Contract Flooring Journal articles from December 2005

Contract Flooring Journal archives from December 2005

Tax: self-employment under fire!(Editorial)
December 1, 2005... WELCOME news broke just as this issue of CFJ was going to press. The Government decided to delay introducing the dreaded CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) tax scheme for a year until April 2007. It had been feared that despite universal...

Fantasy Land floor is said to be 'fantastic'.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... DISNEYLAND Hong Kong has a splash of colour thanks to Mondeco flooring from FLOWCRETE. The 'designer floor finish' is reported to be helping to create an enchanting environment at the new Disneyland theme park. The seamless terrazzo system...

Hard choice: do you use PU or EP?(Polyurethane)(Epoxy)
December 1, 2005... POLYURETHANE (PU Cement) and EPOXY (EP) resin based floor screed systems are both well established in the UK. Essentially for good impact and thermal shock resistance, a correctly constituted resin screed of minimum 6mm thickness is always...

'Finding the toilet' the only useful info at CIS seminar.(Brief Article)(Column)
December 1, 2005... WHEN HM Revenue & Customs invited me to a seminar on the new CIS scheme, proposed for April 2006, I accepted. I was intrigued and eager to learn more about it. Like many others in the construction industry, I have been frustrated,...

Diary dates.(Points of view)(Calendar)
December 1, 2005... DOMOTEX January 14-17 Hannover, Germany www.demotex.de T: 020 8688 9541 DESIGN INTERIORS (& THE FURNITURE SHOW) January 22-25 NEC Birmingham T: 020 7921 8491 www.designinteriorsuk.co.uk EXPOTILE &...

The Glues brothers.(Points of view)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2005... WAYNE, GET DOWN OFF THE MAN'S CARPETS--YOU'LL GET HAIRS ALL OVER YOUR ICE LOLLY YOU DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW EXPENSIVE THOSE ICE-LOLLIES ARE! [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Aged just 18, I was left to run the family business.(Flooring contractor)
December 1, 2005... WORKING in the contract flooring industry there's never a dull moment and with my family history I never had any doubt that my career was destined to be in the family business. In fact, it's in my blood. It all started in 1963 when my...

Training directory.(Directory)
December 1, 2005... Flooring industry Training Association Carpet tile fitting Nov 2-3 (Loughborough) Laminate & floating wood fitting Nov 9-10 (Loughborough) * T: 0115 941 1126 or * www.fita.co.uk CENTRAL FLOOR TRAINING Independent...

Win-win for all with training at Ryalux.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... RYALUX has introduced new training initiatives across the company. Newly appointed personnel officer, Ingrid Jackson, is working closely with directors to drive forward the company's training and development programme and enhance Ryalux's...

Moisture measurement: box or sleeve?(contract floor journal)
December 1, 2005... THIS month, I should like to refer to two articles previously published in CFJ, one written by myself and the other by another writer. In June 2005 I cited the dilemma when both hygrometer boxes and hygrometer sleeves are used to take...

How to handle a block and beam job.
December 1, 2005... SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience. Q: I often get jobs where the slab is block and beam. l must admit l am not 100% sure what they...

To scribe or to freehand? Which is best?
December 1, 2005... DAVID GATFIELD, Altro technical services manager--northern region, considers a question on the 'best' fitting techniques. WE were asked recently whether Altro products should be fitted using 'traditional' techniques or if they can be...

Plants can help to perk up your staff.(on boosting performance with Feng Shui)
December 1, 2005... Dawn Gibbins MBE, chairman of Flowcrete Group plc, a qualified Feng Shui practitioner, is using this ancient Chinese philosophy to energise her company's workforce and to improve their wellbeing. In the third of CFJs exclusive series on...

Getting paid: how to ensure it happens.
December 1, 2005... John Woolmore FCCA, interim manager and business consultant, begins a new series exclusive to CFJ with business advice to small and medium sized businesses, especially flooring contractors. ANY delays in payments for goods or services can...

ACID's top ten tips for new businesses.
December 1, 2005... Dids Macdonald, chief executive of ACID (Anti Copying In Design) looks at some of the fundamental issues facing those who are setting up in business and also to those who may not have taken the time to consider IP issues in their business...

Smart Alec.(Cartoon)
December 1, 2005... ... brought to you by www.uktc.org YOU ENTERING THE OLYMPICS BOB? YEAH RIGHT MATE, NOT UNLESS THEY'RE BRINGING PIE EATING IN AS A CATEGORY! I'M ENTERING THE OLYMPICS! BECAUSE I'VE BEEN 'ACCREDITED' SO I CAN ENTER MY QUOTE FOR THE...

Here is some great Christmas cheer: you can win 250 [pounds sterling] of drinks vouchers.
December 1, 2005... Over the last year Bob Mabbutt, development manager of Laybond Products, has discussed some of the more common problems encountered with subfloor preparation. Here is a recap of some of the more important aspects and the opportunity to win some...

Tile show sensation: third of space reserved within days of launch.
December 1, 2005... THE launch of The Tile & Stone Show 2007 before an enthusiastic audience of specially invited guests from across the industry last month was rated a major success. Within days of the launch leading companies in this sector had ask to...

Margins take a hit.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... One in four floorcoverings companies cut margins to maintain sales levels, says a new Plimsoll study. It claims that 23% of companies are selling at a loss; 11% are losing money for the second year, 57% have seen falling margins; and 25% have...

Building activity increases.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Construction in the year to September 2005 rose 7% compared with the previous 12 months. During the same period public housing and housing association orders were up 3%. Public non-housing orders (excluding infrastructure) rose by 1%; private...

Haro distributor named.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Pennine Flooring Supplies, with bases in Heywood (LanCashire), Chester(North Wales), Carlisle (North Cumbria), has been appointed by Hamberger to distribute Haro flooring, including over 200 engineered wood, 150 laminate, cork, and lino...

Mohawk backs brand.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Mohawk Industries of the US says it will continue supporting the QuickStep laminate brand following its acquisition of Unilin of Belgium.

Merchant sales slump.(Builders Merchants Federation)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Sales at builders' merchants slumped 3.2% in the three months to August 2005 against the same period in 2004, according to the Builders Merchants Federation. The south west saw a 8.8% drop, the worst in the UK. Scotland and the north of England...

Maxit opens facility.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Maxit has opened a 13.000sq m facility at the Port of Garston, Merseyside, to process and package its lightweight aggregate (LWA), imported from Spain and Portugal.

Loughborough launched.(Flooring Industry Training Association)(training courses )
December 1, 2005... THE director of training at FITA (Flooring Industry Training Association), John Roberts, was over the moon about the big attendance at the first open day at the new FITA training centre at Loughborough, close to the M1 motorway. The event,...

'Domotex great for us'.(News file)
December 1, 2005... FOUR leading names in the British floorcoverings industry, who will again be exhibiting at Domotex next month, explain why they believe it is such an important show. Gordon Donald, md, Burmatex: 'The main reason why Burmatex regularly...

UK fitting team named.(Floorshow)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... THE UK has a new team of fitters chosen to participate in the European team floorcovering fitting championship at Domotex in Hannover (January 14-17). This is the third such contest. Britain won the first two. However, this month they are...

Tax controversy.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Alun Michael, construction minister at the DTI, is reported to have written to the Treasury on the controversial CIS tax scheme, wanting assurances that the 'legitimate' fears of the construction industry are being taken into account. (See page...

Death toll report.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Workplace accidents claimed 220 lives in 2004/2005 down from 236 the previous year, says a new HSE report. Major injuries was down 2.2% to 30,213. Over a third were caused by slipping or tripping. Stress and musculoskeletal disorders account...

NSCC bodies licenced.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... The government has awarded TrustMark licences to two NSCC (National Specialist Contractors Council) members, Glass and Glazing Federation and National Federation of Roofing Contractors together representing almost 10,000 firms. The CFA is one...

Website offer.(www.locallife.co.uk )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Locallife is offering floorlayers a 'free' website, including three photos; logo; name, address, telephone and email details; a page of text; and hosting. In return businesses mustlink with the Locallife website directory claimed to generate...

Free e-commerce.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... The UK Trades Confederation is offering members free e-commerce websites with email facilities. www.uktc.org T: 0800 018 4442

E-tendering advice.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... RICS has published a 10-step guide to help quantity surveyors confused by electronic tendering. www.ricsbooks.com

Specialist awards.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Twintec won the Building flooring specialist of the year. Runners-up were 4m flooring and WB Simpson.

2006 will be 'a good one'.(News file)
December 1, 2005... THE construction industry is positive about prospects for 2006, despite difficult trading conditions and slower economic growth, according to the new trade surveys of the Construction Confederation and the Construction Products Association...

Altro gain in Spain.(acquisition of Scandess)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... ALTRO has acquired the Spanish company Scandess, following a 19year partnership with the distributor said to be the largest independent company of its type on the continent. The Spanish flooring industry has become a key market for Altro's...

IDS offers 'more flexible deliveries'.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... WITH 10 branches nationwide, IDS now meets customer needs for small and flexible deliveries on room set quantities in 24-48 hours. Says Rebecca Slinn, IDS marketing manager: 'We offer customer service with the concept of shopping locally...

Meister unveils 450 products.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... MEISTER-LEISTEN SCHULTE will unveil 450 new products, including two new and several revised collections with 100 new decors at its in-house exhibition in Meiste for invited trade guests next month. The company will reveal its new name and...

40m [pounds sterling] skills drive.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... The Government is spending 40m [pounds sterling] to set up academies to improve the skills in different industries, including construction. The aim is to provide training as well as creating jobs, improving productivity and tackling skills...

Pensions alarm.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Despite a threatened pensions crisis, 37% of full time workers do not contribute to a pension plan with 26% saying they cannot afford to save for their retirement, according to new research.

Anger over asbestos regs.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Workers could face increased risk of asbeatos-related illness if proposed rule changes become law, says the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association. Unlicensed contractors will be able remove certain types of asbestos deemed to be only...

Anti-bullying campaign.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Engineering union Amicus has launched an anti-bullying website. Bullying is said to cost the UK economy 1.3m [pounds sterling] a year. The website has advice on dealing with bullying colleagues, customers or bosses. www.dignityatwork.org

Tile golf winner.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Gary Hardy of Bostik won the Tile Industry Golf society's Cecrisa Trophy in August and The Harvey Chew Memorial Trophy in September. www.tigs.freeuk.com

Contracts awarded.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... PC Flooring (Southern) has won contracts worth 155,000 [pounds sterling] for screeding projects at Donington Valley Hotel in Newbury, Berkshire; College of Agriculture and Frenchem Heights School, Farnham.

Olympic projects.(Trade in brief)
December 1, 2005... Contractors winning projects for London's 2012 Olympic Games could be forced to use local labour, according to the Greater London Authority which wants the event to help the social and economic regeneration of east London.

Threshold boosts Bonar mat share.(acquisition report)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... BONAR FLOORS has acquired a number of assets and intellectual property of THRESHOLD FLOORINGS in administration. Threshold is a leading supplier of textile and rigid entrance flooring systems in the contract market and has a strong brand...

CFS Carpets revamps site.(CFS Carpets)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... CFS CARPETS has redesigned its website, incorporating new facilities and more information. It now features an online sample ordering service, for delivery within 48 hours. The entire product portfolio can be viewed, including technical...

Flowcrete designs online.(www.flowcrete.com)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... FLOWCRETE has introduced a new web-based concept featuring both colour and texture. The designer room function on the website (www.flowcrete.com) allows users to use different floor finishes and colours to create a 'realistic virtual...

How good is your industry knowledge?(TEST THE TRADES at interbuild 2006)
December 1, 2005... FLOORLAYERS will be up against other trades in the Test The Trade competition at Interbuild next April. Here are two more questions that floorlayers could face: * What does FSC stand for in sustainable Umber for flooring? * What Is...

Wool interiors expands.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... WOOL INTERIORS has expanded product development capabilities at its international development centre in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, with a new 2m wide Mtuft machine, said to be the first of its type in the world. This machine can produce...

Failing to be green.(unused building materials )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Only 18% of UK building firms see cutting back on waste as important for their companies, according to a new Mori study. Over 13m tonnes of unused building materials are discarded as waste every year equivalent of 5.4bn bricks costing 855m...

Aid for going green.(Environment in brief)
December 1, 2005... The government is increasing grants for microgeneration technologies, including micro-turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps to persuade businesses help tackle climate change, www.clear-skies.org

Efficiency drive.(Environment in brief)
December 1, 2005... The Office of Government Commerce and Construction Products Association have set up a joint efficiency group to help manufacturers and suppliers remove waste from the construction process and achieve better value in procurement. T: 020 7323...

Greener buildings bid.(Environment in brief)
December 1, 2005... The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is urging developers to back 'greener buildings'. It says green buildings could earn higher rents and prices, cut tenant turnover and could cost less to operate and maintain.

Spreading the word.(Green Building Congress)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Interface recently participated in India's Green Building Congress aimed to persuade developers in India's rapidly growing construction sector to use energy efficiency and environmentally friendly technologies as opposed to relying on more...

Weather warning.(Environment in brief)
December 1, 2005... Contractors are being warned that they may not be fully covered for delays caused by the harsh winter forecast.

Winning with FeRFA.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... DEGUSSA CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS (UK) has won the Manufacturer of the Year 2005 award from FeRFA, the Resin Flooring Association, in recognition of its push into the decorative flooring sector. Ian Wilson, marketing manager for Degussa's...

BAL Fixer Club hits the headlines.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... THE latest issue of the BAL Fixer Club newsletter is out. The club is a loyalty scheme for professional tilers based on a selection of BAL products, including adhesives, grouts and waterproofing products. Points on purchases go towards a...

Door trimmer offer.(Products in brief)
December 1, 2005... Grangefield Services is now a UK distributor of BEPo Twist, a power tool designed to trim doors without removing the hinges. A free wooden carrying case is being offered with every machine purchased. A specially shaped grinding block is...

Bopper in the UK.(Products in brief)
December 1, 2005... Grangefield has also introduced the Bopper, a new fitting tool from Germany, said to combine the functions of a hammer and a floor jemmy for fitting wood floors. It has a felt base to avoid damaging floors and requires a gap of only 4mm.

Armatile expands.(Armatile new showroom and re-location)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Northern Ireland tile company Armatile has continued its 5m [pounds sterling] expansion in Armagh with the opening of its new showroom and offices, creating 50 jobs. Over 150 are now employed at Armatile's three sites. Armagh mayor John...

EU to cut red tape.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... The EU has begun to streamline regulation in a move designed to make European businesses more competitive. But don't expect instant results. Over 80,000 pages of EU laws and regulations have to be simplified and updated.

Call for office space.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Growth in financial services has underpinned demand for office space, says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Fly-posting fine.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... House builder Barratt was reportedly fined 21,000 [pounds sterling] for fly-posting after putting up unauthorised signs advertising a housing development.

New car park at Excel.(Industry in brief)
December 1, 2005... Plans have been announced for a 1,600-capacity underground car park at Excel. It will be ready in time for The Tile and Stone Show in 2007.

F Ball and Co.(People)
December 1, 2005... MIKE WILLET has joined F Ball and Co as technical representative for Kent and Sussex. Mike has nearly 20 years flooring experience from hands-on fitting to contracts managing.

Devi.(appointment of Julie Steggles and Matthew Miller)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Two business development managers have been appointed by Devi, supplier of underfloor heating. JULIE STEGGLES, who has extensive experience in the retail flooring industry, will manage existing accounts in the central part of the UK. MATTHEW...

James Latham.(People)
December 1, 2005... RICHARD PICKLES has been promoted to group hardwood flooring manager at James Latham. Richard has worked for the timber and panel distributor since joining the company as a trainee in 1983.

Antron.(People)
December 1, 2005... JANE HARRISON is the new UK marketing manager for Antron carpet fibre for Invista. Jane has a business degree from Humberside University and has worked for Philips Consumer Electronics; horticultural supplies manufacturer, Scotts; and contract...

Pergo.(appointment of Lars Mrozek )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... LARS MROZEK is the new sales director UK for Pergo in succession to Richard Pollington, who has left the company. Lars, who is also responsible for Benelux. Pergo is concentrating its operations in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Its Abingdon office...

CMP Information.(People)
December 1, 2005... NICKY SHRIGLEY has been promoted to sales manager of National Floor Show and London Floor Show organised by CMP Information. Nicky was fomerly field sales executive on both events.

Ryalux bosses splash out on 35th birthday.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... RYALUX celebrated its 35th birthday recently in Seventies style with a huge variety of themed entertainment for its 340-strong team. A highlight of the day was the recreation of the famous Rose Royce hit 'Carwash' presented by directors and...

Vicar runs after MD in good cause.(News file)
December 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Below: Cormar Carpets md, David Judge, right, and vicar Hugh Beam, of Tottlngham Church, Greenmount, Bury, before the Chicago Marathon. David finished in four hours with the vicar coming in 30 minutes...

IFDA members are having a Ball.(News file)
December 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Below: Sales director of F Bali and Co, David Hibbert, left, accepts the Independent Floorcoverings Distributors Association trophy for flooring accessory supplier of the year from Andy Nichols, president of...

Surfaces demo plan.(Events in brief)
December 1, 2005... Surfaces in Las Vegas (Feb 1-3) will again feature an installation showcase where professional installers will demonstrate a range of flooring materials and installation techniques, www.surfaces.com

'Biggest' wood show.(Events in brief)
December 1, 2005... Domotex asia / ChinaFloor (March 28-30, 2006) in Shanghai with over 69,000sq m of exhibition space will be the largest wood and laminate flooring show in the world, the organisers claim. Textile flooring is also up 20% with resilient also...

Hamiltons teaked off.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... The solid teak flooring laid in the bathroom of the London apartment of limelight seekers Christine and Neil Hamilton in controversial Channel 5 makeover series 'How Not to Decorate' was supplied by Floors Galore of Shrewsbury via Taylored...

Brickies up in arms.(Have you heard?)
December 1, 2005... More than 80% of students in Lowestoft reportedly failed their City & Guilds bricklaying exams after a series of cock-ups in the questions. One asked for the number of bricks required for a retaining wall. The width and height were given, but...

Barbara the builder?(Have you heard?)
December 1, 2005... TV scriptwriters are being urged to write more roles for women construction workers and avoid the stereotype builder as a beer-swilling sexist. The call comes from the Women in Plumbing Group.

five years ago.(News file)
December 1, 2005... In December 2000 CFJ had an exclusive feature on the millions of pounds worth of flooring--carpets, vinyl, rubber and industrial flooring--in the Millennium Dome. It was reported then that plans for the Dome were yet unconfirmed. Five years on...

All the best: Stewart Taylor, director of Bailey & Taylor, is passionate about the flooring trade. He believes it is vital to encourage young people into the industry and to train them well.
December 1, 2005... THERE RE is much about the flooring industry that could attract young recruits. He says: 'What we do as flooring contractors is important. We simply don't give ourselves enough credit!' 'It's a good industry. The people are nice and we get...

Ian Hammond: director, PC flooring.(Interview)
December 1, 2005... * Did you get into trouble at school? All the time but I'm not telling you! * What was your first part-time job? I was as a paper boy at 13 * What did you spend your first pay cheque on? A Boney M album! * What was your first...

Winners and losers: the industrial flooring market will grow by 12% during the next five years to 62.1m [pounds sterling] in 2010, according to a new market survey.(Industrial flooring market)
December 1, 2005... THE growth of this sector reflects anticipated increases in construction output in the industrial sector, says MBD (Market Business Development) in a new report on the UK Industrial Flooring Market Development 2005. * Epoxy resin is...

Wood floors coming, back, says Wood for good.
December 1, 2005... THE last 18 months has seen a 12% increase in market share for the wood flooring sector. This is due in no small measure to the wood. for good campaign, organised on behalf of and funded by some of the UK and Europe's largest timber growers,...