Editorial Comment:<br>Even as gas prices hit the roof,<br>value still drives the flooring business
Given our industry's reliance on petrochemicals, the trickle down effect of skyrocketing gas prices was bound to reach the floor. Virtually ever product-carpet, resilient, laminate, underlay, adhesive- is made using a petroleum derivative. Floor covering is also one of the bulkiest, heaviest consumer products to handle or ship, so the business is getting hit with a double whammy: It now costs more to make the products and it's costing a lot more to ship them where they're needed. (And that was the case even before another double whammy called Katrina and Rita hit us.)