Issue Date:12/6/2004
Hardwood Floors E-News Monday, December 6, 2004 Issue 252 Next issue published December 20, 2004
Manufacturer News Mohawk Industries (Dalton, Ga.) hosted its annual Floorscapes Convention Dec. 2-5 in San Francisco. Mohawk Floorscapes retailers from around the country attended the convention to see new products, attend seminars and enjoy the sights of San Francisco. Mohawk presented its dealers with new product lines, merchandising materials and programs. On the hardwood end, five SKUs of hand-scraped flooring have been added to the product line, and a dust-free sanding and refinishing trailer was introduced to complement the Floor Care Essentials program. Mohawk University offered a full slate of seminars on everything from selling to installation. "Mohawk Floorscapes retailers are here for four days, and they're back in their stores the next Monday putting many of the things they learned into operation," says Manny Llerena, vice president of retail marketing. Tena Marsilio of West Michigan Carpet (Mattawan, Mich.) agrees. "There are so many different seminars, that you can really target your needs. It gets you fired up and inspired." Many dealers like West Michigan Carpet were particularly interested in the hardwood offerings. Marsilio has seen her hard-surface sales steadily increase, and now says that hardwood accounts for about 30 percent of her sales. Mohawk-aligned vendors such as Natural Cork and Anderson Hardwood Floors also were on hand to display their products. "This convention gives us an opportunity to be with some of the best dealers in the country," says John Woolsey, vice president of marketing for Anderson. The next Floorscapes Convention will be held Dec. 1-4, 2005 in Hollywood, Fla.
Armstrong Holdings Inc. (Lancaster, Pa.) has announced plans to reduce its workforce, primarily in its flooring division, in response to changing market conditions. This will lead to the elimination of approximately 240 positions, 70 of which are located at the Lancaster headquarters. Employees affected by this decision will receive severance and outplacement assistance, the company says.
Bostik Findley Inc. (Wauwatosa, Wis.) has changed its name to Bostik Inc. Effective Oct. 1, 2004, the global entities that made up Bostik Findley were renamed Bostik, and a new logo was introduced for its corporate identity. The renaming of the company is the culmination of efforts by parent corporation Total S.A. (Paris) to globally align strategic operating units by business focus. Choosing Bostik as the company's designation was based on its simplicity and dominant recognition in the global marketplace as a leading brand name, the company says. The company is composed of three worldwide business groups covering the Americas, Europe and Australia/Asia. Bostik Inc. is the Americas business group, and operates three product divisions-construction and distribution, high-performance polymers and industrial/non-wovens. The Americas corporate headquarters will remain in Wauwatosa.
Graf Brothers Flooring (South Shore, Ky.) has announced the addition of a 20,000-square-foot warehouse to its facilities, coming on the heels of a separate warehouse that was completed in October. This will allow Graf Brothers to continue prompt delivery of its products to its distributors, the company says. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.grafbro.com.
Shamrock Plank Flooring (Memphis) has completed its 25,000-square-foot warehouse. The warehouse better expedites customers' shipments by providing more Just In Time inventory, the company says. For more information, call 800/473-3765.
Mannington Mills (Salem, N.J.) presented a check for $11,000 to the Salem County Meals on Wheels program on Nov. 22. The donation, the largest single donation ever received by the organization, represents proceeds from a corporate cookbook produced by the associates of Mannington Mills. The idea for the cookbook, titled "From Our Hearts to Your Table: Traditions and Recipes from Mannington Mills," was born out of a company recipe club.
Aerosmith Fastening Systems (Indianapolis) is open for business at its new offices at 5621 Dividend Road, Indianapolis, IN 46241. The phone and fax numbers for the company remain the same at 317/243-5959, 800/528-8183 and 317/390-6980 (fax).
Distributor News Floor Style Products (Hastings, Mich.) has announced the winners of the Michigan and Nevada Floor Style/Norton Abrasives Giveaway. The grand-prize winner, from the Michigan branch drawing, is Chuck Smith of Country Classic Wood Floors (Lancaster, Ohio). He wins the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a $1,000 value. Smith will drive 18 laps on the Michigan International Speedway's two-mile oval in Brooklyn, Mich. Second-place winner of tickets to the Michigan 400 NASCAR Race is Gustafson Hardwood Floors (Mason, Mich.). Third-place winner of the scale model #43 John Andretti die-cast car is Ideal Coatings (Shipshewana, Ind.). The grand-prize winner from the Sparks, Nev., branch drawing is George Tsouris of Floor Craft (Reno, Nev.). Second-place winner of tickets to the Las Vegas 400 in March 2005 is Randy Atkins of Atkins Classic Floors (Carson City, Nev.). The prize also includes two airline tickets and two nights' accommodations in Vegas. The third-place winner is Northern Nevada Hardwoods (Reno, Nev.).
Capella Wood Floors (Vicksburg, Miss.) has announced E.J. Welch Company (Earth City, Mo.) will distribute its product line in the states of Missouri, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois.
People News NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (Memphis), has elected John Clark of Cherrybark Flooring (Hazelhurst, Miss.) as president for 2005. Clark has been vice president since 2004. Elected to serve as vice president for 2005 was Jim Duke of Memphis Hardwood Flooring (Memphis). Board members elected to a three-year term beginning in 2005 are Dick Quinlan, Armstrong Wood Products Inc. (Lancaster, Pa.); Jason Delves, BLC Hardwood Flooring Co. (Macon, Ga.); and Tommy Maxwell, Maxwell Flooring (Monticello, Ark.), who renewed his term after serving the previous three years. Sam Sharp of Partee Flooring Mill (Magnolia, Ark.); Buzz Spivey, Cumberland Lumber & Manufacturing (McMinnville, Tenn.); Bill Buchanan, Buchanan Hardwood Flooring Co. (Aliceville, Ala.); and Bob Haggard, Hassell & Hughes (Collinwood, Tenn.) also will serve on the 2005 board, fulfilling their respective terms. The NOFMA board also named the following committee chairs at the annual meeting: Governmental Affairs and Education, Chairman Jonathan Temple, Cherrybark Flooring; Grading, Milling and Inspection Committee, co-chairmen Ron Leslein, BLC Hardwood Flooring and Doug Fikes, Buchanan Hardwood Floors; Membership and Planning Committee, co-chairmen Spivey and Delves; Promotion and Marketing Committee, Chairman Buchanan; Technical Committee, Chairman Warren Spradlin, Cherrybark Flooring; and Associate Member Advisory Committee, co-chairmen John Troendle, Crescent Hardwood Supply (New Orleans, La.) and Matt Wadsworth, NGF Distributors (Alpharetta, Ga.).
Mannington Mills has appointed Jack Ganley president of Mannington Commercial. He most recently served as president of Burlington's "Burlington House" Division, a position he held until Burlington was sold last year. Dick Bierie, who served as president of Mannington's Commercial business since 2000, has left the company to pursue other interests.
The Woods Co. Inc. (Chambersburg, Pa.) has named Dallas Kline media coordinator. Prior to joining The Woods Co., Kline worked as a graphic designer and freelance artist for five years. She will handle all company advertising and can be reached at 888/548-7609, ext. 102.
By the Numbers Sales of new single-family houses in October 2004 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,226,000 units, according to the Commerce Department. This is 0.2 percent above the revised September rate of 1,224,000 and 7.4 percent above the October 2003 estimate of 1,141,000.
Mark Your Calendar Surfaces 2005 will be held Jan. 26-28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event will include the 2005 Town Hall, which will give flooring retailers a look at what the future holds in respect to dealing with the box boxes. Jonathan Trivers, a columnist for Floor Covering Weekly and industry analyst; Terry Pomerleau Gray, senior vice president of NRF Distributors; and Doug Chadderdon, president of Flooring Sales Group, will lead this discussion. The cost to attend the Town Hall is $10 before Dec. 30 and $15 after Dec. 30. For additional information, call 800/547-3477 or 972/536-6400 or visit www.surfacesexpo.com.
The NWFA will hold its Advanced Installation School Feb. 9-11 in St. Louis. The school provides specialized training for experienced wood flooring professionals. Those attending must have at least three years' experience in the wood flooring industry and have successfully completed an NWFA Professional Installation School. For more information, call the NWFA at 800/422-4556 (U.S.), 800/848-8824 (Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international), e-mail [email protected] or visit www.nwfa.org .
NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association has partnered with the NWFA and the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) to offer a comprehensive, four-day flooring school March 15-18. The school is an updated version of the NOFMA school traditionally held in Memphis and will be held at the NWFA headquarters in St. Louis. The course curriculum covers all aspects of proper wood flooring installation, including wood products and characteristics; job site evaluation and preparation; installation techniques; fillers, repairs and special tools; sanding and finishing; specialty products; estimating mechanic production time and specialties; and troubleshooting and handling complaints. For more information, call 901/526-5016, visit www.nofma.org or e-mail [email protected].
On the Web Bosch Digital Power Tools (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) has launched a Web site at www.boschtools.com . The site includes product information; 360-degree product views and Flash video demos; accessory and attachment recommendations; regional and national events; "Buy Now" online partners; a "Where to Buy Locator" and a "Service Center Locator"; and manual and warranty information.
Job Watch Dura Seal (Upper Saddle River, N.J.), a manufacturer of stains and finishes for the hardwood flooring industry, has an opening for a Northeast account manager who will be located in the New York or Boston area. Résumés should be mailed to John Mayers at 2949 Sonterra Drive, Cedar Hill, TX 75104 or faxed to him at 972/299-5309.
Venteak Corporation (Miami), a manufacturer of teak and other exotic hardwood floors and decking, is seeking experienced independent agents to expand its existing network. Applicants should have an existing client portfolio and be able to present all of the company's products to distributors, dealers, contractors and architects. The company's profit sharing structure has no limit on compensation. For more information, contact Edward Halvorssen at 800/678-TEAK or [email protected].
A successful Idaho distributor is seeking local and traveling sales representatives. Applicants must be self-starters who are personable and able to work closely with a team. Computer experience is a plus. The ideal candidates will have knowledge of wood flooring or lumber. If interested, e-mail a résumé to [email protected] or fax to 208/377-0318.
NWFA Member Services Time is running out to submit your entry for the 2005 Wood Floor of the Year contest. This year's contest features seven new categories, with a limit of three entries per entrant. Individual floors can be entered in one category only. Online voting will begin in March, with on-site voting occurring during the 2005 NWFA convention in Honolulu. The deadline for this year's contest is Feb. 1, 2005. Additional details about the contest are available by visiting www.nwfa.org, clicking on the "Convention and Expo" link and selecting the Wood Floor of the Year contest from the left menu bar. For more information, contact the NWFA at 800/422-4556 (U.S.), 800/848-8824 (Canada) or 636/519-9663(local and international).
2005 Hardwood Floors Resource Book Additions High Country Hardwood Designs (Franklin, N.C.) should have been listed in the NWFA "Partners in Education" list in the Who's Who section of the 2005 Members-Only Resource Book.
Safari Hardwoods' (Houston, Texas) product information was not included in the 2005 Resource Book. The company manufactures and distributes long plank Texas mesquite with a wide face. It also distributes the following species throughout North America: wenge, pao rosa, mkarati, muhuhu, santos mahogany, Peruvian cherry, Peruvian maple, cumaru, machichi, santa maria, monzo and chacate preto. In addition to its location at 9245 Westview Drive, Houston, TX 77055, the company has a new office/manufacturing/warehouse facility at 7611 Kempwood, Suite C, Houston, TX 77055. The phone number for the new location is 713/385-6453 and the fax number is 713/647-8202.
Rhodmann Hardwood Inc. (Aventura, Fla.) should have had the following products listed in the 2005 Resource Book: sports flooring, unfinished solid plank, unfinished solid strip, unfinished engineered plank, unfinished engineered strip, factory-finished solid plank, factory-finished solid strip, factory-finished engineered plank, factory-finished engineered strip, aluminum-oxide finished flooring, Brazilian cherry/jatoba, cumaru/southern chestnut, goncalo alves/tigerwood, macaranduba, Brazilian maple/pau marfim, peroba, purpleheart, tamarindo, tauari, Brazilian teak, Brazilian walnut/ipé, Brazilian walnut/imbuia, Brazilian eucalyptus, grapia, guatambu, sucupira and quartersawn/riftsawn flooring.
