Long an indicator of consumer attitudes, the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in April, gained ground in May.

Lauded industry pioneer Robert W. Van Buren, former vice chairman and CEO of Domco Tarkett (now Tarkett Inc.) died Friday, May 27, at his home in Marlboro, N.Y.

Homeowners looking to retire their tired old carpet -- for free -- could be in luck by logging onto www.stainmaster.com.

Hardwood manufacturers have gotten some good news this month, after weathering the storms of the marketplace.

The National Wood Flooring Association said it has inked a deal with The Oprah Winfrey Show that will enable member companies to run regional ads on the syndicated talk show. For any 10-week period during the remainder of the year, Association members can run an ad once a week in their market for as little as a few hundred dollars per 10-week period, NWFA said. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Stainmaster Flooring Fashion Premiere sale, originally slated to end May 31, has been extended through June 17, 2005, Mannington says.

As part of a new corporate structure aimed at galvanizing Lauzon's position in the hardwood flooring business, the company has established, what it describes as, "three new, separate and distinct vice-presidencies to maximize and harmonize opportunities." In doing so, the company, which markets the Eterna and Dubeau, brands, has added two new senior managers and promoted a third. Central to the new plan is the separation of Lauzon's sales and marketing departments. Each will now operate a distinct entity headed by one of the newly named vice presidents.

The National Wood Flooring Association has released the first installment of a two-part study on moisture issues, through its Industry Research Foundation. Part I, "Concrete Slabs and Moisture Issues," addresses three key components, including concrete and cement chemistry, concrete and cement technology, and approaches to remedy problem slabs with high moisture content. The report further addresses moisture sources, both natural and artificial, and testing methods, including qualitative tests providing a general indication of moisture and quantitative tests providing the level of moisture present.

Congoleum Corp. said it has reached a settlement agreement with one of its excess insurance carriers over coverage for asbestos-related claims. Under the terms of the settlement, certain AIG companies will pay $103 million over ten years to the trust to be formed upon confirmation of Congoleum's proposed amended plan of reorganization. The settlement resolves coverage obligations of policies with a total of $114 million in liability limits for asbestos bodily injury claims, and is subject to final court approval and effectiveness of Congoleum's proposed amended plan of reorganization.