National Floor Trends articles from December 2004

National Floor Trends archives from December 2004

Santa, it's high time for you to give all of us a break instead of turning a deaf ear to our annual wish list.(Industry Perspectives)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... Every December I send you a note that goes unanswered. Remember I don't write on my behalf, but on behalf of thousands of men and women in the floor covering industry. This year I cut the usual multi-page list of wishes down to five from the...

Creating an enjoyable shopping experience.(women shoppers)
December 1, 2004... Most people agree that selling to women is different from selling to men. While men view shopping as a business transaction, women are more emotionally tied to the benefits their purchases provide. For female consumers, the total shopping...

NFT's prefinished wood floor guide.(Illustration)
December 1, 2004... Prefinished products continue to take a greater share of the wood floor segment with the expanded variety of wood species and factory applied finishes. Following is a list by manufacturer of the products available. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

NFT's prefinished wood floor guide.(Illustration)
December 1, 2004... Prefinished products continue to take a greater share of the wood floor segment with the expanded variety of wood species and factory applied finishes. Following is a list by manufacturer of the products available. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Laticrete launches "Dazzle Us!" contest.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Laticrete International has launched its "Dazzle Us!" global tile and stone competition, searching for outstanding uses of the new Laticrete SpectraLOCK Grout Dazzle colors. The contest, which runs until Dec. 31, will award cash prizes and...

Shaw Hard Surfaces promotion offers retailers prize incentives.(News)
December 1, 2004... Shaw Hard Surfaces has launched an incentive promotion for retail sales personnel, now through Dec. 31, on many of the division's Laminate Design Gallery products. "Above and Beyond" is the first awards-based incentive offered through the...

USGBC announces new Green Building Rating System.(News)(United States Green Building Council)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has recently released its LEED for Existing Building (LEED-EB) Green Building Rating System. LEED-EB was designed to meet market demand for an existing building rating system following the...

Witex unveils plans for sustained growth with distribution partners.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Witex unveiled plans for sustained, long-term growth to distributors attending a management meeting recently. Representatives from all 22 Witex distributors participated in a day-long strategy session with top Witex management. Witex...

Eliane USA moves to new 60,000 square foot facility.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Eliane USA recently moved to a new 60,000 square foot facility in Carrollton, Texas. This new distribution center provides Eliane with the added space needed to facilitate growing operations, maintain a larger and broader inventory of products...

Upcoming industry events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... Domotex 2005 -- Hannover, Germany. (609) 987-1202, Jan. 15-18. Atlanta Rug Market -- Atlanta. (404) 220-2330, Jan. 20-23. Surfaces 2005 -- Las Vegas. (800) 547-3477, Jan. 26-28. Cevisama 2005 -- Valencia, Spain. 34 96 386 11 00,...

NAFCD recognizes its Young Executive of the Year.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Tom Giancani of Torlys Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, has been named the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors' (NAFCD) Young Executive of the Year. The award recognizes executives younger than 40 years with the potential to...

Nourison increases presence at AmericasMart Atlanta.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Nourison has gone forward with a major expansion of its showroom facilities, and with the addition of a second showroom presence in the AmericasMart Home Accents & Fine Linens Center. With this move, Nourison's 15,500 square-foot facility...

Thomas Industries acquires Superior Yarn and Mattel Carpet.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Thomas Industries, a newly formed company sponsored by JD Ford Holdings Co., together with co-investors led by FR Private Equities and Jerry Thomas, CEO of the Mattel Group and Thomas Industries, has acquired the assets of Superior Yarn...

Mishkin launches new carpet company.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jack Mishkin, former founder and owner of Monterey Carpets and Bentley Mills, has launched J. Mish Inc. Previously known as Steven C. Fine Floor Coverings, the company's new name reflects a new brand image and identity. Mishkin acquired...

Distributor appointments.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Advanced Adhesive Technologies (AAT) has announced its affiliation with six new distributors. David Young Distributing, Katy, Texas, will distribute AAT's premium line of carpet and hard surface flooring adhesives throughout Texas and the...

Midwest Padding changes name.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Midwest Padding LLC, based in Norfolk, Neb., has changed its name to MP Global Products, a result of the company diversifying its line against its traditional acoustical, insulating and comforting padding products. In addition to padding,...

Gilford Flooring announces Jefferson, Ind. warehouse expansion.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Gilford Flooring has announced details of its Jeffersonville, Ind. warehouse expansion. The 32,000 square foot addition will bring the total companywide warehouse space to more than 90,000 square feet. The addition comes just two years after...

FIANA celebrates its 10th anniversary in New Orleans.(News)(Floor Installation Association of North America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Floor Installation Association of North America (FIANA) recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at its annual convention and trade show, held Oct. 13-16 in New Orleans at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. More than 500 industry professionals...

Armstrong to shutter commercial production in Lancaster.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Armstrong Holdings Inc. has announced that it plans to end production of commercial products at its plant in Lancaster, Penn. Commercial tile production will end effective Dec. 17, 2004, with Corlon commercial sheet production ending by 2005....

CCA Global Partners' golf tourney raises more than $120,000 in support of Floor Covering Industry Foundation.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CCA Global Partners recently hosted its second annual CCA Global Partners/FCIF Charity Golf Tournament at the Evergreen Marriott Resort in Georgia. Proceeds from the event totaling over $120,000 were donated to the Floor Covering Industry...

Humorist Dave Barry to kick off Coverings 2005.(News)(www.coverings.com)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Coverings has announced that syndicated columnist and humorist Dave Barry will be the keynote speaker for the Coverings 2005 show, to be held May 3-6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Barry's speech will take place...

Surfaces 2005 Conference Program to feature all-new content.(News)
December 1, 2004... Surfaces 2005, to be held Jan. 26-28 in Las Vegas, will boast all-new content at its Conference Program, sponsored by Mannington Mills. With 41 workshops and seminars to choose from in six targeted tracks, the show offers floor covering...

Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings North America.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings North America has appointed George Meeker as the marketing manager for Synteko floor finishes. Meeker has 16 years' experience with Akzo Nobel coatings, and is responsible for expanding the Synteko brand. ...

Amtico International.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Susan Houdek has joined Amtico International as channel marketing manager, and will focus solely on commercial business. Houdek comes to Amtico from Witex Flooring, where she held the position of marketing manager.

Anderson Hardwood Floors.(People)(appointment of Glenn Strohl.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Anderson Hardwood Floors has appointed Glenn Strohl to the newly created combined positions of director of national accounts and Central region sales manager.

Columbia Flooring.(People)(Appointment of Bower, Donnie as business manager of Columbia Flooring)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Columbia Flooring has appointed Donnie Bower as business unit manager for hardwood flooring products and Kevin Goins as the company's new product development manager.

Eko-Wood Hardwood Flooring.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Worth Roberts has been appointed vice president sales and marketing for Eko-Wood Hardwood Flooring's North American operations. Roberts' immediate plans include evaluating the existing product line, developing focused programs for the company's...

Eliane Ceramic Tiles.(Appointment of Celso Gomes )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Eliane Ceramic Tiles has appointed Celso Gomes as marketing manager. An 18-year ceramic tile industry veteran, Gomes has been with Eliane the past four years, most recently as product manager.

828 International Trading.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Mark Ferullo has been appointed vice president for 828 International Trading. Ferullo will focus on increasing 828's sales and market share by working with existing dealers and building new business with specialty retailers and national...

Gilford Flooring.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Gilford Flooring has added two new sales managers to its staff. Dan Keller joins as field sales manager for the Dayton and Central Ohio territory. He has 21 years' sales experience. Wayne Steffen joins as field sales manager for the East...

Porcelanosa Group.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Porcelanosa Group has appointed Clifton J. Ashley as general manager, Northwest region. He brings more than two decades' experience in global sales and marketing. His responsibilities will include sales and oversight as well as operational...

Canesis Network Ltd.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dr. Garth Carnaby, CEO of Canesis Network Ltd. (Wools of New Zealand brand) has announced his resignation as CEO. He will remain as a consultant on the Canesis board until at least April 2005. A recruitment process for a new CEO is underway,...

Clayton Miller launches Cadence Collection featuring Honeywell nylon.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Clayton Miller, a manufacturer of high-end commercial carpets for the hospitality sector, has released the Cadence Collection featuring Honeywell Nylon's Zeftron Savant nylon. The collection, the company's first for corporate interiors,...

Versailles Collection new from Dixie Home.(Products)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Dixie Home introduces the Versailles Collection, four patterned carpets with subtle color differences in the yarn combined with multilevel loop construction. Merida features a gentle vine pattern. St. Jovite offers a cultivated brocade. Vento...

Hardwood Council offers 'Sustainable Solutions' sample package.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Architects, designers, and design-build professionals now can order the Hardwood Council's "Sustainable Solutions" package complete with American hardwood samples. The package includes 3-by-6-inch samples of 20 native hardwood species, from...

Neuhofer Holz to unveil two products at upcoming shows.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Austrian manufacturer Neuhofer Holz will introduce FN clipholder premium (profile mounting clips) and FN one4all (universal flooring profiles) at the upcoming Surfaces 2005 and Domotex 2005 shows. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FN clipholder...

Honeywell Nylon and CWI launch residential collection.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Honeywell Nylon and commercial carpet producer CWI (formerly Carpeton/Wavemaker) have launched a collection of highly styled upscale carpets designed for the residential market. The Vesantri Collection, CWI's first foray into the residential...

Flexco rubber flooring is slip-resistant.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Flexco manufactures rubber flooring products designed to be slip-resistant. Repel formulation is available in any of Flexco's rubber tile and tread options, designed specifically to be oil- and grease-resistant for extra protection. Raised and...

Ilva unveils new marketing materials for three porcelain collections.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Ilva is now providing distributors, designers and architects with marketing materials for the Ilva Pietra Patagonica, Pietre Travertine and Crema Marfil collections. Four-color brochures and catalogs are filled with photos and technical...

Seneca Millwork adds new options to its wood moulding products line.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Seneca Millwork now offers handcrafted finishes and prefinished mouldings to its line of wood products. Hand-scraped and distressed finishes can be customized to coordinate with a specific flooring line. Basic profiles such as reducers, stair...

Roppe intros SafeTcork tile/tread.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Roppe introduces SafeTcork tile and tread products, the newest addition to the SafeTmax Flooring System. These products, a blend of cork and rubber, are designed for interior use in high-traffic areas where slip hazards are a concern. SafeTcork...

Mannington Mills debuts 'WorkPlace' commercial flooring patterns.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Mannington Mills has debuted WorkPlace, a collection of best-selling commercial flooring patterns that is integrated into the Mannington residential resilient LifeStyle display. The collection includes 18 CustomSpec II and Insight samples, as...

Warming customers' hearts and 'soles' with electric floor heating.
December 1, 2004... Today's electric floor-heating systems have grown quickly in popularity with both major retailers and consumers. In 1999, there was less than 1 million square feet of electric floor heating sold. By the end of 2004, sales of electric floor...

Just do it ... just don't do it: there are right methods--and many wrong ones--for tile installations.(Ceramic & Stone Close-up)
December 1, 2004... Everyone, or just about everyone, has seen the television commercial of a shoe manufacturer with the tagline, "Just Do It." In fact, it has energized me to write about some of the tile-related problems I have seen during my years in the...

Musson develops Premier Floor Tiles.(Products & Literature on Display)
December 1, 2004... Musson Rubber Co. has introduced Premier Floor Tiles, a line designed for high-traffic applications. These anti-static tiles are made of 100 percent polypropylene with a rubber-reinforced raised diagonal pattern that resists crushing. Sized...

Seneca Millwork adds handcrafted finishes to its line of products.(Products & Literature on Display)
December 1, 2004... Seneca Millwork (Surfaces Booth #4728), a family-owned company based in the USA, provides custom programs for hardwood flooring transitions to manufacturers and distributors of hardwood flooring. Seneca recently added handcrafted finishes,...

Carpet shims.(Products & Literature on Display)
December 1, 2004... 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...

Daimler Chrysler.(Products & Literature on Display)
December 1, 2004... Dodge Sprinter: The most versatile commercial van in the market. Among Sprinter's many assets: Three wheelbase lengths. Two roof heights. A powerful 2.7-liter CDI Turbo Diesel engine. And configurations that range from Cargo Van to Passenger...