WFB EditorsNews3M Prioritizing N95 Orders from FEMA; Home Depot Stops Selling N95 MasksIn the wake of a national shortage of face masks, 3M reported it has been making efforts to keep up with the increasing demand for its respirators. On April 2, the federal government invoked the Defense Production Act, requiring 3M to prioritize orders from FEMA for its N95 respirators.April 3, 2020NewsLowe’s Reports Uptick in Home Improvement Sales During COVID-19As people around the country are required to stay home due to the coronavirus, Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison told CNBC the home improvement retail chain has seen an increase in sales across all categories at nearly every store.April 3, 2020NewsBelknap Temporarily Closes All But Three Locations in COVID-19 ResponseThe Belknap White Group (Mansfield, Mass.) has temporarily closed all but two of its service branches and one of its distribution centers in response to the coronavirus crisis.April 3, 2020NewsWFB Briefs: AHF Preps for COVID-19 Disruptions; China Work Resumes; Mullican Offers Free SamplesAHF Products (Mountville, Pa.) announced it continues to be able to operate at its distribution and manufacturing locations in the U.S., Cambodia and Shanghai, and is following CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 at its locations. Employees at its headquarters in Mountville are working remotely. “We are also closely monitoring supply chains for product components and raw materials,” CCO Mike Bell said in a statement. “We are carefully planning ahead for any possible disruptions due to the virus.”April 3, 2020NewsIndependent Contractors, Self-Employed Can Apply for PPP Loans April 10The U.S. Treasury Department released guidance for applying for Paycheck Protection Program loans, noting that small businesses and sole proprietors can begin applying April 3, and self-employed and independent contractors can begin April 10.April 1, 2020NewsDeadline Extended! Enter the WFB Truck & Van Contest by FridayNeed some extra time to get your wood flooring truck or van ready for the spotlight? We’ve extended the deadline to submit to the 2020 WFB Truck & Van Contest to Friday, April 3.The Wood Floor Business Truck and Van Contest is free and open to all wood flooring professionals. Winners will be featured in the magazine.Contestants may submit one entry per category. Contestants must fill out an online entry form for each submission.Contestants must submit at least one image per entry and may submit up to three images per entry. The images must be high-resolution. Images have been digitally altered in any way, including collages of images submitted as a single image file, will not be accepted.Entries must be submitted online by noon on April 3 (CDT). Entrants grant Wood Floor Business the right to use the photos in the magazine, online, and in promotions related to the contest.Recognition will be presented for the following categories: Best Exterior Graphics, Most Organized Interior, Most Unusual Work Vehicle and Biggest Disaster. WFB reserves the right to modify categories based on entries received.April 1, 2020NewsPre-Pandemic: Home Prices Rose 3.9% Year-Over-Year in JanuaryHome prices increased 3.9% year-over-year in January, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index. The increase was up from annual growth of 3.7% in December.April 1, 2020NewsIntroducing the Wood Floor Pro’s ‘Social Distance Enforcer’It’s important for wood floor pros to be social distancing right now, but it’s also important to keep a sense of humor. To that end, there’s Jim Hyde’s “social distance enforcer.” It appears to be a fake hand stuck to a pole and is designed to keep people the appropriate 6 feet away (or at least keep them laughing until you can scoot yourself).April 1, 2020NewsWFB Briefs: WFCA Offers Free Online Classes; Horizon Relocates Branch; Construction Spending ReportThe World Floor Covering Association is offering its members free access to its online university until April 30. Registration can be found here.April 1, 2020NewsJöst Abrasives Enters North American Flooring MarketJöst Abrasives has been manufacturing abrasive systems since the early 1980s, and this year the German company’s products are making their debut in the North America flooring market.April 1, 2020Previous PagePage 156 of 982Next PageTop StoriesRetailThriving Through Innovation: See the Winners of the 2025 WFB Outstanding Retailer AwardsFrom reimagined showrooms and mobile studios to thoughtful mentorship, employee empowerment and social media marketing, these WFB Outstanding Retailers are proving that personalized service is key to long-term success.TechniquesUseful Advice When Dealing With Pine FlooringContractingHow I Do These Jobs: Refinishing DecksNewsRecognizing Wood Floor Contractors: Enter the 2025 Ultimate Wood Floor Guy/Gal ContestSponsor ContentMisconceptions About Film-Forming Wood Floor Finishes
