Issue Date:6/21/2004
Log in to view the full article
Issue Date:6/21/2004
Hardwood Floors E-News Monday, June 21, 2004 Issue 240 Next issue published July 6, 2004 Deadline for items: June 30, 2004
Koetter Woodworking Acquires Kentucky Wood Floors Koetter Woodworking Inc. (Borden, Ind.) has acquired all of the assets of Kentucky Wood Floors Inc. (Louisville, Ky.). The existing product line, which consists of both unfinished and prefinished hardwood flooring, will continue to be manufactured and marketed as Kentucky Wood Floors, and the current management and production resources of Kentucky Wood Floors will continue under the new ownership. "I decided to sell [the company] because the timing and the purchaser were right," says Kentucky Wood Floors founder, John Stern. "In order to expand the business and take advantage of the opportunities in the marketplace, Kentucky needed to align itself with a larger partner who had the financial resources that would enable us to grow. Koetter Woodworking not only has these resources, but also has the backwards, vertical integration to the sawmill to greatly enhance our raw material position." Stern says that Kentucky Wood's customers are seeing a seamless transition. Brian Koetter, vice president of sales and marketing for Koetter Woodworking also sees the synergies between the companies. "Koetter Woodworking manufactures unfinished flooring, and we saw the need to grow into prefinished ... they had the finish line and equipment to meet our needs," Koetter says, adding that Koetter Woodworking tries to focus on higher-end products for the marketplace, and Kentucky Wood Floors supplies that type of flooring. Koetter Woodworking manufactures an extensive line of high quality architectural moldings, cabinet components, hardwood flooring, interior doors, window fashions and other custom millwork.
NWFA Installation, Sand & Finish School Heads to Anaheim The NWFA held its Installation, Sand & Finish School in Anaheim last week, sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). The school was led by NWFA Technical Director Steve Seabaugh, and volunteer instructors included Glenn Werneke, 3M; Tony Pantoja, Basic Coatings; Scott Greenwood, BonaKemi USA; Steve Marley, Cal Coast Hardwood Flooring; Don Smithson, Clarke American Sanders; Terry Green, Dura Seal; Matt White, Golden State Flooring; Alan Blake, Stauf-USA Adhesive LLC; Dave Posey, Wood Pro Floors; and Jon Namba, WFCA.
Manufacturer News VerMeister Srl (Mornico al Serio, Italy) has announced the opening of VerMeister Canada Ltd. (Mississauga, Ontario), which will serve as the exclusive importer of its product line in Canada. VerMeister Canada can be reached by phone at 866/523-1423 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The move follows the successful opening of VerMeister USA (Seattle), the company says.
Foam Products Corporation (Calhoun, Ga.), a manufacturer of acoustical underlayments and specialty textiles, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Healthier Choice Carpets and Cushions Inc. (Dalton, Ga.) a supplier of underlayments for floor coverings. The suit was filed in June in the U.S. District Court for the northern district of Georgia in Rome. The suit concerns U.S. Patent No. 6,576,577, entitled "Underlayment for Floor Coverings," which was awarded to Foam Products in 2003. The patent covers various underlayments that reduce impact sound and floor-to-ceiling noise and that are easier to install than prior products, the company says.
People News Columbia Flooring (Danville, Va.) has appointed Patrick Warren its marketing manager. Warren comes to Columbia Flooring from Milliken & Company, where he was market brand business manager.
Preverco (St. Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec) has appointed Jean-Luc Moisan its supplies manager. Moisan has many years of experience in the wood industry. He can be reached by phone at 800/667-2725, ext. 261, or via e-mail at [email protected].
Derr Flooring Co. (Willow Grove, Pa.) has named Denise Goodwin product manager for a number of wood flooring lines represented by the company. Goodwin previously served as the sales and marketing manager for Homerwood and most recently was the eastern regional manager of Shelman USA.
Artistic Finishes Inc. (St. Paul, Minn.) has named Derek Archibeque its southeastern U.S. regional sales manager. Most recently, Archibeque served as territory manager for Bostik Findley and was previously manager of sales training for Robbins Hardwood Floors. He will be based out of Dallas and will service Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. In addition, Archibeque will represent Artistic Finishes throughout Mexico. Archibeque has more than 15 years' experience in the floor covering industry.
Wood Flooring International (Delran, N.J.) has named Tom Foley its southeast regional sales manager for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, southern Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Foley has an extensive background in floorcovering as a territory manager for Hardwood Flooring Center and, prior to that, served as a sales rep for International Hardwood Flooring.
By the Numbers Single-family housing starts in May 2004 were at a rate of 1,640,000, up 1.4 percent from the April figure of 1,618,000, according to the Commerce Department. Overall housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,967,000, down 0.7 percent from the revised April estimate of 1,981,000 but 12.5 percent higher than the May 2003 rate of 1,748,000.
The National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index (HMI) declined two points to 67 in June, five points ahead of its reading in June of 2003. The HMI component index gauging current sales of new single-family homes barely budged in June, declining one point to a reading of 73. Meanwhile, the index gauging sales expectations in the next six months dropped two points to 73, and the index gauging traffic of prospective buyers fell three points to 52.
Job Watch A Columbus, Ohio-based national wood flooring contractor is hiring for a commercial install, sand and finish position. The right candidate must have a valid driver's license and must be able to travel out of state and work nights. Experience and references are required. Pay can be up to $25 per hour plus benefits, and subcontracting is available. To apply, call 614/777-0248.
Diamond W Floor Covering Inc. (City of Industry, Calif.) is seeking an experienced professional to head its wood flooring products division. The position is responsible for marketing the company's line of wood flooring products, as well as adhesive and trim items. Salary is commensurate with experience and track record. Familiarity with the California, Arizona and Nevada markets is preferred. Candidates should fax a resume to Ralph Singer at 909/859-8392 or e-mail [email protected].
A Quick Reminder The deadline for returning the 2005 Resource Book and Networking Guide form was Friday, June 18. Please return the form, even if your information has not changed. If you need another form or have any questions, please contact Nancy at Hardwood Floors magazine at 800/722-8764, ext. 117, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Mark Your Calendar The National Association of Home Builders' 2005 International Builders' Show will be held Jan. 13-16, 2005, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The show is expected to attract more than 90,000 attendees from 100 countries, and features more than 1,600 exhibitors, offering products and services that encompass every facet of the residential building industry. More than 200 educational seminars on topics ranging from construction codes and standards to land development and business management, as well as home tours and special events, are included in the event. Attendees registering before Oct. 9, 2004, receive an early-bird discount. For more information, visit www.buildersshow.com .
NWFA Member Services What your callers hear on hold says a lot about your business. Audio Advantage provides telephone on-hold music and advertising programs, and now is offering 20 percent off on all products from already-reduced NWFA member prices. You can make your customers' wait time more pleasant and more profitable for you with targeted on-hold services. Messages can be updated monthly, quarterly or seasonally. For more information, call Audio Advantage at 800/664-6531.