Contract Flooring Journal articles from November 2007

Contract Flooring Journal archives from November 2007

Payment: time to be counted!(Editor's comment)
November 1, 2007... THE Fair Payment Campaign being organised by the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) on behalf of its affiliated organisations, including the Contract Flooring Association, is worthy of the support of every flooring contractor. ...

The Queen to walk on floor installed by CFA contractor.(Installation of the month)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] LOUGHTON CONTRACTS, a CFA member, has completed 'one of the most intricate and demanding projects' in its 35 years in business. It involved the installation of a magnificent timber floor in the new arrivals and...

Women in flooring react to 'sexist' advert: 'if that's OK, what about showing a naked man?'.(Points of view)
November 1, 2007... THE complaint of a lady floorcovering retailer in CFJ last month about a 'sexist' advert published has been echoed by other women in the industry: Mrs C Fitt and Mrs L Wallington of Oldrid & Co, Lincolnshire, write: As work colleagues, we...

'Use a cheap imitation and you are asking for trouble'.(Customer service)
November 1, 2007... Joe Austin, UK marketing manager of Altro, comments on the standard of customer service provided by flooring manufacturers: THE comments by contractors in CFJ recently were interesting as they tackled the hotly debated issue of...

Up to 8,000 [pounds sterling] awaits you to help train apprentices.(Points of view)
November 1, 2007... In his third article for CFJ, Robert MacGregor, business support manager for ConstructionSkills, talks about how best to manage and support apprentices through the training process: IN September and October I wrote in this column,...

I will start by saying 'Hello'.(The chief executive officer: Richard Catt)
November 1, 2007... I FEEL I need to start my first article in the CFJ with a simple 'Hello'! As announced in CFJ last month, I had the privilege of joining the Contract Flooring Association on October I as the new Chief Executive Officer. And I hope to be a...

Our membership of NSCC is actually 'worth every penny'.(The president: Terry Wolfe)
November 1, 2007... THE CFA pays an annual subscription for membership of the NSCC (National Specialist Contractors Council). From time to time, CFA council members query whether this subscription is cost-effective to our members. A lively discussion follows,...

Training directory.(Directory)
November 1, 2007... Flooring industry Training Association. TEXTILE Basic carpet fitting Five days--Nov 12-16 (L); Jan 14-18 (N); Mar 3-7 (L) Intermediate carpet fitting Five days--Feb 11-15 (L). Advanced carpet fitting Four...

Forget about Charlie's Angels: meet the 'CFA's Angels'.(Training directory)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MANY people know the team at the CFA office in Nottingham--Helen, Sally and Carol--only by their voices on the phone. But now CFJ can reveal the faces behind the voices: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Helen...

CPD courses.(Training directory)
November 1, 2007... Floor firms offering CPD courses: Altro * T: 01462 489568 Amtico * T: 02476861400 Antron * T: 07876 577317 Ardex * T: 01440 714939 BAL * T: 01782 591100 Bail & Young * T: 01536 200502 BonaKemi * T: 01908 399740...

Diary dates.(Training directory)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... INTERNATIONAL CARPET EXHIBITION November 7-17 Kuwait www.kif.net/events07/carpet07.htm HOMEBUILDING SHOW November 9-11 Harrogate November 24-25 Shepton Mallett, Somerset www.homebuildingshow.co.uk FLOOR COVERINGS UKRAINE ...

Ways to be sure of 'how much' and 'when'.(Guidance notes: certainty of payment)
November 1, 2007... FLOORING contractors routinely suffer from both late and reduced payment. Often there is uncertainty about how much is due and when it should be received. Achieving greater certainty with your payments: Fix payment dates: The...

You can do without customers like these.(on 'rogue' customers)(Column)
November 1, 2007... SOME readers may think that l criticise installers all too frequently, but that is untrue. I simply condemn the cowboy outfits which take work away from the many genuinely skilled contractors and retailers. I can see it happening. I have...

Wide product tolerances are cold comfort.(on installation in the winter months)
November 1, 2007... WINTER is fast approaching, bringing the inevitable cold and damp, both of which can produce major problems for flooring contractors and for the performance of many flooring products. British standards specify conditions to lay...

Correct choice gives you peace of mind.(on customer complaints)
November 1, 2007... I HAVE talked a fair bit in this column about those phone calls that we all dread--the ones from dissatisfied customers who need you to sort out their flooring problems immediately, if not sooner. If you're unlucky enough to receive one of...

It is unfair to blame water-based finishes.(on problems with mosaic panels)
November 1, 2007... A SITUATION occurred recently where a small dance floor was sanded and sealed. A water-based finish had been used and the flooring, finger mosaic panels, had subsequently lifted in a very short period of time. The contractor consulted a...

So you think your tiles are waterproof?(on tiling in swimming pools)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... IT IS essential to guarantee the long-term health and fitness of tiles at swimming pools: Q: We've got to tile the wetroom and swimming pool areas at a leisure centre. How do we go about ensuring that the pool surround, showers and...

Hole in the carpet case gets a jump-start.(on investigating carpet complaints: New series)
November 1, 2007... FOR years I have been involved in the investigation of carpet complaints. One of the most peculiar cases began with a telephone call. The lady caller told me that she had 3in diameter holes in her bedroom carpet and wondered if it could be a...

How you can have designs on flooring.(on installing design flooring)
November 1, 2007... MOST experienced floorlayers and readers of CFJ will know all about the correct procedure for installing design flooring: test for moisture levels in subfloors to ensure this is below 75% RH, acclimatise the product, prepare the subfloor...

Moisture a mystery? It was for Guy Fawkes!(on measuring moisture: New series)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... REMEMBER, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot! We've all got a lot to thank Guy Fawkes and his co conspirators for. Think about it--as the foreshortened days of late October edge into the dark nights of November, the...

BS trio of non-destructive tests for damp.(on British Standards: New series)
November 1, 2007... SUBFLOOR moisture is probably the most common problem encountered in floorlaying. Measuring precisely the moisture content of a subfloor is so important that there are three British Standards covering it. All three standards recommend...

How to make the most of what you've.(on marketing: New series)
November 1, 2007... FORTY years on from Dylan's formidable lyrics, the times are still a changin', not only in our natural environment but also in our daily business environment. This may be nothing new but the speed and pace of the change is. Within many...

Protect products launched at a show.(on protecting your IP)
November 1, 2007... EXHIBITIONS and trade shows present a great opportunity to showcase, promote and sell flooring products and designs, many of which have been months in the design and making. Sadly, as we are all aware, less scrupulous operators actively...

Death on site: who will 'carry the can'?(on the Corporate Manslaughter Act: Legal advice for flooring firms)
November 1, 2007... LAST month I outlined the effects of the new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, which comes into force next April. It allows for companies, including flooring contractors, to be prosecuted in the event of the accidental death of...

Ban Bullying at Work Day on November 7.(Help and advice)
November 1, 2007... FLOORING companies are urged to join workers and managers around the UK in supporting the Ban Bullying at Work Day on November 7. More than 2 million people are said to be victims of workplace bullying in Britain today. Statistics show that...

Lords backs Wimpey refusal to pay insolvent subbie.(on insolvency: Legal advice for flooring firms)
November 1, 2007... THE House of Lords recently judged that a safeguard from insolvency is more significant than stable cashflow in the construction industry. The Construction Act (Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996), currently under...

The glues brothers.(Help and advice)(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... CLEAR OFF--STOP HANGIN' AROUND MY SHOP DOORWAY--YER PUTTIN' ME CUSTOMERS OFF [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HEY--GRANDAD YOU WANNA LAY OFF THAT COFFEE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S THE CAFFEINE--MAKES OLD PEOPLE RUDE AND AGGRESSIVE ...

New toolkit will help you get paid.(News file)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] A SPECIALIST contractor's toolkit has been published as part of the fair payment campaign. The Toolkit, which includes a handy reference booklet, is divided into three key sections: * Before you start; ...

Campaign wins wide support.(News file)
November 1, 2007... THE NSCC National Specialist Contractors' Council fair payment campaign was officially launched in September at a champagne reception for 150 guests from across the industry including clients, contractors and suppliers, as well as members of...

Nora is snapped up.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Two German investment firms have reportedly purchased Freudenberg Building Systems, manufacturer of Nora rubber flooring. This follows rumours earlier in the year that a number of rival flooring firms were interested in acquiring the Nora...

New firms starting.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Nearly 41,000 new construction businesses, including flooring contractors, were established in the first half of 2007, according to new research from Barclays. This is 28% up on the same period last year. Notably, 20,700 of new firms were...

Topps still on top.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Tile and flooring group Topps Tiles is forecasting a 4.5% like-for-like sales growth in the UK in the year to September 30, with revenues set to rise by more than 11%. The group also predicts that the tougher housing market will lead to higher...

Spanish tile sales up.(Business in brief)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association says its sector exported to 176 countries during the first six months of 2007, with sales of around 840m [pounds sterling], 8.3% up on 2006. In volumes terms, however, sales were 1.5% down....

Higher lino prices.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Forbo is reportedly about to raise the prices of its linoleum flooring in America by 4% to 6% to offset higher costs for raw materials and transportation.

Quote.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... 'We have negotiated the removal of retentions on three new orders and put retention bonds in place on two of these. So far this means that around 60k [pounds sterling] remains in our cashflow rather than in another company's interest bearing...

The funny side of flooring.(New series)(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... 'How much would you want to re-carpet the caravan with the remnants?' [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'Oh that! It's the stair rail!' [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

'Contractor websites can give 24% of all enquiries'.(News file)
November 1, 2007... THE internet is having a major impact on the fortunes of some flooring contractors, according to a new study. It says that web-savvy contractors and builders are among those planning to grow their businesses by over 40% in the coming year. ...

UK contractors miss out on speed crown.(News file)
November 1, 2007... BRITISH champ Guy Chandler narrowly failed to win a medal in the karting competition to crown Europe's fastest wood flooring contractor. The event, sponsored by BONA, took place in Maranello, Italy, the home town of Ferrari. More than 60...

Manufacturers smile.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... UK manufacturers enjoyed the strongest demand for their goods in nearly 20 years in the July to September period, according to the British Chambers of Commerce which surveyed nearly 5,000 companies. However, confidence over future prospects was...

Parador acquires Meyer.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Subject to antitrust reservations, Parador of Germany has acquired the remaining 50% of shares in Gebr. Meyer Parkettindustrie, a former joint venture partner based in Austria. Meyer is claimed to have one of Europe's most advanced production...

Bid for Carpetright.(Business in brief)
November 1, 2007... Lord Harris, chairman of Carpetright, the UK's biggest carpet retailer, is reportedly offering to buy the rest of the group for a sum believed to be 630m [pounds sterling].

It's time to shout about Cavalier, says new md.(News file)(Cavalier Carpets)
November 1, 2007... NEW md of CAVALIER CARPETS, Nathan Lowe, (pictured right), says one of his first priorities is to 'champion what we do well, especially in the contract sector.' [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] He believes that some customers are unaware of the...

The Hugh Mackay brand is reborn.(News file)
November 1, 2007... WHITESTONE WEAVERS has reintroduced the prestigious Hugh Mackay brand with new domestic and contract products, targeting the luxury, higher-end market. New products will be supported by upmarket point of sale material including a new tombola...

New bid to boost underlay sales.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] INTERFLOOR is aiming to boost retail underlay sales across the UK with its new Profitability, Ability programme. According to research, around half of all consumers don't buy new underlay with a new carpet....

CIS fines this month.(Industry in brief)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Flooring contractors liable for CIS tax payments are warned to expect fines of at least 100 [pounds sterling] for late monthly returns. Revenue figures show 75,000 returns from construction companies failing to meet monthly deadlines, meeting...

Key planning decision.(Industry in brief)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A vital planning application is due to be held by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council on November 5. It is for 24 new homes on part of the National Construction College campus in Bircham Newton, Norfolk. If agreed, the proceeds wilt...

Eyes on her majesty.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The construction industry will be listening closely to The Queen's speech at the official opening of Parliament on November 6 to hear if it includes the revision of the Construction Act. The review of the Act was first announced by Gordon Brown...

Project bank account.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The Specialist Engineering Contractors Group has teamed up with a construction consultancy firm to develop a new project bank account to encourage fair payment. The account is to be launched in London on November 14.

CFA insurance website.(Industry in brief)(Website overview)
November 1, 2007... The CFA insurance broker, Layton Blackham, has launched a website. www.layton-blackham.com/cfa

Bonus 5% for CFA firms.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... CFA members can claim a 5% discount off the 930 [pounds sterling] price of a new MSI report on the UK floorcoverings market. T: 01244 670738

SPE acclaims success of Open Day.(News file)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VISITORS to the SPE open day and product launch in September included flooring contractors, material manufacturers, hire companies, distributors, training providers and members of FeRFA. Visitors were shown how...

UK tops league for long working hours.(News file)
November 1, 2007... BRITISH employees work the longest hours of all the world's wealthiest nations, according to a new report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO)--a United Nations agency. The ILO survey shows that one quarter of UK employees work...

Gerflor extends 'cashback' offer.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... GERFLOR has extended the offer of 10 [pounds sterling] per roll cashback incentive to flooring contractors who purchase products in the new-look Tarasafe Standard range of vinyl floorcoverings until November 30, 2007. Prices are being held at...

Plant theft crackdown.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The police are to stage a nationwide crackdown on plant theft and the organised criminals behind it in a major blitz planned for next spring. The move is intended to highlight the Cesar security scheme launched by the Metropolitan Police and...

Growth continues.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The construction industry grew a little more slowly in September with new orders slightly less than the previous month, according to the latest Construction Purchasing Manager's Index. It reveals that firms continued to hire additional staff...

Construction activity.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... New building orders in the 12 months to August 2007 rose by 2% compared with the previous year. During the same period private housing orders were unchanged while public housing and housing association enjoyed a 15% rise; with 8%, 3% and 1%...

Screwfix sales rise.(Industry in brief)(Financial report)
November 1, 2007... Screwfix has recorded a 30.3% rise in sales to over 200m [pounds sterling] in its first half year results to August. The company's catalogue now contains over 17.000 building, maintenance and refurbishment products. www.screwfix.com

22bn [pounds sterling] for school upgrades.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The government is to allocate 22bn [pounds sterling] for local authorities to upgrade classrooms and school facilities over the next three years.

Brintons re-launch site.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... Brintons has redesigned its website to feature new product and installation photography to illustrate the company's design and manufacturing capabilities, plus a new section on specification, installation and cleaning....

Come and see the 'room from hell!'.(News file)
November 1, 2007... TWO of the UK's best known and most skilled floorlayers, John Roberts and Steve Ramsden, will be seen in action at the new Floorstyle exhibition in what has been dubbed a 'Room from Hell!'. The exclusive feature known as 'Test the Experts'...

Domotex expects 1,400 exhibitors.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... OVER 1,400 exhibitors are expected at Domotex in Hanover, Germany, from January 12-15. This is a 5% increase on the last show. The exhibition space in 2008 is forecast to exceed 93,500sq m, up from 91,757sq m in 2007. However, one of the...

Deep clean welcomed.(The trade in brief)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The British Cleaning Council has welcomed the call by Gordon Brown for a 'deep clean' of all UK hospitals in response to rising criticism on hospital cleanliness. BCC chairman Steve Wright says: 'We hope that the prime minister is true to his...

Office boom 'to slow'.(The trade in brief)
November 1, 2007... International property agency CB Richard Ellis has drastically reduced estimates of new office space in London between 2009 and 2011 down from 3.6m sq ft from the previously planned 4.5m sq ft.

London 5m [pounds sterling] skills fund.(The trade in brief)
November 1, 2007... The Learning and Skills Council has announced a 5m [pounds sterling] investment package for training and vocational schemes in London aimed at boosting construction recruitment in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Bosses don't keep mum.(The trade in brief)
November 1, 2007... Employers are missing out on a huge pool of talent, skills and experience by failing to offer flexible working to mothers, according to a new survey. Mothers feel that there is a lack of opportunities to utilise them. www.workingmums.co.uk

Ethical claims distrusted.(The trade in brief)
November 1, 2007... Over 80% of Britons distrust and are sceptical about ethical business claims, believing that many companies pretend to be ethical just to sell more products, according to new research. www.SEEcompanies.com

Bound for China advice.(The trade in brief)
November 1, 2007... A new UK company has been launched to help British businesses from the construction sector to expand into China and South East Asia. The company Asia Business HQ offers a basic package including a virtual office with a Hong Kong address and...

New event director to take over at Interbuild.(News file)
November 1, 2007... INTERBUILD has a new event director, James Gower, whose appointment is announced at the same time as the decision for the show to be held annually. The dates for the next Interbuild are October 26-30, 2008. The organiser, EMAP Construct,...

SmartPly in sponsorship.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... SmartPly, a subsidiary of Coillte, the Irish timber products company, is the new sole official sponsor of the Amateur Football League of Ireland for the 2007/08 season, taking over from Guinness. www.smartply.com

Self-doubters abound.(Industry in brief)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Nearly half of UK adults have considered setting up their own business, but half of them are too scared of failure to do anything about it, according to a new survey by Orange Business Services. It finds that 14% claim to be exploring a...

Two magazines closed.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The publisher CMPi has ceased publishing the flooring industry magazines Tile UK and Carpet & Flooring Review.

Travis Perkins sales up.(Industry in brief)(Financial report)
November 1, 2007... Building materials supplies group Travis Perkins reports a 11.3% rise in sales in the first nine months of the year.

Darling gets welcome.(Industry in brief)
November 1, 2007... The Construction Products Association has cautiously welcomed the Chancellor's PreBudget Report affirmation of the Government's commitment to sustained investment in health and education facilities.

Logging: China rules.(From our 'foreign correspondents' ...)
November 1, 2007... China, which has been accused of stripping forests in other countries to meet its booming wood demand, has issued rules governing logging companies working overseas, according to reports from Beijing. The Chinese government says it aims to...

Iran's carpet boom.(From our 'foreign correspondents' ...)
November 1, 2007... Iran claims that hand-woven carpets are its third biggest export, and the largest non-oil foreign revenue earner. Iranian officials are also reportedly in talks in the US to open an oriental carpet centre to cover North America.

Kahrs md leaves suddenly.(Breaking news)
November 1, 2007... DAVID HILLIER has left Kahrs and his job as md. David, who is well known in the flooring industry and was the face in the UK of the Swedish wood manufacturer for over 15 years, left suddenly without prior notice. A company statement reads:...

Gordon Brown to receive a report on Flowcrete.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A REQUEST by prime minister Gordon Brown for a report on strengthening economies in the countryside resulted in a fact-finding visit to FLOWCRETE by members of the Commission for Rural Communities led by its chairman Dr Stuart Burgess. ...

How CITB has enhanced training options.(News file)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... CITB has become ConstructionSkills, which is now at the heart of the Government's skills agenda with new powers over training, funding and qualifications. The CITB record since 2002: * Increased the number of construction companies...

Balterio unveils V groove.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... Laminate producer Balterio has introduced a new V-groove collection called Vitality de luxe 4V, featuring a four-sided V-groove, a brushed structure and four decors. The company has also launched a 'multifunctional underfloor', Natural Wood...

Service guarantees.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... Guaranteed service levels now offered by the hire company, A-Plant, include delivery, availability and out-of-hours response. If these service levels are not met, A-Plant will offer customers a free hire or free delivery of a range of...

Stone carpet outside.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... Touchstone Floors now offers a seam-free, elastic, hardwearing surface suitable for external applications with UV stable coloured aggregates available in a wide range of colours and colour combinations. T: 01709 382513...

Anti-static MMA resin.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... Degafloor has launched ESD, an anti-static MMA resin floor product in 16 colour and a smooth or textured finish. T: 01733 254888

Aluminium skirting.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... Folotec has published its latest catalogue, including an aluminium skirting board Plano Design, the Squarejolly decorative profile and eco-friendly outdoor decking system (65% wood flour, 35% plastic polymers) claimed to be water-resistant,...

EPLF promotion.(Products in brief)
November 1, 2007... 'High-tech' qualities of laminate are being promoted by the European Producers of Laminate Flooring, which is also highlighting the product's value, saying that a top quality laminate floor 'is hard to find for less than 20 Euros (13.50 [pounds...