Contract Flooring Journal articles from March 2006

Contract Flooring Journal archives from March 2006

Walk of shame for British carpets.(British companies scarce at Domotex)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... EXECUTIVES of several British carpet producers were spotted among the visitors at Domotex in Germany in January. One wonders why they bothered to show their faces, since not one single UK woven or tufted carpet manufacturer thought it was worth...

Another shrinking carpet: 'because of this amazing coincidence we can only assume that the carpet is from a faulty batch'.
March 1, 2006... BEFORE Christmas, we received a complaint from one of our customers who said his carpet had shrunk from the sides of the rooms. The property was one he rented out and he thought that they had tried to wash the carpets and used too much...

Your voice is important for all flooring contractors.
March 1, 2006... ONE of the benefits of membership of a trade organisation such as the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) is the access to a wealth of advice and information that it can provide. Another is the opportunity to have your views 'heard' by the...

Let's stand firm on slip standards.(slip resistant floors)
March 1, 2006... WHEN you read this, Christmas will be a fond memory, but it was the annual task of dragging the Christmas tree through the house and slipping on the kitchen floor in the process that made me wonder if this was a peak time of year for...

Don't be relegated on the new CEN standard.(sports floors to be standardized)
March 1, 2006... THE new CEN standard, 12 years in preparation, finally comes into force this spring. The British Standards Institute is the secretariat, ensuring that it will be adopted in the UK for all floors designed from 2006 onwards. The new CEN...

Let us name and shame the bad payers!(specialist contractors report a lengthy wait for payment)
March 1, 2006... THE NSCC report into poor payment practices published in September last year came as little surprise to most of us. Almost 95% of all respondents stated that it takes more than 30 days to get paid; 55% waited for over 45 days to receive...

Are you up-to-date with all the technical advances?(comment)
March 1, 2006... IT IS now some four years since--as CFA President--I last put pen to paper to express my views on the issues surrounding the flooring industry. In that time many things have changed in this country of ours--Man U and Arsenal's stranglehold...

Training directory.(Directory)(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... fita. Flooring industry Training Association Know your carpet: Jun 5-6 (L); Carpet fitting starter course: Apr 24-25 (L); Jun 21-22 (L); Basic carpet fitting: Mar 6-10 (L), May 22-26(N); Intermediate carpet fitting: May 15-19 (N);...

Diary dates.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... SURFACE DESIGN SHOW March 1-2 (Preview February 28) Business Design Centre, London www.surfacedesignshow.com T: 020 7288 6046 HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW March 2-5 NEC Birmingham T: 020 7970 4000 ...

Remember: customers are not always right: Terry Wolfe on a couple of complaints.
March 1, 2006... WHEN I started writing for CFJ some four years ago, my column was cal led Terry Wolfe's Casebook and I told stories from actual cases (the names and places were changed to protect the innocent!). This developed into a kind of advice column...

Underfloor heating a recipe for disaster! Sid Bourne on wood floors.
March 1, 2006... SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience. Q: I am often asked if solid wood flooring is okay for underfloor heating? A: My answer may...

You have problems? We have answers: David Gatfield on technical advice.(Problem solving: Help and advice)(Column)
March 1, 2006... DAVID GATFIELD, Altro technical services manager--northern region, reveals where contractors can find answers. IN THIS column, I often mention Altro's technical hotline, a helpline staffed by personnel with years of practical flooring...

Exactly where you fit movement joints: Ian Knifton on protecting tiles.(Column)
March 1, 2006... IAN KNIFTON, technical manager at Schluter-Systems, this month examines the technical question of exactly where movement joints for ceramic and stone tiling should be fitted. Q: Isn't it just a case of creating 'tile fields' large enough...

How happy are your customers with you? John Woolmore on customer service.(Problem solving: Help and advice)(Column)
March 1, 2006... John Woolmore FCCA, interim manager and business consultant, continues his series exclusive to CFJ with business advice to small and medium sized businesses, especially flooring contractors. LET me start this month with a quote: 'The...

Questions arising surrounding new build: Martin Cummins on site assessment (2).(sub floors)(Column)
March 1, 2006... In this the second of a series written exclusively for CFJ, Martin Cummins, Laybond's technical advisor, highlights essential issues to consider when first undertaking an assessment of a new build site. LAST month we focussed on...

Just one snap could cost you a packet: Dids MacDonald on protecting your copyright.(Column)
March 1, 2006... Dids Macdonald, chief executive of ACID (Anti Copying In Design) sots out the ground rules on how those who create images can avoid infringing someone else's IP rights. THE IP issues connected with image use affect both large and small...

Helping you gain a competitive advantage: Dawn Gibbins on feng shui and business performance.(Column)
March 1, 2006... In the fifth part of our CFJ series on Feng Shui, Dawn Gibbins emphasises the need to focus on the space around us and provides us with a Feng Shui check list to stimulate our well being and give us a competitive advantage. IN Feng Shui...

The glues brothers.(Cartoon)
March 1, 2006... SCUSE ME MISTER--CAN YOU PUT ONE OF ME POSTERS IN YER WINDOW? CERTAINLY--ALWAYS HAPPY TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WOT? CARPETS LAMINATES RUG SALE CHEAPEST IN TOWN CHURCH HALL SATURDAY

Dubai: it's all grow: Karen Warner around the world.(Column)
March 1, 2006... Karen Warner, marketing director of Interface, begins a new series exclusive to CFJ on business abroad. IT HAS just gone midnight and I have arrived at a bustling Dubai International Airport. By the time I get to my hotel, it's about...

UK fitters brought to their knees.(Domotex 2006)
March 1, 2006... AS the defending champions, the British were the ones to beat in the third European Team Floorlaying Competition at Domotex 2006 in Hannover last January. Having won the first two contests in 2004 and 2005, the Brits were this year up...

Domotex: a fair to remember.(Domotex 2006)
March 1, 2006... HERE are a few of the highlights of Domotex 2006: ANTRON carpet fibre reinforced its environmental commitment claiming to be the first and only carpet fibre manufacturer to be awarded the Environmental Profiles award from BRE (Building...

Fire hits IFS and ACM.
March 1, 2006... Fire extensively damaged the factory and warehouse of Industrial Flooring Services and sister company Advanced Construction Materials on February 1. Pater Turner, operations director, says: 'Thankfully, nobody was injured. We have arranged for...

Devi is working flat out.
March 1, 2006... Electrical underfloor heating supplier Devi reports securing over 2m [pounds sterling] of new business in the final quarter of 2005 for installation in more than 1,300 apartments. www.devi.co.uk

Saint Gobain profits leap.
March 1, 2006... Saint Gobain, the parent company of IDS (International Decorative Surfaces), is reported to have seen underlying profits after tax rise by 6.4% in the year to December 2005.

Laminate not moving.
March 1, 2006... Laminate sales in western Europe are unchanged over the last 12 months, according to the latest report from the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). However, it reports encouraging growth in the eastern Europe and American markets,...

Floors 2 Go picks chair.
March 1, 2006... Alan Smith, chairman of Robert Dyas, has become non-executive chairman of Floors 2 Go, retailer of laminate and wood flooring. He has been chief executive of Somerfield Plc and of Punch Taverns.

FN opens warehouses.
March 1, 2006... FN Neuhofer Holz has opened two warehouses in the UK, in Birmingham and Newport, and one in Dublin. www.fnprofile.com

RMC boosts Cemex.
March 1, 2006... Mexican concrete giant Cemex saw its turnover rocket by 98% in the fourth quarter of 2005 after buying UK rival RMC for 2.3bn [pounds sterling] a year ago. The firm's turnover hit 2.2bn [pounds sterling] and profits jumped 62% over the last...

Bissell joins the CF.
March 1, 2006... Floorcare brand Bissell has joined the Carpet Foundation as an associate member. www.bissell.com

Quotes.
March 1, 2006... QUOTES: 'It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit' --Harry S Truman, former US president QUOTES: 'We communicate with passion, and passion persuades' --Anita Roddick, businesswoman ...

Texture surfaces at wool carpet awards.(News file)(TWN)(Tai Ping)(Coverfil)
March 1, 2006... TEXTURE combined with controlled colour won the day in the WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND carpet and rug awards at Domotex. Winners of the three main categories were chosen by an international judging panel. The German carpet tufter TWN scooped...

Ardex is cut and dry for turf firm.(News file)(Ardex UK on its flooring refurbishment services )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A MAJOR 10,000sq m flooring refurbishment was undertaken for Ransomes Jacobsen, manufacturers of high quality, turf care equipment, at its large UK production facility, by Lasercroft Flooring in association with ARDEX UK. The contractor...

Rush for construction.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... Applications for construction vocational courses soared in 2005, according to new figures. Planned and new UK construction projects will create 117,500 new positions. www.citb.co.uk

Bid to upskill workers.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... With CITB-Construction Skills backing, NSCC has a project to help flooring contractor members of the CFA to qualify their workforces and convert CSCS experienced worker cards into fully skilled cards. CFA members should contact the CSCS...

Schools diploma plan.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... A specialised construction diploma will be offered to 14-19 year olds from 2008 under new government proposals. The aim is to make it easier for school leavers to gain the basic skills needed for life and work. Employers' views are being...

CPD accreditation open.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... BCFA (British Contract Furnishing Association)has opened access to its own CPD licence to all members. BCFA events, including seminars, exhibitions, training and networking opportunities, are CPD-certificated for attendees to accrue CPD...

H&S training scheduled.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... Safety Services (UK) has published its 2006 health & safety course schedule. T: 0845 402 5050 www.safetyservices.co.uk

Craig Phillips supported.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... Wood and laminate flooring supplier Roors-2-Go is sponsoring the Craig Phillips Building Skills Centre in Liverpool which included a floor fitting course.

Prochem guide is spot on.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... Prochem has issued a professional spot and stain removal guide for specific spills with tips and precautions, www.prochem.co.uk T: 020 8974 1515

Sonae launches website.(Trade in brief)
March 1, 2006... Engineered wood flooring manufacturer Sonae UK has a new website. T: 0151545 4000 www.sonaeuk.com

SATRA puts down its mechanical foot.(biomechanics)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... SATRA technology, centre has installed a biomechanical floor abrader in its floorcovering testing laboratory. The new 35,000 [pounds sterling] machine, built in SATRA's workshop, was designed to measure the abrasion resistance of floor...

Bruce wax finish is a hard act to follow.(floor covering services)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... BRUCE hardwood floors with factory-applied wax finish are claimed to offer key advantages for durability and maintenance with superior resistance to wear and tear in high traffic environments such as hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars. ...

'Slip resistant' celebrities.(floor coveirng services)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... POLYFLOR played an important supporting role in the latest Celebrity Big Brother series on Channel 4, helping to keep the 'stars' from taking a tumble. The surround of the indoor spa at the Big Brother House where much of the 'action' took...

Murder mystery at Mapei offices.(News file)(MAPEI UK)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... SOME of the staff at MAPEI have 'walk-on' roles in a new murder mystery movie due for release soon. Rotunda Films, of Birmingham, used Mapei UK headquarters in Halesowen to film some of the since its new feature Lycanthropy about to go on...

Ryalux carpet colours are to dye for.(Fluorescent)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FLUORESCENT post-it notes, a piece of cotton and make-up bags were among the strangest special dye colour-matching requests received by Ryalux last year. The company claims to be the only carpet manufacturer to offer a special dye...

Big growth forecast.(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... Substantial growth in construction output is forecast during 2007 and 2008 by the Construction Products Association. It expects a 3% rise a year, as higher UK economic growth lifts private sector activity and the Government presses on with the...

EU acts on Beaulieu.(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... The European Commission is reported to be planning to prosecute Belgium for failing to obey orders to reclaim 'illegal' state aid, including payments to Beaulieu floorcoverings Group.

Looking for agents?(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... The Manufacturers Agent's Association (MAA) has a new online service to assist manufacturers and distributors finding sales agents, www.themaa.co.uk T: 01582 767618

Champion checks timber.(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... Timber merchant A W Champion has started rigorous monitoring of its suppliers to back international efforts for better managed forests. www.championtimber.com T: 020 8949 1621

CELQ labels awarded.(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... More than 30 CELQ (Certified European Laminate Quality) labels have been awarded since the standard was established at the beginning of 2005. Manufacturers who have received the award for one or more of their products include Alloc, Kaindl,...

Asbestos plan attacked.(Industry in brief)
March 1, 2006... Construction union Ucatt has attacked Health and Safety Executive plans to allow unlicensed contractors to remove textured decorative coatings such as Artex, saying it sends out all the wrong signals.

Surface prep firm shows enterprise.(Blastforce Nationwide won the Lincolnshire Enterprise award)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... BLASTFORCE NATIONWIDE has won the 2005 North Lincolnshire Enterprise award for new business. The company completed over 1 m sq m of surface preparation in its first 18 months, with methods including enclosed blasting, open blasting,...

Level acoustic floors laid in former naval premises.(News file)(Berkeley Homes Ltd. reconstructed the flooring level)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FORMER Royal Naval premises at Gosport in Hampshire, Grade II listed Royal Clarence Yard, has been converted by Berkeley Homes into luxury apartments above ground floor commercial units. The former bakery, situated on the first floor, had a...

Re-launch of Meister draws 1,700 visitors.(MeisterWerke Schuhe )
March 1, 2006... OVER 1,700 visitors reportedly attended the MeisterWerke Schuhe re-launch hosted by Anja Schulte, the new joint md and daughter of senior boss Johannes Schulte. The company introduced 450 new products and presented a range of special...

Cashback for flooring contractors.(Polyflor's marketing)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Polyflor is celebrating the approach of spring with their latest incentive promotion. Flooring contractors can claim a 20 [pounds sterling] rebate on every full roll purchase of 2mm Polyflor XL PU heavy duty sheet vinyl, Polysafe Corona shoot...

CFA member wins a Van-tastic prize.(Robers Floorings)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... PLYMOUTH-based ROBERTS FLOORING, a CFA member, won a 13,000 [pounds sterling] Mercedes van in the ALTRO Summer Spectacular flooring contractor promotion. Gordon & Halliday, Edinburgh, won a state-of-the-art PC, scanner, fax and printer...

Helping manufacturers 'to make a difference'.(News file)
March 1, 2006... CANESIS scientists have unveiled developed two new technologies to help the carpet industry create vital product differentiation. Chainstitch utilises traditional carpet manufacturing equipment to produce a stylish and unusual flat surface...

Sustainable skills talks.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... The Construction Industry Environmental Forum has a consultation workshop in association with the CITB on skills and action for a sustainable future--built to last--to be held in London on March 2. www.cief.org.uk T: 020 7549 3300

Stone show is back.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... The Natural Stone Show returns to ExCeL in London on March 14-16 March with 300 exhibitors and visitor attractions, including a CPD-accredited conference. The show is backed by the Stone Federation Great Britain, National Association of...

Asia show breaks records.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... Domotex Asia/Chinafloor (March 28-30) in Shanghai is claiming records with a 50% increase on the size of the show two years ago. In January nearly 70,000sq m of space had been booked by over 700 exhibitors. Around 30,000 visitors are expected....

Woolsafe at Carpex.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... The Woolsafe Organisation will hold demonstrations, displays and literature at Carpex, the carpet and upholstery cleaning show at ExCel, London on March 16-17. Woolsafe also has a training course at Sebo in High Wycombe on March 15....

Fast track to clean.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... Free advance pre-registration for professional visitors to Carpex at ExCel, London, from March 16-17. Fast-track entry badges can be ordered from the website. The show is sponsored by National Carpet Cleaners Association and will feature steam...

Technical roadshows.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... The National Carpet Cleaners Association has a technical roadshow at Axminster Carpets, Devon, on April 4. Other NSCC presentations planned are at Bio Productions, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, on April 26; and Ulster Carpet Mills, Portadown,...

3M at hospital show.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... 3M will show its Scotch-Brite carpet protective products, Scotch-Brite floor pads and Nomad entrance matting at Hospital Hygiene at ExCel, London on March 16-17. T: 01234 229496 www.3m.com/uk/cleaning www.hospitalhygiene.co.uk

Truck prize for visitors.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... Visitors to Coverings (April 4-7) in Orlando, Florida, can enter in a free prize draw to win a Ford truck and valuable new tile-working tools. Prize sponsors include the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). www.coverings.com

All set for Europarkett.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... Europarkett will be held from April 2325 in Maastricht, Holland. Around 230 exhibitors are expected in 25,000sq m of exhibition space. www.europarkett.com

Carpet golf dates.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... The carpet manufacturers national golf tournament is on May 9-10 at Kidderminster golf club. Details from Bob Hunter T: 01562 751887 or Brian Smith T: 01562 820278

Istanbul floor exhibition.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... Eurasia Floor featuring a wide range of flooring materials will be held from September 7-10 in Istanbul. www.eurasiafloor.com

Diasbility zone at LIW.(Events in brief)
March 1, 2006... A Disability Inclusion Zone will feature at the Leisure Industry Week exhibition (September 26-28), allowing operators the chance to check whether their venues meet the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act and how to ensure compliance....

Scottish flooring contractor earns Royal Warrant.(Ardayre Interiors)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... ARDAYRE INTERIORS, of East Kilbride, Scotland, has been granted a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen for 12 years of floorcovering work carried out for the Royal Household. The Warrant reads: By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen....

Floor insulation product is awarded BBA certification.(developed by Sundolitt and approved by British Board of Agrement)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... SUNDOLITT has received British Board of Agrement approval for its EPS Flooring Insulation product manufactured in Gateshead at one of three Sundolitt UK plants. Established in 1917, Sundolitt is a leading producer and convertor of expanded...

Bill Kay calls it a day after 50 years.(from Carpets of Kidderminster)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... BILL KAY, another of the carpet industry's long-standing characters has retired. Bill, who was general manager at Carpets of Kidderminster, joined the carpet industry in 1956. His first job in the carpet trade in 1956 was with Seamless...

Brazier Interiors.(appointed Roy Martin)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Brazier Interiors, a CFA member, has appointed ROY MARTIN as md in succession to CHRIS STILL who held the post for 16 years. Roy has been in the industry for over 20 years, 16 as operations director within the office partitioning and materials...

Tarkett-Marley Floors.(appointed John Devine)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Tarkett-Marley Floors has appointed JOHN DEVINE as sales and marketing director for UK and Ireland. John has been with the company since 1985 when he joined as district manager for the south east. He rose to become product manager, regional...

Construction Products Association.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... SIMON STORER has joined the Construction Products Association as external affairs director, taking over from JEAN EMBLIN, who retired last December. Simon previously worked for Eurotunnel from 1985 to 1994 and as communications consultant to...

British Contract Furnishing Association.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... CAROLYN MITCHELL, group contract sales director of Walker Greenbank plc, is the new chairman of the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA). She was previously vice-chairman. Having trained originally as a textile designer, Carolyn spent...

Gaskell Mackay has appointed Mike Willsmore as south of England sales representative.(PEOPLE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Gaskell Mackay has appointed MIKE WILLSMORE as south of England sales representative. Mike has over 25 years' experience selling stocked and bespoke carpets into the contract and specification markets. He has worked for BMK (later Stoddards) as...

Wolff Contract Carpets.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... Wolff Contract Carpets has strengthened its UK sales team with the appointment of two new area managers. MIKE STEELE, previously with Gaskell/CCF, has taken over the South West region and MIKE EDWARDS, previously with Interface, has taken on...

British Wood Preserving.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... YASMIN CHOPIN has been appointed as director of the British Wood Preserving and damp-proofing Association to succeed Dr Chris Coggins who retires in May. She will also take charge of the property care association.

Lees Carpets.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... JOHN NORTHWOOD has resigned as territory manager with Lees Carpets and has formed his own company called T1--commercial as an agent and broker specialising in carpet tiles covering the Essex, Herts and London areas.

New company seeks agents.(Grosvenor Wilton Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... THE newly relaunched Grosvenor Wilton Company, based in Kidderminster, is seeking two agents to cover the north west, including north Wales, and the south west, including south Wales. The company was previously part of Woodward Grosvenor,...

Manipulation feared.(workers tax status)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Tax experts are accusing the Revenue of rigging online status checks to force more people into direct employment after the launch of a web-based questionnaire to help employers determine the tax status of workers. It's claimed that the system...

Payment limits set.(Have you heard?)
March 1, 2006... Employment related payments, including the maximum amount of a week's pay on redundancy changed with effect from February 1. CFA members can contact the NSCC for details. T: 0870 429 6354

NSCC flush after saving.(Have you heard?)
March 1, 2006... The National Specialist Contractors Council made a saving last year by not sending out Christmas cards. The money saved was sent to Oxfam to construct a toilet in one of the countries the charity supports to help address a community's needs and...