Contract Flooring Journal articles from November 2005

Contract Flooring Journal archives from November 2005

How you can make more money.(being environmental friendly)(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... I WOULD like to dedicate this column to the all people of New Orleans, a few of whom I encountered on an enthralling trip to the city known as The Big Easy last year. The tour guides, hotel staff, taxi and streetcar drivers, shop assistants and...

Floor is height of fashion on ceiling and walls.(burnt oak timber used to enhance the beauty)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... TIMBER features on the walls and ceiling as well as the floor of a new Karen Millen women's fashion store at the Metro Centre, Gateshead. Supplied by VICTORIAN WOOD WORKS, the burnt oak timber is a key focal feature of the store. The...

CSCS card system in 'total confusion': NVQ assessor David Cheshire writes that the flooring industry is lethargic about training.(SKILLS SHORTAGE)
November 1, 2005... SKILL shortages! More NVQ assessors required! More training required! The footing trade and the building industry are still singing from the same hymn sheet. I have been working in a team at a construction college; I have qualified as an...

Vinyl flooring brings the market to heal: vinyls have remained the natural choice for hospital flooring, writes Polyflor marketing manager Simon James.(HEALTHCARE)
November 1, 2005... RARELY a day passes nowadays without a news item about hospitals and healthcare, whether the quality of hospital architecture, the headline issue of cleanliness or the speedier recovery rates of patients in a more homely environment. The...

'Cheap' is often no way to be cheerful: Ron Dainter, technical director of Maxit UK, weighs into the debate in CFJ over anhydrite screeds, with claims that alpha-hemidydrate screeds are the way forward.(Alpha-hemihydrate verses Anhydrite)
November 1, 2005... THE old adage about 'you get what you pay for' generally holds true in most things. This is certainly true when comparing the relative merits of alpha-hemihydrate screeds and their anhydrite counterparts. The paradox is that for all they...

Don't believe the critics, the CFA has made an enormous difference!(Contract Flooring Association includes youth to make a difference)
November 1, 2005... FEW of us bounce out of bed in the morning and decide that it's about time we took a more active role in our own trade organisation. Certainly, not while we're in throws of building and developing our own careers and businesses. Yet this...

Training directory.(flooring industry)(Directory)
November 1, 2005... Flooring industry Training Association Carpet tile fitting Nov 2-3 (Loughborough) Laminate & floating wood fitting Nov 9-10 (Loughborough) * T: 0115 941 1126 or * www.fita.co.uk CENTRAL FLOOR TRAINING Independent floorlayer...

Flooring Guild steps into the spotlight.(new programs for autumn and winter)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... ONCE one of the industry's best kept secrets, The Flooring Guild is now able to take a much higher profile with increasing backing from small and large companies alike. Established in 1999, The Flooring Guild set out to fulfil two...

CPD courses.(continuing professional development )(Brief Article)(Directory)
November 1, 2005... Floor manufacturers offering CPD courses: Altro * T: 01462 489568 Amtico * T: 024 7686 1400 Antron * T: 07876 577317 Ardex * T: 01440 714939 Armstrong * T: 01235 554848 BAL * T: 01782 591100 Ball & Young * T:...

Diary dates.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... SCOTBUILD November 2-4 SECC Glasgow T: 0131 556 5152 HOSPITALITY MATCH November 3-6 Las Vegas, USA Supported by BCFA T: 01494 896790 HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW November 4-6 Harrogate T: 020 7970 6507 BATIMAT ...

How you can do well by doing good.(websites for help in using energy efficiently)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Businesses of any size (large and small) can boost their profits (i.e. save money) by a range of environmentally friendly actions, not least being more efficient in the use of energy. There are a variety of websites which offer hints and...

The glues brothers.(Training directory)(Cartoon)
November 1, 2005... TAKE BUSINESS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS WHILST FITTING CARPETS FOR US? NOT OUR OLD MATE UPSIDE DOWN EDDIE, SURELY? A BEDROOM HERE--AN 'ALL STAIRS AND LANDING THERE... THE OLD VARMINT'S GOT MORE AND MORE BLATANT!

Short cuts can cause considerable pain.(on wood floor installations)(Column)
November 1, 2005... REGULAR readers of my column may have noted that 80% of my articles concern wood flooring. This is not surprising, firstly, because 80% of CFA consultants' appointments in dispute resolution concern wood flooring and the installation of wood...

Understand wood before you try to lay it: Sid Bourne, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience.(on wood floors)
November 1, 2005... MOST wood flooring complaints I am called to investigate involve moisture. There are many causes, but the most common is the installer's lack of knowledge of timber and the effects of moisture. I have seen many installations with excellent...

Welding that will last the lifetime of the floor: David Gatfield, Altro technical services manager--northern region, suggests ways to prevent floor failures.(on floor failures)
November 1, 2005... THE causes of flooring installation failures are many, ranging from dampness in the subfloor to excessive heat from underfloor heating systems, inappropriate adhesives and, on, occasions plain old poor workmanship. The forming and hot...

The secret of success when time is short: Bob Mabbutt, development manager of Laybond Products, advises on coping with fast track projects.(on fast-track projects)
November 1, 2005... TODAY almost every project seems to be classed as 'fast track.' Contractors are required to install floors within short time scales to meet tight deadlines, often in poor conditions and with the hindrance of affiliated trades working around...

There's no patch on good stain application: Alec Stacey, technical manager of BonaKemi, discusses the selection and application of stains for timber floors.(on staining of timber floors)
November 1, 2005... THE staining of timber floors can be a tricky business which some contractors shy away from. Any problems that arise are difficult to rectify, as well as extremely expensive when dealing with a large floor, or perhaps one in a busy...

Make a good start for a flawless finish: Neil Sanders, technical manager of F Ball and Co, continues his series exclusive to CFJ, offering some advice on sound surface preparation.(on surface preparation)
November 1, 2005... IN so many aspects of life, how you start determines how well you finish, and this is certainly true of the installation of floorcoverings. In other words, initial surface preparation ultimately determines the success of the installation--get...

Come to your senses--your staff will love it: Dawn Gibbins MBE, chairman of Flowcrete Group plc, a qualified Feng Shui practitioner, is using this ancient Chinese philosophy to energise her company's workforce and to improve their wellbeing.(Dawn Gibbins on Feng Shui and boosting performance)
November 1, 2005... In the second in this exclusive series for CFJ, Dawn explores how 'feeding the senses' can make the working environment more focused and happy. DO you remember when you last spring cleaned a room--specifically the feeling you had once you...

Many companies fail to make the connection: over half of the UK's small businesses don't network according to new research.(CFJ Business briefing on how to profit from networking)
November 1, 2005... THE UK's small companies are losing business by not networking, according to the latest research. More than 50% of small businesses are not networking, mainly because they do not think it is relevant to their business. The best...

Fair do's and fair don'ts: Dids MacDonald, chief executive of ACID, continues this series specially for CFJ on protecting your floorcovering designs.(Anti Copying In Design)
November 1, 2005... EXHIBITIONS are one of the most valuable marketing venues, but they can also be vulnerable to copying. Taking a few simple steps to protect your designs and products can make the difference and maximise the returns in the design and...

Smart Alec ... brought to you by www.uktc.org.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2005... HEY, WHAT'S THIS ABOUT EVERY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION COMPLETED WITHIN A DOMESTIC DWELLING HAVING TO BE REPORTED TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY FOR INSPECTION? AND YOU'RE JUST A KITCHE FITTER! THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A HUGE DELAY IN COMPLETION! ...

NICF top jobs are Phil-ed.(National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers appoints Phil Worrall and Phil Poser)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE NICF (National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers) has a new president and a new vice-president, both called Phil. The two Phils (Worrall and Poser) were elected at the NICF AGM on September 27. Phil Worrall, president, and Phil Poser,...

PICME proves a great 'pick-me-up': Instarmac is helped to 'sort, shine, set in order, standardise and sustain'.(Process Industry Centre for Manufacturing Excellence)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE Process Industry Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME) has been consulted by INSTARMAC as part of the company's commitment to continuous development. PICME independently audits systems and practices based upon on the five 'S'...

Victoria results awaited.(trade results)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Victoria PLC's interim trade results for the six months to October will be announced on November 23. Victoria Carpets is expected to focus on its accelerated programme of new product introductions. On a like for like basis (excluding...

Flowcrete for Africa.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2005... Flowcrete is to buy Ivory Industrials, South Africa's largest resin flooring company which turns over 8m Euros, employs 100 staff and has two factories producing products sold across Southern and sub Saharan Africa. T: 01270 753000...

Halstead sees costs rise.(James Halstead Group PLC)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Higher raw material, labour and energy costs were a concern for James Halstead in its financial report for year to June. But like-for-like pre-tax profits edged up to 7.8% from 12.8m [pounds sterling] to 13.8m [pounds sterling], while turnover...

Interface doing well.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2005... Interface in the US achieved a 14% rise in sales to $246.5m (140m [pounds sterling])inthe year to July. Operating income was up nearly 34%.

Berry factories close.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2005... Grim economic conditions for woven and tufted carpets are said to have forced the closure of two Berry factories in France, both owned by Beaulieu International Group. A total of 386 workers are involved.

CAT shows Reflex.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2005... Floor profile manufacturer CAT has bought all trading rights to the Reflex system of expansion and movement joints, from Hennessy. A product launch is planned at Expotile 2006 at the NEC. www.cat-floor-accs.com

Product sales down.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2005... A slowdown in new house building and home improvement work in the third quarter of 2005 has affected sales of construction products, according to the Construction Products Association.

Brits face the Dutch Germans, Austrians and Swiss: European team floorcovering championships--biggest entry.(National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers organises the championship)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE UK, which has won the European team floorcovering fitting championship for two years on the trot, will be up against at least flint other countries in 2006. The third championship contest takes place at Domotex in Hannover from January...

Domotex looks East.(number of exhibitors is second highest in India)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... INDIA(145) has the second highest number of exhibitors at next year's Domotex (January 14-16) after the host country, Germany with 290. Turkey and China (each with 105) are in joint third place in terms of exhibitor numbers. Belgium (98),...

Stikatak birthday offer.(luxury trip to Germany for World Cup Finals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Stikatak is offering its stockists prizes starting with lottery tickets all the way up to a luxury trip to Germany for the World Cup Finals as part of the company's 21st birthday celebrations. Companies who hit 45% of their annual sales target...

Tool firm re-forms.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... A new company, Welwyn Tool Group, has been formed following the closure of Welwyn Tool Co, distributor of specialist tools and machines. Its distributor, Leister UK, has been purchased under an MBO. T: 01707 331111

Somero is sold.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Somero Enterprises, supplier of products including the platform laser screed, has been sold by its owner, Dover Corporation, to Gores Technology, a private equity firm. www.somero.com

Knowles profit slide.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Construction consultant firm James R Knowles is reported to have seen pre-tax profits fall to 41,000 [pounds sterling] in the year to July 31 down from 486,000 [pounds sterling] last year. The slide was largely due to a restructuring exercise...

Builders' orders up by 4%.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Construction orders in the year to August 2005 rose by 4%. In the same period private housing orders were up 10%. public housing and housing association orders up 4%, public non-housing orders down 5%, private commercial down 7% and private...

Waxman joins BIDA.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Waxman Architectural, part of the Waxman Group, importer and stockist of mosaics and national distributor of floor and wall tiles, has become a corporate member of the British Interior Design Association. T: 0845 257-8899...

Indian tufter acquired.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Hand-Made Carpets of London has acquired Hussain International's tufting business in India. www.handmadecarpets.co.uk

Burmatex upstage.(carpet tiles )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... CARPET tiles from BURMATEX star in a new stage production from travelling theatre company, Dialogue Productions, called Top Dogs. Burmatex donated 110sq m of carpet tile for the play which is set in a busy recruitment agency. The production...

Leading city supplier slams attack on CFA.(Siesta Cork Tile Co., Contract Flooring Association, )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A LEADING London-based supplier of cork flooring has reacted angrily to the attack in a trade magazine on the Contract Flooring Association and its director, Richard Wollerton. The company, Siesta Cork Tile Co, is not a member of the CFA....

Fourth IFDA win for Karndean.(Independent Floorcovering Distributors Association gives award to Karndean International)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... KARNDEAN INTERNATIONAL has been named as floorcovering supplier of the year for the fourth year running by the Independent Floorcovering Distributors Association. IFDA is reported to have awarded the title as a testament to the ongoing...

Woman at the top.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The National Federation of Builders has appointed its first woman chief executive, Julia Evans, who takes over on January 1.

BCFA benefits offer.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The British Contract Furnishing Association has selected Citation plc to offer concessionary key health and safety and employment law solutions to all association members with a 24-hour advice line. www.thebcfa.com T: 01494 896790

Training on the card.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The new voluntary Pathway Card from the British Cleaning Industry Conference allows companies to access employees' training and experience online and check cleaners' credentials. Access to the card records is through a personal identification...

Inspector courses.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The Woolsafe Organisation has two-day flooring inspection certification courses in collaboration with Cleaning Research International. www.woolsafe.org T: 01943 850817

Free web support.(United Kingdom's Trade Confederation)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The UK Trades Confederation is offering free e-commerce website and email facilities to new members at the London Business Start-up Show on November 25-26 at Excel. There'll be 100 [pounds sterling] off the joining fee and visitors to the stand...

Screeding machine.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... PC Flooring (Southern) has acquired a Lomar screed machine, said to be able to apply up to 100sq m of screed an hour with an extremely high quality of floor compaction. Operatives will spend less time on their knees manually screeding when the...

Olympic construction.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... AMA Research has a new report on the Olympic Games construction from 2005 to 2012. It includes current activity, planned projects, budgets, timescales and contractor profiles. www.amaresearch.co.uk T: 01242 235724

Retentions: 10% lost--shock NSCC survey.( National Specialist Contractors Council )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A NEW members survey by the National Specialist Contractors Council reveals widespread continuing abuse of retentions by builders and main contractors. The total amount of retentions monies withheld against the 250 NSCC members who...

'Better life' for carpets.(LANASAN NCF from Canesis and Clariant technologists enhances carpet performance)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... LANASAN NCF, a new technology to enhance carpet performance, has been developed by Canesis and Clariant technologists. Presented in the UK by WOOL INTERIORS, Lanasan NCF is said to provide improved soiling resistance, abrasion, yarn...

99.8% of all CFJ readers want the magazine.
November 1, 2005... THE latest independent ABC audit reveals that nearly very nearly 100% of CFJ readers actually WANT the magazine, including both requested and paid for copies. These statistics feature on the website of the ABC organisation which audits the...

Speedy Hire up for award.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Speedy Hire has been shortlisted in the Growth Strategy of the Year category by the prestigious National Business Awards. Speedy has seen annual sales and profit increasing by an average of 20% and 21% over the last three years.

MD runs to help hospice.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Participation in the Great North Run Half Marathon enabled Richard Johnson, md of Richwood Flooring, to raise more than 1,000 [pounds sterling] for a local cancer hospice.

LABC is established.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... LABC (Local Authority Building Control) is a new company which will take over the work of the District Surveyors Association (DSA) and LABC Services. T: 020 7641 8737

FTBA moves offices.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The Furnishing Trades' Benevolent Association has moved to 4th Floor, Furniture Makers' Hall, 12 Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HE. T: 020 7256 5954: F: 020 7256 6035 Email and website unchanged.

Workforce shrinks.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Over 38,000 construction jobs were lost during the second quarter of this year, according to the National Office of Statistics. The industry currently employs 2,185,000.

Skills body sheds staff.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) which promotes learning and skills among young people in England is reported to be having to cut 1,300jobs as part of a 40m [pounds sterling] savings programme.

Cartels harm firms.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... A third of small and medium-sized construction firms are being harmed by anti-competitive business practices such as cartels and price-finding, according to the Office of Fair Trading.

Call for sprinklers.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... A consultant is urging the government to make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new schools after it emerged that arson attacks cost 70m [pounds sterling] a year.

More call for 'green' carpets is forecast.(News file)
November 1, 2005... WOOL INTERIORS is predicting a rise in demand for 'green' floorcoverings and is focusing on environmental issues which underpin its Wools of New Zealand brand. Sheep-rearing remains one of the key industries in New Zealand where clean air...

Invista CPD focuses on the environment.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... INVISTA, manufacturer of the Antron carpet fibre, now offers a Royal RIBA assessed CPD seminar on sustainability in relation to carpets and carpet fibre. As the first carpet fibre manufacturer to be awarded an Environmental Profile by BRE...

Buoyant sails for Interface.(Little Britain Challenge Cup for outstanding architects)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... INTERFACE EUROPE entered this year's Little Britain Challenge Cup in Cowes with Magnum II--an IMX 40 sailing yacht. The 11-man crew included architects from BID, Gensler, Pringle Brandon, Honeywell, SHC, TTSP, ESA and Interface's own...

Hardware website.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2005... The recently launched on-line building supplies business, UK Hardware Direct, says its website allows visitors to browse by trade or by product type. Next day delivery throughout the UK is offered on all stocked products www.ukhd.co.uk T:...

Display systems.(Product in brief)
November 1, 2005... Mapei has introduced an illuminated display stand to aid sales of smaller trade items from its range. Mapei also offer stockists marketing help and support with in-house projects and promotions. T: 0121 508 6970

Matchline service.(Product in brief)
November 1, 2005... Kronospan has improved its Matchline service including a database of matches for its products including edgings and mouldings. www.kronospan.co.uk

Forbo at the Core.(Contracts in brief)
November 1, 2005... Forbo's Marmoleum has been used in The Eden Project's new education centre, The Core. Over 2,000sq m of the custom designed flooring was installed by Unicraft Flooring Contractors, in Exeter.

Screed deals for PC.(Contracts in brief)
November 1, 2005... PC Flooring (Southern) won a 100,000 [pounds sterling] contract to install specialist screed floors in the Hayley Conference Centre in Old Windsor, Hampshire. In addition a 50,000 [pounds sterling] contract was awarded to the company to apply a...

Mitie earns 500,000 [pounds sterling].(Contracts in brief)
November 1, 2005... One of the UK's largest multi-storey car parks in Norwich features the installation of liquid applied waterproofing, surfacing and protection systems by specialists, Mitie Roofing. The 27,000sq m 500,000 [pounds sterling] contract took 10...

Store job is 3,500sq m.(Contracts in brief)
November 1, 2005... PC Flooring (Southern) recently applied a 75mm isolated Mapei Topcem screed across a 3,500sq m floor area of the new TJ Hughes discount department store in Sutton, Greater London.

Uzin is stuck on Siga.(Siga Floor AG's Sifloor AG acquired)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... UZIN has taken over the sales & marketing of the Sifloor brands in the UK and Ireland. This follows the acquisition by Uzin of the Swiss company Sifloor AG, successor of Siga Floor AG. Sifloor produces patented high-performance dry...

QA Sales 'takes the market by storm': CFJ helps to boost company success.(Contract Flooring Journal)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE response to advertisements and editorial in CFJ for QA SALES has been extraordinary, according to Dudley Clayton. He says the company is having an incredible impact on the underlay and accessories market in a relatively short time and...

Mapei produces a Little Black Book.(product information in a book)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE new Little Black Book from MAPEI contains information on the company's ceramic range, highlighting products developed at its UK state-of-the-art manufacturing facility officially in May this year. Information on products for the...

'Don't stand for it'.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Up to 11m workers could face serious health problems from prolonged standing at work, says a new report. Warehouse staff are among the people who spend most of the working day on their feet. Health risks are said to include varicose veins,...

Site manager shortage.(in United kingdom)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Over 11,300 new site managers are needed in the UK construction industry every year, but only 500 annually are trained on courses run by the Chartered Institute of Building and the National House Building Council, according to a new report. Now...

Energy is lost.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The public sector takes little or no account of energy efficiency when letting construction contracts, says the Environmental Industries Commission.

Foreign labour call.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... The boss of construction union Ucatt Alan Ritchie is calling for tough procurement rules on Olympic jobs to prevent contractors undercutting rivals by using cheap foreign labour.

RSI hits 500,000.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Nearly 500,000 people in the UK suffer from work-related upper limb disorders or repetitive strain injuries, according to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Katrina lessons.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Flood experts are reported to be urging the UK government to consider ways to protect the Thames Gateway in the wake of the New Orleans hurricane disaster.

Massive fines warning.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2005... Major firms could face massive fines of more than 10m [pounds sterling] if they are convicted under the planned corporate manslaughter laws, according to a construction lawyer.

Las Vegas is at stake for contractors.(Polyflor's sales promotion strategy)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... FOUR flooring contractors and accompanying guests will be heading for the gambler's paradise of Las Vegas next January to visit the prestigious Surfaces Show, as part of the Polyflor cashback sales promotion. All valid entries received...

RBJ has designs on floors.(RBJ Flooring gives a new floor to hospital)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... BRISTOL flooring contractor RBJ Flooring recently installed 3,200sq m of flooring in a new hospital in Glastonbury for West Mendip NHS Trust. A series of attractive features and designs were incorporated within the main corridors,...

Contractor's installation is a museum piece.(Carpets and Flooring (London), Museum of London)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Terrace Gallery at the Museum of London (pictured on the right) shows flooring installed by the contractor, Carpets and Flooring (London). The products included 170sq m of Karndean Renoir Woodplank, which was laid over 6mm plywood and...