Article Number : 1211 |
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| Date | 7/21/2006 4:32:50 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1211 |
| Abstract | SAUL-UTE: Julian Saul’s retirement from Shaw Industries was surprising, not that he did it but when he did it. He had an illustrious career in the carpet industry and leaves behind an enviable record of leadership and accomplishment... |
| Article | SAUL-UTE: Julian Saul’s retirement from Shaw Industries was surprising, not that he did it but when he did it. He had an illustrious career in the carpet industry and leaves behind an enviable record of leadership and accomplishment. Soft-spoken and gentle, he is the consummate businessman with an impeccable work ethic and legendary success. Despite the pressure of business, he always managed time to help others. For many years he was the primary fund-raiser for the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), making certain in uncertain times that we had the finances to care for the less fortunate among us. Julian Saul is an extraordinary man and though they might fill the vacancy created by his retirement, they can never replace him. Best wishes, Julian, and happy birthday. CFI ON FCIF: Appreciative of the assistance afforded CFI members by the FCIF, the industry’s leading installer association is increasing its efforts to contribute to the cause. At its upcoming convention, only weeks away, in addition to its auction, it is asking members to “collect donations from installers at local distributors and from friends and relatives” and bring them to the convention. “Let’s do our part to help the FCIF help others,” said Jim Walker, CEO/executive director of CFI. “Last year we donated $4,000. Let’s try to do more this year.” Kudos to the CFI. LOG ON: FloorBiz.com and Floor Covering News has been the premiere flooring resource on the Internet, providing more than 200 current articles with the click of a button. The content is kept fresh and up-to-date, changed almost daily, and the site is enjoying its largest growth ever with more than three million unique visitors a year. Each individual section on FloorBiz is an attraction: Career, Classified, Auction, Product Directory, Columns, Forums, Events and News. More and more industry professionals are using the Internet on a daily basis and search for sites that are relevant and will satisfy their present and future needs, and when they come to a Website that is content-rich as FloorBiz, they bookmark it as a favorite and use it regularly. That is why 70% of our traffic is non-referral. Got a minute? Go to FloorBiz.com and check it out. HARBINGER: Seemingly innocuous, Dow Latex is increasing the prices of all latex products sold to the carpet industry effective Aug. 1. The increase is being driven by the rising costs of raw materials, energy and transportation. At the same time, OMNOVA Solutions announced a price increase on styrene butadiene latex for carpet, also effective Aug. 1. The company attributed the increase to continued inflation in raw material costs. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that these moves will affect carpet prices and they, too, will be rising. It’s the domino theory; it begins on one end of the spectrum and continues to fall until it lands on the other end, the retailer and, finally, the consumer. Brace yourself. GOOD WORK: The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has again budgeted $150,000 for its Trade Scholarship Program, which is available to principals and employees of “Regular Member” organizations. The scholarships are for business-related education and training approved by the WFCA. The program is an outstanding effort by the WFCA to contribute to the ongoing education of retailers and raise industry standards. Qualified members may apply for up to an annual maximum cumulative total of $500. Each year the program terminates when funds are depleted, so it’s first come, first served. Retailers: It’s a great opportunity, if you want to be great. |