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FLOORtalk

www.floortrendsmag.comwww.floortrendsmag.com
Welcome to the FLOORtalk podcast, hosted by the editors of FLOOR Trends & Installation. On this podcast you will find a mix of interviews and fireside chats with leaders, newsmakers and influencers in the flooring industry. Tune in to hear insights, best practices and actionable advice for your flooring business.    |
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Episodes

Ultimate Flooring Duo Combines Creative Fundraising with Mission to Bring Young Pros into Industry

Anna McCortney, operations manager, and Sam Robinson, sales and showroom coordinator with Ultimate Flooring in Akron, Ohio, represent the next generation of flooring professionals and are finding creative ways to fund their education journey, including a Shark Tank style fundraising video to get them to TISE 2025. They share their experiences as first timers to TISE and Coverings and their efforts to attract and retain young people into the flooring industry as well as their own flooring journey...

Jul 25, 202521 min

Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025: Defining Priorities in an Uncertain Landscape

The second annual Flooring Sustainability Summit expects 250 industry leaders in Washington, D.C., says Bill Griese, deputy executive director of Tile Council of North America. This year's focus: navigating federal policy uncertainty, standardizing "circularity" terminology, and launching design awards while building ongoing community dialogue to drive marketplace alignment.

Jun 09, 202515 min

NFM's Store-Within-Store Model Expands to Kansas City

Why is Nebraska Furniture Mart dedicating 2,000 square feet to one carpet brand? NFM Flooring Director Dave Chambers reveals how the Anso Gallery concept is changing flooring retail, Kansas City's surprising stair carpet obsession, and Shaw's unusual Memorial Day activation plan.

Jun 02, 20257 min

Independent Carpet One and Synchrony Unveil Flooring Retail Growth Strategies

In this special National Small Business Week episode, Independent Carpet One Co-Owner Cathy Buchanan and Synchrony's Vince Lowe discuss retail challenges in today's economy, successful adaptation strategies, and how financial partnerships are helping flooring retailers boost profitability.

May 05, 202528 min

Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

In this exclusive interview, Mohawk's Charles DiSano reveals how North Carolina manufacturing helps power the company's American made growth strategy. Discover why retailers are turning to Mohawk’s tariff-free flooring solutions in PureTech, RevWood and Pergo Elements that deliver confidence in an uncertain market.

Apr 25, 202510 min

Strategic Alignment: HMTX's Vision for Growth

HMTX combines Metroflor and Teknoflor under its new Contract and Trade Business Unit. In this exclusive interview, Russ Rogg reveals the strategy behind the consolidation, discusses a new partnership with Spartan Surfaces, and shares insights on the future of resilient flooring in today's challenging market.

Apr 09, 202512 min

The Carpet Guys Open Michigan's First Flooring Installer Training Center

In response to the trade labor shortage, The Carpet Guys have launched Michigan's first state-licensed installer training center, offering a unique pathway to a promising career in flooring installation for those seeking an alternative to traditional four-year degrees.

Apr 01, 202520 min

2025 Tile Trends: Spanish Influence on American Design

Vives, a family-owned Spanish tile company since 1957, brings European design trends to the North American market. From Cevisama 2025, Jose Ruiz-Roscigno discusses sustainable manufacturing practices, 2025 tile trends, and educating architects and contractors on proper installation techniques.

Mar 31, 202513 min

Celebrating Women in Construction: Industry Leaders Share Their Paths to Success and How Sisters in the Brotherhood is Opening Doors for Others

We are celebrating Women in Construction week. It is a week set aside each year to celebrate and promote the role of women in the construction industry. Paula Resa, assistant director, Southwest Mountain States Carpenters, and Sandra Rodriguez, director, Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB), have very different points of entry to the skilled trades, but their stories align in that they are women who have overcome hardships to find a career path within the trade unions they represent. Here, they talk...

Mar 03, 202533 min

How INSTALL's Union Training Creates Lifelong Flooring Careers

From TISE 2025, join Nate Bowen (Michigan Statewide Carpenters & Millwrights Training Programs) and Pat Noonan (Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council) as they explore professional flooring installation. Learn how INSTALL's union programs combine advanced training with comprehensive benefits to create sustainable, rewarding careers in floor installation.

Feb 18, 202551 min

Breaking Down Walls in Floor Covering Training

In a strategic move to address the flooring industry's installation crisis, the World Floor Covering Association announces a groundbreaking partnership with CTEF for entry-level ceramic training, while revealing plans to expand trade school programs to 100 locations. Leaders also propose an innovative penny-per-square-foot program that could revolutionize industry funding.

Feb 10, 202516 min

Cracking the Code: Inside Tile & Stone

Get ready for an eye-opening look at what's really driving tile and stone purchases today. Join BNP Media co-CEO Mitch Henderson as he reveals exclusive research on consumer behavior, contractor selection, and market trends that are reshaping the industry. Fresh insights from The International Surfaces Event you won't want to miss.

Jan 28, 202517 min

Edge Summit Insights: Mohawk's Vision for 2025

With existing home sales at a 30-year low, Jeff Meadows, president of residential sales at Mohawk, shares how the company is expanding domestic production, growing its luxury portfolio, and why builder partnerships are becoming increasingly crucial.

Jan 06, 20258 min

UBC Military Veterans Program Builds Bridges from Military Service to Construction Careers

In collaboration with INSTALL, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters' Military Veterans Program provides free, comprehensive training to service members transitioning to civilian life. Floor installation is one of the options. In this episode, we speak with Mark Benacquisto, executive director of Millwright Pile Driver Labor Management, who spearheaded the program's development, and INSTALL Executive Director David Gross.

Dec 16, 202434 min

Cyncly Acquires Broadlume

Cyncly is acquiring Broadlume. Learn more about what it means for flooring retailers as we speak with Mark Lukianchuk, the general manager for Cyncly Flooring, Todd Saunders, CEO of Broadlume, and Carole Cross, managing director of mobile marketing, a Cyncly company.

Dec 10, 202415 min

Is Your Website Ready for 2025?

Todd Skidmore, senior director of e-commerce at Mohawk, joins us to discuss Mohawk's new digital health assessment program, designed to help stores optimize their websites, drive traffic, and convert online browsers into showroom buyers.

Dec 02, 202411 min

Synchrony Partnership Gives Mohawk Edge Dealers Competitive Advantage

In December, Mohawk is hosting its Edge Summit 2025 in Denver, Colorado, for its Edge-aligned dealers. One of the advantages of participating in the Edge program is the finance options available through Mohawk’s partnership with Synchrony. Doug Ensley, Mohawk’s senior director of residential market development, details the partnership, how it benefits the Edge dealers, and how Synchrony’s trend reports help Mohawk keep its Edge program evolving to meet the needs of its dealers—even in shaky econ...

Nov 22, 202417 min

Buckle Up for Growth in 2026-2027

Bill Blackstock, president and CEO of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, projects a rebound in resilient flooring starting mid-2025. Listen in as he shares an update on RFCI's fall meeting, his outlook for single-family and multifamily housing, and the commercial flooring sectors.

Nov 11, 202419 min

Synchrony's Vince Lowe Talks Consumer Shopping Trends and the Future of Retail

Synchrony released a Future of Retail report that revealed data about consumers' shopping expectations for the future. Vince Lowe, senior VP and general manager home specialty and flooring with Synchrony, discusses the highlights and reveals how technology is shaping the shopping experience over the next several years.

Oct 14, 202423 min

CFI FCICA Leadership on Training, Growth and Business

On location at the second-annual joint 2024 CFI FCICA Convention in Orlando, Florida, leadership from the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)—the parent organization for the Certified Flooring Installers (CFI)—and the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) provide an update on membership, training and what installers have to look forward to in 2025.

Oct 07, 202426 min

Floors By Southern Boys' Reuben Potter on Marketing Strategies for Flooring Installers

Reuben Potter, owner of Floors By Southern Boys in Manchester, Tennessee, is grabbing consumer attention through traditional marketing methods: billboards, vehicle signage, and sponsoring local groups and events. Listen as we discuss why self-promotion—and professionalism—are important for the independent flooring installer.

Sep 30, 202412 min

Southwind Building Products Celebrates 30 Years

Southwind Building Products celebrates its 30th anniversary during a transformative period marked by significant investments and strategic shifts. We recently spoke with Drew Hash, president and CEO of Southwind, to learn more about the company’s recent wins and what the future looks like as its owner, F9 Investments, looks for new partnerships.

Sep 23, 202411 min

Floor Covering Education Foundation: Progress Report 2024

Leaders at the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) offer an update on the organization’s progress in increasing awareness and recruiting people to flooring installation, how they are connecting individuals to quality flooring installation in the industry, and how they are providing scholarships for training.

Sep 09, 202440 min

CFI Acquires NFIC: A Natural Next Step for Flooring Education

The International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) recently acquired the Natural Fiber Installers Certification (NFIC), a specialized training and certification organization focused on natural fiber flooring products. NFIC Founder PJ Arthur and Steve Abernathy, COO of the World Floor Covering Association, share how the acquisition will make certification more accessible to installers and promote the craftsmanship of natural fiber installations.

Aug 19, 202427 min
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