• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • Sponsored Insights
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Commercial FlooringQ&A on Flooring

Q&A with Mark Bischoff, VP Vendor Relations, Starnet

By Tanja Kern
Mark Bischoff
Mark Bischoff, VP Vendor Relations, Starnet
June 19, 2018

This spring, Starnet appointed Mark Bischoff to the position of vice president-vendor relations, where he will manage all activities related to the Starnet Preferred Vendor network including vendor acquisition, contract negotiation, business development and training. Bischoff brings 22 years of experience in commercial flooring, most recently as senior vice president of healthcare and living for Mohawk Industries. For the balance of 2018, he will work closely with Fred Williamson, executive vice president of Starnet, who is retiring at the end of 2018 after 50 years in the industry. We spoke with Bischoff at Starnet’s annual meeting to learn about his vision for the organization.


Q: What are the key projects you’re working on this year?

A: There’s always something we have to deal with on the consolidation or merger acquisition side, and it’s not just the vendor manufacturers, but it’s also the movement in the segments—what’s hot, what’s not, and also how end users are looking to procure material and labor and construction. So, there’s been a lot of changes in how projects are delivered. They used to be design, bid, build, and now there’s five or six project delivery models that are used on a regular basis that is impacted by segmentation. So, we have to help the members with a lot of that. And on the vendor side I’ve seen these trends and the impact it has had on us as manufacturers, but I’m not sure if the vendors have done a great job carrying the message through the channel to make sure that everyone understands what’s happening, how they can adjust to it and respond. 


Q: How will your multi-dimensional experience in flooring help Starnet?

A: One of the major changes that has to occur on the member side is we need to be viewed as a demand generation organization—all of the individual members in the organization as a whole. I think for many years manufacturers have been running downhill on if we don’t generate the demand, it won’t occur. So, big build-out, salesforces, lots of touches and outreaches through marketing and direct communication (not necessarily direct sales) and direct marketing in the channel, which requires a significant infrastructure. Not only do they have the manufacturing capacity build-out and all the capital investments, but they’ve also been spending on the front end trying to reach all the end-user customers. With all the money that’s been spent, none of them have really moved the needle to create a brand in the marketplace that an end-user would respond to.  


Q: What does the industry need to do to prepare for the future?

A: Our industry on the demand side has to position itself differently in order to look to the future. The membership has to put itself in the position to be able to tell the story of the value—deliver product and the service together—to give the end-user great outcomes. In the end, a user doesn’t pay to get the floor covered. They pay for outcomes: it’s easier to hire people or the people are happier, they stay five minutes a day longer, the acoustics are better; therefore they’re more productive. They’re paying for all of that, and the industry hasn’t done a great job of quantifying it. I think the architectural and design communities had some really good initiatives along that way, but the flooring people—talking about manufacturers in the channel—have not done a good job. Therefore, you have no brands. It has to come from one unified voice, which I think we can provide for the members, based around outcomes and the role we play along with the manufacturers.

This article was originally posted on www.fcimag.com.
KEYWORDS: flooring industry associations Starnet

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Tanja kern headshot 2023

Tanja Kern is associate publisher and editorial director of FLOOR Trends & Installation. She brings more than 20 years of experience covering the flooring, design, and construction industries through print and digital platforms.  


Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Flooring Installation
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Unlock the future of flooring trends and installation techniques with FLOOR Trends & Installation.

REGISTER TODAY

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

SolidTech R: Sustainable, High-Performance Flooring from Bottle to Floor

SolidTech R: Sustainable, High-Performance Flooring from Bottle to Floor

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the FLOOR Trends & Installation audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of FLOOR Trends & Installation or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Woodura Herringbone 2.0
    Sponsored byBjelin

    The Herringbone Floor of the Future

Popular Stories

company branding

Branding and Marketing Strategies for Flooring Contractors

Mimi Mulugeta and Michael Barrows

Military Vet Trades Retirement for New Flooring Venture in Alpharetta

how to properly trowel adhesive

Flooring Adhesives Education: The Key to Preventing Costly Installation Failures


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Growth Challenges in the Flooring Industry

What’s holding you back from growth in 2025?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • Starnet-Bishoff

    Bischoff Joins Starnet as Vice President-Vendor Relations

    See More
  • Mohawk-Mark-Oliver

    Q&A with Mark Oliver of Mohawk Industries

    See More
  • Domotex-Bianchi

    Q&A with Raymond Bianchi, VP Events & Business Development, Hannover Fairs USA

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • WoodFlooring_383x497.png

    Wood Flooring: A Complete Guide to Layout, Installation & Finishing

  • 9781622700158_c-15_.png

    Flooring and Floor Covering License Examination (C-15) - QuickPass Study Tool Book with Online Interactive Software

See More Products
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP