National Floor Trends articles from June 2008

National Floor Trends archives from June 2008

Smart, tough & aggressive.(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
June 1, 2008... Do you believe that the dip in demand for flooring is merely a function of a sputtering economy? Are you among those who are convinced that everything will be fine once the lousy housing market rebounds? If so, you are missing the big picture....

NFT exclusive survey: resilient continues its climb: our exclusive survey of 375 retailers finds some big changes in this enduring area of flooring. While resilient flooring has quickly become a big ticket item, competition from other hard surface categories remains a constant.
June 1, 2008... The price of resilient flooring is rising--and consumers seem willing to pay it. Over the past five years the average resilient flooring transaction grew from under $1,000 to over $1,600. During that same time frame, the universe of retailers...

To be a leader, you must follow-up.(Designs in Style)
June 1, 2008... You may remember in my pre-Surfaces pep talk I urged you to optimize your time at the show. Even more important, I encouraged you to follow-up on everything (product or company) that caught your eye. So I thought now would be a good time to...

Which retail group should I join?(High-Impact Retailing)
June 1, 2008... Scarcely a week goes by when some retailer doesn't ask that question. My sincere belief is that most flooring retailers can benefit greatly from aligning with a retail group. Bottom line is the average group member has significantly higher...

My biggest gripe: fast track construction.(Focus on Resilient)
June 1, 2008... I was recently asked to name my greatest disappointment in the resilient installation field over the past 40 years. My reply didn't take long: Fast-track construction. The way I was trained was very fundamental: You spend the time necessary to...

Roppe's Dimensions featured in 70 colors.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... Dimensions rubber tile from Roppe is available in three profiles: Random, Stripe and Crackle. All profiles are offered in the company's palette of 70 colors at Roppe's Single Price Point. The flooring is also available with added performance...

Allstate Rubber tile offers 'low vibration'.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... Allstate Rubber/Stoler Industries offers rubber flooring in more than 150 colors. Tiles are oversized for fewer seams and less waste. Allstate Rubber tile is long-wearing, PVC free and features low vibration benefits, the company notes. A...

ECOguard finish on ECOsurfaces floors.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... ECOsurfaces rubber sheet flooring features ECOguard, a water-based, clear polyurethane maintenance coat. Designed to preserve the product's look and protect it from dirt, the factory-applied finish can also help reduce cleaning and maintenance...

Musson presents work mats for 'comfort and traction'.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... Musson Rubber introduces a new line of work station mats. The 1/2" thick, 3' by 5' lightweight, drain-through black mats are made using grease-resistant rubber. Designed to offer foot comfort and traction in areas that require constant...

Flexco's SpexTones tile aimed for green use.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... Flexco SpexTones speckled rubber flooring tile is part of the company's Distinct Designs program. Because the tiles are PVC-free and made using post-industrial waste, SpexTones can contribute to LEED certification. Colors in the SpexTones lines...

Johnsonite's Mesto tile part of 'Color Foundations'.(Rubber Flooring Products Gallery)
June 1, 2008... Mesto marbleized rubber tile is new from Johnsonite. Available in 16 subtle colorways designed to coordinate with other Johnsonite products, Mesto's neutral palette is part of the company's Color Foundations program. Mesto offers "long life,...

Retailers upbeat as Coverings returns to Orlondo.(News: People/Places/Events)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Coverings, the largest U.S. tradeshow for tile, stone and related products, returned to Orlando, its original location, and exhibitors seemed happy to be back in the Sunshine State this year. With 1,200 exhibitors...

Mohawk Flooring Division.(People)
June 1, 2008... Frank Peters, an industry veteran with experience at companies including Armstrong, Shaw and most recently Mohawk, has been named president of the Mohawk Flooring Division. He succeeds Monte Thornton, who recently announced his retirement after...

Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring.(People)
June 1, 2008... Maryanne Adams has been elevated to president and CEO of Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring. She succeeds Avalon owner and president John P. Millar who died of a heart attack March 16. Adams has been with Avalon for over 20 years and served as...

Mannington Mills'.(People)
June 1, 2008... Zach Zehner has been promoted to Mannington Mills' president of Commercial Hard Surface. Zehner has been with Mannington for five years, including as director of the company's laminate and porcelain tile businesses. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pergo.(People)
June 1, 2008... Bert Brant has been appointed Pergo's COO for the North American flooring business. he succeeds James N. Hogg, who was named CEO and president of Pergo's Business Center Panel North America. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Laticrete.(People)
June 1, 2008... Adnan Bin-Mahfouz has been promoted to contractor sales manager for Laticrete. He will oversee Laticrete contractor sales representatives nationwide and be responsible for building interest in the Laticrete Most Valued Partner program....

Faus.(People)
June 1, 2008... Howard Jackson has joined Faus as regional sales manager for the Southwest. A 20-year veteran, Jackson was most recently the national manager for Azuvi USA, and also directed the hard surface division of Mohawk.

Cikel America.(People)(Gerry Schappell has been appointed )(George Celtrick has joined )(Jason Ranney has been named )(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Cikel America has named three executives to its management team. Gerry Schappell has been appointed vp, Cikel North America. He was most recently vp of Hoboken Floors. George Celtrick has joined as director of sales. He has more than 20 years...

Go Far East: Laticrete opens new plant in Shanghai.(News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In one of the most important events in the company's history, Laticrete has opened a manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China geared toward the Greater China market. The plant, which will be operated by wholly owned...

Laminate truce: Balterio settles dispute with Unilin.(News)
June 1, 2008... Belgium-based laminate maker Balterio said it has finalized a worldwide licensing deal with Unilin that will enable Spanolux/Balterio to "freely sell their products throughout the world." In making the announcement, Balterio noted that the...

USGBC touts Tau for its green efforts.(News)(US Green Building Council accredited Tau Ceramica)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Spanish tile maker Tau Ceramica said it has been accredited by the US Green Building Council for its green manufacturing practices. Until recently, the company was certified under European standards through the ISO but had not yet received...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... NeoCon 2008--Chicago, June 9-11, (800) 677-6278. Atlanta International Area Rug Market--Atlanta. July 13-16. (800) ATL-MART. WSFCA Golf Tournament--Federal Way, Wash. July 31-Aug.2. (425) 885-0012. CFI 15th Annual...

Floor to Ceiling names top three: Mohawk, Congoleum, FlorStar.(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Mohawk's Bill Chandler (right), accepts the 2007 Vendor of the Year Award for Soft Flooring from Preferred Brands'Wayne Wenger. The parent company of retail group Floor To Ceiling, Preferred Brands honored Mohawk during the recent Floor to...

WFCA seeks retailers for 2008 financial report.
June 1, 2008... The World Floor Covering Association is asking floor covering retailers to contribute their 2007 financial results for a report that will enable participants to compare information. In addition to traditional showroom retailers (including those...

Kentucky retailers win $5,000 at Gilford 'road show' events.(News)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mark and Etta Gene Hayden (center), owners of Discount Floors Carpet One of Owensboro, Ky., are awarded the $5,000 grand prize from Gilford Flooring during the distributor's recent road show events. They are flanked...

NFT's Tyler coauthors design and sales book.(News)(National Floor Trends)(partnerships between Warren Tyler and Dan Westervelt)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Retail consultant and NFT columnist Warren Tyler has teamed up with Color Marketing Group member Dan Westervelt to write "Yes? No? Maybe So!" Featuring insights into how colors can affect shoppers in different ways as well as the unique...

Making sense of green: WFCA launches primer for members.(News)
June 1, 2008... The World Floor Covering Association has unveiled a 'green primer' for use by its members. Designed to help identify what is genuinely green in the areas of manufacturing, products and construction, the guide is split into five sections...

Lauzon Flooring has added Patriot Flooring as a distributor for the Northeast.(Distributor appointments)
June 1, 2008... Lauzon Flooring has added Patriot Flooring as a distributor for the Northeast. Patriot, based in Pompton Plains, N.J., will offer the company's hardwood flooring and accessories.

Mohawk Industries has signed an agreement to distribute Eterna hardwood flooring from Parquets Dubeau Ltd., a division of Lauzon.(Distributor appointments)
June 1, 2008... Mohawk Industries has signed an agreement to distribute Eterna hardwood flooring from Parquets Dubeau Ltd., a division of Lauzon. Based in Calhoun, Ga., Mohawk will offer the flooring in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.

Design Flooring Distributors of Pompano Beach, Fla., has joined the ArborCraft roster.(Distributor appointments)
June 1, 2008... Design Flooring Distributors of Pompano Beach, Fla., has joined the ArborCraft roster. The distributor will offer the recently re-launched Harris Wood brand of flooring throughout Florida.

Derr Flooring, based in Willow Grove, Pa., has signed a deal to take on the full Spacia product line from Amtico International.(Distributor appointments)
June 1, 2008... Derr Flooring, based in Willow Grove, Pa., has signed a deal to take on the full Spacia product line from Amtico International. The product will be available throughout Derr's territory in the Mid-Atlantic and South including Texas.

Classic Tile of Elizabeth, N.J., has joined Faus' distribution team.(Distributor appointments)
June 1, 2008... Classic Tile of Elizabeth, N.J., has joined Faus' distribution team. The company will offer Fausfloor laminate products throughout the Northeast.

Go speed racer: MAPEI to sponsor Gordon during NASCAR races.(News)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Seen here is NASCAR driver Robby Gordon's No. 7 Dodge adorned with the MAPEI logo. MAPEI said it will be the primary sponsor of Robby Gordon Motorsports in four races this year, including three Spring Cup Series...

Laticrete's new Latapoxy designed to cut moisture.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Laticrete has unveiled Latapoxy 312 Vapor Reduction Membrane. The three-component, roller applied and solvent-free epoxy coating is designed to reduce vapor emissions from concrete substrates. The product is designed to offer superior adhesion...

Heart of darkness: Amtico's Back to Black.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Amtico has taken the wraps off of Back to Black, a line of saturated, abstract resilient flooring with names evoking gothic themes including Vamp, Desire, Envy and Poison. The baroque-inspired flooring features rich, dark undertones with a...

BOLYU Contract's Savvy features green construction.(Products)
June 1, 2008... BOLYU Contract, a Beaulieu Commercial brand, introduces Savvy, a commercial carpet tile made using Zeftron nylon 61x fiber systems. The fiber features a minimum 25 percent recycled content. Savvy, which is available in 12 colorways, also...

More than 40 SKUS offered in Cikel program.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Cikel America has launched a quick-ship program for its exotic wood flooring products. More than 40 SKUs, including unfinished and prefinished hardwood in engineered and solid formats, are available as part of the program. Customers can order...

Shaw gets the 'credit' with new in-store kiosks.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Shaw has teamed up with Versatile Systems Inc. to offer two models of in-store kiosks with touch screens in an aim to streamline the credit application process. Consumers simply approach a kiosk, apply via the touch screen and receive "an...

StonePeak's latest tile inspired by 'natural U.S.'.(Products)
June 1, 2008... StonePeak Ceramics' latest line takes inspiration from the natural colors found in the U.S., hence the American Collection. Alaska tile represents the colors of the remote wilderness, while the Arizona series replicates hues found in the...

ProVa-Flex from Loxcreen a new tile, stone underlayment.(Products)
June 1, 2008... The Loxcreen Flooring Group presents ProVaFlex, a multi-functional polypropylene underlayment for use in ceramic and stone installations. The product also acts as an "uncoupling" membrane on all suitable substrates and can help prevent...

Sinclair Turbo II stripper includes 'self-dicing' blade.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Sinclair has revamped the look of its Turbo II floor stripper. The machine features a hand-operated clutch, transport wheels and removable handle and weight systems for easy maneuverability. The product also features specialty blades, including...

Tarkett's new laminates: Trek and Escapade floors.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Tarkett Residential introduces Trek and Escapade, the first laminate flooring made in the company's new production facility in Clarion, Pa. Designed to balance "North American style, superior performance and great value," the products feature...

Vitromex's V+ tile aimed for use by visually impaired.(Products)
June 1, 2008... Vitromex has launched V+, a line of granite tile designed to aid the visually impaired. The tile is offered in two surfaces, round and lined, that feature markings to alert the blind to an upcoming traffic crossing or a change in street level....