The Flooring Podcast with Mike Harris

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 michaelharris76@gmail.com
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