Contract Flooring Journal articles from October 2006

Contract Flooring Journal archives from October 2006

Green action can cut energy bills.(Editor's comment)
October 1, 2006... RISING energy costs are worrying everyone, not least those in business as bemoaned in virtually every industry survey. So what does the government say? Like Iran's president, Mahmoud Amadinejad, who is widely condemned, Tony Blair also has a...

Floor patterns in Mersey gallery are child's play.(Installation of the month)
October 1, 2006... TEARDROP shapes and coloured circles are inset into Polytred Acoustic PU shoot vinyl from POLYFLOR as part of a colourful refurbishment of the children's gallery at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery. Installed by local flooring contractor...

Beware of bids to blur benefits of PUR.(Maintenance saving)(polyurethane)
October 1, 2006... COMMERCIAL vinyl flooring has for quite some years now been widely available with a polyurethane enhancement. In fact it is becoming increasingly difficult to find ranges without it. Furthermore, this technological advance has helped make...

At last, a contract reaches climax after 20 years.(Carpet tiles in Kuwait)
October 1, 2006... SINCE the fall of Saddam's regime in 2003, there has been a renewed sense of optimism within Kuwait which has resulted in an influx of investors looking to put their money into the country. During my recent visit to Kuwait City I noticed a...

'Disgraceful attack' on CFJ deplored.(Lampoon by rival magazine)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... A Lancashire-based flooring contractor comments: I AM writing to you after seeing the disgraceful attack on CFJ in a cartoon in a recent issue of another flooring magazine, which was shown to me by another flooring contractor who is equally...

'These are not just any old regulations'.(Ageism at work is now illegal)
October 1, 2006... UNDER these new regulations it will be unlawful on the grounds of age to: * Discriminate directly against anyone--that is to treat them less favourably than others because of their age--unless it can be objectively justified. *...

Come and join us, you won't regret it.(The president)(Contract Flooring Association)(Personal account)
October 1, 2006... IT was reported following my election as CFA President that my priority during my term of office would be training. That certainly is a concern, but my principle aim is to involve the CFA members more into our various activities by making...

Qualified workforce is essential.(The director)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)
October 1, 2006... THE Major Contractors Group (MCG) has decided to set yet another deadline by which all site personnel must be in possession of a CSCS card or they will not be allowed to work on a building site. To set deadlines which are not met and then...

Training directory.(Floor covering industry)(Directory)
October 1, 2006... fita Flooring industry Training TEXTILE Advanced carpet fitting: Oct 9-13 (N); Carpet tile cerpet fitting: Oct 19-20 (N); WOOD & LAMINATE Intermediate wood fitting: Oct 16-18 (L); Sanding&sealing: Oct 19-20 (L);...

Be warned: there are bogus 'experts' about!(Sid Burne on selecting a flooring consultant)(Grundorf Terhurne)(Interview)
October 1, 2006... SID BOURNE, technical director at Grundorf Terhurne, answers questions from CFJ readers based on his 25 years of installation experience. IF you ever need an independent inspector to help resolve a flooring dispute, beware. Always make sure...

Water-resistant doesn't mean waterproof.(Ian Knifton on being impervious to water)
October 1, 2006... WHEN is a tiling installation like a wristwatch? When water-resistance qualities are mistaken for being waterproof. Just as a watch which is only water-resistant should never be submerged, water-resistance will not protect a tiled installation...

Dirty hotel carpets: let's not beat about the bush.(Dr Eric Brown on protecting your investment)
October 1, 2006... IT IS a sad fact that whilst the hospitality industry may be extremely good at day--to--day issues such as room management and routine maintenance, their understanding of carpet cleaning is often sadly lacking. It is amazing that many of...

Spiked roller vs laser gun! May the floors be with you.(David Gatfield on installing a subfloor in a quasar arena)(Personal account)
October 1, 2006... I AM currently involved with an installation in a ten pin bowling club, overlaying 500m of a resin floor. It was full of trowel marks and as the natural light came in via floor to ceiling glass doors, the overall affect was making the bowlers...

Tips on finding your perfect partner abroad.(Peter Allan on foreign export representatives)
October 1, 2006... IT TAKES two to tango, or so they say, and this is never more true than in international business. Working with the right partner is pivotal to success, whilst choosing the wrong partner can leave you out of step and out of pocket. Whether...

How the EU protects your design rights.(KNOW LAWS)
October 1, 2006... UNDER UK and EU law design rights are conferred on the creation of a new 3-dimensional design. They can be unregistered or registered. Unregistered or registered design protects the appearance of a product--this includes shape, contours,...

You must treat every floor as a special case.(Alec Stacey on maintaining floors finished with PU lacquer)
October 1, 2006... WHATEVER treatment a timber floor receives it will inevitably require some degree of maintenance. Every floor requires individual assessment because factors such as type of finish, level of trafficking, climatic conditions and positioning of...

Conditions of use often dictate your choice. (Martin Cummins on adhesive selection.(part 2--wood)(variety of wood adhesives )
October 1, 2006... HAVING explored factors governing adhesive choice for textiles and resilients last month, I will now discuss the selection of adhesives for wood. What's so special about wood? Getting the pun out of the way early, wood flooring is an...

Leading lawyers write for CFJ.(Help and advice)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... CFJ has assembled a team of specialist lawyers for a new advice series for employers in the flooring industry, including contractors. Our legal experts will deal with matters which are vital for employers:. Writing this month are: *...

How much will it cost to sack an employee?(Gareth Edwards on the latest changes in employment law)
October 1, 2006... EMPLOYMENT law is forever changing with new legislation and developments in case law. This month I will review recent changes in the law and highlight key areas for employers to watch out for in the next 12 months. * Disability...

Can you be blamed for a workplace death?(Paul Verrico on corporate manslaughter)
October 1, 2006... A TOTAL of 581 people died as a result of work-related incidents in 2004/2005. During the first six months of this year 202 workers were killed. Construction is in second place. As you may be aware, the Health and Safety Executive...

The glues brothers.(Help and advice)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2006... AN UNEXPECTED VISIT FROM ME AND MY SALES DIRECTOR, MAURICE HE WAS DOWN HERE VISITIN' A COUPLE OF THE BIG BOYS... ... BUT ONE OF 'EM CANCELLED... SO WE HAD SOME TIME TO KILL [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

CFA firm sues agency for false credit rating.(News file)
October 1, 2006... LOUGHTON CONTRACT CARPETS, a leading flooring contractor and established member of the CFA, is suing the agency Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) after claiming that a false credit report caused 5m [pounds sterling] of losses over a nine month period....

Schools win makeovers in Polyflor promotion.(News file)
October 1, 2006... HILLINGDON Manor School, Uxbridge, and Thames View Junior School, Rainham, Kent, won a free prize draw organised by POLYFLOR as part of a promotional campaign targeting thousand s of schools throughout the UK, supported by numerous flooring...

Alliance share sold.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Lusotufo Group has sold its interest in Alliance Rooring Distribution to its partner in the business, Abingdon Flooring. The sale will enable Lusotufo, including New-Way and Causeway Carpets, to invest further in expanding its UK market share,...

Cement prices up.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Lafarge has hiked its prices for bulk and packed cement by 15% due to rises in energy prices. Packed prices increase this month, but the bulk change is from January 1, 2007.

Activity increases.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... UK construction activity had its sharpest rise in five months according to the Construction Purchasing Managers' Index for August driven by strong wins in new business and increased demand from both the public and private sectors.

Construction busier.(Business in brief)(Industry overview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Total new construction orders in the 12 months to July 2006 rose by 8% compared with the previous year. During the same period private commercial and private industrial orders rose by 35% and 19% respectively. Public housing and housing...

BRE rates Tarkett Marley.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Tarkett Marfey Floors has received the highest possible A rating in the BRE Environmental Certification Scheme for its Elite and Eclipse PUR homogeneous ranges. T: 01622 854040

Carpet leasing plan.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Flooring contractor Rudge Brothers & James of Bristol, supported by a leading finance company, is offering clients a carpet leasing scheme for one to five years using carbon neutral and recycled floorcoverings from Interface. T: 0117 980 3990

Quote.(News)
October 1, 2006... 'By refusing to retain and recruit older staff who want to work, employers are accelerating the demoraphic time bomb the economy is resting on' --Frances O'Grady, deputy general secretary, TUC 'I think celebrities given community...

Will reaches dizzy height for charity.(News file)
October 1, 2006... A YOUNG flooring contractor had only 60 minutes sleep during a 28 hour period as part of a 'challenge' to raise money for charity. Will Raiment, of W BLACKBURN & SON, of Leicester, a CFA member, joined a group of 23 students from Durham...

Laybond factory faces the threat of closure.(News file)
October 1, 2006... RUMOURS are rife over the fate of around 50 workers at the LAYBOND adhesives plant at Saltney in Cheshire. If correct, the closure of the factory could be on the cards. Quoting Laybond workers, a local newspaper reports that 51 will be...

Ryalux fun day raises 800 [pounds sterling] for charities.(News file)
October 1, 2006... OVER 400 RYALUX staff and guests participated in the company's family fun day in the grounds of local Balderstone Technology College, Rochdale, recently. A raffle raised over 800 [pounds sterling] for the British Heart Foundation, Bury...

Underfloor growth.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Advanced Heating Technologies (AHT) has completed a financing deal worth around 7.5m [pounds sterling] aimed at growing its underfloor heating system, which uses flexible heating mats, both in the UK and abroad. www.aht-heating.com

Turkish move.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Saint-Gobain, which includes the UK distributor IDS among its stable of companies, has boosted its construction products business after buying Turkish insulation manufacturer Izocam.

InstaCoustic installers.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... In addition to its own in-house contracting division, sound insulation specialist, InstaCoustic, has appointed four major contractors to undertake the approved installation of its acoustic systems nationwide. These include C3 Flooring Co,...

Everything recycled.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... H&R Johnson now recycles all waste from its tile production--unfired matter is fed back into the process and fired matter is crushed into small pieces and ground into a powder before being mixed with other components such as ball clays and...

RAK serves Midlands.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... RAK Ceramics has set up a new, wholly owned, distribution centre in Coleshill, Birmingham featuring a 16,000sq ft warehouse and its own dedicated delivery fleet. www.rakceramics.co.uk T: 01675 437337

1m [pounds sterling] bid for quiet.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... CMS Acoustics has won a 1m [pounds sterling] contract to supply a high performance internal acoustic wall system for two new News International printing plants in London and Liverpool. www.cmsacoustics.co.uk

CFA new members.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Gravity Flooring and Natural Floors U K have recently been accepted as members of the CFA.

Interfloor consults staff on job cuts.(News life)
October 1, 2006... INTERFLOOR is seeking to reduce staff numbers in its Floormaster operation in Scotland by around 54 out of a total of 300. Negotiations on redundancy packages am currently being conducted with the workers and unions. Interfloor's...

Carpet Foundation fetes journalists.(News file)
October 1, 2006... OVER 120 consumer journalists from magazines and tv attended the Carpet Foundation's Red Carpet awards recently. The annual event, in its sixth year, is designed to recognise editorial exposure to carpet in the past year. The categories (and...

FeRFA.(New website developed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... FeRFA says its new website is packed with useful and easily accessible information on resin flooring. It includes various applications for resin floors and details on suitable flooring types, case studies and companies working in that sector....

SPE.(New websites developed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... SPE Group has launched new websites on the activities of member companies: * www.surfacepreparationgroup.com The main web address covers SPE Group with links to each company. * www.spe-int.com Equipment sales to the UK and...

Altro wins safety prize.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Altro has won a Gold Occupational Health & Safety Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for its approach to health and safety in the workplace. The annual RoSPA awards encourage good management to reduce the number of...

James Latham on show.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Timber distributor, James Latham, exhibited at the Timber Show last month in partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council. All depots of James Latham group have been awarded FSC certification by BM TRADA. www.lathamtimber.co.uk T: 0116 257...

Neuhofer audited.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... FN Neuhofer Holz's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification quality and environmental standards have been extended after a successful audit in the summer. The company is a member of NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) and NALFA (North...

Self-employment fears.(Business in brief)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Construction union Ucatt is warns on bogus self-employment among migrant workers. Government figures say just 16,600 out of 427,000 workers from the eight accession countries which joined the EU in May 2004 are working in the construction...

Call for sexual equality.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... The Chartered Institute of Building is calling for women and men to be treated as equals in construction to help ease the skills crisis. Currently almost 200,000 women work in construction, accounting for 10% of the total.

Site ban ruling for floorlayers without CSCS: Major Contractors Group sets new deadline to boost skills quota.(People file)(construction skills certification scheme)
October 1, 2006... COMPANIES within the Major Contractors Group are due to carry out an audit of all workers on their sites this month ahead of the strict compliance clampdown starting next January. As from the beginning of 2007 floorlayers who do not have...

IFDA recognises its top suppliers.(People file)
October 1, 2006... THE INDEPENDENT FLOORCOVERINGS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION (IFDA) recently presented its annual supplier awards with two major contract manufacturers scooping top prizes. F BALL AND CO retained its firm hold of its 'Flooring Accessory...

US hardwood static.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... The volume and value of American hardwood exports to the UK were unchanged in the first six months of 2006 compared with the same period last year. White oak was way ahead, followed by ash, tullipwood, hard maple and walnut. www.ahec-europe.org...

Revamp for Parliament.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Some 10m [pounds sterling] is to be spent on the refurbishment of the House of Lords and the House of Commons in a number of contracts, including the supply of floorcoverings, over four years.

PFI hospitals planned.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... The Government is to spend 1.5bn [pounds sterling] on six new hospitals in Leicester, Torbay, Devon, North Staffordshire, Tameside and GIossop, Salford and Walsall. This is despite questions over value for money and reports of 10 existing...

Dawn moves.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Dawn Gibbins MBE, md of Flowcrete Group plc, has been nominated the most influential person in UK manufacturing beating Richard Branson, James Dyson and Digby Jones. The poll was conducted by the publication, The Manufacturer.

SEC group president.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... Former MP and chairman of the Trade and Industry Select Committee Lord Martin O'Neill has been elected as president of the Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group. Lord O'Neill is a campaigner against retentions and for a more secure...

EPLF board re-elected.(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... The European Producers of Laminate Flooring has re-elected its executive board: Ludger Schindler, MeisterWerke; Martin Prager, Kronotex; Ralf Eisermann (Sonae/Tarkett) and Dr Theo Smet, Unilin. www.eplf.com

FTBA ball raises 7,000 [pounds sterling].(Business in brief)
October 1, 2006... The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association charity was better off to the tune of 7,000 [pounds sterling] after its annual ball last month. T: 020 7256 5954

'Cash for awards' scandal exposed.(News file)
October 1, 2006... SOME companies in the industry are under the impression that flooring awards are available for purchase for the price of an advertisement. CFJ would like to set the record straight. CFJ, in association with the Contract Flooring...

Check your diary! Delivery dates confirmed.(News file)(Ryalux Carpets Ltd.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... RYALUX can now confirm delivery dates to customers as they order their carpet. This is the result of the development and upgrading of internal processes IT systems at its Mossfield Distribution Centre coupled with the move of the sales office....

Ban bullying day.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2006... Ban Bullying At Work Day will be held on November 7. It's claimed that one in four adults has been bullied at work within the last five years. Bullying is the leading cause of stress related illness and the number one employee complaint....

Asbestos warning.(Industry in brief)(asbestos exposure can cause cancer)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Health and Safety Executive is warning floorlayers of the dangers of asbestos exposure which can cause cancer and an early death. Over half a million buildings and thousands of homes still contain asbestos materials, including old floor...

Fewer inspector visits.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2006... Site visits by safety inspectors have dropped 25% in the last three years --down from 74,000 in 2002/03 to 55,000 in 2004/05, according to figures published by the TUC.

Age bias claim.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2006... Construction companies are less likely to recruit workers over 50, according to new Government research released as the new age discrimination regulations come into force this month. However, it also notes that construction has a higher than...

Older workers 'scrapped'.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2006... More than a million older workers cannot get a job because of a lack of investment by employers, according to the TUC. It says workers are being put on the 'scrap heap' when they were keen to work, often due to a failure to put cash into...

'World' flooring web.(Industry in brief)
October 1, 2006... The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) of America has launched a new website. www.wfca.org

Uzin takes floor to U.(News file)
October 1, 2006... UFLOOR SYSTEMS is a new brand name in the flooring industry. Launched last month, with the accompanying slogan 'u rule the floor', it is the umbrella brand encompassing the five product groups manufactured by Uzin Utz. Mary Murrell reports from...

Gifts for contractors who collect points.(News file)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... FLOORING contractors have until Christmas to pile up the points to claim a variety of luxury lifestyle gifts in POLYFLOR's latest incentive promotion. The gifts include items ranging from the latest gizmos and gadgets to TVs and electrical...

Pro tools launched.(Products in brief)(Stanley Tools Div.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Stanley Tools has launched the Fat Max XL range of hand tools specifically designed for the professional user. Initially included are 27 hand tools and 10 tool bags. Tapes, knives, chalk reels, levels and anti-vibe hammers together with...

Matting website.(Products in brief)
October 1, 2006... Plastic Extruders has launched a website for its Heronrib matting, aimed especially at the sports and leisure sector with its suitability for swimming pools, changing rooms and shower areas. www.heronrib.com

Interface on the green.(The trade in brief)
October 1, 2006... Around 135 players participated in the recent Inter faceFLOR customer golf days across the UK. Winners included lan Brough of Certainty Group, Midlands; Trevor Greenfield of PPG (Mitcham); Tony Eales of Ideal Interiors Southern; and David...

Screed in mess room.(The trade in brief)
October 1, 2006... Contractor Pola Flooring used Ardex R 90 P Rake and Trowel Grade heavy duty polyurethane screed for the refurbishment of the factory mess room and washroom facilities at Greenbank Engineering of Derbyshire. www.ardex.co.uk

Sound Reduction CPD.(The trade in brief)
October 1, 2006... Sound Reduction Systems' seminar on acoustics and sound insulation, by Dr Roger Manifold, is available nationwide. T: 01204 380074

4,605 [pounds sterling] whippet up.(The trade in brief)
October 1, 2006... Floors-2-Go raised 4,605 [pounds sterling] for Cystic Fibrosis after a charity event at Perry Barr Dogs Stadium.

450,000 [pounds sterling] contract.(The trade in brief)
October 1, 2006... Eurofloor has reportedly won a 450,000 [pounds sterling] contract from Carillion to work on the 40-storey Beetham Tower in Liverpool.

On the record.(News file)
October 1, 2006... In October 2001 CFJ interviewed the md of Gaskell Carpet Tiles, Nigel Brook, He forecast 50% growth for Gaskell Carpet Tiles by 2006. This may he another example of things not turning out as existed. However, for Gaskell you could read Tessera....

New diplomas aimed to ease skills shortage.(News file)
October 1, 2006... CONSTRUCTION and the Built Environment is one of a number of diplomas scheduled to come on line in 2008, targeting 14-19 year olds. The qualifications are being developed in consultation with industry, government and education providers and...

Here we go again ...(News file)(United Kingdom. Construction Act 1998)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... IN March 2004 Sir Michael Latham was appointed by the government to convene a panel of exports to review the Construction Act after widespread calls to ban retentions and improve the security of payment. A series of recommendations by Sir...

'Focus on the real risk not the old wives' tales'.(News)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... THE Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is urging people to stop concentrating effort on trivial risks and petty health and safety and to focus on real risks--those that cause real harm and suffering. To this end the Health and Safety....

Ryalux gets protection.(Ryalux Carpets Ltd. partnered with 3M Co.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... RYALUX is partnering with global technology company 3M, the makers of Scotchgard Protector. Scotchgard Protector will be applied to all Ryalux's carpets during the manufacturing process to form an invisible hard wearing shield around the...

CFA Western dinner.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2006... The Western region of the Contract Flooring Association has a meeting and dinner for members and guests on October 11 at the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales. The cost is 20.56 [pounds sterling] per person. Details from CFA office. T: 0115...

Working with wood.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2006... Experts from TRADA and its sister organisation FIRA are participating in seminars at the Working with Wood exhibition, NEC from October 8-11. www.w6exhibition.com

Atkinson seminar.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2006... Due to demand Atkinson & Kirby plans a second seminar evening in Hounslow on October 10, including demonstrations from Granwax, Laybond and Salt abrasives. Atkinson's own hardwood experts will be present. T: 020 8577 1100

Bet on NCCA AGM.(Events in brief)
October 1, 2006... The National Carpet Cleaners Association AGM is on October 27 at Leicester Racecourse. Sponsors of the event--Chemspec, Envirodry and Solution UK--are all presenting a seminar. A trade exhibition running alongside includes presentations from...