Contract Flooring Journal articles from April 2005

Contract Flooring Journal archives from April 2005

Race card shame on Britain.(Editor's comment)(immigration and skilled workers)
April 1, 2005... WHEN I was growing up in South Africa during the apartheid years only whites were allowed to vote. Right-wing politicians used to stir up voters' fears of the black majority with terrifying images of a 'bloodbath' if they were ever allowed near...

Master Fitter does it in the kitchen.(Installation of the month)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SCOTTISH floorlaying champion 2000 Jim MacDiarmid installed a variety flooring surfaces in a new design kitchen design studio in Alloa, Scotland. Master Fitter Jim, a director of NEW FLOORS, of Stirling, laid the flooring in AKS Kitchens...

Will someone pass the aspirins!(Guest Editor's comment)(flooring industry)(Editorial)
April 1, 2005... I AM sitting here with the mother of all hangovers, so I don't have the faintest idea about what to write about. But don't worry! That won't stop me from putting pen to paper, or fingers to key board... ha, ha, ha. (That's me laughing). I am...

The Glues brothers.
April 1, 2005... REMEMBER, WITH A NEW BUSINESS LIKE OURS WE NEED TO GREET PEOPLE RIGHT--BE IT THRU' THE DOOR OR ON THE DOG AND BONE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND ALL THAT........ [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YER'LL 'AVE TO CALL BACK...

'Stay away Brits give bad impression'.(Domotex exhibition)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... ONCE again we exhibited at Domotex, as we do every year. I am not going to pretend that it appeared as busy as it has in the past, as there seemed to be fewer visitors--whatever the organisers might say. Nevertheless, we were busy on our...

How to keep your premiums down.(Liability insurance)
April 1, 2005... AT this time last year the construction industry faced an insurance crisis with dramatic premium increases over a very short period of time. However, in the last 12 months liability insurance premiums have fallen. If you shop around now you...

'And we are still no nearer to a solution'.(Anhydrite screeds)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... THE issues raised by Tony Seward are typical of my experiences with anhydrite screeds. I wrote to CFJ back in 1997 regarding anhydrite screeds and I am amazed that we as flooring contractors are still putting up with them, or more to the...

'I'll tell you how radiant heating works'.(Underfloor heating)
April 1, 2005... I AGREE with Mr McCall that the electric underfloor heating industry in the UK has few genuine bona fide suppliers and that many customers are disingenuously conned into buying largely imported systems (which are often) sub-standard by...

'Specialist advice on heating is needed'.(Underfloor heating)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... I AM pleased that Mr Luya agrees with me on the sub-standard products and suppliers in our marketplace. I also thank him for his positive comments about Devi. I don't think it's necessary for me to name the quality cable manufacturers. I...

You could be talking to a brick wall (or a damp floor).(comment)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... I AM not sure if I am alone in this bizarre sensation I keep having. I appear to be working in a constant deja vu. It almost feels as if I have a time machine and have transported myself back 30 years or more to the 'bad old days' when no one...

Sponsors receive access to a worldwide audience.(comment)
April 1, 2005... WELL, we did it again! On behalf of the CFA I would like to congratulate the UK team, Nick Hood, lan James and Gary Middleton for winning the European Floorlaying Championships in Domotex. Given the strength of competition from both the...

Who will give this aspiring floorlayer a job?(Help and advice)(Flooring Industry Training Association)
April 1, 2005... I REPRESENT the CFA on the training committee of the NSCC as well as the advisory committee of the National Construction College. I am, therefore, well placed to confirm that there is a serious skills shortage in the construction industry...

Don't let the contract go down the drain.(on wood floors)
April 1, 2005... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience. Q: I received a complaint about a solid wood floor which buckled six months...

Step-by-step advice on being up to the job.(on tackling staircases)
April 1, 2005... LAYING flooring to a high standard on stairs is as important as completing a good quality floor-level installation. Stairs are at eye level and installation errors or bad workmanship can easily be seen. There are many suitable product...

How not to come adrift on a floating floor.(on tiles)
April 1, 2005... WHILE it is possible to tile onto many types of floating floors-provided the correct tile protection systems are used--there are also many types that are unsuitable, and the installation will fail irrespective of the protective measures taken....

Stripping ... knowing when you should stop.(on subfloor preparation)
April 1, 2005... A COMMON problem is determining how much surface preparation you need to ensure a successful installation. This applies to both new build and refurbishment projects. The answer lies with a combination of the Codes of Practice, the individual...

How to do a three-week job in 24 hours.(on common floorlaying problems)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SPEED is of the essence for many floorcovering installations. Traditionally it would have been accepted that the time taken to complete a job would depend on how fast the adhesives and underlayments could be trowelled out and dried. ...

'Smuggled' wood floors sold in UK.(CFJ EXCLUSIVE)(reports of Environmental Investigation Agency)
April 1, 2005... MOST merbau wood flooring sold in Britain is illegal, derived from timber smuggled from Indonesia into China, according to claims by environmentalists. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), based in London, says it has uncovered a...

Bonar bucks trend.(Business in brief)(company sales and earnings of Low and Bonar PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Low & Bonar, parent company of Bonar Floors, has overcome high ray material prices and subdued markets to push up pre-tax profits 9% to 12.1m [pounds sterling] for the year to November, compared with 11.1m [pounds sterling] in 2003. Turnover...

New wood centre.(Business in brief)(facility opening by Floors-2-Go)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... This month sees the opening of a 12,000sq m national wood and laminate distribution centre for Floors-2-Go at Trinity Point, Oldbury, in the Midlands, it is reported. A company spokesman is quoted saying that the new centre is integral to the...

Laminate firm flounders.(Business in brief)(reorganization and restructuring of Laminate Roofing Direct)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Laminate Roofing Direct has been placed in administration after falling sales. The company has 27 stores throughout the UK with 116 staff. Trade buyers for the company are being sought.

Wool comes first.(Business in brief)(target marketing of First Textiles Roofing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... First Textiles Roofing is the tufted carpet manufacturer that used to be Kingsmead until its sale to Headlam last year. The new company, based in Cumnock south west Scotland, is targeting the wholesale flooring market. It offers 4m and 5m...

Stoddard finally closes.(Business in brief)(organization dissolution of Stoddard International)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Production at Stoddard, the historic Scottish carpet maker, is to end after receivers admitted failure to find a buyer. Assets will be sold to maximise returns for creditors. A further 179 jobs will be lost following the 266 redundancies...

Quote.
April 1, 2005... 'BSI is charging British industry significantly more for copies of the new harmonised European standards than companies in other countries, 11 times the price in Estonia where standards are published in English.' --Roy Harrison, president...

Contractors welcome trends.(STATE OF TRADE SURVEY)
April 1, 2005... THERE is some welcome news in the latest State of Trade survey (for the fourth quarter of 2004) produced for the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) by Northumbria University. Enquiries and orders continue to show positive...

Foundation upbeat.(Business in brief)(reports of Carpet Foundation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Carpet Foundation accounts to July 31, 2004, show positive growth with income increased 3.1%, promotional spend up by 12.6% and running costs down by 8.5%. www.carpetfoundation.com

B&Q floored by laminates.(Business in brief)(company sales of B and Q PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Falling sales of laminate flooring was partly blamed when retail giant B&Q reported a 1.2% decline in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to January 29.

Courts contracts saved.(Business in brief)(acquisition of Courts PLC's contracts division by Peter Kelsey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Peter Kelsey, a former executive of Courts, has bought the contracts division of the failed furnishing retailer, calling it Designer Contracts. It is one of the largest suppliers of carpets to the house-building sector, operating from centres...

Pergo reports loss.(Business in brief)
April 1, 2005... Pergo has posted an operating loss of $27.2m (14m [pounds sterling]) for the 12 months to December 31, 2004. However, extensive restructuring being undertaken is designed to make the company 'more effective and competitive'. This includes 120...

Building chemicals.(Business in brief)(market survey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The building chemicals market (including mortars, renders and grout products) will be worth 145m [pounds sterling] this year at manufacturers' sale prices with 5% growth to 152m [pounds sterling] in 2006, according to a survey by AMA Research....

Latham success.(Business in brief)(sales growth of James Latham PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Timber and panel distributor, James Latham's newest depot at Gateshead is reported to have achieved significant sales growth in its first three months of trading. www.lathamtimber.co.uk

FITA doubles up on training.(News file)(opening of a new training centre by Flooring Industry Training Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... FITA(Flooring Industry Training Association) has just opened a new training centre at Loughborough. This is in addition to its established base at Nelson in Lancashire which has been operating since 2001. The new centre puts training...

Royal Albert Hall beckons for BHK band.(News file)(achievements and awards of BHK Horden)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BHK (UK) Horden brass band has won a place in the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall on October 15. Band's secretary' Anne Rice says: 'We have achieved our goal which was to get to the national finals. 'Thank you to all the band...

Taken to the cleaners.(Industry in brief)(discipline of Daniel Welbourne)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A carpet cleaner Daniel Welbourne was fined 270 [pounds sterling] with 250 [pounds sterling] costs and ordered to pay70 [pounds sterling] compensation to the aggrieved customer after being prosecuted by Lancashire Trading Standards officers for...

'Counterfeit' floors.(Industry in brief)(cases against British flooring contractor)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A British flooring contractor is facing five years jail in Moscow after allegedly installing 'counterfeit' raised flooring in breach of Russian patent laws, it was reported in Building magazine.

Plant theft costs.(Industry in brief)(crimes against construction industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Organised gangs stealing equipment from building sites are costing the UK construction industry 800m [pounds sterling] a year, according to one insurer.

Builder jailed.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A Hartlepool builder was jailed for three months after assaulting an HSE inspector who told him that the scaffolding he was using was unsafe.

CITB grants.(Industry in brief)(Construction Industry Training Board)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... CITB paid out nearly 126m [pounds sterling] in training grants to contractors last year, it has been reported.

Health advice line.(Industry in brief)(service launch by Health and Safety Executive of United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The government has launched a 20m [pounds sterling] pilot scheme, Workplace Health Direct, to give small and medium sized companies (SMEs) a free telephone advice line on worker health, safety and rehabilitation....

Call to cut red tape.(Industry in brief)(lobbying of Construction Products Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Construction Products Association is among seven industry bodies seeking commitments from politicians ahead of the general election. The construction 'agenda' includes less red tape and sustained investment in new and improved public services...

CFJ tops the pile at Interbuild.(News file)(media coverage)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... CFJ is one of the leading trade magazines officially sponsoring the Test the Trade competition. A team of floorlayers will be pitted against other trades in this high profile competition at Interbuild 2006 (April 23-27) which will be...

Top 10 tips to pick a winning team.(News file)
April 1, 2005... THE organisers of Interbuild have released 10 top tips to select a winning team: 1. Speedy efficiency--Pick team members who are efficient at their job, can work under pressure and will give it their best shot even when it's not their core...

Sonae and Sheffield Insulations launch Speedline.(News file)(alliances and partnerships between Sonae (U.K.) Ltd. and Sheffield Insulations Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SONAE UK, chipboard manufacturer and panel distributor, has joined Sheffield Insulations to launch Speedline branded products. Sheffield Insulations, a key strategic partner of Sonae, claims to be the country's largest distributor of...

Berry wins again.(Industry in brief)(intellectual property of Valinge Holding AB)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The European Patent Office (EPO) has upheld the Valinge patent 1084317 covering a specific configuration for the tongue & groove locking elements in gluefree floorboards whereby upper and lower contact surfaces within the groove are displaced...

ISO 14001 for 4m.(Industry in brief)(licensing, certification and accreditation of 4m flooring uk)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... 4m flooring uk is one of the first flooring contractors to secure the environmental standard ISO 14001:2004. The company is committed to reduce waste, implement a recycling policy and conserve and utilise resources in a sustainable manner. 4m...

Carpet-Burns honour.(Industry in brief)(achievements and awards of Kelly Atkins)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Owner of Carpet-burns, Kelly Atkins, has been short listed for the New Statesman magazine's Upstarts Awards. Established in January 2002, Carpet-Burns is a design company that supplies heat treated carpet manufactured from recycled carpet...

Carpet campaign.(Industry in brief)
April 1, 2005... The Carpet Foundation's 100,000 [pounds sterling] spring advertising campaign will have 37 insertions in 15 home interest magazines with a combined circulation of over 1.7m and 6.7m readers. The adverts will run through to June....

Output increases.(Industry in brief)(construction industry contracts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The total value of new construction orders reached a record 38.9bn [pounds sterling] last year, up 15% on the 2003 figure of 33.9bn [pounds sterling] , according to the DTI.

Promise to contractors.(Industry in brief)(economic policy of United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The government is promising prompt payments to principal contractors as part of a shake-up of regulations on public sector contracts. Measures will include compulsory CSCS membership for everyone working on a public sector site, sustainable...

'Surprise' success.(News file)(traffic at London Floor Show)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... ORGANISERS of the first London Floor Show at Olympia 2 in February were ecstatic after claiming an attendance of 1,156 (subject to internal audit). Says Cathy Oates, event director: 'It has exceeded all expectations, the marriage of retail...

Major launch from Pilkington's Tiles.(News file)
April 1, 2005... NEW products will be launched by PILKINGTON'S TILES GROUP at Bathrooms & Kitchens Expo from May 8-10 at ExCel, London. This is the company's first show under new ownership. Brands featured include Pilkington's ceramic glazed wall and floor...

Kahrs distributor.(Trade in brief)(distribution agreement with Ceco Flooring)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Kahrs has appointed Belfast-based Ceco Flooring as its new distributor for Northern Ireland. Ceco joins Richardsons Dublin and Cork who distribute Kahrs products throughout Eire. Kahrs (UK) T: 01243 778747 Ceco T: 02890 817272

Distributors named.(Trade in brief)(distribution agreements of Rewmar with Applied Flooring Solutions and Galacroft Hardwood Flooring Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Rewmar, distributors of MS Polymer wood flooring adhesives has appointed Galacroft of London (T: 0208 346 1132) and Applied Flooring Solutions of Hull (T: 01482 987795) as distribution partners for its adhesive and acoustic mat products. T:...

Euroshop mixed results.(Trade in brief)(trade shows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Euroshop held in Dusseldorf in February attracted 90,300 visitors compared with 92,532 at the show in 2002. However, a significant rise in foreign visitors were recorded. There were 1,659 exhibitors, including 103 UK companies. www.euroshop.de

CRL new website.(Trade in brief)(Concrete Repairs Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Concrete Repairs Ltd's new website features the company's refurbishment and surveys divisions. www.concrete-repairs.co.uk

Moths in carpets.(Trade in brief)(authorship of Pawlo Woloszyn of National Carpet Cleaners Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... An increase in carpet moth problems is reported by Pawlo Woloszyn, president of the National Carpet Cleaners Association. Writing in the NCCA newslink, he notes that cases mainly occur where there is a proximity to a river, stream or pond....

Orders are up.(Trade in brief)(construction industry contracts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Construction orders in the year to January 2005 rose by 9%, according to the DTI. Private commercial orders in the same period were up by 27%.

Super union bid.(Trade in brief)(merger between Amicus, General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union and Transport and General Workers' Union)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Talks are underway between Amicus, the TGWU and GMB unions to merge and form a super union.

Safety: 1,500 sacked.(Trade in brief)(reports of Trades Union Congress)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Over 1,500 workers have been sacked in the last five years for refusing to work in unsafe conditions, according to the TUC.

Healthy handling.(Industry in brief)(services of Health and Safety Executive of United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The HSE has begun a 'healthy handling' initiative including advice on manual handling of materials (such as rolls of carpet) and equipment which can cause back injuries and muscle strains if done incorrectly. T: 01582 444248

Cut price test.(Industry in brief)(prices and rates of Construction Industry Training Board )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The construction health & safety test price has been cut from 35 [pounds sterling] to 17.50 [pounds sterling], saving the industry 4m [pounds sterling] a year, according to CITB-. The test has also been revised to include recent changes in...

Standards cell.(Industry in brief)(beliefs, opinions and attitudes of Construction Products Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Construction Products Association is urging the government to review of the role and structure of BSI to make it more supportive of UK industry in highly competitive global markets in which industry operates.

Deals for 4m.(Contracts in brief)(4M UK)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... 4m flooring has won 140,000 [pounds sterling] and 60,000 [pounds sterling] contracts for a production plant on the Wirral and a drinks factory in Runcorn, Cheshire, respectively.

Twintec contract.(Contracts in brief)(Twintec Industrial Flooring)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Twintec Industrial Flooring has secured a 420,000 [pounds sterling] contract for a new warehouse in Durham.

Template shapes up.(Products in brief)
April 1, 2005... The new 14.99 [pounds sterling] True-Cut Template Tool (Quote 93530-77) from Screwfix Direct is designed to be configured to copy any angle or shape for jobs requiring repetitive shapes to be cut such as for staircases, laminate floors and tile...

British Wool reveals carpet colours for 2006.(News file)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BRITISH WOOL has launched its 2006 Colour Trends Portfolio on next year's floor fashion shades. The portfolio, in a neat folding black case, encompasses 30 forecasted shades. There are three colour banks for naturals and neutrals and one...

Antron carpet fibres to exhibit at new show.(News file)
April 1, 2005... ANTRON carpet fibres is to exhibit at Design PRIMA at Billingsgate Market, London, from May 17-19. This new show is described as a highly targeted exhibition devised to promote newly developed and high design interior products to the...

Interface improves.(financial reports)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Interface Inc in America saw its fourth quarter 2004 sales up 14.6% from $202.9m to $232.6m and operating income 29.3% higher from $11.8m to $15.3m compared with the fourth quarter of 2003.

Armstrong set.(new ruling by US Federal bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A recent ruling by a US Federal bankruptcy judge ended the hopes of Armstrong, the giant US flooring company, for an early end to its Chapter 11 status which has lasted over four years. The judge said Armstrong's planned reorganisation was not...

US trend to wood.(Hardwood flooring shipments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Hardwood flooring shipments into the US in 2004 was at the highest since 1966, according to The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association.

Noise over wood floors.(Napier University for the Department of the Environment study reports)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Foot steps on wooden floors led to 40,000 noise complaints in the UK last year second only to barking dogs, according to a study by Napier University for the Department of the Environment. The noise of walking on wood surfaces is said to be...

Loving longer hours.(employee survey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Working overtime is far more popular than had been believed, according to new research among 80,212 employees. People who work extra hours tend to be more positive about their employers and believe that it will help their careers, according to...

Any language you like.(health and safety test in different languages)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Voiceovers for the UK construction industry health and safety test will soon be available in different languages including Bulgarian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian and Russian. A translator can be provided for other languages.

Diary dates.(News file)(Calendar)
April 1, 2005... LONDON STONE SHOW April 5-7 Wembley Exhibition Centre T: 01442 828173 www.thestoneshow.com RESTAURANT & BAR SHOW April 12-13 GMEX Centre, Manchester T: 020 8565 4200 RETAIL INTERIORS & IDW April...

Bronte Carpets.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... STUART BROUGHTON is the new general manager at Bronte Carpets, taking over from his father, Geoff, who established Bronte over 20 years ago. ANDREW BROUGHTON, Geoff's youngest son assumes responsibility for sales and marketing. MARK ROWLANDS,...

Town & Country Flooring.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A leading flooring contractor and CFA member, Town & Country Flooring, has new management following the retirement of two of the current owners, JOHN BRODERICK and STEPHEN BORRETT, Joining the incumbent management team of JOHN HICKS and ROBIN...

Carpet Foundation.(James Gatherum appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... JAMES GATHERUM, md of Ryalux and Pownall Carpets, has become the new vice chairman of the Carpet Foundation, serving with chairman John Duncan, of Victoria Carpets.

The Nicholls and Clarke Group.(Richard Hill, David Forbes and Stephen Forbes appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Nicholls and Clarke Group has appointed RICHARD HILL to the main board of directors. Richard joined N&C in 1992. As national sales manager, he was responsible for the 30-strong N&C Nicobond and N&C Phlexicare national sales team, DAVID...

BHK.(Michael Curley appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... MICHAEL CURLEY is the new manager at BHK (UK). Prior to joining BHK, Mr Curley worked for flooring company Home Imagination as a sales representative and partner, Swish Products as a business development manager and Caradon Celuform as a sales...

Pilkington's Tile Group.(Graham Ashcroft appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Pilkington's Tiles Group has appointed GRAHAM ASHCROFT as group sales director after 18 years with the group. Graham managed its strategy for developing distribution and multiple retail sectors.

Tacwise.(Mark Covill appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... MARK COVILL is the new general manager at Tacwise--power tools. He spent 16 years with DeWalt.

Devi.(Wesley Brook, , Alison Moore and John Randall appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Devi has appointed three new members of its project sales team: WESLEY BROOK as business development manager based in the north of England and JOHN RANDALL and ALISON MOORE as account managers within the small to medium enterprise team. Wesley...

Atkinson & Kirby.(Julian Leaver appointed)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Atkinson & Kirby has appointed JULIAN LEAVER as area manager responsible for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and special accounts within Greater London.

Alfas Industries.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Jim Chapman)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Sealant systems manufacturer, Alfas Industries, part of the Illbruck Group, has a new business development manager in the technical and specifications division, JIM CHAPMAN. He previously spent three years in the Philippines providing companies...