Issue Date:6/14/2010
BR-111 to Sell Direct BR-111 Imports & Exports Inc. (Medley, Fla.) has altered its sales model to include dealer-direct and online consumer-direct sales, according to a press release. The moves were attributed to a glut of products on the market, increasing costs and consumer demand for more affordable prices. BR-111 says it has developed a sales program that "provides retailers with hot sales leads, aggressive marketing exposure and much higher margins." For the first time, the company is also giving its products an MSRP to "legitimize dealer pricing and enhance overall credibility" in the marketplace, according to the release.
Manufacturer News Brothers Sébastien Dion and Jean-François Dion on June 1 became shareholders of PG Hardwood Flooring Inc. (Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Quebec) and Model Hardwood Inc. (Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Quebec). The Dion brothers are also shareholders of Scierie Dion & Fils Inc. (Saint-Raymond, Quebec), hardwood lumber supplier to PG Hardwood and Model Hardwood. "We are expecting a significant economic recovery in years to come and it is important for our group to ensure the quality and quantity of our hardwood lumber supply," said PG Group President Claude Garneau in a release. Garneau also said that the management of each company would not change. Scierie Dion & Fils owns the largest private supply of FSC-certified hardwood in Quebec.
Flash UV (Goodyear, Ariz.), in partnership with Johnson County Public School District 1 of Buffalo, Wyo., received the RadTech 2010 Emerging Technology Award. RadTech awards recognize companies pioneering the use and manufacture of ultraviolet- and electron-beam-curable products.
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring (Papineauville, Quebec) celebrated its 25th anniversary May 29 with a celebration at Fairmont Chateau Montebello. More than 200 guests attended the event.
Q.E.P. Co. Inc. (Boca Raton, Fla.), owner of the Harris Wood Floors brand, along with Capitol-branded products, recently donated more than $300,000 of new products to Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit organizations, schools and churches throughout the United States.
Cali Bamboo (San Diego) is holding the National Green Home Challenge contest. It is open to anyone who has built a green home within the last year. To enter, send a photo and 250-word description of a green home project to [email protected]; the deadline is June 28. First prize is an all-expense-paid weekend in Malibu, Calif. For more information, visit www.calibamboo.com/greenhomechallenge.html.
Distributor News The Master's Craft (West Plains, Mo.) has received FSC chain of custody (CoC) certification at its eight locations throughout the Midwest. For information on FSC products from The Master's Craft, contact FSC Coordinator Brian Moore at 800/299-4611.
Goodfellow Inc. (Delson, Quebec) hosted Stauf Training Night in Burlington, Ontario, and Markam, Ontario, April 19-20. Over 120 installers and retailers attended the events, both of which included a meal, door prizes, and wood flooring installation tips.
Dealer News Abbey Carpet & Floor (Columbia, S.C.) has been named a retailer of DuChateau Floors (San Diego), maker of wide-plank European hardwood floors. Abbey Carpet & Floor has 800 storefronts nationwide.
People News PG Group (Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Quebec) has named Jérôme Jobin director general. Jobin joined PG Group in 2002 and his transition into the new position will take place over the next five years.
Satin Finish Hardwood Flooring Ltd. (Toronto) has named Brad Trach territory manager for the British Columbia interior. Trach has more than eight years of industry experience in sales. His start date is today.
Rudd Company Inc. (Seattle) has named Dan Kittle representative of Glitsa brand wood floor finishes in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Kittle brings more than 30 years of industry experience, and he can be reached at 206/462-8240 or [email protected].
Allwood Import LLC (Portland, Ore.) has named Rick Peterson and Colleen Lipp of RC Sales LLC (Whitmore Lake, Mich.) independent representatives covering Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Peterson and Lipp can be reached at [email protected].
By the Numbers
On the Web Satin Finish Hardwood Flooring Ltd. (Toronto) has launched a re-designed website at www.satinfinish.com.Mark Your Calendar Roy Reichow of National Wood Floor Consultants Inc. (Cedar, Minn.) will hold monthly educational seminars; this month's topic is "Moisture and Wood Floors," and it will take place June 16 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Mermaid Event Center in Mounds View, Minn. Reichow, along with co-presenter Skip Rothe, a mechanical engineer with C.H.I. Companies (Chanhassen, Minn.), will address ways to control moisture during the construction phase of building projects, how to detect moisture, and steps to avoid moisture-related wood floor failures. To register, call 763/413-7897; the cost is $35 and includes breakfast.
Job Watch Allwood Import LLC is seeking independent sales representatives or firms throughout North America. Interested parties should send résumés and desired coverage areas to Nathan Carter at [email protected]. Interested parties can be representatives for other non-competing product lines.
Welco Floor Coverings (Vancouver, British Columbia) is seeking a commission-based sales representative in specific areas of California, including San Francisco East Bay, Palm Springs, Desert Cities and greater San Diego. Interested candidates should mail a résumé to [email protected] or fax it to 604/732-3782.
NWFA Member Services Looking for ways to cut costs while improving efficiencies? NWFA members can simplify the numerous tasks associated with shipping and freight services for their business through an NWFA partnership with Meridian One Corporation. Whether you ship envelopes, packages, or heavy freight, Meridian One is committed to on-time delivery. For more details, contact Brian Raniewicz with Meridian One Corporation at 888/636-9262 or [email protected].
