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Karndean’s 50 golden years in luxury flooring
Karndean Designflooring celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Managing Director Paul Barratt explains how the Evesham-based company rose from humble beginnings to become a global leader in the luxury vinyl flooring market.
Flooring installer Michael Walker started his small family business at home in 1973. While already successful in the sector, he wanted to make his own mark and create a brand which was not only practical but stylish, high quality and unique. Today, through sheer hard work, vision, and dedication, Karndean - while still proudly family owned - is a household name, boasting worldwide sales, 300 employees, and state-of-the-art warehouse and delivery services. But two things have never changed: the company remains fiercely loyal to its roots (Mike’s dog Smokey features on the company’s logo to this very day) and equally committed to its customers. So, what lies at the heart of Karndean’s achievements? Paul explains: “Aside from making it to 50 years in business, I would say becoming the market leader creating an aspirational brand. “It is particularly pleasing to read housing particulars that reference Karndean as a key selling feature of a house. It takes a long time to build the brand reputation for quality, value and service we have at Karndean. Staying at the top of our game is our mission which we achieve through authentic product design and development; new technology to assist the selection process, demonstrating our expertise in specific market sectors and ensuring we operate sustainably for the benefit of people and planet.” While acknowledging the difficult economic climate, Paul believes strongly that with challenge comes opportunity. He says: “At Karndean, it is important to continually innovate in both product and technology. We have been developing both and now is no different. We have some exciting new collection refreshes planned for 2023 and digital projects that will assist the purchase journey for consumers in partnership with our retail partners – making it even easier to find a simply beautiful floor that you’ll love for a lifetime. In addition, we have invested in improved ordering systems and delivery service which will allow internal teams to be more proactive and provide an industry leading logistics service to our customers. “Our product teams travel the world seeking out trends in design that will feature in future collections. Combined with frequent data analysis, this provides our teams with the information needed to make the right choices. We also absorb a large amount of insight from leading experts to provide plausible scenarios that enable us to make decisions with more confidence. This is essential in the frequently changing environment we have experienced over recent years. Paul has no hesitation in pinpointing what sets Karndean apart from its competitors. “That’s simple – authentic design! Our products are designed from natural materials and aim to re-create that in the most environmentally sustainable way. “Inspired by natural materials from around the world, Karndean flooring presents authentic textures and patterns that create an intriguing floor which stands out for all the right reasons. Handcrafted embossed surfaces realistically replicate the natural textures of wood and stone for a look that’s hard to distinguish from the real thing. With a wide range of designs available, from the dramatic appearance of rustic reclaimed timbers with distinctive saw markings to the subtle surface textures of poured concrete, it’s possible to create a visual link to any local environment.
“Outside of product, the Karndean team and culture is special. Everyone contributes to make Karndean the leading brand that it is.” What is Paul’s single best piece of advice to other businesses? “Don’t stand still. Absorb as much information from other industries as possible to help you see your own business from a different perspective. If you are constantly trying to improve and stand out, then you will create a long-term sustainable business like Karndean.”
Paul Barratt, Managing Director, Karndean Designflooring
ABE Ledbury: mapping out a new road for the future
For road haulage specialists ABE Ledbury, the past year has meant getting back to basics, with the wellbeing of colleagues and the customer experience at the top of the agenda.
It’s been 50 years since the firm’s founder Andy Boyle started the wheels turning at ABE Ledbury. “You could say Andy was the accidental haulier,” says current MD Clive Brooks. “He was working in agriculture when he was given an old truck to pay off a debt. He then borrowed money from his mother to buy a second truck.”
The rest as they say is history. ABE Ledbury currently has 50 vehicles, 60 trailers and 70 employees on the books. Most customers are based within a 50-mile radius, and the company offers nationwide distribution service for all types of consignment from a single pallet to a full load. Bulk liquid tankers and storage is also part of the offering. It’s no surprise that the last couple of years have been exceptionally tough. ABE Ledbury has had to juggle a huge number of challenges, from dealing with long lead times and cost increases for new vehicles and trailers, rising fuel costs and shortages, driver shortages amplified by issues at DVLA and with training, Covid restrictions… and now the cost-of-living crisis. But, as with previous economic downturns, ABE Ledbury’s strong values have always seen it through. The business has evolved and grown over the decades, adapting to new technologies, setting up its own warehouse, storage and workshop facilities, and being early adopters to the new concept of pallet networks, joining Palletline in 1995. The company heads into the new year in a strong position, having celebrated its golden anniversary in 2022, and winning Small Business of the Year at the Chamber’s annual awards. They were also runners-up in Excellence in Customer Service. These achievements, says Clive, are a welcome validation of the team’s hard work and dedication in exceptional times. ABE Ledbury have also set up strong links with the local foodbank, helping with volunteering, transport and fundraising for those parts of the community that are really struggling. Looking ahead, he adds that the current emphasis is on consolidation, careful growth and most importantly of all, looking after the team and reconnecting with customers now that the pressures of Covid have lifted.
“Brexit, the pandemic and the Ukraine War created a genuine perfect storm,” he explains. “We were handling unprecedented volumes in lockdown while struggling to fill vacancies. The fuel crisis and driver shortages were particularly difficult, but there are signs it’s levelling out again. “I think the word finally got out that you can earn a decent living driving a nice truck and going to interesting places, and while we experienced further issues with DVLA and training delays, recruitment is on an even keel again.” Clive is also hopeful that fuel costs will keep falling too “so that the benefits can be passed straight on to our customers.” “In some respects, it seems like a very different recession as we have virtually full employment, which is very different from 2008,” he adds. “But as a company, we feel quite lucky. We own all our vehicles and bought our current site a year ago, so we’re very optimistic about our ability to ride out this latest storm.”
Over the past 18 months, ABE Ledbury has introduced new technology to further boost efficiency and encourage sustainable working. Customers have access to a new online portal to monitor bookings, the drivers have smartphones to ease communications and deal with daily vehicle checks and defect reporting, and GPS keeps track of real-time collections and deliveries. The company also has remote access to dashcam footage to allow for a quick response to any issues on the road or at premises. Looking to the future, Clive would like to add EVs to the fleet, but the problem, as ever, is lack of infrastructure: “We are waiting for the technology to catch up, and I can definitely see a lot of change in the next few years. “But in general, we aren’t trying to be over-ambitious,” Clive says. “Our primary aim is to make sure everyone is okay. The focus is on training and mental health and encouraging teamwork and engagement. “It’s all about getting back to basics and that philosophy will carry through into this year too. We are very proud to help Herefordshire and Worcestershire business get their goods to market.” Full details about services are available at abe-ledbury.co.uk.
