The Flooring Podcast with Mike Harris

Mike interviews Craig Morris, a business development manager from Ardex. The conversation delves into Craig's background, from his roots in Pittsburgh to his extensive career in the flooring industry. They cover Craig's journey through Ardex, including his roles and responsibilities, and share insights into the company's innovative products. The discussion also touches on Craig's personal life, his connection to Cape Cod, and his experiences working with industry professionals. Craig's anecdotes about his family, his time in the military, and his fondness for Boston and Venice, Florida add a personal touch to the professional narrative.

Topics

00:41 Meet Craig Morris: A Journey from Pittsburgh to South Florida

01:19 Craig's Career Path with Ardex

03:17 The Challenges and Rewards of Handling Claims

03:37 Craig's New Role in Business Development

06:42 Craig's Early Life and Entry into Flooring

07:45 Military Service and Career Transition

10:14 Family Ties and Sibling Success Stories

15:07 Innovations in Flooring Products

21:25 The Bubble Incident and Lessons Learned

22:29 Communication and Technical Knowledge

24:58 Personal Connections and Family

26:43 Union Collaborations and Training

30:07 Reflections on Mentorship and Legacy

37:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

Mike sits down with Peter McKeon, an independent representative who has been in the flooring industry for 30 years. They discuss their experience working on commission, various flooring products, and the evolution of the market. Peter shares personal stories about his upbringing as one of 13 children, his involvement in charitable causes like the Pan-Mass Challenge, and his family's medical breakthroughs. The episode offers a deep dive into both professional and personal aspects of a long-term flooring industry professional.

Visit https://mckeongroup.com/

Email Michael Harris at [email protected]

Topics

00:38 Meet Peter McKeon: A Competitor and Friend

01:37 The Journey with LRE: From College to Career

03:06 Understanding the Manufacturer's Rep Role

04:18 The Evolution of LRE and Its Products

08:40 The Super Cap Truck: Revolutionizing Floor Prep

12:45 Personal Insights: Growing Up in a Large Family

15:39 Introduction to the Guest's Background

16:00 Genetic Heart Condition and Medical Advances

16:32 Pan-Mass Challenge Biking Journey

19:12 Prostate Cancer Test Development

20:31 Large Format Tile Installation Challenges

22:19 Boston's Construction and Real Estate Trends

24:19 The McKeon Group's Operations

25:49 Family Business Dynamics

29:23 Quickfire Questions and Conclusion

Mike welcomes Mike Webster, Vice President at Capozza Floor Covering Center in Portland, Maine. They discuss the complexities and growth of the flooring industry in the New England market. Mike Webster shares the history of Capozza, a family-owned business spanning three generations, and his own 16-year journey from warehouse worker to Vice President. The episode covers various aspects of the business, including commercial and residential flooring, recent company changes, Portland's development, the importance of training and retaining good employees, and the company's participation in the Fuse network. The conversation also delves into balancing work and family life, and concludes with some personal insights about Portland's restaurant scene and local sports culture.

Capozza Floor Covering Center: https://capozzaflooring.com/

Mike Webster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-webster-b0385945/

Topics

00:43 Meet Mike Webster from Portland, Maine

02:04 The History of Capozza

04:17 Mike Webster's Journey in the Flooring Industry

07:00 Acquisition of DMT and Business Expansion

09:31 Life in Portland, Maine

14:06 The Role of Fuse Network

16:09 Recent Changes and Future Plans at Capozza

20:24 Introduction to Floor Life Solutions (FLS)

20:37 Importance of Proper Floor Maintenance

21:36 Company Structure and Training Programs

25:39 Portland's Construction Boom

28:38 Sports and Family Life in Portland

29:31 Working for a Family Business

34:17 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

Mike welcomes David Pineda, the head instructor for the North Atlantic state's carpenter's flooring division. They discuss David's 20-year journey in the flooring industry, the union's training programs, and the skills required for successful flooring installation. David talks about the enrollment process, the detailed curriculum, and the importance of punctuality and professionalism for apprentices. They also explore the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, the benefits of union membership, and the use of AI in training translations. David shares personal anecdotes about his career, family, and hobbies, highlighting the importance of work-life balance.

Topics

00:39 Meet David Pineda: Flooring Industry Veteran

01:12 Union Training Programs and Apprenticeships

02:45 The Apprentice Journey: From Application to Graduation

10:28 Union Benefits and Career Stability

12:08 David's Personal Journey into Flooring

14:44 The Importance of Mentorship and Continuous Learning

17:34 Graduation and Advanced Training Programs

19:55 Bilingual Training: Teaching in Spanish and English

21:02 Leveraging AI for Efficiency

23:17 Career Journey in Flooring

28:58 Union Membership and Opportunities

32:38 Balancing Work and Personal Life

33:58 Personal Interests: Star Wars Lego Collection

35:05 Conclusion and Rapid-Fire Questions

Mike welcomes Daniel McCarthy from Allegheny Contract Flooring. The two discuss their similar beginnings in marketing and transition into the flooring industry, working together over the last decade. Daniel shares insights on various aspects of the commercial flooring business including union and non-union work, surface preparation, the use of Supercap trucks, and evolving flooring technologies. They reflect on significant projects they've handled, such as the Dennis-Yarmouth regional school and the top of the Prudential building in Boston. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes about family and favorite pastimes.

Topics

00:41 Meet Daniel McCarthy: From Marketing to Flooring

02:15 Union vs. Non-Union: Navigating the Flooring Industry

03:46 Expanding into the Boston Market

12:45 Pavilion and the Move to Allegheny

15:15 Personal Life and Family Transitions

16:19 Commuting Challenges and Relocation

16:43 Department Services Overview

17:03 Super Cap Truck Operations

18:26 Maintaining Equipment and Team

19:07 Challenges in Flooring Projects

21:00 Polished Concrete and Market Dynamics

21:35 Union vs Non-Union Work

23:20 Terrazzo Flooring Discussion

26:27 Division Size and Project Load

27:21 Year-End Reflections and Future Outlook

29:31 Personal Insights and Closing Remarks

Mike talks with Dan Auditore, the president and owner of Allegheny Contract Flooring. They discuss Dan's background and history within the family business, his unexpected inheritance of the company alongside his brother following their father's sudden passing, and the challenges and successes they experienced. Dan shares insights about his early career in construction, the strategic return to the family business after a 15-year hiatus, and the ongoing commitment to principles, integrity, and training that he upholds in running Allegheny. The discussion also delves into the future of the flooring industry, technological advancements, and the importance of adapting and growing the company in the evolving marketplace. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, this episode offers a deep dive into sustaining a family legacy in commercial flooring and the evolving landscape of the industry.

Topics

00:45 Meet Dan Auditore: A Legacy in Flooring

02:10 Challenges and Triumphs: Dan's Journey

05:13 Life Beyond Flooring: Personal Pursuits

08:58 Family and Personal Life

11:08 Returning to the Family Business

12:29 Leadership and Legacy

16:02 The Importance of Principles and Integrity

21:18 Reflecting on Personal Loss

21:54 Overview of Business Operations

22:37 Exploring Business Divisions

23:41 Innovations in Flooring Technology

26:18 Impact of AI on the Flooring Industry

28:06 Challenges in the Labor Market

29:34 Training and Education Initiatives

31:37 Future Plans and Market Outlook

38:40 Personal Insights and Closing Remarks

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Flooring Podcast with Mike Harris, where we explore all things related to flooring in commercial construction. Mike sits down with Steven Hilton, a seasoned expert with 22 years in the flooring industry. Steve discusses his journey, the evolution of flooring technologies, and his experiences working with UCX Northeast. The conversation covers key industry changes like the rise of moisture mitigation, polished concrete, and epoxy coatings. Both share insights on building strong customer relationships and the importance of bringing value and expertise to the business. Tune in to learn from industry veterans and get practical advice for navigating the commercial flooring world.

Topics

00:52 Meet the Inaugural Guest: Steve Hilton

01:44 Steve’'s Journey in the Flooring Industry

03:01 The Evolution of UCX Northeast

09:33 Challenges and Changes in the Flooring Business

17:50 Impact of Skyscraper Construction on Flooring

19:44 Challenges in Door Installation and Ramping Mortars

20:16 Restoration in Historic Buildings

22:50 The Rise of Polished Toppings

27:52 Epoxy Flooring in Modern Construction

29:33 Trends in Tile and Ceramic Flooring

31:49 The Importance of Relationships in Sales

34:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts