Issue Date:8/5/2002
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Issue Date:8/5/2002
Hardwood Floors E-News Monday, August 3, 2002 Issue 191 Next issue published August19 Deadline for items August 15 Send news to [email protected]
Beaulieu of America Sells Hard Surface Flooring, General Distribution Beaulieu of America (Dalton, Ga.) has completed the sale of its Hard Surface Flooring and General Distribution Business, making L.D. Brinkman (Dallas, Texas) an independent company once again. Beaulieu bought L.D. Brinkman in 1999. "This transaction concludes an overall restructuring on the part of Beaulieu and, with previous transactions, improves the financial condition of Beaulieu and allows the company to invest all of its time and resources growing and refining the Beaulieu Soft Surface business," said Ralph Boe, president of Beaulieu Residential. "The timing of these transactions coincide with a return to the profitability for Beaulieu in the past six months, greatly enhancing future viability. I am confident that the business and sales of L.D. Brinkman will do better under local management and direct sales efforts with independent dealers." L.D. Brinkman was acquired by its former owners and existing management. Eddie Lesok is the company's CEO, and Jeff Sills is president. Sills, Tom Karol, Levon Ezell and Jack Wulz are now the primary owners. The new company will operate out of 13 locations located to service the Southwest and Western sections of the United States. Part of the growth opportunities for the new company will include the introduction of new carpet products in residential, builder and commercial lines. A new vinyl product line called Classic Creations also will be introduced.
NOFMA Schedules Course for Certified Wood Flooring Inspectors NOFMA, The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (Memphis, Tenn.) will begin the process of certifying wood flooring inspectors by offering a course Nov. 4-8, 2002, at the AgriCenter International in Memphis. The five-day course is intended for floor covering inspectors, home inspectors and professionals in wood flooring-related businesses interested in expanding their expertise. Those who successfully complete the course and the examination administered by the association will have the opportunity to become the first NOFMA-Certified Wood Flooring Inspectors (NOFMA CWFI). A minimum six-month probationary period then must be completed before a NOFMA certification will be issued. Once issued, the certification will be effective for two years, after which it must be maintained through a renewal fee, continuing education and practice in the flooring inspection field. The course will include sections on wood technology, NOFMA wood flooring specifications, review of installation and finishing, wood flooring complaints and their causes, inspection procedures and report writing. A trial inspection and review of inspection reports also are required. For more information, call 901/526-5016.
People News Harris-Tarkett (Johnson City, Tenn.) has promoted Dave Polisky to vice president of technical services. Previously, Polisky served as the company's Midwest regional sales manager. He has several key responsibilities, as well as new oversight duties, including enhancing the company's two-day H-T U curriculum; qualifying all new product concepts; and overseeing the consumer affairs department.
Alto U.S. (St. Louis, Mo.) has appointed Mark Hefty president and CEO. Hefty returns to the company where he held several posts from 1982 to 1997, including president and CEO from 1994 to 1997 when the company was known as Clarke Industries Inc.
Floor Style Products (Hastings, Mich.) has added Tina Boone to its sales staff. Boone has more than 24 years' experience in the flooring industry, including installation, finishing and refinishing for everything from small residential to large commercial jobs. She will be working out of the Dania Beach, Fla., location and will cover territory as far as Atlanta.
Manufacturer News Junckers Hardwood Inc. (Anaheim, Calif.), distributor of Junckers prefinished solid hardwood flooring, has been awarded "Best of Show" by Design Journal Magazine for its new Olde World Collection.
Taylor Lumber (McDermott, Ohio) will supply the flooring for the new Rome Auditorium in Italy. World-renowned architect Renzo Piano designed the plans, which call for more than 100,000 square feet of Taylor's American black cherry flooring, the company says.
Mullican Flooring (Johnson City, Tenn.) has garnered five local, two district and the Judge's Choice ADDY awards for its print advertisements, catalog and sales materials. Additionally, the company received two regional Public Relations Society of America awards. The company won the Judge's Choice award for its consistency and quality of work. The company was presented with two gold district awards for its Selector sales kit and product campaign. The company's three local gold ADDYs were received for its product line campaign, the Highland Series catalog and the hardwood Selector sales kit, and two local silver ADDYs were awarded to the Highland Series Rustic spread ad and a two-page, four-color spread ad.
This fall, Harris-Tarkett (Johnson City, Tenn.) is kicking off its "Discover the World of Harris-Tarkett, One Foot At a Time" promotion, designed to reward retailers for each sale of selected in the Harris-Tarkett line. Participating retail sales personnel will earn $.20 per square foot on the sale of products introduced by the company from Spring 2001 through Spring 2002. The company has developed a point-of-purchase kit that includes a variety of materials supporting the "discover" theme. The promotion runs from Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 2002. For more information, retailers should call their local Harris-Tarkett distributor or 800/842-7816.
Mirage/Boa-Franc Inc. (Saint-Georges, Quebec) has completed the first construction phase of its newest manufacturing plant. The new plant is home to the company's third 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring production line, and the company says it is getting ready to increase its Mirage Classic manufacturing capacity by 50 percent. The company projects that the manufacturing capacity of this $50 million multi-phase project will surpass that of the existing plant in a few years. In addition, 200 new jobs eventually will be created, 50 of which already have been filled, the company says.
Clarke (Springdale, Ark.) has announced the return of the Clarke brand. Customers will begin to see the Clarke name prominently featured on products, literature and advertising beginning this month. "We built this business on the Clarke name," says Mark Hefty, company president, "and we are very proud to bring back the most prominent brand in the cleaning industry.†The company, most recently known as Alto U.S. Inc., now will be known as the Clarke Division of Alto U.S. The Clarke brand encompasses sanding, maintenance and cleaning equipment.
Founded in 1922, Loba GmbH & Co. KG (Ditzingen, Germany) is celebrating its 80th anniversary. General manager and son of the founder of Loba, Michael Fischer, formed Loba as it is known today: a manufacturer in two areas-the Loba Flooring Division with products for parquet, cork, hardwood and other floors; and Holmenkol, a leading ski-wax brand. Loba brands are sold in the United States, Canada, China, Malaysia, as well as in most European countries.
Columbia Flooring Inc. (Danville, Va.) received the 2002 President's Award for outstanding performance at parent company Columbia Forest Products annual managers' meeting. The award is given annually to a specific Columbia operation in recognition of operating efficiency, continuous improvement and the attainment of specific financial goals. "Columbia Flooring experienced tremendous growth in revenue in 2001 and that, along with a number of significant steps forward in manufacturing and in strategic operations, led us to present the award to the entire flooring division," says Harry Demorest, president and CEO of Columbia Forest Products.
Distributor News Derr Flooring Co. (Willow Grove, Pa.) has awarded its first annual "Scholastic Excellence Scholarship" to Kelly Devine. Children of Derr Flooring Co. employees who seek to further their education beyond high school are eligible for the award.
Bolick Distributors (Baton Rouge, La.) recently moved to a new facility in Shreveport, La., at 9250 Wallace Lake Road. According to Jim San Souci, the general managing partner of Bolick Distributors, the move to this larger and more modern facility will allow the company to increase its presence in the Shreveport, Monroe and surrounding markets and will help position the company for "future growth and planned expansion to additional northern markets."
Harvester Inc. (Westwood, NJ) had a successful contractor day on July 11 that drew more than 200 contractors. The following companies were represented: 3M, Alto, Basic Coatings, Woodwise, Delta Tech, McGrevor, Galaxy, BonaKemi USA, Zipwall, Lagler, Lenmar, WisserVac, Absolute Coatings, Granwax, Pro-Team, Powernail and Dura Seal.
On the Web Jesse's Commercial Services Inc. (Memphis, Tenn.) has launched its new Web site, www.jessesfloors.com.
Horizon Forest Products (Raleigh, NC) has launched its new Web site, www.horizonforest.com.
By the Numbers Strip wood flooring shipments in June were down 6 percent from June 2001, according to statistics from NOFMA, The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association. Shipments for the month numbered 58,608,000 board feet, compared with 62,540,000 board feet in June 2001. The total for 2002 now is 10 percent more than the first six months of 2001. At 52,838,000, strip wood flooring shipments in May were 10 percent higher than the total shipped in May 2001.
Sales of new single-family homes rose half a percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of just more than 1 million units in June from a revised 996,000-unit pace in May, according to the Commerce Department. The number of unsold new homes on the market edged down by 1,000 units in June to 325,000, a relatively lean 3.9 months' supply at the current sales rate, the department says. Regionally, new-home sales were mixed in June. The Midwest and West each posted 3.8 percent gains, while the Northeast and South posted 1.4 percent and 2.7 percent declines, respectively.
Job Watch Floor Style Products (Hastings, Mich.) is looking for a sales representative with more than four years' experience in the wood floor refinishing industry to work from the corporate headquarters in Hastings, Mich. The ideal candidate will be willing to travel two to three days per week in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and surrounding areas and must be self-motivated with high personal integrity. Some college and basic computer knowledge is preferred. A base salary of $45,000 with an excellent benefits package will go to the right candidate. To apply, fax a résumé to 616/945-4770, or call 800/767-8953.
Mark Your Calendar Domotex 2003, a trade fair for carpets and flooring coverings, will be held Jan. 11-14, 2003, in Hannover, Germany. For more information, contact Hannover Fairs USA Inc. by mail: 212 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540, phone: 609/987-1202, or fax: 609/987-0092.
Building China 2002 will take place at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, China, Nov. 13-16. The event incorporates several expos, including Coating & Paint Expo, Ceramics & Stone Expo, Flooring Expo, Hospitality Expo, Kitchen & Bath Expo, Roofing, Window & Door Expo and Lighting Expo. For more information, e-mail [email protected], or call 408/737-2820.
NWFA Member Services Help your employees develop a savings plan and family protection through payroll deduction with U.S. Savings Bonds and bond completion insurance. NWFA announces this new employee benefit program offered through Security Marketing Group of Illinois. For complete details, call Rick Barchard at 800/711-2922 or visit www.smgilinc.com.