National Floor Trends articles from June 2005

National Floor Trends archives from June 2005

Wanna be a happy camper? Stop wishin' and go fishin' for business.(Industry Perspectives)(marketing)(Editorial)
June 1, 2005... Nowhere is it written that business will automatically flow our way in an unending stream. Here's what has been written: To get business demands an aggressive pursuit of the market. We must use legitimate meaningful lures to bring prospects...

NFT Market Trends Study: Vinyl Flooring stays steady as competition heats up.(National Floor Trends)
June 1, 2005... Although there is still concern that big box retailers are muscling their way into the vinyl flooring segment, four-out-of-five specialty floor covering retailers/contractors expect their vinyl sales to either remain steady or grow throughout...

Though still tough as nails, commercial floors show a flair for style & design.(Showroom Management)
June 1, 2005... Whether they admit it or not, everyone is interested in the latest design trends, be they architecture, fashion, or color. And when it comes to commercial floorcovering, taking the pulse is fun and easy: All you need to do is stroll into any...

Old office space in downtown Kalamazoo gets "invigorated" after tricky carpet install.
June 1, 2005... When the owners of Azon U.S.A. came to Dave Collins of Century Floor Space about carpet for their new office, the project immediately piqued his interest. Azon had set its sights an old IBM building in downtown Kalamazoo, Mich. and Collins, it...

The green leap forward: 'sustainability'--an old concept gets new life in commercial carpet.
June 1, 2005... Fueled by the rising importance of environmental concerns, "sustainability" has surfaced as an important buzzword in the commercial segment. Still many carpet makers point out that their efforts to "reduce, reuse and recycle" are hardly new....

The "sustainable" truth about wood floors.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(US Green Building Council)
June 1, 2005... Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important in the flooring business--and that is very good news for those of us involved in the sale and manufacture of hardwood floors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Indeed, more and more...

Rubber flooring: safe, practical and, yes, sophisticated.
June 1, 2005... As a long time player in the rubber floor segment, Ivan Stoler says he knows better than to overstate the importance of new innovations in the category. "I don't want to over sell," says Stoler, the president of Allstate Rubber Flooring, a New...

Natural stone and wood designs added to Domco's Elite flooring collection.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Domco has added three tile and one wood design to its Elite collection of felt-backed resilient flooring, bringing the total number of SKUs to 40. On the tile side, Domco introduces Merletto, a marble-look tile with textured veining and...

Halo's Glass Block Border complements flooring with glass.(Products)
June 1, 2005... The Glass Block Border is Halo Floor's latest resilient border. A range of 12 patterns is available, displaying glass-like colors and effects. With a choice of two grouts (cream and gray) and the ability to use from one to four colors in the...

Flexco beefs up EnviroFlex line with SpexTones rubber tile and treads.(Products)
June 1, 2005... SpexTones Rubber Tile and Stair Treads have been introduced as part of Flexco's EnviroFlex line of environmentally friendly flooring products. SpexTones is a PVC-free color-matching product created using post-industrial waste. The tile and...

New complementary resilient flooring options available from Parterre.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Parterre Flooring Systems debuts new styles in its tile and plank collections. The flooring styles are designed to complement one another--so that, for example, an installation could be made of oak-look plank flooring and brushed-metal tile...

Mannington's Adura line of luxury vinyl plank adds six wood looks.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Mannington has added Adura Luxury Plank to its Adura line, which previously only comprised luxury tile flooring. Each plank mimics the look of hardwood, from traditional oak and maple to exotic burlwood and teak. Planks measure 4 inches wide by...

Design-savvy textures added to Johnsonite's rubber flooring line.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Johnsonite has added five new textures to its rubber flooring line: Bamboo, Chopped Bamboo, Pebbles, Artistic Square and Cubis. Bamboo features subtle lines running through the floor, Chopped Bamboo is a non-directional pattern, Pebbles offers...

Wood and stone looks comprise Roppe solid vinyl tile collection.(Products)
June 1, 2005... The Roppe North Coast Collection, made of pure vinyl, aims to offer the look of natural wood and stone within the Wood Naturals and Terra Naturals solid vinyl tile collections, respectively. Wood Naturals is available in cherry, walnut, maple,...

Industrial look takes off in Metroflor's Textured Metallic tile.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Metroflor has taken the wraps off of Metro Design Textured Metallic tile, a collection of raised, studded-metal vinyl flooring. Textured Metallic tile features a minimal industrial look, and comes in a large 18-by-18-inch size. Presented in...

Armstrong expands Natural Creations with 34 wood looks.(Products)
June 1, 2005... The Natural Creations Woods Collection of resilient flooring from Armstrong has been updated with 34 designs in 22 different species, including light, medium and dark wood tones. Embossed visuals include wood ticking, rustic looks, barn side...

Altro nixes the sparkle, brings out the depth with Maxis Suprema.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Altro introduces Maxis Suprema, slip-resistant sheet flooring with a unique "transparent" finish designed to create the impression of depth. This finish is in marked contrast to the all-over sparkle style usually associated with Altro flooring...

EarthWerks' Marble Vinyl Tile offers "added realism".(Products)
June 1, 2005... EarthWerks unveils a new look with Marble Vinyl Tile. Available in six SKUs that aim to provide the look of marble, the product boasts a textured surface for added realism. Marble Vinyl Tile comes in 18-by-18-inch sizes and is meant for both...

New stone looks complement Nafco's Good Living Collection.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Seeking to expand on the success of its Good Living Collection, Nafco by Tarkett has enhanced its luxury vinyl tile line with three new styles. They include Java and Aged Marble, which are available in 16-by-16- and 12-by-12-inch sizes, and...

Stone, wood and metal looks for Tarkett Commercial collection.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Tarkett Commercial introduces I.D. Moduline, a collection of high-performance modular flooring designed for retail, hospitality, healthcare and office environments. I.D. Moduline comes in Minerals, Metallic and Wood patterns--incorporating wood...

Forbo's Marmoleum Click made using linseed oil and other natural products.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Marmoleum Click, a sustainable linoleum flooring product from Forbo Flooring, is now accompanied by a new retail display. With no swinging or moving parts, the Click display is designed to showcase the entire color line at a glance. Marmoleum...

Musson's Uno-Tred offers clean designer look in treads and risers.(Products)
June 1, 2005... Musson introduces the Uno-Tred, a one-piece tread and riser combination made of solid rubber. The product features a clean look because there is no separation between tread and riser, according to Musson. The look is complemented with the...

Better texture, bold designs: Tile's growing ambitions on display at Cevisama.(News)
June 1, 2005... With record attendance of more than 90,000 attendees and 1,125 exhibitors, the five-day Cevisama 2005 meeting in Spain earlier this year showcased a number of trends shaping the tile segment. Among the notable elements is the continued...

Betco buys Basic Coatings; move should "benefit both product lines".(News)(Basic Coatings)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Toledo, Ohio, -based Betco, a floor care products supplier in the janitorial business, has acquired Basic Coatings, which provides water-based and oil-modified coatings designed to meet low VOC requirements. Terms of the deal were not...

NWFA's big kahunas celebrate.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... To commemorate its 20th anniversary. The National Wood Flooring Association traveled to Hawaii for a meeting that drew nearly 2,000 attendees. Among those gathering to celebrate at an Aloha Welcome Reception sponsored by Memphis Hardwood...

Congoleum hopes to modify asbestos claimants' settlement.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In a move that it hopes "will ultimately shorten the time it will take to get the asbestos problem completely behind us," Congoleum said it has agreed to modify its original settlement for asbestos claimants. The new agreement stipulates that...

Capobianco named as FCICA's new chairman.(News)(Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Long Island retailer and flooring consultant Christopher Capobianco has assumed the office of chairman for the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA). He succeeds Jonathan Stewart, who left the organization after accepting...

Sturrus tapped to helm Pergo; Soderqvist, CFO, also to be given additional responsibilities.(News)(appointed Tony Sturrus as Chief executive officers and president.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Pergo's senior vp, Tony Sturrus, has been named CEO and president of the company. An executive at Pergo since 2003 who had previously served as president of Baldwin Hardware for nine years, Sturrus will also retain his senior vp position...

Dal-Tile's Muskogee, Okla., plant continues expansion.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... With an eye toward increasing production capacity, Dal-Tile has announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Muskogee, Okla. This marks the second phase of expansion at the plant, which was outfitted for the production of porcelain...

Belknap White Alcco joins the Eliane Ceramic Tiles family.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Eliane Ceramic Tiles welcomes New England and upstate New York wholesale distributor Belknap White Alcco to its distributor roster. The firm will distribute Eliane's full line of ceramic wall, floor and porcelain tiles. Belknap White Alcco...

High Point market report: everything bold is new again.(International Home Furnishings Market)
June 1, 2005... Scattered throughout modern design centers, upscale show-rooms, and a historic market square with its antique hardwood floor still intact, this spring's International Home Furnishings Market offered further proof that the unifying theme in all...

Team leaders named to operate Kronotex's new S.C. laminate flooring plant.(News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Kronotex USA has named the core members of its team for the laminate flooring maker's new manufacturing plant in Barnwell, S.C. Steve Russell will serve as plant manager. He was most recently group manager of manufacturing with Georgia Pacific....

Tarkett and Aconcagua Timber to increase laminate flooring production.(News)
June 1, 2005... Spurred by the successful launch of Tarkett Laminate flooring in North America, Tarkett Inc. has joined forces with wood panel maker Aconcagua Timber to increase the company's wood panel/laminate production. Plans are underway to retrofit an...

Anderson lays hardwood flooring in Trump Park Avenue hotel for charity.(News)(Anderson Hardwood Floors)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... To accent the zebra wood furniture in the penthouse suite of the Trump Park Avenue hotel, Anderson Hardwood Floors installed 500 square feet of its handcrafted Appalachian Piazza line in the space's media room. Anderson provided the...

Invista.(People)(appointed Tony Godfrey as national marketing director. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Invista has appointed Tony Godfrey as national marketing director of residential flooring. Godfrey will focus on increasing the territories of existing regional sales forces and beefing up Invista's presence in retail distribution. He...

Pennwood Products Co.(People)(appointed Steve Cratch as representative to its sales and marketing.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Pennwood Products Co. has added Steve Cratch as a representative to its sales and marketing force. He will service Pennwood's major hardwood manufacturing accounts and be responsible for expanding the distribution of Pennwood brand products....

Steam Way International.(People)(appointed Mark Farley as new president)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Steam Way International has appointed Mark Farley as its new president. Previously brand manager for Woolite, Farley brings an extensive background in sales and marketing in cleaning products. He says he is looking forward to bringing Steam Way...

StonePeak Ceramics.(People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... StonePeak Ceramics has hired Tom Baker and Gene Dingman as regional sales managers in the Midwest and Northwest regions, respectively. Both men will be responsible for developing and promoting StonePeak's full line of porcelain ceramic tile by...

Foamex sells rubber & felt carpet cushion assets to Leggett & Platt.(News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In a move to spin off "a relatively small component of our overall portfolio," Foamex International said it has sold its rubber and felt carpet cushion businesses to Leggett & Platt for $38.5 million. The deal includes the Cape Girardeau, Mo.,...

Upcoming industry events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... NeoCon 2005 -- Chicago. (800) 677-6278, June 13-15. ITSS New York -- New York. (800) 564-5975, July 14-17. Atlanta Rug Market -- Atlanta. (800) ATL-MART, July 17-20. WSFCA Annual Golf Tournament -- Renton, Wash. (425) 885-0012, July...

Armstrong.com allows stores to use Armstrong web tools on their own sites.(News)
June 1, 2005... In an effort to "attract, inform and inspire" more consumers, Armstrong said it has redesigned its website at Armstrong.com. The new design places an emphasis on drawing shoppers to a specific Armstrong store by letting retailers offer access...

NWFA elects new board of directors; Audino to lead as chairman.(News)
June 1, 2005... At its annual meeting held this year in Hawaii, the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) elected its 2005 board of directors. Joe Audino of Rode Bros. Floors, based in Las Vegas, was elected chairman. He succeeds Wayne Cotton of Pompano...

Laufen's Equinox tile eyes greater design flexibility.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Laufen presents Equinox, a floor, wall and countertop tile with moderate shade variations offered in the colors of Sage, Sienna and Nocce. Equinox tile comes in 6-by-6-, 12 1/4-by-12 1/4- and 17 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch sizes. A full array of trim...

Lees adds three colorways to MotorSport collection.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... With Overdrive, RPM and Finishline, Lees Carpet and BMW Group DesignworksUSA present three new colorways to the MotorSport collection of contract carpet. The raceway-inspired carpets are designed to be visually complex and sophisticated,...

Inspired by fashion capitals, PacifiCrest's Fashion Collection I.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... PacifiCrest's new Paris Milan and London commercial carpet patterns, inspired by the three European fashion capitals, make up the company's Fashion Collection I. Comprising geometric shapes tufted in a tip-sheared pattern loop of Ultron type...

Broadloom success inspires Mannington Variations line.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Mannington Commercial debuts Variations Brights and Variations Stripe, two modular carpets designed to complement the company's 2005 ADEX award-winning Variations broadloom. Variations Brights adds surface dimension via random strands of color,...

Invista offers designers another "Color Point of View" guide.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... With an eye toward working with color trends in fashion, technology, entertainment, sustainability, and lifestyle, Invista has published the third issue of its "Color Point of View" booklet. The literature explores emerging trends as well as...

Mannington's Artistica tile made to resemble slate.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Mannington presents Artistica, a porcelain tile modeled after slate with a smooth feel and satin glaze. Artistica uses a unique design process which helps ensure that no two tiles are the same, according to the company. The tiles comes in...

Wilsonart Flooring unveils Red Label Hand Scraped.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Wilsonart Flooring's new Red Label Hand Scraped Collection aims to provide the look of hand-scraped wood flooring in a high-pressure laminate floor. Each plank is designed to mimic the attention to detail that would be found in a product by a...

Bostik Findley DVD offers underlayment how-to.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The Bostik Findley Group has produced an installation video/DVD for its SL-150 self-leveling underlayment. The video provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for installing the underlayment, whether with hand tools or a pump. SL-150 is...

Laticrete's SpectraLock grout adds heavy-duty commercial edition.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Laticrete International presents SpectraLock Pro, a grout with all the features of the company's regular SpectraLock product but formulated for heavy-duty commercial applications. According to the company, SpectraLock Pro is also easier to mix...

United States Ceramic Tile Co. intros Luxor in four colors.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... The United States Ceramic Tile Co. introduces Luxor, a double-loaded, rectified porcelain floor tile that comes in a polished and unpolished finish. With its natural shade variations and four color options, Luxor aims to provide a range of...

The seven habits of highly effective flooring installers.(Column)
June 1, 2005... By now, nearly everyone has heard about the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." While the book centers on character and ethics, the most important element of the advice is tied to the word "habit." The author, Stephen Covey, tells us...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... CARPET SHIMS and UNIVERSAL SIDE SHIMS easily eliminate the problem of height differences from carpeted floors to ceramic or hardwood floors. * No more double tack strips. * No more building ramps with cardboard or VCT and floats. ...

Wilsonart Solid Surface.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Wilsonart Solid Surface just introduced over 30 new, exciting designs and colors in the Gibraltar and Earthstone countertop product lines. The introduction coincides with a new sales program developed exclusively for flooring retailers....

Basic coatings.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... 2K Select: Leading the Way in Performance & Price Basic is celebrating its 20-year anniversary... and our water-base line up keeps getting better! 2K Select offers new and improved two-component technology with easy application and a depth...