. Previously, the company distributed Fausfloor products to Georgia, Alabama and Florida. SPI Floors is the result of a...

Forbo Flooring has added Midwest distributor Merle B. Smith Co. to its roster.(Distributor appointments)
August 1, 2006... Forbo Flooring has added Midwest distributor Merle B. Smith Co. to its roster. The company, based in Burr Ridge, Ill., will distribute Marmoleum click flooring to Illinois and parts of northern Indiana. Latest Breaking News at...

Oscoda Plastics Inc. has added Omaha Hardwood Lumber Co. (OHARCO) and Milwaukee-based Badger Metal Trims to its list of Protect-All Specialty Flooring distributors.(Distributor appointments)
August 1, 2006... Oscoda Plastics Inc. has added Omaha Hardwood Lumber Co. (OHARCO) and Milwaukee-based Badger Metal Trims to its list of Protect-All Specialty Flooring distributors. OHARCO serves Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. Badger Metal Trims covers Wisconsin,...

Robina Wood has welcomed the Tom Duffy Co. to its family of distributors.(Distributor appointments)
August 1, 2006... Robina Wood has welcomed the Tom Duffy Co. to its family of distributors. The Fairfield, Calif.-based company will serve California, Arizona and Nevada with Robina's premium line of engineered wood flooring. Latest Breaking News at...

ITSS becomes Source Expo, features more new products.(News)
August 1, 2006... To reflect the broadened scope of the show, organizers behind the International Tile & Stone Show are rebranding the event as Source Expo. Plans call for shows to take place as scheduled in New York City, Las Vegas and Miami, but under the new...

FLEX donates $770,000 to FCIF, closes its doors.(News)
August 1, 2006... The Floor Covering Consumer Credit Association (FLEX), which facilitates credit for floor covering purchases, ceased operations at the end of June and donated its remaining assets of $770,700 to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF). In...

MAPEI: Di Tempora retires, hands reigns to BASF's Blair.(News)
August 1, 2006... MAPEI Americas said president and CEO Nick Di Tempora has retired after 23 years with the company and has been succeeded by Rainer M. Blair, a 16-year veteran of BASF Corp. Di Tempora will remain on MAPEI's board and serve as an advisor to...

Questech says growth prompted new Vermont plant.(Questech Corp.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Tile maker Questech Corp. has cut the ribbon on a new 70,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Rutland, Vt. The new facility features fully automated equipment for producing cast metal and cast stone decorative tiles as...

Jeff Cowan, president of House of Carpets Carpet One in Modesto, Calif., has retired after 38 years in the business.(People)
August 1, 2006... Jeff Cowan, president of House of Carpets Carpet One in Modesto, Calif., has retired after 38 years in the business. He is succeeded by Robert Kerr, Jr., most recently the retailer's general manager and a 16-year veteran of the company. "I've...

Ken Peden has been named executive vp of Kronotex USA.(People)
August 1, 2006... Ken Peden has been named executive vp of Kronotex USA. The industry veteran joins the company after nearly five years with Quick-Step, most recently as vp sales. He is credited for growing Quick-Step's sales from 2001-2006 and thus helping to...

Quick-Step.(Roy Foster appointed as vice president of sales)(Fred Giuggio promoted as national sales director)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Quick-Step has announced two personnel changes. Roy Foster has been named vp sales. Prior to joining the company, Foster was general manager for American Olean. Additionally, Fred Giuggio has been promoted to national sales director. He joined...

Laticrete chairman and CEO David Rothberg was recently inducted into the Junior Achievement of Southwest New England's Business Hall of Fame.(People)
August 1, 2006... Laticrete chairman and CEO David Rothberg was recently inducted into the Junior Achievement of Southwest New England's Business Hall of Fame. The achievement recognizes Rothberg's commitment to his employees and the greater Bethany, Conn....

Barth A. Getto has joined flooring franchise group World of Floors as COO and national director of franchising.(People)
August 1, 2006... Barth A. Getto has joined flooring franchise group World of Floors as COO and national director of franchising. He will be responsible for implementing national expansion strategy with the goal of adding 180 new stores within the next three...

Powernail Co.(People)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Ed Polnau, head of Powernail Co.'s maintenance department, has celebrated his 50th anniversary with the company. Since joining Powernail on June 6, 1956, Polnau has brought a high level of professionalism to the company. Says president Tom...

MAPEI staffers earn tile certification after training session at Florida HQ.(News)
August 1, 2006... In an effort to better understand the needs of its customers, 45 MAPEI staff members recently earned accreditation as Ceramic Tile Consultants from the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) after completing a training session at the...

Q&A: Bill Dearing North American Laminate Association president.(Interview)
August 1, 2006... EDITOR'S NOTE: The North American Laminate Flooring Association is working to elevate the profile of the category and educate the trade about quality and performance issues. Included will be an ambitious new awareness campaign tied to NALFA's...

Products.
August 1, 2006... 1 Bamboo and Cubis looks join Johnsonite stair line Johnsonite has added two new textures to its rubber stair tread line. The new patterns--Bamboo and Cubis--are contemporary looks designed for use in hospitality, healthcare, education and...

Attitude isn't everything. It's the only thing!(High-Impact Retailing)
August 1, 2006... Whenever I was interviewing candidates for a position in my store, I looked for three things; Sincerity, enthusiasm and self-confidence. I don't remember where this came from, but it was something I learned early in my life. If these attitudes...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2006... Many shims available from Carpet Shims Carpet Shims are available in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" x 8" x 32", and 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"x 12" x 48". Add a Universal Side Shim to each end of the installed Carpet Shim to eliminate the drop off, which...

Regupol-QT.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2006... The Regupol QT line of products for impact sound insulation are engineered to provide better performance than any other sound control product available. Made from 100% resilient recycled rubber and backed by over 90 independent and laboratory...

Bengard.(Products & Literature on display)
August 1, 2006... LM3003 track to be used for 10mm laminate floors. Track provides secure grip of moulding for greater durability and safety. Flange adds extra strength and stability. Made of PVC. LM3004 track to be used for 12.5mm laminate floors. Track...

Attack the cracks below or your resilient floor will suffer.(Focus on Resilient)
August 1, 2006... If there is one solid fact about concrete it is this: it is prone to cracking. Cracking is a natural, expected and accepted behavior of this venerable building material. It is also a condition that can wreak havoc on the installation of...