Contract Flooring Journal articles from February 2003

Contract Flooring Journal archives from February 2003

The excess on terrorism! (Editor's comment).(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... POPULAR fear and hatred of a common enemy have been exploited by politicians and governments down he ages to rally supporters and subdue opponents. he 20th century saw Adolf Hitler's propaganda machine justifying the killing of millions of...

Bully tactics used to make us accept `pay when paid'. (Flooring Contractor Speaks Out).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... I HAVE read with interest your recent articles over the last few months concerning the ongoing problem with main contractors still employing `pay when paid' tactics. I'm sad to report that such practices are still very much in evidence....

`DPMs are often punctured'. (Power Floated Floors).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... YOUR article says flooring contractors are being accused of trying to get extra money when they argue for the installation of a DPM over power floated floors. Jim Heal, of Prospect and Peachgate Group, states that power floated floors add...

`Advertisers still ignore our views'. (`Sexist' Adverts).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... DID all the CFJ readers' comments go unnoticed when companies are planning their advertisement placement, or are we female readers having our noses rubbed in it? I wonder, as a retailer, what my customers would think if I displayed the...

Way out proposed after blazing row. (Flammability Testing).(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... FOLLOWING your comment on European Standards (CFJ December 2002), I would like to explain how the current debate on flammability regulations and proposed amendments could affect UK manufacturers. Due to the size and diversity of the...

What do you think of anhydrite screeds? (From the president).
February 1, 2003... BY the time you read this, the notoriety about a certain Peter Foster and one Cherie Blair will have long since died (I hope). The jokes and the leg pulling do run a little thin after a while and the novelty of having one's name read out on...

Always be observant about screeds. (Terry Wolfe's case book).
February 1, 2003... IF A floor fails and there is no-one else to blame, let's blame the floorlayer! That seems to be the rule. A flooring contractor replaced a wood mosaic floor damaged by water in a customer's hall. He took up the damaged material, latex...

Training directory.(Directory)(Illustration)
February 1, 2003... 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...

Don't believe everything you once read about epoxides. (The lowdown from Brian Newell).
February 1, 2003... EPOXIDES have suffered from a negative image in the past, but if you're still under the impression that all epoxy resin based grouting systems are toxic, tricky to deal with, impossible to remove from the tile face, and have the consistency of...

Why it's important that you learn how wood works. (Ask Sid).
February 1, 2003... Q: I have a problem with a Maple floor that had to be sanded and finished with a combination oil and stain product to go with a customer's room decor. Matching of the stain wasn't a problem, but I couldn't get a uniform finish. I've re-sanded...

2003 UK & international diary dates. (Problem solving).(flooring shows)
February 1, 2003... SATRA FLOOR SEMINAR February 21 Kettering, Northants Contact: Jeff Lane, SATRA Tel: 01536 410 000 CONTRACT FLOOR SHOW February 25-26 Hammersmith Novotel, London Contact: CMP Information Tel: 020 7579 4326 (Paul Sweeney)...

`Retentions do not prevent defects'. (News file).
February 1, 2003... THE new president of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC), Michael Ryan, challenged the assertion of construction minister Brian Wilson that retentions help to prevent defects. Mr Ryan, a flooring contractor, was delivering...

Health & safety is the big issue, says Brian Wilson. (News file).(construction industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A KEY challenge for the construction industry is to recruit and retain a quality workforce, says construction minister Brian Wilson (pictured above right). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Addressing the AGM of the NSCC, Mr Wilson said: `We are...

Demand for CSCS. (Industry in brief).(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A record number of 6,560 CSCS cards were issued last November, an increase of nearly 5,000 on the 1,750 who joined the scheme in January 2002. More than 260,000 workers now hold CSCS cards which will become compulsory on MCG sites at the end of...

Domotex visitors. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The number of UK visitors to Domotex last month was up over 40%. The British attendance this year was 2,460, according to preliminary figures. This compares with 1,710 in 2002. There were also more visitors from the US, the Far East and Eastern...

New UK company. (Industry in brief).(Oriental Weavers to set up marketing company)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Oriental Weavers, the giant Egyptian and USA based rug and carpet manufacturer, is to establish a new British company to market its products worldwide, including woven broadloom carpets. Andrew Ellis and Khaled Fekry, both with considerable...

Retentions attacked. (Industry in brief).(Federation of Master Builders, UK)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Federation of Master Builders has attacked the government for failing to agree proposals for abolishing retentions in public sector contracts.

Quality question. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Fewer than 300 firms have signed up to the government's anti-cowboy Quality Mark scheme in the past 18 months despite 6.7m [pounds sterling] being spent on the project by the DTI, it has been reported. Less than 2% of contractors in the pilot...

Construction orders. (Industry in brief).(statistics for 12 months to October 2002, UK)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... New construction orders in the 12 months to October 2002 rose by 5%, according to the DTI. During the same period public non-housing orders (excluding infrastructure) were 16% higher and private commercial 9% up. Private industrial orders were...

Recycling closes. (Industry in brief).(Carpet Recycling Europe closes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Carpet Recycling Europe, founded by the European carpet industry to learn more about carpet recycling, has closed because `its main tasks have been completed'. The company will now be liquidated.

Rush to enrol in NVQ floorlaying courses. (Trading update).
February 1, 2003... THE industry backed scheme for NVQ floorlaying training for contractors is being well supported with colleges reporting strong enrolment for both experienced worker and modern apprenticeship schemes. But the numbers involved continue to...

Alloc claims major victory in patent battle. (News file).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... THE European Patent Office (EPO) has upheld Berry Group mechanical locking system patents in an amended form. The EPO decision follows actions by Valinge Aluminium AB from Sweden and licensed to the Berry Group and the Norwegian flooring...

Growth continues. (Industry in brief).(construction industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Growth in the construction sector for the 47th successive month has been reported by The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Building firms fail. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A total of 1,445 building and construction firms failed in 2002, compared with only 12 building materials companies, according to the latest figures by Experian. However, the first category was down on 2001 and the second was a rise.

Concrete repair. (Industry in brief).(industry sales fall seven percent)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The contract sales value of the UK specialist concrete repair market is 103m [pounds sterling], according to the UK Concrete Repair Association. Figures for January to June 2002 show a 7% fall in completed work while individual contracts were...

Trend bucked. (Industry in brief).(Bernard Povey Carpets reports increased sales)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Stockton-on-Tees branch of North East carpet retailer, Bernard Povey Carpets, claims to have increased sales by more than 21% compared with year before.

The gain for Spain. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The UK is the third biggest market for Spanish ceramic tiles with a volume of 117m Euros (73m [pounds sterling]) annually, behind the US and France. The latest figures show a 4% increase in the exports of the products. The Spanish tile show...

CITB levy on hold. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CITB levy rates in 2003 will not be increased while an extra 5m [pounds sterling] in training grants will be introduced.

Egger moves. (Industry in brief).(Egger Floor Products moves to new location)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Laminate flooring supplier Egger Floor Products (EFP), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Egger Group, has moved to: Anick Grange Road, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4JS Tel: 01434 600126

Noise tests. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) has developed a new measuring technique to evaluate drum sound generated by walking on laminate flooring. Tel: 0049 5211 369760

Work accidents. (Industry in brief).(UK)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A total of 40.2m working days were lost in 2001/02 due to work-related illness and injury, according to the Health and Safety Commission.

Recovery expected by 2005. (News file).(construction industry forecast)(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2003... GROWTH in construction output is expected to slow significantly in the next two years before picking up again in 2005, according to the latest forecasts from the Construction Products Association. Output in 2002 is expected to have...

Marley prize goes to help the homeless. (News file).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... MARLEY FLOORS has used a financial prize, received as part of a prestigious industry award, to benefit the homeless at Spires Centre in London. Marley Floors' Safetred Dimension range recently won the Silver Award at the International...

Wood and laminate `growth to decline'. (News file).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... AFTER spectacular 79% growth in the UK wood and laminate flooring market between 1998 and 2001, a more modest 16% expansion is forecast between 2003 and 2007, according to a new survey of the market by MSI Marketing Research for Industry. ...

ICC launches first UK brochure. (News file).(International Contract Carpets)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... PART of the Maltzahn manufacturing group in Germany, INTERNATIONAL CONTRACT CARPETS (ICC) has launched its first UK brochure. Maltzahn is claimed to be one of the foremost fully integrated contract carpet manufacturers in Europe. ICC was formed...

Instarmac Group revamps its product catalogue. (News file).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... INSTARMAC has updated its 190-page catalogue covering the company's Cemtec products for concrete repair, civil engineering and industrial flooring, as well as its Ultracrete highway maintenance materials and rapid set mortars, a total of 43...

Health flooring. (Products in brief).(Interface Europe launches System Six)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Interface Europe has introduced System Six patient area flooring incorporating Intersept anti-microbial backing claimed to protect carpet from offensive odours, staining and premature degradation.

Coloured screed. (Products in brief).(Quentsplass increases color range)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Quentsplass has increased the range of colours in its epoxy screeds to include brightly coloured coated sands and aggregates with glitters added to give special effects. Tel: 01937 843388

Wood software. (Products in brief).(Parquet Studio 3.1)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Parquet Studio 3.1 for flooring contractors is now available in the UK through Gang-Nail and MBA Computing. The software is specifically designed for planning and estimation of hardwood floors. Tel: 01252 334691

Data sheet. (Products in brief).(Tremco updates data sheet for Treadfast 4004)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Tremco has updated the data sheet for Treadfast 4004 fire retardant epoxy adhesive for rubber floorcoverings. Tel: 01753 691696

Sustainable info. (Products in brief).(American Hardwood Export Council website)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The American Hardwood Export Council has a new website providing information on the sustainability of its products. www.ahec-europe.org

Fresh incentive. (Events in brief).(Incentive World 2003 to be held April 29 to May 1)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Incentive World 2003 will be held from April 29 to May 1 at Earls Court 1, London. Business gifts and sales promotions awards will be among the products highlighted. www.incentive-world.co.uk

China fair. (Events in brief).
February 1, 2003... The 4th China international floorcoverings and carpet fair will be held from September 1-4 in Beijing. Email: sunfei@ciecc-exhibition.com

Have a ball for 75 [pounds sterling]. (Events in brief).
February 1, 2003... The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association (FTBA) centenary ball is on October 4 at the Forest of Arden Hotel, Coventry. Tickets are 75 [pounds sterling] each. Tel: 020 7405 7633

Hugh Mackay castle. (Location in Hants).(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2003... An installation from Hugh Mackay Carpets of Durham pictured in the December issue of CFJ on page 48 was in Brownsea Castle in Hampshire and not Seaham Hall as stated in the caption.

Telenzo shines at Domotex. (News file).(Telenzo Carpets)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... TELENZO CARPETS, Telenzo Carpets, now part of the Edel Tapijt group, again exhibited at Domotex last month. New products shown included 100% wool tufted loop pile qualities Barbados, Andes and Ambec a collection of flat weaves including the...

Tradewoods deliveries are kept under wraps. (News file).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... TRADEWOODS reports good feedback for the quality of its UK Mainland next day delivery service. Orders placed before 2pm can be booked in to reach any UK mainland destination the next working day, with the option of a 12 noon, 10.30am or...

Vinyl is rolled out for IFDA members. (News file).
February 1, 2003... Members of the Independent Flooring Distributors Association (IFDA) pictured during a recent visit to the Manchester headquarters of Polyflor. The visit included a factory tour and discussions with Polyflor management on current and future...

Student views laminate like walking on pebbles. (News file).(Joohee Lee wins award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... JOOHEE Lee, right, a design products student at the Royal College of Art, who won first place in this year's Pergo/Royal College of Art laminate flooring design awards with a cheque for 2,500 [pounds sterling]. He created a flooring concept...

Training and demonstration roadshows. (News file).
February 1, 2003... HEADLAM has announced a series of road shows for the trade. Among the topics included are: subfloor preparation; adhesives; underlays; installation tools; carpet installation including seaming of felt backed carpets; vinyl installation;...

Vote in the CFJ/CFA 2003 flooring industry awards. (News file).
February 1, 2003... These awards are unique in the contract flooring magazine publishing sector because there are no `editor's choices'. Our awards are exclusively based on a poll of flooring contractors and specifiers. These are the people who really know about...

Marley Floors. (People).(appoints Mel Budd and Chris Holmes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... TWO new directors have been appointed by Marley Floors. MEL BUDD in sales and marketing, and CHRIS HOLMES in business services. Mr Budd previously held director level sales and marketing roles for construction companies SGB and RMC. He also...

Tradewoods. (People).(appoints Bill Trainor)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BILL TRAINOR has been appointed as sales director of Tradewoods. Bill, 27, has been with the company for two years was instrumental in establishing its sales operation at its new headquarters in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

Conren. (People).(hires Nick Jones)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... NICK JONES is the new contracts director for Conren. He has worked for the company for 10 years, starting as an estimator, and has extensive experience in resin floor coatings, screeds and specialist surface finishes.

Michael John Carpets. (People).(appoints Simon Manley)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... SIMON MANLEY has become a director of Michael John Carpets in Leicester alongside Tony Clare and Graham Morris. Mark Lucas has been appointed showroom manager.

Sika-Armorex. (People).(appoints Gareth Pritchard and Terry Mulholland)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Sika-Armorex has appointed two area sales managers, GARETH PRITCHARD and TERRY MULHOLLAND. Both are working with sales and marketing manager Alex Dennis providing advice on the whole range of Sika-Armorex resin, cementitious and dry shake...

Pergo Inc. (People).(appoints Anthony Sturrus)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ANTHONY STURRUS has been appointed and president of Pergo Inc and senior vice president Region North America of Pergo. North America accounts for about two thirds of Pergo's sales.

Conren. (People).(awards Bernard Dennis)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BERNARD DENNIS, export sales director of Conren, was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours.

Liquid Plastics Limited (LPL). (Here we go into Europe).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... LIQUID PLASTICS LIMITED (LPL) has opened a new 1m [pounds sterling] sales and distribution centre in Belgium. The 2,700sq m building is on a large greenfield site in Nazareth 50 miles from Brussels and is operated by LPL's associate...

Altro. (Magnificent marketers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ALTRO and its communications agency IAS jointly collected two prestigious prizes at the annual EMAP Construction Marketing Awards. The first was the coveted Brand of the Year title, acknowledging the success of Altro's journey to turn its...

Flowcrete. (From YTS boy to director).(Tony Longworth)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... TONY LONGWORTH, who joined FLOWCRETE 17 years ago as a YTS production operative just of college, has been appointed manufacturing director of the company. Tony, 35, is now in charge of 30 production staff at Flowcrete's Sandbach plant and...

David Wolfenden: contract/export manager Cormar Carpets. (In the dock).(Interview)
February 1, 2003... * Did you get into trouble at school? Yes! My dad told me I would learn more behind the bike sheds. * What was your first part-time job? Barman. The same grounding as most destined for the carpet industry. * What was your first...

Many happy returns: `consistently profitable' are the two words used by Ron Hunter to sum up the performance of Variety Floors (Eastern). (Flooring contractor profile).(Company Profile)
February 1, 2003... BASED in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, Variety Floors (Eastern) is--like the other companies in the Variety Floors group--ticking along nicely, according to director Ron Hunter. `It's helpful being part of a major group turning over more...

On the level: rapid setting properties in smoothing underlayments are becoming increasingly important as flooring contractors face more fast-track projects. (Smoothing underlayments survey).
February 1, 2003... ACM (Advanced Construction Materials) makes a range of levelling compounds, industrial screeds and coatings. Fast Set Latex Underlayment SX-1 uses new technology to give the properties of traditional latex while being protein free and having...

Remaining upright: the demand for safety or slip-resistant flooring in the UK continues to be buoyant. This survey features many of the leading suppliers. (Safety flooring survey).
February 1, 2003... ALTRO Designer 25 high performance safety flooring was laid on the link bridge at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 building. This walkway, leading from the short stay car parks to the arrivals and departures lounges, withstands some of the busiest...

Why the British demand for safety flooring continues to grow: Glenn Lister, a consultant in the business and development division at Altro, explains why sales of safety flooring continue to grow. (Safety flooring survey).
February 1, 2003... LITTLE did anyone realise when Altro pioneered safety flooring in the 1950s that it would make such a major impact. Slip-resistant sheet vinyl has become a necessity in almost every location where there is the risk of spillage or a need to...

Water-based lacquer introduced. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... TWO high performance water-based polyurethane flooring lacquers for new and pre-finished floors are being launched by BECKER ACROMA. Parquet One is a single-component lacquer, available in a gloss and satin finish, claimed to deliver...

Hand finishing service offered. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... SEVERAL new species were recently introduced by EDWARDS CHESHIRE in its Philharmoniker-Clic range of engineered parquet flooring. Now there is a specialist finishing service. As an alternative to standard oil impregnated or lacquer,...

Kahrs extends Linnea range. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... THE established Linnea range of wood flooring from KAHRS has been extended. Featuring Kahrs' Woodloc joint, Linnea is now available in eight wood species and in pattern and prefinish, a total of 27 varieties. Linnea species include Oak,...

A great reception for Multipark. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... MULTIPARK from BAUWERK is a two-strip floor, that is factory finished with Duoforte lacquer sealant that is designed to make a hardwearing surface. It is claimed to be hardwearing in light commercial situations such as reception areas,...

BF850 blades for `long quiet life'. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... THE new BF850 range of diamond blades from MARCRIST comes with a guarantee--Marcrist's better than the best of the rest or money back. If customers don't think the BF850 is the best turbo blade they have used, they can return it for a full...

Fleximats are now in new sizes. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... THE Fleximat range of sheet Floorcovering from PLASTIC EXTRUDERS for industrial and heavy traffic areas are now available in new sizes. The range comprises raised stud, fluted and ribbed surfaces in different colours. Thicknesses are now...

Quiligotti launches Micro Terrazzo. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... MICRO Terrazzo has been launched by QUILIGOTTI TERRAZZO in response to demand for products that aspire to natural materials such as French limestone and concrete, sought by architects and contractors. Available in six neutral tones, Micro...

Tool Hire catalogue introduced. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... NATIONAL tool hire specialist HIRE STATION is launching its latest catalogue this month. More products and services than ever will be featured, specially aimed at specialist trades, both national and local businesses. There are also...

Heckmondwike unveils Montage. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... MONTAGE is a new heavy contract fibre bonded carpet and tile range from HECKMONDWIKE FB that is designed to embody the quality of the established Supacord range, while its patterned surface and colourful designs give more design options. ...

Desso introduces Escolibra tiles. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... ESCOLIBRA is a new collection of carpet tiles from DESSO combining performance with design style. Available in two textured linear designs known as Grooves and Lines, these loop pile tiles are said to be in response to market demand for a...

DuPont in new carpet tile concept. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... A NEW concept in carpet tile design has been launched by WESTBOND. Made with DUPONT Antron, Twister and Ripple complete a package of six new ranges in a collection of textures and co-ordinating colours. Westbond worked closely with DuPont...

Anti-fatigue matting is launched. (Products file).
February 1, 2003... HERONAIR from PLASTIC EXTRUDERS is a new type of loose-laid slip-resistant and anti-fatigue matting for medium duty use in industrial and rugged environments. Heronair is made with flexible PVC hollow ribs welded to cross-directional...

Brintons carpets raise spirits. (Historic Hotel).(at Tulloch Castle Hotel)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A RESIDENT ghost has been reported at Tulloch Casde Hotel in the Scottish Highlands. The 12th century building now also has a bespoke BRINTONS Axminster carpet installed by Sharon Leon Carpets of Inverness. Brintons had to create a carpet...

Gradus comes top of the class. (University).(contract at Durham University)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... A RANGE of carpets, fabrics, entrance matting and stair edgings from GRADUS PORTFOLIO were selected for a new build project at Durham University. Genus, one of Gradus' Premium Carpet Collections was selected for the bedrooms and corridor....

Axminster remains a favourite. (Racecourse).(with Warwick Racecourse)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... CONTINUING its success at the races, products from AXMINSTER CARPETS were chosen for the recent major refurbishment at Warwick Racecourse. A 100% wool Axminster Presidential design in an Ivy Green colour was specified for all the...

Bespoke carpet tiles at Olympia. (Conference Centre).(from Gaskell)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... OVER 1400sq m of wool rich Gaskell Merino carpet tiles were fitted in the prestigious Conference Centre at London's Olympia. GASKELL CARPET TILES created the bespoke double overtuft tiles to meet the Centre's need for a luxurious long lasting...

Twin Tack wins at White Hart Lane. (Tottenham Hotspurs FC).(from Gaskell)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... OVER 300sq m of crumb rubber Twin Tack underlay from GASKELL NON WOVEN has been installed in corporate hospitality areas at White Hart Lane, the home of Tottenham Hotspurs FC, including the North Stand box holders lounge, West Stand boxes and...

Dunnes Carpets scores for Villa. (Aston Villa FC).(installation at new city-centre Aston Villa shop)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... BIRMINGHAM flooring supplier and contractor DUNNES CARPETS was involved in a high profile installation at the new city-centre Aston Villa shop. Covering 4,000sq ft of the lower ground floor in the Pavilion Central shopping centre, the shop...