Chip Wade - Expert Craftsman

This morning, www.FloorDaily.net was kind enough to have me on for a live interview regarding my involvement with the SmartStrand Challenge presented by Mohawk & DuPont. I spoke with host Kemp Harr at length about the impressive attributes of SmartStrand, the innovative carpet challenge, working with the Birmingham Zoo, and Ricko himself.

Listen to Chip Wade on www.FloorDaily.net

I had a great time explaining the details and you can listen to the audio of my interview at the following link:

http://www.floordaily.net/Interviews/Chip_Wade_Talks_About_Mohawks_Smartstrand_Rhino_C.aspx

The coverage of the SmartStrand Challenge has been remarkable thus far and deservedly so. We still have some media outlets in line that will really get the word out. Thanks for continuing to follow my whereabouts and make sure to follow the SmartStrand Challenge as well!

The SmartStrand Challenge has officially started! Today, I’m back at the Birmingham Zoo broadcasting live from Ricko the Rhino’s carpeted enclosure across the nation with Dr. Bill Foster, director here at the zoo. We’re having a great time getting the word out and Ricko has been an incredible co-star.

You can follow our satellite media tour on Ricko’s personal Facebook page www.facebook.com/RickoRhino and on his Twitter stream www.twitter.com/rickotherhino. The response has already been tremendous and I can only imagine where this event will reach as the publicity grows. I know Ricko would love to hear from you as well.

Make sure to watch the action on www.SmartStrandChallenge.com because Ricko’s rhinocams are live and streaming. His adventures on SmartStrand are being captured around the clock and trust me, Ricko is extremely entertaining.

Let me know if you us on TV or hear us on radio- we’re coming to a city near you.

Wow, that didn’t take long- the SmartStrand Challenge presented by Mohawk and DuPont is already making some early noise! Tomorrow morning at 11:30 Eastern, I will be a guest on Homefront Radio with Danny Lipford and Allen Lyle, a national home improvement radio show.

It seems Danny and Allen heard about my work with Ricko at the Birmingham Zoo and want the scoop about the Challenge itself. I’m sure the guys will be more than a little surprised to hear that Mohawk is letting a 2,800 pound rhino live on SmartStrand to demonstrate durability and stain-resistance.

You can get in on the action at www.dannylipford.com/homefront - this is only the beginning of the media attention that the SmartStrand Challenge will receive.

Chip Wade will be on Homefront Radio!

As promised, I’m giving you guys the first look at the SmartStrand Challenge presented by Mohawk and DuPont. In what I can only describe as a truly innovative approach to carpeting, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work on this project. This is in no small part due to a friendly 2,800 pound creature I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with.

This is my pal Ricko, a 12-year-old endangered black rhinoceros currently a guest at the Birmingham Zoo. I had the pleasure of outfitting an enclosure for Ricko with 1,080 square feet of SmartStrand carpet with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer. Yes, you heard right- this rhino will be living on Mohawk carpet.

For two weeks beginning August 14th, Ricko will be putting SmartStrand to the ultimate test of durability, cleanability, and resiliency. Will this carpet be able to keep its appearance and functionality after a rhino has lived on it? That’s a lot of weight (and a lot of waste!) for any surface to handle. I’m interested to see if SmartStrand is up to the job!

The entire two weeks will be broadcast on www.smartstrandchallenge.com via “rhinocams”, live from the Birmingham Zoo. You’ll be able to witness firsthand whether SmartStrand can meet Ricko’s demands or fold under the pressure. I will be on hand at Ricko’s pad when the Challenge broadcast begins and we’ve already lined up some impressive media outlets to cover the event.

I can promise that you’ve never seen my work in this capacity before, so I will be sure to give you updates on Ricko and the SmartStrand Challenge!

My work has always provided me with incredible experiences, but I can honestly say that I’ve never worked on a project like this before. For my latest endeavor, I’m helping my good friends at Mohawk design a totally unique demonstration for their incredible SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer. Let’s just say it involves nature, wildlife, one tremendously durable carpet, and of course, your favorite handyman.  

In working on the SmartStrand Challenge, I became well-acquainted with Mohawk’s revolutionary, eco-friendly carpet. With a significant portion developed from corn sugars, SmartStrand provided me with many attractive design options to choose from while still being kind to the environment. I can’t wait for you to see everything we’ve been working on and to see the outcome for myself.

This project is extremely exclusive and I’m not allowed to reveal many details until August. But I can say that more information will be available on SmartStrandChallenge.com in the very near future. Also, I will have some big updates for you on my blog the minute I get the green light from Mohawk.

For your viewing pleasure now, I have a preview that will most certainly pique your curiosity. Until the next update, take care and be on the lookout for more new developments from Wade Taylor, LLC.