George Celtrick, president of Whitewood Products, talks about his career in the hardwood flooring business, the prefinished and the unfinished hardwood flooring markets, and the unique hardwood flooring company he has launched. Celtrick talks about the products his company offers, which begin with a variety of unfinished hardwood and become finished flooring to the contractor’s or retailer’s specifications, including lengths and widths, hand sculpted, poly, oil finish or metallic points and two-pass finishes offering a much broader offering than standard hardwood flooring companies. He also discusses the large and small order volume offered by the company.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, talks about the recent rollout of Local Services by Google, an update of what have been called Home Services. The initial rollout will be in 17 markets and will be expanded to 30 major markets by the end of the year. Initially this service covers the categories of plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, and HVAC and garage door repair services, later expanding to more services, which will likely include floor covering installation. The service is a lead-generating vehicle and subscribers only pay for the leads given them. Simonson talks about the rationale of the move, which is to better compete with Angie’s List and Home Advisor as well as Amazon Home and Business Services. Also discussed are services for small business and the advantages for retailers to spend for services like this.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, discusses Googles practice of categorizing websites by channel, based on the products a company offers or manufacturers, with information captured on the firm’s website being the source of the decision. He discusses how sufficient information is gathered to make these decisions and how Google provides answers to user questions. Also discusses are the factors that determine the interval which search engines crawl website, including popularity, activity, updates, and traffic on the site. Simonson also talks about how flooring retailers can enhance their standing on search engines.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, discusses the National Deck and Remodeling Show (NADRA) recently held in Nashville, Tenn., its turnout, and the floor covering suppliers exhibiting at the show. Simonson talks about the products launched at the show, potential in the decking industry for select floor covering retailers, and contractors and the educational opportunities at the show.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics, talks about Google's practice of categorizing websites by channel, based on the products a company offers according to the firm’s website. He discusses how sufficient information is gathered to make these decisions and how Google provides answers to user questions. Simonson also discusses the factors that determine the interval at which search engines crawl websites, including popularity, activity, updates, and traffic on the site, and how flooring retailers can enhance their standing on search engines.

Evan Acton, manager at Acton Flooring, talks more about the industry’s installation problem and the shortage of qualified installers, the role installer pay has played in fostering this problem historically, and the problems the industry will face attempting to reverse it. Acton talks about the position of consumers and end users in the possible solutions in this situation and how installer requirement plans can best be initiated.

Evan Acton, manager of Birmingham, Ala., Acton Flooring, talks about the installation shortage, developments with the company, and possible solutions for the problem. Acton also discusses the benefits of having certified installers and recruitment of the next generation.