Citing increased costs in raw materials, Tarkett
Residential said it will raise prices on its residential resilient products
beginning April 1. Prices will increase between 5 to 7 percent, the company
said.
Organizers of UTECH Europe 2009, a major
international conference aimed at the polyurethanes sector, have issued a final
call for papers for the March 31-April 2, 2009 event. Specifically, organizers
are seeking “presentations detailing the latest advances in the production,
processing and application of polyurethanes and PU-based products.” Deadline is
March 20, 2008.
With the continued softening in the housing
market, exhibitors at Surfaces 2008 said they expected attendance at the annual
trade show to be down. And they were not wrong. Attendance at the Las Vegas
event fell about 10 percent this year, with a little more than 34,500 show
goers on hand compared to last year’s more than 38,000 visitors. Additionally,
the number of exhibitors dropped slightly, from more than 1,000 to 982. While
attendance was down, there was wide agreement that the show remained an
important industry showcase.
The National Association of Home Builders has
thrown their hat into the “green” ring. The trade group launched the NAHB
National Green Building Program during the recent International Builders’ Show
in Orlando, Fla. An “education, verification and certification program” for
green building, the program includes an online scoring tool to help measure
green guidelines at www.nahbgreen.org.
Tarkett is the latest company to announce price
increases for resilient flooring. The company said it will raise prices by 4 to
7 percent on all commercial resilient tile beginning April 7.
Industry veteran John Patterson has
accepted the role of vp sales for Anderson Hardwood Floors. Set to begin his
new position March 1, he will be responsible for “companywide sales growth,
distributor relationships and management of the Anderson team.” Patterson has
more than 35 years of experience, including executive positions with Mannington
Mills, Columbia Flooring and most recently Scandian Wood Floors.
Dealers browse exhibits of the latest products and services during the
annual Mohawk ColorCenter convention in Orlando, Fla. The three-day
convention, running through Feb. 16, featured an opening session with
Jeff Lorberbaum, Mohawk's CEo and chairman. He acknowledged that times
are tough in the industry, but by focusing on creativity, customer
service and training, dealers can continue to build their business. "We
can either let these times define us or they can be a catalyst for
change," he told the dealers on hand. "Remember, Mohawk is here to help
you."
The American Society of Interior Designers and the U.S. Green Building Council said they will launch Regreen, a series of guidelines for ‘green’ residential remodeling, next month. Designed for use by residential designers, construction professionals and homeowners, Regreen includes best practices, learning programs and print and electronic resources.
NOTE: For a look at some of the sights during Surfaces
2008, please
see the slideshow on our sister website, www.FlooringInsider.com.
Though
the official numbers aren't out yet, exhibitors at Surfaces believe
that attendance will be down from last year's show. Such a situation is
to be expected during a soft housing market, they note. They hastened
to add that attendees at the show were there to do one thing this year.
Buy.
Specialty cements maker Ardex has announced plans for a new
manufacturing facility in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Construction of the new
plant, which will be based in Mansfield, Texas, is set to begin this spring.
Company officials note that the plant should be up and running by the first
quarter of 2009, and will encompass approximately 35,000 sq. ft.
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