Contract Flooring Journal articles from January 2003

Contract Flooring Journal archives from January 2003

Off-side whistle in Germany. (Editor's comment).(very few British flooring manufacturers exhibited at Domotex)
January 1, 2003... THE tiny contingent of British flooring manufacturers exhibiting at Domotex this year is shameful. When I raised this matter last year, Mike Hardiman, chief executive of the Carpet Foundation, replied and stated that overall support for Domotex...

Too many act like MI5, rather than MFI. (The Commodity Of Information).(information remains central elecment in any successful marketing strategy)(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... A LONG time ago in a place not far distant from central London, I was being lectured about the nature of treason. What, I was asked, did the traitor see in the mirror each morning as he shaved? Traitor or patriot? It was an ambiguous...

Manufacturers urged to think again! (Reader's Forum).(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... WE wrote about the manufacturers who refuse to supply us, yet want our support for the Carpet Foundation advertising campaign. We still want to know whether these manufacturers plan to revise their supply strategy. It is obvious from the...

Manufacturers do have a role in construction. (Retentions).
January 1, 2003... THE CFA and the CPA both believe that retentions are an anachronism in a modern construction industry. The obvious question is `Are we a modern construction industry?' The industry certainly was not modern when Latham published his report...

Time for optimism as new year dawns. (From the president).
January 1, 2003... FIRSTLY, may I take this opportunity to wish all our members a very happy and prosperous 2003 and I trust you have not broken too many of those New Year's resolutions by the time you read this! A new year for me is always the time for...

What's behind stretch marks and curling. (CFA bulletin).(floor repair)
January 1, 2003... A VERY unusual problem crossed my path recently. It was one which a flooring contractor met and investigated. However, I believe I have seen this phenomenon once before without realising the true cause. My contractor friend was called in to...

2003 diary dates. (Training directory).(Calendar)
January 1, 2003... HEIMTEXTIL January 8-11 Frankfurt, Germany Contact: Collins & Endres Tel: 020 7460 4090 DOMOTEX January 11-14 Hannover, Germany Contact: Hannover Associates Tel: 020 8688 9541 BAU 2003 (Building fair) ...

The new EN means less cause to err. (Problem Solving).(European Norm)
January 1, 2003... AFTER almost 20 years in the making, our industry at last has a European Norm, EN14411 (2002), covering important aspects of ceramic tile manufacture, definitions, classification, characteristics and marking. The standard is for tiles of `first...

Asbestos regs now in force. (Problem solving).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... NEW regulations to protect flooring and other construction workers refurbishing commercial properties from asbestos have been introduced by the Government. The onus is now placed on commercial property managers to monitor asbestos products...

Recycling sites on new website. (Problem solving).
January 1, 2003... CIRIA has launched an internet register of construction recycling facilities to encourage construction companies to be more sustainable. The website identifies better disposal routes for waste products, thus avoiding landfill charges and...

MCG will not extend CSCS card deadline. (News file).(Major Contractors Group )
January 1, 2003... DECEMBER 31, 2003, remains as the date when everyone working on the sites of Major Contractors Group (MCG) members must have CSCS cards. John Bradshaw, of the MCG, has told CF/that `the deadline will definitely not be extended!' It is an...

Liquid plastics marks export achievement. (News file).
January 1, 2003... THE md or LIQUID PLASTICS (LPL) and FLEXCRETE, Jeremy Gorick, was guest of honour at a reception at the residence of the British ambassador to Venezuela, Dr John Hughes. Liquid Plastics manufactures flooring products and structural...

Merger talks. (Industry in brief).(between Pergo and Witex)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Laminate producers Pergo of Sweden and Witex of Germany, both with international sales and marketing operations, are discussing a merger. The joint company could consolidate market leading positions with scope for profitability and growth.

Berry sues again. (Industry in brief).(Berry Group files lawsuits against Parador and Meister-Leisten for infringement )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Berry Group has filed lawsuits against Parador and Meister-Leisten for infringement of the Valinge Aluminium AB patent covering the glue-free installation system on parquet flooring.

Exports down. (Industry in brief).(Victoria Carpets reports a 40% decline in exports )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Victoria Carpets reports a 40% decline in exports in the six months to September 28, 2002, blaming it on the atrocities of September 11. UK sales, however, were 7% up with overall turnover 15% higher at 18.95m [pounds sterling] thanks to...

Construction orders. (Industry in brief).(third quarter of 2002 rose by 22%)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... New construction orders in the third quarter of 2002 rose by 22% compared with the previous quarter. Public non-housing orders (excluding infrastructure) during the same period were 13% higher and 22% up on the same quarter a year earlier....

Offenders exposed. (Industry in brief).(Health & Safety Executive reports more than 900 firms convicted of unsafe offenses)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Health & Safety Executive has `named and shamed' over 900 companies, organisations and individuals convicted of health & safety offences during 2001/2002. Although average fines increased to over 12,000 [pounds sterling] the message is that...

Airport contract. (Industry in brief).(Q Flooring Systems to supply flooring for Manchester Airport)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Q Flooring Systems has won a 400,000 [pounds sterling] contract to supply and install 3,000sq m of terrazzo flooring in the ground transport interchange at Manchester Airport.

Here are the ones to watch in 2003! (News file).
January 1, 2003... COMPANIES expected to seize more of the flooring market this year are listed in new research from Plimsoll. Called `market raiders', these companies are reported to have captured 7% of the market, growing by around 24%, nine times the...

MBT establishes a new flooring division. (News file).
January 1, 2003... MBT has established a new flooring division--epoxy resin and dry shake systems- headed by lan Fielder as divisional sales manager covering the UK & Ireland. The division will promote Mastertop and new ranges of decorative products for...

Move to Wiltons underlines contract strategy. (News file).
January 1, 2003... A MAJOR move into Wilton production emphasises the growth in the contract market by CARPETS OF KIDDERMINSTER This family firm already offers a comprehensive portfolio of Axminsters, including an established custom/bespoke service. Its...

EU gains for UK. (Good news in brief).(exports)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Britain will gain from an enlarged EU with 10 new countries soon to join, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. Speaking recently, she said the accession would create 300,000 new jobs in the 15 existing EU members. Around...

Investment up. (Good news in brief).(construction product manufacturers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Construction product manufacturers are committed to increased productivity and investment, according to the latest quarterly trade survey by the Construction Products Association. On balance 61% of construction product manufacturers enjoyed...

Profitability hike. (Good news in brief).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The textile (including carpet) sector in the UK saw an improved return on capital employed from 0.53% to 4.08% in the 12 months to 2002, according to Experian. Building material producers saw a slight fall from 8.61% to 8.02%. The UK average...

Apprentice boost. (Good news in brief).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced the establishment of an apprenticeship taskforce to help tackle the chronic skills shortage facing the construction industry. Its aim is to get a third of young people into apprenticeship schemes by next...

Quadrant ahead 55%. (Good news in brief).(revenue increase )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Quadrant, the supplier of commercial carpet, reports a revenue increase of 55% year-on-year in the first six months to October 31. The company also reported a rise in gross margin of 2.7% in the same period. Tel: 01622 719090

Desso award. (Good news in brief).(BS EN 9001:2000 quality assurance)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Desso has been awarded the updated BS EN 9001:2000 quality assurance registration.

Vote now for 2003 flooring awards. (News file).
January 1, 2003... VOTING is now open in the 2003 CFJ/CFA Flooring Industry, Awards. Specifier and flooring contractor readers of CFJ can now vote, using the special form on the CFJ website: www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk A printed voting form...

MPs reject calls to outlaw retentions. (News file).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... THE trade and industry select committee of MPs disappointed thousands of sub-contractors around the UK by refusing to recommend legislation to outlaw retentions. After hearings into the practice of retentions, the committee declared that...

CIS to be reformed. (Have you heard?).(construction sector tax scheme to be considered)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Inland Revenue has begun a three-month consultation period on revamping the CIS construction industry tax scheme. It's proposed that employers verify their workers' employment and tax status on a new Inland Revenue website.

Drive for Africans. (Have you heard/).
January 1, 2003... Major contractor Sir Robert McAlpine is reported to have begun a recruitment drive in South Africa in an attempt to tackle the UK construction industry's skills shortage.

CSCS extension? (Have you heard?).(government considers ways to find people working illegally in UK)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The government is considering extending the CSCS card idea into other industries to clamp down on people working in Britain illegally.

English test. (Have you heard?).
January 1, 2003... Foreign workers could have to pass English tests to qualify for CSCS cards amid fears that some are unable to understand basic safety instructions.

The skills shortage begins to bite again. (News file).(difficulty recruiting labor by sub-contractors)
January 1, 2003... MORE sub-contractors are finding it difficult to recruiting skilled labour, according to the latest state of trade survey for the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) of which CFA is a member. The survey, covering the third...

Shhhhhh! It's a Nicobond delivery. (News file).
January 1, 2003... QUIETNESS is a feature of the new new Scania Euro 3, which has just joined the 100-strong delivery fleet of N&C NICOBOND The 28 tonne vehicle is said to benefit from features such as noise-reducing disc brakes. The [pounds sterling]...

Heritage database. (The trade in brief).(www.heritageinformation.org.uk)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Heritage Information is a new website providing a vetted register of consultants, contractors, craftsmen, products, services and information on the repair, restoration and conservation of the historic environment. www.heritageinformation.org.uk...

Free web training. (The trade in brief).(Wools of New Zealand web site)
January 1, 2003... Wools of New Zealand has developed an on-line training programme suitable for anyone involved in the sale or promotion of quality carpets and rugs. The free site is: woolsnz-college.com

Cleaners' chance. (The trade in brief).
January 1, 2003... Regent Cleaning Services is inviting cleaning professionals to register on its website for the possible opportunities within its organisation. www.regentcleaningservices.com

Suppliers directory. (The trade in brief).
January 1, 2003... The Construct UK Handbook 2003 provides contact details of professional specifying, consulting and contracting organisations. Tel: 01233 636671

NVQ for tillers. (The trade in brief).(National Vocational Qualification)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The CITB National Specialists Centre at East Leake, Leicestershire, has been accredited by City & Guilds as an assessment centre to deliver wall and floor tiling NVQs at levels 2 and 3. Details from The Tile Association. Tel: 020 8663 0946

Tile showroom. (The trade in brief).(Armatile)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Armatile is to open a 600sq m showroom in Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry, Northern Ireland, featuring products including marbles, slates, terracottas and limestones with information for architects, specifiers and flooring contractors. Tel:...

Berry on the bikes. (The trade in brief).(Berry Floors sponsors cycling team)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Berry Floor is to co-sponsor the US Postal Service Pro Cycling team in 2003 and 2004.

Clic2Clic launched. (News file).(Kaindl, Krono Group Swiss and Kronoflooring to market the Clic2Clic glueless installation system)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... KAINDL of Austria; Krono Group Swiss; and Kronoflooring, Germany, are together to market the Clic2Clic glueless installation system. Clic2Clic panels arc tilted inward for longitudinal locking and then lowered down to snap in for lateral...

Green is in for Milliken. (News file).(Milliken Carpet receives Environmental Profile certification)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... MILLIKEN CARPET claims to be the first carpet manufacturer to obtain BRE (Building Research Establishment) Environmental Profile certification for its products. This is based on information about inputs and outputs for the last...

Shop the abusers. (Industry in Brief).
January 1, 2003... Rudi Klein, of the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group, is calling for an annual survey among clients and sub-contractors to keep tabs on who is using the reviled retentions systems.

Builders' problem. (Industry in Brief).(Federation of Master Builders survey)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Finding and keeping skilled labour is the biggest problem for small contractors, according to a survey by the Federation of Master Builders.

Tremco data sheet. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Tremco has updated its data sheet for Treadfast 115 contact adhesive. Tel: 01753 691696

Curing agent. (Industry in brief).(solvent free epoxy from Quentsplass)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Quentsplass has produced a curing agent, which claims to impart good flexibility with comparatively low viscosity in flexible solvent free epoxy systems. This allows rigid epoxy coatings to be produced for floors. Tel: 01937 843388

British Wool takes another spin in Las Vegas. (News file).(British Wool Marketing Board at trade show)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... BRITISH Wool Marketing Board will stage a group exhibit at Surfaces in Las Vegas (January 29-31). The World of British Wool stand (No. 1122) will be shared by 12 British and European carpet manufacturers. Sultana, Axminster and Goodacre...

Amorim Roofing. (People).(Phil Nash, new business development manager)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... PHIL NASH joins Amorim Roofing as business development manager to help spearhead the Wicanders specification sales division. He comes from Muraspec, before which he was with Junckers. In both roles he was responsible for developing the...

Carpets International. (People).(Jim Taylor, new marketing director of firm)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... JIM TAYLOR, formerly of Associated Weavers, has taken over as md of Carpets International.

Interface Europe. (People).(Joanna Meyers, new marketing support for DuPont)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... JOANNA MEYERS, formerly head of marketing communications for Interface Europe, has been appointed by DuPont is to be responsible for UK marketing activitiesom support of the Antron brand.

Mackenzie Construction. (People).(Tom McCulloch chairman of the UK Concrete Repair Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... TOM MCCULLOCH, of Glasgow based specialist contractor Mackenzie Construction, has been elected chairman of the UK Concrete Repair Association (CRA). ALLEN BROAD, of the Sussex based specialist contractor Yoldings becomes deputy chairman. BOB...

Meister-Leisten Schlute. (People).(Ludger Schindler, new president of European Producers of Laminate Flooring)
January 1, 2003... LUDGER SCHINDLER, sales director of Meister-Leisten Schlute of German, has been unanimously elected president of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). Membership of EPLF includes 30 companies from raw material and machinery...

National Carpet Cleaners Association. (People).(elects four new directors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... National Carpet Cleaners Association has elected four new directors: CHRIS NETHERTON, Restoration Express (treasurer); CHRIS MEYER, Thames Valley Carpet Care (2003 conference/exhibition); DEREK BOLTON, Bolton & Chawner (media/newslink); and...

ALAN THOMAS and JIM WRIGHT have been appointed directors (sales & marketing and finance. (People).(British Board of Agreement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ALAN THOMAS and JIM WRIGHT have been appointed directors (sales & marketing and finance, respectively) to serve on the governing board of the British Board of Agreement.

Contract seminars. (Events in brief).
January 1, 2003... Construction contract consultants James R Knowles has a series of regional seminars on contractual awareness, the perfect claim and the engineering and construction contract. Tel: 08707 530630

Brighton meetings. (Events in brief).
January 1, 2003... The Principio Group, specialist in retail refurbishment will host the floorSpec series of seminars during the Brighton Contract floor Coverings Exhibition from March 4-6. Tel: 01425 627499

Cevisama on the tiles. (Events in brief).
January 1, 2003... There will be 160,000sq m of exhibition space at Cevisama tile fair in Valencia, Spain, from March 4-8. Tel: 0034 96 386 1100

Surface prep show. (Events in Brief).
January 1, 2003... Surface preparation equipment suppliers PWM, SPE and USF Blastract, along with HTC, Terminator and Trelawny, will be exhibiting at The Concrete Show which will take place at Fen Farm, Milton Keynes, April 26-May 1. Tel: 01923 778311

Wood week 2003. (Events in brief).(Calendar)
January 1, 2003... European wood week will be held in Brussels (November 17-21). Tel: 0032 2556 2585

Buying power. (Events in brief).(projects at Interbuild 2002 worth over 25 billion pounds sterling)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Visitors to Interbuild 2002 were working on 5,991 projects worth a total of [pounds sterling] 25.6bn, according to the organiser. Interbuild 2004 is from April 25-29. Tel: 020 7886 3139

Call to get smart. (Happy and gay).(Dawn Gibbins speaks at business awards ceremony)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... HR should mean happy relations rather than human resources, says Dawn Gibbins, chairman of Rowcrete. Speaking at a business awards ceremony in Manchester, Ms Gibbins said managers ought to develop staff and encourage them to work smarter, not...

Builders in the pink. (Happy and gay).(Bau 2003 building exhibition experiences confusion with website)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Confusion is reported by some people using the internet to access details on the Bau 2003 building exhibition in Munich. The website www.bau-munich.de is a Munich gay club for men into leather and rubber (clothing, not flooring?). The correct...

American `antique' flooring over here. (News file).(Olde Boards distributes products in the United Kingdom )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... OLDE BOARDS high quality solid hardwood floors with an appearance like finely maintained antique wood is now available in the UK. The US manufacturer of Olde Boards, Richard Marshall Fine Flooring, has appointed PICHOLA to distribute the...

Kairo comes to Design Interiors. (News file).(Vorwerk Carpets introduces new line of carpets)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... VORWERK CARPETS will unveil a new collection of carpets called Kairo Gloss and Kairo Effect using new `metallic' shiny nylon yarns from DuPont at Design Interiors at the NEC from January 19-22. These are loop and cut pile carpets in high...

Floor interest at Bau. (Events in brief).(flooring exhibitors take part in building materials trade show )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... There will be flooring exhibitors at Bau, the international trade fair for building materials from January 13-18 in Munich. Firms showing include Amorim, Anker Carpets, Bauwerk, Dura Tufting, Finnforest, Freudenberg, Gerflor, Kahrs, Kaindl,...

Challenges ahead. (Events in brief).(construction industry to take place in London )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A conference organised by Interbuild in association with the Construction Products Association will be held at RIBA in London on January 17. This follows the CPA's forecasts to 2005, due to be announced on January 10. Tel: 020 7886 3116

Design Interiors. (Events in brief).(English Timber to introduce new line of wild oak floors )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... At Design Interiors from January 19.22 at the NEC, English Timbers will launch a range of wild oak floors already filled and sanded, offering increased speed of fitting with a choice of finishes. Other exhibitors include Enterprise Weaving,...

Egger on show. (Events in brief).(Egger Floor Products to take part in DIY and Garden Show)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Egger Floor Products is one of the flooring related suppliers exhibiting at the DIY and Garden Show from January 26-28 at Earls Court 2. Others include Ronseal and Akzo Nobel (woodcare and decorative coatings), Oakthrift, Rapesco and Rapid UK...

Surfaces for 900. (Events in brief).(trade show in Las Vegas)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Over 900 exhibitors have reserved space at Surfaces in Las Vegas from January 29-31.

SATRA presentation. (Events in brief).(floorcoverings seminar)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... SATRA, the Kettering-based Technology Centre, plans another free floorcoverings seminar on February 21. Jeff Lane, head of SATRA's Floorcoverings team, will again lead discussions including the Construction Products Directive; SATRA's fitness...

Show on a roll. (News file).(Cleaning Show )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Rolling seminars on key topics will be a feature of the Cleaning Show from March 4-6 at the NEC. Tel: 01895 454545

Big names line up for contract floor show. (News file).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... SOME of the top companies in the contract flooring sector are confirmed exhibitors at the Contract Floor Show (February 25-26) at the Novotel Hotel, Hammersmith, London. These including leading companies such as Ardex, Axminster Carpets,...

Sound business: an unusual contract-carpeting a wall-helped Brajeff Flooring, of Romford, grow to its current 1.4 m [pounds sterling] turnover. (Flooring contractor profile).
January 1, 2003... SOME 20 years ago Brajeff Flooring submitted a tender for work at the BBC. It was unsuccessful and director Gary Brazowski thought nothing further of it until six months later when he received a call from the corporation. `They asked if we...

Bernie Collins National sales manager, Roofing Division, Laybond Products.(Interview)
January 1, 2003... * Did you get into trouble at school? What me! Yes fighting. * What was your first part. me job? Whilst at school I did a paper round but that was one of many at different times of the day, the other included bread round, paraffin round and...

Leave it to the computer. (Floor planning).(flooring contractors can benefit from various computer systems )
January 1, 2003... THERE are a number of different computer systems available for flooring contractors, two of which I will review in this article. CALLIDUS: In 1990 Phil Cunningham began thinking about computerised planning software for the contract market....

Just point and measure with the Disto Lite. (Floor planning).(from Leica Geosystems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... THE next generation of Leica Disto hand held laser distance measurers from LEICA GEOSYSTEMS were launched at the National Space Centre, Leicester, by Chris Barrie. The star of hit BBC comedies Red Dwarf and The Brittas Empire entertained the...

Whatever you want: the failure of British companies exporting to Europe is often down to trying to sell what they make rather than what customers want. Some continental manufacturers have been unable to penetrate the UK market for similar reasons. (Manufacturer strategy).
January 1, 2003... INTERNATIONAL CONTRACT CARPETS (ICC) has employed a different strategy, as Eric Roelandt, the company's md, explains: `We make it our business to ensure that what we sell in the UK is in line with British tastes.' The Chromojet...

Overseas campaign: featured below are some of the companies heading for the international market at Domotex (January 11-14) in Hannover, Germany. (Domotex preview).
January 1, 2003... BESTBASE UK (Tel: 01536 414714) will show its luxury domestic and heavy contract underlay range, claimed to be superior alternatives to heavyweight rubbers. The range includes Luxurybase, Comfortbase, Firmbase, Powerbase, Solidbase and...

Why we choose to exhibit at Domotex: Alan Whittle, right, export manager of Gaskell Carpets, explains why his company will exhibit at Domotex this year. (Domotex preview).
January 1, 2003... MANY of our British customers may not realise that Gaskell Carpets has a highly successful export business, and that many Axminster carpets we make in Rishton, Lancs, are exported across the world, primarily into the hospitality market. ...

Enter the H profiles. (Entrance matting).(Bonar Floors develops new entrance matting )
January 1, 2003... THE entrance of the Safeway store in Woking may not look unusual to most shoppers, yet the entrance matting is an innovative new system. BONAR FLOORS has developed a new version of its Tuftiguard entrance matting range, designed to cope...

Levis goes in for Gradus Access 6000 matting. (Entrance matting).(Levi's store in Birmingham selects new entrance matting )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... ENTRANCE matting from GRADUS was chosen for the Levis' store in Birmingham, selected as part of a corporate specification by retail designer Checkland Kindleysides. Gradus Access 6000 primary entrance matting in Grey rubber and Shadow wipers...

Their word is their bond: many different flooring adhesives are available in the UK, each accompanied by manufacturers' claims. Flooring contractors should always check that technical back-up is offered. (Adhesives survey).
January 1, 2003... Many different flooring adhesives are available in the UK, each accompanied by manufacturers' claims. Flooring contractors should always check that technical back-up is offered. ALFIX UK has distributors around the UK to stock its...