Issue Date:10/28/2002
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Issue Date:10/28/2002
Hardwood Floors E-News Monday, October 28, 2002 Issue 196 Next issue published November 11 Deadline for items: November 7 Send news to [email protected]
Judge Rules for Armstrong in Asbestos Property Damage Case U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Randall J. Newsome has issued a major ruling in Armstrong World Industries' favor regarding the "type of science" plaintiffs can use in trying to prove their property damage claims related to asbestos-containing flooring. Following a two-day Daubert hearing that began on Sept. 26 in Wilmington, Del., Judge Newsom granted Armstrong's motion to exclude evidence presented by the plaintiffs' expert witnesses. The ruling is a second setback for the plaintiffs: the first was the judge's denial of the plaintiffs' request to file a class action lawsuit. The Asbestos Property Damage Committee alleged that asbestos-containing floor tile presents a health risk and, at Armstrong's expense, it should be removed from the buildings of property damage claimants. The committee asked the court to approve "settled dust sampling" as the measure for establishing that asbestos-containing floor tile releases asbestos fibers. Armstrong argued that this produces inflated, unreliable results. Newsome ruled that the methodology offered by the committee is not a scientifically valid method. "Judge Newsome's ruling represents another big step forward for Armstrong in the Chapter 11 process," said Ken Jacobs, Armstrong's deputy general counsel for litigation. On Dec. 6, 2000, Armstrong, the parent company for Bruce Hardwood Floors, Hartco Flooring Company and Robbins Hardwood Flooring, filed for voluntary recognition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as it attempted to resolve litigation stemming from its manufacture of asbestos in the 1960s. Since filing Chapter 11, the company now faces about 600 individual property damage claims. The claims allege more than $852 million in damage related to asbestos-containing flooring. Armstrong Holdings' stock had plunged to $1.69 a share in early December 2000 and closed at $1.46 as of press time on Oct. 24.
NWFA Holds Factory-Finished School in Atlanta NWFA held its most recent Factory-Finished Wood Flooring Installation School in Atlanta Oct. 16-17. The following volunteer instructors, led by Daniel Boone of Boone Wood Floors Inc., helped students learn the basics of factory-finished wood flooring: Jim Schumacher, 3M Construction & Home Improvement; Richard Conway, All Wood Floorcraft; Jack Rogers, All-Wood Supply Inc.; Joseph Collins, High Country Hardwood Designs; Tom Peotter, Historic Floors of Oshkosh; Steve Sharko, Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring; Don Conner, Mullican Flooring; and Stan Lawson, Powernail Company Inc. The lead distributor for the school was NGF Distributors/Division of No. Georgia Flooring.
Manufacturer News Nicolet Hardwoods Corp. (Laona, Wis.), parent company of WD Flooring, was honored with an award at the 2002 State of the Lakes Conference. The conference, held in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 15, was hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada. The award recognizes Nicolet Hardwoods for its work and dedication for more than 100 years of forest stewardship. Peter Connor, vice president of Nicolet Hardwoods and president of WD Flooring, attended the conference and accepted the award.
3M Construction & Home Improvement (St. Paul) currently is running a RegaliteTM T-shirt promotion for contractors. When contractors purchase a case of 3M Regalite Edger Discs (any size, any grade) from a participating 3M distributor, they will receive a free T-shirt. The promotion runs from Oct. 21 through Dec. 31, or while supplies last.
Creative Hardwood Designs (Colgate, Wis.), a manufacturer of laser-cut and hand-assembled medallions, has expanded its current facility by 4,000 square feet. The extra square footage "will not only decrease production time for our medallions, but will also account for an even higher level of quality, and an even more competitive price for our consumers," says owner and artist G.R. Wilfer.
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring (Papineauville, Quebec) has acquired Produits Forestiers Bellerive Ka 'N' Enda. Produits Forestiers Bellerive Ka 'N' Enda operates a state-of-the-art sawmill, as well as chipping, kiln and rotary-cut-veneer facilities primarily servicing export markets. The deal gives Lauzon significant control over permanent raw material supply and kiln access from three privately-owned sawmills.
Distributor News Hoboken Floors (Wayne, N.J.) recently hosted two industry events. The "East Coast Casino Expo," a customer-appreciation night held by the company in September, included more than 2,000 customers and guests. Representatives from among 48 manufacturers were in attendance. Some participating manufacturers included Anderson, BR-111, Columbia Flooring, Harris-Tarkett, Hartco, Johnsonite, Mannington, Marazzi, Laufen, Vitra and Zinsser. In addition, the "Hoboken Open House" was held in October at the Gillette Stadium Fidelity East Club Level. More than 1,000 people attended, and 45 manufacturers were represented. Some of the major manufacturers included Bruce, Hartco, Mirage, Somerset, Mannington, Pergo, Columbia, Clic, Johnsonite and Crossville.
Terra Hardwood Flooring Inc. (Kingwood, Texas) has announced the appointment of Wood Flooring Distributors (Irvine and San Diego, Calif.) as its exclusive representative in the southern California territory.
TimberGrass Fine Bamboo Flooring & Panels (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) has added a new distributor: Coast to Coast Flooring Distributors in Florida. Inquiries in Florida should be directed to Jeremy Rousseau at 813/855-5312 or TimberGrass at 800/929-6333.
Junckers Hardwood Inc. (Anaheim, Calif.) has appointed SeaPac Sales (Kent, Wash.) as its Pacific Northwest distributor. SeaPac Sales has the exclusive rights to distribute Junckers solid hardwood flooring, moldings and accessories for the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. SeaPac Sales will be under the leadership of David McCowan, western regional sales manager.
National Hardwood Flooring & Moulding (Van Nuys, Calif.) now is carrying bamboo in an aluminum-oxide finish. The product is available in low-sheen and semi-gloss. For more information, contact the company at 818/988-9663 or visit www.nationalhardwood.com.
Hunter Hardwoods Inc. (Alsip, Ill.) has added Capitol USA wood floor adhesives for engineered, parquet and solid wood floors to its product line. For more information, contact Hunter Hardwoods at 708/389-3145 or visit www.hunterhardwoods.com.
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring (Papineauville, Quebec) has announced the addition of Florstar Sales Inc. to its line of distributors. The new partnership is effective immediately.
Contractor News FloorWatch, Brickman Consulting and Forest Floors will be featured in two upcoming episodes (Episodes 9 and 10) of Bob Vila's Home Again syndicated home improvement television show. The broadcast schedule of Bob Vila's Home Again show for each local TV station is posted at www.BobVila.com. Episode 9 will air the week of October 28-Nov. 3, and Episode 10 will be broadcast the week of Nov. 4-10.
People News Junckers Hardwood Inc. (Anaheim, Calif.) has appointed Dean Nichol as national account manager based in New York City. In this newly created position, he will focus on developing business throughout the eastern commercial marketplace.
Columbia Flooring (Danville, Va.) has announced two promotions and three new hires within its sales and marketing organization. Kim Kerchner now is business unit manager for national accounts. He most recently served as Columbia's Midwest district manager. Jason Mielnikowski is the newly appointed business unit manager for retail cooperatives. He previously was the company's Southeastern district manager. Mike O'Toole fills Kerchner's vacated position as Midwest district manager, operating out of Chicago. Previously, O'Toole was Midwest regional distribution manager for Armstrong Wood Products and field sales specialist for Bruce Hardwood Floors. Allen Smith has assumed the role of Southwest district manager and is located in Houston. He also comes to Columbia from Armstrong, where he was district manager for the Hartco brand. In addition, John McIsaac will serve both Columbia Flooring and parent company Columbia Forest Products as public relations manager. He comes to Columbia from the company's PR agency, HMH, and resides in Portland, Ore.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-U.S. has appointed Roger C. Dower as president. His previous work includes serving as president of the eNERGYSolve Corp., where he dealt with the management and marketing of energy services to industrial, commercial and institutional clients. He also was director of the World Resources Institute's Climate, Energy and Pollution Program.
Pacific Vermillion Inc. (Springfield, Mo.) has added Jayme Wilson to its plank flooring sales department. Wilson recently worked in the company's lumber division and will maintain his sales responsibilities there.
By the Numbers Total housing starts surged by 13.3 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.84 million units; the highest in 16 years, according to the Commerce Department. Gains were recorded for all regions of the country, with single-family starts hitting a 24-year high. Single-family housing starts rose 18.2 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.48 million units. Regionally, there were gains of 24.2 percent in the West, 11.4 percent in the Midwest, 9.8 percent in the South and 9.5 percent in the Northwest.
The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Housing Market Index declined a single point from September to 62, its second-highest reading all year. NAHB currently is projecting 945,000 sales of new single-family homes for all of 2002, which would surpass last year's record-high 908,000 units.
Strip wood flooring shipments in September were 7 percent higher than the total shipped in September of 2001, according to statistics from NOFMA, The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (Memphis, Tenn.). Shipments for the month numbered 59,808,000 board feet, compared with 56,137,000 board feet in September 2001. The total for 2002 now is 9 percent higher than the first nine months of 2001.
Job Watch A hardwood flooring contractor is looking for a job superintendent in the Raleigh, N.C., area and a general manager in the Charleston, S.C., area. Experience is required. Fax resumes to 804/271-8616.
A leading manufacturer of abrasives and related products is seeking independent sales agents for career opportunities. The company is expanding its sales coverage and has several territories available across the country. Candidates should have previous hardwood floor sales experience and be self-motivated and aggressive. For consideration, mail a resume to: Human Resources, #140, 5140 Main St., Unit 303, Williamsville, NY, 14221-5296. Confidentiality is assured.
Sales and sales manager positions now are available at Plumly Flooring (Winchester, Va.) in the Washington-Baltimore area. Flooring sales experience is a must. Both positions offer full benefits including 401(k). Contact Dave Crouse at [email protected] or call 301/748-4616.
National Hardwood Flooring & Moulding (Van Nuys, Calif.) is looking for an experienced wood flooring sales person to sell its product throughout the United States. Candidates should have at least five years of experience. For more information, contact National Hardwood at 818/988-9663 or fax a resume to 818/988-4955.
Mark Your Calendar The NWFA will hold its "Respiratory Protection 101: What You Don't Know Could Cost You Your Company" webinar Wed., Nov. 13 from 3-4:30 p.m. CST. Featured speakers will be Dennis Plaut and Dan Otzenberger of 3M. For more information or to register, visit www.nwfa.org or call Glyphics Communications at 800/651-7916 and mention the NWFA program.
Basic Coatings has cancelled its Professional Sand and Finish School that was scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Anaheim, Calif. The next school is scheduled for Jan. 16-18, 2003, in Fairfield, N.J.
Floors Inc. (Birmingham, Ala.) announces its 13th Annual Customer Appreciation Day scheduled for Nov. 20 from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Manufacturer representatives will be present to demonstrate products. Manufacturers will include 3M, Appalachian Vents, BonaKemi, Bostik, Clarke, Demopolis, Diversified Brands, Glitsa, Linden, Long Lewis, Oshkosh, Medallion, Mullican, Palo Duro, National Coatings, Powernail, Purdy, Stanley-Bostitch, Stuart, Swift Lumber, Wood Flooring International, Dura Seal, Fabulon, Lagler, Hummel, Woodwise and Nottingham. In addition, Floors Inc. in Madison, Ala., will hold its Annual Customer Appreciation Breakfast on Nov. 21 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
NWFA Member Services It's a proven fact that customers with a new line of credit will buy more. If that line of credit is from your store, you'll have more loyal customers and more repeat sales. Find out more about the Preferred Floor Covering Program through GE Card Services. Optional Visa/MasterCard processing is available at competitive rates. For information, call 800/244-7354.