National Floor Trends articles from December 2003

National Floor Trends archives from December 2003

Sacred cows to shed in 2004: 'It's tough out there' and 'Consumers aren't spending'.(Industry Perspectives)(Editorial)
December 1, 2003... This year, many in floor coverings clung tenaciously to slogans that were repeated, repeated and repeated so often that they became sacred cows. One slogan is "It's tough out there," and the other is "Consumers aren't spending any money."...

Hardwood Flooring Market keeps growing; prosperous future cited in NFT study.(National Floor Trends)
December 1, 2003... Flooring dealers/contractors are selling more hardwood floor jobs each month in 2003, according to results from a just-completed Hardwood Flooring Market Trends Study conducted by National Floor Trends magazine in partnership with the market...

Capturing the wood floor re-coating market: your chance to really shine.(Wood or Wood Knot)
December 1, 2003... The current economic climate continues to run hot and cold. Fortunately, with increasing signs of economic stability, consumers are once again beginning to warm up to the notion of long-term investments. And, as you probably already know,...

Cersaie 2003 showcases the cutting edge of tile design.(Floor covering industry)
December 1, 2003... The 21st annual Cersaie trade show--which was held Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 in Bologna, Italy--drew in excess of 97,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors. These totals represent a slight decrease from attendance at last year's show, a...

MAPEI products used in facility at FIU School of Architecture.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In collaboration with BEA International, Bernard Tschumi Architects of New York and Paris designed a 102,000 square foot facility, comprising four buildings connected by bridges and covered outdoor stairs, at Miami's FIU School of Architecture....

Mohawk University announces expanded '04 training programs.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Mohawk University, the training division of Mohawk Industries, has expanded its courses, going to new cities across the nation, and offering new electronic training tools in an effort to help dealers train salespeople, improve operations and...

In memoriam: Vincent Ferrante Jr.(News)(employee of Ideal Flooring Contractors business)(Obituary)
December 1, 2003... Vincent Ferrante Jr., who worked as a carpet installer for his father's Travis, N.Y.-based Ideal Flooring Contractors business, died on the Staten Island ferry that crashed into a concrete pier Oct. 15. Ferrante was born June 27, 1977 at...

WFCA board seeks to establish its own insurance company.(News)(World Floor Covering Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The board of directors of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) is pursuing the establishment of its own insurance company through a "captive" program by which the WFCA would control all underwriting and policy approval. An...

People.(News)(appointments at Wanke Cascade)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Craig Lampe, Wanke Cascade vice president of sales and marketing, has announced his retirement after 33 years in the flooring industry. Lampe has headed up the Pacific Northwest flooring distributor's sales and marketing team for the past 25...

Columbia acquires the balance of ownership in Century Flooring.(News)(Columbia Flooring)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Columbia Flooring has reached an agreement with North Pacific Group (Nor Pac) to purchase its ownership interest in Melbourne, Ark.-based Century Flooring, a manufacturer of prefinished solid hardwood flooring. The purchase price was not...

Taylor Tools moves to new Denver location.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Taylor Tools recently moved into a new 16,000-square-foot building at 5045 Paris St. in Denver. The move was undertaken to enhance Taylor's ability to meet demand for products as well as allow the company to continue developing quality tools....

Armstrong to close Arkansas engineered hardwood plant.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Citing excess capacity and high operating costs, Brain Carson, Armstrong's senior vice president of operations, has announced that the company will close its Sykes engineered-hardwood plant in Warren, Ark., on Dec. 31. Approximately 130...

Highlander Gypsum Floors becomes Hacker floor underlayments applicator.(News)(Hacker Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Hacker Industries Inc. has announced Highlander Gypsum Floors, based in Colorado, as a new member of its nationwide network of trained and licensed applicators. Highlander Gypsum Floors will install the premier line of Firm-Full Gypsum...

MMP Capital Partners acquires Florida Tile.(News)(Florida Tile Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... MMP Capital Partners L.P., an affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based Milestone Merchant Partners L.L.C., has purchased Florida Tile Industries Inc. from Illinois Tool Works Inc. Matthew Galvez, a managing director of Milestone, was named...

Alloc names T&A Supply as latest distributor.(News)(Alloc Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Alloc Inc. has appointed a new distributor to the Pacific Northwest. T&A Supply is now the exclusive distributor of Alloc's family of hard surface flooring products throughout Oregon, Washington, Montana, Alaska and northern Idaho. T&A...

Oriental Weavers announces merger of Sphinx/OWA.(News)(Oriental Weavers of America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Oriental Weavers has announced the merger of its North American distribution (Sphinx) and domestic manufacturing operation (Oriental Weavers of America) effective Jan. 1. In 1991, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers was formed by parent company...

Powerhold brand now includes a range of installation products.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Three years ago, a group of leading distributors formed the Floor Covering Distributor Alliance. The alliance created the Powerhold brand and linked it with premier manufacturers. Today, the label can be found on three multipurpose adhesives,...

Amalgamation of Domco Tarkett approved at shareholders meeting.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... At a special meeting of Domco Tarkett Inc., shareholders approved a resolution to amalgamate Domco Tarkett with 4158148 Canada Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Tarkett Sommer. The company resulting from the amalgamation will be named Tarkett...

Lance Armstrong to greet at Alloc's Surfaces booth.(News)(Surfaces 2004)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Alloc Inc. and its parent company the Berry Group have announced that Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will be making an appearance at Alloc's booth, No. 3519, during Surfaces 2004. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last July, Armstrong...

Tarkett: Tarkett unveils new corporate logo.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Following the recent announcement that Domco Tarkett is changing its corporate name to Tarkett, the company is introducing a new corporate logo to reflect its new identity and global profile. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new logo will be...

People.(News)(appointments at Foam Products Corp., Kronotex)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Dennis Klein has been named director of sales for the specialty products division of Foam Products Corp. He was named to this newly created position to lead the company's non-slip area rug pad business. Klein brings a broad range of sales and...

Surfaces to convene its first Town Hall, and host its first Win a Designer contest.(News)(Surfaces 2004, an event of floor covering industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Surfaces 2004 will bring together floor covering professionals at its new Town Hall, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Jan. 28, at the Venetian Hotel. The event will feature a panel of experts from a wide range of areas addressing attendees' questions and...

Unilin to acquire MDF plant in N.C.(News)(Homanit Inc)(medium-density fiberboard)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Homanit Inc. and Unilin Flooring N.V. have signed an agreement by which Unilin Flooring will acquire Homanit's medium-density fiberboard (MDF) plant in Mount Gilead, N.C. The parties are now awaiting a clearance from anti-trust authorities to...

Halcon's Distena styled for a realistic stone look.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Halcon Ceramicas' Distena tile is designed to provide a realistic imitation of stone. It comes in only one color, Beige, and one size, 16-by-16-inches. Decoration includes a skirting and a corner, both 5-by-16-inches. [ILLUSTRATION...

Faus introduces its latest laminate floor technologies.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Faus Group recently unveiled two new innovations in its InterPlank Design and Microbevel laminate technologies. InterPlank Design is a combination of two planks that complete one continuous wood grain strip. It features a Self-Alignment...

Balta U.S.'s Woodstar laminate features Protectonite wearlayer.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Balta U.S. Inc. has released its Globe Collection of flooring, which includes the new Woodstar line of laminate offerings. Textures include Rustica, Mozart, Nice, Marseillie, Santiago and Adagio. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Woodstar...

Diverse colors featured in Laufen's Fresno tile.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Laufen's Fresno 10-by-13-inch wall and 16-by-16-inch floor tiles offer a variety of colors for any application. The ceramic tile can be chosen from the Beige, Bianco, Ocre and Verdigris palettes. A chair rail and two styles of decorative wall...

Metroflor launches new resilient ceramic promo.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Metroflor encourages retailers to "Go Beyond Ceramic" with its new retailer promotion for Solidity, the company's new line of resilient ceramic tile. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2003, Metroflor will offer retail salespeople a $5 incentive for...

Mullican expands product line with its new Selector Showcase.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Mullican Flooring's Selector Showcase features a product line that has nearly doubled this year. The waterfall display contains 40 flooring samples and full-color, take-home Selector pages--a marked increase over Mullican's previous showcase of...

BurkeMercer adds height to its 1/8-inch wall base.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... BurkerMercer Products will offer installers a new height in 1/8-inch wall base with the company's 4 1/2-inch RetroBase. RetroBase has been designed to make commercial remodeling easier by adding an additional half-inch to its 4-inch base. ...

Flexco flooring offers solutions for mold and mildew problems.(Products)
December 1, 2003... Flexco's rubber and vinyl flooring product lines are designed to offer solutions for mold and mildew problems in the healthcare industry, according to the company. Flexco's rubber flooring products feature a natural microbial barrier for...

Tau's Chateaux of France collection styled to evoke castle and palace motifs.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Tau's Chateaux of France collection is designed to evoke the aesthetics of the castles and palaces of France. The collection is meant to offer a rustic yet elegant look. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The models in this earthenware collection...

Bois Chamois vintage hardwood comes in four handcrafted colors.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Bois Chamois has unveiled its antiqued hardwood flooring featuring surface irregularities and softly worn edges without repetitions. Milled from European white oak, Bois Chamois vintage hardwood flooring is available in four handcrafted...

Roppe's SafeTcork tile, treads blend recycled cork and rubber.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Roppe Corp. recently introduced SafeTcork tile and tread products as its latest addition to the SafeTmax Flooring System. Made with a blend of recycled cork and rubber, SafeTCork is designed for interior use in high-traffic areas where slip...

Dilmaghani unveils portable RugEasel rug display unit.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Dilmaghani has debuted the RugEasel, a portable rug display designed to be easy to assemble and tear down, according to the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RugEasel modules are 2- and 3-feet wide by 7-feet, 6-inches high. They couple...

Shaw Hard Surfaces launches Touchable Texture laminates.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Shaw's Hard Surface Division has introduced HighPoint Oak, featuring Touchable Texture. Touchable Texture is Shaw's unique registered embossing technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The HighPoint Oak series, offered in four popular oak...

Bold Step expands its aluminum tread offerings.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Bold Step has expanded its aluminum replacement treads line to cover more step sizes and shapes. Previously available in 9- and 11-inch sizes, Bold Step is now also offered in a 4-inch tread featuring a continuous anchor system. Bold Step...

Azrock's new Safety Package developed to help prevent slips.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Azrock by Tarkett has introduced its new Safety Package, a group of five different product lines that offer beautiful visuals with distinct safety features. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Available in a variety of styles, colors and sizes,...

Skilled Workwear expands selection of kneepad line.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Skilled Workwear addressed the need for knee protection and ventilation with its new 9224 Vent Kneepad. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new design is wider, covering the knee from seam to seam to provide greater side-to-side protection and...

Kathy Ireland Aloha rugs feature rich, earthen hues.(Products)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... Palm trees, seashells and nautical images can be found in the Kathy Ireland Aloha collection, formerly labeled TradeWinds. This collection of machine-woven, olefin rugs from Shaw Living is meant to bring rich, earthen hues into the home. ...

Tile grout: friend or foe?(Concrete flooring)
December 1, 2003... Grout is, and has been, among the top tile installation-related complaints of consumers and end users for as long as I have been in the business. I have attended countless seminars on the subject, particularly on the issue of grout shading. The...

Showroom illumination: putting your product offerings in their best light.(Showroom Management)
December 1, 2003... Lighting is a vital tool in the showroom. After all, you want your customers to be able to see your products in their best light so that they can make a wise and satisfying buying decision. But with more than 3,500 electric light sources to...

CARPET SHIM.(Products & Literature on Display)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... With CARPET SHIMS and the NEW UNIVERSAL SIDE SHIMS easily eliminates the transition problem between ceramic tile or hardwood floors and carpet. No more double tack strips or floating floors with fillers. No need to build card-board/VCT ramps or...

Basic coatings.(Products & Literature on Display)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... The Best Just Got Better with StreetShoe XL! Basic introduces a new technology in water based finishes. The new StreetShoe XL is easier to apply and it is the toughest, most chemical resistant and fastest curing finish on the market. Only Basic...

Bostik Findley.(Products & Literature on Display)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2003... The Bostik Findley Flooring Group is pleased to announce the development of Hydroment Gold Coat[TM], a ready-to-use latex-based Anti-Fracture and Waterproofing Membrane specifically designed for use beneath thin-set ceramic tile and stone...

Roppe Corporation.(Website Locator)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... www.roppe.com Features: Roppe offers a full range of rubber and vinyl flooring products--with the largest selection of styles, sizes, shapes and colors in the industry. We offer FREE samples. To find out more, contact our Web site at:...

Noblehouse.(Website Locator)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... www.noblehouse.com Review our solids, engineered, tropical, cork and sports floor products (available in a printable version). Review our species, colors, specifications and technical data on each. Product distribution, floor care,...

Floor Installation Association of North America.(Website Locator)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... www.fiana.org Features: FIANA lists Distributor and Manufacturer's alphabetically. A map to locate members in your state. Purpose, Coming Events, and Newsletter Archive. Hyper-Links to members' web-page. Interactive features for members...