Contract Flooring Journal articles from May 2004

Contract Flooring Journal archives from May 2004

An 'old boys club'? No way!(Editor's comment)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... LET's not mince words! Despite all that has been said and published in CFJ and elsewhere, certain flooring contractors apparently still have a misconception about the Contract Flooring Association. They regard it is an 'old boys club'. This...

'Bias' incenses former CFA president: Michael Smets, former president of the CFA, criticises comments by the editor of CFJ.(Editor's Comment)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I WAS incensed to read your editorial comment (CFJ March, 2004), which gave the impression of totally biased political views against the Conservative party. CFJ is naturally proud of being the official journal of the Contract Flooring...

'Any bias is in favour of jobs for floorlayers'.(Editor's Response)
May 1, 2004... The editor responds: THE letter from Mr Smets is printed in it's entirety. I am mystified as to why he should be so indignant about an article primarily regarding jobs for flooring contractors. CFJ is, after all, a flooring magazine. ...

Lower prices, lower quality: TRADA's flooring specialist Peter Kaczmar warns manufacturers that quality and functionality cannot be sacrificed on the altar of lower cost. Lower standards can only lower end-user confidence.(Wood Flooring)(Timber Research And Development Association)
May 1, 2004... I RECENTLY came across a sample of flooring sent into one of our consultants for species identification. It consisted of a length of quarter-sawn V-jointed, tongued and grooved solid woodstrip flooring with a rich red/brown colour and fine...

There is no need to use a router: Gordon Hounslow, md of Purdie Floors of Solihull, comments on recent articles in CFJ on wood block floors, including herringbone patterns, by Sid Bourne.(Wood Block Floors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I NOTE with interest the recent discussion in CFJ regarding wood block floors, moisture content, and lifting of border blocks. I think the latter problem would not arise, if in the first instance the subfloor was flat, and in the second if...

Congratulations CFJ: Richard Harris, marketing manager of F Ball & Co, congratulates CFJ on the Price Watch feature.(Price Watch)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I WOULD like to congratulate CFJ on your Price Watch feature. In times where it is all too difficult to work out true 'value for money' of a product it is refreshing to see your editorial on pricing. In the case of flooring adhesives. the...

Serious consequences! A sales director, who has asked not to be identified, comments on Price Watch.(Points of view)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... THIS note is to express my qualms regarding your Pricewatch feature (CFJ March 2004.) Unless you're absolutely spot on with a like-for-like comparison between the products featured, the end result could be damaging for some of your...

Open letter to Michael Howard.(The president: Peter Foster)(Retentions abuse issue)
May 1, 2004... Dear Mr. Howard, I am writing to you with regards to the crucial issue of retentions abuse In the construction industry and how we as an industry can help you and your party got back into power! When retentions abuse occurs and the...

Training directory.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... FLOORING INDUSTRY TRAINING ASSOCIATION May 10-13 Commercial vinyl fitting May 17-18 Sales personnel basic carpet fitting May 19 Ardex presentation day () May 24-28 Intensive carpet fitting Jun 14-15 Sales personnel basic...

Questions about moisture just do not go away.(Terry Wolfe on flooring)(Moisture content in wood flooring)
May 1, 2004... IF you read last month's article following my meeting with Phillip Leach of Protimeter you will realise it posed as many questions as it answered. You will not be surprised, therefore, to learn of my latest visit to Peter Kaczmar of TRADA...

Damp will make you come unstuck.(wood flooring installation)(Column)
May 1, 2004... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, training and technical manager of Floorboards, answers questions from CFJ readers and shares some of his 25 years of installation experience. As well as being an experienced and authoritative source of...

Seams easy! Martin Coles, of Laybond Products, this month looks at the installation of linoleum and PVC floorcoverings and considers the dos and don'ts of contract seam welding of resilient coverings.(Martin Coles on tools)
May 1, 2004... MOST commercial resilient floorcoverings require the seaming of joints, especially in areas that regularly come into contact with water or are prone to heavy foot trafficking. Where two pieces of lino or PVC meet, a seam or joint needs to...

Weld done well? In the first of a new regular series in CFJ on resilient flooring, Paul Gardner, technical services manager at Altro, looks at the importance of maintaining a good weld for a professional looking and longer lasting finish.(Paul Gardner on resilient)
May 1, 2004... SO you think you can weld? Well, I and my colleagues in Altro technical services team have over the years seen many good installations spoilt by poor welding. I have always found that the quality of the welding sets the standard for the...

Prevention is much better than cure: flooring contractors often feel that using a water-resistant adhesive or grout will be good enough to provide a waterproof finish in bathrooms, shower rooms and wet areas. But that's not the case, as Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter-Systems, explains.(Waterproofing)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... DURING the many training courses we deliver to the flooring industry--many under the RIBA CPD Programme--I regularly say that a tiled surface cannot be guaranteed as waterproof. As soon as I raise that point I am often asked the following...

The Glues brothers.(Help and advice)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 1, 2004... UPSIDE DOWN EDDIE JUST SAID TO GET THE CARPET AND THE ADHESIVE TO SITE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE HE DIDN'T SAY WHAT THE JOB WAS--PUB, CLUB, HOTEL, LEISURE CENTRE.... ... OLD PEOPLE'S HOME [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

The skills shortage stops bids for jobs.(State Of Trade Survey)(Floor covering industry)(Skilled labor)
May 1, 2004... A SIGNIFICANT rise in the number of firms finding difficulty in recruiting skilled labour is reported in the latest state of trade survey for the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC), of which the CFA is a member. Covering the...

Companies' worth.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Over 240 UK floorcovering companies are worth over 1m [pounds sterling], according to Plimsoll Publishing, which has introduced a company valuable service costing 365 [pounds sterling]. Tel: 01642 626400

Record growth.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The construction sector grew at its fastest rate in a decade during the first quarter of 2004, according to RICS.

Latest orders.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... New construction orders in the year to February 2004 fell by 7%, but orders in the three months to February 2004 rose by 5%, with increases in the private commercial and private housing sectors, according to the DTI.

Rising costs.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... During the 12 months to March 2004 construction labour costs grew up 8.2% while material prices were up 2.9%, according to the EC Harris Construction News contractor's input cost index.

Junckers bought.(Business in brief)
May 1, 2004... Junckers, including its UK subsidiary, has been bought by Axcel, a Danish investment company, for 0.5 billion Euros.

Fewer go bust.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The number of construction companies failing fell by 3% during the first quarter of this year compared with 2003, according to Experian.

TRADA forges link.(Business in brief)
May 1, 2004... TRADA, the Timber Research and Development Association, and wood. for good, the UK's largest timber promotional campaign, have forged ever closer cooperation by agreeing to carry on their respective websites direct links to each other's home...

Quote.(News file)
May 1, 2004... 'If you try to make construction leaner, you won't get the improvement. It has to be teamed with innovation to make the real difference' --Dennis Lenard, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence 'Holding retentions encourages...

Retentions lobbed into Latham's lap.(Retentions)(Michael Latham)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... RETENTIONS, as part of overall payment practices is expected to be central to the forthcoming review of the Construction Act by Sir Michael Latham. The announcement of the review in the Budget statement by the Chancellor Gordon Brown was...

Laid off in 1993, and look at them now!(News file)(Trevor Hayward and Garry Smith formed Hardwick Resin Flooring ten years ago)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... FOUNDED in 1993, HARDWICK RESIN FLOORING of Bury St Edmunds has successfully completed contracts around the world, including Tokyo, Barbados, Tenerife, Spain, Southern Ireland and Germany. Ten years ago Trevor Hayward and Garry Smith set up...

Instarmac new plant is on a roll.(News file)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... INSTARMAC has commissioned a new 500,000 [pounds sterling] paste plant at its factory in Tamworth, Staffordshire, to produce Ultra ready-mixed tile adhesives. The unit incorporates advanced software and plc programming. According to the...

Junckers distributor.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Junckers has appointed Tradewoods as main distributors for its full range of oils, seals, lacquers and maintenance products. Tradewoods reports growing sales of Junckers High Performance Floor Seals and Rustic Oil. Tel: 01704 893893...

Recognition for Altro.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2004... Altro was shortlisted in the business success category of the Family Business awards scheme sponsored by the merchant bank JP Morgan. Tel: 0800 018 2960

College upgrade plan.(Industry in brief)(National Construction College to upgrade its facilities)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Norfolk-based National Construction College, the training division of CITB-ConstructionSkills, is to upgrade its facilities, including quality accommodation for 250 students and a modern leisure centre for students and the community. The...

Goggles order.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... From next month all subcontractors on construction sites run by Wates will have to wear safety goggles. This mandatory eye protection also applies to site visitors.

Asbestos advice.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2004... RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is offered a free booklet on managing asbestos in premises. Email: asbestos@rics.org.uk

Resin flooring CPD.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2004... Thortex offers a CPD paper and seminar on the specification and application of resin flooring. Contact Andrew Cargill. Thortex.uk@ewood.co.uk Tel: 01609 780170

Tile and stone expect to edit new journal.(News file)(a new magazine called Tile and Stone Journal will be launched by Kick-Start Publishing Ltd)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A NEW magazine, destined to become the leading title in its sector within a short time, is being launched by Kick-Start Publishing Ltd, the company that publishes CFJ. To be called Tile & Stone Journal (TSJ), the new magazine will be...

Winners wined and dined at top London restaurant.(News file)(Winners receive awards at 2004 CFJ CFA flooring industry awards)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... TOP executives from the companies which won the 2004 CFJ CFA flooring industry awards attended a presentation luncheon at The Ivy, one of London's most exclusive restaurants. The restaurant is a favourite of celebrities from film,...

Carpet guide.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2004... The CFA, in conjunction with the NICF and FITA, has published a guide on installing tufted patterned carpets in co-operation of Dave Pomphrett Flooring Services. Contact CFA. Tel: 0115 941 1126

Dampness guide.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2004... Understanding Dampness is the name of a new guide from BRE covering different types of dampness in buildings, protection, remedies and measurement. www.brebookshop.com Tel: 01344 404407

Woolsafe cleaners.(Industry in brief)(2004 certified operator directory)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Woolsafe Organisation has published its 2004 certified operator directory of accredited professional carpet cleaners who use Woolsafe-approved products. www.woolsafe.org Tel: 01943 850817

FTBA grants.(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... FTBA has granted nearly 3,000 [pounds sterling] towards mobility and disability aids for frail and elderly former workers of the furnishings industry, part of a 10,000 [pounds sterling] package of financial assistance and annuities approved in...

Prize for TRADA.(Timber Research and Development Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... TRADA, the Timber Research and Development Association, has won the prestigious Memcom 2004 Award for Conference Promotion for its March In Touch With Timber conference for architects and engineers. www.asktrada.co.uk

Walkwell moves.(Walkwell Flooring Supplies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Walkwell Flooring Supplies, part of the Landsdon Group, has moved to Nasmyth Way, Eccles in Manchester. Tel: 0161 786 6800

CSCS for QCs.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Quantity surveyors have become eligible for CSCS cards.

And now for CFS 2005.(Contract Floor Show)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... FEBRUARY 22-23, 2005, are the dates for the next Floorspace and the Contract Floor Show to be held again at Olympia Two. This year's show saw a 23% increase on the 2003 event with 751 dedicated visitors compared with 612 the previous year....

Gradus and F Ball hand out the prizes.(Gradus Carpets)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... THE two winners of the GRADUS CARPETS and F BALL fast-track flooring competition, launched in CFJ (February 2004), have been named. Marking the synergy between their quick and easy to use, high quality flooring products, Gradus Carpets and...

Marley contributes to the community.(Marley Floors)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Marley Floors supplied a range of floorcoverings for the new Lenham Community Centre. Pictured BELOW at the opening of the centre are, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, leader of Kent County Council; Jez Clark, town crier; Morel D'Souzza, mayor of...

Getting to grips.(Industry in brief)(Health and Safety Executive )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Health and Safety Executive has updated manual handling guidance. Getting to grips is a short, free booklet for smaller businesses as well as supervisors, safety representatives and individual workers. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf

Underlay service.(Industry in brief)(Texfelt has a new delivery van)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Texfelt has a new delivery van to distribute its carpet and wood floor underlays and accessories. This coincides with their own in house manufacture of felt underlays and new trade counter at its factory in Elland nr Halifax. Tel: 01422 376791

Emissions cut.(greenhouse gas emissions)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Interface in the US has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% per unit of production by 2010 by continued improvements in energy efficiency, purchase of renewable energy credits and the landfill gas energy project. Tel: 01274...

Chips with flooring.(Industry in brief)(potato factory)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Twintec Industrial Flooring has won a 257,000 [pounds sterling] contract for work at a potato factory in Cambridgeshire.

Green investment.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Nexfor, the UK's largest panelboard manufacturer, has installed a new decanter to boost the efficiency of its emissions treatment system at its plant in Inverness. Tel: 01786 812921

Popular TRADA site.(Industry in brief)(Timber Research And Development Association )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... More than 5,000 architects, engineers and other industry professionals have registered for free access to the com information on the TRADA website since its launch in January, according to the association. The site is also said to be receiving...

British Wool turns to budding Llewelyns.(design contest)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... BRITISH WOOL is sponsoring a new competition to encourage the use of British Wool carpets. Launched in Country Homes and Interiors magazine, the Country Decorator of the year 2004 requires contestants to design a sitting room scheme...

Carpet promo is best campaign--and that's official.(Carpet Foundation awarded)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... THE CARPET FOUNDATION's Come back to Carpet campaign has been recognised with a prestigious national award. The Trade Association Forum, an offshoot of the CBI with 305 members, has given its Commercial Initiative Award to the Carpet...

'Tile looks like broadloom'.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... THE CARPET TILE COMPANY has launched Parallel, a high performance linear loop pile carpet tile aimed at the contract office and leisure markets. Manufactured from 100% solution dyed nylon, Parallel is said to be both hard wearing and stain...

Renovation offer.(Floorstar a new company offers new wood floors.)
May 1, 2004... Floorstar, a new company, offers professional flooring contractors products for renovating wood floors--floor sanding machines, abrasives, lacquers and maintenance and cleaning products. The company was founded by Mike Hamer, a retired BICSc...

Insurance call.(personal indemnity insurance)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE) is urging the government to tackle crisis in construction professional indemnity insurance market with premiums rising by up to 300% up to 6% of annual turnover. ACE represents 750 UK engineering...

New directories.(Property Care Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Property Care Association has produced a director of members and a structural waterproofing group director of members. Tel: 01332 225100

Adhesives guide.(Tremco Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Tremco has published a new guide to its Treadfast flooring adhesives range. Tel: 01753 691696

Sales lead software.(Emap Glenigan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Emap Glenigan has a special offer on its sales lead software which helps users identify local planned construction projects with full contact details for the company which has won the contract. Tel: 0800 373771

Holiday scheme.(Industry in brief)(Florida Transportation Builders' Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The FTBA is offering holiday grants to eligible people in the floorcoverings industry under the new Edenfield Holiday Scheme. Tel: 020 7405 7633

Boen sets up new UK business.(News file)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... HARDWOOD floor manufacturer, BOEN AS of Norway, has established a wholly owned distributor following its acquisition of the assets of Woking-based Hardwood Flooring Supplies (HFS). Edward Ellis, a former sales and marketing director of...

James Latham 'offers a lot more'.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... THE flooring division of JAMES LATHAM has increased its product offering and secured a number of lucrative contracts. Products include exclusive UK distribution agreements with ranges such as engineered timber from Spanish flooring specialist,...

Specifiers get a look down the drain.(News file)
May 1, 2004... THE benefits of specifying modular stock stainless steel channel drainage systems are explained in a new product and installation guide from ACO. Modular 1000, 2000 and EuroChannel systems are designed for food processing plants, kitchens,...

A&K expands.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Atkinson & Kirby has extended its Diamond Range with Merbau, Walnut and Antique Oak. Boards, all with micro bevelled edges, are supplied in different lengths, are 19mm thick, tongue, grooved and end matched. www.akirby.co.uk Tel: 01695 573234

Wood adhesive.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Uzin has introduced MK 80 S Okoline, a very low emission, solvent-free dispersion adhesive for wood not prone to swelling. It is said to be suitable for installing mosaic-, on-edge-and 22mm stabwood (excluding beech) as well as for two-ply...

Cotton for contract.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... The Dutch company Van Besouw has introduced 3808, a cotton carpet created for contract use with a compact pile knitted into longitudinal ribs. Claimed to be a highly resistant and dirt concealing carpet, it is available in a range of colours....

New company twist.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Newly-formed Premier Tufting has launched Staffordshire Twist, an 80/20/10 wool, polypropylene and meltbond mix in 16 shades available in 4m and 5m widths. The company is headed by Malcolm Hoyle. Tel: 01706 353006

Wood estimating.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Eleco has introduced the Parquet Studio wood flooring estimating program. Tel: 01920 443830

Concrete flooring.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Hanson Building Products has published a precast conrete flooring systems brochure. www.hanson-europe.com

CFJ price watch.(News file)(Illustration)
May 1, 2004... CFJ PRICE WATCH Company Adhesive Pack Unit S.G. Litres name size F Ball and Co Styccobond F44 15 Litre 1.19 15 Laybond Multibond Gold 15 Kg 1.18...

Bonar wins 30m [pounds sterling] deal.(News file)(Bonar Floors Ltd)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... BONAR FLOORS has been won a 30m [pounds sterling] contract from the Ministry of Defence for bases and family service quarters in the UK and overseas (including Germany and Cyprus). This is claimed to be one of the largest single flooring...

David surveys showroom.(Limestone Gallery )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... LIMESTONE GALLERY has finished refurbishing its showroom at Arch 47 South Lambeth Road in Vauxhall, London, featuring over 2,000sq ft of stone flooring in the display area. At the far end stands a copy of Michelangelo's head of David,...

Alfas and Compriband in bed together.(News file)
May 1, 2004... THE range of sealants, adhesives, glazing tapes and specialist movement jointing systems under Alfas, Compriband and Webb brands are now part of ILLBRUCK BUILDING SYSTEMS group. Under the new corporate structure an expanded range of...

Optima 101 Axminster.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Carpets of Kidderminster has launched Optima 10, a 27in Axminster for contractors, with a choice of more than 50 designs and inter-changeable colours. Delivery is offered in two weeks. Tel: 01299 827 477

Fast Track solid wood.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Victorian Wood Works has introduced a stocked collection of Fast Track stained and pre-finished solid timber flooring. www.victorianwoodworks.co.uk Tel: 0 202 8534 1000

Leather floors.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Alma Home has introduced what is claimed to be the first tongue and Groove leather floor. www.almahome.co.uk

Interlocking tiles.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Island Stone claims to offer the first pebble stone mosaic interlocking tiles on a web-mesh backing. www.islandstone.co.uk

Recycled glass.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Addagrip Surface Treatments UK has launched a new range of resin-based and recycled glass floor finishes. The Addastone system is said to appear to be loose aggregate, www.addagrip.co.uk

Snickers workwear.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Snickers has launched its 2004 workwear brochure, including work trousers and knee guards. www.snickers-original.ltd.uk Tel: 01484 854488

Screwfix catalogue.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2004... Over 1800 new products and hundreds of lower prices are featured in the new Screwfix Direct catalogue (issue 74). Tel: 0800 317004

Antron is all set for Spectrum.(News file)
May 1, 2004... ANTRON carpet fibres will be an exhibitor and show sponsor at Spectrum to be held from May 18-21 at the Commonwealth Galleries in London. A link with key exhibiting carpet manufacturers will illustrate Antron's design capabilities. ...

Amtico exhibits its suitability for offices.(News file)
May 1, 2004... AMTICO is to launch its new Stratica stones portfolio at the Spectrum exhibition this month (May 18-21, Commonwealth Galleries, London). The product, designed for office interiors, comprises seven stone designs made from Stratica, Amtico's...

Diary dates.(News file)(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... SAFETY & HEALTH EXPO May 10-13 NEC Birmingham Contact: CMP Information Tel: 020 7921 8142 THE FACILITIES SHOW May 12-13 NEC Birmingham Contact: CMP Information Tel: 020 7921 8142 SED & CONCRETE...

Asia breaks records.(Events in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... DOMOTEXasia/Chinafloor in Shanghai in March broke records with attendance up to 19,000 trade visitors exhibitors up to 542 and exhibition area up 34,500sq m with 30 countries represented. A variety of floorcoverings were shown. The exhibition...