Tarkett Residential Raising Prices April 1

Press Release From Tarkett:

Farnham, Quebec, Canada, February 22, 2008--

Tarkett Residential said it will increase prices for its residential resilient products 5-7-percent, effective with shipments on April 1.“Due to ongoing increases in raw materials, energy and freight costs, we found it necessary to adjust our pricing,” said President Guillaume Laverdure.

Source: Floor Daily

Products affected at American Carpet Wholesalers is our Tarkett Laminate Flooring line and the Nafco Luxury Vinyl Tile brand.. Our prices for the laminate flooring line and the luxury vinyl tile line are already extremely competitive. Because our volume puchasing of the Tarkett Laminate and the Nafco Vinyl Tile, I do not foresee a major impact. We negotiate our pricing on these products in advance at American Carpet Wholesalers. I do not see a price increase to be passed on to our customers until maybe late June or early July of 2008.

What is Bliss by Beaulieu™?

Bliss by Beaulieu™ is not just a new brand from Beaulieu of America. Owner of such brands as Hollytex Carpets, Hollytex Commercial Carpets, Coronet Carpets, Coronet Commercial Carpets, Beaulieu Carpets, Beaulieu Commercial Carpets and several other lines. It is also a new way of marketing these unique carpets to the consumer. It is an attitude starting at the employee level. It is about bringing the employer, supplier, and consumer together on a personal business level.

The Bliss by Beaulieu™ line will consist of several collections Healthy Home™ , Natural Comfort™, and Ultimate Home™. Once rolled out, these collections will offer innovative carpet solutions for an individual consumer's lifestyle.

Beaulieu is already one of our favorite suppliers and once the new line is available, we will begin to promote it. I expect you will begin to see the products on our site beginning late May or early June. Once we start adding the products I will add another post.

Suffaces 2008 Floor Show and Convention

I just returned from Surfaces 2008 (Floor covering dealers and manufacturers annual convention). Because of the state of the economy and housing market, it was not nearly as crowded as in previous years. But all in all, I have to say that it was one of the better shows I have attended. Lots of new products, updating of some older dependable ones and an exciting new brand.

It was not possible to see every new entry. Previously I had made appointments with some of my major suppliers to see their new wares and to take advantage of some market specials. Mannington Mills was quite hospitable. There were some new additons to their Mannington Adura Tile and Plank line and a great market special. I bought a truckload. Mannington Laminate Floors and Mannington Hardwood Floors had some beautiful new additions. Mannington and the R A Siegel Company (my distributor for Mannington) gave me $100 in chips for my visit which I promptly turned into $300 while walking back through The Venetian Hotel casino.

But the most exciting part of the show for me was the introduction of "Bliss". A new carpet brand by Beaulieu USA (one of my major partners). I will give you more info on Bliss in my next post.

Southeastern Freight Lines Honors ACWG

SEFL named American Carpet Wholesalers of GA, Inc as one of their top 25 accounts. Considering that we are in Dalton, Ga along with the big names such as Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Beaulieu of America, and about 100 other carpet manufacturers, this is a huge honor. Just think, 6 years ago it was very hard for us to get supplier recognition. My staff and I realize as long as we continue to provide products at a fair price and great customer service we will continue to grow and set sales records. All I can say to my crew is "You've come along way, baby". Thanks to all.

Floor Muffler Laminate Underlay

We have added Floor Muffler brand laminate underlay to our stocking inventory. Our customers have been asking for it for months. It has remarkable noise reduction characteristics and produces a sound almost identical to that of walking on real wood floors. We have not had anything but positive feedback for the product. Laminate flooring never sounded so good.

Congratulations from Inc. Magazine

This is a letter from the publisher of Inc. Magazine on making the list.


Dear Jerry,

Congratulations again on making Inc.'s list of America's fastest growing private companies. Over the years, we've seen many companies leverage their appearance on the list to actually accelerate their growth. That’s one reason I hope you’ve been sharing the achievements of American Carpet Wholesalers of GA with your employees, customers, and the many others who have contributed to its great success.

You can also view former President Bill Clinton’s speech. In both his presence at the event and in his remarks, I think he showed that he understands the important role entrepreneurs play in America’s economic success. He and I also both share the belief that entrepreneurship is one of our best hopes for expanding opportunity in the nation’s distressed and emerging communities. We'll begin recruitment in the next month for the Inner City Entrepreneur Initiative, a high-impact mentoring program between successful entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies in America's inner cities.

Sincerely,

John Koten
CEO and Editor In Chief
Mansueto Ventures

Inc Magazine Press Release

Copy of Press Release Distributed by Inc Magazine.
"Excuse me while I kiss the sky."
This a lot of work and a lot of dedication by my entire staff.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jerry Bryson,
FIRST-EVER LIST OF THE 5,000 FASTEST-GROWING BUSINESSES
REPORTS TOTAL REVENUE OF $194.5 BILLION

American Carpet Wholesalers of GA, Inc. Ranks No. 4060 on the 2007 Inc. 5,000
With Three-Year Sales Growth of 60%

NEW YORK, August 23, 2007 – Inc. today ranked American Carpet Wholesalers of GA, Inc. #4060 on its first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The Inc. 5,000, an extension of Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500 list, catches many businesses that are too big to grow at the pace required to make the Inc. 500, as well as a host of smaller firms. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy. “Our growth can be attributed to great employees who believe that above all else, providing the best customer service will keep the phone ringing and customers coming back over and over.” says Jerry Bryson, President and CEO.Based in Dalton, GA, American Carpet Wholesalers sells name brand floor coverings such as carpet, area rugs, commercial carpet tile, vinyl tile, hardwood flooring and laminate flooring directly to the consumer via their website ( www.carpet-wholesale.com ). Consumers save up to70% over traditional local brick and mortar establishments. A great deal of these products are in stock and ready to ship at one of their facilities