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 Standing Proud in Beijing
Amid all the splashing, sprinting, spiking, and lopsided basketball scores seen over the past two weeks in Beijing, little mention has been made of our industry's contributions to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. So let me offer a tip of the hat to some of the companies that helped assure that everything was perfect from the ground floor up.
Armstrong was a major supplier of resilient flooring for some prominent venues including the impressive new stadium they call the "Bird's Nest." MAPEI products are also featured in the stadium, along with a running track in Tianjin and eight other venues. Of course, that Space Age-looking "Water Cube" would not have been possible without the use of products from Laticrete. Also of note, the USGBC had a chance to test out its newest LEED program with the construction of the Olympic Village in Beijing. While few if any of the visitors to these venues are aware of the important contributions of these companies, their efforts are certainly appreciated by us and many others in our industry.
(Additional details on how these companies contributed to the Olympics are included below.) The Olympics is also a further reminder that China's influence on the flooring business is poised to grow exponentially in the coming years. It will heighten the competition -- but as we've seen over these past two weeks, competition spurs accomplishment and achievement. Congratulations to everyone who has made these Olympic Games so unforgettable.
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Al Stewart
Editor and Web Director
National Floor Trends
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Flooring products in the Olympics roundup
Athletes grabbed the spotlight during the 2008 Olympic Games with their historic feats, but flooring companies were an important, if unsung, part of this year's events. Here is a sampling of the ways that the industry helped make the Summer Games a memorable experience:
 Armstrong linoleum a key component at Olympic venues
If
you have been watching the Olympic Games, you have probably seen two
things: athletes competing at the peak of their powers, and Armstrong
flooring.
Want to read more?
 MAPEI products used in 10 Olympic facilities
Pictured
here is the Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, China. The athletic
tracks in the stadium were installed using MAPEI's Adesilex G12, G19
and G20 products.
Want to read more?
 'Water Cube' pools installed using Laticrete products
Laticrete has been featured in the 2008 Olympic Games
in Beijing in a unique way. The company provided setting and
waterproofing materials for more than 10,000 sq. meters of tile used in
the five swimming pools in the city's "Water Cube" building.
Want to read more?
Olympic Village is home to athletes, and green practices
The Olympic Village, the temporary home to the more than 17,000
athletes around the world competing in the Olympic Games, has been
certified as LEED Gold under the U.S. Green BUilding Council's pilot
LEED for Neighborhood Development certification program.
Want to read more?
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 Azrock website offers enhanced
design tools, expanded searches
Azrock by Tarkett has launched a website dedicated to its commercial
flooring line at www.azrock.com. The new site aims to offer enhanced
product information and provide comprehensive tools for architects,
designers, specifiers, distributors and contractors.
See the full story here.
Centiva expands its green involvement;
all products FloorScore certified
Centiva said it is taking steps to become greener. All of its products
have earned the FloorScore rating for good indoor air quality.
Additionally, the company said it is committing more than 20 percent of
its operating profit on green initiatives this year.
See the full story here.
Shanghai to host Intertextile show this month
The city of Shanghai is gearing up for one of the largest home textile
trade shows in Asia this month. The Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles
event, set for Aug. 26-28, will bring more than 900 companies from Asia
and around the world to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre to
showcase their latest products and designs. Exhibitors are set to
include Blue Ridge, Cotton Council and Woolmark.
See the full story here.
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Announcing The Floor Tour:
A walkthrough of what's happening in flooring
National Floor Trends
has just launched The Floor Tour, a new blog covering the flooring industry. In it, we plan to talk about the issues facing flooring and gather insights from people around the industry. To view the blog, please visit our website
. As always, we'd love to hear your comments and suggestions for enhancing this newest resource for our readers.
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THIS MONTH'S COLUMNS
NFT is proud to offer the expertise of our columnists. These flooring veterans offer valuable advice and insights on how to run a better business from the bottom up. Here's a sampling of what you can expect to find this month:
 When the Storm Clouds Clear ... Will You Be Ready to Shine?
by Annette Callari
For the many of you who are floor covering
veterans, these cyclical downturns are nothing new. You have seen long lines
and soaring prices at the gas pump. You likely know the sick feeling of seeing
a neighbor's home go into foreclosure. I am not trying to depress you. Just the opposite-I want to remind you that
we have been here before.
Want to read more?
For more columns appearing this month, go
here.
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Submit your news to Flooring Insider
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 Featured product: Zimair set to launch Trypod
The new Trypod from Zimair Displays is a triangular unit with the capacity to hold up to 72 sample boards measuring 22 x 26. This display will be a stocking item and can be customized for a small minimum order, the company says.
www.zimair.com
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 Mohawk's 'Lineage':
New hardwood in 26 SKUs
Mohawk
Hardwood has taken the wraps off of Lineage hardwood. A highlight of the
collection is Belle Meade, a 3/4" solid oak in 10 SKUs.
Want to find out more?
Balta feels the 'Vibe'
with latest area rugs
Balta
has rolled out Vibe area rugs. Made using heat set olefin and featuring drop
stitching for a carved effect, the rugs are offered in two colorways and 24
looks.
Want to find out more?
 Angra from Vitromex
aims to mimic stone
Vitromex
introduces the Angra line of ceramic tile. Featuring distinctive stone looks,
Angra is available in two colors: Hueso (bone with beige tones) and Café (a
combination of dark beige, light brown and grays).
Want to find out more?
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Cersaie 2008
| Sept. 30-Oct. 4, Bologna, Italy
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2008 FIANA Convention
| Oct. 16-19, St.Louis, Mo.
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NAFCD Distributor Marketplace
| Oct. 29-31, Shaumburg, Ill.
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NeoCon East
| Oct. 29-30, Baltimore
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NOTE: If you have trouble viewing any of the ad animations or backgrounds, please visit the "View this e-mail as a web page" link at the top of this e-Newsletter.
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National Floor Trends
22801 Ventura Blvd, Ste. 115
Woodland Hills, CA, 91364
U.S.A. |
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