Contract Flooring Journal articles from May 2003

Contract Flooring Journal archives from May 2003

The big lie on retentions! (Editor's comment).
May 1, 2003... MAIN contractors continue trying to justify the punitive practice of retentions while the government toadies along, dismissing even the most timid suggestions for reform in the recent report by the Trade and Industry select committee. It's...

Flight of fancy for vinyl flooring. (Installation Of The Month).(Karndean International's new headquarters, UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A SPIRAL staircase is a dominating feature in an extensive display of flooring in the design showroom and gallery areas at the new headquarters of KARNDEAN INTERNATIONAL. The staircase illustrates what can be achieved with imagination and...

`Commercial suicide' to ignore this advice. (Tips On Installation).(carpet installation tips, UK)
May 1, 2003... I HAVE received many phone calls recently from frustrated floorlayers complaining about the problem of joining carpets. They or their bosses say that the carpet is faulty because they cannot just roll it out and match the pattern! There...

Invest now, for safety sake. (Health & Safety).(construction industry must invest in safety training, UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THE Health and Safety Commission has issued its first progress report on the Government's 10-year work related Health & Safety targets (1999/00-2009/10). `Health and Safety Targets: how are we doing?' targets construction as one of the worst...

If just one QS reads this it could turn into a frenzy. (PC Sums).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... PLEASE do not publish comments like the one headed `Builder Slashed My Profits' in Readers Forum. (1) You never know who is likely to read it and should this fall into the wrong hands i.e. a quantity surveyor (no spitting please) there...

It is merely the starting price. (PC Sums).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... FURTHER to your comments in CFJ (March 2003) regarding PC Sums, I would like to confirm that the practice of incorporating PC sums into tender documentation is only ever a starting price. Dependant on the builder and client involved with...

The Glues Brothers: the series: the golden knee pads European championships part 15. (Readers' forum).
May 1, 2003... THE PAPERS ARE FULL OF RONNIE'S FOOT--HIS CRACKED METACARPUS IS HEADLINE STUFF.... ... IT EVEN GETS A MENTION IN PARLAIMENT VISITIN' RONNIE IN HOSPITAL, THE CONVERSATION TURNS TO THE FINAL--AND ITALY MAFIA CONNECTIONS THEY SAY ...

It's a very busy month for the Association. (From the President).(Contract Flooring Association)
May 1, 2003... MAY is a particular busy time at the offices of the CFA in Nottingham. It is the financial year-end and we hold our annual general meeting on May 20 at the CFA offices. The end of the month brings our annual dinner dance, this year being...

In this case the building contractor was correct. (From the Director).
May 1, 2003... THE letter in the Readers Forum in CFJ (March 2003) (`Builder slashed my profits') dealing with PC sums warrants a response. I have spoken to one or two flooring contractors about the question of PC sums and it appears there is some confusion...

Training directory.
May 1, 2003... FLOORING INDUSTRY TRAINING ASSOCIATION May 12-15 vinyl tile / design floors; May 27 Ardex demonstration day; May 28-29 floating wood/laminate fitting; Jun 9-11 ceramic fitting; Jun 16-20 intensive carpet fitting; ...

Acclimatisation is so important! (Ask Sid).
May 1, 2003... Q: I have been installing wood floors for some years and I still get conflicting opinions on acclimatisation. What should I do for the best? A: I believe you should always acclimatise wood flooring and many of the problems I hear about can...

What PR can do for you. (Problem Solving).
May 1, 2003... PUBLIC relations is not all about celebrities and parties, or covering up politicians' dirty secrets. It takes place every time your company communicates with an external audience--shareholder, environmental lobbygroup, supplier,...

If you don't ask, you won't know. (Terry Wolfe's case book).(wood flooring)
May 1, 2003... I CONDUCTED two seminars at the Contract Floor Show in February, entitled laying hardwood strip flooring on concrete. The first day, I reached the end and invited questions from my audience. There was silence! However, after I had closed,...

TTA researches three new areas. (The lowdown from Brian Newell).
May 1, 2003... EVERY paper produced by the TTA is is generated by a sub-committee comprising experts from the ceramic tiling industry and invited specialists from particular areas. We are currently three new papers on underfloor heating, laying ceramic tiles...

Dawn again. (News file).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... DAWN GIBBINS MBE was waiting to hear as this issue of CFJ went to press whether she had won the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award. For the second time in six years, Dawn, the founder and chairman of the Flowcrete...

Bid to boost workforce. (News file).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THE CITB and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have launched a joint initiative to increase the number of qualified workers in the UK construction industry. The 9m [pounds sterling] LSC funded project, which will initially run in 10 areas,...

Orders rocket. (Business in brief).(construction industry)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Public non-housing construction orders (excluding infrastructure) in the 12 months to February 2003 rose by 45% compared with the previous 12 months, 78% up compared with the previous period, and 129% higher compared with the same three month...

Profits holding up. (Business in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Building and construction material manufacturers saw only a small decline in profitability, according to Experian. Average return on capital in the sector fell from 16.14% to 13.76% in the 12 months to September 2002. The average for all UK...

243.7% growth. (Business in brief).(Headlam)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Pre-tax profits at Headlam were up 243.7% to 29.9m [pounds sterling] and sales up 8.1% to 374.4m [pounds sterling] in the year to December 31, 2002.

Delicious lunch for the winners. (News file).(floor covering industry)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THE CFJ/CFA annual flooring awards presentation luncheon was held recently at a top London venue, The Hilton Park Lane (above). The 50 specially invited guests, including representatives of the winning companies, enjoyed a delicious...

CFJ surges even further ahead. (News file).(Contract Flooring Journal)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A comprehensive readership survey on CFJ which has just been completed illustrates just how much of an impact the magazine has made among its readers. 86% of readers keep CFJ for future reference 72% read CFJ's New Products section...

Rush for CSCS cards. (Industry in brief).
May 1, 2003... Over 21,000 CSCS cards were issued in the first three months of 2003 compared with 43,000 in the whole of 2002. The deadline for all workers on MCG sites to hold CSCS cards is eight months away.

Membership rising. (Industry in brief).(TTA)
May 1, 2003... TTA membership has reached 417. It was 280 when Bob Howard was elected chairman in April 2002. Tel: 020 8663 0946

Change of heart. (Industry in brief).(Henry Bellingham and Tim Yeo)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Tory front bench spokesmen Henry Bellingham and Tim Yeo have decided to attack the government on retentions. Neither signed the EDM against retentions.

Design competition. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Tile Association has received over 40 entries in its floor design competition for schools. The winner's floor will be re-created at his or her school by sponsors Shackerley Holdings and N&C Nicobond.

CFS Contract Floor Show is moving to Olympia 2. (News file).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THE Contract Floor Show will be held at Olympia 2 London next year from 17-18 February. Kate Chambers, event director, says: `Visitors and exhibitors are excited by flexibility and benefits that Olympia offers. The Contract floor show has...

Tintawn goes live. (News file).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... TINTAWN CARPETS has launched its own website, offering expert advice and detailed information on its range. Included are close-up shots picturing the textures available. There is also advice on selecting a carpet and care and maintenance. ...

UK `upbeat' on Domotex. (Proposal for new British Pavilion).
May 1, 2003... A BRITISH pavilion is being proposed for Domotex next year (January 17-20, 2004), costing each exhibitor only 1,600 [pounds sterling]. British exhibitors at Domotex 2003 reported doing good business, according to the UK representative of...

Charity cycle bid. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Axminister Carpets East Midlands rep Russell Masters is to cycle 1,000 miles from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for Cancer Research UK starting on May 17. For donations contact Russell on 0770 331 6688

FTBA new website. (Industry in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The FTBA charity has a new website sponsored by Radii. www.ftba.co.uk

Brighton winner. (Industry in brief).(Hema Floors)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Hema Floors won the Floors award for best shell scheme at the Brighton Exhibition.

New wood division. (Industry in brief).(Regent Cleaning Services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A wood floor maintenance division has been launched by Regent Cleaning Services, headed by Chris Mitchell. Tel: 01428 645100

Showroom open. (Industry in brief).(Classical Flagstones)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Classical Flagstones has a new showroom at Dyrham in Wiltshire. Tel: 0117 937 1960

Family walks. (Industry in brief).
May 1, 2003... FTBA has family fund-raising walks on June 28 in the Lake District and on September 6 near Bath. Tel: 01279 503553

Warehouse built. (Industry in brief).(Chemique)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Adhesives and sealants manufacturer Chemique has built a 5,000sq m warehouse in the West Midlands. Tel: 01922 459321

Material growth. (Industry in brief).(building materials sales)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Sales of building materials rose by 3.7% last year, according to the Builders' Merchants Federation.

APA office closed. (Industry in brief).(Engineered Wood Association )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Engineered Wood Association has closed its UK office, but continues its online technical service, www.apa-europe.org

Bonar and NBS. (Industry in brief).(National Building Specifications database)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Bonar floors products are now included in the National Building Specifications (NBS) database. www.bonarfloors.com

Coatings site. (Industry in brief).(www.selectpaint.co.uk)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A website for specifiers and users of paint and other coatings has gone live. www.selectpaint.co.uk

Licensed for wool. (Industry in brief).(Causeway Carpets)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Causeway Carpets has become a British Wool licensee.

Laminate growth `clicks in' again. (News file).(European Producers of Laminate Flooring report)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... AFTER a year in 2001 when the growth in European laminate production grew only marginally, 2002 saw a further significant rise, according the European Producers of Laminate Flooring(EPLF). Last year the 21 member companies of the EPLF sold...

3 million car tyres go into underlay. (News file).(Interfloor's Duralay Treadmore)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... INTERFLOOR recycles used car tyres to make Duralay Treadmore high quality crumb rubber underlay. Every 10 seconds one used car tyre is turned into carpet underlay That's 60,000 a week and approximately 3 million a year, which would...

John is keen, to be Frank. (News file).(CreateCity forms Frank's Contract Flooring)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A NEW division to cater for the commercial sector, initially in the North East, has been launched by CreateCity. Known as Frank's Contract Flooring, the division is headed by John Feetham, who previously managed Frank's Factory Flooring store...

CFJ winner.
May 1, 2003... The winner of the free draw for a Disto Lite in the CFJ readership survey was Nigel Baker of Lee's Flooring in Norwich.

Farewell Brett.(William Thomas Matherick)(Obituary)
May 1, 2003... William Thomas Matherick, known as Brett, has died, aged 87. Brett was part of John Cowan's Gripperrods sales team that launched `Golden Gripper'. He was a South West rep during the 60s and 70s, and then leader of the Southern sales team until...

The missing `a'.(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2003... Due to a typographical error Montague L Meyer was printed in the last issue as Montague L Meyer. We apologise for the missing `a'.

Spectrum launch. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Desso will unveil new carpet tile products at Spectrum this month. Tel: 01235 554848

Anti-slip tests. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... RAPRA has tested Stoneflex Anti-Slip floor panel for access ramps and steps. Tel: 01978 812111

Tremco brochure. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Tremco has a new brochure on damp-proofing, coating and adhesion. Tel: 01753 691696

World's End brochure. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... World's End Tiles has a contract brochure following the opening of its Great Portland Street, London, showroom. Tel: 020 7291 0740

Display stands. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Floorboards has new sample display stands for its solid and engineered woods plus laminates. Tel: 0121 521 1000

Floorline re-launch. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Egger Floor Products has relaunched its Floorline laminate collection. Tel: 01434 600126

Floor paints. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Anglo Building Products has extended its floor paints range. Tel: 01483 427777

Shrinkage reduced. (Products in brief).
May 1, 2003... Information on shrinkage reducing admixtures is now available from the CAA. Tel: 01564 776362

Between a rock and a hard place. (Market Survey).(future of the contract flooring industry)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CONSOLIDATION is the only option for survival of the UK contract flooring industry, according to Plimsoll Publishing. Its latest report reveals zero growth, sliding profits and escalating debts have pushed almost a fifth of companies in the...

DuPont shows its metal at Spectrum. (News file).(metallic yarns on show at ColleXions 2003)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... DUPONT Antron will showcase its latest metallic yarns as sponsors of ColleXions 2003 at Spectrum (May 13-16). ColleXions shows new and interesting materials and how these can be used in new products, creating a parallel with the DuPont...

JHS adds colours to an industry standard. (News file).(Tretford range)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THE long-established Tretford heavy contract cord carpet range, now supplied by JHS, has been fully refreshed with 15 new colours, making a total of 48 available. The new colours--aimed at architects, specifiers and designers--were...

Contractor seminars. (Events in brief).(Knowles Commercial Services )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Knowles Commercial Services has seminars around the UK from May to July on topics of interest to contractors. Contact Debbie Snelson. Tel: 08707 530630

Cleaning show. (Events in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Cleaning Show at the NEC in March saw a 23% increase in visitors to almost 9,000. The next Cleaning Show is in March, 2005. www.cleaningshow.co.uk

Free advice. (Events in brief).
May 1, 2003... The Facilities Show (May 20-22) NEC Birmingham, has a free legal clinic for confidential consultations on employment law, health & safety, environmental issues and premises management. Tel: 020 7921 8066 www.workplacelaw.net

1,500 exhibitors. (Events in brief).
May 1, 2003... Over 1,500 exhibitors are expected at Interzum in Cologne (May 23-27). The trade fair for wood furniture production and interiors has several flooring manufacturers. Tel: 020 8681 8166

Contractors meet. (Events in brief).(Association of BonaKemi Contractors )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Association of BonaKemi Contractors meets on June 19 and 25, July 2 and 8 in Hoddesden, Tamworth, East Grinstead and Pontefract. Tel: 01908 567800

SATRA slip seminar. (Events in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SATRA has a floorcovering slip seminar on September 24. Contact Jeff Lane. Tel: 01536 410 000

NCW website. (Events in brief).(National Construction Week)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The National Construction Week (October 8-15) website is now live. Anyone can enter details of their events, www.ncw.org.uk

Flooring Russia. (Events in brief).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Flooring Russia (November 18-20) is at the new Pavilion Triumf Exhibition Centre in Moscow. The show is described as an excellent opportunity for British exporters. Contact Darren Benyon. Tel: 020 7886 3106 www.flooringrussia.com

E-commerce show. (Events in brief).
May 1, 2003... ECMOD2003, the catalogue and e-commerce show, is at Earl's Court (November 18-20). Tel: 01271 866112 www.ecmod.com

`One stop shop' for contractors. (News file).(Carpet & Flooring London)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CARPET & FLOORING LONDON offers flooring contractors leading brands, including Polyflor, Altro, Marley, Forbo, Gradus, Quantum, Thomsit and F Ball, plus CFS Carpets portfolio of products. The company's `one stop shop' package includes: one...

Compriband. (People).
May 1, 2003... PETER THOMPSON has been appointed to the new post of chief executive at Compriband. Peter joined the company six years ago as sales office manager and was promoted to general manager in January 1999. Previously, he had nearly 20 years...

Laybond Products. (People).
May 1, 2003... ANDREW WALKER is the new sales manager for the Wolff Tools division of Laybond Products. He has 13 years experience in the flooring industry, both within domestic and contract sales. Andrew is currently working on a package of training...

F Ball. (People).
May 1, 2003... NEIL SANDERS has been appointed technical manager of F Ball. He was formerly technical manager of Don Construction Products,. His background in construction chemicals includes working for Foscroc in the UK, Europe and the Middle and Far East....

DuPont Antron. (People).
May 1, 2003... CLAIRE WOOD is a new design consultant in the DuPont Antron marketing team. Claire studied surface pattern design at Huddersfield University. For the past four years she worked with a leading wallcovering manufacturer.

Diary dates.
May 1, 2003... SPECTRUM May 13-16 Commonwealth Galleries, London Contact: Paul Hemsley Tel: 020 8998 4806 Contact: David Field Tel: 020 8943 9788 CRUISE & FERRY May 13-15 Olympia, London Contact: Informa Group Tel: 020 7553 1334 ...

Peter Thompson: chief executive, Compriband. (In the dock).(Interview)
May 1, 2003... * Did you get into trouble at school? Nothing serious, only pranks and often in the physics lab, it had some great equipment, and the aisles were good for playing cricket in while waiting for the teacher to arrive. * What was your first...

Lesson in marketing: a recent marketing exercise looks like producing a significant volume of extra business in the education sector for a Southampton-base flooring contractor. (Sonia Roberts meets Adrian Daly).(Peter Green Group)(Interview)
May 1, 2003... PETER Green stores has been supplying carpets and furniture for over 40 years. The Peter Green contracts division, which supplies and installs floorcoverings, was established in the early 1980s. Turning over around 2.5m [pounds sterling] a...

Brand of gold: while others talk about price, Parador talks about quality. Alan Bakalor reports on a recent visit to Parador's headquarters in Coesfeld, Germany. (Manufacturer development).(Company Profile)
May 1, 2003... BRAND is all-important, says Parador's director of international sales and marketing, Michael Kossack. `We are a successful company promoting a strong quality brand. Our customers know that if they want a high quality product they must pay a...

Hard core: a variety of specialist products are available for use in industrial locations. (Industrial flooring survey).
May 1, 2003... ACM (Advanced Construction Materials) helped sort a potential problem in the 700sq m new concrete hangar floor at Staverton Airport. The hangar houses an executive jet and the pilot owner was worried that concrete dust would damage the aircraft...

Faltering industrial floors market `will start to dip': the industrial flooring market will decline in real terms during the next three or four years, according to a new survey by MBD. (Industrial flooring survey).
May 1, 2003... THE gloomy prospects are said to reflect reduced levels of industrial construction output. The survey analyses recent trends and forecasts output levels through to 2007. The latest actual figures (for 2002) put the sales of UK industrial...

Downgrading the specification is a big concern. (Q&A).(Interview)
May 1, 2003... Roger Hardon, director performance at MBT, answers questions on the state of the industrial flooring market: CFJ: What size is the market in which you operate? RH: In general terms its a 20m [pounds sterling] plus market for Degussa...

Cash injection: Massive Government spending on healthcare, including refurbishment and new buildings, was outlined by the Chancellor in the 2003 Budget last month. (Focus on healthcare).
May 1, 2003... FLOORING plays an important role in healthcare locations. Below are some of the leading manufacturers of floorcoverings for this sector. ALTRO FLOORS claims to be the only manufacturer offering both flooring and walling that inhibit growth...

Muck rakers: entrance matting has a vital role in stopping dirt being tracked into buildings. Key entrance matting suppliers are featured below. (Matting survey).
May 1, 2003... 3M matting was installed at Nationwide Building Society's head office in Swindon, Wiltshire. Nomad Optima 9920-17 was selected for the main entrance covering 30sq m. Nomad Aqua 9500 used in the secondary staff entrance comprises aluminium...

Junckers offers a bright outlook. (Youth Centre).
May 1, 2003... THE Damilola Taylor Centre (formerly Warwick Park Youth Centre), London, has been radically refurbished as part of a wider youth and young people initiative to improve leisure facilities in the local community. It has been funded by Lord...

Curtains up on Amtico flooring. (Theatre).
May 1, 2003... WHEN the Royal National Theatre recently decided to revamp its staff restaurant to give it a light, airy contemporary feel, the design team chose AMTICO for its wide range of wall and floorcoverings. As the flooring had to be capable of...

Kahrs performs in theatreland. (Luxury Apartments).
May 1, 2003... OVER 2,300sq m of KAHRS Walnut Genua has been installed by flooring contractor Premier Cibenze at Harlequin Court, a luxury apartment complex in London's theatreland. Walnut Genua was chosen to bring warmth and character to the apartments'...

Bauwerk is in the King's Road. (Housing Development).
May 1, 2003... BAUWERK's Unopark Oak range in shipdeck pattern has been laid throughout a prestigious development of houses, apartments and penthouses on a 7.5 acre site in London's fashionable King's Road. Lifestyle Interiors, part of Northacre, the...