Contract Flooring Journal articles from December 2004

Contract Flooring Journal archives from December 2004

Be afraid! Be very afraid!(Editor's comment)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... PROSPECTS for flooring manufacturers and contractors in Britain are currently quite positive, but things could end in tears after four more years of President Bush if his fiscal policies cause the global economy to crash. After being left with...

Anton Excel is 'four times as good'.(Installation of the month)(Deam Court Hotel uses carpet tiles of Invista for remodelling)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... No less than four different styles of carpet made from Antron Excel carpet fibre from INVISTA were installed in a 500,000 [pounds sterling] refurbishment at the Deam Court Hotel in the historic town of York. The established partnership of...

'We encourage our customers to ask probing questions'.(Environment)
December 1, 2004... Ed Blamey, European sustainability director, Interface Europe FOLOLOWING your interview with Ray Anderson, chairman of Interface Inc, (CFJ, August, 2004), I felt it was important to provide a follow-up to answer some of the responses which...

'We are driving down our environmental impact'.(Points of View)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Morag Girdwood, marketing director of Milliken Carpet IT IS an indisputable fact that in recent years Milliken Carpet has introduced a number of important new initiatives that have enabled us to drive down our environmental impact. One...

Outrage over attack on subcontractors: NICF Master Fitter Rick Hynard reacts strongly to comments by, Steve Smith in CFJ (October, 2004).(Points of View)
December 1, 2004... I AM a self-employed flooring subcontractor and proud of it. I was outraged at the comments by Steve Smith regarding sub-contractors and feel that he is unfairly tarring us all with the same brush. Yes, I have no doubt that there are poor...

'Retail and contract sectors beginning to merge.(Exhibition)
December 1, 2004... Cathy Oates, event director of CMP Information, writes in response to the editor's comment in CFJ (October 2004) I WOULD like to thank you for wishing us success with The London Floorshow, which will run for the first time on February 22-23...

'Self-promotion adds nothing to sustainability debate'.(Points of View)(Tandus Europe)
December 1, 2004... Ian Wolstenholme, md, Tandus Europe At Tandus Europe we've read with interest the recent comments in CFJ about environmental issues. To be honest, we did not regard the remarks by Ian Slack and Phil Cunningham (CFJ August) as worthy of...

I've done my health & safety screen test! How about you?(Comment)
December 1, 2004... I HAVE just completed my screen test--not for any starring movie role but in many ways equally important. I am of course talking about the Health & Safety Screen Test that is required for the CSCS Card registration scheme. I have to be...

Make better health & safety a New Year's resolution.(Comment)(construction industry)
December 1, 2004... THE construction industry continues to have more accidents of greater severity than any other industrial sector in the UK, representing a substantial cost--both human and economic. Equally, the HSE has observed that the quality of accident...

Training directory.(Training)(Directory)
December 1, 2004... fita Flooring industry Training Association Dec 6-7 sales & other personnel basic wood days (N) 2005 Jan 24-28 intensive basic carpet fitting (N) Jan 31-Feb 4 intermediate carpet fitting (L) Feb 7-9 ceramic fitting...

Wood supplier at loggerheads on views.(Help and advice)(Rovers Flooring)
December 1, 2004... REGULAR readers may notice that I write occasional articles on visits to flooring manufacturers or distributors. I ask their advice to flooring contractors to help improve installations and avoid failures, problems and disputes. I recently...

Problems with sand and finish jobs?(Sid Bourne on wood floors)
December 1, 2004... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers and shares some of his 25 years of installation experience. Sid is a member of the CFA committee. Q: Why can I not get a perfect...

Any questions before you start?(Ian Knifton on tiles)
December 1, 2004... Ian Knifton, technical manager of Schluter-Systems answers recent questions from flooring contractors before they started work on particular jobs, wanting to ensure that they weren't called back to deal with problems in the future. Q: What...

Don't regard this job simply as a grind: David Gatfield, Altro technical services manager--northern, explains some of the issues associated with subfloor preparation.(David Gatfield on subfloor preparation)
December 1, 2004... SUBFLOOR preparation is an integral part of floorlaying. There are several different types of product used for this. By far the most widely used in this country is latex screed, which is usually self smoothing, but needs to be troweled...

It's essential to deliver what you promise.(Graham Sibley on marketing)(Column)
December 1, 2004... For the past six months I have been writing this column to provide some detailed insights and ideas into how to use marketing to develop your businesses. Now in conclusion, I can summarise the key points. 1. Define what business you are in...

Diary dates.(Help and advice)(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... HEIMTEXTIL 2005 January 12-15 Frankfurt, Germany www.heimtextil.de DOMOTEX 2005 January 15-18 Hanover, Germany T: 020 8688 9541 www.domotex.de BAU 2005 January 17-22 Munich, Germany www.bau-muenchen.de DESIGN INTERIORS January...

Are you a victim of payment abuse?(News file)
December 1, 2004... THE government is to allow a full three-month consultation on the review, of the Construction Act by Sir Michael Latham, CFJ can reveal. The consultation period will begin once Sir Michael has submitted his consultation paper. This was due...

Careful preparation is key at London university.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A PRIMER, smoothing underlayment and adhesive from F BALL were used for a refurbishment project at South Bank London University. The contractor MG Flooring started by preparing existing uneven sand/cement screed subfloors in high traffic areas....

Hugh Mackay reborn.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2004... Hugh Mackay is the new name for the 101 year-old Hugh Mackay Carpets. Steve Cowie is the new CEO, Simon Ragg, finance & commercial director, Stuart Coomber, sales & marketing director and Martin Horrocks, resource director. Venture capital...

More building activity.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Increased government and private sector building work lifted overall construction activity during the third quarter, according to Construction Industry Trade Surveys compiled jointly by the Construction Confederation and the Construction...

Construction busier.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Latest DTI figures show orders in the year to September 2004 up by 2% and orders in the third quarter rising by one 1% compared with the same period in 2003.

Orders show rise.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The latest PKF index reports that small and medium-sized construction companies saw orders in the third quarter of 2004 rise to their highest level in over three years.

Export gloom.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... British manufacturers will have to shed 22,000 jobs by Christmas because of weak exports, a CBI report claims. However, the UK labour market remains strong with 221,000 more people in work in October 2004 than 12 months before.

Offices being filled.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A new RICS survey reports that occupier demand for commercial property has risen for the fourth consecutive quarter, especially in London.

Bricks going up.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Rising gas costs will lead to steep increases in the price of bricks next year, it is reported.

PFI statistics.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Around 39,800 construction workers and 48,000 facilities management staff are currently involved in over 700 PFI projects with a capital value of more than 43bn [pounds sterling], according to the latest figures from the PPP Forum.

Get a new floor for Christmas'.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MANUFACTURERS are being urged to get a new floor for Christmas, installed over the traditional shutdown period. Fast-track products and modern application dynamics enable a new seamless resin floor to be installed in a relatively short time,...

Gaskell launches updated website.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... GASKELL group has launched a new website, designed not only to generate new business but also to keep all of Gaskell's different customer groups and stakeholders up to date with the company's activities, product launches, service enhancements...

Pupils win Marley floors for their schools.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MARLEY FLOORS has announced the winning designs for its schools competition open to pupils between 11 and 18. Over 1500 design entries were received from over 100 secondary schools and colleges. The three winning entries were chosen for...

Berry Valinge victory.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office has rejected appeals from companies Including Unilin, Perstorp, Parador and Kronotex and confirmed the validity of the Berry's Valinge Innovation patent on the glueless installation. ...

CFJ top in Palmer.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CFJ was top in a new Palmer survey on trade magazine readership among flooring contractors. The second best read flooring title was 16% behind CFJ.

Tile market grows.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The UK ceramic tile market is worth 390m [pounds sterling] at manufacturers selling prices, an increase of 6% over 2002, according to a new report.

Q for Northern Foods.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Q Flooring Systems of Altrincham has been appointed sole supplier and installer of acrylic flooring to Northern Foods Plc until 2009. The company will provide specialist flooring solutions to over 30 different sites throughout the UK and...

Website for CFA firm.(Industry in brief)(Town & Country Flooring)(Charted Financial Analyst)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Town & Country Flooring, with offices in Cambridge, London and Norfolk, one of the UK's largest flooring contractors and a CFA member, has launched a new website. www.townandcountryflooring.co.uk

CFA firm success.(Industry in brief)(Runner up)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Axiom Group, a member of the CFA, was a runner up in the specialist contractor awards organised by Building in association with the DTI.

Bentley Prince launch.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Bentley Prince Street UK has a new showroom in London where its new tile and broadloom products and being promoted, including the Iconic range using Solutia's Ultron Colour Nylon 6.6. T: 01604 494648 www.bentleyprincestreet.com

Liquid Plastics exit.(Industry in brief)(flooring market to concentrate)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Liquid Plastics is withdrawing from the flooring market to concentrate on roofing and specialist coating.

CSCS fraud.(Industry in brief)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Contractors are being warned that fraudulent CSCS cards are in circulation. The CSCS call centre can confirm the validity of suspect cards. T: 01485 578777

Quote.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 'Women do want to work in construction, but they are put off by the macho images' --Patrician Hewitt, trade and industry secretary

Floor talks.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ALTRO is using a 'talking floor' to test prototype products at its Letchworth headquarters. The floor plays wolf whistles, animal noises and famous phrases from the likes of James Bond, activated every time it is stepped on. It is part of...

'Intelligent' carpet for tomorrow's office.(News file)
December 1, 2004... CARPET manufacturer VORWERK has unveiled seven work themes to display exclusive woven designs for the office of tomorrow The company's 'Office Vision' was introduced at the Orgatec trade fair in Cologne in October. Kreation, Macro, Style,...

Slip testing service.(Products in brief)(Cleaning Research international)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Cleaning Research international has launched a new slip testing service for smooth floors in wet and dry conditions, including measuring the coefficient friction of floors in a range of locations. Full reports are given. Details from Dr Eric...

Taking responsibility.(Products in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A new website will help deliver socially responsible construction projects, making the link between social responsibility and sound business practice. www.engageweb.org

Landfill dumping.(Products in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Over 20m tonnes of construction and demolition waste goes to landfill in one year, according to figures from CIRIA. This represents 3040% of construction and demolition waste.

Agency appointed.(Products in brief)(Nonwoven UK )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Nonwoven UK has been appointed sole agents in the UK and Eire for Nonwoven SPA of Italy. Details from Peter Oliver. T: 01386 872739 M: 07799 061630

CAA guidelines.(Products in brief)(Cement Admixture Association)(guidelines for cement admixtures )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Cement Admixture Association has new guidelines on how admixtures not covered by B8 EN 934 can show suitability for use in concrete, in conformity with BS EN 206 requirements. T: 01564 776362

CRA CD updated.(Products in brief)(Concrete Repair Association )(compact disk)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Concrete Repair Association has updated its established CD-Rom following the request of over 4,000 copies since its launch in 2000. www.cra.org.uk T: 01252 739145

Travel to Domotex.(Products in brief)
December 1, 2004... Pressplan Travel offers hotel and travel to Domotex in Hannover (January 15-18). Prices start from 397 [pounds sterling] including two nights and flights from Heathrow. T: 0845 644 1381 www.pressplantravel.com

Architects for safety.(Products in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Architects will have to take greater responsibility for health & safety with new prequalification rules in contract tender documents.

Laminate site.(Products in brief)(www.eplf.com)(European Producers of Laminate Flooring )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) has revamped its website, www.eplf.com

Leading supplier selects Neoheat.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A LEADING Midlands tile distributor, Walls & Floors, is to market NEOHEAT electric floor heating system. The company offers free next-day delivery for 7,000 stock items, within a 50-mile radius of Kettering, on orders of more than 50 [pounds...

Antron and Milliken go green.(News file)
December 1, 2004... INVISTA Antron fibre's commitment to the environment is highlighted with the latest range from Milliken CarpetMilliken Carpets' established commitment to the quality of its products is based on careful environmental consideration and use of...

Export support.(Industry in brief)(British Consultants and Construction Bureau)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The British Consultants and Construction Bureau (BCCB) is to provide export support for product manufacturers and suppliers in addition to consultants and construction contractors, following an agreement with the Construction Products...

BCFA at SATRA.(Industry in brief)(British Contract Furnishing Association )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A delegation from the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA) visited the headquarters of SATRA in Kettering recently to see the organisations testing laboratories, capabilities and procedures. T: 01494 896790 (BCFA) T: 01536 41000...

Visitor record.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A record of 45,576 visitors attended the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show this year, according to the organisers. Next year's show is from April 14-17 at the NEC. www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Decorex award.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Victorian Woodworks won a BIDA (British Interior Design Association) best product award at Decorex. The award was for the company's range of reclaimed, new and antique timber flooring. T: 020 8534 1000

'Sand in' planned.(Events in brief)(Floorstar)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Floorstar, the wood floor finishing and maintenance supplier, has a full-day sand and finish seminar on December 14 at Haydock Park racecourse. Belt and edge sanding machinery, multi disc machines, dust collection systems, fillers, primers,...

China show dates.(Events in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The 7th China International Building & Decoration Fair, CUD 2005, (July 6-9 July)in Canton (Guangzhou)is organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre Group in association with Merebo Messe Marketing, Hamburg, Germany. Over 2,000 exhibitors are...

Batimat in 2005.(Events in brief)
December 1, 2004... Over 1,350 exhibitors have already signed up for Batimat 2005 in Paris (November 7-12). Over 92,000sq m of stand space has been booked. Batimat 2003 had 2,664 exhibitors, including 1,037 international firms from 47 countries. Email:...

Vandal-resistant.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Lafarge Readymix's decorative concrete, Bomanite, was used at the 79m [pounds sterling] Peterborough Prison. A key feature of the material is said to be its vandal-resistance. T: 0116 264 8250

Cementitious guide.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A guide to Tretocrete, a synthetic polymer modifier for cementitious mixes is available from Tremco. Applications include water and water vapour proof bonding slurries, renders and floor screeds. T: 01753 691696

Quality scheme move.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2004... Trade associations will be able to vet their members to become Quality Scheme contractors in terms of proposals for a new scheme to replace the failed Quality Mark.

Retail park contract.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Twintec Industrial Flooring has won a 460,000 [pounds sterling] contract from Mowlem at a retail park in South Wales.

Screeding deal.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Advance Screeding has received a 400,000 [pounds sterling] contract at five PFI schools in Waltham Forest, East London

Speedway success.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2004... BHK (UK) is to display on its premises the Speedway Premier League 2004 championship cup won by Hull BHK Vikings sponsored by BHK.

Sanding product.(Products in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Granwax Products has launched the Blue Magic Prep Pad for the 'between coat' preparation of waterborne finishes. A Blue Magic pad in conjunction with a buffing machine is said to allow for a quick build of finish with no hazing or scratching...

Pockets galore.(Products in brief)(Corrib Service Line trouser )(Jobman )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Corrib Service Line trouser range from Jobman have 18 practical pockets designed to carry fixings, small tools and two separate mobile phone pockets. Kneepad pockets are also available. Details from Astley National. T: 024 76 223522

Shackerley Holdings.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Shackerley Holdings has recruited three more architectural sales representatives. PHIL TAYLOR, based in Nailsea in Bristol, has worked for H & R Johnson, Pilkington, Gaskell Flooring and most recently, The Candy Tile Co. West London based...

Degussa Construction Chemicals.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... PCI, the tile adhesive and grouts division of Degussa Construction Chemicals, has appointed MICHAEL HAILWOOD as northern regional sales manager. Michael joined Pilkingtons at the age of 20 and subsequently worked for Capitol Tiles and Tiles UK...

The Turtle Mat Co.(People)(Brown, Simon)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Following a management buy-in, MARK WHITNEY and SIMON BROWN have joined The Turtle Mat Co. Both previously held senior management positions for large multinational firms in the City of London JAMES TURTLE, founder of the company, will stay on...

Ryalux.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... JOHN LYND has joined Ryalux as export administrator. Having worked in France as an English teacher, he will focus on the French-speaking European markets, managing orders from beginning to end; from initially taking the order and advising...

After 25 years at Laybond he got a Wolves shirt.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... RICHARD EWING, md of Laybond Products, is celebrating 25 years of service with the company. In 1979 when he joined the company as a development chemist, its products were mostly bitumen based and all trowel applied; now roller and spray...

Increased global production by more than 86 per cent.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... In the ten years to 2003, C&A Floorcoverings increased global production by more than 86 per cent, yet reduced energy use by 15% per square yard of carpet produced, greenhouse-gas emissions by 12%, water usage by 55% and air emissions by 89%....

The 8000m2 offices at the new Airbus plant in North Wales--the biggest factory to be built in the UK in recent years--are carpeted using Collins & Aikman's Kuba and Adire tile systems.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The 8000m2 offices at the new Airbus plant in North Wales--the biggest factory to be built in the UK in recent years--are carpeted using Collins & Aikman's Kuba and Adire tile systems. The carpets were chosen because they have excellent...

C&A Floorcoverings has extended its lead in sustainable carpet components with ethos[TM], a new cushion backing material, created from PVB film reclaimed from laminated safety glass.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... C&A Floorcoverings has extended its lead in sustainable carpet components with ethos[TM], a new cushion backing material, created from PVB film reclaimed from laminated safety glass. The actual glass has long been recycled, but C&A is unique in...

Commitment to production excellence.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... As part of its continuing commitment to production excellence, Tandus Europe has introduced a number of significant process improvements. The effectiveness of these was shown in recent results of Aachen tests. These tests, part of the ISO5551...

Tranquillity is a new competitively priced carpet range from Tandus Europe that's designed specifically for hospitals, clinics, residential homes and similar applications.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Tranquillity is a new competitively priced carpet range from Tandus Europe that's designed specifically for hospitals, clinics, residential homes and similar applications. It has a range of attractive colourways in a graphics pin-dot cut-pile...

Tandus Group.(Top floor: news from Tandus Europe)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Tandus Group unites the industry's leading specialised commercial flooring companies--C&A Floorcoverings, Crossley Carpet Mills and Monterey Carpets--to provide customised cost effective solutions to its customers. Tandus Europe ...

What to expect in 2005.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... THE 'top' 755 flooring contractors surveyed by Plimsoll Publishing reveal four different moods based on their current financial strength. More than half(53%) have seen profits fall in the past 12 months with margins tinder increasing...

Winner collects TV in Harrogate draw.(News file)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... VISITING the National Floor Show in Harrogate proved to be a very worthwhile experience for carpet retailer Chris Littlewood of Mintons of Sheffield. He entered a competition on the TELENZO CARPETS stand and ended Lip winning a flat screen...

Carpet sweep on casinos.(Have you heard?)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Carpet manufacturers are apparently closely watching the progress of the Gambling Bill going through Parliament. Big new casinos will require a lot of carpet. Some may even have a flutter on it with a number of bookmakers allegedly offering...

Rudi to help the Tories.(Have you heard?)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Conservative Party has invited Rudi Klein, head of the SEC Group, to write their construction agenda for the next election. An industry wag commented: 'We thought Rudi wanted his ideas to be government policy sooner rather than later.'

Inspiration lacking.(Have you heard?)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A new government report entitled Inspired Leadership says that only one in 10 construction employees believes their boss is inspiring, and nine out of 10 think they are not trusted by those in power.

Alarm over regulations.(Have you heard?)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The government is considering the addition of a security category to the Building Regulations to force contractors to install security systems in all buildings by 2007.