Contract Flooring Journal articles from October 2004

Contract Flooring Journal archives from October 2004

Contract show exclusivity lost.(Editor's comment)
October 1, 2004... The UK's 'only show dedicated to contract flooring' has been down-graded. The CFS (Contract Floor Show) is no longer a stand-alone event. From next February it will e just a segment of the new so-called London Floor Show which will feature...

M&S is sold on oak look.(Installation of the month)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A FEATURE of the new Mark & Spencer store at Castlepoint Retail Park in Bournemouth is the use of over 10,000sq m of armstrong DLW Scala luxury vinyl tile from ARMSTRONG FLOOR PRODUCTS. This is the first Mark & Spencer store in the UK with...

Subcontract fitters are 'a law unto themselves'.(TRAINING)
October 1, 2004... WHY do we bother, why do we struggle on trying to meet ever increasing demands of major contractors, health and safety, CSCS, so on and so on, not to mention the ever increasing demands of the customer? Sub-contractors are now demanding at...

They are 'consistently fair, honest and reliable'.(CUSTOMER SERVICE)(SGP and Dalsouple)(Brief Article)(Column)
October 1, 2004... ALONG withy many other contracts, my own company SGP has a longstanding working relationship with Dalsouple and our experience has been a very positive one. No manufacturer is perfect, nor any contractor blameless. But we have found...

Saying it is 'green' doesn't make it so.(SUSTAINABILITY)(Column)
October 1, 2004... I SYMPATHISE with Ian Slack and Phil Cunningham (CFJ, August 2000) about doom laden prophesies of some environmentalists. However, this has a commercial relevance, and I must declare an interest as my company recently researched, developed and...

The case for carpets.(HARD FLOoRING VERSUS CARPETS)
October 1, 2004... YOUR feature in CFJ covered a variety of the textile floorcoverings on the market today, but I think you need to explain to readers, including specifiers, the benefits of carpets and even a comparison of soft and hard flooring. The debate...

Beware a double-edged sword.(The president)(Brief Article)(Column)
October 1, 2004... THE cheque is in the post. No seriously, I promise you will get paid next week. You have my word! Sounds familiar?] To a flooring contractor, like any small/medium-sized business, getting paid on time is probably the single biggest...

Highlight your CFA membership.(The director)
October 1, 2004... OVER the past 12 months we have undertaken a very different approach to promoting the CFA. It had been long recognised that we needed to raise the profile of the organisation but we also wanted the foundation of a clear and coherent...

Training directory.(Directory)
October 1, 2004... Flooring industry Training Association Oct 4-8 intensive basic carpet fitting Oct 18-19 know your carpets Oct 20-21 estimating and planning * Amtico courses Oct 11.-15 T: 0121 745 0800 * All courses could be run in...

The industry needs you--as an assessor.(Problem Solving)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... THERE is a serious shortage of assessors for NVQ's in flooring installation. Would you be interested in becoming an assessor for the flooring industry?. Let me tell you a bit about the NVQ and how it is assessed. Starting with basics,...

The glues brothers.(Problem Solving)
October 1, 2004... THE CONTRACT AT THE DUNKNEELIN' RETIREMENT HOME FOR CARPET FITTERS IS ALMOST DONE--JUST ONE ROOM TO COMPLETE--BUT WOT'S THIS? A POLICE GUARD? WE'RE 'OLDING TREMBLIN' TOM TUCKER ON SUSPICION THAT HE DONE AWAY WITH HIS BROTHER IN THE LATE...

Seams easy? Martin Coles, of Laybond, explains the intricacies involved in joining two pieces of carpet.(on tools)
October 1, 2004... MAKING a perfect seam or join is a very tricky job and even the most experienced carpet fitter can find it a difficult task. The long established method of heat seam bonding is still the most popular technique used for bonding joints in...

Keep water out: David Gatfield, Altro technical services manager--northern, examines approaches to coving.(on coving details)
October 1, 2004... COVING is an important feature of any installation that might encounter water on a regular basis--this can range from swimming pool surrounds and changing rooms to meat cutting rooms, which need to be washed down regularly. The function of...

Read the instructions on the adhesive.(on wood floors)
October 1, 2004... In his regular column, SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers and shares some of his 25 years of installation experience. As well as being experienced and authoritative source of hardwood...

Tiling early safely need not be a problem.(on tiles)
October 1, 2004... WITH all the pressure on flooring contractors nowadays to finish work on site as soon as possible, either to finish the job completely, or to let other tradesmen on to the site, Schluter-Systems is often called in to find out why tiled floors...

You don't have to employ any old Joe.(on staff recruitment)
October 1, 2004... How to recruit and retain Top Performers--Tying up the loose ends A RECURRENT theme throughout the past three articles has been how to ensure that employees are in a role that is well suited to their abilities and character. We have...

Cunning ways to plan your budget.(on marketing)
October 1, 2004... IT is that time of year when we start planning for the next year--putting sales forecasts together, and fighting between marketing and finance teams over the size of the marketing budget. Many companies go through the same painful process each...

Diary dates.(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK Across the UK October 6-13 www.ncw.org.uk CARPEX 0ctober 8-9 ExCel, London National Carpet Cleaners Association T: 0116 271 9550 www.carpex.co.uk ORGATEC Offices Show October 19-23 Cologne, Germany...

Taxman gets tough on self-employed status.(News)
October 1, 2004... THE Inland Revenue is writing to more than 100,000 contractors who they think owe millions in unpaid tax because they are incorrectly classifying workers as self-employed. Letters are also being written to employed construction workers,...

Olympic feat for Milliken.(Milliken Carpet)(Galatsi Gymnastics Halls)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... MILUKEN CARPET has achieved its own Olympic" success by turning around a project to supply the carpet for the Galatsi Gymnastics Halls in Athens within just 10 days. The request for the carpet with massive scale Athens Olympic lettering...

Profits warning.(Business in brief)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Victoria PLC is cautioning that its sales are lower this year than last and that the interim results to October 2 will show a pre-tax profit significantly below the figure for the corresponding period last year. It blames the general malaise in...

4m amalgamation.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2004... A year after purchasing the business assets of Manchester-based B + J (Contracts), 4m flooring UK is to bring its entire commercial operations under the 4m banner. The commercial division will work in tandem with 4m's specialist industrial...

Latham acquisition.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2004... Family-owned panel and timber importing and distribution company, James Latham has acquired the Gateshead sheet material and fabrication arm of FH Thompson & Sons. The acquisition gives Lathams a presence in the north east.

Distributor acquired.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2004... Pennine Flooring Supplies has purchased the assets and stocks of flooring distributor Panhurst, which will continue to operate from its premises in Chester but will come under the Pennine Flooring Supplies name. T: 01244 660601

Contractor website.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2004... JDI Flooring, a member of the CFA, has launched a website allowing visitors to ask for an on-line quotation and promising a response within 24 hours, www.jdiflooring.co.uk

Hugh MacKay Carpets.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2004... Hugh MacKay Carpets of Durham has gone into administration.

Number's up for Tessera customer service team.(News)
October 1, 2004... The customer services team at TESSERA is keen that customers are aware of the company's new number as the picture shows. The girls are ready to take your calls between 8.30am and pm every weekday Their number is 0870 8550 500. and if you'd...

Movie role for CFA member.(CFJ exclusive)(Contract Flooring Association)(Business Flooring)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... BUSINESS FLOORING, a member of the Contract Flooring Association, was involved in the new production of Alfie, due to be released in the UK on October 22. The Manchester-based flooring contractor was approached by Pinewood Studios to...

More work around.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The total volume of construction output in the year to the second quarter of 2004 rose by 6% compared to the previous year, reports the DTI.

Training boost.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... Applications to construction courses are up 25% this year and submissions for apprenticeships grants have increased by 30%, according to the CITB.

CSCS clampdown.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Major Contractors Group is reported to be getting tough on subcontractors working on members' sites without a fully qualified workforce. MCG members are being urged to demand CSCS cards from site workers.

Material prices raised.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... Construction material prices increased 3% in the first five months of this year, according to Davis Langdon. Tender prices are forecast to increase by 3-5% in the next year.

Cash for safety call.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Construction Confederation is urging the government to provide more money for safety inspectors. Deaths in construction account for 30% of Britain's worker fatalities.

Schools winner.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The 500 [pounds sterling] free prize draw in Polyflor's summer schools promotional campaign has been won by St Margaret's School for Girls in Aberdeen. The company's new education brochure features its low maintenance products and technical...

Road rage by CPA.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The state of Britain's road network is hitting productivity, says the Construction Products Association.

Welching on Welsh.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... Wales is now the most dangerous place to work in the U K construction industry, according to the HSE.

Too few women.(Trade in brief)
October 1, 2004... The UK construction industry employs 1.89m men, but only 185,000 women, according to the Labour Force survey of 2003.

Derek finishes up on the golf course.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... DEREK WHITTLE Universal Finishing Systems, the business he established 25 years ago, has retired and handed over to his son Kevin. The company has clients throughout Europe, the Far East, Australasia, North America and South Africa. It...

Altro to reward top floorlaying apprentices.(News)(Altro Cut & Design Awards 2004)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Altro Cut & Design Awards 2004 have been launched for apprentice floorlayers with up to two years experience and floorlaying students. Contestants are required to create a design panel made from Altro safety flooring in a 750sq mm...

Floorlaying set for Skillbuild.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... FLOORLAYING could become a recognised skill at next year's national SkillBuild--the construction industry Olympics--thanks to the growth in the number of flouring apprentices at colleges around the UK. Kevin McLean, flourlaying lecturer at...

Fraud allegations.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Over a third of construction firms have been the victim of a major fraud during the past two years, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Heat turned up.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Global warming could make naturally ventilated offices virtually unusable for up to one quarter of the year, according to a new study by Arup. It could reach 39degC inside a 1960s office block by the year 2080.

Constructionline tally.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Constructionline had 12,518 firms registered in June, according to the latest figures. This is up from June, 2003, when it was 12,258. The tally of clients was up from 1,750 to 1,986 during the same period.

Concrete repair down.(Industry in brief)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The UK concrete repair market fell 15% last year, down from 230m [pounds sterling] to 200m [pounds sterling], according to the Concrete Repair Association. However, 67% of CRA contractor members reported the same or more work enquiries in the...

Views sought.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... CITB-ConstructionSkills is seeking views and experience of sustainable building in an online survey following a report it commissioned, Build to last. A workshop in London next month will report on the views....

Old toners sought.(Industry in brief)(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)
October 1, 2004... The FTBA (Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association) and the recycling company Takeback are appealing for used toner and printer inkjet cartridges. In exchange for every batch of 20 cartridges, the FTBA will receive a cash donation. Cartridges...

Hire tools and win a trip to Las Vegas.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... AS part of a major scratchcard promotion in conjunction with the Belle Group, A-Plant's Tool Hire Shops division is offering the chance to win a trip to Las Vegas to attend Conexpo-Con/Agg 2005, one of the world's largest construction events...

Wool carpets are the winners.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND Carpet Innovation competition winners were announced at the National Floor Show, Harrogato, last month. Causeway Carpets won the best carpet category for the Homespun Collection, a 96oz, pure new wool, chunky twist shag...

BHK.(Harrogate round-up: Exhibitors are upbeat)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The National Floor Show surpassed all expectations for laminate flooring company BHK (UK). Operations manager Phil Griffiths comments: 'I can't think of a show that has been so successful for us. I'm looking forward to discussing opportunities...

Telenzo Carpets.(Harrogate round-up: Exhibitors are upbeat)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... John Hone, md of Telenzo Carpets UK, says: 'We had a fantastic show this year--one of the best we've ever had. We were busy right from day one until mid afternoon on day three. We've sold a lot of carpet, not just placed samples. In fact it's...

Cormar Carpets.(Harrogate round-up: Exhibitors are upbeat)
October 1, 2004... David Cormack, marketing director of Cormar Carpets, says: 'Our stand this year was extremely busy. Generally the mood at the Show seemed buoyant and it has set us up very well for a busy autumn. It was nice to see so many visitors horn all...

Leigh Spinners.(Harrogate round-up: Exhibitors are upbeat)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Leigh Spinners introduced a number of contract products at the National Floor Show last month, including two 4m wide gel backed polyprop products in 10 colours each, Hercules (600g pile weight) and Romulus (750g); and Samson in heavy contract...

Axminster inspired by ancient Gaelic design form.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... CARPETS OF KIDDERMINSTER launched Heather Tweed at the National Floor Show. This multi-textured Axminster, inspired by the ancient Gaelic design form, achieves a textured tweed appearance by combining poodle, berber and plain yarns woven in 2in...

Late payment woes.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Companies are taking longer to pay their bills, now nearly 60 days, according to a survey by Experian.

Health handbook.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... CIRIA has published Site health handbook (C629) as a companion guide to Sito safety handbook (SP151) priced 40 [pounds sterling] to non-CIRIA members. T: 020 7549 3300

Free ReEntry service.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Interface ReEntry service to remove and refurbish used carpet tiles is free for the rest of 2004. www.interfaceeurope.com T: 0870 530 4030

Waste guidance.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Wood Protection Association has published guidance on the disposal of wood preservative and preservative treated wood wastes. wpa@bwpda.co.uk T:01332 335100

Karndean on TV.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Karndean has been invited by Channel 5 to contribute ideas and materials to a new series 'How not to decorate' which aims to put right decorating disasters.

Distributor deal.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... Tiles UK has been appointed the exclusive regional distributors for Villeroy & Boch tiles throughout the North West, Cumbria, North East, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire. T: 0161 872 5155 or T: 0113 231 1102 www.tilesuk.com

Super cement sales.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Cement Admixture Association (CAA) reports a sustained growth in superplasticiser sales over the past three years and attributes much of this to the increasing use of self-compacting concrete. Since 1993, total admixture sales have grown by...

Victorian headline.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2004... We deeply regret that an incorrect headline appeared over an item on the new Burnt Oak wood flooring from Victorian Wood Works in CFJ last month.

The most efficient floor firms revealed.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... THE floorcoverings industry's most efficient companies have been disclosed to CFJ by Plimsoll Publishing. These include: Anchor Carpets, Armstrong Floor Products UK, Bruce Starke & Co, Columbia Flooring, Gerflor, Headlam Group, James E...

Recycled wood heats factory.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A NEW 50,000 [pounds sterling] biomass waste-to-energy, heating system is a feature of the new BRITISH HARDWOODS purpose-built premises in Keighley, West Yorkshire. As a result of increasing business, the company has moved to new 14,000sq...

Who reads flooring magazines?(Contract Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... AFTER the publication of almost every issue of CFJ in the first week of each month, readers contact the Contract Flooring Association (sometimes in large numbers) with reaction, comments and requests for further information on articles which...

Gradus publishes accessories catalogue.(News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... GRADUS has published a new flooring accessories catalogue, replacing the previous separate stair edging and floor trim brochures. Incorporated is the recently launched MTS Multi-Trim System and Clip-Top fx flooring transition strips, plus...

James Latham deal.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Timber and panels distributor, James Latham, has secured deals to supply both Buildbase and Jackson Building Centres with Bausen hardwood flooring, www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Partner agreement.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Builders' merchant Archibalds, of Durham, a division of the Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Group, has a Partnered Alliance agreement by Hewlett Civil Engineering.

Neoheat deal.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... The Flooring Group, which has three stores across London, has named Neoheat as its exclusive supplier of electric floor heating systems. T: 0845 108 0361

Tesco floor deal.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Twintec Industrial Flooring has reportedly secured a 635,000 [pounds sterling] contract for a new Tesco distribution centre in Doncaster.

B&Q package.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Seamless Floors has reportedly been awarded a 230,000 [pounds sterling] contract for a new B&Q store in Sheffield.

Screeding contract.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Advanced screeding has received a 180,000 [pounds sterling] deal from Kier at three PFI schools in Waltham Forest, Essex.

Adam on the move.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Adam Carpets has taken delivery of a new DAF chassis fitted with Abel Straight Lift demountable equipment and three demountable boxes. T: 01246 851175

Tandus in The Gherkin.(Contracts in brief)
October 1, 2004... Tandus supplied carpets for the Swiss Re's London hq known as The Gherkin. T: 01495 290290

Fastening tools.(Products in brief)
October 1, 2004... Tacwise is the new brand of hand, electric and air, nailing and stapling tools from Rapesco. www.tacwise.com

Water resistant.(Products in brief)
October 1, 2004... International Bathrooms has introduced Hydro floor, clawed to be a 100% water-resistant wood-fleet floorcovering for commercial as well as domestic environments. T: 0113 236 3811

Who is making a profit?(The top performers)
October 1, 2004... A NEW report that examines the financial performance of 109 leading companies operating within the UK carpet and flooring industry reveals the top most profitable companies by pre-tax profit margin. The Prospect Swetenhams report shows that...

Vital role of NCW.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2004... The 8th National Construction Week (October 6-13) will highlight the potential skills shortage and help attract some of the 430,000 recruits needed in the construction industry over the next five years. Flooring contractors are urged to get...

Help to cut costs.(Events in brief)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... MITIE Property Services at the Building Performance Show at London Olympia on October 6-7 will focus on cutting costs and improving efficiencies in buildings, claiming that 38% of buildings are inefficient. There will be advice on where staff...

Cleaners show.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2004... Carpex 2004, organised by Turret-RAI plc (organisers of The Cleaning Show) and sponsored by the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), takes place at ExCeL, London on October 8-9. The show will feature carpet cleaning machinery and...

Breakfast seminars.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2004... Breakfast seminars are a new feature at FM Expo at Earls Court 2, London, from October 12-14 which will also include a conference programme with 17 half-day sessions, www.fmexpo.com T: 020 7404 4440

TIFCON in Manchester.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2004... TICON, the international floorcoverings conference, will be held at the Marriott Hotel at Manchester Airport on October 2021. Topics will include carpet waste disposal, responsible sourcing and branding in a competitive market. T: 0845 2255807

Interface.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Ed Blamley and Blake Bower)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Interface has a new sustainability team--ED BLAMLEY, sustainability director and BLAKE BOWER sustainability manager. Ed previously worked in a similar capacity for Toyota. This followed research in sustainability at Cardiff University where he...

Sika.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2004... TONY BUCHAN has become general manager industry division at Sika. A specialist in automotive adhesives, sealants and coatings, Tony comes from The Dow Chemical Co where he was business director and product marketing manager.

Boen UK.(PEOPLE)(appointments of Brian Colverd, Leigh Donohue, Mike Nixon and Karla Allen)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Boen UK has appointed BRIAN COLVERD as area sales manager for the London and south eastern region. He was previously with Bruce Hardwoods. LEIGH DONOHUE joins Boon from International Decorative Surfaces, having also worked for Bruce Hardwoods....