Contract Flooring Journal articles from March 2003

Contract Flooring Journal archives from March 2003

Cowboys let off the hook. (Editor's comment).(Quality Mark scheme generates poor response from contractors)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... THE anti-cowboy Quality Mark scheme has been written off by some industry pundits--almost likened to the dead parrot in the famous Monty Python sketch. By January this year fewer than 300 companies had acquired Quality Mark status despite...

Risk management & training are key. (Insurance Crisis).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... AS an insurance broker specialising in employers' and public liability insurances, we are frequently asked why the cost of insurance has escalated and what will happen in the future. September 11, 2001 will long be remembered for many...

`Builder slashed my profits'. (Prime Costs).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... A MATTER has arisen in the area of PC sums within the flooring industry. This has caused some concern to myself and others in the industry. The issue came to my attention when we finished a decent sized job for the local building...

No apathy in the Carpet Foundation. (Euro Standards).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... IT was very flattering to receive some acknowledgement of my activities over the last 18 months or so since I joined The Carpet Foundation, in representing UK interests over the matter of the proposed revision of EN1307:1997 textile...

The show was great for us. (Domotex Fair).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I FULLY agree with your comments about British manufacturers who see no reason for a stand at Domotex. I hold the UK agency for a Dutch company, Hamat. We specialise in entrance mats, contract mattings and natural floorcoverings targeted at...

I'm applying for a CSCS card, so why can't you? (From the president).(Construction Skills Certification Scheme )
March 1, 2003... AS I sit down to write this article for the CFJ I have other things on my mind. I am currently swotting up for the CITB health and safety test that I will be taking shortly for my Construction Skills Certification Scheme visitor's card. Oh...

We must keep up fight to get rid of retentions. (From the director).
March 1, 2003... THE House of Commons Select Committee's reaction to the campaign to abolish retentions was a little disappointing to say the least (See CFJ January 2003). The committee apparantly believe that introducing legislation would take the focus...

Training directory.
March 1, 2003... NVQ TRAINING UNIBOND THOMSIT NVQ Floorcoverings (Levels 1, 2, and 3) are offered at the following Thomsit Training Centres, where advice can also be obtained on new entrant training schemes and on-site assessment and training...

A tip on how to mind the gap. (Ask Sid).(installing floors without gaps)
March 1, 2003... Q: How can I create the perfect mitre? Wherever possible I like to put a border in when I'm fitting a floor, but I always seem to get a small gap. A: I do have a guaranteed tip--and it just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new...

Never promise the impossible. (Terry Wolfe's case book).(flooring contractor sued for poorly completed job)
March 1, 2003... A FEW years ago I appeared in the Plymouth County Court in connection with a dispute over a wood block floor. The client had had an extension built to his house and called in a flooring contractor to extend the wood block floor and sand and...

Qualification is now offered to retailers. (Problem solving).(formal qualification from The Flooring Guild)
March 1, 2003... CARPET retailers can now obtain a formal qualification recognising their skills and knowledge and add marketing value to their business. The Diploma in Retail Floorcoverings is a written examination administered by The Flooring Guild. ...

2003 UK & International diary dates. (Problem solving).(Calendar)
March 1, 2003... BRIGHTON FLOOR SHOW & CONTRACT SHOW March 4-6 Metropole Hotel, Brighton Contact: Norcro Events Tel: 01425 627499 THE CLEANING SHOW March 4-6 NEC, Birmingham Contact: Turret RAI Tel: 01895 454545 CEVISAMA TILE FAIR March...

Measuring the slipperiness of floors: Dr Paul Lemon and Dr Steve Thorpe of the HS investigate floor surface slipperiness with site-based case studies. (Problem solving).
March 1, 2003... CFJ recently recently featured two articles concerning floor surface slipperiness. The first, written by Stephen Taylor, a Health & Safety Executive principal specialist inspector with expertise in the area of pedestrian accidents, detailed...

`Don't hide behind defects argument!' (Retentions).
March 1, 2003... CENTRAL government departments are being urged to `stop the rot' over retentions. Suzannah Nichol (above), chief executive of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC), of which the CFA is a member, is appealing to ministers not to...

Antron leaves polyamide in the shade. (News file).(Dupont's Antron compared to natural fibers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... DUPONT Antron played a key role in the first Royal Institution Christmas lecture screened on Channel 4 recently presented by Professor Anthony Ryan, ICI professor of physical chemistry at the University of Sheffield. It illustrated...

Gaskell sells tiles. (Business in brief).(division to Low & Bonar)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Gaskell is to sell its tile division (comprising Gaskell Carpet Tiles, Modulus and Bamber Carpets) to Low & Bonar for 17m [pounds sterling], plus up to 1m [pounds sterling] deferred.

Desso and Armstrong. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Desso and Armstrong DLW are now operating from a single customer service centre in Abingdon, but will still trade as separate companies. Seven Baldwin, md of Desso, assumes the same role at Armstrong DLW. Both are part of Armstrong Floor...

Witex joins Pergo. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Pergo has agreed to acquire all the shares in Witex. The integrated company will create a global laminate flooring group.

Profit hopes. (Business in brief).(Victoria PLC)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Victoria Plc which completes its annual trading year on March 29 is hoping for a return to levels of profitability previously achieved with sales at Victoria Carpets 30% up last autumn.

Ronacrete grows. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Ronacrete is to double UK production capacity with a new 16,000sq ft factory in Harlow, Essex, this summer. Tel: 020 8593 7621

Egger contract. (Business in brief).(with Saint-Gobain)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Egger Group has won a contract to supply laminate flooring to the building distribution division of Saint-Gobain of France. Tel: 0113 390 6042

Knowles re-brand. (Business in brief).(Knowles Legal Services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Construction industry consultancy and adjudication expert J R Knowles has changed its name to Knowles Legal Services. Tel: 08707 530828 www.jrknowles.com

Rainbow bought. (Business in brief).(by ISS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... ISS, an international facility services company, has acquired the franchise network licensed by Rainbow International carpet care & restoration specialist (a subsidiary of the Dwyer Group of the US). Rainbow's UK turnover in 2002 was 4.4m...

SATRA expands. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... SATRA Technology Centre, which includes a floorcoverings division, has begun a 1.5m [pounds sterling] 26,000sq ft expansion at Kettering.

London at a halt. (Business in brief).(office space)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Office development in London has virtually come to a halt, but most regional centres are still short of office space, according to a survey by Davids Langdon & Everest. Tender prices are expected to rise by 2-4% in the next 12 months despite...

86 days to pay. (Business in brief).(construction industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Large construction firms are taking around 86 days to pay bills, according to a November 2002 survey by Experian, three days longer than the May 2002 survey. Small and medium sized construction firms take 55 and 61 days respectively, also up on...

Orders rocket. (Business in brief).(public non-housing construcion)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Public non-housing construction orders (excluding infrastructure) in 2002 rose by 40% compared with the previous year. Orders in the fourth quarter of 2002 were up by 57% compared with the previous period, and 104% higher compared with the same...

Keeping busy. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The workload for small and medium sized UK construction firms continued to grow during the final quarter of 2002, despite worries about the economy, according to the Federation of Master Builders.

Going to the wall. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A total of 897 construction firms failed in the third quarter of 2002, the highest since Q1 of 1999 when over 1,000 companies went bust, according to official figures.

Contractors offline. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Most contractors are failing to exploit the full potential of the internet in their websites, according to a survey by Leeds University. It compares service sector websites which are more interactive with customers and more sophisticated in...

SDEA in Europe. (Business in brief).(promotion in Europe)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The SDEA is to step up its promotional activities within Europe and will accept European Union shopfittings and display companies as members.

Report names firms ripe for the picking. (News file).
March 1, 2003... PLIMSOLL Publishing has named 158 companies described as the best acquisition prospects in the floorcoverings industry. These are said to be fundamentally solid businesses that are under performing. Plimsoll's valuations on these companies...

BHK grows at `nine times industry average'. (News file).(company growth and forecast)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... LAMINATE flooring manufacturer BHK (UK) is listed as a `company to watch' in 2003 by Plimsoll Publishing. BHK's turnover more than doubled from 8.7m [pounds sterling] to 18.8m [pounds sterling] between 1998 and 2001. It turns its stock 14 times...

Welcoming `the year of peace and prosperity'. (News file).
March 1, 2003... CELEBRATING the Chinese New Year are Kerri Lewis, left, and Lucy Shi of FLOWCRETE (pictured below). Over 100 staff at the company tucked into a Chinese banquet to mark the Year of the Ram. Chinese New Year cards were also sent out to the...

Running md passes proceeds to charities. (News file).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... FOLLOWING his recent sponsored cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats, Ronacrete's joint md Daniel Osen presented two children's charities with cheques for 40,000 [pounds sterling]. Daniel and his friend Adrian Bourne completed the 1,100...

Timber online. (Industry in brief).(Timber Research and Development Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... TRADA, Timber Research and Development Association, has launched a website with information about timber and wood products worldwide. The website (www.asktrada.co.uk) will be demonstrated at roadshows in London (March 25) and Glasgow. Tel:...

Charlton centenary. (Industry in brief).(AJ Charlton and Sons Inc. launches English oak flooring)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... AJ Charlton & Sons is celebrating its 100th year of trading with the launch of solid English oak flooring pre-finished in either a hard wax oil or UV lacquer available 3in, 4in and 5in wide. Tel: 01373 813461

Freudenberg name. (Industry in brief).(Freudenberg Building Systems UK)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Freudenberg Building Systems UK is the new name for the company which remains part of the Freudenberg Group of companies.

Cleaning info. (Industry in brief).(from Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration has published recommended professional practices for mould remediation. Tel: 0116 271 6846

Green Polyflor. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A new booklet `What is Polyflor doing to protect the environment' highlights the company's green policy, including recycling 97% of production waste.

Asbestos guide. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Health & Safety Executive has published a new approved code of practice and guidance booklet on the amended Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. Tel: 01787 881165

New guidance. (Industry in brief).(UK Health and Safety Exceutive's new guidance for employers this year)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Health and Safety Executive is to issue new guidance later this year to help employers investigate accidents in the workplace, rather than to recommend legislation.

Partner deal. (Industry in brief).(Victoria's new Canadian partner, Elte Carpets)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Victoria has a new business partner in Canada, Elte Carpets, in Toronto.

Landfill tax. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The government is consulting business on proposals for further increases in landfill tax.

AKirby website. (Industry in brief).(Atkinson & Kirby)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Atkinson & Kirby has launched a new website: www.akirby.co.uk

Tabloid rejects `p' advert: `wee are not amused!' (News file).(refused to publish the controversial new advertisement from The Tile Association on the grounds that it is `not politically correct')(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... THE magazine of a tabloid Sunday newspaper which boasts a large female readership has refused to publish the controversial new advertisement from The Tile Association on the grounds that it is `not politically correct'. The aim of the new...

Instarmac Group proves a wow at BAU. (News file).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... INSTARMAC GROUP has entered the export market and--to demonstrate some of the innovative solutions delivered to the British construction industry for the past 25 years--it exhibited recently at Bau, Europe's leading construction exhibition. ...

Insulation testing. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The new European standard for insulation materials is implemented this month. Companies wishing to be sure of compliance with the standards may contact the BBA Tel: 01923 665300

Sick leave toll. (Industry in brief).(UK businesses paying for illness and injury)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Illness and injury cost UK businesses 40.2m lost working days in 2000/01, according to a new report. And nearly 33m of these days were due to illness caused or made worse by work.

Injuries fall. (Industry in brief).(number of worker deaths decreases)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The number of worker fatalities fell 15% to 249 in 2001/02, according to the HSE. Non-fatal injuries were 11% lower.

CE marks. (Industry in brief).(new European Standard for Admixtures EN 934)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The new European Standard for Admixtures EN 934 allows admixture producers to CE mark products meeting the new stringent requirements, including initial type testing and an external production audit. Tel: 01564 776362

CRA for CSCS. (Industry in brief).(Concrete Repair Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Concrete Repair Association has adopted the CSCS. CRA members employ 557 CSCS registered concrete repair operatives with 149 currently registering. In addition, 17 operatives have attained NVQ level 2 and nine more are progressing through...

Parquet standards. (Industry in brief).(six product standards for parquet and wood flooring)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation has ratified six product standards for parquet and wood flooring. National standardisation bodies now must adopt the European provisions to be a basis for the future harmonised parquet standard to...

Golf proceeds. (Industry in brief).(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association fund raiser )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The furnishing industry's national golf championships in 2002 raised more than 6,000 [pounds sterling] for the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association.

Berry courts fair success. (News file).(presented Berry Floor Chateau )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... BERRY presented its latest product Berry Floor Chateau (pictured below right) at Domotex in Hannover this year. This new laminate flooring allow customers to customise and personalise their floorcovering A wide variety of patterns are...

Champagne show for cork. (News file).(from Amorim Group )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... AMORIM GROUP had a major presence at Domotex where the Wicanders brand took centre stage, hailed by the company as a `renaissance' in cork. Five new ranges were launched with a total of 350 colour, design and size flooring combinations....

Protection brochure. (Products in brief).(from Swiftec)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Swiftec, supplier of temporary protection materials, has a new catalogue detailing 170 specialist products, including site safety, cleaning and ground engineering materials. Tel: 0800 074 4145

Kider-plank. (Products in brief).(from JCI)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... JCI has introduced Kider-plank, an engineered single plank, 15mm by 140mm by 2m featuring the Kider Mini Bevel, said to be small enough to provide a real plank appearance but not large enough to trap dust. Tel: 01625 430689

Carpet finder. (Products in brief).(Interactiv Studios)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Interactiv Studios has launched a Colour Call Carpet Finder as a point of sales tool. Tel: 0115 989 1815

Waxed dusters. (Products in brief).(Home Valet Company)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Home Valet Company from RDI has launched wax impregnated cotton dusters for surfaces including flooring. Tel: 01279 850990

Epoxy resin terrazzo. (Products in brief).(Quentsplass)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Quentsplass has introduced Quentazzo replacing the cement in terrazzo with epoxy resin, providing a product with superior mechanical properties and chemical resistance. Higher chemical resistance and absence of joints makes it advantageous in...

Cutting system. (Products in brief).(Esmina)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Esmina, which exhibited at the Contract Floor Show, unveiled a multi cutting system for glass wall and floor tiles, in addition to carpets, wallpaper, rubber and linoleum. Cutting blades are made of high quality tempered steel and are...

Services guide. (Products in brief).(Floorboards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Floorboards has produced a fully comprehensive trade price and services guide for its network of retailers, merchants and contractors. Tel: 0800 783 0265

A call to learn English. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The chairman of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme has urged recruitment agencies to pay for foreign workers to study basic English so they can understand safety messages on site.

Money talks. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Unions for 600,000 craft building workers have submitted a wage claim for 12 [pounds sterling] an hour. They also want above inflation increases for travel and subsistence allowances and a minimum of 23 days holidays a year, plus public...

Initial confusion. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Just when the industry was beginning to understand that CSCS stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme, it will be faced with CSSC. Those are the initials for the new Construction Sector Skills Council to be formed this autumn in...

Erectors up for CSCS. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Steel erectors are among new occupations joining the CSCS scheme. Others include steeplejacks, lightning conducting engineers, thermal insulation installers and water jetters, as well as project managers, site inspectors and health and safety...

PFI projects `better'. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Almost a quarter of PFI building projects were delivered late and 22% exceeded cost forecasts, according to the National Audit Office, but this was an improvement on traditional procurement.

Stricter site vetting. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(fear over terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Construction workers at air and seaports around the UK are being subject to much stricter vetting since the alarm over possible terrorist attacks. Applicants for construction site work must prove at least 250 weeks' continuous employment before...

Vicar accuses architect. (Industry `gossip' that you may not have heard).(overspending on church hall)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... An architect from Bath is reported to have been struck off for professional misconduct after spending 250,000 [pounds sterling] more than was authorised on a church hall. The client was the vicar and local parish council.

Exclusive venue for industry awards. (News file).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... THE London Hilton Park Lane, frequented by celebrities and film stars, is the venue for the CFJ/CFA flooring industry awards winners' luncheon next month. Flooring contractor readers of CFJ have been voting in their hundreds via the CFJ...

Floor treated. (Industry in brief).
March 1, 2003... Flooring contractor Cleanline used Granwax Masterfinish, a water-based polyurethane finish on the mahogany floor at Stonelow Junior School. The floor is used for a range of activities including assemblies, dining and sports. Because of its...

Efficiency record. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Construction firms that improved management practices and raised standards increased profits by 362m [pounds sterling] in the last four years, according to construction minister Brian Wilson. Firms that used the Construction Best Practice (CBP)...

Wool goes hi-tech. (News file).(Wools of New Zealand presents portfolio )
March 1, 2003... WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND presented an extensive product and services portfolio at Domotex. Technological innovation in pure new wool and creative carpet design were themes. Wool Interiors, founded in January 2002, is the marketing arm of the...

DuPont Antron. (People).(Joanna Mayers promoted )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... JOANNA MAYERS has been appointed to head the UK marketing of the DuPont Antron fibre business. She spent 12 years in a marketing environment in the grocery sector, before moving four years ago to Interface Europe as head of marketing...

Laybond Products. (People).(Bernie Collins promoted)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Laybond Products has promoted BERNIE COLLINS to national sales manager (flooring division) with responsibility for Wolff Tools. Formerly an area sales manager, Bernie will oversee the work of six sales managers and report to Ron Teagle,...

Fire Protection Ltd. (People).(Adrian Spinks joins firm )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... ADRIAN SPINKS has joined passive fire protection manufacturer and installer Fire Protection Ltd (FPL), to head the company's firestopping division.

Thumbs up for Domotex. (News file).(Gaskell Carpets )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... GASKELL CARPETS, one of the few UK exhibitors at Domotex this year, had a successful and stimulating exhibition, says Alan Whittle (above), export sales manager. He writes: DOMOTEX proved a great opportunity for us to raise our profile among...

CFA dinner dance. (Events in brief).(May 31)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The CFA dinner dance will be held at the MacDonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Accrington, on May 31. Reservations must be made before March 10. Tel: 0115 941 1126

Plant hire talks. (Events in brief).(Construction Plant Hire Association holding conference )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A one-day conference on the future of plant hire co-hosted by the Construction Plant Hire Association will be held on March 21 at RIBA, London. Tel: 020 7505 6608

Safety conference. (Events in brief).(Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition will be held in Glasgow from April 23-24. Tel: 01932 893879

New hire show. (Events in brief).
March 1, 2003... Hirex@SED is a new exhibition to be held this year alongside SED 2003 from April 29 to May 1 at Fen Farm, near Milton Keynes. Tel: 01293 778311

100% Detail. (Events in brief).(sister event of 100% Design )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A new sister event to 100% Design has been announced, 100% Detail aimed at architects and specifiers interested in new and inventive building design solutions. Both are held at Earls Court from September 25 for three and four days respectively....

Marketing event. (Events in brief).(Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction and Engineering Industry Group)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction and Engineering Industry Group's construction marketing event will be held in London on May 13. Tel: 020 7505 6850