Contract Flooring Journal articles from May 2006

Contract Flooring Journal archives from May 2006

Boycott uncertified merbau floors.(Editor's comment)
May 1, 2006... THIS month CFJ publishes yet another major exclusive report--claims by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) that stolen rainforest wood is being sold as flooring in the UK. An undercover investigation has revealed that major illegal...

Installation challenge for designer floor.(Stratum Resin Flooring)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... STRATUM RESIN FLOORING, UK partner of Bolidt, the Netherlands-based resin flooring company, has completed a prestigious flooring contract in England which included significant installation challenges. Come Holdings (UK) awarded Stratum the...

'A great deal of advice is becoming available': Malcom Bailey, secretary of the UK Slip Resistance Group, responds to Peter Kaczmar's comments (CFJ, March 2006).(Slips and trips)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... I WAS interested to read Peter Kaczmar's comments on slip resistance (Let's stand firm on slip standards). He suggests that 'a search through British Standards for advice or guidance on floor slip resistance provides relatively little...

'Flooring industry must embrace the new slip guidelines': Ron Austin, UK business development manager at Altro, responds to Peter Kaczmar (CFJ, March 2006).(Points of view)
May 1, 2006... WHILE I applaud Peter Kaczmar's call for clear guidance on slip resistance, I'd like to bring to everyone's attention a new publication, Safer Surfaces To Walk On, which gives contractors, clients and specifiers clear direction for designing...

Sports floors: 'it's not fair to compare vinyl and hardwood': Nell Hawkesford, technical manager at Gerflor, responds to Steve Maltby, of Junckers, on the new prEN 14904 CEN Standard on sports floors (CFJ, March 2006).(Points of view)
May 1, 2006... STEVE has highlighted some important changes that will affect all those connected with the manufacture, specification, installation and usage of sports flooring. He is quite right when he says that one of the primary objectives of the new...

'Our secret is production control, right specification and knowledge'.(Underfloor heating and wooden floors)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Steve Maltby, technical services manager at Junckers, responds to comments by Sid Bourne (CFJ, March 2006) that wood flooring over underfloor heating is generally a recipe for disaster: A LOT of what Sid says is correct. There is no doubt...

'Sad day for British carpet manufacturers': Bill Nunn, a UK-based agent, says British carpet producers do not offer the level of service, range of products and innovation of European companies.(Points of view)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... I READ with interest your editor's comment in CFJ (March 2006), Walk of shame for British carpets. You confirm how I have felt for many years, I visited Domotex for the first time in 1999 and I was disappointed then by the lack of UK...

'Axminsters from the UK are still recognised as high-end quality'.(Points of view)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Dariusz Brzozowski, R&D director, Kowary Carpet Factory, in Poland, responds to the editor's comment 'Walk of shame for British carpets' (CFJ, March 2006): I HAVE read your views with great interest. It is true that Axminster production is...

'Approval of seals made more simple with new test': following a three year TRADA research project, flooring specialist Peter Kaczmar says a new test method for floor seals will give manufacturers more confidence.(floor seals)(Timber Research And Development Association )
May 1, 2006... LIKE any company launching a new product, floor seals manufacturers have to balance the need to test exhaustively to ensure that the product is fit for purpose and--in today's competitive climate--ensure that they steal a march on their...

Thank you for all your support!(The president: Hamish MacGregor takes his leave)(Column)
May 1, 2006... WELL here we are, my last column as President of the Contract Flooring Association. It is hard to believe that two years have elapsed since I wrote my first column whilst holidaying in Spain and this time I am writing to you from Antigua. ...

Training directory.(Training)
May 1, 2006... Flooring industry Training Association Know your carpet: Jun 5-6(L); Carpet fitting starter course: Jun 21-22(L); Sep 18-19(N); Basic carpet fitting: May 22-26(L); Jul 3-7(L); Sep 11-15(L); Intermediate carpet fitting: May 15-19(N); July...

Do not try to be a jack of all trades!(Terry Wolfe with a message to builders)(Column)
May 1, 2006... I WAS recently asked to write a short article for a building magazine telling builders about the Contract Flooring Association. I thought you might be interested to see what I wrote: What flooring contractor could resist the opportunity of...

Why training really pays the contractor.(David Gatfield on training)
May 1, 2006... AROUND 25 years ago, the Altro Contractor Training School was born. Conditions were Spartan and we were desperately short of space. We were sure that interest would dwindle and the school would close due to lack of support. How wrong we were....

How to stop unsightly fungal growth.(Ian Knifton on movement joints (4))
May 1, 2006... HAVING looked at why and where we need to incorporate movement joints and the right type needed to protect tiled floors from damage caused by movement stresses, Ian Knifton, technical manager at Schluter--Systems, now turns our attention to...

Growth of call centres means opportunities for carpet tiles.(Karen Warner travelling the world)
May 1, 2006... IRONICALLY, I am sitting on another plane writing this article, cruising at 30,000ft. My destination is Atlanta, Georgia; a similar distance to India from Manchester. But in the opposite direction, of course. I'm recalling my many visits to...

Will your business survive after your retirement?(Mike Bialyj on apprenticeships and succession planning)
May 1, 2006... A LACK of succession planning closes some 500 construction companies each year, according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Professor Robin Jarvis at the ACCA says: 'Many owners, unfortunately, do not make...

It's not that difficult, but do pay attention: Sid Bourne, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience.(Sid Bourne on border work)
May 1, 2006... Q. I have been installing real wood floors for about 10 years and feel I am quite good. I only ever get a couple of complaints a year. However, I always turn away fancy border work, although I have been offered a lot more money to do this. ...

Ensure they don't pinch when you pitch: Dids Macdonald, chief executive of ACID (Anti Copying in Design) gives the flooring Industry more advice on protecting designs.
May 1, 2006... ONE of the most vulnerable points in some commercial relationships is when you are discussing new design ideas during a meeting with potential buyers of your products or when you are responding to a pitch for business. It is therefore wise...

The glues brothers.(Help and advice)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2006... CAN'T DO MUCH FOR YOU MAURICE-IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR SOLAR POWERED CALCULATORS DON'T GIVE DISCOUNTS IN THE WINTER IN FACT--IT'S TIME I GOT OFF HOME BEFORE ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tips on taking back control of the project.(Martin Cummins on-site logistics)
May 1, 2006... CONTRACTORS are able to manage many of the factors that can influence the success or failure of an installation, yet the actual onsite logistics are all too often considered to be beyond their control. This column exclusively written for...

'Stolen rainforest wood sold in UK'.
May 1, 2006... ILLEGAL merbau timber 'stolen' from the forests of Indonesia's remote Papua Province is being sold in the UK, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and its Indonesian partner, Telapak. A new EIA/Telepak report alleges...

'We are shocked at weakness in raw material supply chain'.(Kahrs responds)
May 1, 2006... David Hillier, md of Kahrs UK, comments: 'AS a producer that has always been at the forefront with regard to the environment we are shocked at the level of weakness that exists within the raw material supply chain for Merbau. 'We have...

'We take the environment very seriously'.(Junckers responds)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Mike Sharkey, md of Junckers Ltd, writes: 'JUNCKERS' business activities have always been underpinned by environmental responsibility and the company remains completely focused on sustainable forestry management. 'We believe that our...

'We work closely with the FSC and WWF'.(Tarkett responds)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Harald Schuren, director of communications for Tarkott, replies: 'TARKETT takes its responsibilities very seriously, and ensures its global reputation for sourcing and supplying product from sustainable and environmentally secure and...

Wood floor training: More than you think.(News file)
May 1, 2006... SOME people are going about saying that there are no training courses on fitting solid wood (stick-down or nail-down) for experienced floorlayers, according to John Roberts, director of training at FITA. There is also a misconception that...

A-rating for Interface.(Business in brief)
May 1, 2006... Interface Europe has received an A-rating from BRE Certification, confirming the company's reduced impact on the environment through the manufacture of its products compared with the industry average. The award covers air and water pollution,...

CFA member at uni.(Business in brief)
May 1, 2006... CFA member, Peter Evans Flooring has won another three year contract to specify and install floorcoverings throughout the University of Glamorgan, including student accommodation. It also received a fully maintained flooring contract with the...

Victory for Berry.(Berry Finance NV )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Berry Finance NV and Valinge Innovation AB claim to have significantly reduced the scope of protection of Unilin's European patent EP 0 843 763 which protects the Uniclic-system following a decision of the Board of Appeal of the European Patent...

Dye plant closes.(Business in brief)
May 1, 2006... Victoria Carpets is reported to have closed its dye house. It's believed that the plant ceased to be profitable when the company stopped making axminsters last year.

Contractor tax hotline.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... Contractors trying to submit a mixture of CIS and PAYE returns online are reportedly facing problems in filing the information, facing fines up to 3,000 [pounds sterling]. Those trying to sort the confusion should contact the Revenue 'hotline'....

Site for CFA members.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... CFA members can make use of a new National Specialist Contractors Council website (www.nscclive.org) to get online assistance via ClaimControl for reporting accident statistics in the year to March 31, 2006. T: 01908 363927

Adjudicator panel set up.(Association of Independent Construction Adjudicators )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Association of Independent Construction Adjudicators has a new adjudicator panel comprising 40 practising adjudicators meeting clear membership criteria. Ten more adjudicators that did not meet AICA's membership criteria but showed the...

Slips guidance from CIRIA.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... CIRIA has published a new booklet with advice on the provision, specification and maintenance of safe flooring surfaces. The booklet, Safer surfaces to walk on--reducing the risks of slips (C652)is available to purchase from CIRIA....

NSCC to run ACIFC.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... The running of the Association of Concrete Flooring Contractors (ACIFC), with its 35 members, is now being undertaken by the National Specialist Contractors Council. T: 0870 429 9176

Halstead hikes profit.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... James Halstead is reported to have seen profits soaring 22.6% to 8.5m [pounds sterling] in the six months to December 31 on turnover up 10.7% at 62.89m [pounds sterling], despite a huge surge in energy and raw material costs.

Linoleum sales 'pleasing'.(The trade in brief)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Swiss headquarters of Forbo reports a 4.9% increase in sales in 2005. This included a 1.3% growth in the flooring business with 'pleasing' sales of linoleum in North America and Eastern Europe. Contract vinyl flooring also increased, but...

ACID insurance offer.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... ACID, Anti Copying in Design, has joined forces with REACT IP to offer its' members no-nonsense, cost effective intellectual property (IP) insurance created specifically for designers, www.acid.co.uk

Training award for 4m.(The trade in brief)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Crewe-based 4m flooring uk won the training achievement category of the Quality in Construction Awards, run by Construction News and backed by the DTi and Constructing Excellence. In 2004, 4m won the investing in people category at the The...

SATRA extends status.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... SATRA has extended its notified body status and testing capabilities under the Construction Products Directive (CPD) (89/106/EEC) allowing it to test ceramic tiles in addition to other materials, including thermal insulating products and...

Recycler recognised.(The trade in brief)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Spruce Carpets, of Glasgow, received the innovation title at the Community Recycling Network for Scotland awards. The not-for-profit firm is reported to have become self-sufficient in 13 months. Money is being invested in a replication project...

CMS snaps up Wilhams.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... CMS Acoustic Solutions has acquired Wilhams, an independent manufacturer of acoustic, fire and thermal insulation materials. The take-over allows CMS to supply a much wider spectrum of materials, including specialised foams, and multi-layer,...

Tiwi changes hands.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... Puhos Board has acquired Tiwi in Keuruu following an agreement with Finnforest Corporation which receives 13% of the shares in Puhos. www.puhosboard.com

Product sales increase.(The trade in brief)
May 1, 2006... The sale of construction products rose in the first quarter of 2006, the first time in over a year, according to the Construction Products Association.

Queen honours two flooring firms.(James Halstead PLC, Ulster Carpet Mills)
May 1, 2006... James Halstead JAMES HALSTEAD PLC received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category of international trade for outstanding and continuous achievement in this sector. James Halstead started trading in 1914. The company manufactures...

Flooring industry leaders acclaim CFJ awards.(CFJ Flooring Industry Awards )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... THE historic setting of Coombe Abbey near Coventry was the venue for the 2006 CFJ Flooring Industry Awards last month attended by top executives from the winning companies. After an excellent three-course meal, the awards were presented by...

Ryalux creates its own energy.(Ryalux Carpets Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... AS a result of soaring energy prices RYALUX has installed a heat exchanger to manage its water function at the Pennine yarn dyeing factory in Elland, West Yorkshire, as part of a drive to be more energy efficient. The equipment heats cold...

Big loss for UK carpet industry.(Gaskell Mackay )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... THE closure of Gaskell Mackay is another major blow to the rapidly diminishing UK carpet industry. The announcement at the end of April, just hours before this issue of CFJ went to press, will mean the tragic disappearance of two...

Bonar 'unites' Threshold.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... Bonar Floors has completed the integration of Threshold Floorings following its acquisition last year, complementing Bonar's Coral and Nuway entrance matting. Threshold textile and rigid entrance flooring systems include T80:20 tile and sheet,...

FeRFA now offers CPD.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... FeRFA (Resin Flooring Association) has become a member of RIBA CPD Providers Network to offer architects and other construction professionals access to technical knowledge and expertise of the highest quality. www.ferfa.org.uk

More curbs on noise.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to provide hearing protection on request. www.hse.gov.uk/noise

Building orders edging up.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... Construction orders rose 8% in the 12 months to February 2006 compared with the previous year, says the DTI. Best news were the figures for private industrial orders which rose 29% in the same period.

Bring on the girls.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... ConstructionSkills has launched a 'Positive Image' recruitment drive with a TV advertising campaign on the range of construction careers available, especially for young women. It follows a survey revealing that two thirds of girls are being...

Agent appointed.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The US manufacturer Masland Contracts has appointed T1 commercial carpet sales agency to cover Greater London, Essex and Hertfordshire, offering broadloom and carpet tile products. www.maslandcontracts.com enquiries@t1-commercial.com

Online agent search.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The Manufacturers Agent's Association has a new online service--MAA Net Search - to help employers find sales agents in the UK & Ireland. Companies can pinpoint agents by market sector, geographical area and products. The service costs 135...

Gerflor sets charity aid.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The British Paralympic Association has been chosen by Gerflor as its 2006 charity to benefit from all the company's fund-raising this year.

What to wear on the job.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) according to latest regulations is explained on the website of Dickies, the workwear manufacturer. www.dickies-uk.co.uk

H&S changes en claims.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 have been amended to reduce the chance of claims against employees by third parties. www.hse.gov.uk T: 0845 3450055

Merchants' sales decline.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... Builders' merchants' sales across the U K fell 2.9% in the year to February, says the Builders Merchants Federation. Between December 2005 and February 2006 sales dropped by 4.2% compared with the same period in 2004/5.

Floor collapse injures man.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... A London builder was fined 45,000 [pounds sterling] after an employee was seriously injured when the first floor of a new leisure centre in Royston collapsed.

Carpet warehouse ablaze.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... Accidental piercing of an adhesive spray near a gas heater is reported to have caused an explosion and a major fire at the warehouse of Concept Carpets in Ellesmere Port.

On the wrong track.(Industry in brief)
May 1, 2006... The picture of Shackerleytiles in the March issue of CFJ was in a bus station, not a railway station as stated in the caption. We apologise for any inconvenience to Shackerley and also to the passengers.

Cormar marks golden jubilee.(Cormar Carpets)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... CORMAR CARPETS celebrates its 50th anniversary next month, five decades after Neville Cormack started manufacturing tufted carpets in a 5,000sq ft mill in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. With a workforce of 230, Cormar remains...

Wool testing authority.(Wool Testing Authority Europe Website)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... THE new Wool Testing Authority Europe (WTAE) website allows users to download detailed information on wool testing and also verify details of WTAE wool testing certificates. Tim Parkes, general manager of WTAE, explains: 'Wool testing is a...

CMS Acoustic Solutions.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... CMS Acoustic Solutions CMS Acoustic Solutions has launched a new-look website designed as a specifier's guide. It lists all products by application to help find an acoustic solution for construction and industrial applications, according to...

WJS waterjet cutting machine helps new profiling firm to grow.(Water Jet Sweden)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... NEW profiling sub-contractor, Kent Waterjet Cutting, introduced a seven-day working week just months after investing a WATER JET SWEDEN CNC cutting machine. Says md, Mike Hodgson: 'Thanks to the machine's extreme accuracy (down to 0.01...

Cleaning courses.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... Carpet cleaning (technician) courses will be held on May 16-17 (National Rood School, Farnham, Surrey. T: 01252 821185) and May 23-24 (Alltec Network, Royston, Herts. T: 01763 208222

Design show 20% bigger.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... The 2006 Surface Design Show was a huge success, according to the organisers with a 20% increase in stand space and over 3,500 visitors with 12 of the top 20 architectural practices present. www.sur facedesignshow.com

RAK at Dubai show.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... RAK Ceramics and new local sister company RAK Porcelain will exhibit at the Hotel Show in Dubai (June 46). www.rakceramics.co.uk www.thehotelshow.com

Lafarge demo day.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... A Lafarge demo day will be held on June 7 from 1-7 pm at Tilbury Docks in East London, including Gyvlon screed presentations and seminars on topics such as health & safety and Part L. Visiting contractors will receive food, drink and giveaways....

Over 300 exhibitors.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... The Natural Stone Show this year. featured over 300 companies represented on 224 stands. An attendance of over 5,000 is expected once the figures are audited. The next Natural Stone Show will be at ExCeL, March 11-13, 2008. www.stoneshow.co.uk

London Interiors talks.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... London Interiors (July 24) at Earls Court will include seminars covering topics including trend forecasts, how to improve your sales, online retailing and essential business advice for the interior buyer. T: 0870 429 5338...

NFS website goes live.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... The National Floor Show which takes place in Harrogate from September 5-7 has a new website. www.nationalfloorshow.co.uk

100% Detail details.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... 100% Detail is at Earls Court 1, London from September 21-24, hoping to attract at least last year's total of nearly 19,000 visitors. www.100percentdetail.co.uk

Interbuild India planned.(Diary of events)
May 1, 2006... Interbuild India takes place from October 26-28 New Delhi. www.interbuild-india.com

Floors at Design Prima.(Products in brief)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... At least two flooring companies will be among the exhibitors at the contract interiors show, Design Prima, from May 16-18 at Billingsgate London. Armstrong Floor Products UK will preview two striped carpet tile designs and a luxurious woven...

A&K new engineered oak.(Atkinson and Kirby)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Atkinson & Kirby has launched 22mm engineered Oak boards with a 6mm hardwood wearlayer as part of the Diamond Range. Variations are flied and sanded, ready to be finished, and a pre-finished UV oiled board. The product is said to be load...

Education brochure.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2006... Gerflor has launched a flooring for education brochure, including information on its range of flooring products and surface treatments. www.gerflor.com T: 01926 401500

Screed pumps online.(Products in brief)
May 1, 2006... Screedpumps.co.uk is a new firm which specialises in the sale and hire of screed pumps, screeding machines and workwear. www.screed pumps.co.uk

CRA directory is out.(Products in brief)(Directory)
May 1, 2006... The Concrete Repair Association has updated and re-designed its members directory for clients, specifiers, consultants, surveyors and local authorities. www.cra.org.uk T: 01252 739145

'Don't mention the war!'.(Five years ago)
May 1, 2006... In May 2001 CFJ interviewed the chairman of Europe's environmental association for the carpet industry (GUT) at their conference in Maastricht attended by delegates from all over the Continent but with nobody from the UK present, except for the...

Wally has his last laugh in the flooring industry.(Wally Drew)
May 1, 2006... A READY smile and contagious sense of humour are qualities which made Wally Drew well-liked and well-known throughout the contract flooring industry. The twinkle in the eye of F Ball's former south of England area sales manager will be...

Corrie star applauds Altro.(Bradley Walsh, Altro Floors)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Coronation Street actor and comedian Bradley Walsh with staff of Altro after the company won the training and development category at the Hertfordshire Business Awards presented by him. Altro was also a finalist in the creative innovation...

Retailers rally to Ryalux.(Ryalux Carpets Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... RYALUX has hosted its third successful open week. For five days invited retailers were taken behind the scenes at Ryalux. Each open day begins with relaxed networking over morning tea and coffee in the showroom, followed by a 'sheep to...

Ryalux.(Tim Brown, Ryalux Carpets Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... TIM BROWN is the new marketing manager at Ryalux, taking over from PHIL BEVIS who becomes territory manager for the south west of England. Tim, who is fluent in both French and German, will continue to head Ryalux's export department, which...