Article Number : 5007 |
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| Date | 10/26/2009 7:07:11 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5007 |
| Abstract | LUCKY 7TH: The annual Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by CCA Global Partners for the benefit of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) was a resounding success, attracting 120 golfers and guests. Held recently at... |
| Article | LUCKY 7TH: The annual Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by CCA Global Partners for the benefit of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) was a resounding success, attracting 120 golfers and guests. Held recently at Barnsley Gardens, a magnificent golf course 60 miles north of Atlanta, the event raised $120,000 for the cause, through sponsorships, a journal and tournament fees. Since the first tournament in 2003, CCA has raised nearly $1 million for the FCIF, which cares for industry colleagues who are afflicted with catastrophic illnesses or experiencing life-altering medical hardships. Executives from around the country attended the golf tournament, which featured 27 teams and was followed by a grand reception. LOOKING UP: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is finally seeing an uptick in loan applications, the first since the introduction of enhanced programs, which includes fee elimination, as part of the Recovery Act passed earlier this year. Karen Mills, SBA administrator, said last week, “SBA weekly loan volume is up about 60% compared with the two months before the Recovery Act. We’ve supported over $10 billion in lending so far. We’re back near 2008 levels in weekly loan volume.” With fee elimination alone, a business can save more than $50,000 on a $2 million loan. With the ability to borrow restored, perhaps we can say it is the beginning of the recovery, or at least the end of the financial free-fall. LOOKING IN: Companies are starting to source closer to home, according to a study by Northeastern University’s College of Business Administration released this week. Many of the CEOs surveyed expect the trend toward reverse globalization and the shortening of supply chains to continue for the next several years. When you outsource, you globalize, so reverse globalization is simply insourcing. It is interesting to note 57% of the CEOs reported that some of their major customers had shifted manufacturing activities from Asia and Eastern Europe to North or Central America. That’s true in our industry. The Italians and Spaniards have established ceramic tile companies in the U.S., as have laminate manufacturers. I guess the shorter the supply lines, the tighter the control. HOUSE CALL: The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H. Res. 81, which recognizes the importance and sustainability of the country’s hardwoods industry and urges “that United States hardwoods and the products derived from [them] be given full consideration in any program directed at constructing environmentally preferable commercial, public or private buildings.” That is one powerful endorsement and it made the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) proud. Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) sponsored the legislation, which was supported by the Hardwood Federation, a coalition of more than 30 associations, including the NWFA and its executive director Ed Korczak. The Resolution acknowledges the sustainability of United States hardwoods in a global marketplace that is giving increased emphasis on the procurement from sustainable, legally harvested forests as a result of the Lacey Act and an increased interest in green building. FURTHERMORE: Speaking of green building, architects say durability is the most important attribute for a “green” building product. That came from a recent survey that revealed, among building product manufacturers, Armstrong (37%) and USG (35%) are perceived most often as green building leaders. DuPont was among companies identified as green leaders by more than 20% of those surveyed. Also, the fastest growing overseas markets are India and Dubai, which grew by 60% and 44%, respectively. China is down by 29% from 2006 but remains the second largest source of foreign commissions, landing between Canada and Mexico. Firms with more than 100 people are the most likely to conduct business outside the United States. |