Issue Date:11/16/2009
Robinson Lumber (New Orleans) recently opened a new 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and warehouse in Chalmette, La.
UFloor Systems Inc. (Aurora, Colo.) held its third annual Oktoberfest Open House on Oct. 23 at its headquarters and training facility. The company offered product demonstrations, German food and door prizes to about 90 contractor and distributor partners.
EZTread (New Castle, De.) held an installation training class Oct. 17 at its headquarters; company founder Max Maurer led instruction, along with Tim Driehorst and Michael Presley. For information on upcoming classes, visit www.eztread.com. Classes are open to homeowners, retailers and contractors.
Mannington Mills (Salem, N.J.) was named Company of the Year by the South Jersey chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Each year, NAWBO presents its Beyond the Glass Ceiling Awards to those who have demonstrated leadership roles in their professions and have served as mentors and role models for women in business.
Distributor News Jeffco Flooring and Supply (Nashville) and Southern Wood Flooring Supply (Dallas) have been named distributors for Ashawa Bay Hardwood Floors' (Cook, Minn.) engineered and custom unfinished flooring. For more information, contact Ashawa Bay at 800/788-9689.
Horizon Forest Products has relocated operations to a 30,000-square-foot facility located at 2422 Castle Hayne Road, Wilmington, NC 28401-2677. This larger space will house a showroom, storeroom and a complete line of sanding and finishing supplies.
Merle B. Smith (Burr Ridge, Ill.) has been named a distributor for Absolute Coatings Inc.'s (New Rochelle, N.Y.) Last-n-Last finishes in Illinois. Merle B. Smith can be contacted at 630/325-0770.
Lon Musolf Distributing (Vadnais Heights, Minn.) held its first annual Lontoberfest on Oct. 21; more than 200 customers attended. Participating vendors included: 3M, Absolute Coatings, Artistic Finishes, Balterio, Basic Coatings, Bona US, Dura Seal, Duratool, Fein Tool, Forest Products, Grill Works, Hakwood, HARO, Lägler, North Wood Flooring, Oshkosh Designs, Padco, Powernail, Taylor Glue, Timbermate, Ua Floors, and Woodwise. Powernail's Daniel Boone held a hand-scraping and hand-distressing demonstration.
Dealer News Lumber Liquidators (Toano, Va.) earned 29 cents per share, or $7.8 million, during the third quarter of 2009, up from the 20 cents per share, or $5.5 million, the company earned during the same quarter in 2008. Sales increased 14.2 percent to $140.5 million from $123.1 million during the same period in 2008. Same-store net sales increased 1.9 percent on the quarter while the company opened nine new locations; CEO Jeffrey W. Griffiths says the company is on pace to achieve its goal of 34 to 36 new store openings in 2009. In a conference call with investors, Griffiths said, "We believe our industry may have seen the worst."
People News Emerson Hardwood Company (Portland, Ore.) has named Gary Mason division manager; Mason will work from Emerson's Portland branch and will also oversee branches in Eugene, Ore., and Seattle. He brings with him 12 years' experience.
Above All Distribution (Prior Lake, Minn.) has named Kelly Stross general manager. Stross has more than 10 years' industry experience, most recently having worked as sales director at A to Z Wood Flooring. Stross can be reached at 952/440-9690 or [email protected].
By the Numbers
On the Web Ol Bastard Jig Sharp Tools (Louisville, Ky.) has launched a new Web site at www.olbastard.com. The site provides information on the company's jig for hand-scraper sharpening. The tool is ergonomically designed and can scrape multiple surfaces, including wood, vinyl, paint, polyurethane, water-based urethane, and others.Artisan Wood Products (Nashville, Tenn.) has launched a new Web site at www.artisanwoodproducts.com.
Mark Your Calendar Decorative Flooring's (Port St. Joe, Fla.) Jim Garth will hold a Custom Wood Floor School on Jan. 21-23, 2010, in Port St. Joe. For more information or to sign up, visit www.woodfloorschool.com, or call 877/229-7720.
Job Watch A Chicago-based hardwood flooring and supply distributor is currently seeking an experienced counter salesperson with a customer following. The applicant should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and reliable, and should possess a positive work ethic. General computer knowledge and a clean driving record are required. Non-smokers only. Competitive pay package and benefits, including health and dental insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid holidays and vacation, are included. Interested parties should e-mail a resume to [email protected].
Jack Racine, a former director of technical services at BR-111 Exotic Wood Flooring, is currently seeking employment in the wood flooring industry. Racine is a NWFA- and NOFMA-certified inspector and has successfully led retail, wholesale, training, quality control, marketing, product and customer service management teams. Racine can be reached at [email protected] or 954/578-9673.
Association News The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) has created PUR Standards, a list of quality performance characteristics that define a "good sports floor." The group's standards focus on shock absorption, vertical deflection, area of deflection, basketball rebound and surface friction. For more information, visit www.maplefloor.org/pur/index.htm or call 888/480-9138.
NWFA Member Services The NWFA has its own professional video filming studio. The 400-square-foot facility includes professional lighting, camera boom, and a green screen for projecting off-site images. Both the walls and the flooring can be changed out and customized to accommodate any shoot requirements. The facility has been used several times by the NWFA and has been rented by several St. Louis-area companies for their own video productions. The studio is available for use by NWFA members at no cost. For more information, contact the NWFA at 800/422-4556 (U.S. and Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international).
Hardwood Floors wants to remind readers to visit its Online Resource Center at woodfloorbusiness.com/resourcecenter to request information from its featured suppliers.
