National Floor Trends articles from May 2005

National Floor Trends archives from May 2005

What I learned about my dad's business from our survey on technology.(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
May 1, 2005... For 30 years or so, the world headquarters of Bruno Appliance had no technology more advanced that an adding machine and a rotary phone with two lines. A Bic pen was the word processor and carbon paper was the closest thing to a copy machine....

B2B study finds lingering concerns about new tech: retailers fret over 'loss of personal contact,' costs & security.
May 1, 2005... For all the testimonials trumpeting the speed and efficiency of B2B information systems, it's increasingly clear that retailers and contractors in the flooring business have not yet fully embraced the technology. And many say they are in no...

FC M.V.P. (Floor Covering Most Valuable Practices): Cap Carpet Inc.(Company Profile)
May 1, 2005... Company: Cap Carpet Inc. Wichita, Kan. Executive in charge of IT: Aaron Pirner, CEO Company History: Established 35 years ago by La Von Pirner (Aaron's dad). Now operates 12 stores: Carpet One (two units), Carpet One Commercial (two),...

FC MVP: Georgia Floors.(Company Profile)
May 1, 2005... Company: Georgia Floors, Kennesaw, Ga. Executive in charge of IT: Rick Julius, VP, CFO Company History: Founded by Ray and Diane Golz in 1988. Became employee owned in 2001. Moved into 46,000 sq. ft. facility in Kennesaw in Sept. 2000....

NFT asks: "if you had the power to change the industry, what would you do first?" A thought provoking wish list of ways to improve the industry.(National Floor Trends )(Editorial)
May 1, 2005... We asked representatives from all areas of the industry what they would like to change about the flooring business--and we got an ear full. Perhaps because we elicited responses from every segment of the industry, the feedback was all over...

Stainmaster contest winner gets 'Trading Spaces' star for in-store.(News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The folks at America's Carpet in Fairfield, Calif say it was the biggest thing to happen in the six years they have been opened: Yern Yip, from the home makeover program "Trading Spaces" recently spend nearly three hours at the store answering...

Virginia retailer wins cruise in Surfaces Passport promo.(News)(Capitol Floors & Decorating)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... After dutifully having her "Passport" stamped at Surfaces, Sandy Montgomery of Capitol Floors & Decorating is now set to travel abroad. The Chesterfield, Va. retailer is the winner of a new promotion aimed at encouraging attendees to visit...

Armstrong's big push includes hard-wood expansion and web redesign.(News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... In an ambitious effort to increase its presence at retail, on the web and, most importantly, in the minds of consumers, Armstrong is embarking on a multi-faceted brand building effort. Included will be major expansion and re-positioning of its...

"Hardworking" Finitec Hardwood cheered in Quebec.(News)(Finitec Hardwood Products )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Finitec Hardwood Products was honored with two prestigious Fideide awards by the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurs, which recognizes hard-working entrepreneurs. Finitec won both for Manufacturer of the Year and Human Resources...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
May 1, 2005... NAFCD Management Conference 2005 -- Columbus, Ohio. (312) 321-6836, May 13-15. FloorTek Expo -- Dalton, Ga. (706) 278-4101, May 17-19. WSFCA Installation Trades Expo -- Renton, Wash. (425) 885-0012, May 18. AIA 2005 National...

Anso announces last year's winners and this year's theme for fall sales promo.(News)(Anso Nylon)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Five flooring retailers who participated in Anso Nylon's "Time For Changing Colors" sales promotion last fall can now change into Bermuda shorts and set sail for the tropics. The winning store-owners were chosen in a random drawing of dealers...

MilliCare pre-mist NXT spot cleaner gains CRI endorsement.(News)
May 1, 2005... MilliCare's pre-mist NXT, used with its dry polymer carpet cleaner, has been recognized by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) as a "highly effective" method for spot cleaning, and carries the CRI Seal of Approval. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Capella Wood Floors.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Capella Wood Floors has added Ellis Flooring Sales, with six locations in the Carolinas, to its network of distributors. Ellis Flooring Sales will distribute Capella's complete product line in the Carolinas.

South Carolinia contractor rides off with Mannington's Harley.(News)(Harley Davidson XL 833 Sportster)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Charles Rucker of Rucker Floor Service is the lucky winner of a Harley Davidson XL 833 Sportster. The Swansea, S.C. contractor participated in Mannington Commercial's inaugural "Get in the Groove" sweepstakes. The number of entries each...

Mirage adds personal design assistant to its website.(News)(Mirage)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Mirage line of prefinished hardwood floors is making available a new web-based "personal design assistant" that enables consumers to see a 360-degree view of flooring products in specific types of rooms. The company says its new "Mirage...

AmericasMart Atlanta.(People)(Appointed Kevin Malkiewicz as executive director)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... AmericasMart Atlanta has named Kevin Malkiewicz executive director, Home Accents & Fine Linens Center. He will be responsible for sales and leasing initiatives specific to the center (AmericasMart Bldg. 1, Floors 9 and 10). The location...

Artistic Finishes.(People)(Appointed Matthew Smith in sales team)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Artistic Finishes has added Matthew Smith to its sales team as Western U.S. regional sales manager. With more than five years experience in the industry, Smith will be responsible for serving the company's current distributor base while growing...

Columbia Flooring.(People)(Appointed Donna Millard as business unit manager)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Columbia Flooring has added Donna Millard as business unit manager, unfinished hardwood flooring. She will be responsible for expanding sales of the flooring and related products, and will work out of Columbia's hardwood flooring plant in...

Durkan Patterned Carpet.(People)(promoted David E. Guest to Southwest regional manager)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Durkan Patterned Carpet has promoted David E. Guest to Southwest regional manager. Guest will oversee sales efforts in Texas, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and western Canada. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Flexco.(People)(Appointed Michael Kahn as sales manager)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Flexco has named Michael Kahn as sales manager for the company's newly created Southeast territory. An industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Kahn will be responsible for sales in Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Gilford Flooring.(People)(Appointed Gary Beckley as field sales manager)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Gilford Flooring has named Gary Beckley as its field sales manager for southern Indiana and western Kentucky. Beckley has previously held sales positions with Irvin Kahn, Bruce Wholesale and Mohawk Industries. He can be reached at (800)...

Hacker Industries.(People)(Hired Ken Fitzpatrick as the sales and architectural coordinator)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Hacker Industries has hired Ken Fitzpatrick as the company's sales and architectural coordinator. He will support the director of business development with architectural presentations, new business development and lead generation. He will also...

Hunter Douglas.(People)(promoted Dominique Au-Yeung to president and gm of the National Accounts Group)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Hunter Douglas has made three organizational changes. Dominique Au-Yeung, previously gm of the Northern California fabrication division, has been promoted to president and gm of the National Accounts Group. He succeeds Don Lumbatis, who died...

Au-Yeung.(People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Stephan Pirylis has been appointed to fill Au-Yeung's previous position. In addition, Marko Sonnenberg, president of the Turnils Group, a manufacturer and distributor of window covering components, has been given additional responsibilities....

Invista.(People)(Appointed Diane O'Sullivan as sales director)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Invista has appointed Diane O'Sullivan as sales director, Commercial and Transportation Flooring Division. She will be responsible for Antron nylon growth within the commercial market, while also strengthening Invista's position in the...

The Mohawk Group.(People)(Appointed Steve Hillis as senior vice president of fashion brands)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Mohawk Group has named Steve Hillis as its senior vp of fashion brands. Previously, he was senior vp of sales and marketing for Durkan Patterned Carpet, Hillis. He will continue to oversee the hospitality division that includes Durkan...

Q.E.P. Co. Inc.(People)(promoted Jamie Clingan to Vice President)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Q.E.P. Co. Inc. has promoted Jamie Clingan to vp of the Q.E.P./Roberts Commercial Sales Division. She will be responsible for North American sales and overseeing the sales force for that segment of the company's business.

Quick-Step.(People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Quick-Step has added two marketing representatives. Brad Peden has been named the representative for the western region. Shane Burton has been appointed the representative for the eastern region.

Roppe.(People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Roppe has named Rick Rollins to the newly created position of national specification manager. He will be responsible for organizing and maintaining specification efforts in a long-range initiative to drive sales for both the Roppe and Flexco...

WFCA realigns staff with new development director, new responsibilities.(News)(The World Floor Covering Association)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... With an eye toward taking "more of a leadership role in installation training and industry certification," The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) said it has made a number of staff moves. Dan Higgins has been named director of...

"Answer Man" opens consulting firm for flooring tech questions.(News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Christopher Capobianco, a fourth generation floor covering specialist and author of the "Resilient Answer Man" column in National Floor Trends has launched Flooring Answers. The consulting firm said it will provide support, information and...

In Memoriam: Jim Clardy.(News)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
May 1, 2005... Jim Clardy, president and founder of 828 International, died April 3 following complications from a heart attack. He was 50. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] He is remembered by friends and associates largely for his humanitarian efforts,...

Eliane steps up tile production in Brazil facility.(News)(Elias Wilf Corp)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... With the installation of equipment valued at around $5 million, Eliane Ceramic Tiles said it plans to expand porcelain tile production from its facility in the Santa Catarina region of Brazil to about 75 million square feet a year. The stepped...

Elias Wilf names Capella's Distributor of the Year.(News)(Elias Wilf Corp)(Capella)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Capella has honored Maryland-based Elias Wilf Corp. as the 2004 Distributor of the Year. The company said it was "pleased to present the award to a firm that has generated the greatest sales increase in first quality goods in our company's...

NWFA launches Subfloor Solutions School.(News)(The National Wood Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is set to hold the first session of its new Subfloor Solutions School May 18-20 at the association's training center in St. Louis. The instruction is designed to provide broad-based, hands-on...

Euro floor makers hammer out Drum Sound Standard for laminate.(News)(The European Producers of Laminate Flooring )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) has established the Drum Sound Standard, which incorporates uniform test procedures and measuring criteria for laminate flooring. The standard defines how the sound generated by walking on a...

Gilford Flooring completes warehouse expansion.(News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Nearly two months ahead of schedule, Gilford Flooring has completed a 32,000 square foot addition to its Jeffersonville, Ind., warehouse, bringing the total space to more than 61,000 square feet. The project was overseen by southern Indiana...

Mannington seeks outstanding women for "Better World" award.(News)(Mannington)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... With an eye toward honoring women who make outstanding contributions to their communities, Mannington said it is launching the "Stand on a Better World Awards." Winners will receive up to $25,000 for the charity of their choice and win a trip...

NYC Showroom opens 'satellite' in Connecticut.(News)(Apadana)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Michael and Moshen Alidadi, owners of Apadana, an exclusive carpet showroom on East 31st St. in New York City, have added a satellite showroom at 539 E. Putnam Ave., Cos Cob, Connecticut. The newly renovated three-story building will house...

Milliken teams with Cannon Design for Theory modular carpet collection.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Milliken Carpet and Cannon Design introduce Theory, a modular carpet collection for education and commercial interiors. Patterns range from loose organics to defined structures, for a total of eight carpet designs in seven color families....

Karastan debuts Livorno transitional rug for classic and modern homes.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Karastan introduces its Livorno rug, comprising a patchwork of pattern and texture inspired by damask. The references to the textile are subtle and compiled in a treatment designed to be visually arresting, according to the company. Livorno is...

Vitra Tiles USA unveils Armesia line of large-format porcelain tile.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Vitra Tiles USA introduces its Armesia line, available in 12-by-24-, 18-by-18- and 24-by-24-inch sizes in matte and semi-matte finishes for floor tile. It is also available as a 10-by-16-inch wall tile, and comes in the colors of Sand, Mocha,...

Laufen's Verona unpolished porcelain tile available in two sizes.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Laufen introduces Verona, an unpolished, micronized, double-loaded, through-body porcelain tile. Products in the Verona collection feature a moderate shade variation and are available in the neutral colors of Pearl, Tan and Almond Verona comes...

Seneca adds four species to its wood products line.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Seneca Millwork has added four new species to its in-house collection of wood for prefinished moldings and profiles. The new species include bamboo, as well as Curupixa, Tatajuba and Amendoim from South America. These additions bring Seneca's...

Flexco unveils new options for its Base Sculptures.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Flexco has added new height and cornering options to its Base Sculptures thermoplastic rubber wall base. The system now comes in 5 1/2- and 8 3/4-inch heights in wood corner blocks. Also recently introduced are mitered, exact-match inside and...

Daltonian offers BioCel carpet underlayment in two weights.(Products)
May 1, 2005... Daltonian Flooring now offers BioCel 150 and BioCel 250 carpet underlayment for commercial applications. Developed by Universal Textile Technologies, BioCel is constructed of BioBalance polymers made from soybean oil, and Celceram, a highly...

Quick-Step wall base line to coordinate with laminate tiles.(Products)
May 1, 2005... Quick-Step introduces a line of wall base designed to coordinate with its Quadra natural stone and ceramic laminate tiles. Quick-Step Quadra wall base is available in all tile patterns with the same surface structure as the tile. Each board is...

PacifiCrest's Fashion Collection I inspired by three global cities.(Products)
May 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 patterns loop of Ultron type...

Phoenix releases new VECS machines for carpet industry.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Phoenix Automation, an Atlanta-based company, has introduced a new family of automation machines for the carpet industry. The VECS 3000 Automated Edge Rug Sewing Machine uses high-speed vision technology for automated processing and finishing...

Hardwood Council offers free interactive CD-ROM.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The Hardwood Council's Tips & Techniques Technical Brochure series portfolio is now available free to design and building professionals. The portfolio's 11 brochures and interactive CD-ROM was created to offer help in specifying North American...

Colonial Mills Inc.'s newest product catalog offers 48 pages of information.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Colonial Mills Inc. (CMI) has published its newest product catalog, bearing the tagline "Where Braided-Texture Takes Shape." The 48-page, full color catalog incorporates illustrations and information on CMI's full line of braided-texture rugs,...

ShawMark rolls out Anything Goes! Elite carpets with Stainmaster nylon.(Products)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Shaw Industries' ShawMark Floors division has introduced its new line of Anything Goes! Elite carpets. Anything Goes! Elite products are made of Stainmaster Tactesse nylon, and are featured in 13 styles including freizes, textures, loops,...

Parterre debuts new stone tile solid vinyl flooring collections.(Products)
May 1, 2005... With Jerusalem Stone, Acid Metal and Ornamental styles now on the market, Parterre Flooring Systems has increased its portfolio of stone tile solid vinyl flooring collections. Jerusalem Stone is a tile with soft, natural colors. Acid Metal...

Allstate introduces Allsport and Allkit resilient flooring.(Products)(Allstate Custom Rubber Tile)
May 1, 2005... Allstate Custom Rubber Tile presents Allsport and Allkit, comprising loose, interlocking jigsaw tiles. Allsport, with its special anti-fatigue cushioning, is suitable for sports installations. Allkit features a self-draining base, making it...

Note to salespeople: if you promise the moon, be sure you can get it installed.(Resilient Answer Man)
May 1, 2005... We hear so much griping about a lack of qualified installers and how retailers are frustrated by slipshod installation jobs. Then of course there are the customers who claim their new floor covering is not what they were promised. One of the...

Directory section 1: products.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... An alphabetical cross reference of all floor covering products and accessories and their manufacturers. ADDITIVES -- Grouts, Mortars and Latex Boiardi Products Corp. Bonsal American Bostik, Inc. Chicago Adhesive Products...

Directory section 4: sales agents.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... The sales agents in this section are those from whom we have received forms or who have been identified by manufacturers in our industry. If you are a sales agent and would like to be listed in our directory next year, please let us know. ...

Directory section 5: Retail Buying Groups/Franchises.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... The Retail Buying Groups and Franchises in this section responded to a special questionnaire. This by no means represents all of the industry's buying groups and should not be interpreted as such. If you are a Buying Group or Franchise...

Directory section 6: installation & technical training schools.
May 1, 2005... The installation and technical training schools in this section are those from whom we received information or were otherwise able to identify. This list by no means includes all installation and technical training schools and should not be...

Directory section 7: associations/markets.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... The sales agents in this section are those from whom we have received forms or who have been identified by manufacturers in our industry. If you are a sales agent and would like to be listed in our directory next year, please let us know. ...

Novalis.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Novalis introduces a collection of luxury tile and plank that are ideal for light commercial and heavy residential use. The Providence, Palazzo, and TerraBella lines offer the natural look of stone, slate and rustic wood in good, better and...

Laser products.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... 1/2 the starting cost, 10 times less operating cost. The LT-55 sets a new standard in digital templating. Its laser measuring in real time. In 5 minutes you'll have a 50-point field-measurement in .dxf format with multi-color and multi-plane...

Carpet Shims.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 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. ...

Stonecarpet[R].(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... STONECARPET[R] is the perfect floor for either showroom or public access areas. Easy to clean, resilient under foot, no ugly grout lines, and stain resistant. Select your own custom colors and add designs and logos if you desire. Those who have...

Noblehouse.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... NobleHouse's new Homestead vintage grade flooring features handcrafted design details that impart a "Time Worn" look to your interiors. Solid Wood construction, in 3.5" width and random length is available in Maple, Oak, Ash, Birch and Walnut....

Infloor Radiant Heating.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Infloor Radiant Heating offers floor warming and heating systems in hot water and electric. Both systems are great for heating, warming tile or any stone-type floor coverings. Check our web site for more information about our systems and new...

Bengard Mfg.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Bengard launches Discus rubber floor tile program in six colors Bengard has launched its Discus rubber floor tile program, consisting of rubber tiles in a raised round discus pattern, and a one-piece stair tread and riser. The Discus...

Acousti-Tech.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Acousti-Tech's rubber base adhesive AD-316 is specially formulated to glue down TECH[TM] thermo-acoustic membrane over concrete and wood subfloors. Also design to glue down engineered floors over concrete, plywood and TECH[TM] membrane, AD-316...

Earthwerks.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Earthwerks unveils new three luxury vinyl tiles with built-in grout lines [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Earthwerks will roll out a trio of luxury vinyl tiles with built-in grout lines and realistic surfaces. Madrid Stone is a .098 gauge...

Wilsonart Solid Surface.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 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....

Artistic Finishes.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Artistic Finishes intros 8-foot nosings with Tri-Guard finish [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Artistic Finishes has introduced a full line of 8-foot stair nosings designed to accommodate most 3/4-inch floors. The new stair nosings are 3...

Wilsonart international.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Wilsonart adds Hand Scraped Collection to Red Label line [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wilsonart Flooring has expanded its Red Label line with the addition of its new Red Label Hand Scraped Collection. Each laminate plank is designed to...

Basic coatings.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 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...

Weyerhaeuser/Lyptus.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Lyptus[R] is a versatile, environmentally responsible hardwood ideally suited for numerous high-end interior applications, especially flooring. Its remarkable beauty features a grain similar to mahogany with a rich, cherry coloring--and comes...

National carpet equipment.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Why do the work when the Panther does it for you? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The #5280 has many of the same features as its "big brother" the #6280 Industrial Panther[R] Self-Propelled Stripper, but the #5280 is more compact and lighter...

Noble Company.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The Noble Company produces NobleSeal[R] Sheet Membranes to protect thin-set ceramic and stone tile installations [Waterproofing, Crack Protection and Sound Control]. These sheets are time tested and guaranteed to last. Call 800 878 5788 or...

SI Flooring.(Products & Literature on display)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... GatorMat[R]. The least expensive crack isolation solution for tile on slab installations that's proven to work. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GatorMat was developed by SI Flooring Systems to provide tile contractors with a crack isolation...