National Floor Trends articles from December 2008

National Floor Trends archives from December 2008

Armstrong re-surfaces and other encouraging signs).(Editorial Comment)
December 1, 2008... Armstrong Flooring's CEO Frank Ready called the other day to chat about his company's decision to participate in Surfaces early next year. After sitting out the Las Vegas show for the past four years, Armstrong has agreed to set up a product...

Fewer rings (but higher price tags): retailers in our exclusive survey of the carpet & area rug segment say high-end and commercial carpet are the bright spots. 2009 remains a question mark.(Carpet & Rug Study)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The typical floor covering retailer is selling less carpet, but is bringing in more money on each transaction. In our new survey, dealers said they average about...

2008> Prefinished wood guide.
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Allwood Imports, LLC 12717 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 (503) 255-7976 Fax: (503) 255-2071 URL/Email: www.allwoodimport.com; chen@allwoodimport.com Product Names: Allwood Flooring--most products...

BR-111 aims for luxury with Designer Showroom.(Products)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pictured is a shot of BR-111's new Designer Showroom concept, unveiled recently at an upscale shopping district in Coral Gables, Fla. The Designer Showroom aims to provide architects and designers a "relaxed...

Cikel unveils display, new builder boards.(Products)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cikel has launched a range of sales tools aimed at U.S. distributors carrying its Brazilian hardwood flooring lines. The new merchandising tools include builder boards and display towers. Cikel's flooring products...

Alloc's 'Elite' laminate: 12 looks, easy installation.(Products)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alloc introduces Alloc Elite, a residential laminate flooring line in four piano finishes and eight rustic looks. Planks are 12.3 mm thick and feature Precision V-Edge Beveling. Alloc Elite also includes the...

US Floors' New Dimensions is latest Natural Cork floor.(Products)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] US Floors has taken the wraps off of the New Dimensions collection in its Natural Cork line. Offering in 24" by 18" tiles and 7" by 36" planks, the cork floors feature beveled edges and Microban antimicrobial...

Gem, Olympian floors new from APC Cork.(Products)
December 1, 2008... APC Cork offers the Gem and Olympian collections of cork flooring. The Gem collection features "progressive designs and shades," according to the company, and uses iridescent, metallic undertones to create a unique look. The company's Olympian...

Shaw's tour: 'revolution' market sets 7 stops in January.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shaw said it plans to visit seven cities in the United States and Canada during its "Revolution" winter market. Set to begin Jan. 8-10 in Dallas and wrap up Jan. 28-30 in Toronto, the market will showcase Shaw's...

Armstrong to upgrade vinyl plant for $25 million.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... Armstrong said it will invest $25 million in its Lancaster, Pa., flooring plant to produce fiberglass-backed sheet vinyl products. The move, which will create "the most technologically advanced sheet vinyl manufacturing facility in the world,"...

Call for entries: NFT Styling Excellence Awards.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... National Floor Trends is gearing up for the 2009 edition of the Styling Excellence Awards, aiming to honor the best, most stylish new products from around the flooring industry. Companies in all categories of the industry are invited to enter...

USG unveils new products, aims to strengthen 'green' message.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... During a recent press teleconference, USG Corp. previewed some of its newest innovations including additions to its USG Design Studio website; an online tool for assessing a product's LEED credits; and the new Next Gen Durock cement board. ...

WFCA & LIFCA: set to celebrate their 'golden' years.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... The World Floor Covering Association and the Long Island Floor Covering Association will share an anniversary in 2009. Both of these venerable industry groups are turning 50--and both are planning celebrations to mark the milestone. WFCA...

Ardex, TEC among suppliers 'preferred' by ReSource group.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... Ardex Engineered Cements and Specialty Construction Brands have been named preferred suppliers by the ReSource Commercial Flooring Network, a member-owned network of commercial flooring contractors throughout the U.S. As preferred suppliers,...

Upcoming industry events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2008... Domotex 2009--Hannover, Germany. Jan. 17-20. +49 511 89-0. LIFCA 50th Anniversary Gala--Woodbury, N.Y. Jan 21. www.lifloor.com. Atlanta International Area Rug Market--Atlanta. Jan. 7-12. (800) ATL-MART. Cevisama 2009--Valencia,...

ConestogaTile celebrates golden anniversary with show.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Hanover, Pa.-based distributor ConestogaTile recently held Tile Concepts 2008, a free, one-day event in Gettysburg, Pa., featuring installation demonstrations, business seminars and product showcases...

Flexco readies distribution site in Muscle Shoals, Ala.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... Flexco, based in Tuscumbia, Ala., is set to open a new 150,000 sq. ft. distribution center next year in nearby Muscle Shoals, a town about five miles from the company's headquarters. The move is aimed at giving Flexco room to grow as well as...

Two Beaulieu trainers honored by Georgia group.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beaulieu staffers Joseph Santonastaso and Matt Wells were recently recognized by the Georgia Society of Technical Training and Development (GSTTD), a group aimed at promoting excellence in training for flooring....

'Sharing the strengths': CMH buys Space Flooring.(Flooring Insider: News/People/Places/Events)
December 1, 2008... CMH Flooring Products, based in Wadesboro, N.C., said it has purchased fellow distributor Space Flooring, based in Smyrna, Ga. Plans call for Space Flooring to continue operating as a separate entity. Additionally, Kent Goodman will stay on as...

Surfaces 2009: top flooring execs set for first-ever general session.
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Surfaces 2009 When: Feb. 3-5, 2009 (Tues.-Thurs.) Where: Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas More info: www.Surfaces.com or call (800) 547-3477 With Surfaces 2009 fast approaching, organizers...

Which test is best for concrete answers?(Focus on Resilient)
December 1, 2008... Installers frequently ask me which method of moisture testing is the most reliable. I also encounter installers who wonder: Is there a correlation between Calcium Chloride and RH Probe testing? These are important concerns because moisture...

I submit that you want your customer to request beige because its 'safe' and it's easier for you to sell, because you think you cannot go wrong. Think again.
December 1, 2008... Why is it that one of the genders (dare I say which one?) seems to shut down and don a glazed look when the subject of color comes up? Given this well-established phenomenon, I implore you to NOT quickly turn the page, but to "man-up" and grit...