Issue Date:8/4/2003
Log in to view the full article
Issue Date:8/4/2003
Hardwood Floors E-News Monday, August 4, 2003 Issue 217 Next issue published Aug. 18, 2003, 2003 Deadline for items: Aug. 13, 2003 Send news to [email protected]
Galbato Leaves Armstrong; Lockhart Takes Over Armstrong World Industries Inc. (Lancaster, Pa.), parent company of wood flooring brands Bruce, Hartco and Robbins, has announced that Chan W. Galbato, president and CEO of Armstrong Floor Products, will leave the company to pursue other opportunities. Michael D. Lockhart, chairman and CEO, will assume all responsibilities for Armstrong Floor Products operations. According to a prepared statement, the change was "driven by a desire to eliminate the holding company philosophy, to reduce overall resources and apply all available resources to increasing the success of the core businesses: floors, ceiling, and cabinets."
"As we approach emergence," said Lockhart, "the Chapter 11 process is placing fewer demands on my time. This allows me to focus more directly on Armstrong's businesses. Chan and I agree that this situation creates a redundancy between our roles." In his two years at Armstrong, Galbato oversaw the integration of Armstrong Wood Products with Armstrong Floor Products, among other projects. Armstrong is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 later this year.
Manufacturer News Wood Flooring International (Delran, N.J.) was ranked No. 10 in the annual "South Jersey 2002 Top 25 Fastest Growing Private Businesses" by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Rankings were based on percentage of revenue growth from 2000 to 2002. For more information, go to philadelphia.bizjournals.com.
Authentic Pine Floors (Locust Grove, Ga.) has announced a new co-op marketing program to address the needs of its retail partners. As part of the program, all calls from outside Georgia will be referred to the retailer/partner in the caller's area (if there is not a partner in that area, the sale will be offered at the suggested retail pricing to the nearest major floor covering outlet if it signs a partner agreement). The program also includes co-op advertising and marketing assistance. Retailers can obtain partner agreements by contacting Darline McCoy at 800/283-6038.
Distributor News Southern Tile Distributors (Norfolk, Va.) will celebrate 50 years of service to the industry at a banquet on Aug. 16 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel. Southern was founded in 1953 by E. Marvin Slaughter; today it is still family owned and operated, with a management team led by three sons-in-law of the founder: Jeffrey E. Black, president; J. Scott Wilhoit, vice president of sales; and Daryl W. Mitchell, vice president of operations.
Derr Flooring (Willow Grove, Pa.) is hosting two NWFA Factory-Finished Wood Flooring Installation schools. The first school will be in Edison, N.J., Aug. 18-19, and the second session will be in Horsham, Pa., Aug. 20-21. The cost for each session is $325, including instruction and three meals. For more information, contact Derr at 800/523-3457. Columbia Wood Flooring (Danville, Va.) has named Royal Scot Floorcovering Distribution (Lemont, Ill.) a distributor in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of North and South Dakota, and Iowa.
Anderson Hardwood Floors (Clinton, S.C.) has announced the appointment of Gilford Flooring (Jeffersonville, Ind.) to distribute Appalachian and selected handcrafted flooring in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Johnson Abrasives Co. Inc. (Jaffrey, N.H.) has several additions to its distribution network: A Quality Floors (Lincolnwood, Ill.), Covington Wood & Supply (Birmingham, Ala.), Floor Depot (San Francisco), Indiana Floor Inc. (Lorton, Va.), Intermountain Wood Products (Boise, Idaho) and Sands Company (Albany, Ore.). These companies have committed to servicing Johnson's current direct customers as well as their local contractors.
Merle B. Smith Co. Inc. (Burr Ridge, Ill.) is now the exclusive distributor for Premier Hardwood Products' (Jamesville, N.Y.) line of white sap maple.
ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings (Earth City, Mo.) has announced its fourth Chicago-area "professional-only" flooring showroom. The 8,700-square-foot showroom is located at 410 N. Carpenter St. in the Chicago West Loop, one mile from the Merchandise Mart. The showroom is scheduled to open this month.
People News Junckers Hardwood Inc. (Anaheim, Calif.) has added Jason Elliott as its new territory sales representative for Northern California.
Preverco Inc. (St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec) has announced that Derek Smithdorf is now the sales representative for the Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia markets. Smithdorf can be reached at 604/760-5701 or [email protected].
Chateau Old World Flooring Inc. (Valparaiso, Ind.) has promoted Andrew Braatz to technical services manager. He can be reached at 866/990-WOOD or [email protected]. At Merle B. Smith Co. Inc., Ruby Merrill has been promoted to controller, and Thomas Ringelsten Jr. has been promoted to general manager.
By the Numbers Sales of new single-family homes rose to a second consecutive record-breaking high in June at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.16 million units, according to the Commerce Department. This was 4.7 percent ahead of the revised 1.11 million-unit sales pace in May. Mortgage rates in June averaged 5.23 percent.
Job Watch Royal Scot Floorcovering Distribution is seeking an aggressive sales manager to represent its products in the northern Minnesota. Sales experience and basic computer skills are a must. The position offers competitive compensation and benefits. For more information, or to submit a rÈsumÈ, fax Cathy at 314/738-0979.
A hardwood flooring distributor expanding into the Omaha, Neb., market is looking for a sales representative. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package. RÈsumÈs with references can be sent to Kathy Raun at 801/977-1163 or e-mailed to [email protected].
On the Web Oshkosh Floor Designs (Winneconne, Wis.) has created an updated Web site at www.oshkoshfloors.com.
The International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) has a revamped Web site at www.installfloors.org.
Elegance Exotic Wood Flooring's (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) new site is at www.elegancewoodflooring.com.
NWFA Begins Forming Partnership with Australian Association The NWFA has announced that it has agreed in principle to form a partnership with the recently formed Australian State-Wood Flooring Association. An International Development Task Force has been established by the NWFA. This is the first step toward the NWFA's international expansion. "Since the NWFA has conducted workshops and seminars in Australia over the years, and because many members of the Australian Association already are NWFA members, the presidents of the Australian State-Wood Flooring Association approached us about forming an Australian branch of the NWFA," says NWFA President Wayne Cotton. "This is a great opportunity for the NWFA as we consider expanding our international presence."
A Familiar Face Returns to Hardwood Floors After a three-year hiatus, Rick Berg is returning to Hardwood Floors magazine and Athletic Business Publications. As executive editor, Berg will work closely with the other members of the Hardwood Floors team, including Publisher Kris Thimmesch, who will continue to handle all advertising and financial aspects of the magazine, Editor Kim Wahlgren, who will continue to be responsible for all Hardwood Floors editorial, Managing Editor/Art Director Catherine Liewen and Associate Editor Nicole Smith. Berg was on the team that founded Hardwood Floors and was with ABP for 17 years. Berg can be reached at 800/722-8764, ext. 140, or at [email protected].
NWFA Member Services Attention NWFA distributors-if you're looking for a single reference to help you find and compare software packages on a level playing field, NWFA has an answer. Ask for a free copy of the 2003 Distribution Solutions Guide. This easy-to-use guide compares 29 Enterprise Software Solutions and seven Business-To-Business Solutions for the Distributor. Call NWFA at 800/422-4556 (U.S.) or 800/848-8824 (Canada) for your copy today.