Article Number : 1996 |
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| Date | 5/18/2007 8:54:51 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1996 |
| Abstract | LOOKIN’ GOOD: Despite reports from retailers around the country that business is soft and expected to remain so at least until the third quarter, the National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA) says otherwise. At its recent Spring Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz... |
| Article | LOOKIN’ GOOD: Despite reports from retailers around the country that business is soft and expected to remain so at least until the third quarter, the National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA) says otherwise. At its recent Spring Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., NFA members reported they were holding their own or their business was growing. They were upbeat and optimistic. These are not ordinary retailers; they are a high-powered bunch with 35 members doing a combined annual volume of $1 billion in just under 200 locations. For the last three years, Sam Roberts of Roberts Carpet & Fine Flooring has served with distinction as NFA president and announced at the Conference that he will complete his current term and at year’s end will step down. During his tenure, Roberts gave the group focus and developed new programs and services for its vendors. He’s a tough act to follow. CHINA RISING: Domotex asia/ChinaFloor 2007 (DACF), the biggest floor covering show in Asia, set new records with double-digit growth. Held in Shanghai, total attendance was 35,695, including 5,944 foreign visitors from 91 countries on five continents, a 37% increase over 2006. The top five countries and regions were Korea, U.S.A., Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The number of exhibitors grew 11% to 928,239 of which were from outside China. And exhibit space grew to 85,000 square meters, a 16% increase. According to show management, four categories grew at DACF 2007, in exhibit space and activity: wood and laminate occupied the most space and received the most attention, followed by carpet and then resilient. It was quite a show, and there will be another one next year, DACF 2008 from March 11-13. ANSWERS: In its first quarter report, Mohawk Industries showed net earnings of $90 million on net sales of $1,864 million. Earnings are up 14% over last year and sales are down 3%. That’s not so bad; income dropped and profits rose. But in the corporate canyons they see things differently. Jeff Lorberbaum, chairman and CEO, said: “The first quarter results were better than we had anticipated and exceeded our estimate. The U.S. flooring business remains slow…the residential business remains challenging in all product categories, reflecting softness in both the new and remodeling business. Commercial sales are outperforming the rest of the business and are expected to continue throughout this year. In the U.S., we are managing our costs and improving productivity while still maintaining investments in products, marketing and assets. All businesses are managing their inventory levels, expenses and production schedules to adapt to the current industry downturn.” I gather that a rebound isn’t expected until the third quarter, at the earliest. HEAR THIS: Surfaces 2008 is seeking to maintain the highest standards of education taught by leading experts and has issued a Call for Presentations, inviting the submission of courses that will “provide the most up-to-date information on the latest techniques, trends, strategies and critical knowledge for floor covering professionals.” The Surfaces 2008 Conference Program will be held Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 and knowledgeable, and experienced educators who have vital information for business success in the floor covering industry should contact www.Surfaces.com, click on the Exhibitor tab and select the Call for Presentations link under the show information section. Completed forms should be submitted to Jennifer Weller, Associate Conference Manager, P.O. Box 612128, Dallas, Tex. 75261-2128. Phone: 972.536.6343. Fax: 972.536.6401. E-mail: jweller@hanleywood.com. |