Contract Flooring Journal articles from August 2004

Contract Flooring Journal archives from August 2004

Insurance: the fear factor.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... INCREASING insurance rates are a major burden for most businesses, not least flooring contractors. The biggest rise in premiums followed the appaling terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The fact is that the price of insurance is closely...

An axminister never to be repeated.(Installation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... THE new Axminster carpet woven by ULSTER CARPETS for the $100m Georgia International Convention Centre features an entire fleorscape without a single design repeat. The project of over 192,000sq ft is claimed to have pushed the boundaries...

'Biased' views on environment.(Points of view)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... I USUALLY browse through the CFJ magazine to pick up information etc on new products in an attempt to keep up with the fast moving world of contract flooring. Being flouring contractors for many years the CFJ is useful, and I generally will...

The editor responds.(Points of view)
August 1, 2004... CFJ seeks to offer the flooring industry more than just product releases and advertorials from suppliers, like other flooring magazines. We cover wider issues affecting all businesses with facts, advice and opinion that many readers find of...

'I would prefer to read about floors'.(Points of view)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... ALTHOUGH I regularly see articles taking up the environmentalist 'end of the world' position in newspapers, I was surprised to see it being presented in the CFJ. Historically claims about how the world's climate is going to change have all...

Holiday season highlights the manpower shortage.(comment)
August 1, 2004... AS I write this I am still flushed with the success of the CFA annual dinner dance held on June 5 at Daventry. After such an enjoyable and winning evening I feel it is only right and proper to congratulate those who were involved with the...

Government wakes up to abuses of retentions.(comment)
August 1, 2004... SELDOM have I seen so much interest in a subject as that of retentions and in particular retentions abuse. The CFA has over the past year used its increasing PR profile to exert media pressure on the government and the other major political...

Training directory.(Training)(Directory)
August 1, 2004... fita Flooring industry Training Association Aug 9-13 intensive basic carpet fitting Aug 16-19 advanced carpet fitting Sep 20-24 solid wood fitting/sanding and sealing Oct 4-8 intensive basic carpet fitting Oct 18-19...

Junckers to oil the nation.(Training)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... JUNCKERS is running a series of oil & lacquer and hardwood flooring courses around the country, including the north of England. This follows a series of oil & lacquer training days held at Junckers purpose-made training area in Witham,...

Mersey marvel.(Training)
August 1, 2004... AN independent fully-equipped, purpose designed fitter training school has been set up in Knowsley on Merseyside near Liverpool. Knowsley Floorlayer Academy was officially opened last month at a ceremony stranded by over 100, including...

Contractors urged to take on an apprentice.(Training)(Human resource management)
August 1, 2004... AN additional 1,710 skilled floorlayers must be recruited over the next three years to cope with the flooring industry's growth. This alarming figure is revealed in the last CITB-Construction Skills Foresight Report which forecasts a 1.9%...

Going with the grain and in the right vein.(on tiling over timber)
August 1, 2004... THE first line of the section in British Standard BS5385, Part 3, the code of practice for fixing floor tiles says, 'timber subfloors are not the ideal base for large areas of floor tiling.' With the bulk of houses in the UK having timber...

The glues brothers.(Help and advice)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... TO THINK THEY WERE THE INFAMOUS 'RING AND PIN' MOB--A BUNCH OF LUDDITE TEDDY BOYS WHO SMASHED UP COHEN'S GRIPPER FACTORY I REMEMBER IT WELL--WE HAD TO STOP THE SPREAD OF TACKLESS FITTING BUT THEY LOCKED US UP AND THREW AWAY THE KEY--BY...

How to make it stick.(on flooring)
August 1, 2004... IF you have been following the series in which I visited various manufacturers, you may recall that I started with Protimeter then TRADA. This month, I visited F Ball & Co where I was briefed on current developments by Richard Harris, marketing...

Diary dates.(Help and advice)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... NATIONAL FLOOR SHOW September 7-9 Harrogate Contact: CMP Information Tel: 0207 921 8435 www.nationalfloorshow.co.uk THE RESTAURANT SHOW September 20-22 Olympia, London Contact: Quantum Business Tel: 020...

Shhh ... Why Interfloor Timbermate Excel has become Europe's leading acoustic underlay brand. (The Noise Reduction Solution).
August 1, 2004... Timbermate Excel looks and feels superb when rolled out with uncompromising stability and 'stay put' qualities. Unlike its polyethylene and polystyrene-foil backed look-alike competitors, there's no wrestling match putting it down! ...

Making a spread.(on tools)
August 1, 2004... THE methods used for installing a floor covering have changed considerably over the last few years, as have the typos of adhesives and floorcoverings available. Traditionally, all flooring adhesives were applied using a notched trowel....

This will grab you!(on adhesives)
August 1, 2004... CHOOSING the right adhesive is vital to create a hard wearing and durable floor. There are two things to consider: Firstly the floor's usage--whether water will spill onto it, for example. Secondly the type of subfloor; some adhesives...

Talk of training.(on tiles)
August 1, 2004... ALL tiling installations look good when they're first carried out. But all too often the tiles later become damaged and unattractive--chipped, cracked, bulging, and debonded from the substrate. The reason being that while most flooring...

The impact of underfloor heating.(on wood floors)(Interview)
August 1, 2004... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, independent trainer and consultant, answers questions from CFJ readers and shares some of his 25 years of installation experience. As well as being experienced and authoritative source of hardwood flooring...

Your new employee: induction & training.(on staff productivity)
August 1, 2004... NOW your new employee starts Work--both parties are delighted! Well both parties always are delighted on day one aren't they? Put it this way if they are not keen now they never will be! Beware: most new employees leave within the first...

Your brand can say a great deal about you:.(on marketing)
August 1, 2004... THE recent re-branding of the newly formed Gradus/Modulus group into Tessera throws the issue of branding into the limelight. Tessera is a good example of branding for the right reasons--a new company, with new culture and goals. Many...

Tile training takes off.(Training)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... AN initiative to beat the shortage of skilled wall and floor tile fixers has been established by UniBond in association with The Tile Association. It aims to increase the number of colleges offering NVQ training courses for tiling and...

'Off your knees' products are demonstrated.(Training)(Flowtex STB)(Ultrafresh RT)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... FLOORING contractors were recently invited to a demonstration of new automated flooring products, designed to take the strain off applicators. Thirty of the UK's major flooring applicators gathered at Flowcrete's training centre in...

Schools 'bias' against skills.(News file)(trades education)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... THE government's drive for young people in modern apprenticeships is threatened by negative careers guidance in schools, according to a new survey. EEF (Engineering Employers Federation), the manufacturers' organisation and SEMTA (the...

CITB focus on benefits.(News file)(Construction Industry Training Board)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... CITB-ConctructionSkills has launched a training promotional campaign aimed at small firms to Increase awareness of the services and grants Its offers. Small businesses comprise 95% of the industry but traditionally are less proactive about...

Flooring on the straight and narrow.(News file)(ARDEX SD-T)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... CONSULTANTS in high tolerance industrial floors Combined Flooring Services of Hampshire was commissioned by Uponor to specify flooring for its yew narrow aisle warehouse. The new floor had to be capable of withstanding heavy trafficking,...

New trailers help to put Karndean in front.(News file)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... KARNDEAN has added two new liveried trailers to its fleet of vehicles delivering its vinyl floorcoverings to retailers and flooring contactors across the UK (below). Based at Kamdean's hq in Evesham, Worcestershire, the distinctive black...

Average wages.(Business in brief; construction industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The average gross weekly wage in the construction industry now is 425 [pounds sterling], a 16% rise over the past two years, according to latest key performance indicators. Job satisfaction is also up with companies reporting staff turnover...

Why be qualified.(Business in brief)(Construction Industry Training Board)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... CITB is offering a free video to tell employees about the benefits of being qualified and holding a CSCS card. It is available on VHS video, DVD and CD Rom. www.citb.co.uk

CSCS card fraud.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... CSCS has promised to crack down on the use of fraudulent cards in the industry. To check the validity of the CSCS card contact 05485 578777

Special status.(Business in brief)(The Lightowler Group)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... HBG Construction has made Lightowler Contract Interiors, of Hull, one of its specialist flooring contractors. The Lightowler Group, still a family business, was established 150 years ago. Tel: 01482 308551

UK buildings dearer.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... At an average whole-life cost of 2652 Euros (1770 [pounds sterling]) sq m, the UK is one of the most expensive places to build in Europe, according to a new survey. The cheapest is Greece at 1632 Euros (1090 [pounds sterling]) sq m. In...

Rush for TRADA data.(Business in brief; Timber Research and Development Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Over 22,000 visits to the TRADA website are being made monthly, according to the association. It has over 10,000 registered users. www.asktrada.co.uk Tel: 01494 569602

Cormar award.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Cormar carpets has won the Metro Group's tufted supplier of the year 2004 for the firth year running.

Quote.(News file)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 'It is irresponsible to suggest that girlie pics do not put women off our industry. They do. Your headline will do nothing more than enable some people to justify resurrecting pornography in the office or site' --letter from a woman...

BonaKemi establishes a 'centre of excellence'.(News file)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... BONAKEMI has moved to a purpose-designed corporate hq in Milton Keynes planned by the company's sales director, Ron Frost, as a 'Centre of Excellence' for the hardwood flouring industry. Half the 1,000sq m of space on two flours will for...

Retentions must go, local authorities told.(News file)
August 1, 2004... THE director of the Local Government Task Force, Peter Bishop, has written to chief executives of local authorities in England, telling them that retentions must be scrapped. Mr. Bishop writes: 'It is clear that retentions are not within...

Lease offers more with Flotex.(News file; floorcovering)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... BONAR FLOORS is inviting schools to lease Flotex floorcoverings and pay monthly, termly or annually to maximise funds available. The scheme enables schools to upgrade floorcoverings in a whole classroom block or even a school in one go, rather...

Manual handling.(Health & Safety)(Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A free guidance booklet on preventing workplace manual handling injuries has been published by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. www.usdaw.org.uk

Dangers of sun.(Health & Safety)(Ultraviolet radiation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Health & Safety Executive says UV radiation from the sun should be considered an occupational hazard. Employers are advised to provide sunscreen creams and drinking water for people working out doors for long periods.

Limits for drivers.(Health & Safety)(Road Transport Directive)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... New limits on the hours UK lorry drivers can work are imposed from March 2005. The Road Transport Directive says HGV and coach drivers should work a maximum of 60 hours a week with a 48 hour average. There is no opt-out provision.

Waste management.(Health & Safety)(European Landfill Directive)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A new voluntary code of practice requires contractors to separate hazardous from non-hazardous waste in line with the new European Landfill Directive, www.defra.gov.uk/environmental/waste

Asbestos guidance.(Health & Safety)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The TUC has published a guide to help safety reps ensure that employers are complying with the new legal duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. www.tuc.org.uk

B&Q prosecuted.(Health & Safety)(a woman shopper died )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... B&Q has been convicted after a woman shopper died after being pinned against racking by a reversing forklift truck at one of its stores.

Latex allergy.(Health & Safety)(compensation for hospital nurse who developed a life-threatening allergy )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A hospital nurse who developed a life-threatening allergy from wearing latex gloves has received 240,000 [pounds sterling] compensation.

Waste injuries.(Health & Safety)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The number of fatal accidents to workers in the waste industry is 10 times the national average, according to the HSE.

CFA firms are rated the best.(News file)(Contract Flooring Association )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... MEMBERS of the Contract Flooring Association are among the top five flooring contractors, according to the latest Plimsoll Portfolio Analysis. CFA firms Stenhouse Flooring and W Fisher & Sons (Tilers) are the top perforating flooring...

Boen UK distributes Wicanders.(News file)(contracts with Amorim)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... BOEN UK has become the major trade distributor of Wicanders cork flooring products (including both Wood-O-Floor and Wood O-Cork), following agreement with the Portugese manufacturer, Amorim Cork is promoted as a hard flooring option for...

'Strong customer service is boost for Bonar Floors'.(News file)(financial results)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... STRONG growth in operating profit and sales at Bonar Floors--reflected in the interim results for the six months to May 31 of parent company Low and Bonar--has is partly down to a firm focus on customer service, says the company's md Mark...

Gaskell reveals new logo.(News file)
August 1, 2004... GASKELL has a new corporate identity. Chief executive Gerry Wheeler says: 'This move marks the beginning oft new era for our company. We have already restructured the business internally to enable us to focus properly on the areas where we...

Headlam soars.(Industry in brief)(financial results of Headlam Group)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A 10% rise in turnover (to 412.3m [pounds sterling) was reported by Headlam Group in the year to December 31, 2003. Profit before tax was up 9% to 32.6m [pounds sterling]. The company also invested 21.2m [pounds sterling] during the year to...

Victoria growth.(Industry in brief)(sales and profit at Victoria Plc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Victoria Plc has recorded 23% sales growth to 54.6m [pounds sterling] in the year to April 3. Profit before tax was up 39% to 4.19m [pounds sterling]. During the year the group bought Navan Carpets in Ireland. Tel: 01562 749300

Halstead nets 10m [pounds sterling].(Industry in brief)(Belstaff International acquired by an unnamed Italian company )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Flooring manufacturer James Halstead has sold its leisure clothing subsidiary Belstaff International to an unnamed Italian company for 10m [pounds sterling].

Construction orders.(Industry in brief)(statistics)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... New construction orders in the year to May 2004 fell by 4% compared with the previous 12 months, but were up 13% in the three months to May compared with the same three months a year earlier, according to the DTI.

Speedy profit.(Industry in brief)(financials of Speedy Hire)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Equipment hire specialist Speedy Hire is reported to have recorded a pre-tax profit of over 20m [pounds sterling] in the year to March 31.

American successes.(Industry in brief)(financials of Shaw Industries and Mohawk Industries )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, reports pre-tax earnings up 3% to $436m (235m [pounds sterling]). Its rival Mohawk Industries also achieved record sales with first quarter earnings of $663m (356m [pounds sterling]).

Losers exposed.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A new Plimsoll report names 49 UK floorcovering companies which are allegedly 'losing the battle against rising costs and stagnant sales. Tel: 01642 626400

Cut waste! Save cash!(News file)(management)
August 1, 2004... THE government has launched a drive to help save the construction industry 100m [pounds sterling] a year, and cut waste. Each year construction produces 92m tonnes of waste, including 13m tonnes unused material. New guidance is designed to...

Rug charity fights child exploitation.(News file)(Rug Mark )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... THIRD World exploitation of children in rug-making is publicised by the charity Rug Mark in a new campaign urging consumers to look at the label before buying your next rug!' The Rug Mark logo applies to Indian and Nepali-made rugs and...

Innovation prize at Harrogate.(News file)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND is organising a carpet innovation competition at the National Floor Shiny in Harrogate (September 7-9) on the Wool Interiors stand. The competition, showcasing new Wools of New Zealand branded products, is open to UK...

Invista forecasts the colours for next year.(News file)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... INVISTA, formerly DuPont Textiles & Interiors (DTI), has launched the Antron Carpet Fibre Colour forecasts for 2005 (pictured right). A total of 50 colours are presented as Antron Colour Point of View and augmented with the Antron...

Junckers CPD accredited.(Trade in brief)(Royal Institute of British Architects)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Junckers has received RIBA accreditation for its hardwood CPD presentations on sports flooring, installation, and specifying. Tel: 0845 230 9885

FeRFA guides online.(Trade in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... FeRFA's guidance notes on resin flooring can now be downloaded from its newly upgraded website. www.ferfa.org.uk

Interfloor on TV.(Trade in brief)(Lymm Water Tower)
August 1, 2004... Interfloor Odor Eaters underlays features in a new TV makeover series on the transformation of Lymm Water Tower, a grade II listed Cheshire building into a family home. www.interfloor.com

Wood awards on tour.(Trade in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The shortlisted projects for the Wood Awards will be unveiled at 100% Design (Sept 23-25), then presented at the annual conference of the Institute of Wood Science on Sept 30 and finally at Woodmex, Oct 10-13. www.woodawards.com

Quality revamp.(Trade in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The government says it wants to work more closely with established trade bodies to resuscitate the ailing Quality Mark scheme.

Federation profit.(National Federation of Builders)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The National Federation of Builders is reported to be back in profit to the tune of 169,000 [pounds sterling] after a 2.5% rise in subscription income and a 4% cut in operating costs.

70th anniversary.(Trade in brief)(timber research and development association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... TRADA, the timber research and development association, recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. www.trada.co.uk Tel: 01494 569600

Latham honoured.(Trade in brief)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sir Michael Latham, chairman of CITB has been awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University. CITB deputy chairman Peter Rogerson, a roofing contractor, received an OBE in the recent Queen's birthday honours.

Curtains up on CFA contractor.(News file)(Contract Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... CFA member Bradley James Flooring Contractors might have expected applause for a recent installation. The brief was to fit Axminster from GASKELL on the stage in the National Theatre on London's South Bank (right). The carpet was a prop...

Gerflor.(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Gerflor has promoted PAUL KELLY, from general manager to md of the UK & Irish divisions. He will continue as contract sales director for north and southern Ireland and head of business development in the sport sector. Also promoted is GARY...

Forbo-Flooring.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Forbo-Flooring has strengthened its UK marketing department. KEVIN TONER becomes head of marketing & customer services. Marketing managers, SCOTT MACKAY and JILL HAMPTON, will oversee commercial and residential markets respectively. THERESE...

Ulster Carpets.(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Ulster Carpets has named MIKE PHILLIPS as contract sales executive and KATE MITCHELL as design sales manager (both previously at Milliken).

Whitestone Weavers.(appointment of Allan Topp)
August 1, 2004... With more than 40 years experience in the carpet industry, ALLAN TOPP becomes sales development manager with Whitestone Weavers. Over the years he has worked for W Brayshay & Sons, Leeds, and Navan Carpets, as well as Dunlop Semtex, Wilton...

Invista.(appointment Russell Pike )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... RUSSELL PIKE has become vice president of Interiors, Europe, for Invista, after three years in the US where he managed Invista's North American automotive business. His responsibilities will include overseeing Invista's flooring side.

UK Concrete Repair Association.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... MIKE HACKETT, of Makers UK, has been elected chairman of the UK Concrete Repair Association (CRA). Previously deputy chairman, he took over from BOB BERRY of Concrete Repairs. ANDREW MUIRHEAD, of Structural Renovations, is the new deputy...

PCI.(People)(appointment of Ian Swann)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... PCI, the tile adhesive and grouts division of Degussa Construction Chemicals, has appointed IAN SWANN as southern regional sales manager. A RIBA-approved CPD provider, Ian rejoins PCI with 17 years' experience in the ceramic tile adhesive...

Degussa Construction Chemicals.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Degussa Construction Chemicals (UK) has named GILL KELLEHER as product manager. Gill joins Degussa from Icopal.

Floor:Source.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... KARINA O'LEARY is the new business development manager London for Floor:Source. She comes from Antica Stone Gallery.

TRADA.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... JOHN GRIFFITHS, md of Ashford Timber since 1998, has been elected to the board of TRADA. He is also a member of the Builders Merchant Federation Board.

Obituary.(People)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 1, 2004... DAVID WALKER, national sales manager, at Gerflor died recently. David had worked at Gerflor for 25 years and was extremely well-respected within the industry.

Man-made fibres.(Events in brief)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... The 43rd international man-made fibres congress is from Sept 15-17 in Austria. www.dornbirn-fibcon.com

Architect bias.(Events in brief)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... ScotBuild (November 2-4) at Glasgow's SECC has more to interest architects, according to the organiser. www.scotbuild.co.uk Tel: 0131 556 5152