Floor Daily Flooring Professional Podcast

David Gross, executive director of INSTALL, and Kemp Harr discuss whether there is a shortage of trained installers and the benefits of using installers who have completed the union's 4-year apprenticeship program.

Debra Levin, CEO for the Center for Health Design, and Kemp Harr discuss last week's PDC Summit held in Houston, Texas. PDC stands for planning, design and construction, and the meeting is focused on healthcare facilities. Listen to the interview for more details on who exhibits from the flooring industry and how the healthcare-focused A&D community is gravitating toward this show. Next year's show will be in New Orleans.

Tom Ellis, co-founder and marketing leader for Spec-ID, and Kemp Harr discuss the rapid adoption of this cloud-based bid submittal software tool with flooring contractors.

Abby Reinhard, owner and president of GP Flooring Solutions, and Kemp Harr discuss highlights of the technology pre-conference at the Fuse annual meeting. Listen to the interview to hear Abby sort through the software and AI solutions she is using to run her successful commercial flooring contracting business based in Rochester, New York.

George Donnelly, owner of George Donnelly Testing and Inspections, and Kemp Harr discuss concerns over potential moisture issues with Type 1L concrete. Flooring contractors need to be aware that the chemistry in newly placed slabs might be different from what they are used to, and there could be moisture issues that will affect the final installation of flooring.

Mike Hayes, co-owner of David's Abbey Carpet & Floors, a three-store retailer based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kemp Harr discuss recent growth and the benefit of being part of the Abbey group.

Todd van der Kruik and Christina Bowlby, founder of Neutral Haus and senior director of design for Bentley Mills, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss how the two designers are collaborating on differentiating new products that will be launched at NeoCon/Design Days this June in Chicago.

Geoff Gordon, executive director of the Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss highlights of this week's meeting held in San Diego.

David Hardy, EVP, Keith Johnson, VP of Merchandising, and Bill Wilson, COO with Abbey flooring, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of Abbey's winter convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ralph Grogan, GM with Taylor Adhesives, and Ravi Mehra, vice president of corporate development/strategy with Avery Dennison, and Kemp Harr discuss why Taylor is a key part of their growth strategy and the unique scale and expertise the brand has as a leader in the flooring adhesive business.

Marlene Morin, senior director of floor covering with Sika, and Kemp Harr discuss Sika's integration of the Schönox brand and growth plans for 2026.

John Rietveldt, CEO of I4F, and Kemp Harr showcase the Intellectual Property Firm's newest technology and how the company is using AI technology for global growth.

Julian Dossche and Greg Wrenn, president and vice of product, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss IFC's unique and limited go-to-market strategy and unique upper-end WPC, SPC and looselay resilient flooring.

Lauren Schnakenberg and Jason Surratt, senior director marketing and design and president with Tarkett, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Tarkett's new products in both hard and soft surface for the residential market, new distribution relationships and their optimism for 2026.

David Raymond and Emily Holle, senior director sales and marketing and creative director with MSI, respectively, and Kemp Harr showcase market trends and how they work to fill those needs with innovations and new products.

Floris Koopmans, director of sales and marketing for intellectual properties for Unilin, and Kemp Harr discuss Unilin's expanded staff and IP focus for 2026.

Christine Zampaglione, Jonathan Cohen and Jamann Stepp, Sr. Director of Marketing, CEO and SVP of hard surface with Stanton Design, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss what's hot with Stanton and what's new for 2026 from a product perspective.

T.M. Nuckols, president of The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss why the firm continues to lead on the upper end of the carpet market as well as with select hard surface products.

Doug Jackson, CEO with Cali Floors, and Kemp Harr showcase Cali's Surfaces showroom and discuss the firm's winning marketing strategy and new products.

Brent Emore and Jennifer Zimmerman, CEO and CCO with AHF Products, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss AHF's new products and programs at Surfaces 2026.

Jimmy Tuley and Al Boulogne, president of residential business and SVP sales and marketing with Mannington, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Mannington's 110 years of history and their focus and launch strategies for 2026.

Jeff Meadows, president and CCO with Mohawk's residential business, and Kemp Harr discuss dealer feedback at their winter markets, a new installer partnership and new products for 2026.

Drew Hash, CEO with Southwind, and Kemp Harr discuss Southwind's product focus for 2026 and why retailers like to offer this brand to their consumers.

Annie Cowart and Ryan Powell, SVP of SFN and VP of Retail with Shaw Industries, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Shaw's new products and programs at Surfaces 2026.

Paul Friederichsen, the founder of Brand Biz, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights at the Surfaces Expo in Las Vegas last week.

Pami Bhullar, VP of business development with The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Pami's 2026 New Year's resolutions to help flooring professionals during the nation's 250th birthday.

Rachel Lesczynski, conference manager with Surfaces (TISE), and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of next week's education program in Las Vegas. The program starts Monday afternoon.

Melissa Murphy, co-owner of Johnston Paint and Decorating, and Kemp Harr discuss why this flooring retailer in Columbia, MO, is continuing to grow, and why she won the WFCA Tom Jennings award.

Derrick Daye, managing director with The Blake Project, and Kemp Harr discuss a new hardwood flooring campaign to help consumers understand the value of choosing hardwood flooring versus look-alike products when shopping for flooring.

Keith Spano and Steve Sieracki, president of Carpet One and president of Flooring America, Flooring Canada, Floor Trader and IDG, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of this week's CCA Global winter conference in Denver.

Jeff Meadows, president and chief commercial officer for Mohawk's residential business, and Kemp Harr discuss market conditions and a recent shift in Mohawk's marketing strategy to integrate its dealer strategy with its consumer outreach.

Theresa Fisher, SVP of merchandising and brand with CCA Global, and Kemp Harr discuss the buying group's latest evolution of merchandising for flooring products that brings the at home shopping experience into the physical showroom and reduces the need for in-store inventory.

Frank Chiera, SVP of marketing and advertising with CCA Global, and Kemp Harr discuss recent homeowner research indicating pent up demand for flooring and other marketing initiatives for CCA in 2026. Listen to the interview, taped at the group's winter meeting in Denver, for more information.

Heather Morrison, co-owner of the Mosaic Company in Minden, Louisiana, and Kemp Harr discuss this small flooring dealer's growth and outlook for 2026.

Ryan Rogers and Coby McDougal, CEO and CSO, respectively, with Yates Flooring Center, and Kemp Harr discuss Yates' year end success and highlights of the Dallas regional flooring show. Listen to the interview for more details.

Cathy Buchanan Discusses Business Conditions in Michigan at Her Carpet One Store by Floor Focus Magazine

Jay Flynn, SVP of sales with Cali Floors, and Kemp Harr discuss Cali's four-pronged channel approach for growth and how to use AI in the flooring business as a tool to set yourself apart.

Pami Bhullar, retail sales coach with The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss the best sales strategy RSAs should use in a soft demand market.

Geoff Gordon, Executive Director with the Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of 2025 with this group of commercial flooring contractors and the outlook for next year.

Terri Harrington and Natalie Jones, VP and Director of Marketing for Shaw Floors, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the strategy behind Shaw Floors brand refresh.

Laura Bartley, VP of Customer Loyalty and Rewards with Mohawk, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights for Mohawk's Momentum road shows, the biggest of which is in Vegas at Surfaces, and a few of product changes that Mohawk is making for 2026.

Thomas Baert and Barron Frith, global president and North American president, respectively, with CFL, and Kemp Harr discuss CFL's continued evolution of where and how they make the innovative flooring products in their portfolio. CFL recently installed a Hymmen digital print line at their North American operations in Adairsville, Georgia.

Julian Dossche, president with the International Flooring Company (IFC), and Kemp Harr discuss the strategy around the Canopy brand while reflecting on the past year and preparing for the new year.

Kathleen Cloud, co-owner with M. Frank Higgins, and Kemp Harr discuss the Mohawk Group's business outlook and the education roadshow that the brand is hosting for Starnet members to further enhance the business relationship with their commercial flooring contractors.

Zack Zehner, chairman of Mannington Mills, and Kemp Harr discuss the bright spots for Mannington's business and the strategic decisions the 110-year-old flooring brand is making to continue its success as a family-owned business.

John Rietveldt, CEO of I4F, and Kemp Harr discuss this intellectual property licensing company's continued expansion by adding people and also acquiring Beaulieu International's patent portfolio related to rigid flooring.

Tami Stahl and Jason Hair, VP of Marketing and VP of National Accounts, respectively, with The Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Dixie's plan for growth through product positioning and relationships

Hector Narvaez, EVP of sales, marketing and operations at Iris Group North America, and Kemp Harr discuss the Tile Solutions Plus meeting in Phoenix and Stonepeak's latest innovative products.

Jeff Meadows, President of Sales for Mohawk's residential business, and Kemp Harr discuss current market conditions, 2026 outlook and details about the kick off of Mohawk's momentum roadshows in early January.

Michael Wilbur, Executive Vice President of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD), and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of this year's NAFCD meeting in Chicago.

Bill Blackstock, CEO of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of the group's fall meeting held at the end of October in Arizona.