Contract Flooring Journal articles from June 2007

Contract Flooring Journal archives from June 2007

The best way to keep in touch!(Editor's comment)(Editorial)
June 1, 2007... The sad demise of the London Floor Show earlier this year may lead some people to think that traditional trade shows are being killed off by the rapid growth of e-commerce and so-called 'virtual exhibitions' on the internet. The facts present a...

Axminster is Ascot favourite.(Installation of the month)
June 1, 2007... SUPPLYING carpets for the multi-million pound development of Ascot racecourse was for AXMINSTER CARPETS one of its biggest and most challenging projects for several years. The hospitality facility covers six levels containing private boxes,...

Customer from Hell: flooring trade: is it getting worse?(Points of view)
June 1, 2007... IN the April 2007 issue of CFJ Sid Bourne asked: 'Is the trade changing for better or worse?' He seems to think that it's on a downward slope. We can only agree. Let me give you, as an example, a recent job we undertook installing a...

'Gray Mafia' article stirs the industry.(Points of view)
June 1, 2007... CFJ received a massive response to the article in the April issue entitled Flooring's "gray mafia' must go. There were both angry and delighted comments from readers. Below are typical of the reaction, the top two by leading flooring...

Methods of moisture testing: the good, the bad, and the ughh!(Points of view)
June 1, 2007... THERE is a lot of confusion in the UK flooring industry, due to the different test methods for measuring moisture in subfloors and the different units of measurement associated with them. To determine when a floor is dry one can be directed...

We do put our money where our mouth is'.(investment)
June 1, 2007... TWO significant events have taken place recently at Polyflor--the opening of a new floorlaying training centre on site and the Polysafe range receiving the 2007 Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category for continuous product innovation and...

Don't repeat this, but CFA meetings often continue in the bar.(comment)
June 1, 2007... ONE of the things I have liked best about being CFA president has be attending regional meetings. My predecessor as president, Hamish McGreggor, told me that, during his term of office, he had attended at least one meeting in each region. ...

Training directory.(Training directory)(Directory)
June 1, 2007... Flooring industry Training Association TEXTILE Basic carpet fitting July 2-6 (L). Intermediate carpet fitting May 28-June 1 (N); July 28-27 (L). Advanced carpet fitting June 4-7 (L) Carpet tile fitting On demand. ...

Diary dates.(Training directory)(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... BAR 07 June 5-6 Earls Court 2, London www.barshow.co.uk RETAIL SOLUTIONS June 5-7 NEC, Birmingham www.retailsolutions2007.com GRAND DESIGNS June 8-10 Excel, London www.granddesignslive.com NEOCON June 11-13...

The idiot brigade is driving the wood industry to destruction'.(ask 'what future for the wood flooring trade?')
June 1, 2007... Q: Why is the wood flooring industry apparently hell-bent on self-destruction? A: Over the many years I have met some great installers who truly believe in giving value for money while earning a decent living. I have, unfortunately, also...

I'm talking rubbish, so do pay attention!(on dealing with waste)(Composites Fabricators Association meeting)
June 1, 2007... I RECENTLY attended a CFA manufacturers meeting and was pleased to find a much larger attendance than usual. The main reason for this was that three guest speakers had been invited to talk on various aspects of waste and what impact it has and...

Don't get into a fix when you are fixing it.(on making repairs)
June 1, 2007... I WAS reminiscing the other day, like you do when you get to a certain age, when your mind wanders back into the distant past to a time that seemed better, brighter and full of promise. Anyway, I got to thinking about my early floorlaying...

Create a paper trail behind every meeting.(on protecting your IP)(Column)
June 1, 2007... LAST month I gave tips and advice to designers and manufacturers before attending meetings with retail design buyers. I stressed the importance of having the correct documentation to prove that you own the rights (or have licence) to the...

Laying over heated screeds is no sweat!(on stone flooring on underfloor heating)
June 1, 2007... MANY stone-fixers are wary of tiling over heated screeds because of problems they've experienced in the past with tiles cracking, buckling and debonding. Natural stone is an ideal conductive floorcovering, and therefore particularly...

Here is some good news for 'tax cheats'.(on the government's surprise tax amnesty)
June 1, 2007... HM Revenue and Customs sprung a surprise with the recent announcement of a partial amnesty for all tax evasion including VAT, income & corporation tax, inheritance tax and PAYE (although the missing tax still has to be paid). The move...

The Glues brothers.(Problem solving)
June 1, 2007... I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU PLUMBED INTO YOUR SAT NAV TOMASZ TOMASZ.... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME... AND I'M EXPECTING A TRUCK LOAD OF BELGIAN CARPETS NOT POLISH CAR PARTS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Green MEP speaks to CFJ and makes a plea: stop 'stolen' wood floor imports in UK.(News file)
June 1, 2007... A PLEA to the flooring industry has been made by Dr Caroline Lucas (pictured above), Green Party MEP for South-East England. Dr Lucas is fighting a vigorous campaign within the European Parliament to address the sale of illegal timber and...

'What's so special about the Forest Stewardship Council?'.(LETTER)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... THE appeal last month by CFJ to readers wanting Merbau only to purchase products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has brought a reaction from Patrick Cooper, market development coordinator of Canada Wood UK: WE hope that...

Carpetright acquisition.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Carpetright has paid 18.5m [pounds sterling] to acquire Storeys, a floorcovering retailer based in the North East of England. Founded 80 years ago, Storeys trades from 30 locations. In the year to March 3, 2006 sales were 32.8m [pounds...

Florprotec snapped up.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Headlam has acquired Florprotec, distributor of floor protection products, for 1.2m [pounds sterling]. Florpretec, which will relocate to Tamworth, achieved sales of 2,363,100 [pounds sterling] for the year to July 31, 2006, with profit before...

Pilkington's profits.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Pilkington's, the ceramic and terrazzo manufacturing group, has increased sales by 19% to achieve a turnover of 42.3m [pounds sterling] with profits of 1m [pounds sterling] (un-audited) net after depreciation.

Pergo has a new owner.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Pergo has been acquired by Pfleiderer AG, the German manufacturer of engineered wood. The new CEO of Pergo is Michael Ernst.

Lafarge is riding high.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Lafarge, the manufacturer of Gyvlon screeds, has announced a record 58% rise in operating profits in the first quarter of 2007, up to 235m [pounds sterling] from 149m [pounds sterling].

Tender prices rise 8%.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Building prices in London were 8% up in the year to the first quarter of 2007, according to Davis Langdon. During the same period the building cost index rose 5.7%; material prices climbed 9.5%, but the cost of labour went up just 3.6%.

Building bonanza on high.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... London had the biggest rise in new-build construction in Britain in 2006, says Davis Langdon. New work rose 18%, 1.5bn [pounds sterling] more than 2005.

Quote.(News)
June 1, 2007... "Construction has to be at the heart of Government. Putting it under Treasury supervision would be a good place for it' --Kurt Calder, of the Construction Confederation, commenting on rumours that Gordon Brown will scrap the DTI after be...

Three brands take 76% of the market.(News file)
June 1, 2007... NEW research on the UK trade smoothing compounds market shows three smoothing compound brands capturing 76% of the market between them. The top three smoothing compound brands are Ardex, F Ball and Laybond. Although this market is very...

SATRA ramps up its service for floor testing.(News file)
June 1, 2007... SATRA Technology Centre has installed a 55,000 [pounds sterling] ramp test machine for assessing slip resistance of flooring materials. Built by SATRA's engineering team, the machine incorporates a fully adjustable sloping ramp measuring 2m...

Contractors sought.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Newcastle upon Tyne housing association is seeking contractors to work on refurbishment and new build properties across Yorkshire and the North Midlands over a four year period. T: 0191 273 3508

Stone 'shortages'.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... A surge in demand for high quality dimension stone has reportedly left stone masons facing delays in sourcing material for building projects. Designers are being urged to give more warning to specialist contractors to avoid bottlenecks in...

Worry over cement.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... The concrete products industry 'gravely concerned' at continuing cement shortages affecting production at precast concrete plants, www.britishprecast.org

April is slower.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Growth in the commercial property market slowed in April after March's three-year high, according to property firm Savills.

BASF riding high.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... BASF, which has a base in the UK, reports a 17% rise in worldwide sales to 14.6bn Euros (10bn [pounds sterling]) in its first quarter results, confirming a positive outlook for 2007.

Acoustic flooring deal.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Durabella has reportedly won a 890,000 [pounds sterling] acoustic flooring contract for a residential project in Manchester.

Danes to Vietnam.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Danish workwear manufacturer Mascot has set up a new 14,000sq m factory in North Vietnam. www.mascot.dk

Manufacturers enjoy rising sales volumes.(News file)
June 1, 2007... THE construction industry enjoyed a firm start to 2007, with growth expected to gather momentum over the coming months according to the latest joint Trade Survey Report from the Construction Products Association (CPA) and the Construction...

Tender prices will rise as contractors get more confident, says RICS.(News file)
June 1, 2007... PRIVATE commercial projects will help to boost construction output in 2007, says the latest tender price index from the Building Cost Information Service of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The RICS building cost data arm...

'Industry busiest for 20 years'.(News file)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... THE construction industry is enjoying one of its busiest periods for 20 years, according to research by Building magazine. It reveals that tender prices have risen in London by 8% over the past year, the biggest increase since 2000. ...

100 [pounds sterling] for CFA firms.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... Flooring contractor members of the CFA can claim 100 [pounds sterling] for every CSCS card they obtain for their workforces via qualification. CFA members can contact the National Specialist Contractors Council for details. T: 0870 429 6351

Steve Hyatt bows out.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... The CFA has, with regret, accepted the resignation of Steve Hyatt, vice president and chairman of the manufacturers' committee. Steve has served on the CFA Council for eight years. CFA president Terry Wolfe paid tribute to Steve for all his...

CFA joins CPA.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... The Contract Flooring Association has become a member of the Construction Products Association.

Skills shortage bites.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... A shortage of skilled workers is delaying nearly a third of all contracts, according to a new survey. It says one in six contractors is turning down work due to recruitment difficulties.

Fair payment campaign.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... The National Specialist Contractors Council will launch a fair payment campaign on September 1 to coincide with the start of the new NSCC membership year. Email: enquiries@nscc.org.uk

Subbies get more work.(Business in brief)(sub-contractors declines their quality of work)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The usage of sub-contractors by construction firms in the UK rose in April to the highest level since November 2004, according to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. However, the availability of sub-contractors declined for the...

Interior safety course.(Business in brief)
June 1, 2007... The National Association of Shopfitters is to offer a three-day site supervisor's safety training course for interior contractors. It will be accredited and certificated by CITB-ConstructionSkills and delivered through approved training...

'Don't be shamed again!(NSCC accident survey: another call to CFA members)
June 1, 2007... THE report in CFJ (April 2007) that most members of the CFA had shamefully not bothered to respond to last year's accident survey by the NSCC (National Specialist Contractors' Council) brought a positive reaction. However, the majority of...

'Healthy workers mean healthy profits!'.(News file)
June 1, 2007... AN employee taking seven days sick leave a year can have a significant impact on a company's productivity, particularly if you have a small business where the absence of one person can cause a significant dip in resources and subsequent...

Safety training is for life, not just for passing a test.(News file)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... SITE Safety Plus is a new lifelong learning plan for health and safety in the construction industry launched by ConstructionSkills. The scheme encompasses a broad range of courses allowing employers to run those relevant to their employees...

Aid for employers.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... ConstructionSkills has launched a new online tool to support UK construction firms who employ migrant workers. The website contains resources on health and safety best practice, routes to qualification and relevant products and services for...

Orders are up again.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Construction orders in first quarter of 2007 rose 4% compared with the previous quarter. Orders for public housing and housing associations, public non-housing and private commercial were up 20%, 9% and 2% respectively. However, there were 8%...

FeRFA funding success.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... FeRFA has negotiated 475 [pounds sterling] funding for members' candidates who achieve NVQ level 2 in insitu resin flooring. This is in addition to the ClTB grant of 450 [pounds sterling] (+25% for ontime levy payment). The scheme is open to...

NVQ for women.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... The network for women in business, Everywoman, is offering NVQ level 3 to women working in construction at a subsidised cost of 585 [pounds sterling] thanks to funding from the Learning Skills Council. The Inspire Awards for exceptional women...

Gambling on carpets.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Before he steps down on June 27, Tony Blair is reported to be planning a push for more and bigger casinos, all requiring luxury

Instarmac is a star.(News file)(Best Companies Accreditation 2007 Awards)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... INSTARMAC has received Star status under the Best Companies Accreditation 2007 scheme which rewards companies that provide excellent workplaces, operate first rate workplace practices and deliver exceptional leadership; attributes defined by...

Migrant curbs raise recruitment fears.(News file)
June 1, 2007... THERE are fears being expressed in the construction that new Home Office rules on immigrants to the UK will make recruiting foreign workers much more difficult. Immigrants will have to prove they have firm job offers or sponsorship from...

Tile firms are set for debut at Interbuild.(News file)
June 1, 2007... CERAMIC tile manufacturers Original Style and The Stone Catalogue will be making a debut at Interbuild 2007 (October 28 to November 1) at the NEC. Visitors to the flooring zone (Halls 3 and 3a) will see some of the best in ceramic, stone...

Dining out in Stockholm.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Rainleaf Flooring is to install and supply a 140sq m Hungarian Point smoked, white oil floor made from aged and distressed European oak for a new restaurant in the prestigious hotel Grand Hotel in Stockholm. Rainleaf will also specify the...

Supplier goes paperless.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Flanagan, which claims to be Northern Ireland's largest flooring distributor, has commissioned a Caftex software package from Reflex Data Systems utilising the latest Radio Frequency barcode scanning and paperless warehousing techniques, as...

Flooring lab to open.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... SATRA's new 2m [pounds sterling] 24,000sq ft extension to its Wyndham Way laboratory and office complex is nearing completion. It will house a new 8,000sq ft floorcoverings and furniture laboratory.

Win for 4m Flooring.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... 4m Flooring UK won the finishing and fit-out category in the Construction News specialists in construction awards, supported by the National Specialist Contractors Council.

Warehouse move.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Sika has closed its warehouse and distribution facility in Welwyn Garden City and relocated to The Potters Group at Droitwich. www.sika.co.uk

CSCS hits first million.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... The one millionth CSCS card was presented to a roofer from Swindon last month.

Timber frame use up.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... The value of the timber frame industry rose to 542m [pounds sterling] in 2006, an 11% rise, accordingto the UK Timber Frame Association.

US fibres firm targets UK carpet sector.(News file)
June 1, 2007... THE UK is now high on the radar of UNIVERSAL FIBER SYSTEMS (UFS) of the US, which claims an export sales growth of double digits in only three years. 'We have placed a strategic focus on diversification in our sales and distribution,' says...

'20% of men want bigger tool boxes'.(News file)(Survey)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... ONE in every five men think it's important to have a bigger toolbox than their neighbours, according to new research. It says that UK men spend 318m [pounds sterling] a year on DIY tools that are never used. Surprisingly, nearly two thirds...

TTA tiling college thanks backers.(News file)
June 1, 2007... BAL, Weber and Schluter generously support Dearne Valley College with donations of materials and active help with training, says Alan Sharpe, a tiling lecturer. Alan especially wants to thank these companies, following his comments in CFJ (May,...

Carpet tiles loaded.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Carpet tile manufacturer, Sanquhar Tile Services, has achieved 'considerable savings and greater efficiency' after installing a mobile yardramp system from Thorworld Industries. The installation has saved it from installing a loading bay....

More are going bust.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Over 30,000 people became insolvent in England and Wales during the first three months of 2007, according to official figures. This is a rise of 23.9% on the same three-month period in 2006.

DTI branded 'a failure'.(Industry in brief)
June 1, 2007... Only 8% of the 145 organisations polled by the British Chambers of Commerce believe that the DTI is playing an important role in promoting the construction industry. This follows speculation that Gordon Brown, as prime minister, will scrap the...

'Parents have biggest clout': influencing children's career choices.(News file)
June 1, 2007... PARENTS have the greatest influence on the career paths of their offspring, a long way ahead of careers advisers and teachers, according to new research. And they rate construction careers well down the list of suitable choices for their...

Axminster Carpets.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2007... STEVE UPPERTON has been appointed sales director for Axminster Carpets to replace ROBIN OAKES who is retiring this month after 42 years with the company. Steve brings extensive experience gained as sales director with a number of Blue Chip...

Edel Telenzo Carpets UK.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2007... ALAN BROOMHEAD has been appointed to the newly created position of sales director at Edel Telenzo Carpets UK, the UK subsidiary of the Dutch manufacturers of wool and synthetic carpets for both domestic and contract markets. Alan is a...

Building Adhesives.(PEOPLE)(Paul Harris appointed as sales marketing director)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Building Adhesives has promoted PAUL HARRIS to sales and marketing director. The new position as part of the firm's executive team reflects the positive impact Paul has had since his arrival at Building Adhesives in 2005 as head of sales. ...

Kommerling UK.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2007... Following the recent restructuring of the company's sales force, Kommerling UK has appointed GORDON DAY as its new national sales manager. Gordon brings with him over 15 years of experience of the sealant and adhesives market. He will be based...

Floors-2-Go.(PEOPLE)(Hugh Mcglinchie, appointed as regional controller)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Floors-2-Go has employed HUGH MCGLINCHIE as new regional controller for the North, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the retail and flooring sectors. Hugh has previously worked for the nationwide companies SCS, DFS and Carpetright and...

Burmatex.(PEOPLE)(Kerrin Muckart, appointed as sales manager)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... KERRIN MUCKART is the new business manager in international sales at Burmatex. Kerrin brings a wealth of experience from the interior furnishings sector. Originally from Scotland, he arrives at the West Yorkshire firm via the Middle East and...

Uzin.(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2007... Uzin has appointed MIKE HAMER as national technical sales manager for the Pallmann range of wood floor coatings and aftercare manufacturing division of Uzin Group.

BRE (Building Research Establishment).(PEOPLE)
June 1, 2007... DR PETER BONFIELD has been appointed as the new chief executive of BRE (Building Research Establishment). He has 15 years experience in the construction industry and most recently he has been working with the Olympic Delivery Authority...

Retentions fight.(On the record)
June 1, 2007... IN JUNE, 2002, CFJ reported the tabling in Parliament of an Early Day Motion calling for the phased abolition of retentions. Claire Curtis-Thomas MP, the Labour back-bencher who proposed the EDM spoke to CFJ and urged all flooring...

More take 'sickies'.(Health in brief)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Work absence rose to 175m lost days last year, according to the CBI. It says workers took an average of seven days off sick in 2006, up from 6.6 in 2005. Bosses suspect that 12% are staff 'pulling a sickle', a 1.6bn [pounds sterling] drain on...

Site death rates 'to rise'.(Health in brief)
June 1, 2007... The Health & Safety Executive is warning of a rise in the number fatal construction accidents, up by 10% to 15%.

Ill health prevalent.(Health in brief)
June 1, 2007... One third of construction workers suffer from occupational health issues related to noise and vibration which can cause hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome, according to a new report. High blood pressure and respiratory illness was also...

HSE is criticised.(Health in brief)
June 1, 2007... The Health & Safety Executive is prosecuting only 700 safety breaches every year, but this figure should be 2,000, according to the Centre for Corporate Accountability. CCA believes there is a 'serious gap' in safety inspectors' implementation...

Less 9-5 working.(Health in brief)
June 1, 2007... The CBI and TUC are jointly urging employers to trial 'smarter' working practices, including flexible hours and working from home. www.workwiseuk.org