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p. 10 Be a Value Creator, Not a Price Merchant p. 20 Retail Tech Continues to Evolve at Rapid Pace p. 29 CEO Letter Series: Innovating the Industry
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Vol. 13, No. 7
July 11
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National Floor Trends
NATIONAL FLOOR TRENDS Volume 13, Issue 7 (ISSN 1521-8031) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NATIONAL FLOOR TRENDS, P.O. Box 2145, Skokie, IL 60076. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to NATIONAL FLOOR TRENDS, P.O. Box 2145, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or
[email protected].
18 10
Be a Value Creator, Not a Price Merchant What is value? According to columnist Sam Allman, it is much more than just a price tag. Rather, it is the customer’s perception of the entire retail experience, which includes factors like product benefits, installation expertise and service.
20 On The Cover: “Etchware,” from Mohawk’s Horizon collection, features LCL styling and SmartStrand fiber made with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer, and is engineered for exceptional stain and soiling resistance, durability and softness.
Retail Tech Continues to Evolve at Rapid Pace The flooring industry is enjoying unprecedented access to new technology tools thanks to devices like smartphones and tablets. Additionally, a wide range of industry-specific software is available to help retailers run their stores more efficiently and more profitably.
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4 ● July 2011 I www.ntlfloortrends.com
CEO Letter Series: Innovating the Industry Our annual CEO Letter Series features letters to the industry from top executives at an array of leading companies. They talk about the importance of innovation in both products and manufacturing processes, and thank their customers and partners for their continued support.
ALWAYS STRIVING TO BE YOUR SUPPLIER OF CHOICE T H AT ’ S W H Y B E A U L I E U I S
WINNING FOR YOU WHERE IT COUNTS Ch Check out BlissFlooring.com. Web industry experts ag agree our new website is one of the best there is at engaging consumers. So says the International Academy of en Vis Visual Arts. And more importantly, so do your customers. That’s because we designed it to do one thing better than anything else in be cy cyberland ... lead her right to your front door to find Bliss ... The Nicest Carpet In The World®. Ask your Bliss associate how you Th ca can link up today with this award-winning site.
:,11,1*&21680(5:(%6,7( :
Our totally redesigned display so impressed dealers at Surfaces this year that they gave it their highest honor. With its built-in Magic Fresh® demonstration area, take-home sample system and blissful design, it’s easy to see why. Available for both Bliss Magic Fresh and HealthyTouch™ collections. Make sure you’ve got the displays that win for you.
:,11,1* 0(5&+$1',6,1*6Ad Index Use the Free Information Card on opposite page to receive free information about products and services mentioned in National Floor Trends magazine. Find the Free Information Number at the bottom of the ad or editorial item and circle the corresponding number on the Free Information Card.
Company Name
pg. no.
APC Cork.........................................................................15 (866) 222-3241 • www.apccork.com Ardex Engineered Cements ..........................................25 (888) 512-7339 • www.ardexamericas.com Beaulieu of America .........................................................5 (800) 227-7211 • www.beaulieuofamerica.com Bostik...............................................................................45 (800) 7BOSTIK (726-7845) • www.bostik-us.com CBC Flooring ..................................................................23 (800) 446-5476 • www.cbcflooring.com Chapco, HB Fuller Construction Products, Inc. ..........27 (800) 621-0220 • www.chapco-adhesive.com Faus Group, Inc. ...............................................................3 (888) 231-3287 • www.fausfloor.com Florida Tile ........................................................................7 (800) 352-8453 • www.floridatile.com Globus Cork ....................................................................16 (718) 742-7264 • www.corkfloor.com Lignomat USA .................................................................26 (800) 227-2105 • www.lignomat.com
RS no. 51 42 5 23 30 13 3
pg. no.
Company Name
MAPEI Corp. .....................................................................2 (954) 246-8888 • www.mapei.com Mohawk Industries ...........................................................9 (877) ASK.MOHAWK • www.MohawkToday.com MP Global Products .......................................................55 (888) 379-9695 • www.quietwalk.com RB Rubber Products ......................................................26 (800) 525-5530 • www.rbrubber.com Seneca Millwork, Inc. .....................................................56 (800) 228-6671 • www.senecamillwork.com US Floors, Inc. ................................................................13 (877) 292-4044 • www.usfcontract.com Wagner Electronic Products .........................................11 (800) 207-2530 • www.rapidrh.com
RS no. 34 50 14 12 1 10 21
18 11 44
Editor’s Note. The Advertiser’s Index is provided as a service to our readers. No liability is created by nor accepted for any inadvertent errors or omissions.
07.11>Classified
CLASSIFIEDS Further your technical education and industry knowledge at the AEC Store. Our online store gives you access to technical journals and research that form the cornerstone of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries.
A GREAT WAY TO GET THE WORD OUT! Contact Sharon Ward for more information email:
[email protected] phone: (847) 405-4017
NEED REPRINTS? Visit AECStore.com to view all of our technical guides, CDs and DVDs for industry pros.
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Contact Jennifer Allen (818) 224-8035 x 2214
[email protected] www.ntlfloortrends.com I July 2011 ● 53
07.11>Products & Literature on display
MAPEI MAPEI moisture barrier system protects floors Planiseal™ EMB premium epoxy moisture barrier reduces MVER rates of concrete slabs measuring as high as 20 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours to less than 3 lbs.! Just one coat of this 100%-solids, two-part, clear epoxy product quickly penetrates the surface of properly prepared concrete substrates, creating a solid film layer that provides maximum protection against moisture transmission for virtually any floor covering. For more information on MAPEI products, visit www.mapei.com For details circle #100 on the Free Information Card.
USFloors USFloors has taken the wraps off of Natural Bamboo Expressions, a collection combining strand-woven bamboo with upscale looks, according to the company. The product features stained and hand-scraped solid strand-woven bamboo in a glueless click plank along with an antiqued, engineered strand-woven look. www.usfloorsllc.com For details circle #121 on the Free Information Card.
Florida Tile Pristine is the latest addition to Florida Tile’s product lineup, featuring a modern take on the classic Crema Marfil stone look. The Pristine collection combines a porcelain floor and ceramic wall tile in the same series: 9” by 18” format for walls, and 12” by 12” and 18” by 18” formats for floors and walls. www.floridatile.com For details circle #122 on the Free Information Card.
Custom Building Products Custom Building Products is showcasing its complete line of custom grout solutions with a new ad campaign, branding and packaging for its Polyblend, Prism and Prism SureColor grout collections. New colors have also been added to the company’s Polyblend, Prism and CEG-Lite grout brands.
CBC Flooring CBC Flooring has expanded and updated its family of TOLI homogenous vinyl tile (HVT) products with 21 new colors in Fasol Plus, Linotesta and Viale. All three product lines feature 50 percent pre-consumer recycled content and contribute to LEED credits. For details circle #123 on the Free Information Card.
54 ● July 2011 I www.ntlfloortrends.com
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Finish it with Signature Craftsmanship
A fine finish is the hallmark of true craftsmanship. At Seneca Millwork, we’re committed to the highest level of fidelity for finishing and color matching. And that sense of commitment extends to the lastest in automated production, customer service, color matching and on-time delivery, as well as our sustainable sourcing of the finest hardwoods. It’s our Signature Craftsmanship approach to every product we offer, and every service we provide. Learn more at senecamillwork.com.
800.228.6671
senecamillwork.com
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