Contract Flooring Journal articles from February 2005

Contract Flooring Journal archives from February 2005

Courting flooring contractors.(Editor's Comment)
February 1, 2005... RECENT research from Barbour-Index showing the growing influence of contractors in the specification process will have come as no surprise to shrewd flooring suppliers. Indeed, an increasing number of manufacturers are shifting some of their...

Politics: readers rebuke and support editor.(Readers forum)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... The editor's comment in CFJ (December 2004) provoked a storm of responses. Below are some of the letters we received. Stephen J Smith, of Lambeth Dixon: I am writing to voice my concerns at the political and controversial tone of your...

Most sub-contractors are 'bad news'.(Readers forum)
February 1, 2005... Flooring contractor Steve Smith responds to the letter by Rick Hynard in CFJ (December 2004) on the role of sub-contractors in the flooring industry. I MUST clarify to Mr Hynard that I have no real issue with bona fide sub-contractors as...

Green is for bucks, not for saving the planet.(Readers forum)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Bill McWhirter, of BMW Associates, says that profit, not environmental concern, is the primary motivation of flooring manufacturers, regardless of what they claim. WITH reference to recent articles in CFJ on how much carpet manufacturers...

Contractor challenges manufacturer.(Anhydrite Screeds)
February 1, 2005... Flooring contractor Tony Seward, operations director (flooring division) of the Hurst Group, puts some penetrating questions to Andy Vincent, md of Lafarge Gyvlon. Tony Seward: We have laid over 100,000sq m of floor finishes to Gyvlon and...

The glues brothers.(Cartoon)
February 1, 2005... SO HERE WE ARE--THE NEW PREMISES OF 'RONMO' FLOORING CONTRACTORS WOT'S THIS 'RONMO'? RON FOR RONNIE--THAT'SME MO FOR MAURICE--THAT'S YOU I'M OLDEST--I'M THE SENIOR PARTNER--I SHOULD BE FIRST THINK ABOUT IT, OUR KID--WHO'S...

Initiative is what really set the winners apart.(comment)
February 1, 2005... I MUST confess at first being a bit sceptical about the idea of aiming the CFA National Schools Competition at primary school children. Surely children of that age would not be interested in flooring? I could not have been more mistaken. ...

Training directory.(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... Flooring industry Training Association Feb 7-9 ceramic fitting (N); Feb 10-11 sales personnel vinyl fitting; Feb 14-15 laminate and floating wood day (L) Feb 16-17 domestic vinyl fitting (L) Feb 21-24 commercial vinyl...

The training for retail staff.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SPECIAL training seminars for staff at tile retail stores are being jointly organised by H&R Johnson and Schluter-Systems and endorsed by The Tile Association. Andrew Sadler, H & R Johnson's retail marketing manager says: 'The training at...

Diary dates.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... CEVISAMA tile & stone show February 8-12 Valencia, Spain www.cevisama.feriavalencia.com EUROSHOP February 19-23 Dusseldorf www.euroshop.de LONDON FLOOR SHOW February 22-23 Olympia 2, London CMP Information...

You have no reason not to test for damp.(Help and advice)
February 1, 2005... MY wife, Gillian, reads everything I write: Reports, letters, articles for CFJ. I realise you must have great sympathy for her. She does this in order to eliminate any mistakes I make. She doesn't criticise too much, but if she does, it is...

The basics of moisture measurement: Neil Sanders on common floorlaying problems.(Help and advice)
February 1, 2005... NEW build work, fast-track techniques and the trend towards thick monolithic concrete bases can make construction moisture a real headache, especially when the true drying time for concrete is underestimated. Even in refurbishment work...

You should admit when you are wrong! Sid Bourne on wood floors.(Help and advice)(Interview)
February 1, 2005... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience. Sid is a member of the CFA committee. Q: Every time I touch a solid wood floor...

Old simple methods can be very useful: David Gatfield on changes in tools.(Help and advice)
February 1, 2005... THE tools used by flooring contractors have come a long way from when I first started out, which admittedly was many years ago. Today's installer has a huge range of tools available, many designed for a specific job. Companies that...

Do catch the code before your start work: this is the first of a new series on subfloor preparation exclusively written for CFJ by Bob Mabbutt, development manager of Laybond Products. Here he introduces the subject, summarises relevant codes of practice for subfloor preparation and advises on the best to approach an installation.(on subfloor preparation)
February 1, 2005... THE same logical approach to subfloor preparation applies for any flooring installation, be it new-build or a refurbishment. Always follow relevant codes of practice and exploit the wealth of experience that exists in the industry. You can then...

Can you tile on acoustic floors? There is no definitive answer to the above question, Ian Knifton, Schluter-System's technical manager, says that with appropriate tiling protection some acoustic floors will accommodate tiles, but others won't.(on tiles)(Interview)
February 1, 2005... Q: A customer has asked me to tile onto an acoustic floor. How can I decide whether it's suitable to take tiles or not? A: Installers should always seek specific advice relating to the individual application. There is a wide variety of...

'Government cash is key to future growth'.(News)(construction industry)
February 1, 2005... FUTURE government investment is key to the continued growth of the construction industry, according to the latest forecasts by the Construction Products Association. CPA chief executive Michael Ankers comments: 'After 10 years of...

British Wool at Surfaces.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... BRITISH WOOL returned to Surfaces flooring exhibition in Las Vegas last month. Showcased on the BWMB stand were the British Wool International Quality Awards presented in Bradford by Prince Andrew last year. The World of British Wool stand...

Burlington wins award again.(News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... FOR the second time in three years, BURLINGTON has won the Stone Federation Great Britain slate award, this time for a leisure complex in a private home in Hampshire specified by New York architect, Leroy Street Studio, and supplied and...

Interfloor for sale.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Interfloor has been put up for sale by its venture capitalist owners, Rutland Partners. The company claims 70% of the underlay market and a big share in fleering accessories, boasting brands including Duralay, Tredaire and Gripperrods. With...

Stoddard in receivership.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Scotland's oldest carpet manufacturer Stoddard International has gone into receivership. Hopes are for the 168-year old company to be sold as a going concern. Stoddard made the red carpet on which the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, walked down...

Donaghadee: the end.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Irish manufacturer Donaghadee Carpets is closing with 63 job losses. Previously Carpets International, the company went into receivership following a decision by directors to cease trading. Carpets International went into receivership in...

Buyer sought for RGS.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Joint administrative receivers have been appointed to RGS Pattern Book Company, whose customers include many carpet manufacturers. PricewaterhouseCoopers will continue to trade the business while seeking a purchaser, but redundancies among the...

Mercado in trouble.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Joint receivers have been appointed over the property and assets to the established Scottish wholesaler M Mercado (Glasgow).

Uzin acquires SIGA.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Uzin, the German floor preparation materials manufacturer, has bought the Swiss company, SIGA, which turns over more than 5m [pounds sterling]. The flooring division of SIGA, which specialises in dry adhesives, will continue as an autonomous...

Wood finish prices up.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Rising costs of raw material (mainly resins and solvents) are affecting Britain's wood finish manufacturers with some purchase prices rising sharply, according to the British Coatings Federation whose 10 wood finish member companies supply 20m...

Carpet costs rise.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Prices of carpets are expected to rise 3 and 8% this year following increases in the prices nylon and other synthetic fibres based on oil-derived chemicals.

Honeywell sales boost.(Business in brief)
February 1, 2005... Despite higher raw materials costs, Honeywell Nylon reports that its European sales to industries including carpet manufacturing are growing by 6% in white BCF and solution-dyed nylon and 10% in staple.

Tandus earnings improve.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Tandus Group in the US reports revenues up 11.3% to $82.5m for the three months to October 30 for its floorcovering subsidiaries following higher demand in the US contract sector, particularly the corporate office market, up 10.1% from the...

Carpetright sales jump.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Carpetright sales rose 8.3% to 203.3m [pounds sterling] on pre-tax profit of 31.1m [pounds sterling], according to the group's first half results. The group has a 'vigorous' five-year expansion programme.

More carpet outlets.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... United Carpets plans to increase its network of franchise stores from 50 to 100 by 2008 after recently raising 5m [pounds sterling] from a flotation on the Alternative Investment Market. The company, run by Paul Eyre, has become the UK's third...

Tarkett for Russia.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Tarkett is to establish a factory to produce commercial vinyl floorcoverings in Russia, it is reported in France.

Laybond share sold.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Jarvis has sold its 8% share in Laybond for an undisclosed sum.

Massive project for CFA member.(News file)(Chartered Financial Analyst )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ASSOCIATED FLOOR COVERINGS, of Essex, a member of the CFA, recently completed a major contract at South East Essex College of Arts and Technology in Southend, soon to become a university. South East Essex College is one of the largest...

CFS Formation is in now demand.(News file)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... CFS CARPETS reports a demand for Formation, (right) its 550gsm lightly patterned loop pile carpet tile for heavy contract in 19 colours available from stock. Its polyprop structure makes it stain resistant and bleach proof. Formation passes a...

New carpet body.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The new European Carpet and Rug Association (ECRA)includes suppliers of over 80% of EU-produced floorcoverings and GUT, the carpet industry association for health, safety and the environment. Fibres and backings manufacturers and the chemical...

Laminate loss fear.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Laminate Roofing Direct plc was expected to show a loss for the year to August 31, 2004, in results for release on January 31, according to prior reports. The UK retail group August saw a 12% increase in like for like sales in the year, but...

Floors to Belfast.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Floors-2-Go, a hardwood and laminate flooring specialist retailer, is to open 10 new stores in Northern Ireland, creating over 50 jobs, as part of a UK-wide expansion. The company is seeking sites from 3,000-6,500sq ft, initially in Belfast,...

Office look better.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... UK commercial development activity rose at the fastest rate for six months in November, according to property services company Savils.

Construction soaring.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Last December saw the fastest growth in construction for nine months with commercial sector soaring to a five-year high, according to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Concrete record.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The new Bardon Concrete plant in Darlington recently produced a record of 315cu m of pan-mixed concrete in one day, most of it for Stuarts Industrial Roofing at Newton Aycliffe.

Cement prices up.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A rise of 7 [pounds sterling] per tonne on bulk cement is expected next month after last month's price rises on ready mixed concrete.

Dawn urges: Innovation! innovation! Innovation!(News file)(Dawn Gibbins)(Lord Sainsbury)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... FLOORING guru and former businesswoman of the year Dawn Gibbins MBE joined forces with Lord Sainsbury, science & innovation minister, and leading UK business representatives at an event in London to raise awareness of an 80m [pounds sterling]...

SPE group publishes pocket guide to surface preparation.(News file)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... THE SPE GROUP has produced a pocket size guide on various methods of surface preparation. The credit card size booklet, available free, outlines the suitability of equipment and correct level of profile required for different applications fur...

Skills shortage.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Nearly 90% of local authorities are struggling to fill vacancies in their construction departments, according to a new survey.

Payment plea.(Industry in brief)
February 1, 2005... The SEC Group is urging political parties to make greater payment security for small firms a general election issue.

Salaries leap.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Annual salaries for construction workers rose by 10% in 2004, says a salary comparison website.

Another 'click' case.(Industry in brief)(Kronotex US )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Alloc is claiming patent infringement by Kronotex US for over the Easy Lock flooring product in a court in Illinois, USA. This complaint covers a horizontal angling connection.

Storage facility.(Industry in brief)(Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Wood flooring distributor James Latham has new a consolidated storage facility at the Port of Tilbury.

Industrial flooring.(Industry in brief)(Contracts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Twintec Industrial Flooring is reported to have won a 1.1m [pounds sterling] contract to design and build a steel fibre RC floor slab for a warehouse in Sheffield.

Cherry on the top.(Industry in brief)(Alkor Draka)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Hornitex UK, is joining foil manufacturer, Alkor Draka, to produce 'perfectly matched' Malaga Cherry decors. T: 01482-644671

Nature deal.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Tembec, whose business interests include wood flooring, has struck a deal with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect over 400sq km (99,366 acres) of important wildlife habitat in British Columbia. www.tembec.com

CSCS in trouble.(Industry in brief)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) administered by the CITB is in debt to the tune of 5m [pounds sterling] and only 8.5% of craft workers hold a card, it has been reported.

Tsunami aid support.(Industry in brief)(Floor covering industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... 3M and Honeywell, two US-based companies with floorcoverings industry links, have pledged $1.5m and $1m respectively towards relief efforts following the Asian tsunami. British construction firms are also offering thousands of pounds in aid as...

Advice to architects.(Industry in brief)(Wood flooring)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Greenpeace is urging the Heritage and National Lottery funds to ask contractors for proof that timber flooring and other interior finishes come from sustainable sources and that the wood is legally logged and traded. Last month Greenpeace sent...

CDM changes delayed.(Industry in brief)(Construction Design and Management)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Proposed changes to the Construction (Design and Management) regulations are expected in April, a year later than the Health and Safety Commission originally intended. A draft consultative document is due to be submitted this month.

VAT cuts priority.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The reduction of VAT on repair, maintenance and improvement work in construction will be a priority for the UK presidency of the European Union this year, it is reported.

New NSCC president.(Industry in brief)(National Specialist Contractors Council )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Graham Wren, md of the piling contractor Stent Foundations, has been elected president of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC). He succeeds flooring contractor Michael Ryan, former president of the CFA, who completed his two-year...

BSI certificate.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Castle Cement has become the only cement manufacturer to receive British Standards Institution certification for an Integrated Management System.

US setback for wool.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Shaw Industries in the US has closed its wool carpet plant in Georgia, citing a move away from wool and nylon and synthetic carpet fibres in America.

Lorry drivers curbed.(Industry in brief)
February 1, 2005... Drivers of delivery lorries will be limited to an average 48 hour working week in terms of the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 which come into force on March 23.

'Watch out! cowboys about!'.(News file)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... THE md of Devi, Steve McCall, is warning end users on the potential dangers of sub-standard products and inadequate installation in the electric underfloor heating sector. He believes that there are probably 'only two or three well...

3-D winner in laminate awards.(News file)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... FIRST prize of 2,500 [pounds sterling] in the ninth annual PERGO Royal College of Art student design awards went to Marie Doucet. Her entry featured layering patterns to create a 3-D design that moved away from traditional wood-effect flooring...

CFJ Christmas winner.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Flooring contractor Jim Morrison from J& J Contracts in Inverness won 200 [pounds sterling] worth of Threshers drinks, the prize in the CFJ Christmas competition sponsored by Laybond.

Berry on its bikes.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Belgian laminate flooring producer Berry Floor is renewing its sponsorship for another three years of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. Berry Floor features on the team's clothing and receives worldwide media rights.

Topps boss retires.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Stuart Williams, who helped found Topps Tiles in 1984, is retiring as cochairman and a director. He will reportedly keep his 10.9% shareholding in Topps, which has 227 branches with 17 more planned to open this year.

Specialist awards.(Industry in brief)(National Specialist Contractors Council )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The National Specialist Contractors Council is supporting the new Specialists in Construction Awards organised by Construction News to be announced on April 18. Flooring is included in the finishing and fit-out award.

Lift for CSCS.(Industry in brief)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Lift and escalator managers and supervisors are the latest occupations to join CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme).

Hello Halo.(Industry in brief)( Halo Floors )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Mary Docker, former CEO of Amtico USA, has formed her own company called Halo Floors targeting the contract market. She exhibited at Surfaces last month with over 100 designs in wood and stone visuals. Email Mary on: info@halofloors.com

Webb on the web.(Industry in brief)(GlynWebb launches new website)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The independent DIY retailer, GlynWebb has launched a new website, www.glynwebb.net

Spotlight on Montage.(Industry in brief)(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2005... We apologise for a spelling error in the December issue with reference to the Montage range from Heckmondwike FB. T: 01924 410544

Skillbuild floorlaying demo a hit.(News file)(Demonstration of floor underlayment)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A FLOORLAYING demonstration at Skillbuild last year could pave the wave for the craft to be included within the 2005 competition. Floorlaying has yet to be accepted as part of the annual Skillbuild competition which is open to construction...

Floorlayers get chance to shine.(Test the Trades at interbuild 2006)
February 1, 2005... CFJ will play a key role in Test the Trade competition which will climax at Interbuild in 2006 (April 23-27). Test the Trade will be a national competition between the different construction trades, involving teams consisting of an...

Tool Station opens fourth branch.(News file)(Industrial equipment industry )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... TOOLSTATION, the 'low-cost' trade supplier of tools, fixings, plumbing and electrical equipment has opened its fourth trade counter in 18 months. This one at Exeter follows those at Bristol, Bridgwater and Yeovil. Two hundred Toolstation...

Solvent alert.(safety)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Guidance on the using of solvents in flooring adhesives, paint removers and cleaning materials, has been given by the HSE. Ventilation, protective equipment, keeping containers sealed and using minimum quantities is among the advice, plus using...

Risk management.(Health & Safety)(United Kingdom. Health and Safety Commission launches website)(www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The HSE has launched a new website with guidance for employers on risk management at work. www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm

Manual handling.(Health & Safety)(Floor covering industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... New statistics reveal that in 2003/04 over 1.1m people in the UK suffered from musculoskeletal disorders, a complaint among floorlayers resulting from poor manual handling practices.

Blitz on sites.(Health & Safety)
February 1, 2005... The Health and Safety Executive is to launch an inspection blitz on construction sites this month.

Stress guidance.(Health & Safety)(Health and Safety Commission of United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Health and Safety Commission has published new standards to help employers measure how they reduce work-related stress levels among employees, www.hse.gov.uk/stress

Carpet cleaner alert.(Health & Safety)(Influence of cleaning agents on children's health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Carpet cleaners, bleach and paint stripper used in the home can cause wheezing and asthma in children, according to a study of 14,000 children since birth by the University of Bristol.

Asbestos bill rises.(Health & Safety)
February 1, 2005... The increasing number of asbestos-related diseases, especially in the refurbishment sector, could cost the UK up to 20bn [pounds sterling], according to new figures.

Heavier fines.(Health & Safety)(Occupational safety and health)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The average fine for breaches of health and safety legislation by employers rose from 8,846 [pounds sterling] in 2002/03 to 13,947 [pounds sterling] in 2003/04, a 37% rise, according to the HSE.

Tsunami appeal for old mobiles & ink cartridges.(News file)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... DON'T throw away your old mobile phones or used computer ink cartridges and you can help the survivors of the tsunami in Asia. Eurosource, which specialises in charity recycling appeals, will swap old mobiles and printer cartridges for cash...

Brits at EuroShop.(Events in brief)(Retail trade )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Over 40 British manufacturers will attend EuroShop (February 19-23) in Dusseldorf under the Shop and Display Equipment Association and with the support of UK Trade & Investment. www.britishgroup.org