Greenbelt, Md.— Tom Lape, president of Mohawk’s residential business, recently served as guest speaker for the Maryland & Northern Virginia Floorcovering Association’s general meeting.

Lape, who discussed “Operating in a 3-Penny Environment,” covered several points in his speech, one of which included global position. He spoke about how the carpet industry was a $10 billion business and No. 1 textile industry in the U.S., and yet, it had not been “outsourced.”

Retail trends were also a topic of discussion, as Lape mentioned the many things “fighting for our customers’ dollar, the No. 1 item being the big plasma TV. [Due to] the Web, how we will attract the consumer will never be the same.” Lape also touched on consumer trends, how the end user is changing and noted how “84% of all household purchases are made by the woman.” He asked, “Is your store inviting, and what does green mean to her?”

During a Q&A session, Lape noted baby boomers will remain working 10 to 15 years longer. He also answered a question on Mohawk and consolidation, saying it was not out of the question, but there are no plans for it at this time. He then went on to note how both Mohawk and Shaw are always open to creating more market share.

Donations were also given at the dinner meeting to the FCIF and the Believe in Tomorrow organization. “In the last seven years, we’ve donated over $50,000 to Believe in Tomorrow and almost $20,000 to the FCIF,” said Roland Thompson, MDN-VAFA’s president.

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