Core Insights - The International Surface Event (tise) has announced the winners of the "What's Hot – Best of tise 2026 Awards," recognizing companies that excel in innovation and industry standards [1][3][4] Industry Overview - tise serves as a premier platform for industry professionals to discover new products during the peak buying cycle, featuring over 650 brands across more than 155 product categories [2][8] - The event highlights both traditional and innovative products, with dedicated pavilions for flooring, stone, tile, machinery, and installation products [2] Awards Highlights - The awards celebrate products, services, and solutions that enhance industry efficiency, creativity, safety, and innovation [3] - Notable winners in the Surfaces category include: - Style & Design: Karastan - Technology: Rara AI - Innovation: Mohawk - Sustainability: Nox - Disruption: Mohawk - Carpet: Couristan - Wood: AHF - Laminate: Stanton - Resilient: Mannington [6] - In the Tile + Stone category, winners include: - Style & Design: Cambria - Technology: Aardwolf - Innovation: GranQuartz - Sustainability: Full Circle Water - Disruption: Thryve - Tile: Arizona Tile - Stone: Vermont Quarries [7] Event Details - The awards will return to tise next year from February 2-4, 2026, with information available for submissions for the 2027 awards [7]

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Informa Markets' The International Surface Event (tise), the largest annual resource for the flooring, stone and tile industries, today announces the winners of the annual “What’s Hot – Best of tise 2026 Awards”. The awards are sponsored by Floor Covering News and Stone World. tise is the ultimate gathering to discover new products at the peak of the year's buying cycle, making it the go-to destination for industry professionals. As the epicenter for innovation a ...

Summary of BuildDirect.com (OTCPK:BDCT.F) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - BuildDirect.com is positioned as North America's consolidator in the flooring industry, which has a total addressable market (TAM) of approximately $90 billion [1] - The company currently operates at a size of around $65 million in revenue and aims to reach $500 million in revenue with 75 locations [8][18] Industry Insights - The flooring industry is characterized by a high degree of fragmentation, with more entities now than 20 years ago [2] - The market is primarily driven by renovation projects rather than new construction, making it resilient in various economic conditions [1] - The company also serves commercial sectors, including hospitality and medical [2] Growth Strategy - BuildDirect's growth strategy focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), expanding Pro Centers, and enhancing its e-commerce platform [3][11] - The company has identified tile as a significant growth opportunity, representing about 35% of the overall flooring TAM [6] - Current organic growth is expected to come from scaling the e-commerce business, which has a run rate of $15 million and aims to reach $50 million [4] Financial Performance - The company reports a gross margin of 40%, which could increase to approximately 55% with direct procurement [8] - Pro Centers are expected to generate about $7.5 million in revenue per location, with an EBITDA margin of 12% to 15% [9] Market Positioning - BuildDirect differentiates itself from big box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's by focusing on the pro customer segment, which requires bulk orders and specialized services [25] - The company aims to optimize marketing and supply chain efficiencies post-acquisition, as the flooring industry is currently under-marketed [13][14] Acquisition Strategy - The company is actively in "buy mode" for acquisitions, viewing the next few years as a prime opportunity for growth [12] - BuildDirect emphasizes that any acquisition must be financially better than building a new location from scratch [12] - The company is particularly interested in small businesses with strong local brands that can be integrated into its existing operations [10] Challenges and Considerations - The flooring industry faces challenges related to inventory management and the complexities of integrating acquired businesses [26] - Private equity firms are often hesitant to invest in this space due to concerns over inventory and accounts receivable [30] Future Outlook - BuildDirect is focused on responsible, steady growth and aims to leverage technology to enhance its market position [24] - The company is exploring additional categories beyond flooring for future expansion [24] Conclusion - BuildDirect.com is strategically positioned to capitalize on the fragmented flooring market through a combination of organic growth and targeted acquisitions, with a clear focus on serving the professional customer segment and enhancing operational efficiencies [23]

Core Insights - Floor & Decor has opened a new warehouse location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, expanding its reach in the hard-surface flooring market [1][3][10] - The company operates over 250 warehouse-format stores and five design studios across 38 states, offering a wide range of flooring products at competitive prices [2][10] Company Expansion - The new warehouse store features a team of approximately 35 full-time and 15 part-time associates, led by Chief Executive Merchant Jeneva Hurst [1] - The grand opening is celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 9, 2025, in collaboration with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce [3] Community Engagement - Floor & Decor is hosting a PRO Block Party on October 11, 2025, to engage local professionals, offering prizes and opportunities to learn about the company's services [5][6] - The store will also conduct a $5,000 Floor Makeover Sweepstakes as part of its grand opening festivities, running until November 25, 2025 [7] Product Offering - The company provides a comprehensive suite of services and a rewards program tailored for professionals in the construction and renovation industries [4] - Floor & Decor's product assortment includes tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone flooring, along with installation materials and decorative accessories [2][10]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the top AI-driven tools and platforms that emerged during the week of July 7-13, 2025, showcasing their unique value propositions and market opportunities in various sectors such as productivity, design, compliance, and community engagement [2]. Group 1: Clueso - Clueso is an AI tool focused on enhancing the efficiency of product video and document creation, allowing users to transform raw screen recordings into professional-grade videos and step-by-step articles in minutes [3][4]. - It addresses pain points in traditional video production, such as time consumption and high professional barriers, capitalizing on the market need for SaaS product promotion and internal knowledge retention [4]. - Key features include AI script optimization, voiceover, automatic focus on key operations, and customizable templates, significantly reducing production time while ensuring content professionalism [5]. - Clueso received 1,400 Upvotes and 281 comments, indicating strong user engagement [6]. Group 2: Stepfun Diligence Check - Stepfun Diligence Check is an AI-driven fact-checking tool designed for media professionals and researchers, providing multi-source verification to help users discern the truth amidst information overload [9]. - Its core functionalities include real-time multi-source validation and AI collaboration to identify logical gaps, catering to the growing demand for efficient and transparent fact-checking tools [10]. - The platform garnered 1,214 Upvotes and 114 comments, reflecting its popularity [13]. Group 3: Magic Animator (Beta) - Magic Animator (Beta) is an AI animation generation tool aimed at designers and product teams, enabling quick conversion of Figma designs into editable animations [19]. - It enhances animation production efficiency and integrates seamlessly with Figma, reducing the complexity of traditional animation workflows [19]. - The tool received 723 Upvotes and 41 comments, showcasing user interest [20]. Group 4: Intervo - Intervo is an open-source conversational AI platform that allows businesses to create customizable AI agents for various communication channels [24]. - It addresses the limitations of existing chatbots by offering multi-channel interaction and easy integration with tools like Twilio and Slack, catering to the rising demand for automated customer service solutions [24]. - Intervo achieved 614 Upvotes and 51 comments, indicating a positive reception [25]. Group 5: Sprinto Trust Center - Sprinto Trust Center is a no-code compliance sharing platform designed for tech companies, streamlining security reviews and trust-building processes [28]. - It simplifies compliance management by providing a centralized hub for sharing compliance documents, addressing the need for efficient compliance solutions in the tech industry [28]. - The platform received 610 Upvotes and 56 comments, reflecting its effectiveness [29]. Group 6: HelloCV AI - HelloCV AI is an AI-driven personal website generator that transforms resumes into visually appealing personal websites with a free .cv domain [30]. - It targets job seekers and freelancers, addressing the challenges of traditional resumes and LinkedIn profiles by offering a professional online presence [30]. - The tool garnered 604 Upvotes and 95 comments, indicating strong user engagement [31]. Group 7: TensorBlock Forge - TensorBlock Forge is an open-source unified AI API platform that simplifies the integration of multiple AI models from various vendors [34]. - It addresses the complexities of managing multiple AI services, providing a streamlined solution for developers and enterprises [34]. - The platform received 543 Upvotes and 64 comments, showcasing its appeal [37]. Group 8: Tile - Tile is an AI-driven mobile app development platform that enables users to create production-ready apps without extensive coding knowledge [39]. - It offers a visual editor and AI agents to handle backend complexities, catering to entrepreneurs and teams looking to quickly launch applications [39]. - The platform achieved 525 Upvotes and 112 comments, reflecting user interest [40]. Group 9: Wibe for Creators - Wibe is a community platform designed for individual creators, helping them monetize their expertise through high-quality interactions [43]. - It addresses the challenges of community management by providing tools for engagement and event organization, meeting the demand for focused community platforms [43]. - The platform received 489 Upvotes and 44 comments, indicating its popularity [44]. Group 10: 21st.dev 2.0 - 21st.dev 2.0 is an open-source UI component marketplace that enhances the efficiency of UI component discovery and customization through AI [47]. - It targets front-end developers and design engineers, addressing the need for diverse and adaptable UI components [47]. - The platform garnered 485 Upvotes and 59 comments, showcasing user engagement [49].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Overall comparable store sales decreased by 4% during the first quarter, attributed to lower store traffic and market conditions [6][12] - Gross margin rate improved to 66%, a 20 basis point increase compared to the first quarter of the previous year, driven by a decrease in inventory write-offs [13] - Operating cash flow generated was $10 million, with cash balance growing to $27.1 million at the end of the quarter [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - An increase in tile volume sold was noted, driven by the introduction of competitively priced entry-level products and the Arbor collection of luxury vinyl tile [7][10] - The addition of engineered hardwood and laminate products contributed to volume increases in large format tiles [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced challenges from lower housing turnover, market volatility, and consumer confidence concerns during the first quarter [6] - The impact of tariff policies on sourcing and pricing was acknowledged, with efforts made to diversify the supplier base across over 25 countries [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on providing an exceptional customer experience and effectively managing expenses amidst external challenges [6] - Partnerships with leading designers and brands are being expanded to create unique and exclusive tile products [9][10] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the changes made to the product assortment contributing to increased tile volume sold, despite ongoing industry challenges [10] - The company believes it is well-positioned to navigate the current environment with a strong assortment and balance sheet [15] Other Important Information - The company anticipates receiving $2 million in sublease income from a distribution center, which will help reduce SG&A expenses [14] Q&A Session Summary - There were no questions during the Q&A session [18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings of $0.44 per share for Q4 2024, including a net benefit of $6.8 million from a derivative litigation settlement [14] - For the full year 2024, diluted earnings were $1.90 per share, which also included the $0.05 benefit from the settlement [15] - Q4 2024 gross profit rose by 8.9%, with a gross margin rate of 43.5%, while the full-year gross margin rate increased to 43.3% from 42.1% [56] - Selling and store operating expenses increased by 10.1% in Q4 2024, while general and administrative expenses decreased by 5.4% [57][59] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 increased by 11.1% to $119.8 million, while full-year adjusted EBITDA declined by 7.0% to $512.5 million [63][65] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for Q4 2024 increased by 5.7% year-over-year, while comparable store sales decreased by 0.8%, showing improvement from previous quarters [23][24] - The company opened 10 new warehouse format stores in Q4 2024, totaling 30 new stores for the fiscal year [19] - Spartan Surfaces experienced a 17.9% decline in Q4 sales, primarily due to weakness in the multifamily residential market [46] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that existing home sales rose for the third consecutive month in December 2024, despite elevated mortgage interest rates [24] - The west division showed encouraging comparable store sales trends, with modest growth year-over-year [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to open 25 new warehouse format stores in fiscal 2025, focusing on strategic growth despite industry pressures [20][21] - Investments in innovative merchandise and technology are prioritized to enhance customer experience and drive long-term growth [15][30] - The company is diversifying its supply chain to reduce reliance on China, with the U.S. now being the largest country of manufacture [34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about long-term growth opportunities in hard-surface flooring due to supply and demand imbalances in housing [16] - The company is carefully planning for fiscal 2025 amid geopolitical uncertainties and mixed economic indicators, with total sales expected to range from $4.740 billion to $4.900 billion [68][70] - Management highlighted the importance of existing home sales for driving growth in same-store sales [100] Other Important Information - The company achieved a record high net promoter score in January 2025, reflecting strong customer service [53] - The company plans to continue investing in technology and e-commerce to enhance customer engagement [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the slightly weaker performance quarter-to-date? - Management attributed the slowdown to weather impacts, noting that sales typically recover over time [80] Question: How should we think about the incrementality or flow-through to the model? - Management indicated that better-than-expected sales lead to strong flow-through, with expectations of high 30s flow-through if sales exceed projections [84][86] Question: What are the expectations for housing backdrop and its impact on sales? - Management expects a slow recovery in housing, with benefits from immature stores contributing to sales growth [99][100] Question: How will the company manage supply chain costs and pricing in 2025? - The company plans to negotiate with suppliers, diversify sourcing, and adjust prices as necessary to manage costs [128]