Spring has sprung, so this is as good a time as any to reflect on the year to this point and look ahead a few months... more

EDUCATING MASCOT: The Shaw Learning Academy (SLA) may be considered one of the country’s top corporate training programs as the story on page 1 points out. Nonetheless Shaw still feels something is missing. What is it? A mascot. Through the end of this month, the company is holding a contest to find the... more

WE ARE FAMILY: When executives at Shaw say they want their retail customers to feel part of the family, it’s no joke. At its SFN convention in Orlando, Fla., the mill not only hosted dealers from more than 830 retail stores, there were over 725 children in attendance, making it one of... more

Lost in the pages of our last issue, the one that paid tribute to the 91-year life of FCNews founder Al Wahnon, was the obituary of another difference-making nonagenarian, Natalie Marcus. Those relatively new to this industry are probably unfamiliar with Natalie. Wait. Time out. Indulge me for... more

PROFESSIONALISM PAYS: This tidbit came from the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) about one of its members, Danny Sherman of Megs Installation in Doraville, Ga., and shows why being a professional is the best way to gain and keep business. It concerns the... more

This is going to be a good year. Don’t ask me how I know; I just feel it. I’m feeling good because the economy seems to be improving slowly but surely. It’s just that we haven’t felt it yet because it is not being led by the consumer or housing; B2B is what’s... more

BOTTOMED OUT: It seems that 2010 marked the bottoming out of the world’s economic woes, at least according to the Italian ceramic machinery and equipment manufacturers’ association Acimac. Considering tile has been one of the hardest hit categories and the Italian ceramic machinery industry generates more than... more

The economic downturn has claimed its share of floor covering retailers. The good news is we are in the midst of a recovery, although many have yet to feel it because it is not being driven by the consumer or housing. The bad news is a number of experts believe more retailers shut their doors on the way up than... more

CONTESTS: Durkan, the hospitality brand of The Mohawk Group, is calling on designers and students to “D*scover” their creativity with its 2nd annual carpet design contest. Co-sponsored by the Network of the Hospitality Industry (NEWH) entries will be evaluated on concept, presentation and market feasibility by a panel of industry professionals. Participants must design four print carpet patterns characteristic of hospitality spaces... more

When people look back on 2010, they will remember a year that was not particularly kind from a business standpoint. They’ll talk about the economy, sales and profitability. Not me. Here’s what my memory is telling me about the year... more