
Domotex Hannover, Surfaces, Domotex Asia – Trade shows 2012
December 16, 2011 by Rob Banks · 1 Comment
Well it is almost time for Santa to leverage his inspiring supply chain and pull off the most impressive display of logistics seen, well, since last Christmas. It also means that we are within a month of the hectic trade show season for key flooring personnel across the globe. Here are the top 3 flooring shows of Q1 2012 and a brief commentary of each. Domotex Hannover – January 14 – 17, 2012 at Convention Center in Hannover, Germany http://www.domotex.de/home This … Read More

Thank You Erica Swallow and Mashable.com
August 10, 2010 by Rob Banks · 2 Comments
Here's a video thanking Erica Swallow, who wrote an informative post about CEOs and Founders who use web video. The list included me, along with some people I really admire. Thanks again, Erica - and Mashable.com! … Read More

Building Business Relationships on Common Ground (Or Ice)
March 11, 2011 by Rob Banks · 3 Comments
It’s about relationships. We have an exciting growth company in a cool industry but at the end of the day what makes me happy is the relationships I get to make with co-workers, customers, stakeholders and suppliers. It is easy to get busy and stay stuck behind a desk, head down and working hard. But it is important to make the time to grow relationships when the opportunity arises. I feel it is one of the key measures of success in business. Well this blog … Read More
BuildDirect Goes to ‘Noble House’
August 24, 2009 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
Taipan of the Noble House; Ian Dunross Struans. If these names mean anything to you you'll probably enjoy this blog post. James Clavell (of Shogun fame) wrote a fabulous novel called Noble House. It was a sequel to the equally impressive novel, Taipan. These are my two favorite books. I read them as a young adult and have re-read them several times. My wife thinks I'm crazy since I read them so often, but they are inspirational and entertaining for me. They definitely … Read More
Recent Articles

BuildDirect Impressions At The 2011 Canton Fair
November 3, 2011 by Rob Banks · 2 Comments
Here is a brief video of me at the 2011 Canton Fair, located in Guangzhou, China. This is a massive show with so many things - too many things! It is not a specialty show and I treat it as the fourth or fifth show I’d attend in the flooring industry. The two Domotex … [Read More...]

Wood Flooring Forum 2011 in Shanghai
April 29, 2011 by Rob Banks · 1 Comment
Recently I was in Shanghai to speak on an international panel at ‘Wood Flooring Forum 2011’. It was a full day event in conjunction with the massive Domotex trade show held annually at the end of March in Shanghai. The Wood Flooring Forum was held March 25th at the Kerry … [Read More...]

Building Business Relationships on Common Ground (Or Ice)
March 11, 2011 by Rob Banks · 3 Comments
It’s about relationships. We have an exciting growth company in a cool industry but at the end of the day what makes me happy is the relationships I get to make with co-workers, customers, stakeholders and suppliers. It is easy to get busy and stay stuck behind a desk, … [Read More...]

What You See in The Middle of Nowhere, Part 6: Ducks In A Truck!
February 25, 2011 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
Ducks in a truck. What else can I say? At a road stop at the side of a highway driving to who knows where, rural China. I heard this crazy noise (and smelt an odd smell) and, well, here is what I saw. Ducks in a truck. What else can I say? Lunch anyone???? … [Read More...]

The Best Food In China
February 18, 2011 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
After visiting a factory in Chengdu (Sichuan province China) we went for lunch in a small country restaurant. It was smokin' hot out so we decided to go for smokin' hot local food! Sichuan is of course the most famous region of China and one of the most famous in the world for … [Read More...]

The Transparent Volkswagen Phaeton Factory
February 11, 2011 by Rob Banks · 1 Comment
A friend of mine sent this Youtube video on to me. He is a car guy so he was excited about seeing this from a car-buying perspective. I got excited from a technology and supply chain perspective. Wow, this is impressive! It is a VW automobile ‘transparent’ factory located … [Read More...]
Cultural Experiences

What You See in The Middle of Nowhere, Part 6: Ducks In A Truck!
February 25, 2011 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
Ducks in a truck. What else can I say? At a road stop at the side of a highway driving to who knows where, rural China. I heard this crazy … [Read More...]

The Best Food In China
February 18, 2011 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
After visiting a factory in Chengdu (Sichuan province China) we went for lunch in a small country restaurant. It was smokin' hot out so we decided … [Read More...]

How to Travel to China and Stay on Your Game, Too
December 17, 2010 by Rob Banks · Leave a Comment
If you follow my blog, you obviously know I do a lot of travel to Asia. Living in Vancouver is a brilliant location to do business with … [Read More...]
Materials Procurement

BuildDirect Impressions At The 2011 Canton Fair
November 3, 2011 by Rob Banks · 2 Comments
Here is a brief video of me at the 2011 Canton Fair, located in Guangzhou, China. This is a massive show with so many things - too many … [Read More...]

Wood Flooring Forum 2011 in Shanghai
April 29, 2011 by Rob Banks · 1 Comment
Recently I was in Shanghai to speak on an international panel at ‘Wood Flooring Forum 2011’. It was a full day event in conjunction with … [Read More...]

The Transparent Volkswagen Phaeton Factory
February 11, 2011 by Rob Banks · 1 Comment
A friend of mine sent this Youtube video on to me. He is a car guy so he was excited about seeing this from a car-buying perspective. I got … [Read More...]

Follow Rob