2 march 2004 news service - the stocklists · shown in blue b03 5281,green quadrille b02 4647,a...

2 March 2004

News ServiceThe colour section of The Stocklists for news & reportsBRITAIN’S No. 1 FLOORCOVERING MAGAZINE FOR THE RETAIL AND CONTRACT MARKET

Axminster Carpets has launched two new websites, one dedicated to thecontract carpet sector, and the other targeting the consumer. Months ofplanning and research have gone into the production of these state of theart websites, and with every angle covered, all users can be assured thatthey are just a few clicks away from understanding more about carpet andhow Axminster and Tintawn can meet their demands, whether for acomplex contract installation or for domestic use.

www.axminster-carpets.co.uk is the new consumer website that gives thepublic an excellent insight into the various carpet types, including detailson colour, texture, style and qualities, all with a help of the substantialrange choices from Axminster and Tintawn Carpets.

Other useful services include information on new ranges, an easy tofollow guide to product suitability, and a Home Decorator service, whichallows the user to compare products and colours against other wall andfurniture colours to seek their perfect designer room look.

www.axminster-contractcarpets.co.uk is the new dedicated site for thecontact carpet market.As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of

Axminster clicks into new marketing

The Stocklists News Service January 5th 2004

Touchline training for FlotexNew dimensions for Polyflor 30 Blue slate and wood effect tiles from the Polyflor Expona art and design

collection have been used to create “signature” signage in the receptionarea at the new Millie Brown hair and beauty salon in HamptonHargate, near Yaxley, Peterborough.

The tiles, installed throughout by Anden Designer Floors, also ofPeterborough, have also been used in combination to create a 3D effectin the salon waiting area.The inlaid logo signature was created via thePolyflor Expressions Designs Service which used computerised waterjet cutting techniques to produce a variety of shapes and styles forinlaid decoration.

The Polyflor Expona art & design collection provides designers withinnovative and exclusive design options - including 101 wood effect,stone effect and art and design colourways and featuring textured andembossed finishes for the authentic look and feel of the materials -which help to create stunning visuals and a distinctively stylishappearance.These standard design options are complemented by acomprehensive range of classic motifs, decorative borders, inlays andfeature strips, with a bespoke design service catering for total originality.

Polyflor Expona features a specially formulated polyurethane surfacetreatment, reducing the maintenance costs of the product by up to 24%by improving the soil resistance and cleanability of the floor.

Bonar Floors achieved excellent attendance levels at a recent trainingevening for its retail range of Flotex flooring. Held at Glasgow RangersFootball Club, over 65 retailers attended to find out more about Flotex andits unique qualities and winning product.The second leg of a comprehensive training roadshow jointly organised byBonar Floors and MCD Scotland, one of the company’s major distributors,the company performed cleaning demonstrations, highlighting the hardwearing composition of Flotex and showing just how easy it is to removespillages (including paint, hot fat and red wine) through a scrape, scrub andrinse process.Jason Pethard, Retail Sales and Marketing Manager at Bonar Floorscomments:“This roadshow was well received with key retailers throughoutScotland interested in the product’s unique capabilities as well as finding outmore about the company’s new direction and new range of flooringincluding the Speyside plain range.And holding the event at GlasgowRangers gave the event extra appeal.”

Isla design from Flotex flooringSignature signage in the reception area at the new Millie Brown

hair and beauty salon in Hampton Hargate

Axminster,Wilton and Tufted carpets,Axminster has been chosen as thepreferred supplier of quality soft flooring in many prestigious locations,including the Royal Albert Hall, Epsom Racecourse, Kangwonland Casinoin Korea and most recently Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park.The site gives anin-depth insightinto the servicesAxminster Carpetscan provide.

Interested partiescan look at stockranges, bespokedesigns, and evenuse the DesignViewer to helpchoose design andcolour combinationsthat best suit theirrequirements.


31


32 The Joy Lawrence Column

The NICF has been working tirelessly for years to raisestandards and improve the image of carpet fitters. Even so, too manypeople, both inside and outside the trade, regard them as beingunprofessional.You only have to look at the way they drive around, it’sargued, with carpet either hanging out of the back of the van or tied on tothe roof.And with the amount of rain we have in this country… Well,need anyone say more? In the past, fitters might have argued that this wasthe only way of transporting wide-width carpets in particular if they usedan average-size van, but that argument no longer holds water.The BreezeVan Centre is now marketing the VW LT28 ‘Carpet Van’ which is capableof carrying up to 15ft width carpet.The bulkhead has been modified sothat carpet can be pushed right up to the front of the vehicle alongsidethe driver, the latter being protected by a see-through partition.A secondpassenger/fitter can be accommodated sideways on behind the driver.There are twin rear doors and a side sliding door for easy access. Further

advantages are a rear step for ease of loading and a heavy duty woodfloor throughout.

Leigh Spinners has been supplying carpet tiles towholesalers and larger retailers for a number of years. until now, though,the company has never targeted the independents involved in contractand ‘soft’ contract carpet tiles.Aware of the potential, the new company,under the name of Leigh Carpet Tiles, has launched a collection of eightranges supported by sample cards. Included are Samson, a velourneedlepunch tile, two cut pile tufteds and three solution-dyed nylonranges, with the remainder being low level loop pile in polypropylene.Responsible for the new venture is David Ellis, sales manager of LeighCarpet Tiles who will be concentrating on selling into the north west, butthe company will also have representation in the Midlands and the NorthEast. Deliveries can be made anywhere in the country on a next-day orthree-day basis, as required.There is no minimum order as such, only apremium delivery charge for orders of under five boxes of tiles.

Now available fromthe Breeze VanCentre is a specially-modified VW LT28for carrying wide-width carpet.

**

The new company,Leigh Carpet Tiles,has launched acollection of eightranges supportedby sample cards.

Gaskell Carpet Tiles & Modulus have forged a long term partnership agreementwith TDG, the leading pan -European supply chain solutions provider, in order thatUK customers can benefit from a world class warehousing and delivery service.

With immediate effect,TDG Contract Logistics division will manage theseservice functions on behalf of the newly merged carpet tile business, taking overresponsibility from Gaskell plc, the former parent company. Under the terms ofthe new contract, all carpet tiles from the manufacturer’s Preston-basedproduction plant will be shipped on a daily basis into TDG’s Warrington site.

TDG will store and handle all finished goods, deliver single boxes to full pallet-loads to Gaskell Carpet Tiles & Modulus customers in the UK, and assumeresponsibility for the company’s ‘next morning delivery’ of carpet tile samples.

Andy Hall, Operations Director for Gaskell Carpet Tiles & Modulus says thenew partnership will benefit all customers.

“With its impressive fleet TDG is able to offer customers increased flexibilityover delivery dates, providing a ‘day one for day three’ service as standard,plus options for ‘next day’ or timed deliveries where required.

Because of the extensive work we’ve done to fully integrate our sales ordersystem with TDG’s sophisticated warehousing system, the progress of thoseorders and availability of stock can be accurately tracked in real time.”

Gaskell delivers with top team

Continued on page 43 �


33

Tel: 01299 827477 Fax: 01299 [email protected] www.carpetsofkidderminster.comCarpets of Kidderminster, Wilden Lane, Stourport on Severn, Worcester

the classic axminster collection

Design 6/2822 Beshan inBuckingham Axminster

Gems from the golden era of carpet design created by Masters of the Art - exclusivelyfrom Carpets of Kidderminster

Buckingham

“Carpets of eleg

ance from...”

The cream of traditional axminster designs created over generationsare beautifully illustrated in a new brochure called The ClassicCollection compiled by Carpets of Kidderminster from famous rangesacquired in recent years from original sources.

They include a selection from the Buckingham, Florence, Royalty, Grenaby,and Laxey ranges together with samples of the Highlands Collection, amagnificent range of Tartans developed by Carpets of Kidderminsterthemselves, vhich are particular favourites with contract specifiers.

Buckingham, formerly the flagship axminster range from Firth Carpetsof Brighouse, is noted for the authenticity of its designs which is self-evident in those selected for the brochure such as BF 00001, an elegantKirman, exquisitely coloured, BF 0002 Ispahan, BF 00003 Hamadan, aninterlocking Ogee style design, BF 02721 Arak, a trailing Ispahan andKasak, in the Berber tradition.The front cover of the brochure alsofeatures the latest addition to the Buckingham range 6/2822 Beshan, aBerber version of this classic design on a ground of stippled andtextured yarns.

Crossley and Carpet Trades recalled

Seven designs from the Florence range, originally from John Crossley &Sons of Halifax, are featured - B11 4398, an all-over miniature PersianGarden, B10 5281, an Ogee Samarkand on a watermarked ground, alsoshown in Blue B03 5281, Green Quadrille B02 4647, a delightfulbouquet floral chintz also shown on a black ground B09 4647, B02 403,a typical Kirman Panel Persian and B26 7240 displaying miniature rosebouquets decorated with gold scrollwork on a watermarked ground inthe typical French tradition.

Royalty axminsters were for many years standard bearers for CarpetTrades of Kidderminster represented in the Classic Collection by B25627, a charming cameo floral chintz on a tonal green ground.

Grenaby high grade axminsters originally from Quayle Carpets ofKidderminster has five designs illustrated.They are B23 8036, a classicRed Turkey, B26 803 Red Kashan, a stylish Bokhara, B04 812 Vizir, adelicate Medallion Persian on a cream ground, B14 8018 CreamJacobean and B16 8950 Shah Abbas, a fine example of a trailing Ispahan.

Laxey, also from Quayle Carpets, enjoyed great popularity in its heydayand is represented by B72 746, a flowing green ground Ispahan,B23 756, Persian Garden and B28 759 Sultan – both fine examples ofclassic Persian Panel designs, with B23 9036 Emir Turkey and B48 763Fawn Elizabethan, an elegant flowing design on a watermarked ground.

Classic Collection - masterly promotionTartans Popular

Tartans shown in the brochure are B5555 (McKellar) B5626 (Murray ofAtholl) and, perhaps the most sought after, two examples of theBlackwatch Tartan B5487S (small) and B5487L (large).

In addition to these fine examples of classic axminster broadloomsCarpets of Kidderminster also weave the elegant Sonnet axminster rugsoffering various authentic reproductions of timeless orientals and florals.

Alongside these tradltional styles Carpets of Kidderminster also producevarious contemporary ranges notably the stunning new Sarakhan Berbercollection which includes three plain/patterned axminsters each in 13colours forming a major element in a total of 70 options together withthe Byzantine Collection, Minaret and Ludlow Court stock broadloom.

A new Tombola showing the Classic Collection to its best advantage isavailable for instore promotion

Carpets of Kidderminster,Wilden Lane, Stourport on Severn DY13 9LW.

Brochure Hotline: 01299 827477.


37

Elegant Black WatchTartan installation ata Bradford night spot

New ClassicsCollection Tombola

Buckingham

“Carpets of elegance from...”


Domotex Hannover 2004 (17 to 20 January) may have started on a note of cautious optimism against abackdrop of difficult trading conditions, but the world’s flagship fair for floor coverings pulled off someimpressive results after four days of trade show activity.The number of visitors soared to 46,000, amassive increase of 15% over the previous year’s total of 40,132.With 1,152 participating exhibitors(compared with 1,060 in 2003) from 59 countries (53 last year), the show achieved a 7% increase inexhibitor turnout.A 9% rise was registered in terms of space booked from 82,340 last year to 88,000square meters at the 2004 show.

The 12 exhibition halls dedicated to Domotex 2004 covered the entire spectrum of the internationalfloor coverings industry: hand-made carpets/area rugs, machine-made woven carpets, textile andresilient floor coverings, parquet and other wooden flooring, laminates, applications technology,installation equipment, cleaning and maintenance, contract flooring, fibres, yarns and textiles topped offwith a promising debut - a brand-new showcase for natural stone floors and ceramic floor tiles.

John Hone, managing director,Telenzo UK said “I’ve always thought retailers were missing out if theydidn’t go to Domotex to get a good grip on emerging trends internationally,“ says John Hone.“It wouldseem that it’s beginning to happen!”

Not only were the ranges launched in the autumn doing great business but Telenzo had even moreexciting new lines to unveil. Says John Hone: ‘’There was very positive feedback on our newdevelopments and an incredible reaction to the latest new concepts hot off the machines. 2003 was arecord year; we have high hopes for 2004.”

Armstrong Floor Products Europe, the leading cushioned flooringspecialist, is launching its new Rhinofloor collection this month.

Taking the best designs from the 2003 collection and adding a wideselection of innovative new floors, the fresh, original 2004 collectioncomprises 104 flooring designs.The collection is divided into sevendistinctive ranges, with nearly half of them completely new.

The Rhinofloor Rustics range incorporates 18 stone and slate effectfloors; the Rhinofloor Woods range, as the name suggests, includes alarge choice of cherry, beech, pine and walnut floors; the RhinofloorClassics range features geometric designs in black and white and strongjewel colours, and the Rhinofloor Professional range remains largelyunchanged from 2003 except for the introduction of two new colours.

Three new Rhinofloor Rooms ranges, showcasing the morecontemporary designs, have also been introduced. RhinofloorMediterranean Rooms is a collection of warm mosaic effect flooringinspired by the striking designs of Spain and Portugal. Rhinofloor FusionRooms builds on the huge success of Armstrong’s biggest-selling design,Digital Blond/Silver, with 12 floors each fusing warm wood with metallicelements.The largest range, with 19 floor designs, is RhinofloorCreative Rooms. Brushed steel, glass block and aluminium tread effectsall combine to offer a modern and inspiring collection.

Consumers will also now gain two further benefits when purchasingRhinofloor: an increase in the Armstrong Wear Warranty for every singleproduct from a five to 20 years and a single price point across the entirecollection, thereby reducing confusion at the point of purchase.

Record results for Domotex

New Rhinofloor from ArmstrongTechnological innovations in wool carpets and creative carpet designwere again the focus on the Wools of New Zealand stand within the‘Floorforum’ area of Domotex 2004.

Numerous research & development advances created by Wool Interiors (adivision of Canesis Network Ltd which manages the Wools of NewZealand brand programme) were showcased at Domotex 04 inconjunction with its trade partners.Wool Interiors has in excess of 150licensed trade partners worldwide who consume over 72% of the totalNew Zealand wool production.

The Yarn Innovation Competition, organised by Wool Interiors, is aimedat carpet yarn spinners to develop new and inspirational yarns whichwill encourage product innovation in the carpet industry.

The participants were asked to submit yarns which were made intocarpet samples at the Wool Interiors Design & Development Centre inIlkley. All yarns had to meet Wools of New Zealand brandspecifications and be commercially available to the carpet industry. Ninespinners from New Zealand, UK, Italy, Belgium, Japan and the USAparticipated, and over 50 carpet manufacturers.

The winners were:

• Yarn Innovator of the Year:Desseaux Spinning (Belgium), overall winner - pinpoint and frise yarn combination which, when steamed, creates a two-pile height product

• Best Technical Yarn Innovation:SylvaniaYarn Systems (USA) - yarn utilising novel twisting techniques and air entanglement

• Best Visual Yarn Effects:S Lyles (UK) - innovative wool/cotton mix yarn

Yarns inspire Hannover38

Rattan in Periwinkle

Winners of the Yarn InnovationCompetition L to R Dennis Duran,Sylvia Yarn Systems;Theo Dessaux,Dessaux Spinning;Nigel Travers, S Lyles;with Klaus Steinmann,Wool Interiors.

Pixel Blond/Silverfrom the RhinofloorFusion Roomscollection


Carpets of Kidderminster has supplied a substantial quantity of speciallydesigned, high grade axminster with borders where required - forrefurbishment of public areas at the prestigious Palace Hotel in Torquay.Theextensive renewals included the main reception and various corridors.

Appropriately the designs developed by the studio at Carpets ofKidderminster and consultants for the project reflected Victorianathemes in keeping with the long traditions of the Palace, and precisionwoven using the state of the art electronic jacquard system in whichthe Wilden firm is a specialist.

Roll out at the PalaceAs consumers continue tocrave natural environmentsin contemporary homes,Carpet Line Direct reportssoaring sales of its solidoak flooring.

Natures Own, thecompany’s first ever solidoak range launched inSeptember last year, issophisticated flooring ofhigh quality grade timberavailable in brushed andlacquered and brushed andoiled finishes.

The solid oak range,available immediately, comes in random lengths of between 350mmto 1500mm, 120mm wide, 18mm thick and available boxed at 2.016 sq m.

The two strip solid oak flooring comes in a standard length of 2224 mm planks, 1 5mm thick and 1 50mm wide and is availableboxed at 2 sq m.

MD Nick Finlay said “Wood is a tremendously popular homefurnishing in today’s market and home owners who want to do itproperly opt for solid oak. And we are able to provide it at anextremely competitive rate.”

Solid success for carpet line39

Palace Hotel,Torquay

Recently appointed as Export Sales and Marketing Manager,Tim Brownbrings with him a wealth of experience in the trade, having worked for14 years as Marketing Manager for Carpets International.

Barry Sanders, who joined Munster Carpets UK, part of Victoria CarpetsPLC, early in 2003, will, in addition to continuing in his current role withMunster Contracts, represent Victoria Carpets in the City, N,W & ELondon,West End, and Essex, following John Scoote’s retirement.

Ted Morgan will represent Victoria Carpets in Kent, S.E. London, PartSurrey and Part Sussex, an area where Ted is well known with manyyears experience in the trade, when Tony Clark retires.Tony plans toretire in April this year following 26 years service with the company.

Pictured, from left to right,Ted, Barry and Tim, are all looking forwardto their future with Victoria Carpets.

Victoria appoints export head

New Berber twist from Balta.Launched this month by Balta, is a new twist which meets thecontinuing demand for textured interest. Prestige Berber Twist is a 45oz. cloth which offers a distinct Berber effect in 12 natural shades.Produced in 5/32nd gauge British Wool rich yarn in a 80% wool/10%polyester Wellbond/10% polypropylene, the carpet gives good cover andis available in 4m width. Sample sets have already been dispatched andthe new range will be promoted as a British Wool product withspecially designed supporting POS. It will also be backed by Balta’s newWool Air programme - a positive attempt to answer some of the healthissues surrounding floor coverings.

Balta has produced a WoolAir brochure which features the naturalcharacteristics in a 100% wool carpet that can influence the quality ofair in the home. It argues that a wool carpet is a healthy carpet and thatwool is a natural, environmentally friendly fibre, with air cleaning andfiltering capacities, that it can and regulates humidity levels and has antiallergic properties. Balta is planning to follow Prestige Berber with acomplementary Axminster range shortly.

Meanwhile, the winners of the British Wool International QualityAwards have just been announced.The competition, devised toencourage and reward new product development in products madefrom UK grown fleece wool, is open to all British Wool licensee carpetand carpet yarn manufacturers in Britain and overseas.

Causeway and Adam shared the honours for tufted products.Causeway was also singled out by the judges for submitting the mostinnovative carpet and Brintons and Axminster both won prizes forwoven ranges. Two overseas manufacturers - a Japanese and anAmerican – were also successful.

John Patton, Chief Executive, Greendale Carpets & FloorcoveringsLtd, chaired the panel of independent judges which also includedPhyllis Hardaker,Testing Manager at Canesis UK Ltd, and twojournalists, Geoff Covey, Editor, CFR and Nina Hirst who is Editor inChief at Interiors magazine.

Causeway Carpets won the tufted, cut pile carpet category with‘Ribblesdale’, a range to be launched very shortly.The judges, felt this50oz chunky twist produced in 5/32nd gauge in yarn spun at 2/33 2offered a most interesting surface effect to the carpet – with a subtletextured look - in an excellent range of 20 soft colours. They felt thecarpet would give good appearance retention.


40 The British Wool Column

Continued on page 43 �

Judges in the British Wool International Awards were L-R John Patton,Chief Executive, Greendale Carpets & Flooring Ltd; Phyllis Hardaker,Testing Manager, Cantsis Ltd; Nina Hirst, Editor-in-Chief, Interiorsmagazine; Geoff Covey, Editor, Carpet Flooring Review


Pownall Carpets launch an exciting Carpet Collection - Treat Your Feet.

The Treat Your Feet Collection comprises three distinctively chunky qualitytextured carpet ranges, each available in the top ten selling colours, includingbeiges, creams, golds and oatmeals and sampled on a fully merchandised 27inch stylish lectern.

Each of the three ranges in this new collection are synonymous with qualityand style - Avant Garde, Pied-a-Terre and Carte Blanche.Avant Garde is ajute backed 3ply 50oz per square yard luxury twist pile carpet. Pied-a-terreis a berber twist range available in a premium 50oz per square yard weight.Carte Blanche, a rich natural style unique textured twist carpet made with45oz per square yard.

Each quality carpets is suitable for heavy domestic use available in 4m and 5mwidths. All three ranges are made with 80% British Wool, 10% Nylon and 10%Polypropylene Meltbond ensuring superior resilience, looks and hard wear.

All the products in the Treat Your Feet Collection are complimented withPownall’s unique Ultra Care and Ultra Fresh systems. Ultra Care is speciallydeveloped for added protection it needs from everyday spills and splashes.Ultra Fresh inhibits the growth of common bacteria and protects againstodours, fungus, mould and mildew growth and helps control the house dustmite thereby significantly reducing allergen triggers.

Now ‘treat your feet’

Bigger and better thanever before, the 2004edition of F. Ball andCo. Ltd’sRecommendedAdhesives Guide hasbeen published and itis available inbrochure form andon-line.

With some 5000entries for brandname floorcoveringsfrom around 200manufacturers it is nowonder that the guideis one of the mostwidely used referencebooks in the flooringindustry. It enablesquick and easilyselection of adhesives

which have been specifically tested for their compatibility withparticular floorcoverings

The guide is constantly updated throughout the year and the very latestinformation is available on line at www.f-ball.co.uk. Using this easy-to-navigate site and its powerful search engine, floorcoverings by companyname or trade mark and the corresponding adhesivesrecommendations can be found very quickly.

To request a copy of the A4 size brochure or the handy pocket sizebooklet please email your details to [email protected] or telephone01538 361633.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd. will be exhibiting at London’s first Surfaces Showalong with its subsidiary company Don Construction Products whomanufacture contract, commercial and industrial floor systems.Visitthem on stand M32

Ball’s ‘RAG’ mag launchedThe name of Matrix Flooring Solutions Ltd may not yet be establishedin the industry but the same cannot be said for the two directors whohave set up the UK’s newest floorcovering supply company, with itsextensive commission manufacturing facilities.

With almost half a century’s industry experience between them, gainedin manufacturing technology, operations, sales and marketing, design andbusiness development, MD Des Hutchinson and Sales Director PaulCunningham are certainly no newcomers to the world of flooring.

They have established Matrix Flooring Solutions, based at WaltonSummit, Preston, with the full backing of their ex-employer BonarFloors Limited.Whilst building an independent commissionmanufacturing business encompassing various mainstream and specialistfloorcovering sectors, Matrix will also be responsible for developing‘third party’ sales of Bonar Floors’ non-branded products.

A long-term partnership agreement grants Matrix rights to sellproducts which include entrance matting and carpet tiles, manufacturedat various Bonar Floors sites, direct to floorcovering distributors andother manufacturers wishing to outsource production or extend theirproduct portfolios.

Customers requiringown brand productsfrom Matrix thereforehave access to twentytufting machines,advanced ultrasoniccutting equipment, andfinishing machinery forbitumen, PVC andlatex.With the fullsupport of BonarFloors, Matrix is alsoable to offer abespoke floorcoveringdesign service.

Matrix makes its mark

41

Des Hutchinson (left) and Paul Cunningham

The Avant Garde range in Creamy Fudge from the Treat Your Feet Collection

The 2004 edition of F. Ball and Co. Ltd’sRecommended Adhesives Guide

Kevin Connor


Cavalier Carpets Regional Sales Division has been strengthened withthe appointment of two new representatives. Both the Contract andRetail Divisions of Cavalier Carpets benefit from new sales personnel.

Kevin Connor takes up the position of Contracts Account Manager forScotland. Kevin brings to the position 13 years experience in theContract flooring sector, with particular expertise in woven and custommade product and knowledge of the Colourtec production facilitiesused by Cavalier Carpets.

The Cavalier Retail Team welcomes Marc Sparkes to the post of SalesRepresentative for the East Midlands.

Marc, an active sportsman and father of one, has worked in the carpetindustry all his life, with the last ten years gaining valuable experienceworking with John Lewis and Waring & Gillows, before spending time inthe manufacturing sector.

Contact Telephone Numbers - Kevin Connor on 07949 902 5056 andMarc Sparkes on 07967 226 894.

Following a full-scale trial of F. Ball and Co. Ltd’s IQ Spray Adhesive System,a specialist flooring contractor has achieved complete success with theinstallation of new floorcoverings at Stranraer Academy in Scotland.

Contracted to remove existing ceramic floor tiles and secure newcarpet tiles in the Academy’s ‘main street’ 900m2 overspill corridor,A&HFloorcovering Specialists Ltd evaluated the time saving and economicadvantages of the IQ system.Already a regular and long-term user of F.Ball’s traditional adhesives, the contractor had high hopes for theapplication of Styccobond S920 Sprayable Carpet Tile Tackifier using thenew spray technology, and he was not disappointed.

An airless system which minimises over-spray, the IQ system spray unitis operated using a hand-held, trigger-operated lance.This dispensessolvent free, low odour adhesives - which are supplied in recyclablecontainers - in even strips while walking at a steady pace along the fulllength of the floor. In this way, an exceptional coverage rate of up tolOOm2 for every 10 minutes of spraying can be achieved.

Cavalier strengthens sales team IQ success at Academy

Axminster Carpets has taken two of its best selling designs andcombined them with the most popular Moorland Heather yarncolour to produce two stunning examples of 100% pure new woolBerber carpets.

Ferndown and Cotswold designs, at the top of the best-sellerstable for many years, are now both available in the popularHoneysuckle colouring.

Available in three widths - 3 foot, 12 foot and 15 foot - both newdesigns are woven in Dartmoor and Super Dartmoor qualities andcarry the Carpet Foundation Quality Mark for Heavy and Extra HeavyDomestic usage respectively.

These additions bring the choice of colours in the Ferndown Range tosix and the Cotswold to three, and the overall Moorland Collectionnow carries over 80 options, ranging from premium pattern designs toquality plains.

Quality pure new wool carpets were originally made in the Devonmarket town of Axminster 250 years ago, and the tradition of style,elegance and luxury lives on in Ferndown and Cotswold.

Axminster Expand Moorland Choice

42

Covering ‘Main Street’ at Stanraer Academy in ScotlandMarc Sparkes

New Fenland design in Honeysuckle from the Moorland Collection by Axminster Carpets


43

A Special Commendation was made to two other companies for productsin this category. To Adam Carpets Ltd for ‘Orbital’ , a two-tone design,utilizing twist and velvet construction.This was launched last year and isalready proving popular in the market place. William Pownall & Son for‘Essence’, produced in a high twist engineered yarn to achieve aninteresting surface texture in natural colours.

The loop pile product prize was awarded to Adam Carpets for Shiredale,the new 46 oz range made in 2ply yarn in 100% Swaledale yarn which isoverdyed. Now in the market place, this carpet was featured in thiscolumn in December. The judges praised the tip sheared constructionwhich, in their opinion, ‘ took natural carpets into another dimension’

A Special Commendation was made to Causeway for Milkshake, a looppile ribbed product which brings together British Wool and cotton toproduce a most interesting ‘frothy’ speckled effect. The range was shownat Harrogate and was acclaimed by the judges, who make this award at

their discretion, for both the new concept and the effect achieved.Theunique Jacob Velvet range, part of the Alternative Carpet Company’s‘Allwool Collection’, received a Special Commendation for Innovation forits appearance and excellent niche market appeal.

There were two categories for woven products. The traditional designsection was won by Axminster Carpets Ltd for ‘Antique Splendour’ asuperb traditional Persian design in 2/30’s Berber yarns. Carpets ofKidderminster received a Special Commendation for its ‘BuckinghamBerber’ whose design in warm, earth colours, interestingly uses poodleyarn alongside berber yarn. The prize for contemporary design was madeto Brintons for ‘Pure Living’ described a ‘smart’ versatile carpet with fresh,clean designs which successfully reflect current trends in interior design.

The awards will be presented at British Wool headquarters later in theyear and the winning carpets will be featured in more detail in latereditions of this column.

The British Wool Column Continued from page 40

World walks on Interfloor

The Joy Lawrence Column

Every industry needs new blood, but how easy is it tostart a carpet retail business? Or to open accounts with the ‘biggies’ oncean outlet has established itself? Wholesalers, of course, do a superb job ofhelping new shops on their patch, but when those retailers want toexpand and start dealing with the brand names, life becomes decidedlydifficult according to one of their number. ‘Manufacturers start talkingabout dealerships and selected distribution. But at the end of the day,surely the aim is to put product into the outlets which are going to sell it.I know for a fact that one of the manufacturers I approached has anaccount in my area which is doing less and less business with them.Yetwhen I managed to get hold of the rep and said,“Close that accountbecause it’s no use to you and open one with me because I’ll really getbehind your products,” I drew a blank. I can appreciate loyalty, but loyaltyis a two-way street. If a supplier isn’t getting the right level of turnoverfrom an established account what’s wrong with starting to do businesswith a new one?

Even the most dyed-in-the-wool carpet retailersare now coming to the conclusion, that they must sell laminates. But oneof their number found that choosing the right supply source is anything

but easy. ‘lf you want any sort of price you have to buy in bulk, but that, Idiscovered, can be disastrous. A driver from a German manufacturer whoappeared to speak barely a word of English dropped half a dozen palletsinto the entrance of my shop and made a fast get-away. I’d explained tothe rep that I needed phased delivery, because we just can’t cope withthat amount of stock all at once. But obviously the message hadn’t gotthrough. So now I’m buying smaller amounts from wholesalers.The priceisn’t as good but it’s certainly less hassle.

Reports from the world of interior design suggest that plainboards - or floors that look like plain boards - along with painted walls arelosing favour and that carpets and wallpapers are becoming high fashionnews.And, apparently magazines in the field are picking up on the trend.It’s all very positive, but if a recent article in one of them is anything to goby some journalists at least need to get with it. Could one of theirnumber really have written words to the effect that at last manufacturershave come to realise that the consumer is no longer interested in largescrolls and floral designs and are now beginning to produce ranges withsmall motifs? The carpet industry sorely needs promotion, but how longago was it when the first ‘snowflake’ range was introduced?

“Staggering” is the word being used at Interfloor Ltd to describe thisyear’s Domotex show at Hannover (January 17-20, 2004).

In line with the officially reported fifteen per cent increase in showvisitors, Interfloor say their 1202 metre stand attracted visitors from 43different countries.

“It was staggering where the people came from” said Tony Capon.Interfloor International Sales Director. “It was one of our best showsever with visitors from the Far East including China,Africa. the MiddleEast, Russia, North and South America, and every European country.”

Many of the visitors were new to Interfloor with some placing ordersas a direct result of the contact. “Obviously there is a lot of follow-up

work to do. but some people came on and ordered straight away,

including one new customer who ordered four x 40 feet containers of

Interfloor underlay.”

Duralay Timbermate Excel, the complete underlay for wood and

laminate floors, was the brand most asked about, closely followed by

contract underlays Duralay Durafit,Tredaire Technics and Flamecheck.

Stretch fit systems, Interfloor Odor Eaters™,Tredaire Willow Green

and Duralay Treadmore also attracted big interest.

“The results prove the worth of Domotex as a shop window for the

best in British floorcoverings with interest in virtually every brand we

had on offer,” said Capon.

Continued from page 40

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Pownall Carpets strengthen its Marketing Division with theappointment of Troy Fallon as their new Marketing Manager. Reportingto the Sales and Marketing Director, Maxine Whitham,Troy will beresponsible for all new product development and marketing initiativesfor the company.Troy brings to the position 18 years experience in thecarpet industry in quality control and product development.

Over the past twelve months, Pownall carpets has embarked on anambitious investment and development programme with a completemodernisation of tufting and backing capacity and a number of newproducts launched under the new Pownall branding and logo.

Maxine Whitham commented- “At Pownall, we pride ourselves on ourpersonal interface with all our customers.We have ambitious plans butwe never forget that we are flexible enough to react swiftly to ourclients needs.The appointment of Troy enables us to provide dedicatedmarkets support for the benefit of our customers and ourselves”.

Weston Carpets can produce its contract carpet within the tightest oftimescales and deliver it anywhere in the world to meet clients’ moststringent deadlines.

The Capitol centre for the arts in Horsham, Surrey (formerly known asHorsham Arts Centre) was opened by the Queen in September thisyear following a major £6.5m refurbishment programme which lasted20 months.

Kent flooring contractors Sanson Contracts used Weston Panoramaspecial design carpet with a pile weight of 1,000 gms per metre squarefor the complete carpeting requirement.

Some 1,500 square metres of the heavy density carpet were fitted inthe 423-seater theatre auditorium, two cinemas, lounge bar, cafe and incommon areas.The carpet was also fitted to treads and risers and totheatre upstands behind the seating.

Sanson Contracts also chose Weston carpet for the refurbishment ofthe Football Association’s London offices during the summer.Around400 square metres of Weston President in a special colour and designwith a pile weight of 1,800 gms were fitted from the basement to thefourth floor of the Connaught Place premises in the West End.

He added:“There is the probability that the FA will change thecarpeting in these offices within the next two years and Weston carpetwould therefore be the natural choice for carpet again.”

Marketing Expansion at Pownall Artful Weston meets tightschedule

The Midlands Area Floorcovering Association (MAFTA) continued theirtradition of support for Cancer research when they held the usual raffleat their last annual dinner/dance which raised £1000 for the charity.

President of MAFTA Tony Hinett (Managing Director of Carpets ofWorth, Kidderminster) presided on the occasion and presentation ofthe proceedings was made at the Carpets of Worth Kidderminstershowroom on 26 January.As a personal gesture in support of MAFTAand of the aims of the Cancer Research project Chairman of Carpetsof Worth, Mr.Affar, made a special contribution of £500 on behalf ofCarpets of Worth.

Midlands meet up for charity

Carpet Line Direct has re-structured its management team andappointed Nick Finlay as managing director. Darren Melville becomessales manager and John Holloway has been taken on to developdistribution in Yorkshire.

Nick Finlay, who has worked in the carpet industry since he was 17, ispart of the original Carpet Line team and takes over the ‘top job’ fromfounding md Steve Byrne.The two joined forces in 1996 when, as salesdirector, Nick was instrumental in establishing the flooring andaccessories distribution company, originally just operating across theNorth East. His promotion to md took effect from January 5th,

Darren Melville {from former Carpets International) takes over from Nickto head up the five-strong sales team. Prior to his three years workingwith Cl, Darren had spent 15 years working in the textile industry in NewZealand and returned home to the North-East for family reasons.

John Holloway joins Carpet Line from Rubber Products and will be responsiblefor developing business across South Yorkshire and parts of West Yorkshire

New Carpet Line-up

Interface UK, the market leading floorcovering manufacturer, hasachieved accreditation in ISO 9001 2000 for its two plants at Shelf inYorkshire and Craigavon in Northern Ireland.This is comfortably withinthe December 2003 deadline set for all organisations currently withISO 9000 certification.

Interface now joins an elite group of only 12% of UK businesses thathave achieved the new standard, which monitors customer satisfactionas a key measurement of the effectiveness of quality management.

“We see ISO 9001 providing a visible thread right through the supplychain,” says Mark Bauer, System Audit Manager for Interface UK, andthe man who led the successful team (pictured below) that has workedto achieve accreditation during the past two years.” It covers internalprocesses and the delivery of goods, extending right through to theservice levels to our customers.

Interface achieves top standard

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L to R Martin Fallows, Rebecca Taylor and Mark Bauer

L to R Tony Hinett, Chris Dale and Margaret Griffin (Cancer Research)Charles Townsend (Chairman MAFTA) Kevin Harrison (Treasurer MAFTA)

Official Bulletin of the NICF4d St Mary’s Place,The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1PH Tel: 0115 958 3077 Fax: 0115 941 2238 e-mail: [email protected]

National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers

Moisture in subfloorsMoisture is a major source of failure in floorcovering installations. Howeverproviding you treat moisture with respect and take appropriate action you canavoid any problems.

Before laying any floor covering to a subfloor therefore it is essential to ensurethat the subfloor is sufficiently dry to accept the floorcovering. This isparticularly important with concrete and sand/cement screed subfloors.

Where does the moisture come from?There are four main areas where water comes from:-

● Water from construction● Rising damp● Condensation● Rainwater ingress

Of the four areas above, water from construction is perhaps the main source ofmoisture in a subfloor. When laying concrete and sand/cement screeds aconsiderable amount of water is used to provide the required chemical action andworkability of the mix. The amount of water used is greater than that required forhydration of the cement. It is essential therefore that the excess amount of water isallowed to evaporate and the floor to become ‘dry’ before laying the floorcovering.

A solid floor is the slowest part of a building to dry out. Concrete undernormal conditions is never completely dry. In concrete water is held within thecompound in pores, or small passages in the structure. There are two types ofpore, coarse pores and fine pores. Water in the coarse pores is relatively mobileand during the drying process water in the coarse pores evaporates morequickly. Water in the fine pores is relatively immobile and is always present inthe compound and does not cause a problem. It is the water in the coarsepores, if not allowed to evaporate, which can cause problems during theinstallation of a flooring material if it is not allowed to evaporate sufficiently.

The drying time of a concrete or cementitious subfloor is influenced by anumber of factors including the ambient conditions, quality of the screed,surface finish and thickness of the screed. Of these thickness is the mostimportant.As an estimate the rate of drying of a 50mm screed is about 1mmper day. It is reasonable to expect therefore that a 50mm thick screed laidover a damp proof membrane will take about 2 months to dry. For thickerscreeds or screeds which are bonded directly to a slab or for power-floatedfloors the drying time will be much longer, possibly as long as a year or more.

Measurement of moistureThe following British Standards relating to the installation of floor coveringsdetail a method for determining the dryness of a floor:-

BS 5325:2001 Code of practice for the installation of textile floor coverings

BS 8203:2001 Code of practice for the installation of resilient floor coverings

BS 8425:2003 Code of practice for the installation of laminate floor coverings

The principal of the test is to use a hygrometer or probe to measure therelative humidity of a pocket of air entrapped between an impervious thermallyinsulated housing and the surface of the subfloor. Sufficient time should beallowed for moisture equilibrium to become established between the pocket ofair and the subfloor.

It has been shown that when the relative humidity falls to 80% the water hasevaporated from the coarse pores and the concrete/screed is sufficiently dry topermit the floor covering to be installed. In order to allow for errors indetermining the relative humidity it is recommended that the concrete isconsidered dry when the relative humidity falls to 75% or less.

Recommended instruments for measuring relative humidity include hair, paperor synthetic fibre hygrometers or an electronic relative humidity probe.

Protimeter plc manufacture a range of moisture measuring instrumentsincluding the Protimeter MMS and Surveymaster SM models. Theseinstruments can be used to assess the overall moisture condition of thesubstrate and to identify local damp spots quickly and non-destructively. Theradio frequency sensor incorporated in these meters is held against the surfaceto give a qualitative indication of the residual moisture to a nominal depth of15-20mm. This technique can be used to identify the most appropriate pointsto take measurements of the relative humidity of the subfloor.

The Protimeter MMS and Surveymaster models are very sophisticated andconsequently relatively expensive however there are several other instrumentsavailable which are not as expensive but will nevertheless give an indication ofthe state of dryness of a subfloor.

Remember always check for moisture, do not take a chance it could proveexpensive if the floorcovering fails.

Do not be frightened of moisture – respect it and you will avoid costly mistakes.

The NICF bulletin is sponsored by

The Protimeter MMScombines moisture meterand hygrometerfunctionality in one stateof the art electronicinstrument forcomprehensive moisturesurveying in buildings.

Sometimes the obviouscan be overlooked!

2 march 2004 news service - the stocklists · shown in blue b03 5281,green quadrille b02 4647,a...

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