Advertise on podcast: Floor Daily Flooring Professional Podcast

Roy Allen Lewis, an Alabama-based installer and the recipient of the inaugural Jim Walker Installer Excellence Award, and Kemp Harr discuss Roy’s background as a trained installer and why he is passionate about what he does.

Sam Roberts, founder of Roberts Carpet and Fine Floors and a former NFA President, and Kemp Harr discuss why most of the NFA members continue to do well even when demand is soft, and the highlights of next week’s meeting in St. Martin.

Doug Jackson, CEO with Cali Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss Cali’s market diversity, growth and product mix, as well as the firm’s new transparent solution for dealing with the recent spike in transportation costs.

Armando Cafiero, managing director with the Italian Ceramic Trade Association, and Kemp Harr discuss current business conditions in the tile industry including the effect of rising energy prices and the continued success of the Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy.

Joe Lundgren, a tile industry consultant, and Kemp Harr discuss the latest news and tile trends from the Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy, Listen to the brief interview to learn more about what’s new at the largest tile show in the world.

Chip Wade, a celebrity TV host and Daltile spokesperson, and Kemp Harr discuss the latest interior finishes trends and Chip’s ongoing relationship with Daltile.

Wynn Grubbs, the newly appointed GM of Flooring for Cyncly, and Kemp Harr discuss Wynn’s new role and future plans for Cyncly’s software bundle tailored to support flooring dealers. Listen to the interview for more details.

Phil Koufidakis, president of Baker Brothers in Phoenix, and Kemp Harr discuss Phil’s retail flooring business with 6 stores and the highlights of the Daltile Statements meeting in Naples. Phil is on the advisory board for the program.

Patrick Warren, VP of residential remodeling sales for Daltile, and Kemp Harr discuss current business conditions in the U.S. tile market and the highlight for next week’s Statements dealer meeting that starts Tuesday in Naples, Florida.

Joe Semaan, president of Mohawk’s residential carpet business, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent uptick in carpet demand and Mohawk’s Pur-Ease carpet technology, which has Asthma and Allergy Friendly Certification.

David Sheehan, CEO of Schattdecor North America, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions in the decorative paper, film and foil business and highlights of the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) show held this week in Atlanta. Listen to the interview for more details including the fact that the show attendance was down due to a Canadian boycott of the show.

Bruce Zwicker, CEO with Zwicker Advisory, and Kemp Harr discuss the current state of the flooring business. Listen to the interview to hear what’s impacting demand and what types of businesses are taking share during this prolonged downturn in the residential sector.

Marcos Eloi Lima (CEO of Vilas Partners), and Derick Johnson (GM of Wades Interiors), discuss Vilas Partners’ acquisition of Wades Interiors. Listen to the interview to hear more details of Vilas Partners’ source for funding and its strategy of buying independent flooring retailers on the west coast of Florida. This is Vilas Partners third acquisition. It previously acquired Floorcrafters in Ft. Myers and Creative Tile and Hardwood in Naples.

Geoff Gordon, executive director at the Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss the group’s continued growth and the recent announcement that Matt Cooper is stepping in to take Jerry Kenney’s role a Executive VP as Jerry retires.

Norman Freebeck, president of Roppe Holding Company, and Kemp Harr discuss the firm’s shift to 100% employee ownership. Listen to the interview to hear more about business conditions, what drove this decision, and a brief overview of how the family structured the change for the benefit of the employees.