Contract Flooring Journal articles from July 2003

Contract Flooring Journal archives from July 2003

Manufacturers at war! (Editor's comment).(environmental issues and the floor covering industry)(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... THE Healthy Flooring Network is defunct, having been starved of its funding. And good riddance! This group, posed by CFJ as a front for a Swedish laminate company, was set up to deliberately sabotage the British carpet industry. Sadly,...

Walk over for Altro and Man U. (Installation Of The Month).(Altro Floors)(flooring for football's Trafford Training Centre)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE shape and pattern of a football has been cut into the flooring at the point where four corridors converge, overlooked by powerful images of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. The pair are products of Manchester United's prestigious Academy which...

Generic wood info is badly needed: Andy Nichols, md of 3D Flooring Supplies, says there is a serious lack of generic information on wood flooring. (Training).
July 1, 2003... AS a medium-sized distributor with branches in Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol and Taunton, we try to compete on price across the board, but we also try to give advice and service that some of the larger national distributors don't. As a member...

The Glues Brothers: the golden knee pads European championships Part 17. (The series).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... IT'S NECK AND NECK IN THE FINAL WITH LINO LAYING GOIN' WELL FOR MAFIA'S OWN TERRAZZO FAMILY JUST LOOK--A GALLEON IN FULL SAIL--HE'S CUT AND INLAID IT FREEHAND! ITSA WHY THEY CALLA PAPA 'BOTTICELLI'--THE ARTIST BOTTICELLI--DID HE...

There's cash at the end of the nozzle: supporters of the traditional methods of applying flooring adhesives dismiss the new spray adhesive system as being too costly. Richard Harris, marketing manager of F Ball, argues that the new technology is significantly more efficient and cost effective. (Spray Adhesives).(Illustration)
July 1, 2003... INSTEAD of the new technology meaning higher costs, it can, in fact, produce higher profits for the enterprising flooring contractor. Spraying adhesives can make a difference to your business: We all know that when the larger contracts...

Chocs away, as architects reveal their ignorance. (From the president).(members pulling out of Main Contractors Group)(architects complying with Construction, Design and Management regulations)(Column)
July 1, 2003... IT HAS been a year since I first introduced myself as the new CFA President (My how that's gone quick!). Twelve monthly articles with another 12 to go, the editor's deadlines seem to get shorter and shorter, but there never seems to be any...

Some sound advice before you start to finish. (Ask Sid).(installation and care of oak wood flooring)(Column)
July 1, 2003... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, training and technical manager of Floorboards, answers questions from CFJ readers and shares some of his 25 years of installation experience. An experienced and authoritative source of hardwood flooring...

Training directory.(Directory)
July 1, 2003... FLOORING INDUSTRY TRAINING ASSOCIATION Jul 7-10 advanced carpet fitting; Jul 15-16 floating wood laminate; Jul 30-31 natural floorcoverings fitting; Aug 11-15 intensive carpet fitting; Aug 18-20 ceramic fitting; Sep...

Don't leave the customer holding the baby. (Terry Wolfe's case book).
July 1, 2003... IT WAS my intention this month to give examples of problems caused by flooring contractors not having sufficient consideration for their customers. When the customer has their cooker, frig and dishwasher standing in the garden, it is a little...

Beauty is more than skin deep. (The lowdown from Brian Newell).(ceramic granite tiling)
July 1, 2003... PREVIOUSLY in CFJ I've discussed advances in ceramic granite technology focusing on the achievement of near-zero porosity; the dramatic increase in tile size; the related conquest of tile deformation, and the facility to provide safe long...

Strike up the brand. (Problem solving).(businesses need brand identification)
July 1, 2003... Design and identity for a new business: Launching a new company is always a busy time and many of the demands placed on you may be unexpected. A priority, however, is design and identify. Get the branding right early on and you will save...

Part E of Building Regs on sound featured on new CD. (Information update).(National Building Specification documents)
July 1, 2003... PART E of the Building Regulations (resistance to the passage of sound) came into force this month. Full details of these new regulations with codes and other technical documents are now available on a CD from BRAD, the NBS Building...

'Too little training' for LOSCs. (CITB Report On Labor-Only Sub-Contractors).
July 1, 2003... ALMOST a quarter of construction employers use labour only subcontractors (LOSCs), according to a new report commissioned by CITB and the Department for Education and Skills A report was based on 864 interviews with construction employers,...

European floorlaying competition planned: UK to front new international fitting contest. (News file).
July 1, 2003... STALWARTS of the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF) John Roberts, president, and John Hopkins, organiser of the NICF Floorlayer of the Year, are helping to organise the first annual European Flooring Fitter of the Year...

Flooring contractor completes 10,000sq m job. (News file).(4M (UK))(Scapa contract)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FLOORING contractor 4M (UK) has completed a 10,000sq m floor for Scapa, a global manufacturer of standard and custom-engineered adhesive films, tapes and components used across several industries. Scapa, which has 22 sites in 12 countries...

Galacroft for sale. (Business in brief).(Galacroft Hardwood Flooring)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Galacroft Hardwood Flooring is in administrative receivership. The company is continuing to trade and efforts are being made to sell it as a going concern.

Witex wobbles. (Business in brief).(financial difficulties)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Witex is reported to be in financial difficulties. The planned merger with Pergo has been called off.

'More will go bust'. (Business in brief).(construction companies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... More construction companies will collapse this year than at any time since 1994, according to figures just released. And the situation is forecast to get worse next year.

IDS distributes Bruce. (Business in brief).(International Decorative Surfaces)(Bruce Hardwood Floors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Bruce Hardwood Floors for its entire range. IDS also recently acquired Boards Leeds, trading as BCL. Tel: 01782 717220

Westex joins CF. (Business in brief).(Carpet Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Carpet manufacturer Westex has joined the Carpet Foundation. Tel: 01562 755568

Busted flush. (Business in brief).(no new casinos)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Contractors hoping to build 50 new casinos were disappointed after the government appeared to go cool on the proposed new Gambling Bill.

Van drivers may be hit. (Business in brief).(green tax)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Floorlayers who take home and drive company vans for private use could be hit with a green tax hike affecting older vehicles under new plans.

CSCS supported. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Housing Corporation has recommended that all UK housing associations use construction workers holding CSCS cards.

VAT bid rejected. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The European Commission has rejected the UK construction industry's call to slash VAT on repair and maintenance, saying there is 'no evidence that it would create jobs and tackle the black economy'.

Retentions move. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Inland Revenue has announced it will not chase unreturned retention money for corporation tax, recognising that it is common for retention monies not to be paid.

Weston's new image. (Business in brief).(Weston Carpets)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Weston Carpets has introduced a new corporate identity. Tel: 01206 542444

Asbestos kills more. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... DEATH rates from asbestos related diseases have trebled over the past 20 years, according to the Health & Safety Executive. There are no specific figures for floorlayers, but the highest risk category is carpenters, of whom 347 were killed...

The Euro is blamed for demise of Bestbase UK. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BESTBASE UK has gone into voluntary liquidation. The md Bob Lawton blamed the Euro exchange rate. He told CFJ: 'Wunderlays are manufactured in Holland, so we were always aware how important an advantageous rate would be. Unfortunately, and...

Wood floor firm expands. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SMEE TIMBER has expanded its main manufacturing facility at Winsford, Cheshire from 4,000 to 7,000sq m. The 2 million [pounds sterling] investment in the new facility has not only increased the firm's manufacturing capacity, but has also...

ASA rejects cleanability complaints. (News file).(Advertising Standards Authority)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... COMPLAINTS about an advert relating to the cleanability of Altro safety flooring were rejected by the Advertising Standards Authority. The advert claimed 'the results of an independent field trial in a busy school corridor prove that Altro...

Wilson has gone. (Industry in brief).(Brian Wilson)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Construction minister Brian Wilson has resigned. A former journalist, Mr Wilson appeared to spend much of his time issuing press releases. His replacement was not known when CFJ went to press.

Building output is up. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Construction output in the year to the first quarter of 2003 rose by 7%. New work rose over the same period, despite a decrease in the private industrial sector. Repair and maintenance also rose.

Refurbishment costs. (Industry in brief).(secondary schools)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The government's plans to refurbish every secondary school in the country is likely to cost up to 60bn [pounds sterling], double the early estimates, according to a new claim.

Call on tuition fees. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... National Federation of Builders chairman Bill Rabbetts has urged the government to drop tuition fees for construction degree courses.

Insurance appeal. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The CBI is calling for employers' liability insurance to be more closely linked to an organisation's health and safety performance.

Golf boosts charity. (Industry in brief).(Kidderminster Carpet Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The recent Kidderminster Carpet Manufacturers national charity golf tournament raised 18,000 [pounds sterling] for Macmillan Cancer Relief and the FTBA. Winners included the White Horse team with the best return (Tony Tyler, Bill Wells, Tony...

Getting the brush off. (Industry in brief).(small decorating firms)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... There are 89,000 painters in the UK, but small decorating firms are losing out to larger firms, according to Palmer Market Research.

Metro's tufted crown. (Industry in brief).(Metro Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Cormar Carpets has won Metro Group's Tufted Supplier of The Year for the fourth year. The award was voted for by Metro's 166 independent carpet retailers.

SDEA directory is out. (Industry in brief).
July 1, 2003... The new SDEA Directory of Shopfittings and Display is now available. Tel: 01883 348911

Contact Bonar Floors. (Industry in brief).(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2003... We apologise for the wrong contact number for Bonar Floors in CFJ (May 2003). The correct number which is free to phone is: 0800 028 2162

Star status for CFA firms. (News file).(Contract Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... OVER 60 members of the Contract Flooring Association are rated as winners in two new Plimsoll reports on the top companies in the flooring industry. One of the studies is devoted exclusively to the flooring contractor sector. Around a...

DuPont Antron shows its metal at Spectrum. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... DUPONT Antron metallic yarns are reported to have provoked a positive response from the architectural and interior design community at Specturm 2003. Extending the DuPont Antron Innovate programme, the metallic yarns were showcased as part...

Terra Del Fuoco range from Ceramica Piemme which won the floor tile category in the first annual awards by The Tile Association. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Terra Del Fuoco range from Ceramica Piemme which won the floor tile category in the first annual awards by The Tile Association. H&R Johnson Tiles won the wall tile category for the Infiniti range. Best new...

Floor focus for new exhibition. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FLOORING will be part of the Surfaces Show London to be held at the Business Design, London, on March 31 and April 1, 2004. The show will target architects, architectural technologists, designers, building surveyors, facility managers, project...

Laminate backing. (Products in brief).(Weston of Scandinavia)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Weston of Scandinavia has a new laminated backing said to make the carpet is lighter and flexible, thereby making it easier to transport, cut and fit. Tel: 01206 542444

Resin reformulation. (Products in brief).(Flowcrete)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... In anticipation of tighter UN and EU environmental regulations Flowcrete has removed the chemical nonyl phenol from its epoxy resin flooring. Tel: 01270 753000

Sealing compound. (Products in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Nitoflor Cureseal from Fosroc is a new curing and sealing treatment for concrete. Tel: 01827 262222

Contract carpet. (Products in brief).(-pile contract carpet from Van Besouw Kunststoffen B.V.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Van Besouw of Holland has introduced 2301, a new cut-pile contract carpet in Antron Excel yarn. Tel: 0031 135 308100

Watch this space. (Products in brief).(new safety flooring from Altro Floors )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Altro is rumoured to be planning to launch a new safety flooring that is designed to 'reach new heights in the standard of cleanability, slip resistance and durability'.

Printable info. (Online in brief).(Polyflor's website)
July 1, 2003... Visitors to Polyflor's website can now download and print product information, www.polyflor.com

Text Wharncliffe. (Online in brief).
July 1, 2003... Wharncliffe Business Systems has enabled Realitex users to employ email and text messaging for marketing. Tel: 0800 917 3061

Recycled wood. (Online in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A new free web-based recycling 'map' details of over 400 collection and recycling facilities in the UK. www.recyclewood.org.uk

Info on SFI. (Online in brief).(sustainable forestry initiative)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Information on the links between the North American Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Pan European Certification Scheme is available on www.sfiprogram.info

Sampling online. (Online in brief).(Cormar Carpets)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Cormar Carpets now offers a free online sampling service. www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

BBA website. (Online in brief).(British Board of Agreement)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The British Board of Agrement has updated and enhanced with website. www.bbacerts.co.uk

Mosaics on web. (Online in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A new mosaic art website, including flooring, has been established. www.hannahgriffithsmosaics.com

Carpet decline 'to continue'. (News file).
July 1, 2003... AHEAD of a major tv advertising campaign by the Carpet Foundation in the autumn, there is bad news in a new survey. The UK carpets market development survey by Market & Business Development (MBD) forecasts a decline of 9% in real terms between...

Top wood and laminate companies are named. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... PLIMSOLL Publishing has launched a new market analysis on the wood flooring industry. The analysis covers 74 companies and claims to uncover the key players. David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll, says: 'This analysis aims to give a...

Distribution deal for underfloor heating. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AN underfloor heating company which uses new technology to make installation 'almost as easy as laying a carpet' has announced a partnership to establish a comprehensive UK and Ireland distribution network. International Decorative...

BHK on the band wagon. (News file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE north of England regional band championships of Great Britain 1st Section has been won by the BHK (UK) Horden Band. The band is now being promoted to championship level, the highest level achievable for brass bands. Horden, one of the...

Have you heard? (News file).(floor covering industry)
July 1, 2003... 'Smart carpet' idea A German company has unveiled an electronic textile that can make floors part of a building's security, maintenance or climate-control system. However, the so-called 'smart carpet' is not yet available, being still in...

Diary dates. (News file).(Brief Article)(Directory)(Calendar)
July 1, 2003... LONDON FURNITURE SHOW August 3-6 Earls Court, London Contact: CMP Information Tel: 020 7359 3535 NATIONAL FLOOR SHOW September 2-5 Harrogate Contact: CMP Information Tel: 020 7579 4326 (Paul Sweeney)...

CreateCity. (People).(David Stubbs named finance director)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CreateCity, the North East flooring company, has broken with tradition and appointed a non-family member to its board. The company, owned by the Darlington-based Maguire family, has appointed DAVID STUBBS as finance director. He joined the...

Concrete Repair Association (CRA). (People).(Katy Lomax on executive committee)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... KATY LOMAX, business development manager of specialist contractor Brookes, is the first woman to be elected a member of the Concrete Repair Association (CRA) executive committee. Before her present job, Katy worked in the PR department of Enron...

Gaskell Carpets. (People).(hires Andy Whitehouse and Glenn Stimpson)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... GLENN STIMPSON and ANDY WHITEHOUSE have joined Gaskell Carpets as contract sales executives. Glenn was with Ulster Carpets and Andy comes from sister company Gaskell Non Woven. They have five and 20 years of sales experience respectively....

Brian Priest, founder of the spinner Westwood Yarns has retired as a director of the company. (People).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BRIAN PRIEST, founder of the spinner Westwood Yarns has retired as a director of the company and of Victoria Plc on which he also served.

Lauzon. (People).(Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring hires Ronald Rochon and Malcolm Shirley)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Lauzon has appointed RONALD ROCHON as export sales manager and MALCOLM SHIRLEY as UK sales manager, reporting Ronald Rochon, who in turn reports directly to Robert Coveney. Ronald has 15 years experience in the flooring industry while Malcolm...

VAX. (People).(VAX Appliances Ltd. hires Simon Lawson)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... VAX has named its new md, SIMON LAWSON, who comes from Blue Circle Industries where he worked within Armitage Shanks as the general manager for Showerworld and was subsequently md of its e-commerce business.

TIFCON dates. (Events in brief).(Textile Institute TIFCON floorcoverings conference)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Textile Institute TIFCON floorcoverings conference will be held on September 24 with the conference dinner the night before to be held at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. Tel: 0161 237 1188

100% Design sister. (Events in brief).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... 100% Detail, for innovative products, services and solutions for the building industry, is the new sister exhibition to 100% Design at Earls Court (September 25-27). Tel: 0870 429 4398

Wood conference. (Events in brief).(annual conference for Institute of Wood Science)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Institute of Wood Science annual conference is on October 9 in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Tel: 05494 565374

Convenient CFS. (Events in brief).(Contract Floor Show)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Contract Floor Show (February 17-18, 2004) will have up to 13,200sq m of exhibition space at Olympia 2. The venue has onsite parking for 630 vehicles and convenient transport links. Contact Paul Sweeney on 020 7921 8435 or David Wildman on...

Dave Hibbert: Sales manager, F Ball & Co. (In the dock).(Interview)
July 1, 2003... * Did you get into trouble at school? Yes often, for not handing in my homework on time, nothings changed, that's why you had to chase my answers to these questions. * What was your first part-time job? A paper round during the week and...

On the cards: Paul Brewer of Clifton Flooring in Bristol is working to ensure that by the end of this year all of the floorlayers he employs will have CSCS cards. (Sonia Roberts meets Paul Brewer).(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)
July 1, 2003... A SUPPORTER of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), Paul Brewer believes that it is a good way to put down the 'cowboy' element. Having his entire workforce CSCS registered will, he hopes, also give him an advantage when...

Rome and away: the distinctive aroma of linoleum in production was greeted with ecstasy by one woman architect visiting the Tarkett Sommer factory at Narni near Rome. (Customer relations).
July 1, 2003... THE smell of linseed oil doesn't arouse everyone, but there was ample to entertain and educate the 50 visitors from the UK, invited to Italy by Tarkett Sommer. The occasion was the international flooring fair in the country attended by over 500...

We need to talk: flooring contractors could do more to communicate with architects, says Martin Ambler, an architect. (Interview with an architect).(Interview)
July 1, 2003... ARCHITECTS will take on board suggestions by flooring contractors on how jobs are detailed and specified, according to Martin Ambler. In conversation with CFJ editor Alan Bakalor, Mr Ambler, an architect, explains: 'Feedback from...

Art of the matter: flooring is increasingly used to create exclusive design. Below are some of the manufacturers offering bespoke options. (Logos & bespoke designs).
July 1, 2003... 3M entrance matting, based on Nomad Aqua technology, can incorporate logos. It is said to provide all the practical functions of 3M entrance matting while adding a personalised element. 3M logo matting can be made to meet most bespoke colour...

Score floor: specialist surfaces for different sports venues is offered by a number of manufacturers. (Focus on sports floors).
July 1, 2003... ALTRO Mondo Sportflex High Performance sports footing was installed at Melbourne Park Athletics Centre, Chelmsford, a new training facility for elite athletes that also offers sport for the entire community. The flooring is said to withstand...

In the bag: the correct tools and accessories are essential for a job to be completed successfully, as our survey shows. (Tools & accessories).(floor covering industry)
July 1, 2003... EXAKT has launched the PS-125 miniature circular saw powered by a 230V 400W electric motor generating a blade speed of 4000rpm. Features include single handed use, dust extraction, depth control, reduced vibration and plunge cutting. Maximum...

Harvey Maria goes into contract. (Products file).(vinyl tiles )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FOR the first time HARVEY MARIA vinyl tiles are available to the commercial sector. The new collection introduces the six new designs of petals, daisies, water, feathers and corks and incorporates the established pebbles, bubbles, beach and...

Heckmondwike shows Care. (Products file).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CARE-TIME is a new heavy contract tufted cut pile carpet from HECKMONDWIKE FB. The product is available with a textile impervious backing. Care-Time is designed to be suitable for hospitals, nursing homes, elderly persons homes,...

Flytex is lighter for fuel saving. (Products file).(from Bonar Floors Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BONAR FLOORS announces its Flytex range enables airlines to make substantial savings on fuel because at 1kg sq m it helps to reduce the weight of the aircraft. 'Flytex has been designed for the aviation industry,' says Stuart White, Bonar...

Florentine architecture meets art. (Products file).(Florentine range from Interface Europe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... TO bring the Italian influences of church architecture and renaissance art closer to home, INTERFACE EUROPE has created the Florentine range. This product has been launched in three designs named Paesaggio, Quadratto and Umbria. Each...

Rustic Cherry takes a tough stand. (Products file).(laminate flooring )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ALLOC says its Rustic Cherry laminate flooring from its Domestic range is not only stylish but stands up to extremely tough treatment. Furthermore, according to the company, although it is high gloss it is still scratch and stain resistant....