FloorCoveringNews

Cartersville, Ga. – Shaw Hospitality Group won Best of Show for Flooring and Best of Competition for the Be Bold collection at the 2013 Hospitality and Design Expo and Conference (HD Expo).  Held annually in Las Vegas, HD Expo is the premier trade show for the hospitality design industry, bringing together more than 900 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees to Las Vegas each May. Presented by Hospitality Design magazine, the show is at the forefront of the newest and most innovative products and services, encouraging and sharing ideas, providing inspiration and connecting the industry.

White Plains, N.Y. -- Charting the future for retail and mastering the language of color are vital topics for participants in the art and design market attending Surtex, the leading trade show for the art and design market, to be held May 19 to 21 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Among the trends looming over the retail landscape are: the move to private label; the battle between big box and specialty retailers; how ecommerce competes with and complements in-store shopping, plus overseas manufacturing. Mike Tesler, founding partner of consultancy Retail Concepts, will chart how these and other changes impact design, product manufacture and distribution decisions in unprecedented ways.

White Plains, N.Y. – Surtex, the leading trade show for the art and design market to be held May 19 to 21 in New York City, will hold a series of exclusive and timely presentations on color, texture and design trends for 2014-15. Eight top trend experts from Europe and the US will conduct a total of sixteen 30-minute sessions at the Surtex 2013 Trend Theatre, exploring the latest trends impacting industries as diverse as textiles, tabletop, home and accessories, apparel, paper, stationery, packaging and gifts.

Numbers up for tile, stone show

By Louis Iannaco

Volume 26/Number 26; May 13/20, 2013

From left, NTP’s Karin Fendrich was happy with the final tallies for Coverings 2013 in Atlanta; StonePeak Ceramic’s Brian Edgmon poses in front of Plane, the company’s porcelain floor and wall panel, and Florida Tile’s Sean Cilona enjoyed the reception the mill’s Magnolia and Time/2.0 lines received at the show.

Atlanta—While exhibitors at Coverings may have had trepidations heading into the annual tile and stone show’s first-time venue here, the experience turned out to be a positive one as the traffic was steady and, more importantly, the impressive amount of orders that were placed. Show officials who tallied the numbers toward the event’s closing were happy with the outcome.

“The city of Atlanta told us leading into the show that compared to other geographic regions, attendees in Atlanta register late, so we kept being told, ‘They’ll come, but they’ll come late,’” said Karin Fendrich, COO of National Trade Productions (NTP), which runs Coverings.

Diversion, recycling rates up, but PET problem looms

By Matthew Spieler

Volume 26/Number 26; May 13/20, 2013

Maya Sethuraman, left, of DuPont Sorona, explains why its polymer is green to Maya Henderson of Bentley Prince Street.

Tampa, Fla.—Depending on how one views things, the glass is either half full or empty when it comes to carpet recycling. Those with a pessimistic view feel there is a leak at the bottom of the cup and if it doesn’t get fixed soon, there may not be an industry as presently constituted.

These were the general feelings as representatives of the recycling world—from carpet mills to processors, collectors to government and non-government officials, along with other interested parties—gathered here last month for the 11th annual Carpet American Recovery Effort (CARE) conference.

Seeks to better understand consumers

By Matthew Spieler

Volume 26/Number 26; May 13/20, 2013

Hicksville, N.Y.—Understanding the consumer is something the industry constantly tackles. This summer, Flooring America will take the effort directly to its members’ stores as part of its Where Friends Send Friends Mobile Marketing Tour.

Phase one kicked off May 18 and will run through July 13. Frank Chiera, Flooring America’s vice president of marketing and advertising, told FCNews the company will visit 10 cities across nine states as part of the first leg of what will eventually cover the entire U.S.

By Steven Feldman

Volume 26/Number 26; May 13/20, 2013

(Exclusive to FCNews)

Harold Chapman, left, Bonitz Flooring Group, passes the gavel to incoming WFCA chairman Janice Clifton, Abbey Carpets Unlimited, as WFCA’s CEO Scott Humphrey looks on.

Asheville, N.C.—Presiding over his first World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) board meeting since becoming its president and CEO, Scott Humphrey professed the association’s stability while promising it would serve as the voice of the floor covering industry.

“We will be relevant in every aspect of this business,” he said. “And we will ensure people view this as a professional industry.”

With the aforementioned stability as the backdrop, Humphrey stressed the importance of WFCA being viewed as an organization in which one can be confident and trust. “The foundation laid by Chris Davis makes this transition very easy. I am thankful for what he did and thankful for the team he assembled.”

By Matthew Spieler

Volume 26/Number 26; May 13/20, 2013

Taking home the 17th Best Overall Manufacturer Award of Excellence was Mohawk Industries. This was the third time Mohawk won top honors. Holding the custom-made trophy is Mohawk’s David Duncan. With him, are, from left, Floor Covering News’ Steven Feldman, publisher and editorial director, and Dustin Aaronson, associate publisher; Mohawk’s Ken Durning; Scott Humphrey, WFCA’s new executive director; Mohawk’s Jeff Lubinsky, and Mike Blick, president and CEO of FCNews.

Roslyn, N.Y.—Mohawk Industries not only reclaimed the Best Overall Manufacturer’s title in this year’s Award of Excellence balloting, four of its divisions were also honored as being the best in their respective categories of expertise, giving it the most trophies of any company in this year’s competition.

In addition to earning the Best Overall award for the first time since 2009 and third time in the competition’s 17-year history, the company’s Karastan, Quick•Step, Dal-Tile and newly acquired Marazzi divisions were also honored as the best. Karastan took home the Award of Excellence in rugs, Quick•Step in laminate, and Dal-Tile and Marazzi were each honored in the tile category—Dal-Tile for Group A and Marazzi for Group B.

Volume 26/Number 25; April 29/May 6, 2013

By Deena Bouknight

Nourison’s Julie Rosenblum and Alex Peykar flank designer Kathy Ireland who stopped by the mill’s High Point showroom to help launch her new line of branded flooring.

High Point, N.C.—Who could have known the chatter at the International Home Furnishings Market here would have been punctuated with Pinterest, blogging and iPads? In this age of rapid-fire technology, exhibitors and dealers alike were looking for the novel niche to net consumers. This year’s week-long spring show, held April 20 to 25, did just that.

High Point goes beyond the traffic-stopping, showroom merchandising as the primary way to garner attention. Instead, exhibitors used 21st century methods that retailers could then emulate in their own stores.

The Floor Covering Industry Issues Council (FCIIC) held its spring meeting in Chicago on April 16, 2013.  An important focus of the meeting was an emphasis among the participating flooring trade associations on developing even closer ties and finding more ways to work together to benefit their members and the flooring industry as a whole.

“The last few years have been challenging ones for the flooring industry and the trade associations which represent its various segments,” said National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) chairman John Lessick. “The leaders of the associations at the FCIIC table understand that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole and that, by continuing to work together, we can increase the value we provide to members, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our organizations and help to strengthen the entire flooring industry.”

By Steven Feldman

Volume 26/Number 24; April 15/22, 2013

NFA’s California contingent, from left: Steve Boardman, MMM Carpets, Bay Area; Jim Wynn, Carpet Distributors, Orange County; Jimmy Poulos and Ian Newton, Flooring 101, Ventura County, and Steve Coles, Coles Fine Flooring, San Diego.

Beaver Creek, Colo.—Phil Koufidakis, co-owner of seven-store Baker Bros. in Arizona, began his first meeting as National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA) president by reminding the 42-member organization of their primary duty: to serve, as it is a group run by the group and for the group. And by the time the meeting was over, he had announced the restructuring of NFA committees to involve more members.

“The executive board felt strongly that more people needed to be involved in driving the entire group,” he said. “Too many people are not participating. The power of this group is based on the power of the people in this room. We can’t have 20% of the people doing 80% of the work.”

Members benefit from relationships, technology, more

By Jenna Lippin

Volume 26/Number 24; April 15/22, 2013

Winners of the Retailer of the Year award, Gary Hurst, third from left, and Elmer Stolzfus, center, were honored at the Haines event. With the winners are (from left) Fred Wentz, VP of operations and development; Rosana Chaidez, VP of sales & marketing and procurement; Bruce Zwicker, president/CEO; Scott Roy, VP of sales & marketing and customer service, and John Coakley, CFO and business development.

Alexandria, Va.—With a record crowd of approximately 400 people from across the Eastern seaboard, the 2013 Haines Loyalty Club (HLC) Summit was held here April 8 and 9 for the first time after outgrowing its previous venues in Baltimore. The group now boasts 275 members, up from 268 in 2012 and a total increase of approximately 160% since 2006.

Scott Roy, Haines’ vice president of sales, marketing and customer service, introduced the 2013 Summit motto “One Block at a Time,” explaining to members that each individual “block” helps build success. Thanks to the October meeting of the HLC advisory council, the Haines network decided changes needed to be made to help provide the greatest benefits to members, drive business to their stores and deliver valuable resources to facilitate dealers’ success.

By Louis Iannaco

Volume 26/Number 24; April 15/22, 2013

Coverings 2013 is sure to be the most exciting tile and stone super show ever, noted show director Karin Fendrich of National Trade Productions (NTP), the management company for Coverings, as the biggest tile and stone market in the U.S. comes to Atlanta for the first time in its 20-plus year history.

Coverings is on track to have more than 900 exhibitors from over 50 countries when it opens at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 29, running through May 2. “There is no fee to visit the show,” she explained. “And unlike many other events, there is no charge to attend the nearly 70 educational sessions, either.

West Bloomfield , MI  – FCICA, the Flooring Contractors Association, is hosting its seventh webinar on April 18, 2013 at 11:00 am EST.  Christopher Capobianco will present the webinar  “Concrete Moisture Testing Basics:  WHY? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? WHO?”  This session will be a a basic overview for installation managers, installers, architects and sales personnel.  This complex subject is often discussed in terminology that is hard to understand.  The webinar will offer an understandable explanation for WHY, WHEN and WHERE moisture testing should be done, HOW to do it properly, HOW to get certified, and WHO should be responsible for the testing.  This is a great seminar for those who aren’t knowledgeable about the subject and a helpful overview for those who would like a review.

Please complete the registration form at https://www.fcica.com/events/fcica-webinars. You may either scan and email to Stephanie@fcica.com or fax to (248) 661-5018. Registration deadline  April 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm EST.

Chicago – More than five hundred distributors and manufacturers will join together at the 2013 NAFCD + NBMDA Annual Convention to enhance their business strategies and meet with key decision makers in the flooring, woodworking and building materials industries. This year’s event will take place Nov. 12 to 14 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago.

The 2013 NAFCD + NBMDA Annual Convention is not a traditional tradeshow. This event is recognized as a highlight every year by distributors and manufactures who are able to connect face to face and conduct meaningful business planning. Instead of full displays of products, distribution professionals come together to develop business plans and set sales strategies. A semi-private, tabletop booth offers a comfortable setting in which senior executives interact and discuss distribution plans and strategies for the future while also reviewing past performance. Meetings are coordinated by appointment to ensure a highly focused and productive environment.

Dallas – HPS Schönox is bringing a new technology to the flooring industry with the launch of its new MSP Classic universal wood flooring adhesive at this week’s NWFA Wood Flooring Expo.  The new product uses silane modified polymers, the most advanced technology in adhesives.  “We are continuing to introduce strong solutions for flooring projects taking a fresh look at ways to improve installations,” remarked Enos Farnsworth, president of HPS Schönox.  “MSP Classic improves on every facet of the wood flooring adhesive process.” 

Stacy Walker with the panel and IIDA officers

Spartanburg, S.C. – The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Carolinas Chapter recently hosted a Leadership Summit to address the importance of leadership, empowerment and personal development in business. At the event, Stacy Walker, director of marketing for Milliken’s global floor covering division, presented “Creating a Culture of Innovation: It’s a new day for strategy in the business world.”

St. Louis—The National Wood Flooring Association has announced Linda Walter has joined its staff as director of expositions and business development.  In her new role, Walter will be responsible for managing the business relationships, sales, and marketing of the NWFA’s Expo booth sales, sponsorships, and both international and domestic exhibition events.  She also will oversee the professional services of NFWA including the manufacturer product support call center, and Accepted Product Seal program.

HGTV’s “Cousins on Call” stars John Colaneri, left, and Anthony Carrino will address wood trends when they host the Expo’s Award Luncheon.

By Matthew Spieler

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

St. Louis—Anyone wondering whether the wood flooring industry is recovering from the recession needn’t look any further than the upcoming Wood Floor Expo by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Set for April 2 to 5 in Dallas, the show is projected to have more exhibitors, more attendees and more educational opportunities than years past.

Last year’s Expo was recognized as one of the 50 fastest-growing shows in 2012 by Trade Show Executive (TSE), qualifying in all three categories—Net Square Feet of Exhibit Space, Number of Exhibiting Companies and Total Attendance.

By Matthew Spieler

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

Lawrenceburg, Ind.—With a message of American pride, Gilford Flooring hosted roughly two dozen suppliers and key retailers, including most of its 150-member Gilford Advantage Program (GAP) dealers, for its annual Preparing for Spring event here March 7 to 8.

Dennis Cook, president of the Midwestern distributor, said this year’s theme, “Pride in America,” was not about touting domestic products. Rather, it focused on the concept of honoring the men and women—along with their families—who sacrifice their lives to keep the country free and allow entrepreneurs, such as the many in the flooring industry, the opportunity to make their dreams come true. “It’s about what makes this country great and something we believe needed to be said.”

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

Lynwood, Wash.—Another well-attended trade show can be chalked up for the Market 2013 sponsored by the Washington State Floor Covering Association. Held Feb. 26, the fourth annual event was one of the top regional shows featuring floor/interior finishes in the country and certainly the largest in the Northwest.

More than 80 spaces were filled by a variety of exhibitors as dealers, designers and installers enjoyed the opportunity to have quality time with suppliers. Many said they were energized by the enthusiasm of vendors and excited about the release of new products.

By Melissa McGuire

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

With a focus on networking and new initiatives, the Fuse Alliance flooring contractor group held its annual conference in San Diego from March 6 to 8 with more than 154 people in attendance, including 86 members, 21 suppliers and 68 company representatives.

Executive director Ron Lee kicked off the meeting stating, “2012 was a year of negative news and positive results” with a nod to the issues small businesses are facing today, particularly onerous regulations, cash flow, attracting and retaining employees, reinvesting for growth and planning for succession.

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

Dalton—During a historic four-day training event earlier this month, more than 100 installers, dealers, claims analysts and industry associates gathered here to learn how to install flooring “the right way.” The training was sponsored by the International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI).

The event began with a laminate and wood installation workshop taught by CFI’s Bob Gillespie and Danny Sherman along with Armstrong’s Tim Provence as attendees participated hands-on to learn more about installation. The teams of two tested and prepared substrates, installed laminate flooring, then installed various types of wood flooring according to the manufacturers’ guidelines.

By Steven Feldman

Volume 26/Number 22; March 18/25, 2013

Orlando, Fla.—With its members averaging 9% increases over the last five months, the Abbey Carpet & Floor annual convention held March 7 to 9 touted a focus of building a strong foundation to help capitalize on an economic recovery that should only continue to pick up steam. That foundation concentrated on the basics: drawing customers into stores and closing them once inside.

Steve Silverman, president and COO, said the journey begins with visibility and, as such, could not overstate the importance of a quality website, which Abbey provides to its members at no cost. “More than 80% of consumers research [flooring] on the Internet. So, interactive, state-of-the-art consumer websites have become a necessity rather than a luxury.” The challenge, he said, is the average retailer has neither the time nor the resources to build a comprehensive website with all the requisite bells and whistles.

The Crayola Glass Tile Collection will be showcased at Coverings 2013 with more shapes, colors and revenue-building opportunities.

The new Crayola Recycled Collection consists of 36 solid colors in two finishes and nine special blends. Approved for both floor and wall use in commercial as well as residential applications, this new series is produced using SCS-certified, 99% recycled glass, which makes all products ideal for any LEED project.  These designs will be exhibited at Coverings along with the original Crayola Glass Tile Collection, which debuted last year, that includes 42 solid colors, 18 blends and six special shaped (puzzle) mosaics.

Crossville, Tenn. – Crossville, D&B Tile Distributors and MC Harry & Associates recently created a unique runway dress featuring Laminam by Crossville; the design received the coveted Best of Show Award at the IIDA South Florida Design Mix. The event is an exciting fashion show pairing industry members with design firms in a team effort to create a one-of-a-kind, innovative wearable garment made of the sponsor’s product.

Designed by MC Harry & Associates and sponsored by Crossville and D&B Tile Distributors, the model appeared as a sun goddess of ancient times while wearing Crossville’s newest porcelain product Laminam. The Laminam large format sheets were cut into 2″ x 2″ tiles and adhered to a basic substructure creating an illuminating dress.

Dallas –The Surfaces 2013 show floor had boundless energy due in part to the growing popularity of the Distributor Partners Program that was offered by Surfaces for the second year.

Butler Johnson Corporation and All Tile were awarded the Surfaces 2013 Distributor Partners Program top prize, both receiving $10,000 cash for registering and bringing more than 300 retailers to the show, held Jan. 28 to 31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The Surfaces 2013 Distributor Partners Program offered floor covering distributors the opportunity to register their retailers for free exhibits admission to the show. In addition, Surfaces provided distributors with marketing kits aimed at assisting them in promoting the show to their customers and colleagues in the industry. The kits included point of purchase materials, printed buyer invitations and registration forms as well as an electronic code for use in email promotions.

The Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) has joined the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) to jointly host the 2013 Total Solutions Plus (TSP), Oct. 26 to 29, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Fla.

TSP brings the ceramic tile industry together to network and learn from each other.  Initially launched in 2010, the annual event features a substantial seminar schedule; individual meetings of participants like CTDA, NTCA, and TCNA; an increasingly popular tabletop show, and unparalleled opportunities for formal and informal networking.

Ribadeo by Vives adds a jolt of color to the hydraulic cement trend interpreted by many ceramic manufacturers.

By Emily Bowbridge

Volume 26/Number 20; February 18/25, 2013

Valencia, Spain—In the 1960s, Bob Dylan sang about boots of Spanish leather, but in the 21st century, praises are being sung for Spanish ceramics and tiles. The 31^st edition of Cevisama attracted approximately 70,000 visitors from 78 countries to shop the latest stone, ceramic, and sanitary ware and building and design solutions from 673 exhibitors. Armando Ibáñez, president of Cevisama, noted that nearly 25% of the visitors were from international markets.