Contract Flooring Journal articles from December 2002

Contract Flooring Journal archives from December 2002

Euro-apathy is bad for Britain! (Editor's comment).
December 1, 2002... DECEMBER 31, 2002, is a key deadline for the European carpet industry. It is the last day to submit comments on the proposed revisions to EN1307. This is the EU standard on textile floorcoverings (classification of pile carpets), which is due...

CFA flooring contractor has a star role. (Installation of the Month).(Aspect Commercial Flooring)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... DIFFERENT shapes, including stars, were installed in specially made carpet tiles in the Pillar Hall at Olympia, by Aspect Commercial Flooring, a member of the CFA. Celebrities, business magnates, and top models, including Elle McPherson...

`Let's rid the flooring industry of all of this blatant sexism'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... MANY of the ladies at Flowcrete (Dawn Gibbins, Helen McGachie and myself included) fully support the reader in CFJ(October) complaining about the indecency of adverts appearing in the magazine. We are not saying that women should not be...

`The lads would complain if you published naked firemen type pictures'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... IN RESPONSE to the two readers in October I would say the following from a woman's point of view--I agree! 'Typical blooming sensitive female', some male and female readers may sigh. 'They are only adverts for heavens sake!' But if one...

`We were only trying to inform using an image to get attention'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... WE WERE very surprised to read the reaction of your reader to the advertisement in your magazine for solvent free contact adhesive Uzin DK-290. The reader's interpretation of the advertisement was not one that was intended or indeed one...

`How does the flooring stand up to those high heels, never mind the whip?' (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... MORE and more adverts published in CFJ are insulting to women. For example there is the one by Domino where a woman's corset is being pulled tight. The advert claims to be about flooring with a double T-joint, whatever that is, but it is not...

`17 years in the trade and I have seen far more offensive ads'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... I CAN only assume that the advertisement containing the hot air gun and what your writer describes as 'having filthy undertones', 'dirty', 'disgusting' and 'plainly rude' must have been the straw that broke the camels back. Yes I can see...

`The men who create ads like this don't have much of a clue'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... THE men in the flooring industry who create adverts like this which degrade women are the same men who, when push comes to shove, do not even know how to hold a woman properly, let alone anything else. That is what is reflected in adverts like...

`Don't forget all the women who are buying and selling flooring'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... HAVING worked in retail and contract flooring for the past six years I find your magazine interesting and informative, but after reading the October issue I felt compelled to email you and show my concern for the sexual nature of advertising by...

Male point of view: 'leave the girly pictures for the right publications'. ( 'Sexist' adverts come under fire: the letter from a woman retailer in CFJ (October) on 'sexist' adverts caused a massive response from other CFJ readers. Our postbag was literally bulging. Below are some of the letters we received).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... I READ with interest the letter in CFJ(October) from the lady complaining about a sexist advert. I looked through the September issue in which this ad had appeared and noted at least three others which included attractive young ladies in...

`Manufacturers and clients have treated me in a sexist way'. (Readers' forum).(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2002... I WRITE with reference to the complaint about the adhesive advert, in your Readers' Forum. I totally agree with the comments expressed by the lady, I find this advert very disturbing, not least for the safety problem of pointing hot glue guns...

The Glues Brothers: the series: the golden knee pads European championships part 10.
December 1, 2002... IS THERE A MORE AWESOME SIGHT? THE DUSSELDORF DRIP DRY SQUAD IN FULL LEDERHOSEN TACKLING A NEWLY POWER FLOATED FLOOR [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WOTS' THIS?--UNREST? KAMPF IN DER CAMP? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THESE GERMANS LIKE TO...

More and more firms want to join the CFA. (From the President).(Column)
December 1, 2002... FIRSTLY, I would like to wish all the members of the CFA together with the readers of the Contract Flooring Journal, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Let's enjoy the festive season; we all deserve the break. (No...

Anger grows over high insurance premiums. (The Director's Comment).(Column)
December 1, 2002... AN issue that has become prominent over the past year is the question of company insurance. The dramatic rise in premiums is often blamed on the dreadful events in the United States on September 11 last year. Now specialist contractors...

Training directory. (Advice corner).(Directory)
December 1, 2002... NVQ TRAINING UNIBOND THOMSIT NVQ Floorcoverings (Levels 1, 2, and 3) are offered at the following Thomsit Training Centres, where advice can also be obtained on new entrant training schemes and on-site assessment and training...

Noisy floor: an open and shut case. (Ask Sid).(Column)
December 1, 2002... Q: I recently fitted a 14mm floating floor and did everything correctly: I opened all the packs and put them into the room to be installed a week in advance to acclimatise. I fitted the flooring which was OK and then installed all the skirting....

Don't be suspended over a damp floor. (Terry Wolfe's case book).
December 1, 2002... A PROBLEM I meet more and more often is dampness in suspended floors. This can affect vinyl and other floors, but the usual victim is wood flooring, probably because it is so greatly affected by moisture. Take this scenario: A flooring...

Fall within. (Problem solving).(Health and Safety Commission introduces program to help prevent workplace slips, trips)
December 1, 2002... SLIPS, trips and falls on level ground (STFL) account for one in three `non-fatal major' injuries, and for over one in five `over-three-day' injuries in workplace areas throughout Britain, a total of at least 35,000 injuries a year (one serious...

Earnings soar.(Mohawk Industries reports second quarter 2002 earnings)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... US-based Mohawk Industries, one of the biggest flooring companies in the world, has saw earnings of $75.5m for the second quarter of 2002 up by 63% on the same quarter in 2001. Sales were up 42% to $1,227,747,000.

Sporting contract.(Winstone Flooring completes University flooring jobs)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Hertfordshire-based Winstone Flooring, a member of the CFA, has recently installed more than 1,000sq m of Boen Boflex sportsfloor at the University of Edinburgh. In 2000 the company laid 2,100sq m of Boflex at the University of East Anglia,...

Interface awards.(Interface Europe wins Queens Award)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Interface Europe has received the Queens Award for sustainable development. The company was also recently awarded the Gold Standard for being a `first class supplier'.

Lionvest quality.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Malaysia-based manufacturer of Lionvest's Ekowood engineered range has gained ISO 9001 quality status. The United Kingdom Accreditation Standard covers both the 3-strip Ekowood and one strip Ekoplank. The product will now carry the UKAS and...

World record.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The world parquet laying record was broken in Utrecht recently when 17 fitters laid 14.27sq m in 3 minutes, 33 seconds. Installed on an octagonal subfloor, the oak and merbau floor in an alternating block pattern was built from seven strips,...

Tufting claim.(Cormar Carpets claims it is biggest producer in the United Kingdom of tenthguard carpets)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Cormar Carpets has installed its 10th, tenth gauge tufting machine. Following the 200,000 [pounds sterling] investment, the company claims to be the biggest producer of tenthgauge carpets in the UK.

`Fewer inspections'.(Health and Safety Executive construction site inspections)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Construction site inspections by the Health and Safety Executive have fallen by half in the past five years, it is claimed by Unison, the public sector union.

Technical centre.(Becker Acroma opens new technical center)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Becker Acroma has opened a new technical centre in Heywood, Lancashire. Tel: 01440 703611

Tender prices rise and rise. (State of the Industry).
December 1, 2002... DESPITE the depressed stock market, building tender prices continue to rise, reflecting stable growth in the construction industry. They increased for the sixth consecutive quarter up to the end of September, up 8.2% over the year compared with...

TTA training move.(The Tile Association contracts with training program)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Tile Association has commissioned a DTI supported project to develop NVQ training programmes and materials for tile retailers designed to improve customer service and selling skills. Tel: 020 8663 0946

CSCS calls to MCG.(Major Contractors Group )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Major Contractors Group (MCG) is facing further appeals from industry bodies to extend its December 31, 2003, deadline for when it becomes compulsory for all workers on its sites to hold CSCS cards. The take up of the card is below...

Accredited centre.(CITB National Specialists Centre receives accreditation )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The CITB National Specialists Centre at East Leake, Leicestershire, has been accredited by City & Guilds as an assessment centre to deliver wall and floor tiling NVQ's at levels 2 and 3. Tel: 020 8663 0946

Argos vouchers.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Contractors, interior designers, retailers and distributors using 4textrade.com to place orders from February I could be rewarded with free Argos vouchers. The campaign will run until April 30 and the users placing the most orders will win a...

FeRFA handbook.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The second edition of the FeRFA Handbook is now available designed to help specifiers to locate products and services for resin flooring. All FeRFA member companies are listed. Tel: 01252 739149

Coating advice.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Becker Acroma, manufacturer of wood finishes, has launched an advice service to help wood coaters comply with new environmental legislation governing solvent emissions. Tel: 01440 703611

SATRA update.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... SATRA has updated its guidelines, which outline key performance and quality criteria for different types of floorcoverings and evaluate `fitness for purpose.' It covers all types of floorcoverings, including lacquered wood substrates,...

NICF sponsors.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Ten companies sponsored the successful NICF golf day in September, including F Ball, Ball & Young, Bestbase, Duralay, Gaskell Textiles, Mapei, Novilon, Stikatak, Uzin and Eddie Wicks Tools.

Stress at work.(Health and Safety Executive research figures)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Work-related stress costs UK employers 400m [pounds sterling] a year while in terms of society that figure reaches 4bn [pounds sterling], according to HSE research.

Polyflor prizes.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Three retailers who visited the Polyflor stand at the National Floor Show in Harrogate have each won 1.000 [pounds sterling] worth of the company's Camaro Studioflor luxury vinyl tiles. They are Stuart Marley, of Lanchester Carpets, Durham;...

Marley revamp.(introduces online services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Marley Floors has redesigned its website with help to choose the right flooring and accessories and access to the Floorcraft Design Service. www.marleyfloors.com

Microban award.(Ryalux wins exclusive United Kingdom usage)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Exclusive UK use of the new Microban anti-bacterial protection has been awarded to Ryalux following its use by sister company William Lomas. Tel: 0800 163632

Makers updates.(introduces online services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Specialist main contractor Makers UK has updated its website to include a comprehensive image database of recent and current projects, www.makers.co.uk

Concrete potential.
December 1, 2002... Recent developments in admixture technology has opened new possibilities for the use of concrete in situations previously the preserve of specialist products, according to the Cement Admixtures Association. Tel: 01564 776362

The winds of change. (Full of Beans).(polyurethane carpet backings raw materials altered)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... In a move towards sustainability in raw materials, a leading European manufacturer has altered the polymer for polyurethane carpet backings to include soya beans.

Hard copy is still preferred. (News File).(hard copy information preferred over Internet information)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... SPECIFIERS continue to prefer hard copy information, but internet usage has increased significantly up from 49% to 73% in two years, according to the latest independent research commissioned by RIBA and conducted by NOP. Meanwhile,...

Facilities managers identified as influential decision makers. (News file).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... AROUND 67% of facilities managers are either major decision makers or have involvement in the decision on flooring selection. This is according to recent research by DuPont. The study, among 252 respondents in the hospitality,...

Levelling compounds.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Unitex and Unismooth are new two-part and one-part general purpose smoothing compounds, respectively, added to the Tremco Treadfast range. Tel: 01753 691696

Floor DPM.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Newton System 500 waterproof barrier is said to be designed for floors such as basements where aggressive ground water conditions are prevalent and can be laid over the existing concrete slab. Tel: 0207 237 1217

Garage doctors.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... A new floor coating system is claimed to be a cost effective alternative to traditional floor paints and a considerable saving over professional resin flooring systems. Garage Doctors is designed for domestic garages, but is said to be equally...

Silenzio improved.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Egger Floor Products has improved its Floorline Silenzio sound insulating underlay system which is now available via Headlam. Tel: 0113 390 6042

Stone brochure.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Classical Flagstones has issued a new price list and brochure, including replicas of ancient flagstones and chic limestone. Tel: 0117 937 1960

Next day delivery.
December 1, 2002... The first Screwfix Direct catalogue for 2003 features 237 new products, all for next day delivery, with a number of special offers. Tel: 0800 317004

Boen show stand.
December 1, 2002... Boen Parkett has launched a new retail show stand containing 16 417mm square sample boards and four 750 by 414mm boards. An integral light box is included. The stand is available on three-day delivery from Hardwood Flooring Supplies. Tel: 0870...

Carpet care leaflet.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Telenzo is incorporating its new carpet care leaflet inside the wrapping of each cut length delivered to UK customers. Tel: 01422 374414

996 events.(held during National Construction Week)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Nearly 1,000 events involving 70,000 people were held during the National Construction Week in October.

AHEC gathering.(American Hardwood Export Council )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The 10th annual European Convention of the American Hardwood Export Council was held in Lisbon recently, www.aheceurope.org

Legal seminars.
December 1, 2002... Knowles legal seminars is holding a series of half day seminars in London on December 10,11, 18 and 19 on topics including claims, delay and disruption; partnering; design liability; and frequently asked contractual questions. Tel: 08707 530630...

Building fair.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... BAU 2003, Europe's leading trade fair for industrial and commercial building, will be held in Munich from January 13 to 18, 2003. Information for UK visitors from Pattern. Tel: 020 8940 4625 www.bau-munchen.de

Benefit dinner.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The FTBA benefit awards dinner will at the Brighton Floorcoverings Exhibition on March 5. Tel: 020 7405 7633

FloorTek launched.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... FloorTek Expo, formerly the Carpet Technologies Show will be held from April 22-24, 2003, in Dalton, Georgia. www.floor-tek.com

BBC Homes Show.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The BBC Good Homes Show will be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from May 8-11, 2003. Tel: 020 7471 1080

Harrogate hurrah!(the National Floor Show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The National Floor Show in Harrogate was attended by 4,461 visitors. Stand awards went to Kersaint Cobb, Ryalux Carpets, Ulster Carpets and Wood Floor Sales. Already more than 50% of stand space has been rebooked for 2003 (September 2-4)....

Interiors boost.(Retail Interiors & IDW2 Show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Retail Interiors & IDW2 Show at Earls Court in September attracted 3,099 visitors, a 31% rise from last year, according to the organiser.

Ardex--as seen on television. (News file).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... ARDEX supplied two rapid drying products Ardurapid 35 screed and Ardit 55 self-levelling compound for the primetime BBC tv programme, DIY SOS. Ardurapid 35, mixed with screeding sand, was used for screeding the kitchen floor with the...

Lunchtime debates for Contract Show. (News file).(Contract Floor Show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... NEW initiatives are being planned for the Contract Floor Show 2003 (February 25-26) which will remain at it's established home of the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith London The organiser CMP Information is exploring possibilities of visitor...

More members for the CFA. (News file).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... AMONG the flooring contractors who have recently joined the CFA are: Avonvale Contracts, of Bath; B & D Flooring 2000, of Bournemouth; BL Flooring Supplies, of Bristol; Brajeff Flooring, of Romford; Capital Floors, of Blaby, Leicstershire;...

Asbestos moves.(regulations)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Regulations to force building owners to carry out surveys to identify the presence of asbestos have been published by the government. Opposition from the Tories delayed the implementation of the controls which will now not come into force in...

Roberts returned.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... John Roberts was re-elected as president of the NICF at the AGM. Steve Ramsden is vice-president.

PFI guide.
December 1, 2002... Emap Glenigan has launched a new Guide to PFI Education covering contracts in excess of 1bn [pounds sterling]. It lists major companies from clients to consultants. Tel: 0800 093 4032

Carpet history.
December 1, 2002... An illustrated history of the carpet industry in the Kidderminster area (1735 to 2000) features in a new book by Melvyn Thompson who has spent a lifetime in the industry and now works part-time for The Carpet Museum Trust. Tel: 01562 67077

Egger move.(Egger Floor Products is relocating from Leeds to Hexham, in the United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Egger Floor Products is relocating from Leeds to the site of its sister operation, Egger UK, in Hexham, Northumberland, on January 1.

Altro IT solution.(receives contact management solution from IT supplier SevenThree)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Altro has implemented a contact management solution from IT supplier SevenThree to track and manage every phone call, letter, meeting, sample request, quote and specification related to each construction project, www.73.co.uk

Prize cordless cutter.(Chris Burton wins rotary cutter at the National Floor Show)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Chris Burton, of York Carpet & Bed Centre, won a new cordless rotary cutter in Texfelt's free competition at the National Floor Show.

More with less.(Maguires buys six new demountables to reduce number of vehicles on the road)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Darlington distributor Maguires has bought six new demountables, each holding 40 rolls of carpet and fitting onto the back of an 18-tonne wagon to reduce the number of vehicles it has on the road at any one time.

Winter jackets.
December 1, 2002... Jobman has seven new winter jackets for flooring contractors with stitched-in pockets in which to carry tools and fittings. Details of local stockists from Astley National Tel: 02476 223522

Floorlayers are given grief over power floated floors. (News file).
December 1, 2002... FLOORING contractors are being accused of trying to get extra money when they argue for the installation of a DPM over power floated floors, says to Jim Heal, business development manager of Prospect & Peachgate Group. He tells CFJ that...

Interface Europe. (People).(appoints new president)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... LINDSEY PARNELL is the new president and CEO of Interface Europe. He has been with the company for six years, including four at head of operations for Europe.

Tandus Group. (People).(hires Ian Wolstenholme)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Tandus Group has appointed IAN WOLSTENHOLME as md of the European Oprations for C&A Floorcoverings, working out of the company's European hq and production plant in Blaina, Gwent. He will also be in charge of sales, marketing and manufacturing...

Concrete Repairs (CRL). (People).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... KEN DYKES, who has been involved with the construction industry for 38 years, has joined the specialist main contractor Concrete Repairs (CRL) as senior business development manager for northern England based at the company's Sheffield office.

SATRA's Furniture and Floorcoverings Divisions. (People).(announces new appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... EMMA KERR is a new technician for SATRA's Furniture and Floorcoverings Divisions to help cope with an increased demand for the Centre's services. Emma, who has a BSc degree in genetics will specialise in surface finish testing. Outside of work...

Systema. (People).(announces two appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Systema, the distribution arm of woodfinishes manufacturer Becker Acroma, has made two appointments to its sales operations. JAN BATEY, previous regional business development manager with Systema, has been promoted to the new position of sales...

Shopping for work. (Happenings).
December 1, 2002... A one-day seminar at the CBI Conference Centre in London on December 5 is on winning work from high street retailers. Topics include how and why leading retailers select their suppliers and contractors, and identifying the rapidly expanding...

Surfaces on top. (Happenings).
December 1, 2002... About 20% of the exhibitors at Surfaces (January 28-31 in Las Vegas) are new with over 500,000sq ft of exhibition space almost fully booked, according to the organiser. www.SurfacesExpo.com

Mohawk at Brighton. (Happenings).
December 1, 2002... Mohawk International, one of the world's largest suppliers of contract carpets, is to exhibit at the Brighton Contract Floorcoverings Exhibition (March 4-6). Tel: 01425 627499

The grain in Spain. (Happenings).
December 1, 2002... Cevisama, the international tile show, will be held from March 4-8, 2003, in Valencia, Spain. Tel: 0034 96 386 1100 www.feriavalencia.com/cevisama

Ferry good flooring. (Happenings).
December 1, 2002... Flooring companies, including Amtico, Brintons and F Ball, have signed on the exhibit at Cruise & Ferry (May 13-15, 2003) at Olympia, London. Tel: 020 7553 1334