National Floor Trends articles from October 2004

National Floor Trends archives from October 2004

Death of a salesman: autopsy shows no evidence of follow-through.(Industry Perspectives)(sales management)
October 1, 2004... You can barely hear the sound of traffic over the moans and groans of some salespeople about business they've lost. I'm talking big-time moaning, big-time groaning, big-time despair, and big-time denial. The other day, a friend--who is a...

Where technology meets style: resilient flooring in 2004.
October 1, 2004... As time goes on, resilient flooring manufacturers are taking advantage of advances in technology to offer products that feature visuals and textures closer and closer to the appearance of their natural counterparts. Resilient flooring can come...

Water: nature's best friend but a formidable enemy to tile installations.(waterproofing)
October 1, 2004... Water, perhaps the greatest force in nature, is something we can't live without. There would be few products produced, homes built or floors--especially of the tile variety--installed without ample water supplies available on demand. ...

Following manufacturer guidelines is paramount installation instructions: they're not just a dustpan in every box.(Hardwood Handbook)
October 1, 2004... When I think back to the first wood floor installation that I observed, I recall the trainer making a reference to installation instructions as the "dust-pan in every box." Over the years, I continued to hear that statement and I must admit to...

Offer floors that complement today's bathroom trends: luxurious products give your showroom pizzazz and profit.(Showroom Management)
October 1, 2004... No matter what the style, the key trend in bath products today seems to be "the more luxurious, the better." Consumers looking to redesign a single bath, or remodeling their homes to include more, bigger and better baths, want the materials and...

Alexandria Hospital: Alexandria, Va.(Case Study)(Tarkett Specialty's Optima homogeneous sheet flooring used in renovation project)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Located in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Va., Alexandria Hospital, part of the Inova Health System, is a is a 339-bed community hospital with a reputation for excellence that offers a full range of health care services. The...

Marsh Supermarkets--a fresh new store thanks to Granirapid[R].(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Marsh Supermarkets recently unveiled an innovative new shopping experience in Noblesville, Indiana. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From the centrally located coffee bar, customers can view individual "shops" flanking the inner circle. The...

Hardwood innovations help retailers sell fashion instead of price.(Case Study)(Anderson Hardwood Floors)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... For most of the last century, hardwood flooring was classified as a building material and sold as a commodity. That really shouldn't come as a surprise, since 90 percent of the industry's sales came from 2" to 3" smooth-faced oak and maple in...

FLEXCO[R] enhances products, introduces new line.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... FLEXCO is a leading manufacturer of rubber, vinyl and ESD control commercial flooring. Based in Tuscumbia, Ala., FLEXCO has been producing quality resilient flooring for more than 50 years, including its award-winning EnviroFlex[TM] line and...

Mullican experiencing overnight success with The Chatelaine Collection.(Case Study)(Mullican Flooring)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Originality. A vintage look. Value. Character. Mullican Flooring's Chatelaine Collection offers consumers plenty of reasons to admire the company's line of hand-sculpted flooring. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Featuring a combination of old...

APAC's building bonds for life.(Case Study)(adhesive manufacturing)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Over the past 10-15 years, the floor covering industry, the A & D community and customers alike have become more concerned about the environmental issues than ever before. No doubt, "green" has become the performance of choice in our market. As...

Retailers, installers, and consumers stuck on new Mohawk pre-glued laminates.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... DuraLoc Plus System Offers Easiest, Surest Installation; Broad Selection Gives Customers The Choices They Want [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Want to know if a particular laminate installation system is working? All you have to do is listen....

Terra cotta and ceramic tile help bring old Hollywood elegance back to the Sunset Strip.(Case Study)(Custom Building Products)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Down a quiet sidestreet, just off the fabled Sunset Strip, there is an apartment complex that appears, at first and even second glance, to be a perfectly maintained vestige from Hollywood's early days. Though its white stucco walls glimmer and...

Mannington stands tall on ADURA luxury tile.(Case Study)(Mannington Mills Inc.)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Mannington recently entered into the luxury tile category with the introduction of ADURA[TM]. ADURA combines remarkable strength and durability with innovative styling for a product that is second to none. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Don't be afraid of installing glass tile.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Glass tile has been with us for many years. But nowhere near the level at which it is today. The amount of colors, the different sizes, the unique shapes and the opportunities it offers for creative design, all are growing at breakneck speed....

Alloc sets its sites on being the laminate flooring leader: unveils new consumer and customer web sites at www.alloc.com.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... Alloc--the originator of the glue-less, mechanical locking system for laminate flooring--has launched a new consumer web site, as well as an Extranet for customers. Alloc.com is currently live, and this advanced yet user-friendly site is part...

Surfaces 2005 more. bigger. better.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... As a floor covering retailer, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion and design trends your customers want. You also know how critical it is to have choices in your store--homeowners are placing a different type...

Roppe introduces three new versatile products.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... For 50 years, Roppe Corporation has been a proven leader in flooring products sold around the world. Roppe's line of rubber and vinyl products include Visuelle Wall Base, SafeTcork Tile and Tread and Spike/Skate Resistant Tile. ...

Ultrasonic inlay cutting.(Case Study)(American GFM Corp.'s Model US120)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... American GFM, builders of the world's fastest most accurate ultrasonic cutting machine, the Model US120, that features Advanced Linear Drive Motors, is capable of producing the highest quality inlay cutting available in today's market....

The Ratcliffe's designer bathrooms backed by National Gypsum's PermaBase[R] BRAND Cement Board.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... PROJECT HISTORY: The Ratcliffe Florist Shop, built in 1917, represents one of the best examples of the Mediterranean Revival Style of early 20th Century commercial architecture in Charlotte. With its Mediterranean character, bay windows and...

The 1-2-3's of "no call-back" installation of wood underlayment panels.(Case Study)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2004... The resilient floor covering industry, including installers, distributors and manufacturers process millions of dollars in resilient floor covering claims every year. Incredibly, most failures fall into the preventable type and represent a huge...

ASTM F2170-02: a concrete moisture testing method for the 21st century.(Resilient Answer Man)
October 1, 2004... In two of my previous columns, I discussed the false assumptions made every day about concrete substrates (January 2004 NFT) and the importance of correctly performing the ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride Moisture Test (March 2004 NFT). This month,...

Fabrica inducted into SBA Hall of Fame.(News)
October 1, 2004... Fabrica International has been selected as one of five companies for 2004 induction into the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Golden Anniversary Hall of Fame. The award recognizes companies that have received SBA assistance and...

Surfaces attendee registration and housing options now open.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Registration and housing arrangements for Surfaces 2005, scheduled for Jan. 26-28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, are now live and can be completed online at www.SurfacesExpo.com. Attendees who register for Surfaces by Dec....

Wilsonart laminate products earn GreenGuard certification.(News)(GreenGuard Environmental Institute )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The GreenGuard Environmental Institute has awarded its Indoor Air Quality Certification to the high-pressure decorative laminate of Wilsonart International Inc. All Wilsonart laminate products, used for both furniture and decorative...

November AFCA meeting to bring color into focus.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Arizona Floor Covering Association, in conjunction with Honeywell Nylon and Benjamin Moore Paint, will present a special "Center Stage With Color" program during the AFCA November dinner meeting, Thursday, Nov. 11. Participating in the...

WSFCA to host October ceramic tile seminar.(News)(Washington State Floor Covering Association )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Washington State Floor Covering Association (WSFCA) will host a Ceramic Tile Seminar Oct. 26-28 at Sound Floor Coverings in Seattle. TILE Magazine's Patti Fasan and Floor Covering Installer's Jon Namba will offer their expertise during the...

Specialty Construction Brands Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Specialty Construction Brands Inc. has named Chris Bailey sales manager for TEC brands. Bailey joined the company in 1997 and has served as a strategic account manager for both the Chicago and Florida territories. In his new role, Bailey will...

Flexible Foam Products Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Flexible Foam Products Inc. has appointed Michael W. Crowell as vice president of Marketing. Crowell, who has amassed more than 31 years' experience in the industry, will oversee and coordinate various marketing activities and branding...

Ceramica San Lorenzo USA.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Ceramica San Lorenzo USA has promoted Marcelo Rodriguez to the newly created position of general manager. Rodriguez has been with the company for three years, most recently as vice president of sales and marketing. Steve Carroll will fill...

Roppe Corp.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Roppe Corp. has promoted Bart Rogers to director of Sales. Rogers served as Southeastern regional sales manager for the past six years, and has more than 20 years' experience in the flooring industry. His new responsibilities include overseeing...

Florim USA.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Florim USA has appointed Michael Rohnert to the newly created position of executive vice president of Sales. In this role, Rohnert is responsible for all sales and related activities for Florim USA. He reports to president and CEO Mirco...

Anderson Hardwood Floors.(People)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... John Woolsey has been promoted to vice president of Marketing for Anderson Hardwood Floors, reporting to COO Jeff Sills. Woolsey, who has 35 years' experience in the industry, joined Anderson as director of marketing in September 2002.

Tarkett Commercial flooring specified in Olympic installations.(News)(Tarkett Commercial)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Tarkett Commercial supplied flooring for many of the facilities used during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, including the locations where basketball, volleyball, softball, handball, boxing, equestrian, weightlifting, fencing, field hockey,...

Tandus to shutter so cal carpet plant, consolidate manufacturing in Nova Scotia.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Commercial floor covering manufacturer Tandus Group Inc. has announced that it will close its broadloom carpet manufacturing plant in Santa Ana, Calif., and transfer most of those assets to its existing Truro, Nova Scotia, facility. ...

Upcoming industry events.(News)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... NAFCD 33rd Annual Meeting -- Phoenix. (312) 321-6836, Oct. 8-10. FIANA 2004 -- New Orleans. (817) 326-2615, Oct. 14-17. Polyurethanes Conference 2004 -- Las Vegas. (703) 741-5656, Oct. 18-20. ITSS Expos -- Las Vegas. (703)...

Quick-Step and Sea-Pac Sales sponsor a night at the ballpark.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Company representatives from Quick-Step and Sea-Pac, along with more than 30 retailers from Oregon, Washington and Idaho, enjoyed a warm summer evening of baseball at Safeco Field in Seattle recently. The two companies cosponsored a night at...

RadiciGroup's antimicrobial yarn now features Milliken's AlphaSan.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... RadiciGroup, the Italy-based worldwide producer of chemicals, plastics, fibers, and textiles, has introduced a new antimicrobial nylon carpet yarn, polyamide 6, that contains Milliken & Co.'s AlphaSan antimicrobial agent. AlphaSan...

CCA debuts BioCel backing on GSA Contract product.(News)(Commercial Carpets of America)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Commercial Carpets of America (CCA) now offers the BioCel polyurethane backing system in all its carpet with Everbond attached cushion as part of its GSA Contract product offering. This is being made available to GSA at no added cost, in...

New ownership team takes reigns of Capella.(News)(Capella Wood Floors)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The new ownership group that officially completed the purchase of Capella Wood Floors in July already has a new management team in place at the Vicksburg, Miss.-based hardwood flooring company. The new management corps will focus on increased...

Johnsonite.(Distributor Appointments)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Johnsonite has welcomed Specialty Products Co. into its North American distribution network. With facilities in Arlington, Texas, and Shreveport, La., Specialty Products will serve northern Texas and portions of Louisiana, Oklahoma and...

Tarkett Commercial.(Distributor Appointments)(E.J. Welch Co.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Tarkett Commercial has added E.J. Welch Co. of Earth City, Mo., to its roster of distributors. E.J. Welch will distribute Azrock by Tarkett flooring throughout select areas of Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and eastern Kentucky.

Fritztile debuts marble and granite terrazzo wall tile.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Fritz Industries is seizing the consumer trend for decorative wall coverings with the introduction of Fritztile 6100 Fluted Wall Tile and the 6200 Brick Wall Tile Series. The terrazzo tile adds the look and feel of patterned natural marble and...

Leica Geosystems offers new DISTO measuring tool.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Leica Geosystems recently released the DISTO Classic5, a high-precision laser measuring tool with a new ergonomic design, extended measuring range, additional measuring functions, built-in telescopic viewer, and other new features. The...

Laufen introduces its Huron porcelain tile.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Laufen has debuted its Huron series of porcelain tile for walls, floors and countertops. The line is designed for both commercial and residential applications. Huron is styled to capture the look of weathered stone in Onyx, Sage and Sand...

TEC releases HydraFlex waterproofing membrane.(Products)
October 1, 2004... TEC has introduced HydraFlex Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Membrane, a mold- and mildew-resistant membrane designed to deliver superior waterproofing and crack isolation capabilities, according to the company. The product is typically...

Mohawk intros truck-mount carpet-cleaning systems.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Mohawk now provides a turnkey system that allows floor covering retailers to offer carpet cleaning. The Mohawk Professional Floor Care system is a self-contained truck-mounted system for flooring and upholstery cleaning. A complete training...

Tau Ceramica adds Corten to its Metallica tile collection.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Tau Ceramica recently introduced Corten, a new addition to the Metallica collection of ceramic tile. Corten's look is inspired by corten steel, the predominant metal alloy in modern sculpture. The tile is available in multiple sizes, and is...

Masland's Vieux Carre carpet meant to evoke New Orleans.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Masland Carpets' Vieux Carre carpet line is a new collection of four, richly carved and patterned broadlooms inspired by the culture and history of Old New Orleans. The entire Vieux Carre collection is crafted of 100 percent Stainmaster...

Fortune Contract presents new merchandising offering.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Fortune Contract Inc. has formulated a new merchandising strategy for the commercial carpet industry--Fortune Contract tags featuring the manufacturer's logo bug and the tagline, "Visibly Different." These tags can be used as an illustrative...

Taylor debuts Lockdown series of moisture-resistant adhesives.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Taylor Adhesives developed its Lockdown series of adhesive products to aid in abating high moisture emissions in concrete slabs. The Lockdown system is designed to provide a waterproof adhesive bond for most types of flooring--including...

RFMS releases new Schedule Pro software.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Flooring dealers now have the ability to more efficiently manage their installation schedules through the use of newly released Schedule Pro, a software program developed by RFMS. With industry-specific tools and features, Schedule Pro allows...

Junckers Hardwood publishes 12-page 'Our Products' brochure.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Junckers Hardwood has published its new "Our Products" brochure, a full-color, 12-page brochure that displays the range of solid hardwood flooring choices offered by the company. Along with color images and room scenes, a brief description of...

Gilford Flooring launches new hardwood program.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Gilford Flooring has launched the Gilford Hardwood Collection, consisting of wood flooring from around the world, for both residential and commercial applications. Eighty-six SKUs from nine manufacturers make up the debut ensemble of the...

Dixie Home presents Nepal and Pocatello broadloom.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Dixie Home has introduced Nepal and Pocatello, two enhanced-loop broadloom carpets that combine commercial carpet design with a pile height and luxurious hand traditionally reserved for residential products, the company says. Nepal achieves a...

CRI mounts distribution of healthcare video nationwide.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is distributing a CD-ROM video entitled "Healthy Patients and Healthy Numbers--The Results of Evidence-Based Design." The presentation discusses carpet's benefits and proper maintenance in healthcare environs....

Dancik International offers variety of software and service solutions.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Dancik International offers integrated, end-to-end solutions for the decorative building products industry, including floor and wall coverings, ceramic tile and natural stone. A full range of proven systems are available to businesses for...