Contract Flooring Journal articles from January 2006

Contract Flooring Journal archives from January 2006

Skills: are we up the poles?(Editor's comment)
January 1, 2006... IMMIGRATION is never far from the public's attention. It's an emotionally charged issue. And Britain is not alone in facing this. Almost every country in Europe has had this 'problem' at one time or another. But it still seems strange in a...

Mitie in the driving seat at major car park.(Mitie Flooring)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... MITIE FLOORING installed liquid applied waterproofing, surfacing and protection systems in one of the largest multi-storey car park construction projects in the UK. More than 27,000sq m of the prestigious St Andrews car park, situated in...

Want to cut down on complaints? Try this.(demand for training for flooring contractors)
January 1, 2006... IN COMMON with many industries, it is impossible to have a discussion about the flooring industry without the issue of training and qualifications coming up. Comparisons are frequently made to other trades where the customer is accustomed...

Trend forecasting is key for manufacturers.(HARDWOOD FLOORING)
January 1, 2006... WE, as manufacturers, are regularly asked about trends. At times, trends are generated by manufacturers, especially those holding a large marketshare. However, most trends are generated by customers or clients, usually following new...

An injury will floor you, so never take health & safety lying down.(comments)
January 1, 2006... IT takes quite a lot to set me off, but stupid statements which can adversely affect the safety of my colleagues on-site usually do the trick. An individual, who shall remain nameless, informed me last week that he didn't think contract...

Training directory.(Directory)
January 1, 2006... Flooring industry Training Association Know your carpet: Jan 23-24 (N), Jun 5-6 (L); Carpet fitting starter course: Feb 9-10 (N); Apr 24-25 (L); Jun 21-22 (L); Basic carpet fitting: Jan 23-27 (L), Mar 6-10 (L), May 22-26 (N);Intermediate...

Diary dates.(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... HEIMTEXTIL January 11-15 Frankfurt, Germany www.heimtextil.de DOMOTEX January 14-17 Hannover, Germany www.domotex.de T: 020 8688 9541 DESIGN INTERIORS January 22-25 NEC Birmingham T: 020 7921 8491 www.designintedorsuk.co.uk ...

Big demand for courses.(Thomsit training centres)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... COURSES in floorlaying are heavily in demand at all six Thomsit training centres around the country, says the company. The courses, which started only four years ago, have become one of the highest ranking NVQ courses. Space for modern...

The Flooring Guild recently held another course at Axminster Carpets.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Flooring Guild recently held another course at Axminster Carpets. This time the subject was Understanding Carpets. Delegates visited Devonia to see sheepskin rug manufacture and toured the Axminster carpets factory and spinning plant at...

Carpet inspectors qualify after Woolsafe training.(Training directory)
January 1, 2006... THE first fully qualified Woolsafe registered carpet inspectors are expected to be out in the industry this month. Delegates attended inaugural two-day flooring inspection certification courses last autumn. Participants included...

The glues brothers.(Cartoon)
January 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: GOLDEN RULE OF MINE, OLD BOY--I NEVER TOUCH A DROP AT THESE EXHIBITIONS BEFORE TWELVE NOON--NOT UNLESS I'M WITH A CUSTOMER, OF COURSE... SOMETIMES IT TAKES ME 'TIL HALF PAST ELEVEN TO FIND ONE

Problems? The answer is better training.
January 1, 2006... Q: I install wood floors for a company which has asked me to become a troubleshooter on complaints and to determine fault, installer or manufacturer. This is a large company which receives several complaints a month, so I have a chance to get...

How Project Carlsberg came to a head.
January 1, 2006... IT IS easy for us to accept the tools and procedures of our trade without considering the thought, time and development in their creation. The new Freelance Spray System we recently launched, was a long time on the drawing board and even...

Here is a new angle on the coving of vinyl.
January 1, 2006... ONCE the only type of off-the-shelf coving suitable for use with contemporary floorcoverings was MOH (ministry of health). It was introduced to make cleaning the angle between the floor and wall much easier, particularly in hospitals where...

Become clutter-free for the New Year.
January 1, 2006... ONE of the most important elements of Feng Shui is clutter. Feng Shui experts believe clutter causes energy to stagnate and makes people feel disorganised, depressed, disharmonic, it is distracting and makes places dirty. Having clutter...

How to stop China copying your designs.(on protecting your copyright in China)
January 1, 2006... ALWAYS ensure you recognise the cultural, economic and judicial differences between UK and China to help you identify the intellectual property issues and maximise protection and avoid exploitation. Copying problems from China have...

For the best protection, try uncoupling.
January 1, 2006... MANY flooring contractors are wary of tiling over heated screeds because of past problems with tiles cracking, buckling and debonding. The ceramic or stone covering expands and contracts at a different rate from the screed. As the substrate...

Sound advice on cutting noise.(on acoustic flooring)
January 1, 2006... WE use more noise-generating products than ever in the home yet we want more peace and quite. The 2004 changes to Part E of the Building Regulations, which cover resistance to the passage of sound, try to address this by improving sound...

It's all down to the flooring: contractors.(on safety data sheets)
January 1, 2006... A FEW years ago Material Safety Data Sheets played only a small part in the flooring contractor's working life. Since then, however, they have become more commonly requested and in the case of hazardous products they are now a legal...

More tips on ensuring that you get paid.
January 1, 2006... NOW--where were we when I ended the last article in the December issue of CFJ? We have carried out our credit cheques, accepted the order and laid the floor. Now we have to get paid. It is a fact of business life that no company or sole...

The incredible shrinking carpet.
January 1, 2006... FLOORING contractor and retailer Mark Robbins (right) had to pick up the bill for replacement after a carpet he fitted in a residential fiat shrunk by over a centimetre in several places. The shrinkage was so severe that it tore the carpet...

Distribution centre on M6 junction 21.(Edwards Cheshire )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... EDWARDS CHESHIRE has a new state-of-the-art warehouse (pictured below) adjacent to Junction 21 of the M6. The 100,000sq m centre is designed to offer 'more choice, greater value and better service', stocking 170 varieties of quality solid, wide...

Victoria sales increase.(markets)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Victoria Plc saw a 2.3% rise in sales to 26.02m [pounds sterling] (from 25.43m [pounds sterling]) in the six months to October 1, 2005. However pre-tax profit fell by almost 30% to 0.99m [pounds sterling], down from 1.41m [pounds sterling];...

Tarkett makes progress.(sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Tarkett in Germany reports a sales increase in the first three quarters of 2005 to 1205m Euro (825m [pounds sterling]) from 1091m Euro (747m [pounds sterling]) in the same period in 2004. At constant exchange rates resilient floorings grew by...

Profits rise at Mitie.(Business in brief)
January 1, 2006... Support services and flooring contractor Mitie increased pre-tax profits 8% to 23.4m [pounds sterling] in half year to September 30, 2005, while 92% of budgeted revenue for the year was secured by the end of September. Revenue was up 15% to...

Topps earnings up.(Business in brief)
January 1, 2006... Topps Tiles reported a 12.9% rise in year pre-tax profit (up to 37.5m [pounds sterling]) in a 'volatile and very tough' trading environment.

Company launched.(Business in brief)
January 1, 2006... Marling Floorbrand is a new Marling Group company with products including PURline polyurethane flooring, Duraceramic tiles and Cristalite engineered granite as well as carpet. T: 0845 1668001

Joint venture plan.(Business in brief)
January 1, 2006... Sonae and Tarkett are reported to have agreed a joint venture to produce and sell laminate flooring in Western Europe subject to clearance from the European Commission.

Winners for monastery.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... A MEDIEVAL monastery will be the setting for the 2006 CFJ and CFA flooring industry awards presentation this year. The winners will be invited to a sumptuous three course meal in the beautiful and historic Coombe Abbey near Coventry. ...

How to vote for your favourite products.(News file)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... VOTING for Products of the Year is open only to contractors, floorlayers, specifiers and designers. * A voting form was inserted into this copy of the magazine before dispatch. If it is missing, please contact Ellen Rycroft * T: 01892...

A&K now in London.(Atkinson & Kirby)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Atkinson & Kirby, the hardwood flooring manufacturer and distributor, has opened a sales office, trade counter and showroom in London to be headed by Chris Wills. The branch will carry stocks of flooring and accessories for immediate...

Acoustics centre open.(News file)
January 1, 2006... Acoustic product distributor, CMS Acoustic Solutions, has opened a new 25,000sq ft central distribution centre. Products stocked, for immediate dispatch, include Regupol acoustic floor system. A southern operation at Colchester is also being...

Speedy profits jump.(News file)
January 1, 2006... Speedy Hire's pre-tax profits soared 16% to 13m [pounds sterling] in the first half year after new safety legislation boosted demand for its equipment with turnover up 21% to 120m [pounds sterling]. Speedy's tool division operates from 226...

Carpet tiles stolen.(News file)
January 1, 2006... A large number of carpet tiles were stolen from the Macclesfield warehouse of Bollington Carpet Tiles recently, reports the md, Ken Burgess. This follows three previous fires at the premises, he says were started by arsonists. Police have been...

Screed contract won.(News file)
January 1, 2006... PC Flooring has won a 120,000 [pounds sterling] screed, plaster and dry lining contract at a residential development in Wiltshire.

Government 'pays late'.(News file)
January 1, 2006... As many as 57% of sub-contractors working on Government contracts face payment delays and abuse on at least half their projects, according to a survey by the Specialist Engineering Contractors Group.

Efficiency increases.(News file)
January 1, 2006... Some 65% of public sector projects are completed on time and 61% on budget, compared with 34% and 35% respectively seven years ago, according to the Office of Government Commerce.

Survey reveals gloom.(National Specialist Contractors Council)(State of Trade survey)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2006... FEWER enquiries and fewer orders were features of the forecasts by specialist contractors in the latest State of Trade survey (for the third quarter of 2005) produced for the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) by Northumbria...

Wood award for 2005 CFJ winner.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE 2005 CFJ installation of the year winner--The Sage Gateshead--recently won the commercial and public access category in the 2006 annual Wood Awards. JUNCKERS solid hardwood floors were used in four spaces including Hall One (pictured...

Apprenticeship awards.(Trade in brief)(Learning and Skills Council)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Learning and Skills Council has launched its 2006 apprenticeship awards to showcase outstanding apprentices and employers who successfully use apprenticeships to improve business performance and tackle skills shortages. Sponsors include...

Tiling guide published.(Trade in brief)
January 1, 2006... A guide on ceramic and stone tiling has been produced by John Ripley, a member of the tiling committee of the British Standards Institute and chief inspector for the National Federation of Terrazo Marble and Mosaic Specialists. Contact Crowood...

Part L deadline in April.(Trade in brief)
January 1, 2006... Compliance with Part L which sets energy conservation targets in commercial and domestic buildings of 22% to 27% is compulsory from April. www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Move on red tape.(Trade in brief)
January 1, 2006... The Construction Products Association has welcomed the Government's pursuit of a deregulatory agenda, and has submitted proposals for simplifying regulations affecting the construction products industry.

Marathon charity support.(Trade in brief)
January 1, 2006... Floors 2 Go financial director Eddie Taylor and chief executive Simon Farnsworth raised 2,500 [pounds sterling] for Cystic Fibrosis Trust by running in the New York Marathon last November.

Test the Trade answers.(Trade in brief)
January 1, 2006... The answers to the Test The Trades conundrum in CFJ(December 2005) are: FSC stands for Forestry Stewardship Council; and linseed oil is the raw material in linoleum.

Carpet value to fall 6% by 2010.
January 1, 2006... THE UK market for carpel, is expected to contract in value by 6% by 201, according to a new survey by MBD. The 2005 market value is put at 1267.9m [pounds sterling], falling to 1198.1 m [pounds sterling] in 2010. The reasons for the...

Brighton branch for NWFC.(News file)(Natural Wood Floor Company)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE NATURAL WOOD FLOOR COMPANY has a new branch at Unit 6B, Freshfields Business Park, Stevenson Road, Brighton BN2 0DF (pictured below). It houses a 4,000sq ft showroom and warehouse with customer parking. The new branch will handle south east...

British Wool backs launch.(News file)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... MAYFIELD CARPETS has launched Rydal Twist, a 30oz, 80/20 British Wool/nylon range in 4 and 5m widths in 12 natural tweed shades and the neutral colour bank. The range was developed for independent retailers to offer small contractors and...

How to avoid slips.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... Safer surfaces to walk on--reducing the risks of slips is the title of a new CIRIA publication to be launched at a free event on January 26. www.ciria.org/slips www.hse.gov.uk/slips T: 020 7549 3300

Safety website launched.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, in partnership with a network of Euro Info Centres, has a new website good practice information for businesses on occupational safety and health at work. http://osha.eu.int/business

Cancer 'epidemic' fear.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... Cancer could be killing up to 30 construction workers every day in the UK, according to Rory O'Neill, editor of Hazards magazine in a new report backed by the TUC. The report claims that 12,000 to 24,000 people die in the UK every year from...

'Too busy' to care.(Health & safety survey)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Some 47% of construction workers say they are too busy to control or remove slip and trip hazards such as slippery surfaces, according to a new survey for the HSE. A third blamed a lack of warning signs. A total of 2,287 serious slip and trip...

Mobile phone warning.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... Thousands are flouting the law on hand-help mobile phones, according to RoSPA. Surveys find that 1.5% of car drivers and 2.4% of lorry drivers do not use hands-free systems.

Cut insurance call.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... The Engineering Employers Federation is calling for more favourable insurance premiums for companies that demonstrate good health & safety practices.

Bullying is 'ignored'.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... Only 55% of managers questioned by the Chartered Management Institute said that their companies had a formal policy on bullying.

NI smoking ban.(Health & safety)
January 1, 2006... Smoking will be banned in all workplaces and enclosed public spaces in Northern Ireland from April of next year.

200% wood growth.
January 1, 2006... THE UK wood flooring market saw a value growth of nearly 200% between 1998 and 2004, according to a new report by AMA Research. This sector--comprising solid, engineered and laminates--has grown above the total floorcoverings average in the...

BAL to launch new adhesive and grout products at Expotile.(BAL (United Kindgom))(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... BUILDING ADHESIVES is to exhibit at Expotile (January 22-25, NEC, Birmingham) where it will launch new BAL and Dunlop adhesive and grout products. It's Powerspec Online product specification program will be demonstrated on the stand. Last...

MasterFitters rewarded.(News file)
January 1, 2006... Caption: BELOW: NICF president Phil Worrall (centre) with Stewart Plant (left) and Kenton Penny of Uzin who received Master Fitter certificates for resilient flooring [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ACID talks on theft of designs.(News file)
January 1, 2006... Caption: BELOW: Sebastian Conran of Conran & Partners and Dids Macdonald, ceo ACID, at ACID's Protect it or Forget it! annual design conference on the future role of design and IP protection, exploitation and respect [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Cleaning tarnished.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... Over 80% of people in Britain would never become a cleaner, according to research by the British Cleaning Council. BCC chairman Judith West comments: 'Cleaning is a skilled occupation with many companies now investing in NVQs or in-house and...

CPA alarm at new stats.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... The Construction Products Association is concerned by DTI statistics revealing a 1.3% fall in construction output during the first nine months of 2005 after a 'marked weakening' in Government related new work in areas including school building,...

Sound advice regs.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... The new control of noise at work regulations come into force in April, providing for risk assessment, control of risks, personal protective equipment, instruction and training. www.hse.gov.uk/noise

TUC attacks HSE.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... The TUC is criticising the HSE after reports that the number of companies it prosecuted for health & safety offences in 2004/2005 fell by 25%, down from 963 to 712 prosecutions.

EU on youth safety.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... An EU campaign is planned to tackle the safety of young people at work as according to European statistics they run a 50% higher risk of work accidents than other workers. http://osha.eu.int/youngpeople

Advice on vibration risk.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... The Health and Safety Executive has published further guidance on Whole Body Vibration in terms of the Control of Vibration Work Act 2005. T: 01787 881165

Inserts 'do the trick'.(Industry in brief)
January 1, 2006... Advertising inserts is increasingly effective, according to new research. A total of 23.4bn inserts, accounting for 1.17bn [pounds sterling] of revenue were distributed in magazines and newspapers in the UK in 2004.

Contractors slate costs of adjudication.(News file)
January 1, 2006... THE rising cost of adjudication is a concern for the National Specialist Contractors Council (which includes the CFA among its members). However, at the recent AICA annual conference one adjudicator, John Riches, who has carried out 140...

Osmo shines at HairyWood.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... OSMO donated 10 litres of OS Color Wood Stain and Protector, in clear, for Hairywood, an urban summer house at The Architecture Foundation's new East End gallery (pictured below). Stephanie MacDonald from 6a Architects says: 'The finish...

N&C buys Czech company.(News file)(Nicholls & Clarke Ltd.)(Live Tile)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... NICHOLLS & CLARKE has acquired the Czech-based glass floor and wall tile manufacturer Live Tile with a book valuation of 2.5m [pounds sterling]. The acquisition provides N&C with a key manufacturing facility in central Europe--the centre of...

Sound protection product.(Products in brief)
January 1, 2006... Knauf, Resopal, Tarkett and Witex are to launch Ceraclic at Domotex Contractworld. Ceraclic consists of Sound Protect to reduce the sound of footsteps, a highly compacted GIFAtec fiber-reinforced plasterboard as base, an impact and...

BHK weed collection.(Products in brief)
January 1, 2006... BHK (UK) has launched its new Moderna hardwood collection, including new Uniclic engineered wood range in 14mm and 22mm, Uniclic 15mm solid wood, in different widths, and 18mm tongue and groove range, 125mm wide and in random lengths in a solid...

Floor marking at Henkel.(Products in brief)
January 1, 2006... ASG Services created epoxy coating floor markings to segregate pedestrians from materials handling equipment at the Henkel Loctite warehouse. The markings are said to be hard-wearing, slip and chemical resistant and capable of withstanding...

Putting art on the floor.(Products in brief)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Artwalk from Bayer MaterialScience is designed for drawings to be painted on the floor and then sealed in. The coating, claimed to resist cleaning agents and chemicals, is based on a two-component polyurethane systems formulated with raw...

One day repair system.(Products in brief)
January 1, 2006... Tremco has developed a Treadfast system for repairing, damp proofing and smoothing for a complete installation in one working day. T: 01753 691696

Domotex excitement mounts: all set for the European Team Floorlaying Championships.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LEADING names in the flooring industry are keenly providing sponsorship to ensure the success of the European Team Floorlaying Championships at Domotex, Hannover (January 14-17). Interface Europe is the official UK team sponsor. The others...

Assessor offers flooring services.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... NVQ assessor David Cheshire (right) now offers an arbitration, mediation, moisture testing and consultancy service. David has 44 years of experience in the industry as fitter, technical rep for an established adhesives manufacturer and...

Nailers won in online competition.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... TOOLS worth thousands of pounds are offered in an on-line competition from TACWISE. Builder Alan Wicken (right), from Ashford, Kent, recently scooped prizes including the Master Nailer 191EL Pro designed to drive seven lengths of nail and...

Proprep blasts off with 80,000 [pounds sterling] equipment from Blastrac.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... PROPRER a new Chester-based specialist sub-contract floor clearing and screeding contractor, acquired 12 items from BLASTRAC worth 80,000 [pounds sterling]. The products include a BMS-270 floor stripping machine, two BG 250's and a 580Pro...

Surface preview evening.(Events in brief)
January 1, 2006... The Surface Design Show in London (March 1-2) will again feature a VIP preview evening on February 28. Over 100 exhibitors have already signed up. Last year the show was attended by 3,538. The CFA is supporting the show....

Cleaning show dates.(Events in brief)
January 1, 2006... Carpex, sponsored by the National Carpet Cleaners Association, returns to ExCeL (March 16-17), co-located with Windex and Hospital Hygiene, expected to attract 4,000 visitors. Exhibitors include Truvox, Prochem, Chemspec, Host Von Schrader, Dry...

Interface at Hotelympia.(Events in brief)
January 1, 2006... Interface will exhibit at Hotelympia (February 19-23) T: 08705 304030 www.interfaceeurope

Design Prima on again.(Events in brief)
January 1, 2006... Design Prima (May 16-18) will be held at the same venue, the Old Billingsgate building in the City of London. Last year there were 95 exhibitors and over 4,000 visitors. T: 01372 371800

Selecting hardwood.(Trade news in brief)
January 1, 2006... The National Wood Flooring Association of America offers advice on selection of hardwood flooring and laminates. The message is: one is wood, and one is not. www.woodfloors.org