National Floor Trends articles from January 2006

National Floor Trends archives from January 2006

Just a few questions for the New Year.(Editorial Comment)
January 1, 2006... We could use that hackneyed expression "cautiously optimistic" to summarize our informal survey on what the flooring industry can expect this year. But for accuracy's sake it might be better to describe the climate as "nervously hopeful."...

Fiber makers' wishlist: durable, soft and less expensive to make; Squeezed by the soaring cost of raw materials, fiber makers increase their profile and turn to technology for an edge.(Carpet Fiber 2006 Outlook)
January 1, 2006... For all the changes seen recently in the carpet fiber business, one of the most significant developments goes beyond advanced product formulations. More and more, shoppers looking for new soft surface flooring are beginning to understand that...

Surfaces 2006 Installation Showcase: showcasing quality installation.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Quality Installation = Profits & Satisfied Customers! If you're a retailer or installer, the Installation Showcase at Surfaces 2006 is something you can't afford to miss. These LIVE step-by-step demonstrations on the show floor give you a...

Outlook 2006: a banner year? A time of struggle? The flooring business braces for a year that could go either way.
January 1, 2006... 2006 has people in the flooring business scratching their heads. Will this be a year where sales soar like a rocket ship? A year that sees a surge in demand fueled by a rebounding economy, a bumper crop of terrific new products and some crisp,...

Surfaces: covering every bit of the flooring industry; Businesses big & small see show as key to success.
January 1, 2006... Most of the top flooring manufacturers in the world say they wouldn't think of missing Surfaces--which is the prime reason they establish their presence with hulking, impossible-to-miss exhibits. Boasting expansive floor plans, eye-catching...

Durkan Villa'Gio collection features patterned carpets.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Durkan Patterned Carpet unveils Villa'Gio, a new carpet and rug collection offering traditional motifs in kaleidoscopic arrays. Villa'Gio is available in two rugs, one medallion, 13 broadloom patterns, an area rug surround and five design...

Rainforest Alliance SmartGuide lists FSC-certified wood suppliers.(Products)
January 1, 2006... The Rainforest Alliance has launched the "SmartGuide to Green Building Wood Sources." The SmartGuide compiles a listing of all Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood building products suppliers in North America, the Alliance says. For...

DISTO technology found in new Leica Geosystems meters.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Leica Geosystems presents the DISTO A5 and A3 laser meters, incorporating sixth-generation DISTO laser technology. Leica says the A5 meter has an average accuracy of 0.08 inches at distances ranging up to 650 feet; the pocket-size A3 is...

New exotics for moldings top Artistic Finishes' line.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Artistic Finishes Inc. has added seven exotic wood species to its moldings and accessories program. The new additions--Afzelia Doussie, Amendoim, Andiroba, Caribbean Walnut/Tzalam, Southern Chestnut/Chichipate, Teak and Wenge--bring the...

CMI debuts braided rugs as part of Woolrich line.(Products)
January 1, 2006... CMI (Colonial Mills Inc.) introduces the Summerstone Falls braided-texture rug collection as part of Woolrich's Summerstone Falls home furnishings line. A wool/polyester/nylon blend, the reversible rug is made of flat and corded braids. A...

Max Windsor Floors adds new distressed wood designs.(Products)
January 1, 2006... Max Windsor Floors has expanded its solid hardwood flooring line with four distressed designs. Available in Autumn Maple, Midnight Maple, Southern Maple and Cherry, these floors feature distinctive distressing for Old Warm charm and character,...

Joe Grady: NFT columnist was a highly regarded flooring expert.(In Memoriam)
January 1, 2006... Joe Grady, an internationally recognized authority on flooring installation issues, and a long-time columnist for National Floor Trends and Floor Covering Installer magazines, died Friday, Dec. 9, following a prolonged battle with respiratory...

Atlanta Rug Market to showcase new rugs at two industry events.(News)
January 1, 2006... Retailers, designers, rug makers and importers are gearing up for the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, which will take place Jan. 19-22 at the AmericasMart building in downtown Atlanta. To date, more than 1,500 retailers and close to 200...

Mannington earns ISO certification; tile, inlaid flooring plants recognized.(News)
January 1, 2006... Two key Mannington Mills plants have received a third-party seal of approval related to quality control and environmental concerns. Both Mannington's commercial tile and inlaid flooring operations are now registered to the International...

Building supply giant Georgia-Pacific to be acquired by Koch for $21 billion.(News)
January 1, 2006... Georgia-Pacific Corp., a paper products company that also supplies products to the flooring industry, has agreed to be acquired by Koch Industries for about $21 billion. Koch, based in Wichita, manufactures flooring fibers, pulp and paper, and...

Tarkett Commercial pres to lead RFCI, de Beaumont named to two-year term.(News)
January 1, 2006... Tarkett Commercial president Gilles de Beaumont has been named president of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) for a two-year term. He succeeds Brian Carson, senior vp innovation for Armstrong, who has served as president of the...

Carpet One.(People)
January 1, 2006... Carpet One has hired Scott Wheeler as vp of merchandising. He will oversee Carpet One's product merchandising department. He joins the retail giant with 18 years experience, most recently as executive vp for Avalon Carpet in Cherry Hill, N.J....

Chilewich.(People)
January 1, 2006... Chilewich has added Cliff Brown as vp of Plynyl sales. He will be responsible for developing marketing and business initiatives for the company's Plynyl contract flooring. He was most recently Northeast regional marketing director for Shaw...

Gilford Flooring.(People)
January 1, 2006... Gilford Flooring has announced several changes to its sales team, fueled by the promotions of Rob Purkins and Jodie Doyle. Purkins, previously hardwood product manager, has been named vp residential sales. Doyle, who served as a field sales...

Mohawk Industries.(People)
January 1, 2006... Mohawk Industries has named William C. ("Chris") Wellborn as its COO. Wellborn has served as president of the Mohawk subsidiary Dal-Tile and was previously executive vp and CFO of Dal-Tile. He has also served on Mohawk's board of directors...

StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative.(People)
January 1, 2006... StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative has appointed Fred Williamson director of special projects. He will be responsible for developing programs for StarNet, including maintenance and environmental initiatives. For the past 10 years,...

Stauf Adhesives.(People)
January 1, 2006... Stauf Adhesives has named Bob Sweezey as technical director. He will be responsible for all technical training and educational programs, along with some sales and marketing efforts. Sweezey brings 39 years of experience to his position, most...

Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring.(People)
January 1, 2006... Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring has hired Mitch White as vp of carpet, area rugs and related products. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, White brings extensive knowledge of flooring products and sales to his position....

Capella Wood Floors.(People)
January 1, 2006... Capella Wood Floors has named Clifford W. DeLoach regional sales manager. He will oversee Capella's Mid-Atlantic region. DeLoach has 10 years of experience in the industry, most recently with Johnson Wholesale Floors Inc. for the past four...

Florim USA.(People)
January 1, 2006... Florim USA has tapped Mike Rohnert to lead as president and CEO. He replaces Mirco Migliari, who recently resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities. Rohnert has been Florim USA's vp of sales and marketing since 2004.

Mirage.(People)
January 1, 2006... Mirage has appointed James Justitz district sales manager for Texas. With eight years of experience in the hardwood flooring industry, Justitz will be given full account responsibilities for sales in Texas, primarily those through Mirage...

Vitromex USA.(People)
January 1, 2006... Vitromex USA has brought David Ford onboard as South Central regional sales manager, covering Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas and Mississippi. Previously, Ford served as a representative for Emser Tile and Natural Stone.

Tool maker nails new location.(News)
January 1, 2006... The Powernail Co. has recently moved into a new 120,000 square foot corporate office and manufacturing facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Previously in Buffalo Grove, III., for nearly 50 years, the new location marks a significant step for the...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... 2006 International Builders' Show -- Orlando, Fla. (202) 266-8111, Jan. 11-14. Domotex 2006 -- Hannover, Germany. (609) 987-1202, Jan 14-17. Atlanta Rug Market 2006 -- Atlanta. (800) 285-6278, Jan 19-22. Alliance Flooring Inc....

Tarkett to purchase Johnsonite; will retain name, management.(News)
January 1, 2006... Commercial flooring giant Tarkett has agreed to acquire Johnsonite, a manufacturer based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, that is best known for its specialty rubber floors and wall bases. The deal stands to significantly extend Tarkett's distribution...

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.(News)
January 1, 2006... Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno joins the winners of Mannington's Stand on a Better World Awards at a ceremony held recently in Philadelphia. Pictured (left to right) are: Reno, who was a judge for the competition and the keynote...

WFCA launches marketing company, online services aimed at aiding retailers.(News)
January 1, 2006... In a move designed to place Internet marketing power at floor covering retailers' fingertips, the WFCA said it plans to partner with marketing products developer Bridgeway Media Group to launch a new company, Creating Your Space. The company...

MAPEI to provide materials for River Walk installation.(surface preparation equipment )(tile installation products )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... MAPEI is set to help install a historic mural along San Antonio's River Walk. The 70-year-old mural, which was rescued from a house set for demolition, depicts colorful scenes of a Mexican village. MAPEI will supply all surface preparation...

Innovision Flooring Corp.(Distributor Appointments)
January 1, 2006... Innovision Flooring Corp., the U.S. distributor for LG Floors, has added two regional distributors: E.J. Welch Co. which services Missouri, Illinois and Iowa; and Gilford Flooring Inc. whose territories include Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and...

Q & A: StonePeak Ceramics sees 'distinct advantages' in move to U.S.(Interview)
January 1, 2006... Editor's Note: National Floor Trends recently spoke to some of the key executives at StonePeak Ceramics, a division of GranitiFiandre that is making its presence felt in the U.S. market. Graziano Verdi, president of GranitiFiandre Group; and...

Mohawk's bold 'line in the sand' Annual retailer meeting used to tout new products and partnerships.
January 1, 2006... The theme of Mohawk Industries' Sixth Annual Floorscapes convention was "Beyond Expectations," though perhaps a more appropriate name would be "Changing Expectations." At the start of the specialty retailer meeting in Hollywood, Fla. in early...

Mail bag: it's always better to ask than guess--so ask away.(Wood or Wood Knot)
January 1, 2006... When we look back at the hardwood flooring industry and the changes that continue to "surface" in the overall performance for each and every hardwood flooring installation, only one word can describe it: "incredible." The introduction of...

Starline Associates.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2006... Starline Associates, Inc. delivers the best value for the money with Silent Blue[TM] Laminate Underlayment. Silent Blue combines closed cell construction, IIC 72, STC 73 ratings and waterproof technology eliminating the need for film and...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2006... Allow enough gap (check with flooring manufacturer for specifications) between the Carpet Shim and Tack Strip and the hard surface to tuck your carpet. Add a Universal Side Shim to the end of your installed Carpet Shim to eliminate the drop...

Amorim Industrial Solutions.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2006... High Performance Sound Attenuation / Environmentally Sound AcoustiCORK' Products offers a full line of sound control underlayments for hard surface flooring in multi-family applications. In response to the increasing demand for higher levels of...