Surveys: Page 2

Solid Ground: State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2014

Manufacturers say their sales (in dollar volume) in 2013 were…Manufacturers say the prices they paid for raw materials in 2013…Manufacturers say wood flooring prices in 2013…Manufacturers expect prices in 2014 to…Wood flooring manufacturers answered that their biggest threat is:Do you agree or disagree with the Lacey Act?Should the LEED green building program recognize other wood flooring certifications besides FSC?Distributors say the dollar value of their wood flooring sales in 2013...31% of distributors said they had sold some products online in 2013.Five years ago distributors answering our survey said 19% of their sales were exotics. This year those combined numbers totaled only 6%.We asked distributors if their business had been affected by liquidators (such as Lumber Liquidators). They said:What is the outlook for 2014? Distributors answered:What is the single most important issue affecting your business specifically?Contractors say the dollar value of their wood flooring sales in 2013...(more than one answer possible)We asked contractors if their business had been affected by liquidators (such as Lumber Liquidators). They said:"I am always optimistic, otherwise I would not be in this industry.""People often want to compare prices of the premium product with [liquidators] … they do not offer customer education, and yet most consumers do not find this out till it is too late."

photo of a tree

Sponsored

Custom Stain Application Techniques with Loba-Wakol North America

Wood Floor Business

In this Live Demo you will learn the best methods for applying stain, why alcohol-based stain benefits the contractor and the following tips for achieving long-lasting coloration on your floor.

Custom Stain Application Techniques with Loba-Wakol North America

Improving Outlook: State of the Industry 2013

Schenckam13 Cov

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2012: Rocky Ground

Manufacturers say their sales (in dollar volume) in 2011 were…Manufacturers say the prices they paid for raw materials in 2011…Manufacturers say wood flooring prices in 2011…Manufacturers expect prices in 2012 to…Manufacturers rank the importance of FSC certification to their success as…Manufacturers think business in 2012 will be…* Numbers may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.Source: Hardwood Market ReportWood flooring manufacturers revealed what they feel is the biggest threat to their success:What impact will the ITC ruling on engineered Chinese imports have on the industry?Distributors say the dollar value of their wood flooring sales in 2011...What is the outlook for 2012? Distributors answered:Contractors say the dollar value of their wood flooring sales in 2011...

Signs of Life: State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2011

The DOC and ITC are conducting two trade investigations involving engineered wood flooring from China:An antidumping duty investigation occurs when an exporting country is suspected of exporting a product for less than fair market value.A countervailing duty investigation occurs when an exporting country is suspected of unfairly subsidizing an industry.

Hf0411 Sidebargreatwall

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2010: Test of Endurance

"I think we're positioned for an uptick of some kind by the summer or the second half of the year. I'm not sure how strong it's going to be or how excited to get about it, but I do feel like, given all the news from the financial markets and reports on the economy, that we should see stronger demand in the second half of 2010 than we did in the second half of 2009.""We have been FSC-certified for three years and have yet to see any significant benefit. A lot of people ask about and mention its importance, but when it comes down to price, the dollar is the only 'green' that matters.""It will be a long time before the industry will be back to where it was three years ago. It may never be the same. It is, however, slowly and steadily improving, and it is up to the innovators of the industry to adapt and come out on top.""The support we've received from our distributors throughout this economic downturn has reminded us how important these solid and long-lasting relationships are. When things are tough, end users get more price-conscious and picky, and the distributors' handling of both situations in a positive and balanced manner is of great value to the manufacturer.""The economic slowdown has killed the price that we can charge. Pricing in my area has dropped to what it was about 10 years ago.""Red oak select unfinished is not available, and the prices are rising in these times. The economy, while it seems to be improving slightly, is still way down.""The outlook for the industry is good, I hope. It all depends on people not losing any more jobs so the money starts flowing again. People want to spend, but they are scared right now.""Uncertain economic conditions will likely depress sales for one more year. Thereafter we anticipate slow growth with more emphasis on refinishing work."

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2009: Tightening Their Belts

Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed ...Of the distributors surveyed ...

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2008: Riding Out the Storm

Industry reports now place Dalton, Ga.-based Shaw industries, which acquired Clinton, S.C.-based The Anderson Family of Brands last September, as the second-biggest hardwood flooring manufacturer. Hardwood Floors spoke with Rick Knowles, vice president of residential hard surfaces at Shaw.Every two years the NW FA commissions an extensive study of the wood flooring industry in conjuction with Catalina Research. Here are some highlights from the "2007 Wood Flooring Market Profile," which was released at the end of 2007. (An executive summary of the report was sent to all NWFA members; the summary is also available online at nwfa.org. Full copies of the report can be purchased for $3,295 for nonmembers or $2,800 for members.)Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed ...Of the distributors surveyed ...

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2007: Global Vision

In recent years, the wood flooring industry grew accustomed to nearly unlimited demand for its products. Builders couldn't get houses up fast enough,As part of its annual survey, Hardwood Floors asked hardwood flooring contractors their thoughts on the following three questions regarding the hardwood flooring industry. Here is a representative sample of their answers:By Ricardo PairazamanIn its annual survey, Hardwood Floors asked hardwood flooring distributors for their input on the following three questions regarding the wood flooring industry. Here are some representative responses:Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed ...Of the distributors surveyed ...

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2006: Distributors React

More than six months after the devastating hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Gulf Coast still has a long way to go to recover from the physical and emotional destruction wrought by the storms. In New Orleans, many parts of the city still appear as if the hurricanes hit only recently, but other areas have moved on with recovery. Amid the chaos and uncertainty that still reign, wood flooring businesses are adjusting to the new realities and moving forward.Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed ...Of the distributors surveyed ...

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2005: Global Design

Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed ...Of the distributors surveyed ...While many people feel that the threat to domestic wood flooring manufacturing due to China is overblown, many others point to the "collapse of the American furniture industry" as a result of Asian manufacturing as an example of what could happen to the domestic wood flooring industry. Here are a few facts about the American furniture industry's decline:

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2004: Seeds of Change

Aperpetual concern for wood flooring contractors and dealers is how to attract and keep good employees. Besides healthy wages, an effective strategy is to offer generous benefits, especially health insurance, but companies are finding it increasingly difficult to afford, especially as they bid against one- or two-man operations who have little overhead and almost no markup. And, medical insurance is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition, there’s the obligatory workers comp (required by law in every state but Texas), liability insurance, auto insurance and sometimes more.Contractors overwhelmingly responded in this year’s survey that they are concerned about rising material costs and supply. They express bewilderment at the continual wood flooring price increases, specifically for oak. A number of factors have combined to drastically increase the cost of red and white oak, which form the traditional backbone of the domestic wood flooring industry. They all come down to a simple fact, however—“There is a tremendous strain on the resource that the flooring industry depends upon,” says Judd Johnson, editor of Memphis, Tenn.-based Hardwood Market Report.In 2002 ...Of the contractors surveyed (more than one answer possible) ...Of the distributors surveyed...Of the distributors surveyed...In 2002, distributors said ...The contractor numbers in 2002 were ....The distributor numbers in 2002 were ....Contractor numbers in 2002 were ...Distributor numbers in 2002 were ...

State of the Wood Flooring Industry 2003

In recent years, there has been increased discussion about the role of the distributor in the wood flooring industry. Will distributors continue to serve a purpose, or will increased market pressures make them obsolete? As the industry evolves, distributors have felt the threat of big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, as well as new types of competition, such as Mohawk and Shaw, which essentially serve as huge wood flooring distributors (see sidebar "Here to stay" on page 28). As the debate continues, the wood flooring distributor appears far from obsolete.Two years ago, carpet giants Mohawk Industries and Shaw Industries both announced they were entering the wood flooring business. Today, their long-term effect on the industry is still ambiguous, but their presence as national distributors of wood flooring is firmly established, having taken advantage of their expansive distribution systems and dealer networks to roll out their wood flooring brands. Both companies report that the introductions of their wood flooring lines have been a success, even though they were introduced not long before a booming economy slowed significantly.Contractors are more than three times more likely to buy from a wood flooring distributor than ageneral floor covering distributor, big-box store ordirect from the manufacturer.

Page 2 of 3

Resource Book

Looking for a specific product or a company? Wood Floor Business has the only comprehensive database of the industry.

Podcasts

All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.