Karastan evolves with the times: Product portfolio, marketing target younger set

December 1, 2010 | Comments Off on Karastan evolves with the times: Product portfolio, marketing target younger set

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—One of the industry’s most recognized brands is evolving. Karastan, a name synonymous with elegance, quality and high style since 1928, is adapting to a changing market, dealer base and consumer while maintaining its hallmark attributes. At the recent Karastan convention here, Jeff Lorberbaum, chairman and CEO, told the 166 dealers in attendance—many of whom are among the top floor covering retailers in the country—this is the right time to enhance the Karastan...

Read More

NAFCD: Co-locating pays off for distributor groups

December 1, 2010 | Comments Off on NAFCD: Co-locating pays off for distributor groups

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—By all accounts, the experiment was a success. Billed as “One Event, Two Groups, Three Days,” the combined annual conventions of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) and North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) yielded benefits that neither group would have achieved on its own. (more…)

Read More

Cork: Nature’s gift to flooring

December 1, 2010 | Comments Off on Cork: Nature’s gift to flooring

One of the major trends in flooring in recent years has been moving the outside indoors. Whether it’s celebrating the rustic characteristics of hardwood or the slate and travertine textures offered in the ceramic category, consumers want something real and natural underfoot. Cork is one product that fits the bill. There is probably no better example of something more natural and more eco-friendly than cork flooring. So what are some aspects that make cork such...

Read More

Stanton at 30 years: Still synonymous with quality, high-design carpet

December 1, 2010 | Comments Off on Stanton at 30 years: Still synonymous with quality, high-design carpet

SYOSSET, N.Y.—For the past 30 years, Stanton Carpet has been synonymous with quality flooring. But what began as a niche supplier of high-end goods has evolved into a multi-faceted company with an array of products and price points. Ironically, the company was formed out of necessity and not as a result of some grandiose vision, according to founder and CEO Sy Cohen. Cohen was a retailer who, in 1972, opened up Country Carpet as a...

Read More

Porcelanosa lauches wood line in the U.S.

November 24, 2010 | Comments Off on Porcelanosa lauches wood line in the U.S.

Ramsey, N.J.—Porcelanosa, a Tile of Spain branded manufacturer, launched a collection of engineered hardwoods in the U.S. While the L’Antic Colonial collection has been available in Europe since the early 2000s, the U.S. buyers can now find the line at any of 15 Porcelanosa stores, CCA Global vendors and most recently with Abbey Carpet & Floor stores, said Chris Breslin, brand manager, wood flooring division. (more…)

Read More

FCNews to sponsor Surfaces Educational Conference

November 15, 2010 | Comments Off on FCNews to sponsor Surfaces Educational Conference

HICKSVILLE, N.Y.—FCNews has agreed to be the exclusive sponsor of the Surfaces 2011 Educational Conference which will be held Jan. 24 to 27 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Featuring 49 flooring-specific courses, many being offered at the show for the first time, the program offers something for everyone. There is also another first: For the first time since Hanley Wood has owned Surfaces, the classes are free with paid admission to...

Read More

Wood mills form alliance, file petition on Chinese imports; aims to level the domestic hardwood playing field

November 12, 2010 | Comments Off on Wood mills form alliance, file petition on Chinese imports; aims to level the domestic hardwood playing field

WASHINGTON—The Coalition for American Hardwood Parity (CAHP), an association of U.S. manufacturers of engineered wood flooring, filed an unfair trade petition on Oct. 21 regarding imports of multi-layered wood products from China. The petition, filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC), asserts that imports of the product are sold in the United States at dumped prices, and that Chinese manufacturers have gained an unfair competitive advantage. (more…)

Read More

Valinge patents laminate recycling technology

November 11, 2010 | Comments Off on Valinge patents laminate recycling technology

Viken, Sweden— Välinge has patented a new method for recycling laminate flooring. In 2007, a method was developed in which old laminate floor panels are mechanically cut into small particles, mixed with binders, and pressed and formed to sheet shaped material to be used as a core in a new, traditional laminate floor panel or a powder-based WFF floor panel. (more…)

Read More

Carpet One Floor & Home's pink ribbon mats available for the holidays

November 11, 2010 | Comments Off on Carpet One Floor & Home's pink ribbon mats available for the holidays

Manchester, N.H.—Carpet One Floor & Home’s pink ribbon welcome mats have arrived in 10 expanded styles for the 2010 holidays. Since 2004, the co-op has contributed financially to breast cancer research through the co-op Welcomes Your Support program. Welcome mats woven with the pink breast cancer ribbon allocate 25% of those funds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. Over the years, the program has raised more than $800,000 in the...

Read More

Distribution: Back to basics for hardwood

November 9, 2010 | Comments Off on Distribution: Back to basics for hardwood

Following a weak business climate in 2009 and a 2010 first quarter adversely affected by snowy weather on the East Coast, J.J. Haines, Glen Burnie, Md., got an unexpectedly strong jolt from the government tax incentives for home buying. “Our second quarter was extremely strong because of the tax credit incentives,” said Scott Roy, vice president of sales. “Our Bruce hardwood business benefited tremendously from it.” It was short-lived, however. The New Year’s Eve party...

Read More