Contract Flooring Journal articles from July 2002

Contract Flooring Journal archives from July 2002

The payback is `from day one'. (Editor's comment).(companies consider environment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SAVING the planet has never been a priority for the corporate sector. But many of the steps urged by green activists for decades are at last becoming mainstream business strategy. And most PLCs now produce regular environmental audits. The...

`No more need to dice with printing'.(Milliken advances)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A CARPET donated by MILLIKEN featuring snakes and ladders has given pupils at Hope School in Wigan a brighter, more colourful and fun environment. The school has 158 pupils between the ages of six and 18 years who have varied levels of learning...

If we are best, tell the world. (Carpet Foundation).(Advertising)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... AS AN independent, I could not resist contributing my two pennyworth to the scrap between CFJ and the Carpet Foundation on the question of Domotex and where and when the Carpet Foundation invests it's income. Being one who only reads...

Always turn up the heat slowly! (Underfloor Heating).(Isocrete's underfloor heating system)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... AS Mr Hibbert notes, there is a rapid growth in the specification of underfloor heating systems. Isocrete has responded to this by introducing, in 1999, the Isowarm warm water underfloor heating system, particularly engineered to be...

Some writers are biased; Robert Brown, md of The National Flooring Company, says writers should either give a full picture or make clear where they are coming from. (Hidden Agendas).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... AS a member of the CFA and being involved in the industrial flooring industry for more years than I care to remember, I naturally read CFJ with interest. I feel that I must comment on the number of articles in which some of my knowledgeable...

It's business as usual with a new president. (From The President).
July 1, 2002... FIRSTLY may I introduce myself to those of you that do not know me. I have been involved in the flooring industry for over 27 years, spending the majority of that time working for Altro. I started my career in the Manchester area moving to...

Diary dates. (CFA bulletin).
July 1, 2002... INTOHOME September 14 NEC, Birmingham Contact: Trade Promotion Services Tel: 020 8277 5800 NATIONAL FLOOR SHOW September 3-5 Harrogate Contact: CMP Information Tel: 0208 987 7549 (Paul Sweeney) Tel: 01756 797710 (David...

Training directory.
July 1, 2002... FLOORING INDUSTRY TRAINING ASSOCIATION Contact: Helen Tidmarsh * Tel: 0115 941 1126 All courses take place at the FITA Training Centre, Nelson, Lancs, unless otherwise stated. Fees are payable. Enquire when booking. NVQ...

BonaKemi & Chelsea demonstrate control of both brush and ball.(Peter Osgood at BonaKemi training seminars)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... CHELSEA footballer, Peter Osgood, supported BONAKEMI at the last in a series of nine training seminars presented across the UK. Osgood presented raffle prizes, posed for photographs with fans and entertained the audience of flooring...

Stuart steps in at short notice. (CFA dinner dance).(Contract Flooring Association dinner/dance, Stuart Easby)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IN keeping with tradition, the new president of the Contract Flooring Association, Peter Foster, and his wife, Debra, led the guests into the banqueting hall for the annual CFA dinner/dance. The event, held this year at the Royal Court...

Dampness can give you a bumpy ride. (Ask Sid).
July 1, 2002... Q: My shop supplied all the flooring for a property, including carpets and vinyl, except for a solid wood floor, which was installed by the main renovation contractor. That part of the job went badly wrong and solid wood floor has bumps in it....

Moisture is the mother of all defects. (Terry Wolfe's case book).(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... MOISTURE is undoubtedly the main cause of defects in flooring. It makes wood expand (or the lack of it to shrink), vinyls bubble and carpets debond. Often moisture comes from an unforeseeable ingress; but in some cases it lurks there from the...

Wood flooring and all that razzmatazz. (Finishing touches).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... WHO would have thought it! A humble floor finisher from North Wales travelling to a humid 92degF Florida to meet crowds of other wood flooring professionals from all around the world. Having succeeded in establishing a national business...

When the client has too little knowledge. (Problem solving).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... ONE of our past clients recently invited us back for remedial work on an installation in a hall we carried out in 1994. It was approximately 350m of maple strip overlay (Factory grade). The main body of the hall was overlaid and 20mm...

Now's a good time to contact your MP. (Campaign to abolish retentions).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... WITHIN the next week or two (by mid-July) Parliament will adjourn for the three month summer recess, before convening again in the middle of October. Most MPs should soon be returning to their constituencies to focus on local matters, free...

Contractor is CFA no 2. (News file).(Contract Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... PETER FOSTER was unanimously elected as president of the CFA at the association's AGM in May. Mr Foster, who works for Altro, will succeed David Hibbert, who retired after his two-year term as president. Mr Foster sets out some of his major...

Flooring demos are a hit at Interbuild. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THE flooring demonstration stand sponsored by CFJ and the CFA was one of the highlights of the flooring exhibition at Interbuild held at the NEC last month. Over 1,000 visitors attended the 16 demonstrations held throughout the five-day...

Lots of laying for PPG. (Industry In Brief).(Prospect and Peachgate Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Bristol branch of flooring contractor, Prospect & Peachgate Group (PPG), a CFA member, secured orders for over 700,000 [pounds sterling] at the start of its financial year. Projects include offices for Cisco Systems in Reading for Wates...

Interfloor founded. (Industry In Brief).(new firm formed by merger)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Interfloor Group is the new name for Gates Rubber and Duralay which have merged. The management team of the new company will be a blend of Duralay and Tredaire management. They will focus on its leading brands--Tredaire, Duralay, Gripperrods,...

Crucial to Headlam. (Industry In Brief).(Crucial Trading sold)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Gaskell Plc has sold Crucial Trading to Headlam for 1.77m [pounds sterling]. Crucial Trading distributor of natural fibre floorcoverings, was acquired by Gaskell in 1999 as part of its acquisition of Tomkinsons.

Allergy approval. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Marmoleum flooring, manufactured from raw materials, has been awarded the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval. Tel: 01592 633777

Tartan success. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Cavalier Carpets has fitted 500sq m of customised Axminster at Hampden Park, Glasgow, the home of the Scottish national football team. The company was also recently commissioned to carpet a new Harvey Nicholls in Edinburgh.

Market trends. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The UK carpet and floorcoverings market was worth 3.27bn [pounds sterling] at retail selling prices in 2001, a growth rate of 2% over 2000, according to a new Key Note Market Report.

Homflor launch. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Homflor is a new brand of quality laminate flooring made by France but stocked in the UK at Gravesend, Kent. The range includes Clip 396 double width moisture resistant 8mm boards with a 32 rating for contract use. Tel: 01474 353530

CDs are a `turn off for specifiers'. (News file).(information on compact disc)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... A DRAMATIC decline in the use of CDs by specifiers and contractors is revealed in a new Barbour report out this month. The new report investigates the internet as an information tool and considers how the web can provide technical and...

Not in the pink. (Would you believe it?).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The construction industry is hostile to women, racist and homophobic, according to Rachel Epson, organiser of Women & Manual Trades. She was addressing a conference organised by the DTI and CITB aimed at attracting more women into the industry....

Three day trainees. (Would you believe it?).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The average construction worker received only three days of training last year, a new survey claims. Some would say--as many as that!

New maintenance guide is published. (News file).(by Tarkett Sommer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... TARKETT SOMMER has published a cleaning & maintenance network brochure for specifiers, designers and end users of textile floorcoverings. The brochure is designed to help clients to ensure their new floorcovering stays looking clean,...

Pic N' Mix a winner, says Lionvest. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... LIONVEST TRADING has declared it's Pic N' Mix list to have surpassed all sales expectations, while `massively raising trade awareness of the many solid floor products' on offer. The Pic N' Mix list is a detailed inventory of all the goods...

Resin awards judges set to find winners. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THE editor of CFJ, Alan Bakalor, has been invited to sit on the judging panel for the new awards established this year by FeRFA, the Resin Flooring Association. Alan has been writing about flooring since 1983. Nominations have closed and...

CFA winners. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Four members of the CFA were among eight Altro contractor award winners announced recently. The four were Durastic, Lees Flooring, North Devon Flooring and Peter Evans Flooring.

New felt line. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Anglo Felt has installed its second new production line in three years to offer a lightweight `easy-to-carry' felt product, compared to the old Lanbond felt, which, according to md Simon Simon Macaulay, `many in the trade remember with...

Output soars. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Construction output rose by 8% over the first quarter of this year, said to be the largest year-on-year increase since the boom of 1988.

Egger to MFI. (Industry In Brief).(supplies laminate flooring)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Egger Floor products is to supply own label laminate flooring to MFI. The product will be packaged under the MFI Easifix brand name.

Rainbow grows. (Industry In Brief).(Rainbow International)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Disaster restoration specialist, Rainbow International, now has 125 franchises with three new recruits, having successfully completed the company's induction programme.

Tool hire. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The tool hire market was worth 700m [pounds sterling] at hire prices in 2001 with 2% growth expected this year, according to a new survey by AMA Research. Tel: 01242 235 724

CSCS cards. (Industry In Brief).(construction skill certifications)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The number of construction workers holding the CSCS skills card has passed the 250,000 mark. Fewer than 2,500 floorlayers have the card.

CITB funding. (Industry In Brief).(construction training)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The CITB has secured over 1m [pounds sterling] of Government funding for construction training in the north east.

Top licensee. (Industry In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... B & K Systems, of Leeds, has won the Isocrete Licensee of the Year while Robert E Lee Plastering Contractors, of Essex, won the Isocrete project of the year for its work at Tag McLaren where 20,000sq m of Isocrete Gyvlon were installed.

`Big Brother' floored. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SOON to reach it's climax with the winner walking out 70,000 [pounds sterling] richer, Big Brother has been on the nation's television screens virtually round-the-clock since May 24. Those who have succumbed to the saturation coverage may have...

253 firms `face failure'. (News file).(UK floorcoverings industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... ONE in four companies in the UK floorcoverings industry are being forced out of the market, according to new research by Plimsoll Publishing. Some 253 companies were placed in the `Danger' financial rating in Plimsoll's latest analysis. ...

4textrade announces `further boost for e-trade'. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THE move towards electronic trade by interior designers, contractors and distributors is gathering pace, according to Alan Exley (pictured above), sales director of 4textrade.com. `Business-to-business trading through the internet has...

Marley launches online ordering. (News file).(Marley Floors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... MARLEY FLOORS has introduced an online ordering facility on the company's new website which goes live this month. Customers will each be given an exclusive password and after tapping in their account number, they will be able to activate...

Recycling sites.(internet register)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... CIRIA is to launch an internet register of recycling sites to encourage construction companies to be more sustainable. It will help them to source recycled materials and to identify better disposal routes for waste products, with attendant cost...

Sustainability guide.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A new guide from SCA Timber (UK), entitled Searching for sustainable timber, explains how to trace the origins of sustainable woods. www.forestproducts.sca.com

Kahrs new booklet.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Kahrs has produced a new magazine giving interior design advice and matching room colours to different wood species within the Woodloc range. It is available via its stockists.

Update from CRA.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Concrete Repair Association has updated its CD-Rom programme, The route to a successful concrete repair. Tel: 01252 321302

Tile brochure.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Tileasy of Portsmouth has issued a new brochure showing its range of hand-crafted tiles. Tel: 023 92 220077

AHEC sponsorship.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The American Hardwood Export Council is to sponsor the annual convention of the Institute of Wood Science in Cardiff on October 10-11 and the Irish Joinery Awards on November 15 in Dublin.

FTBA centenary.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Furniture Trades Benevolent Association is preparing to celebrate 100 years of `giving' in 2003. Tel: 020 7405 7633

Flagstone showroom.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Classical Flagstones has opened a new showroom at Dyrham in Wiltshire. Tel: 0117 937 1960

Insulating fill.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Optiroc and Castle Cement are combining to distribute Optiroc's LWA lightweight clay aggregate insulating fill through builders' merchants. Tel: 01928 515656

Metro supplier.(Cormar)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Cormar is the Metro Group's tufted supplier of the year for the third year.

Ardex UK. (People).(appoints Peter Bell general manager)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... PETER BELL has been appointed as general manager of Ardex UK with responsibility for the formulation and development of overall strategic Ardex UK policies. Mr Bell has over 20 years sales, marketing and general management experience in a...

Morrells Woodfinishes. (People).(hires Anton Lassen)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Morrells Woodfinishes has appointed a new manager to its technical team. Danish born DR ANTON LASSEN is a leading figure in radiation curable coatings technology. Dr Lassen has relocated from his home in Denmark. Dr Lassen will work closely...

Knowles Management. (People).(Sharron Taylor appointed)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Knowles Management, part of the James R Knowles group, has appointed SHARRON TAYLOR as an executive director for key client liaison and the continuing development of professional services. She is based at Knowles Sheffield office.

Instarmac Group. (People).(promotes Steve Haigh to field sales manager)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Instarmac Group has promoted STEVE HAIGH to field sales manager for Ultra tile adhesives and grouts. Steve, who was previously area sales manager with the company, has 13 years experience within the tile adhesive trade.

Gaskell Carpets. (People).(hires Scott Turner, Paul Hardiman)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... SCOTT TURNER, contract sales executive for Scotland, and PAUL HARDIMAN, field-based designer in the Midlands, have joined Gaskell Carpets. Scott, who has worked in the retail carpet market for 14 years, will be working alongside Pam Spiers, who...

InstaCoustic. (People).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... InstaCoustic has appointed BILL McDONALD as technical manager. Bill has been with the company since 1990. PAUL ROBSON, who joined InstaCoutic as a graduate, is the new commercial manager, while CARL HART is promoted to production manager.

The company has also appointed James Devlin and Colin Johnson as area sales managers for Scotland and the North of England respectively. (People).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The company has also appointed JAMES DEVLIN and COLIN JOHNSON as area sales managers for Scotland and the North of England respectively. Both have had long careers in the construction industry, including managerial experience, with James having...

Creom. (People).(hires Steve Blake)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... STEVE BLAKE is the new sales and marketing manager at Creom, the company which offers a solution to damp concrete floors.

BonaKemi bid for good finish. (News file).(Peter Dorrell and Co. race Formula 1 stock car with Bonakemi logo)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... FLOORING contractor Peter Dorrell & Co Formula 1 stock car is carrying the BONAKEMI logo this season, which climaxes at the World Final at Coventry Stadium on September 21. Clinton and Shane Dorrell are partners in the family business,...

Domo `licks' bacteria risk. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... DOMO now offers its Solido vinyl floors with Microban protection, designed to eliminate harmful bacteria permanently. The company claims `a real world first for all consumers concerned about hygiene'. Microban, which has been used for many...

SoundBloc added.
July 1, 2002... Six of the `most popular' designs in Pergo's Original laminate flooring range now include the SoundBloc sound reduction claimed to reduce the noise of walking on the floor by up to 40%. Tel: 01235 556 300

UltraFinish on maple.(wood finish from Granwax Product used on flooring from Wood Floor Inspirations)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Four coats of UltraFinish from Granwax Product was used by flooring contractor, Wood Floor Inspirations of Nottingham, on a new 227sq m prime grade maple strip floor in the periodic municipal headquarters of Newark and Sherwood District Council...

MLM contract.(Montague L. Meyer contract with Ballast PLC)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Montague L Meyer's Southampton office has secured the contract to supply Ballast Plc with Brazilian FSC plywood for a new parks swimming & leisure complex in Horsham.

6m [pounds sterling] refurb deal.(won by Norwest Holst Construction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Norwest Holst Construction is reported to have won a 6m [pounds sterling] contract to refurbish a 1980s an office block on Birmingham's inner ring road.

New designers debut. (Events In Brief).
July 1, 2002... New Designers at the Business Design Centre, London, will showcase 4,000 British design graduates. Covering 11 disciplines, the show will feature textile design in the first week July 4-7). Tel: 0870 7390973 www.newdesigners.com

Retail shows merge. (Events In Brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Retail Interiors is joining forces with International Display Week and is heading for London's Earls Court (Sept 17-19). Tel: 0870 429 4360 www.retail-interiors.co.uk

Decorex exhibitors. (Events In Brief).
July 1, 2002... Exhibitors at Decorex (Sept 22-25, Royal Hospital Chelsea) include carpet companies, Blenheim, Navan, Stark and Stockwell, plus Topfloor and Wilton Weavers. Tel: 020 7833 3373

Floors at Scotbuild. (Events In Brief).
July 1, 2002... Polyflor is one of the exhibitors at Scotbuild (Nov 5-7, SECC, Glasgow). Tel: 0131 550 6530

Interbuild 2004. (Events In Brief).
July 1, 2002... The next Interbuild will be from April 25-29, 2004, again at the NEC, Birmingham. Tel: 020 7505 6895

Floorlaying is wizard; although some contractors claim they can manage without storage facilities, west country-based Merlins believes that having a warehouse is a great advantage. (Flooring contractor profile).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... NICK Britton, general manager for Merlins Flooring Contractors says that `just in time' deliveries to site aren't always the best option. The company's premises at Pinhoe near Exeter has 3,500sq ft of warehousing facilities as well as offices...

European unity: carpet recycling know-how across Europe is to be co-ordinated for the good of the industry. (The environment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... THE European Association for Environmental Carpets (GUT) and European Carpet Association (ECA) have just announced an agreement to work together to pool all the current knowledge and experience on recycling. The Carpet Foundation in the UK is a...

Just what sustainability means at the sharp end. (The environment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... MANY companies are committed to sustainability in general terms. BONAR FLOORS is one which has a detailed environmental strategy which could serve as an example to others. The policy was laid down in by the md, Brian Hill. It's main points...

Black & white: designers, architects, as well as manufacturers, should be striving to achieve a quality of life that is not detrimental to the environment. (The environment).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... STARK choices were laid before the audience at the inaugural Interface Europe sustainability debate held in London recently. The five main speakers, leaders from all sectors of the industry, pulled no punches. Manufacturer Rob Coombs,...

Breakthrough in recycling: what is claimed to be the world's first high performance renewable carpet tile with a recycled cushion backing is being produced in Britain by Milliken. (The environment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... BENEFITS of the new product known as Comfort Plus2 are said to include superior wear resistance, high soil and stain resistance, reduced leg fatigue and improved noise reduction. It has been developed by Milliken in the UK in collaboration with...

Here's health: with increasing public and private funding in the healthcare sector, there are plenty of opportunities for the flooring industry. (Focus on healthcare).
July 1, 2002... FLOORCOVERINGS, both textile and smooth, are vying for attention in the healthcare sector as additional cash comes available for both refurbishment and new build. Below are many of the major floorcovering suppliers: ALTRO Mondofutura High...

Packing more punch: the fibre-bonded (or needlepunch) sector is highly competitive with the major suppliers regularly updating their ranges. (Fibre bonded flooring survey).(products from Burmatex, Heckmondwike FB, Interface)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2002... BURMATEX has launched a totally reengineered product, 3230 Classic, replacing its 2200 Anti-Stat & 3300 Tuff Plus. Taking the best characteristics from both its predecessors 3230 Classic, an 85/15 polyprop/nylon blend with a fibre weight of...

`Breaking new boundaries' for fibre-bonded carpets: Ian Crowther, md of Gaskell Non Woven, claims that the company is breaking new boundaries with the launch of Jigsaw decorative carpet tiles. (Fibre bonded flooring survey).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
July 1, 2002... MANY have dismissed fibre-bonded carpets as commodity products. But worth around 57m [pounds sterling], the needlepunch sector is big business, and with the right product development strategies, a good dose of innovative thinking and a...

Seams like a nice floor; resin flooring creates a hard-wearing seamless finish, that is able to endure rigorous cleaning. (Resin flooring survey).(supplier contracts and products)
July 1, 2002... THE performance qualities of resin flooring have traditionally made it suitable for industrial applications, but more recently manufacturers have added a wide range of colours. As a result resin flooring is becoming increasingly common in the...

Polyurethane screeds are now in many shades; Andrew Gwyther, sales director of Flowcrete, says the UK is following the American trend towards a more decorative style in resin screeds. (Resin flooring survey).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... FOR years the food industry has accepted the Installation of polyurethane screeds, but somewhat reluctantly. While polyurethane has incredible durability and the ability to be steam cleaned, it is not as attractive as an epoxy screed quartz...

Curtains up on Brintons carpets. (Theatre).(Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre chooses carpet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... BRINTONS supplied carpets for all the public areas in the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. The 30m [pounds sterling] redevelopment scheme of the 103-year-old venue was partly funded by a National Lottery award through the Art's Council of...

Kahrs project on the Boardwalk. (Bar & Grill).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... KAHRS Oak Copenhagen Woodloc was installed at the Manhattan Bar & Grill on Port Solent's Boardwalk. The flooring, featuring the glueless Woodloc joint, was installed as part of a major refurbishment by contractor Taskcastle Group. ...