National Floor Trends articles from January 2007

National Floor Trends archives from January 2007

In memoriam: Howard Olansky July 22, 1928-December 19, 2006.(Editorial Comment)(Obituary)
January 1, 2007... Our industry lost a giant in mid-December and we lost a dear friend. Howard Olansky, a highly respected journalist and publisher who devoted his career to the flooring industry passed away following a brief illness. He was 78. A forceful...

Reach for the sky ... the quest for high-end sales.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumers can be forgiven if they believe the retail price of new flooring is a never ending race to the bottom. Newspaper and TV ads touting lower and lower prices are splashed across nearly every ad. Flooring...

Surfaces: not to be missed.(High-Impact Retailing)
January 1, 2007... Every industry showcases their product at a major show each year--electronics, automotive, kitchen and bath. At these spectacular events new technology is previewed and the most up-to-date information is offered through educational seminars....

Fabrica's Abrash includes 8 new looks.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fabrica has added eight new colors to its Abrash carpet line. Inspired by Tibetan and Nepalese styles, the carpets are now available in 25 colors, including the new, deeper tones. Abrash is made using 100 percent...

Three new laminates for Moderna's SoundGuard.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BHK's Moderna Flooring has added three new colors to its SoundGuard laminate flooring line: Kempas (SG301), Jacardanda (SG302) and Morado (SG303). According to Moderna, SoundGuard minimizes footfall sounds, provides...

Preverco presents 'Engenius' idea.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Preverco announces its new line of engineered flooring, Engenius. The product is applicable for concrete and concrete with radiant heating systems, O.S.B., plywood and various acoustical membranes, the company notes....

Wood Flooring Int'l floors go 'American'.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wood Flooring International presents the American Woods collection. This three-layer 9/16" engineered wood flooring is offered in 3" or 5" widths in random lengths from 12" to 84". American Woods features a high wear...

New champagne finish tops Bengard moldings.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... Bengard has added a champagne finish to several of its 12.5 mm metal laminate moldings. The finish will be used on the LM1251 floating floor end stop, the LM1253 floating floor reducer, the LM1254 floor stair nosing and the LM1255 expansion...

Int'l Wholesale Tile beefs up Tesoro line.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a move to increase the scope of its flagship brand, International Wholesale Tile Inc. has expanded its Tesoro collection to include many of the company's stocking products. With this move, the porcelain and...

E-Z Cut updates MK7 machine.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] E-Z Cut has recently equipped its MK7 2007 model with upgraded motors and gearboxes. According to the company, these motors and gearboxes are 50 percent stronger than the 2006 model. The enhancement will allow the...

Formica's Spacesaver a new compact display.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formica Flooring has taken the wraps off its Spacesaver display. The unit is a compact 6' wide yet still showcases the entire Formica Flooring product line, the company notes. The Spacesaver display is equipped with...

Merida brightens Central Park rugs.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Merida Meridian has added two new, brighter colors to its Central Park rugs, part of the Metropolitan collection of deep pile New Zealand wool looks. The new colors, Blaze and Grasshopper, augment the range's...

Wools of New Zealand's 'WoolClean' for carpets.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... Wools of New Zealand has rolled out its all-natural spotter, WoolClean Natural. According to the company, the product is an environmentally friendly spotter that carries CRI "Seal of Approval" and "WoolSafe" labels. WoolClean Natural is sold...

828 Int'l adds to Lauren Brooks.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 828 International Trading Co. has expanded its Lauren Brooks line of licensed hand-tufted wool rugs. Two new patterns are available in soft, muted shades of gold, brown, tan and ivory. Suggested retail is $699 for a...

[10] MAPEI's Ultrabond 980 for hardwood installs.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ultrabond 980 is the newest addition to MAPEI's adhesive lineup. Ultrabond 980 is designed to grab and hold boards in place during installation, notes the company. Designed for both residential and commercial use,...

[11] Old Master adds new looks to Garrison hardwood floors.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Old Master Products has updated its Garrison Collection of fine, hand-crafted hardwood floors. Included in the expansion is four new lines: Garrison Deluxe, Da Vinci by Garrison, Carolina Classic and Red River. The...

[12] Wicanders Series 1000 a designer cork floor.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Series 1000 is new from Wicanders cork flooring. Made using several insulating layers and a core of natural cork oak, the floor offers natural warmth and beauty, according to the company. Series 1000 includes a wide...

Gulistan digs deep into its 'Archive'.(Products: Surfaces)
January 1, 2007... Gulistan has added 16 new designs to its Archive collection of Stainmaster Elite rugs. Inspired by rugs from Gulistan's 100-year-old archives, the product is made using space-dyed, cross-woven Stainmaster nylon yarn. The Archive collection...

Green report: the business end of environmentally friendly: as carpet makers clean up their act, many find that saving fuel not only saves the planet--it saves money.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carpet makers are on a mission: they want to save the world. Minimizing their environmental footprint has become the new benchmark of forward-thinking corporate leadership in virtually every area of the flooring...

To set your sights higher: hire.(Tile & Stone)(Employee training)(Viewpoint essay)
January 1, 2007... Been a rumor floating 'round that there is a shortage of skilled installers. In fact I bet you have heard it ever since you first entered this business. The problem must have started back in the days of the Roman Empire, maybe a little before....

Refin's Pareti d'Autore a handmade, artistic blend.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Refin introduces Pareti d'Autore, handmade ceramic pieces inspired by contemporary art. Refin worked with international designers including Elio Fiorucci, Pomina Power and Lucio Dalla to create the line. The...

Mediterranea's Sorrento in nature-inspired colors.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mediterranean presents Sorrento. Made using a four-head, jumbo laser roll process, Sorrento is offered in Ocean Blue, Romantic Cream, Sunset Red and Warm Mocha. The series is available in 12" by 12" and 18" by 18"...

San Sebastian, Polycor's newest granite tile.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Polycor offers a series of granite blocks, slabs and tiles featuring stunning tones and intricate patterning. A highlight of the collection is San Sebastian, a multicolored gray, black and white peppered granite...

Steuler's Terranova can use LED lights.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steuler-Fliesen has unveiled Terranova, a line of stoneware tiles that can be lit by LED modules. With a uniform structure and nature-themed inserts, Terranova is offered in Sand, Havanna, Nature, Flanders Grey and...

Eliane's Versatile range offered in larger sizes.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eliane's has rolled out Versatile, its new porcelain series. Topped with satiny, polished or no-slip finishes, Versatile is offered in Bianco, Beige, Grigio and Noce. The product is available in 11" by 23", 11" by...

Diago's Dolce ceramic showcases clay marks.(Products: Ceramic & Stone)
January 1, 2007... Diago's Dolce "white mass" ceramic tile features two embossed clay marks for a unique look. Offered in two modular sizes in beige and brown, Dolce is rounded out by a full range of complementing pieces. The product features perfectly matched...

Should your store design have an expiration date?(Showroom Management)
January 1, 2007... Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays last month, I began to think of my year-end tasks: Have I prepared for my tax return, taking full advantage of everything my accountant suggests? Have I made all the charitable contributions as well as...

MAPEI chimes in, sponsors 'hard working' orchestra.(News: People/Places/Events)(Concert review)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Executives from MAPEI, the main sponsor of the Symphonica Toscanini orchestra's 2007 concert tour of the United States, South America, Japan and Israel, were among the luminaries at a recent luncheon at New York's Le...

Foam Products buys Tenn. plant from Leggett and Platt.(News: People/Places/Events)
January 1, 2007... Foam Products Corp. is set to acquire a production facility in Erwin, Tenn. from Leggett and Platt. The 59,000 sq. ft. facility currently houses three coating lines capable of producing form product up to nine feet wide. Foam Products, a...

Kronotex launches website made of Formica.(News: People/Places/Events)(Website overview)
January 1, 2007... Having secured Formica's well-known brand name, Kronotex has launched a new website to support its marketing efforts, www.formicaflooring. com. Using the theme "True Beauty Never Fades," the site's graphic design is outlined by dark shades...

Website offers past and current view of Green River.(News: People/Places/Events)
January 1, 2007... Visitors to Green River Lumber's website can now see an online presentation that offers a synopsis of the company at www.greenriverlumber. com. The feature includes the history of Green River Lumber, a view of the different species of...

Tarkett recycling takes 'waste-not, want-not' approach.(News)
January 1, 2007... In an effort to encourage recycling Tarkett Commercial is asking installers for uninstalled flooring waste and other materials that otherwise end in a garbage dump. Under the company's ongoing ReUse reclamation program architects, designers,...

Tarkett Commercial has announced that CDC Distributors, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio, has joined the company's distribution network.(Distributor appointments)
January 1, 2007... Tarkett Commercial has announced that CDC Distributors, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio, has joined the company's distribution network. CDC will begin distributing the complete line of Azrock, Tarkett's commercial flooring, in Indiana, Kentucky,...

Formica Flooring has named William M. Bird and Company, Inc., of Charleston, SC, as its distributor for its laminate flooring.(Distributor appointments)
January 1, 2007... Formica Flooring has named William M. Bird and Company, Inc., of Charleston, SC, as its distributor for its laminate flooring in the Southeastern United States.

Faus Group, Inc.(Distributor appointments)
January 1, 2007... Faus Group, Inc. has signed a deal with Oak Products of Ill. to begin distribution of the Fausfloor laminate flooring program. Oak Products will be distributing the Fausfloor Masterpieces, Essentials, Classic Americana and Really Exotic...

Flexco has welcomed General Distributors of Wichita to its distribution family.(Distributor appointments)
January 1, 2007... Flexco has welcomed General Distributors of Wichita to its distribution family. The 57-year-old distributor will serve all of Kansas with Flexco's full line of rubber, vinyl and ESD control commercial flooring.

Shaw dealers meet to include Kathy Ireland hardwood intro.(News)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... An expansion of Kathy Ireland flooring collection into hardwood selections will highlight the agenda at the Shaw Flooring Alliance (SFA) dealers 6th annual convention. The Jan. 14-17 meeting at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts in...

Cooperation urged to address concrete and moisture woes.(News)
January 1, 2007... Flooring installers and concrete suppliers are being urged to work together more closely as they search for ways to combat moisture and other problems associated with concrete. During the American Concrete Institute (ACI) fall convention in...

Laticrete stays put but triples HQ space to meet demand.(News)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rather than uproot from its home of 30 years, Laticrete International Inc. has opted for a major expansion to its Bethany, Conn.-based plant. When completed, the new facilities will comprise 32,000 sq. ft. of...

Int'l Wholesale Tile invites consumers in to mix n' match.(News)(International Wholesale Tile Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... As it expands its manufacturing of bullnose tile, International Wholesale Tile Inc. has opened a new tile studio in Palm City, Fla., that gives consumers access to on-demand inventory. The company says its half-million dollar investment in the...

Lamwood and Egger eager to launch new flooring.(News)
January 1, 2007... Lamwood Products has agreed to market Egger Retail Product's laminate floors in the U.S., under the brands e motion, Feelwood and Essentia-L. According to Levana Schwartz, president and CEO of Lamwood, the 16-year-old flooring supplier was...

Teragren.(People)(Jim Johnsson has appointed)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Teragren has named Jim Johnsson, an industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, as its new western U.S. representative for Teragren. In his new role, Johnson will work with distributors carrying Teragren products and will oversee...

Vitromex USA.(People)
January 1, 2007... Massimo Ballucchi has joined Vitromex USA as director of marketing and product development. Ballucchi will manage Vitromex's day to day activities that involve product development, merchandising and marketing strategies for the company. ...

BonaKemi USA.(People)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... BonaKemi USA has appointed Paul England as vp of operations. He previously spent over 13 years with the paper and packing industry's Rock Tenn, serving as executive vp and division general manager. England will be responsible for managing the...

Formica Flooring.(People)
January 1, 2007... Formica Flooring welcomoes Paul Zagorski as its southeast regional sales manager. Zagorski brings 23 years of sales experience to the company, having spent the last 2 1/2 years as an outside territory sales representative with a flooring...

Columbia Flooring.(People)
January 1, 2007... Lance Rooney joins Columbia Flooring as vp of president of sales and marketing. Rooney will oversee all of Columbia's sales and marketing throughout North America. He comes from laminates manufacturer Nevamar Company LLC, where he was director...

Edge Flooring, LLC.(People)
January 1, 2007... Edge Flooring, LLC has named Daniel Wimer as its new national account manager. Wimer brings over 10 years of industry experience and has held sales, account management and marketing positions with Armstrong World Industries, Amtico, Shaw...

WFCA OKs Shaw's stricter warranties; says new guidelines 'long overdue'.(News)(World Floor Covering Association )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The World Floor Covering Association said it applauds Shaw's upgraded 2007 warranty, which requires consumers to maintain their carpets using Carpet & Rug Institute approved products. The trade group also said it fully supports further warranty...

When size matters: Best Tile acquires five showrooms.(News)(Best Tile Distributors has acquired four Boston Tile showrooms )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Moving to re-enter the commercial and wholesale dealer market, Best Tile Distributors has acquired four Boston Tile showrooms in four Massachussetts cities, Dedham, Middleton, Springfield and Shrewsbury, as well as...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... Domotex 2007--Hannover, Germany. (609) 987-1202, Jan 13-16. LIFCA Installation of Officers Dinner and Fund Raiser--Long Island, N.Y. (631) 275-6494, Jan. 17. Atlanta Rug Market--Atlanta, Ga.(800) 285-6278, Jan. 18-21. Cevisama...

At Floorscapes show, Mohawk dealers hit the books.(News)(Mohawk Carpet Corp.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mohawk's recent Floorscapes convention carried the theme "72 Hours of Innovation." That no-nonsense title was in keeping with the meeting itself. Rather than focusing on new products and displays, the event held last...

Anderson sticks with licensing deal, adds glueless technology to line.(News)
January 1, 2007... With the addition of Unilin's glueless Uniclic technology to its flooring operation, Anderson Hardwood Floors now has in place all the elements of its worldwide licensing agreement with Ireland-based Flooring Industries. Anderson says it will...

Martha Stewart to visit Atlanta rug market.(News)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An appearance by domestic diva Martha Stewart to promote the launch of her namesake collection of area rugs will be among the highlights of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and National Oriental Rug Show,...

Laticrete hails business companions at Capri.(News)
January 1, 2007... As part of its 50th birthday celbration, Laticrete International expressed its gratitude to clients and business partners with a three-day excursion at the Isle of Capri, Italy. The ceramic and stone company's guests from around the world...

In memoriam.(News)(Obituary)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carl D. Hagaman, a well-respected businessman and pioneer of the carpet industry dating back to its infancy, has died. He was 91. The Chattanooga resident's first carpet venture was Heritage Carpet Mills, a...

Shaw gives its environmental work a name: 'Shaw Green Edge' "significant achievements" says ceo, but "still much to be done".(Shaw Industries Inc. (Dalton, Georgia))
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Having launched numerous initiatives aimed at curbing waste and protecting the environment, Shaw Industries has developed a central theme for its efforts. The company says its wide range of environmental stewardship...

Rug maker Karastan branches into hardwood: wood essentials line set for June debut.
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shifting consumer attitudes about the home and a desire to recapture an "older, more traditional appeal" has spurred Karastan to move beyond soft surface and into hardwood flooring. Beginning in June, the company...

With eyes fixed on U.S. market, China touts its wood flooring.(Conference in Shanghai)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sharply reduced manufacturing costs and a government eager to lure foreign businesses were the top selling points at the four-day China Wood Flooring Export and Import Conference. The meeting in Shanghai was aimed at...

Select Traditional Strip from Pergo uses AccuWood.(Products)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pergo has taken the wraps off its Select Traditional Strip laminate flooring collection. The high-pressure laminate features eased micro-beveled edges and LusterGard Plus surface protection. The product is made using...

Parterre Fused Floor now in weathered wood.(Products)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Parterre introduces a new weathered wood look to its Fused Floor vinyl plank collection. The collection consists of nine products ranging from exotic teaks and ebony walnuts to more traditional oaks and hickories....

'Green' Urban Tribe new from Bentley.(Products)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bentley Prince Street presents Urban Tribe, a sustainable broadloom line inspired by urban trends. Urban Tribe contains a minimum of 65 percent recycled content in its face fiber, and is offered in six patterns in 16...

PacifiCrest Ambiente HRC made for sustainable settings.(Products)
January 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PacifiCrest Carpet has the Ambiente HRC (High Recycled Content) carpet in eight high-end styles. Made using Antron Legacy HRC nylon fiber, the line ranges from 33.7 to 45.6 percent recycled content by total weight...

Dow's Foundations latex aims to improve backings.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Dow Chemical Co. has rolled out Foundations 875 acrylic latex. Designed to "significantly improve" the moisture barrier properties of commercial carpet backing, Foundations latex endures even in high-moisture environments, the company says....

Forbo adds moldings to Marmoleum Click.(Products)
January 1, 2007... New to Forbo Flooring's Marmoleum Click range is a line of coordinating moldings. The moldings are offered to coordinate with all 18 colors of Marmoleum click resilient flooring. Marmoleum click is made using natural linoleum with a cork layer...

Avoid the heartbreak of show-through.(Focus on Resilient)
January 1, 2007... It happens all too often: You install your underlayment, then your resilient flooring, and you leave thinking the installation looks great. In a few days you return to discover that the joints in the underlayment are quite visible. The customer...

Customers are changing ... what if you changed too?(Designs in Style)
January 1, 2007... For over a decade as a Merchandising Specialist, I had the privilege of working with retailers one-on-one to help them strategize their advertising, create an attractive store environment, and merchandise products effectively. Without a doubt,...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2007... Discover The Underlying Difference! Carpet Shims are available in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" x 8" x 32", and 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"x 12" x 48". Add a Universal Side Shim to each end of the installed Carpet Shim to eliminate the drop off, which...

Berry Wood.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2007... Tropical Exotics Collection From Berry Wood Products The Tropical Exotics Collection features eight unique wood species from around the globe in eleven captivating colors and styles. All crafted of 100% solid wood luxury. Each specie is custom...

Custom Building Products.(Products & Literature on display)(Custom EasyMat introduced EasyMat)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... EasyMat with SoundGard Technology from Custom EasyMat[TM] with SoundGard[R] Technology from Custom[R] Building Products is the industry's most technologically advanced, lightweight mat underlayment. EasyMat is highly versatile, and can be used...

Lamwood Products.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2007... Not all laminate floors are created equal. Our Feelwood line of Laminate floors doesn't just look and feel like real wood, it also sounds like real wood. The revolutionary Silenzio system designed by Egger reduces the transmitted room sound by...

Questech.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2007... Tumbled Marble with Q-Seal Having many unique qualities--makes us one-of-a-kind. Introducing the only Tumbled Marble with a factory-applied lifetime sealer. To learn more about our beautiful, worry-free Tumbled Marble tiles with QSeal and to...

Stonepeak Ceramics.(Products & Literature on display)
January 1, 2007... StonePeak's Stone series emulates natural stone in texture and appearance. Designed to imitate the inherent beauty and simplicity of stone, each through-bodied, unglazed porcelain floor tile contains its own markings, much like those found on...