Mohawk is offering retailers
a new in-store merchandising system aimed at eliminating one of the biggest
obstacles to a carpet purchase-fear of making a mistake. Mohawk’s
color coded EasyChoice divides products into one of four categories based on
performance characteristics. The four categories-“Select,” “Preferred,”
“Premier,” and “Elite’ – are designed to help shoppers guide themselves through
the shopping experience. By specifying the benefits of each product level, the company says the system will also help
sales people encourage shoppers to consider higher-end products. The company
says the new system “does the consumer’s homework for her.”
Retail sales expert Sam Allman will be on hand
at BookExpo America in New York City to showcase his new book, Heart
and Mind Selling: The New Secret to Closing the Sale and Winning the Customer
For Life, June 1-3 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The
annual event brings together thousands of authors, publishers and agents in one
of North America’s largest book publishing shows, according to show organizers.
Formica Corp. said it is being acquired by the company that
owns the rights to the Formica brand in New Zealand and Australia.
Fletcher
Building Limited, based in Auckland,
New Zealand, has agree to pay more than $700 million for the
Cincinnati-based
Formica, which has 3,800 employees in 14 manufacturing and 33
distribution
facilities worldwide. The company’s products include laminate and
granite counter tops sold
under the Formica name. The company notes that the Formica brand
laminate flooring, manufactured by Barnwell, S.C.-based Kronotex, will
not be affected.
A new print ad from Shaw
Industries touts the company’s commitment to environmental concerns and
encourages consumers to think green when they look for flooring. The new ad is
a continuation of the company’s “I want a floor…” campaign in which consumers
wistfully express their preference for various features. The new ad centers on
the message “I want a floor that is designed to be recycled…” It will
begin appearing in the July issues of Southern Living, Sunset
and Metropolitan Home and
will be seen in the August issues of House Beautiful and
Traditional Home.
In September, the ad will run in Country
Living, Good Housekeeping
and again in Traditional Home.
This Old House will feature
the ad in October.
In a move designed to emphasize its global
heritage, ceramic tile maker Florim USA is dropping the “USA” designation and
changing the name of its American Florim line to AFI. The rebranding effort,
which also involves a repositioning of the popular Esquire line, is aimed at
reinforcing the company’s ties to its parent company, The Florim Group of Italy
A new vinyl floor covering that mimics the look
of hardwood and can even double as upholstery will be among the hot new items vying
for attention at the 19th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair in
New York. Widely regarded as one of the most important design and interior
furnishings events on the East Coast, this year’s gathering will include at
least five floor makers showcasing new designs. The four-day show, which is
open only to the trade for the first three days, begins Saturday, May 20, at
the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
The National Tile Contractors Association has
launched a new job listing service on its website at www.tile-assn.com. Dubbed the NTCA Career
Center, the online board will focus on job listings in its core segments of
“ceramic tile, natural stone and allied industry companies,” the group noted.
Searching for jobs on the site is free; however, placing a listing on the board
costs a small fee. Membership in the NTCA is not required to use the board.
Southern Living magazine has
selected flooring from Shaw to help decorate the magazine’s three “Idea Houses”
this year. The houses in Florida,
Georgia and Arkansas have been designed to showcase decorating concepts that
are aesthetically pleasing yet designed for everyday living. Each will be opened
to the public beginning next month. Proceeds from the $5 admission fee will be
donated to various charities.
Bentley Prince Street said it has voluntarily enrolled
in a program that will track the company’s long-term commitment to the
environment. The Los Angeles-based carpet maker said it will participate in the
National Environmental Performance Track which was established by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in 2000 as a means of recognizing and rewarding a
commitment to the environment that goes beyond current requirements.
In a move to help solidify Armstrong’s emergence
from bankruptcy last year, the flooring maker’s former parent Armstrong
Holdings Inc. said it would dissolve and return all assets, about $27 million
in cash, to shareholders. As outlined in Armstrong’s final plan of
reorganization approved last year, Armstrong Holdings ceased its ownership
after approval of the plan and was expected to dissolve and distribute its
remaining assets to shareholders. Armstrong noted that with 40.5 million shares
outstanding, shareholders would likely receive about 66 cents per share.