National Floor Trends articles from August 2008

National Floor Trends archives from August 2008

What if gas hits $10 a gallon?(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2008... Ouch! Just writing that headline makes me cringe. But consider this: Just 18 months ago, gas in the U.S. averaged about $2.50 a gallon. People thought that was high. In February of this year, when President Bush was asked about the prospect of...

Market study: laminate flooring market sees dips and turns: while enthusiasm for the category stays strong and manufacturers continue to earn high marks for innovation, our exclusive survey of 379 retailers finds that stores are not selling nearly as much laminate as a few years ago.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Laminate flooring may be easy to install, but as a piece of the floor covering puzzle it is hard to pin down. While the products in the category have seen steady advances in performance and design, specialty...

Carpet/fiber report: "to sum it up: 'green' is the hot issue".(fiber industries environmentally friendly products)(Report)
August 1, 2008... Faced with a sharp increase in the cost of petrochemicals and other raw material, carpet fiber makers are turning to Plan B: Mother Nature. By including natural materials or recycled content, manufacturers are finding that the payoff reflects...

WFCA consumer study: shoppers visit a few stores before buying.(World Floor Covering Association)(Editorial)
August 1, 2008... Consumers shopping for new flooring agree that four store visits is probably too many, but one is seldom enough. A solid majority of consumers --60%--say they visit two or three stores before pulling the trigger on a flooring purchase. Also,...

I am woman, hear me floor (part II). (Guest Column).(shopping skills)(Editorial)
August 1, 2008... Believe me, nothing tests your skill selling to women like pitching a product live on a home shopping network. I should know--I did it for 17 years. The products I promoted were my very own line of skincare essentials and botanicals. With...

During hard times advertising counts, part 2. (High-Impact Retailing).(during the economic downturns retailers cut back on advertising)
August 1, 2008... Last time we discussed the differences between manufacturers' advertising and retail advertising. In a nutshell, manufacturers want to create a desire for their products and retailers want consumers to purchase these products in their...

When the storm clouds clear ... will you be ready to shine?(Designs in Style)
August 1, 2008... It's often said that a 'recession' is when your neighbor loses his job and a 'depression' is when you lose yours. I hope that makes you smile just a bit because this column is devoted to the brighter side of the drab economy we've been...

Creative selling: make them a package they can't refuse.(Commercial Possibilities)(meeting preparedness)
August 1, 2008... No matter what the market conditions you can make your own luck. It is a matter of "opportunity meeting preparedness." That means knowing what steps to take to create opportunities. That also means research, networking and some creativity. It...

Whose fault is it anyway?(Focus on Resilient)
August 1, 2008... There are so many times I see situations where flooring contractors get trapped into jobs that they should just walk away from. Sometimes it's a good customer they don't want to disappoint or maybe it's a new opportunity--either way they should...

New San Fran-based hardwood supplier promises fresh approach with Hewn.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A former advertising executive who helped create ads for Kodak, Nestle and other global brands, Jeanette Lam says she took a look at hardwood flooring and saw something missing. "People don't care about wearlayers or how thick it is, they want...

Marazzi celebrates Texas-sized plant expansion.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Shown here are tile industry professionals touring Marazzi and Ragno USA's newly expanded production plant at the company's headquarters in Sunnyvale, Texas. Part of an $80 million expansion set to run through 2011, the plant features 387,000...

Shaw's 'Styling Excellence': wins NFT award for its area rugs.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(NFT Styling Excellence Awards)(Shaw Living )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shaw Living won first place in this year's NFT Styling Excellence Awards for its ModernWorks collection of area rugs. According to Kim Barta, brand manager for Shaw Living, the collection reflects what consumers (and...

In memoriam: Hank Heckman.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Hank Heckman, a highly respected floor covering retailer who is credited with advancing the field of installation, died June 17 in Grants Pass, Ore. He was 90 years old. An active supporter of the industry for more than five decades,...

Upcoming industry events.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... NTCA Total Solutions Washington, D.C. Sept. 18-20. (601) 939-2071. Cersaie 2008 - Bologna, Italy. Sept. 30-Oct. 4. + 39.0536.804585. 2008 FIANA Convention - St. Louis. Oct. 16-19. (817) 326-2615. NAFCD Distributor Marketplace...

Building partnerships: U.S. ceramic execs visit China.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(U.S. China Ceramic Forum.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Li Ju Xiang, president of Newzhongci Ceramic Co. (NCC), (left) meets with Robert Henry of Robert Henry Tile Co., Montgomery, Ala. and CTDA president; and Mrs. Li during a U.S.-China Trade Mission. It was the second...

Acquisitions: Mannington buys burke; Shaw purchases Zickgraf Hardwood.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Mannington Mills and Shaw Industries have each announced transactions expected to significantly extend their respective product offerings in hard surface. With an eye toward beefing up its hard surface selection, Mannington Mills has...

Laticrete's Rothberg family cuts ribbon on expanded HQ.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Pictured is Dr. Henry M. Rothberg (center), founder and chairman emeritus of Laticrete, cutting the ribbon on a new 32,000 square foot office building at the company's headquarters in Bethany, Conn. He is joined by his wife and co-founder...

Denver Hardwood Co. and Floor Service Supply Co. have added UFloor Systems' range of adhesives, finishes and Wolff-branded sanding machines to their lineup.(Distributor appointments)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Denver Hardwood Co. and Floor Service Supply Co. have added UFloor Systems' range of adhesives, finishes and Wolff-branded sanding machines to their lineup. Denver Hardwood will serve the Rocky Mountains region. Floor Service Supply, based in...

Jaeckle Distributors has joined the Ark Floors network.(Distributor appointments)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Jaeckle Distributors has joined the Ark Floors network. The company will distribute Ark Floors' exotic solid hardwood flooring throughout the Midwest including parts of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.

Mohawk's 'lineage': new hardwood in 26 SKUs.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] Mohawk Hardwood has taken the wraps off of Lineage hardwood. A highlight of the collection is Belle Meade, a 3/4" solid oak in 10 SKUs. Lineage also includes Rivermont, a 3/4" solid oak in 16 SKUs. For details,...

'Modular by Mohawk' tile aimed at residential retailers.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [2] Mohawk carpet tile is now available to residential dealers for the first time. The carpet tile, "Modular by Mohawk," is aimed at helping retailers of primarily residential products break into the light commercial...

Angra from Vitromex aims to mimic stone.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [3] Vitromex introduces the Angra line of ceramic tile. Featuring distinctive stone looks, Angra is available in two colors: Hueso (bone with beige tones) and Cafe (a combination of dark beige, light brown and...

Graphic Nature is Shaw Contract's latest.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [4] Shaw Contract Group has unveiled Graphic Nature, a broadloom and carpet tile collection designed for use in healthcare facilities. Drawing inspiration from nature, the collection is fully recyclable. The product...

Capel's 'American Original' lets consumers design rugs.(Products)
August 1, 2008... Capel introduces the American Original Style and Shape Matrix. The in-house custom rug program allows consumers to design custom braid rugs for virtually any space and budget. The rugs are hand sewn at the company's North Carolina-based mills,...

Basic's EZ-Dry formula designed to dry quickly.(Products)
August 1, 2008... New from Basic, EZ-Dry Polyurethane Sealer is formulated for use under both water- and oil-based finishes. The product dries in an average of three to four hours, according to the company. EZ-Dry also "sands easily, flows well and is...

Universal adds new colors to post-consumer fiber line.(Products)
August 1, 2008... Universal Fibers has expanded its post-consumer nylon 6,6 fiber line with 27 new colors. Using the company's EarthSmart Technology, the fiber results in "a color match every time--in any polymer type," the company says. For details, circle 282...

Tarkett laminate range is 'North American'.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [5] Tarkett Residential presents the North American collection of laminate flooring. The flooring is made using the Americore layer, a "100 percent hardwood core" the company says. Lines in the collection include:...

Struxtur debuts Hewn: 'Hardwood with attitude'.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [6] Hewn, a new hardwood flooring line from Struxtur, is determined to carve out a niche based on a fashion -forward approach. Samples showcased in the in-store display include specs as well as tips from interior...

The floor from 'Ipanema': Cikel's latest engineered line.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [7] Cikel has launched the Ipanema collection of engineered hardwood flooring. Ipanema is available in six exotic veneers. All products in the collection are available in the company's Quick-Ship program. For...

Balta feels the 'Vibe' with latest area rugs.(Products)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [8] Balta has rolled out Vibe area rugs. Made using heat set olefin and featuring drop stitching for a carved effect, the rugs are offered in two colorways and 24 looks. Vibe is available in 5' by 8', 8' by 11' and...

Tau's Keraon ceramic made for outdoor use.(Products)
August 1, 2008... Keraon by Tau Ceramica is a ceramic product designed exclusively for use in outdoor furniture. The company said this is due to superb performance and aesthetic characteristics. Additionally, the product is available in custom options. For...

Formica's Bellafina floors offer high-gloss exotic looks.(Products)
August 1, 2008... Formica Flooring presents Bellafina, a high-gloss laminate flooring line featuring detailed grain patterns and textures. Designed to resemble exotic hardwoods, Bellafina is offered in Canyon Andiroba, Plateau Merbau, Canyon Koa and Canyon Pear...

Radiant floor warming/products guide.
August 1, 2008... Company Name: Alloc, Inc., /Berry Floor Address: 3441 South Memorial Dr., Racine, WI 53403 Phone: (262) 554-1541 Fax: (262) 554-1701 URL/Email Address: www.alloc.com or www.berryfloor.com; cthornton@alloc.com ...