5 questions for Consolidated Carpet’s David Meberg

Summer 2016

Consolidated Carpet's David Meberg
Consolidated Carpet’s David Meberg

HOW IMPORTANT IS SUSTAINABILITY TO CONSOLIDATED AND ITS CLIENTS?

One of our core values is to operate an environmentally friendly organization. We invested $1 million to install solar panels in our warehouse in New Jersey. From a floor covering perspective, we look to recycle everything that comes through our doors. As for our clients with respect to their projects, it comes and goes in waves.

I think it is almost second nature that projects are per- formed with an environmental foundation. There may not be a spotlight on it like there was 10 years ago, but I think that’s because it has become a culture.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF PRODUCT MIX THESE DAYS?

Obviously more carpet tile than broadloom, and certainly more LVT, but the biggest trend we are seeing is polished and refinished concrete. There are a lot of commercial spaces in New York City being designed with just the refurbishing of the existing concrete sub- floor — polishing the concrete, sealing it up and leaving it exposed. It’s a minimalistic design look, almost industrial — unfinished ceilings, glass partitions, unfinished floors. We do so much of that now. We didn’t know of it as a trend, but when the top architectural firms are doing their own spaces that way, we know this will be around for a while.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TODAY FOR A FLOORING CONTRACTOR, BOTH GENERALLY SPEAKING AND SPECIFICALLY FOR CONSOLIDATED?

For us, locally, the price of labor is a huge challenge. Our area is shifting from a unionized market to an open-shop market. We are a union shop, so we have a big challenge in adapting to that. The downside of a non-union environment is there is no bottom. It’s a matter of how low can you go. There is no value being placed on installation. In a unionized market- place at least you have an even footing with the price of labor. We are a labor company at our core, so when that is devalued it is obviously a big challenge for us.

MOST OFTEN, ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE SPECIFICATIONS OF A JOB OR SIMPLY
THE LABOR?

The specification process is a consulting service we provide to the architect and designer. We like the architect or designer to lay out a project, tell us what the space is going to be used for, and then we can give our recommendations. However, we don’t like to change specs. You can upset the architect as well as the manufacturer of the original specified product. You may get the job but it will hurt relationships. We would prefer to be involved in the specification process.

HOW IMPORTANT IS PRICE TODAY IN TERMS
OF WINNING THE JOB? WHERE DO SERVICE, RELATIONSHIPS, ETC. FALL IN?

In our marketplace, price is still everything. It is unfortunate that other components aren’t factored in. Relationships and service help, but all it gets you is another chance at bat. They may say, “We want to work with Consolidated, but your competition is 3% lower.” We may get a chance to match the bid, but regardless of all other factors, we won’t get the job if we don’t match that number.

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