Flooring Dec 2015 / Jan 2016

december / january 2016

Shaw Contract Group releases more resilient flooring options The addition of more resilient collections to Shaw Contract Group’s offering makes finding the complete flooring solution easy.

See page 28 > Shaw Contract Group Surface and Strand

incorporating

FLOORS

december 2015/january 2016 | vol 33 no 06 www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Industry News

Special Features

Regular Reports

FrontCover

04 NSW retailer takes top honour

26 Resilient

01 Shaw Contract Group

30 Training

18 Airstep Retailer of the Month: Glendowie Carpet One, Ballina, NSW

32 Carpets

20 Software

36 Laminate

39 PIC Floors: preparation, installation & care

06 Call for submissions for new FAV awards 08 Beaumont Tiles continues growth 10 A perfect platform for flooring 12 Laticrete Australia appointments 14 Gerflor's unique warehouse and logistics solutions

42 Product Update 44 Business 45 Advertiser Index 46 Exhibition Calendar

16 Kenbrock turns focus on innovation

Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016 3

News NSW retailer takes top honour NSW retailer, Toowoon Bay Carpets, has won the Cavalier Bremworth Independent Retailer of the Year award for 2015.

The award is based on criteria that includes customer service, sales growth and level of business conducted with Cavalier Bremworth.

This year, the inaugural awards ceremony was held at Rustica in Newcastle in November with the awards

being presented by Cavalier Corporation CEO Paul Alston and Cavalier Bremworth General Manager Cathy Howitt.

Awards were also given to top performing retailers in each state across Australia, whose names include Bramwell’s Floor Coverings in VIC; Instyle Floors in TAS; Zappia Carpets in SA; Ken Sparks Carpets in NSW; Quality Carpets in QLD and William Geoffrey’s in WA. The following day saw

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Curtis Email: jennifer.curtis@elitepublishing.com.au TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Ashley Cooper Email: ashley.cooper@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour Email: georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN Uber Creative – Annette Epifanidis Mobile: 0416 087 412 Email: annette@ubercreative.com.au www.ubercreative.com.au

4 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

retailers experience the Melbourne Cup with a difference – camel racing at Newcastle Jockey Club.

Although a rainy day, it didn’t dampen the camels’ racing spirit, nor the impressive catwalk technique of the men during the IndyClub Fashion in the Field event. Retailers could bet on their favourite camels with funny money – ‘Cavalier Baaats’ – as well as the Melbourne Cup race itself.

Cavalier Bremworth started the IndyClub in 2014 – the first carpet manufacturer in Australia to launch a group for independent retailers, providing staff training, marketing and product support. Additional to the program are member meetings, providing networking opportunities in a casual social atmosphere, and the annual Retailer of the Year awards.

PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Group Pty Ltd ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Supplier Woodworking Magazine, Tile Today Magazine, Discovering Stone Magazine, FB Magazine, Flooring Magazine, Finishes & Surfaces Magazine Member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association Jennifer Curtis – Group Managing Editor

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD (established 1985) All rights reserved – No part of this publication maybe reproduced, transmitted or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the express prior written consent of Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd. Viewpoints, opinions, claims, etc expressed in articles appearing in this publication are those of the authors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the information supplied or for claims made by companies or their representatives regarding product performance, etc or for any errors, omissions, misplacement, alterations, or any subsequent changes, or for any consequences of reliance on this information or this publication.

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"Your Industry – Your Magazine"

News Ardex Australia partners with McGrath Foundation

Flooring Association of Victoria inaugural TH

AWARDS NIGHT 18

JUNE 2016

NOMINATIONS CLOSE 1ST MARCH 2016 (SEE EDITORIAL)

HEALTHCARE RESIDENTIAL HOSPITALITY/RETAIL OFFICE FITOUT EDUCATION To be eligible the Project must be completed between 1st July2014 and 31st. December 2015.

If you are unsure about any aspect of how to Nominate a project you are welcome to email Warren West for clarification:warrenwest5@bigpond.com Good Luck

FAV Executive

6 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Earlier this year, Ardex Australia announced a new corporate friendship with the McGrath Foundation with a view to raise money to train and place McGrath breast cancer nurses in communities across Australia.

Ardex Australia will donate a percentage of sales on selected tile adhesives to the McGrath Foundation during promotional months, and will join participating retailers, tilers and builders in a range of fundraising events.

An Ardex and McGrath Gala Evening was held in November 2015 with a fitting theme of Shine Bright. The sea of pink included Ardex employees, customers and suppliers as well as friends and family.

The night was action packed filled with raffles, trivia, silent auctions and plenty of dancing.

All in attendance were captivated by guest speaker Dr Geoff Wilson, who was the first person to trek across the Antarctic continent without assistance in a huge effort to raise money for the McGrath Foundation. Dr Geoff captivated the audience with stories, images and video from his amazing experience.

The McGrath Foundation funds nurses who have supported over 30,000 families across the country and the team at Ardex is proud to be contributing to such an esteemed Australian charity. The Ardex and McGrath Shine Bright Night raised over $13,000 for this very special cause.

Call for submissions for new FAV awards EThe Floorcovering Association of Victoria (FAV) is organising an industry awards night to be held on 18 June 2016.

The first such event for the association, the awards night will be a prestigious black tie affair held at the Atlantic @ Docklands in Melbourne.

Hosted by Mike Larkin from the 10 Network, it will include a three course dinner and drinks with a big band and dancing to conclude the evening.

The FAV annual awards are designed to recognise innovation, ingenuity and excellence over multiple disciplines in our industry.

With the criteria for the awards now settled, the FAV is asking for nominees for the following categories: • Healthcare, • Residential, • Hospitality/retail, • Office fit-out, • Education.

Three finalists will be shortlisted in each category.

To be eligible you have to be a member of FAV. Associate members and sponsors can also nominate projects in which their products were used.

A FAV member does not have to have laid these projects; however, the project must have been installed in Victoria.

The projects submitted will fall in to the following time span: • Projects completed between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2015.

• Submissions must be received by 1 March 2016.

A large number of industry sponsors have already come on board to support the event with more welcome.

Further information is available from the FAV. Contact Warren West.

News Beaumont Tiles continues growth Beaumont Tiles is set to realise 20% growth over the next 12 months. Managing Director of Beaumont Tiles, Bob Beaumont, said the growth is being fuelled by the business’ drive to expand, complemented by healthier construction trends and a growing appetite by Australians to renovate.

Beaumont Tiles is aiming for a $250 million turnover by the end of 2016.

Beaumont Tiles has also announced the launch of a high end dedicated channel for the commercial market tailored to builders designers and architects. Called The Beaumont Studio, the initiative will see the introduction of four new Beaumont shopfronts geared for this market.

In the past 12 months, Beaumont Tiles has moved 99,775 tonnes of tiles (from

local and overseas suppliers), more than 13,000 tonnes over the previous year. The biggest growth market has been NSW due to organic and market growth in line with active commercial and residential markets.

Beaumont Tiles has an aggressive growth story in Queensland with a $10 million plus investment in the state in 2016. This will include the opening of another six retail stores and the construction of a massive 12,500 m2 distribution centre opening in the Brisbane suburb of Rochedale in March.

The distribution centre will sit on a major north-south arterial with easy access to the western corridor via Logan motorway (situating Beaumont Tiles closer to the wharves) and will service all of Queensland and Northern NSW.

Mr Beaumont said across its national network, Beaumont Tiles plans an additional sixteen stores in the next 12 months with an emphasis on growth in New South Wales and Victoria.

“Our distribution strategy is focussed on getting the best possible product to the customer in a way that suits them – no matter who that customer is,” Mr Beaumont said.

“Our brand and product mix has certainly evolved and so has the Australian appetite for designer looks and trends.

We’ve seen innovations in tile manufacturing that has meant we can offer an incredibly diverse range at prices – even for the more premium product – that are affordable.

“It’s an exciting time for Beaumont Tiles with the introduction of The Beaumont

Studio – a playground of cutting-edge, experimental and dynamic ideas all in the one place – because it marks our formal entry into the high design market and shows our commitment to deliver industry best outcomes,” he said.

Mr Beaumont said its state-of-the-art warehousing was being constructed for efficiency, safety and speed.

“We’re not just investing to hold larger quantities of stock but to get out product closer to our customer without the need to transfer from interstate warehouses.

Reducing our costs means we can maintain market leading price points.”

Beaumont’s first Style Studio is set to open in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley in early 2016. This will be followed by Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Duo of new stores The Carpet Court family has expanded with two new stores setting up home in Helensvale in Queensland and Ringwood in Victoria, with a third store in Maroochydore giving its trading name an official refresh – Suncoast Carpet Court.

Gold Coast locals got a taste of what’s in store when Helensvale Carpet Court threw open its doors with a star-studded opening event featuring Carpet Court ambassador Shelley Craft

8 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

and last year’s favourite ‘Blockheads’ Ayden and Jess.

Guests had the chance to meet the reno-gurus over a glass of bubbly and hear their top trade tips before pursuing the fantastic range of flooring and window solutions.

News A perfect platform for flooring The leading international flooring show in Asia-Pacific, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2016 is receiving a positive response from both ends of the flooring market: exhibitors and professional visitors. More than 1300 exhibitors are expected to participate in the 18th edition of the show (22 to 24 March, 2016 in Shanghai), while in terms of professional visitors a considerable increase is expected according to the show’s online pre-registration system.

“As the most popular trade show for the flooring industry in Asia-Pacific, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is the perfect platform for flooring exhibitors and professional visitors alike, a fact highly strengthened by its resonance in the flooring market and the constantly increasing number of industry role players’ interest in attending the show,” stated David Zhong, President of VNU Exhibitions Asia Ltd, co-organiser of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR. “DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR is, without a doubt, the ideal place for flooring manufacturers to showcase their products and innovations and the perfect platform for professional buyers to source flooring

products, form their purchasing plan and get educated on what is new in the industry.”

Hornbach, one of Europe’s largest operators of DIY stores and garden centres and a regular visitor of the show is looking forward to finding a conclusion of their ordering plans for 2016 during DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR. The German based DIY mogul, which has recently opened its first Hong Kong import handling office, will be using DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR once more as a platform to finalise its business dealings in Asia.

Visitors wishing to explore the market, develop new relationships and discover new business opportunities

can get their free entrance ticket by registering online.

Pre-registration saves time at the entrances of the exhibition venue and helps professional visitors to plan their visit.

Plenty to celebrate Floor Torque recently won the Sutherland Shire Business Awards for Service and Trade in the Sutherland Shire Local Business Awards.

“This is a very big honour for our company,” said Sharon Brown. “This year is also Floor Torque's 20th year in business at the same address. We have had a lot to celebrate in 2015.”

Carpet Court ladies glam up for a day at the races Even torrential rain couldn’t dampen Carpet Court’s annual ‘ladies day out’ in November, with over 40 female staff from head office, stores and suppliers dressing up for Spring Racing Carnival’s favourite Crown Oaks Day. On Thursday 5 November, the ladies of Carpet Court donned their fascinators and had a flutter at Flemington’s winners post with the flooring retailer’s very own Ambassador, Shelley Craft.

The day was dedicated to celebrating women leaders across the business, rewarding all the hard work which has been put in during the year. It was a great success with members and suppliers enjoying a chat over good food and wine.

“It’s always a great day out when the ladies get together. Year after year, I’m

10 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

in awe of the hardworking and talented women we have in the Carpet Court group and to enjoy a fun day out was a truly deserving reward for us all,” said Natasha Gallardo, Carpet Court’s National Marketing Manager.

Co-owner of Cranbourne Carpet Court, Kylie Speas attended the event with two of her colleagues and is proud to be part of the network that celebrates the women within the business.

“The event was fabulous, even despite the crazy weather! Because our store is quite new to the group, it was great to be able to meet and develop relationships within the group and feel really appreciated.

“It is very evident that women are dominating within the group across a variety of roles – which is great to see,” Kylie said.

News Laticrete Australia appointments Laticrete Australia has promoted Neil Warden to the position of National Sales Manager.

Neil is currently the manager for the Specialty Products Division and has been in sales, specification and business development roles for 19 years. He brings global experience having worked in several overseas markets.

"Neil has six years sales management experience with a further 13 years in business development and management roles with technical and specification sales to the construction, architectural and trade sectors, specialising in the flooring, coating and building sectors. This makes Neil a perfect fit for the Laticrete team and in building on the strategic direction of our business” said Emma Tschannen, Laticrete Australia General Manager.

Shelby Gibson has been appointed Laticrete Australia’s NSW architectural representative.

Choices Flooring Nowra South undergoes Store Evolution Shelby joins the team from Laticrete International North America. She brings with her skills with working on large hotel, restaurant chains, shopping centres and major commercial projects with architects and specifiers.

Having worked extensively within each segment of Laticrete she brings a unique approach and in depth knowledge on the complete product line.

Shelby began her career in the floorcoverings industry, working with various tile manufacturers and drove specifications throughout North America for 14 years.

She has moved to Sydney, NSW from San Diego, California.

New branch manager for Kennards Kennards Hire Concrete Care, East Tamaki has a new branch manager at the helm of the operation. Mark Carson will be leading the way with more than 20 years of expertise in across the timber, shipping, logistics and most recently container hire and sales industries.

“I believe a key aspect in continuing the growth of Kennards Concrete Care will be to leverage off the strong culture that has been the cornerstone of Kennards Hire success to date,” said Mark Carson.

“Kennards Hire is one of the few organisations that I

12 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

have come across who walk the talk and really go that extra mile with both staff and customers – you can‘t place a monetary value on that sort of commitment.”

Transforming the Australian retail flooring experience as they know it, Choices Flooring continues to expand the number of showrooms undergoing the innovative Store Evolution program, with Choices Flooring Nowra South (NSW) being the latest store to complete the state-of-the-art refit.

Owners, Charlene and Warwick McMillian decided to undergo the Store Evolution program to develop their business and enhance the consumer’s in-store experience.

“Our customers enjoyed looking and feeling the samples in our showroom, but they were struggling to picture how certain products would look like in their

room. The technology of the Inspiration Station takes away the uncertainty by allowing customers to see what the flooring products would look like in their own room images,” said Charlene.

Choices Flooring’s Store Evolution aims to provide an unparalleled in-store experience. This is demonstrated by the showroom layout, inspiring product displays and digital technology of the Inspiration Station, which allows consumers to visualise over 2,000 different flooring options in their own room images.

Over 25 stores have completed the Store Evolution so far, and many more are planned for 2016.

Team MovAMBER A team from Australian indoor and outdoor tile group, Amber Tiles, expected to raise $10,000 to support Movember by participating in the gruelling Tough Mudder event on NSW's Central Coast.

Led by Amber's Managing Director, Phil Crawford, the Amber Team successfully completed the 20 kilometre obstacle course to raise money for Movember – a men's health charity – that Amber now supports on an annual basis.

Since 2010, Tough Mudder has conducted over 150 events with two million participants who have raised $8.5 million to date for various Australian charities.

MovAMBER team members in

Tough Mudder featured Mr Crawford; Andrew Lotter, Indoor Products Manager; Joe Verzi, Retail Operations Manager; Aaron Birtles, Amber Chatswood; Cassi Birtles, Amber Chatswood; Michael Dear, Amber Kingsford; Shane Peardon, Amber Caringbah and Owen Vavasour, Amber Kellyville.

Mr Crawford said: “It was a tough course and was only accomplished with the co-operation of our Amber family members, who displayed amazing teamwork and camaraderie. We have managed to donate funds to Movember through the inspiring and combined efforts of each outlet and the support of our customers”.

n i e r o t new s rds

ona e L t S

Another welcome addition to the

Choices Flooring Family

Choices Flooring would like to welcome their newest Members, Kathryn House and Adrian Murphy, into the Choices Flooring family. After working for a major commercial floor coverings contractor in New South Wales, Adrian decided it was time to switch to retail and open a showroom in St Leonards (NSW). Kathryn and Adrian are confident that with the support of Choices Flooring’s Central Office team, they can continue to grow all aspects of their new business.

“Joining the Choices Flooring family was an easy decision for us.

Kathryn and I were so impressed by the Choices Flooring team at Central Office, alongside the relationships the Group has developed with major industry suppliers. We love that we are part of a co-operative that is so focused on innovation - the Inspiration Station being just one example. It has given us the tools we need to succeed as a business and to provide the best possible support and solutions for our customers.”

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: Andrew Lewis Chief Executive Officer Mobile: 0400 400 036 Email: alewis@choicesflooring.com.au

Tim Drew Group Manager - Retail Development Mobile: 0425 751 756 Email: tdrew@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com.au

News Gerflor’s unique warehouse and logistics solutions Gerflor has relocated its national warehousing and logistics to a new $10 million purpose built facility at Truganina in Melbourne’s west.

Built and operated by Schenker Australia the 14, 330 m2 facility delivers unique storage and handling solutions specifically customised for Gerflor flooring.

Gerflor currently occupies about one quarter of the vast complex where each roll of vinyl flooring, as well as tile and plank ranges, has a dedicated location supported

by a sophisticated printable and scannable bar code.

State-of-the-art handling and cutting equipment is also located on-site enabling Gerflor to maintain and improve its service to customers.

The new facilities will be able to absorb strong growth in Gerflor sales and an ever widening range of innovative floor and wall products plus a bigger range of tools and accessories.

Officially opened by the Victorian Minister for Industry and Minister for Energy and

Gerflor personnel join other guests for a tour of their new warehouse at Schenker’s Truganina facility.

Schenker management celebrate the opening with Minister for Industry and Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio.

Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, the new facility is Schenker’s fourth and largest operating in Victoria.

“I am very proud to be here for the opening of DB Schenker’s $10 million Truganina warehouse which will see 40 new jobs created,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“This innovative and environmentally sensitive warehouse is a welcome investment in the state of Victoria. DB Schenker is one of the world’s leading warehousing, logistics and transportation industries with a rich and long history in Australia.”

Managing Director of Gerflor Australasia, Chris Low said the warehouse design was the result of a collaboration with Gerflor to provide unique storage and

handling solutions for its products.

“Gerflor has driven the design of this unique storage system that provides significant cost savings and protects our products from damage while in storage.

“Together we have been able to achieve a design that optimises the storage density and handling efficiency we as a customer demand and Schenker has the capacity to deliver,” Mr Low said.

“The overriding beneficiaries of this innovative new warehousing and logistics capability will be our customers. We appreciate their patience throughout the challenging transition period and now really look forward to them sharing in the benefits,” he said.

Carpet Court members to be recognised on tropical trip Carpet Court has launched its 2016 Excellence Awards for the second year to continue to showcase and reward exceptional individuals and teams across its network of more than 200 stores.

Following the success of the inaugural 2015 awards, Carpet Court will again shine the spotlight on winners across 11 categories on stage in Fiji at Carpet Court’s March 2016 conference.

Focusing on teamwork, the store awards will recognise the Most Improved Store, Best Refurbishment, and Excellence to Commitment in Training as well as the overall Store of the Year. The

14 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

staff awards will highlight outstanding work undertaken by individuals, with awards for the Best Installer, Best Serviceperson, Rising Star, Community Hero, and Excellence to Commitment in Training.

In addition, customers have been invited to vote via Carpet Court’s Facebook page for the staff member and team they believe deserve recognition in the People’s Choice Awards.

Natasha Gallardo, Carpet Court’s National Marketing Manager, said the awards are essential in ensuring that great work doesn’t go unrewarded, while also

highlighting to the whole store network what it takes to excel in the eyes of customers.

“Customer service is at the heart of Carpet Court, which is why we’re excited to once again kick-off the 2016 Carpet Court Excellence Awards. We believe it’s important to recognise and celebrate those exceeding in training and who also consistently deliver excellent service to their customers,” Natasha said.

The Carpet Court Excellence Awards are part of the brand’s The Pathway to Success. This initiative has provided outstanding

examples of engagement across training and improvements at store level with the introduction of the brand’s new store concept and design hub.

There will be both a state winner and a national winner across each category, with winners announced in March 2016.

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                                              



®



 

AUSTRALIA

THE NAME  



News Hilti cleans up at Kennards Hire supplier awards night 2015 Kennards Hire held its 2015 Supplier Award Night on 1 December at the Kennards Hire Artarmon NSW branch, which was turned into a fine dining restaurant especially for the occasion. The event was a way for the entire Kennards Hire team to say thanks and reward their suppliers for the hard work and commitment they have shown throughout the year.

One hundred and thirty suppliers were in attendance, many travelling across Australia for the event. Also in attendance were key members of the Kennards Hire family including Angus, Rory, Cam and Andy Kennard.

Over the course of the night, Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards were presented to the highest

rated suppliers based on a survey that was completed by Kennards Hire Staff from over 150 branches across Australia and New Zealand. There were six different categories of awards, four of which align with Kennards Hire’s core values; Fair Dinkum, Every Customer A Raving Fan, Taking Hire Higher, and One Family. The two other awards were for Customer Service and Supplier of the Year.

Although there were many winners** on the night, two suppliers stood out above the rest.

Trade Tool and equipment company, Hilti won five awards on the night, including the Supplier of The Year. N&D Mechanical also took out three awards, including the Gold

Medal in the Every Customer A Raving Fan category.

Recently appointed CEO of Kennards Hire, Liz Ward couldn’t be happier with the night and the recipients of the evening's awards.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to every single

Angus Kennard, Kennards Hire; Peter Jones, Hilti; Liz Ward, Kennards Hire; Jan Pacas,Hilti and Ben OHara, Hilti.

Freeze MND donation Each year, Carpet Country Traralgon hosts a Charity Golf Day at the Traralgon Golf Club. It is one of the longest running and best attended golf days of the flooring industry calendar and, as part of the day, a donation is made to a worthy charity This year it was decided that the donation would go to the Freeze MND cause.

“This was selected due to the very public battle of Neale Daniher, whose strength and openness throughout his battle

touched us all,” said Carept Country Taralgon’s Gareth Harris. “We were drawn to the fact that there is no known cure, and thought anything we could do to help raise funds and awareness would be a step in the right direction.

“As part of the day we received huge support from within the flooring industry and, upon reaching our fundraising target of $6,000, we had five senior staff members participate in the ice bucket challenge on course,

person who attended the event,” said Liz. “Kennards Hire wouldn’t be the successful brand that it is today without the support and loyalty of all of our suppliers, some of which Kennards Hire have been partnering with for up to 50 years.”

which was very well received by all those in attendance.

“Charity events like this can’t happen without the strong support from all within our industry and we wish to acknowledge all those who supported by donating and attending.”

Andersens Ipswich relocates Andersens Ipswich has recently relocated to a brand new showroom located in Bundamba offering a complete range of flooring and window coverings and a selection of stylish rugs.

Andersens Ipswich has also appointed a new Store Manager, James Albest, who holds almost 10 years experience in the flooring industry.

Kenbrock turns focus on innovation Kenbrock Flooring held its annual National Sales Conference in Melbourne in October 2015, embracing the theme: Focus on Innovation.

The company is currently going to particular lengths to keep abreast of modern flooring technology in order to be able to offer its customers innovative flooring solutions now and into the future.

Many ideas for product and

16 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

process improvements were shared between the sales and marketing team at the conference.

Kenbrock will continue to expand its modular plank ranges and is constantly improving and adding to its traditional LVT ranges, with new colour banks and extra wide and length plank formats. These will be launched early in 2016.

In addition the Kenbrock commercial sheet vinyl ranges will be added to with two new

homogeneous commercial sheet vinyl ranges – Kenflex 180 and Kenflex 360.

Retailer of the month

Competition is king Glendowie Carpet One, Ballina, NSW

By Philip Ashley

18 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

G

lendowie Carpet One in Ballina, NSW is owned by Australian Welterweight (Masters) Champion Bevan Connor.

Bevan has only recently taken out the title at the Australian Masters Games in Adelaide after a ten-year break from the sport. He now has his eyes on an even bigger title – gold at the Pan Pacific’s next year. It’s this competitive spirit that drives him to be the best in his everyday pursuit, providing premium service through his flooring store in Ballina, a short drive from Byron Bay in Northern NSW. The Glendowie store was opened in 1987 by Mark Baker as a combined furniture and carpet store but now it sells floorcoverings only. Bevan started there in the warehouse in 1989 but bought the store in 2005.

Since then the business has provided the residents of Ballina and surrounding areas with quality floorcoverings but, more importantly for Bevan, quality service.

“It’s an interesting mix of customers with a fair percentage of holiday homes in the area,” Bevan said.

“They are looking for hardwearing surfaces and we pride ourselves on giving the best advice and trades-work available.”

Bevan’s not interested in just “pumping out the work” and wants to be remembered as reliable and honest. He’s a

busy man – the only person in the store selling product and advising his many customers. He has four contractors and bemoans the fact that young people don’t seem to be entering the trades like they used to.

“The industry lacks knowledge and my youngest contractor is 25 years old but they all have a wealth of experience that adds to our customer satisfaction,” he said.

When asked about the highlights of the job, Bevan said: “Meeting and helping different people to get what they want”.

Glendowie Carpet One does mainly domestic work, small commercial projects and refurbishments.

“We’re doing very well.

The GFC knocked things around but generally the industry as a whole is moving forward,” he said.

“Low interest rates mean things are on the up; there’s a lot of building in Ballina and we service an area about 120 kilometers around us so there’s quite a big area to work in.”

Glendowie Carpet One is making a name for itself with some advertising, a well-kept store and quality sales, product and installation.

Ballina is famous for the Big Prawn and the store is right next door to a tenpin bowling alley operated

by Australian Champion Bowlers Cameron and Emma Walsh. Bevan went to school with Cameron and, while not a bowler himself, adopted the Ballina competitive DNA. In 1987 Bevan won the Australian junior boxing title as a 17-year-old and has two State titles and seven Far North Coast titles to his credit.

Bevan first stepped away from the sport as a 22-year-old and made a comeback 10 years later but only stayed in the sport for 12 months. After another 10-year break, he stepped back into the ring in early October this year to win the Australian Masters Welterweight division earning him the nickname the Comeback King.

He said plenty of people have asked why he wants to fight again and the answer is simple: “The competition”.

Bevan has been boxing since he was 10, starting out with the Ballina RSL Youth Club where he is now a coach.

It’s this competitive mindset that Bevan takes into his floorcovering business. Whether its carpet, engineered timber floors, laminate, bamboo, vinyl tiles and planks, Glendowie Carpet One’s customers are the winners.

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Software

Snapshot management

By Chris Ogden, RFMS Australasia Do you run your business or does your business run you?

If we are honest then most of us would acknowledge that at least from time to time we are not as in control of our business as we would like. Sometimes this is for reasons that are outside of our control: installers that don’t turn up on time, customers withholding payment, faulty product or projects running behind time. Some days we face the perfect storm of all of the above and more.

Often however we feel out of control for internal reasons. We haven’t so

much lost control as we have lost sight of how the business is tracking: we feel like we’re flying blind.

Let’s briefly look at some key areas where a snapshot would either give us the comfort that all is well or would alert us to something that needs our deeper attention.

that drives our business.

You should have the ability to quickly and easily see a snapshot showing how your salespeople are tracking.

Will they meet budget for the week or month? What is their average sale and average GP? What is their conversion rate?

Sales

How much do you have ahead of you to install? Do you have the equivalent of just a few days or is it more like a month or six weeks?

Your snapshot report should give you this information.

Over time you will get a feeling for what a healthy pipeline looks like for your business.

When your pipeline looks like it’s emptying out you know that it’s time to look again at sales performance.

When your pipeline is more than you would expect then you will be talking with customers to make lay dates and you will be looking at your laying capacity.

Financial Do you have one place where you can go to see how the bank is looking, what your debtors totals is and how much you owe suppliers? Can you see at a glance how your debtors are aging? Is your debtors report clouded by retentions or can you see retentions as a separate total?

These are three key numbers and while we don’t need to know them every day we should at least have the ability to see them quickly.

Sales performance is fundamental to the health of our businesses and, as owners or managers, we should know exactly where we are with sales from day to day: sales are the engine

Pipeline

Installation

Installation is often the area from which we have the least

20 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

information but, in fact, it is almost as important as sales: if we are not installing product then we are not making money.

Which of your installers are working under capacity?

Whether they are contractors or employees they are a finite resource that you want to keep fully occupied. How many jobs do you have in the diary for which the product has yet to arrive? The cost to the business of having a layer idle for a day because the product wasn’t in the warehouse is considerable and you never get that time back.

The purpose of a snapshot report is to give us a high level view of key performance indicators within our business. When we see something that looks amiss then we can spend the time drilling down into our data to understand what is going wrong.

Our business IT should give us both the snapshot and the ability to drill down.

The bad news is that most flooring businesses don’t have the integrated IT solution that will give them either the snapshot or access to the data behind the snapshot and as a result, they are flying blind. The good news is that there is a fully integrated IT solution designed for the flooring retailer that will do this and more.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Managing Director of RFMS Australasia. Chris has extensive experience at all levels in the flooring industry and he can be contacted at cogden@rfms.com.

TRYING TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER? Layers Diary Financials Debtors Quotes Stock

Mobile Sales Measuring Reporting Projects Sales

The Flooring Software leader for more than 30 years Clients in Australia and NZ since 1999 Over 8,000 ooring businesses already using RFMS worldwide Cloud hosted options available Flexible and ready for Retail, Commercial and Distributor Fully integrated solution, including tablets and laser measure

Australia: 1800 229 427 New Zealand: 0800 643 012

www.rfms.com

salesau@rfms.com

Software

Making your salespeople productive

By Chris Ogden, RFMS Australasia How many plans languish on desks in your business?

How many sales are missed because you either didn’t get a quote out or you got it out too late?

Usually this is because of the time and skill required to quantify plans. It is our most significant obstacle to making sales. Across the many flooring businesses with whom I have consulted there are a number of strategies employed to speed up the quantifying process. The most common are to employ salespeople who know how to quantify or to have a measurer/quantifier who provides this skill to the sales team.

In hiring salespeople for their quantifying skills we sacrifice sales skills.

The temptation is to favour the ability to quantify over the ability to sell because we know how long it takes for inexperienced people to come up to speed in quantifying. The temptation is to favour the applicants that can quantify even if we know that they are not great salespeople.

Where we do employ a good salesperson with no flooring experience we lose them because the quantifying learning curve is too long and steep and success in flooring sales comes too slowly for them. Good salespeople

thrive on making sales not on learning how to use a scale rule.

Having a specialist measurer/quantifier can be a good solution but it adds time to the process of getting quotes into customer’s hands and this is particularly the case when a customer makes changes or wants options.

Measure is the quantifying software that will remove these obstacles. Hire salespeople for personality, enthusiasm and sales skills but give them Measure to give them the quantifying skills they need to be effective.

For less than the price of a cup of coffee a day your

salespeople can have access to the leading quantifying software making them quicker, more accurate and more professional.

Measure, quantify and quote in the home using Measure Mobile on a tablet or use Measure on your PC at the office for those larger more complicated projects. Pay your salespeople to make sales not to slave over plans.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Managing Director of RFMS Australasia a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry.

Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry and he can be contacted at cogden@rfms.com.

MEASUREMOBILE 3 the best mobile estimating software in the industry FREE DOWNLOAD AT:

• EASY TO USE • STORE IN THE CLOUD • ACCESS ANYWHERE

Australia: 1800 229 427 New Zealand: 0800 643 012 www.measuremobile3.com

22 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

salesau@rfms.com

BE PART OF THE BIGGER PICTURE 143 members and growing

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: Andrew Lewis Chief Executive Officer Mobile: 0400 400 036 Email: alewis@choicesflooring.com.au

Tim Drew Group Manager - Retail Development Mobile: 0425 751 756 Email: tdrew@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com.au

INTAFLOORS PREM INTAFLOORS

msmanan e s e d a d r a T r T r e r e t eSSmmaratr e h t h t r o r o F F

CAPPING 35mm - 33Lm ROLL PREMIUM EDGECAP

COVE FILLET PREFORMED COVE FILLET

Extended width and thickness for longer wear Large range of standard colours 33 metre coils

Used as a proper base for vinyl sheet flooring 32mm and 20mm widths 15 metre coils

Cove Fillet 20mm CODE: IF3420 COLOURS: Black Beige

IF3363

IF3369

IF3370

CARPET EDGE Wheat IF3381

IF3378

Roll Length: 33 Lm

Reducers provide flush edging to protect flooring 15 metre lengths

IF3375

Mocha

IF3366

Expansion Joint Cover PVC Spanstrip (Flexispan) WIDTH: 75mm HEIGHT: 2mm & 3mm COLOURS: Beige, Black, Blue/Grey, Dark Grey, Light Grey

REDUCERS

Cork

IF3372

Dark Brown

2mm expansion joint strip 3mm expansion joint strip

DIMINISHING STRIP / REDUCER Cove Fillet 32mm CODE: IF3432 COLOURS: Black

Clay

Charcoal

EXPANSION JOINTS

Blue/Grey

Black

IF3360

EXPANSION JOINTS

Capping Width: 35 mm

CAPPING - COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY EDGECAP Designed for excessive wear areas A thicker top for extra strength 33 metre coils 40mm

CARPET CAPPING COVER Neat Finish Edging to cover carpet edges 50 metre lengths

Carpet Edge 5mm PVC COLOURS: Grey

Diminishing Strip PVC 2.5mm Reducer Strip *COLOURS: Brown

Diminishing Strip PVC 3mm Reducer Strip CODE: IF3463 *COLOURS: Black

Carpet Edge 6mm PVC COLOURS: Black Diminishing Strip PVC 5mm Reducer Strip CODE: IF3465 *COLOURS: Black

BEIGE BLUE/GREY

Diminishing Strip PVC 2mm Reducer Strip CODE: IF3462 *COLOURS: Black

Carpet Edge 8mm PVC COLOURS: Black Diminishing Strip PVC 8mm Reducer Strip *COLOURS: Black

BLACK HEAVY DUTY MAT EDGING

CAPPING - WALL WALL CAPPING 22mm

Neat Finish For non trip edging Safety Product 15 metre lengths Carpet Mat Heavy Duty Edging 935 COLOURS: Black

Reducing tiles to wall surface Standard colours available 15 metre lengths

Diminishing Strip Tile Trim 6mm Reducer Strip *COLOURS: Black *OTHER COLOURS AVAILABLE ON INDENT

DIM - RAMP IT LIGHT WEIGHT MAT EDGING

BEIGE

BLACK

Neat Finish For non trip edging Safety Product 15 metre lengths Carpet Mat Small Edging 936 COLOURS: Black

BLUE/GREY

RAMP Used under carpet packer to raise carpet height 15 metre lengths

Ramp It (Dim Strip) HEIGHT: 2mm, 3mm, 7mm COLOURS: Black

LIGHT GREY

WWW.INTAFLOORS.COM.AU

NSW Intafloors Sydney: (02) 8678 5479 Gibbon Group Newcastle: (02) 4951 1002

Q Gibbon Gro (07) 38 McDonal Accessories (07) 55

PVC RANGE RANGE MIUM COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL PVC SKIRTING FEATHER

STAIR NOSING PVC

SKIRTINGS FEATHER EDGE

CARPET GRIPPER AND NAILS

PVC STANDARD SQUARE NOSING

45 degrees that sits flush with floors Stops dust and dirt 5 standard colours available Specific colour matching available on request 15 metre lengths

EXTRA-WIDE CARPET GRIPPER

Standard profile 70mm width 2.5 or 4 metre lengths

Stair Nosing Tread PVC 2.5m Square 70mm COLOURS: Beige, Black, Grey

Skirting Feather Edge 100mm CODE: IF3450 COLOURS: Beige, Black, Blue/Grey, Brown, Denim

STAIR NOSING INSERTS 26mm & 50mm Used in conjunction with aluminium inserts Slip resistant Safety Product

TPE Stair Nosing Insert WIDTH: 26mm COLOURS: Black

SKIRTING FLAT

Name

CODE

LENGTH

PIECES

Standard

IF3511

1.2m

100

Wood Pre-Nailed

IF3513

1.2m

100

Concrete

IF3507

1.2m

100

Short Nail

IF3500

1.2m

100

Dual Purpose

IF3503

1.2m

100

TRI-TACK CARPET GRIPPER

STAIR NOSING INSERT Skirting Feather Edge 150mm CODE: IF3455 COLOURS: Beige, Black, Blue/Grey, Brown

v2015.6 v2015.6

Name

CODE

LENGTH

PIECES

Standard

IF3528

1.2m

70

Wood Pre-Nailed

IF3529

1.2m

70

Concrete

IF3525

1.2m

70

Short Nail

IF3522

1.2m

70

Dual Purpose

IF3527

1.2m

70

SKIRTINGS FLAT Used as a protective cover Matt finish 5 standard colours available Specific colour matching available on request 30 metre lengths

PVC Stair Nosing Insert WIDTH: 50mm COLOURS: Black, Safety Yellow

CODE: IF3440 WIDTH: 100mm COLOURS: Beige, Black, Black (Glossy), Grey

Extra-Wide Gripper

Tri-Tack Gripper

SPECIALTY NAILS - 1kg JARS WEDGE FILLET

CODE: IF3445 WIDTH: 150mm COLOURS: Beige, Black, Black (Glossy), Grey

NAILS Concrete Nails

WEDGE FILLET

Used to equalise the thickness between coved floor vinyl and wall vinyl CODE: IF3436 THICKNESS: 0.5mm COLOURS: Black

CVT - CARPET TO VINYL TRANSITION Provides low impact gradual transition between vinyl and carpet

Ripple Trim Nails

GAUGE: 12

GAUGE: 13

GAUGE: 13

CODE: IF3612 LENGTH: 12.7mm

CODE: IF3640 LENGTH: 19.1mm

CODE: IF3616 LENGTH: 15.9mm

CODE: IF3645 LENGTH: 25.4mm

CODE: IF3637 LENGTH: 31.8mm COLOUR: Gold

CODE: IF3618 LENGTH: 17.5mm

CODE: IF3437 THICKNESS: 0.75mm COLOURS: Black

CVT

Ring Shank Wood Nails

CODE: IF3619 LENGTH: 19.1mm

CODE: IF3639 LENGTH: 31.8mm COLOUR: Silver CODE: IF3638 LENGTH: 31.8mm COLOUR: Neutral

CODE: IF3625 LENGTH: 25.4mm

Carpet / Vinyl 2mm Ramp Transition PVC Reducer / Diminishing CVT COLOURS: Blue Grey, Black

CODE: IF3628 LENGTH: 40mm

HMR - MDF RAMPS MDF RAMPS 12mm 300mm

VINYL REDUCER REDUCERS

Reducers provide flush edging to protect flooring 15 metre lengths

Vinyl Reducer Commercial HEIGHT: 2mm & 3mm COLOURS: Black, Blue/Grey

QLD oup, Brisbane: 881 1777 lds Flooring s, Gold Coast: 564 9999

SA Seal and Sons Adelaide: (08) 8346 9833

HEIGHT: 5mm CODE: IF3521 WIDTH: 130mm LENGTH: 1200mm HEIGHT: 8mm CODE: IF3523 WIDTH: 130mm LENGTH: 1200mm

HEIGHT: 8mm CODE: IF3256 WIDTH: 240mm LENGTH: 1200mm

HEIGHT: 12mm CODE: IF3258 WIDTH: 130mm LENGTH: 1200mm

HEIGHT: 12mm CODE: IF3259 WIDTH: 300mm LENGTH: 1200mm

TAS Total Flooring North Hobart: (03) 6234 9855

VIC FIS Distributors Keysborough: (03) 9768 7248 Knoxfield: (03) 9764 2400 Geelong: (03) 5221 6670 Preston: (03) 9416 7878

WA Kevmor Wholesale Trade Supplies Perth: (08) 9277 7177

NZ Nuplex Construction Products: 0508 882 288

ResilientFlooring

Heartridge now in loose-lay vinyl Dunlop Flooring’s Heartridge range has just introduced its Smoked Oak loose-lay vinyl to the market.

Available in six colours that have proven enormously popular in Europe and in Dunlop’s Smoked Oak laminate and click vinyl ranges, the retail display stands showcase this stylish range in an eye-catching format that draws customers straight to it.

The appeal of this range is not just in its beautiful decors, but also the size of the planks.

An impressive 229mm wide and 1.2m long, these planks lend a prestigious look to a home. The clarity of the decors, the micro-bevelled edges and the embossed surface of the planks all create the aesthetic of a premium timber floor, whilst

providing the ease of cleaning and maintenance that comes with a vinyl floor.

Plus, the visual attraction of this range is not the only benefit of the Smoked Oak loose-lay. These ultra flexible and heavy planks have been rigorously tested and found to be one of the most dimensionally stable products on the market, exhibiting less than 0.1% expansion at 80°C. This is thanks to the manufacturing practices employed, the exclusive use of virgin PVC in the core of the planks and the inclusion of a stabilising fibreglass layer.

All Heartridge products are also tested, in Australia, for fire resistance, slip resistance, VOC emissions, acoustic performance and appropriate adhesive recommendations.

Gerflor raises fashion stakes Gerflor Insight Clic planks laid the foundations for a very stylish setting inside the Tabcorp marquee at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.

Craig Manning from Five One Group chose Insight Clic in Ranch colour to satisfy his client’s brief.

“I have used this same floor before. It’s a brand I like using because it’s easy to

install and floats really well on the subfloor we lay over the temporary scaffold.

“There’s no glueing – we just lay it straight onto the floor so it’s ideal for tight time frames. It’s a quick floor to lay and it looks really good at the end,” Craig said.

Gerflor Insight Clic was supplied

by Carpet World of Mornington.

Cushionwood makes a comeback

Kenbrock has announced the return of the Cushionwood brand name.

Trevor Morris, CEO of Kenbrock Flooring, said: "Cushionwood was a pioneer in the LVT market in Australia and was unique being the first LVT product to feature the now popular 4.0mm in thickness.

It was ahead of its time."

26 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

The new Cushionwood is in the large plank Modular style incorporating a fibre glass layer for stability. Due to its thickness, it provides superior comfort cushioning underfoot and is highly sound absorbing.

It features seven contemporary oak colours, which complement today's home decor including carpets.

LUXURY VINYL PLANK

LOOSE-LAY

IS NOW AVAILABLE

Heartridge Luxury Vinyl Plank Loose-Lay is easy to install and offers great acoustic absorption qualities.

These flexible, yet extremely stable planks are supplied in an extra wide 229mm format providing a floor of unsurpassed beauty.

Crafted with detailed embossing and a low gloss finish, Loose-Lay is perfect to use in wet areas such as the bathroom, laundry and kitchen, creating a seamless and contemporary timber feel right around the house.

Heartridge Luxury Vinyl Plank is also available in a click system.

Plank Size

1219 x 229 x 5mm Features & Benefits

LOOSE-LAY INSTALLATION SYSTEM

SOFT UNDERFOOT

Discover the Heartridge Collection

go to

HEARTRIDGE.COM.AU or call 1800 622 293 Follow us on:

#HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs

Sierra Frost

Silvermist

Windspray

Sunset Haze

Greystone

Burnt Husk

ResilientFlooring

More resilient options from Shaw The addition of more resilient collections to Shaw Contract Group’s resilient offering makes finding the complete flooring solution easy.

Two new collections, Surface and Strand and Collective Time have joined Shaw Contract Group’s resilient collection in October with Terrain soon to be launched and more to be added in the first half of 2016.

According to Shaw Contract Group Australia National Sales Director, Aaron Martin, the growth of the company’s resilient portfolio provides complete flooring solutions for customers.

“The addition of many new resilient collections enables us to meet demand and market trends with more styles and colours than ever before and enables customers to mix and match different resilient collections with our extensive carpet tile and broadloom collections for a complete flooring solution,” said Aaron.

“The healthcare focused Collective Time resilient

collection is also the first of many collections to come where resilient, carpet tile and broadloom combine to form a complete collection.

“Surface and Strand also sees the introduction of a new large 18 x 36 (46 x 91cm) plank format in two styles that mimic the inherent characteristics of concrete and stone and are designed to be mixed.

“The 18x36 format assists with scale in large settings and reduces the number of seams while being direct glue offers endless installation possibilities,” he said.

Two of Shaw Contract Group’s most popular resilient collections, Quiet Cover and Grain and Pigment are part of the company’s In Stock program, meaning they are in stock and available now in Australia.

Shaw Contract Group’s vast selection of resilient flooring options also includes a range of heterogeneous sheet options.

“Our range of heterogeneous sheet options are ideal for large commercial

spaces that demand durability and include the timeless styles of the Coordinates collection and Naturelife collection,” said Aaron.

The Coordinates collection sees multi-coloured stripes co-ordinate with a variety of solid colours, providing unlimited design potential ideal for way-finding, accents and creating intimate areas within large commercial spaces.

Boasting high resolution printing for realistic wood visuals, the Naturelife Wood

II collection is engineered for exceptional performance in healthcare environments.

This high performance resilient sheet flooring is embossed in register wood texture that makes the floor elegant and realistic and colourways offered feature a wide range of wood species and tone.

All Shaw Contract Group resilient collections are FloorScore Certified for low VOCs and feature a 10 year limited commercial wear warranty.

New vinyl from Eco Flooring Eco Flooring is introducing its new, high quality, luxury vinyl looselay flooring by Eco Flooring Systems.

Ornato has a wide range of 12 stunning

28 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

European designs, which completely change the way a home looks. It has been constructed to the highest quality standards.

This cutting-edge

modular plank technology in luxury vinyl flooring offers a stylish and practical flooring solution for any home. Ornato range offers extremely stylish designs

carefully selected to appear similar to timber yet much more practical. Ornato is backed by Eco Flooring System’s Australian 20 year guarantee.

Gerflor plays doubles at Parliament House diplomacy. It is an opportunity to bring people from different nations together and to have a competitive display, in this instance table tennis, and also to develop deeper enduring relations between the nations taking part in this competition,” Ms Bishop said.

Patron John Alexander joined Table Tennis Australia President Will Goodier and CEO Peter Marriott in welcoming Gerflor support for the launch spectacle.

“Here we are at the fifth Hyundai Bennelong Cup with the world’s best table tennis players. It is set up to be a championship event and one of the things that is essential is the flooring,”

Resilient sector grows in Chinese expo Resilient flooring remains the fastest growing sector at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2016, with over 95% of the space already booked.

The resilient flooring sector has experienced unprecedented growth this past year, especially in the area of commercial building construction. This trend naturally translates into more exhibiting space at DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR, which will launch its 18th edition in Shanghai, China from 22 to 24 March, 2016. Over 250 domestic and international manufacturers of all types of resilient flooring will be exhibiting in three dedicated

halls. The international area of resilient flooring is the fastest filling area of the exhibition so far, showing a very clear trend of this sector towards the Asian and Chinese market.

US Floors joins the line-up of international resilient flooring exhibitors at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2016 for the first timealong with other new exhibitors Konkera, KCC, Ilshin as well as returning exhibitors Armstrong, Gerflor, LG Hausys, Sika, Henkel, Hanwha, Nox, KDF, IVC, Daejin, Unilin, and wellknown Chinese domestic brands Novalis, Meijer, Kentier and Jinka.

Mr Alexander said. “We are grateful to Gerflor for providing the surface that no only is essential for top class table tennis but also makes the court set up look great,” he said.

Head of the sport in Australia went one step further: “In my opinion Gerflor is without equal,” Mr Goodier said. “It’s the best playing surface table tennis has ever

used. The image that it gives is so professional and table tennis needs to give that professional image.

“When you combine the Gerflor surface with the DHS table and the spectacle of this venue, which is unique, along with these elite athletes, it’s fantastic. We are very pleased to use Gerflor in every situation that we can,” he said.

YOUR ONE STOP FLOORING SHOP! Checkout our full range online Concrete Grinders Concrete Cure Concrete Densifiers Concrete Repair Concrete Waterproofing

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Table tennis took centre stage in the Great Hall of Parliament House with the launch of the 2015 Hyundai Bennelong Cup. Gerflor was on hand to provide world class playing conditions for the athletes from China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and New Zealand.

The tournament is the brainchild of Australian tennis great, winner of won seven tour singles and 27 doubles titles in his career, Member for Bennelong, John Alexander.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop officially opened the event.

“The Hyundai Bennelong Cup is an exemplar of sports

1300 044 625

www.contreat.com.au info@contreat.com.au “From time of pour, to finished floor... we’ve got you covered”

Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016 29

Training

Choices takes the initiative The lack of new floor layers has long been a problem for the flooring industry. The TAFE system no longer supplies a steady stream of qualified young industry trainees and other proposed apprentice training schemes have withered and died but the problem remains.

The Commonwealth Department of Training and Education has reported that commencements in all apprenticeships and traineeships declined between 2013 and 2014 by 17%.

Although the figures have not yet been published for 2015, TAFE institutes around the country have shown further reductions in Certificate III in Flooring Technology enrolments, and in Western Australia the qualification is no longer offered at all through TAFE. Compounding the problem is completion rates. Roughly half of all trade course

Attendees at the first ever Newfurn Training Academy learning assessment event with its Alliance Partners.

apprentices drop out before they finish their course.

While there are no figures available specifically for flooring technology, anecdotal evidence indicates that the dropout rate might be higher than the general average for all trades.

Not content to let this state of affairs continue, Choices Flooring has taken the initiative by creating the Newfurn Training Academy to deal with this serious lack of flooring apprentices in the industry.

The Newfurn Training Academy offers an apprenticeship program for new flooring installers, trade card accreditation for experienced flooring installers and master class professional development opportunities for flooring installers, workplace trainers, sales consultants and store owners.

All the accredited training provided is delivered under the auspices of the

RTO, Workspace Training.

Participants who successfully complete their training are issued with nationally recognised statements of attainment or qualifications under the Australian Quality Framework.

The Academy is in the unique position of having direct support from major Australian and international flooring manufacturers and distributors, which it calls its Alliance Partners.

With the assistance of these, the Academy has access to some of the best specialist trainers in the flooring industry as well as the latest information on product developments, installation techniques and industry trends to ensure that all the professional development is always of the highest standard.

In December, Choices held its first Certificate IV in Training and Assessment for its Alliance Partners with 21

attendees from some of the biggest names in the industry.

Representatives from Airstep, Mapei, Dunlop, Premium Floors, Tarkett, Karndean, Armstrong, Signature Floors, Embelton, Interface, Forbo, Gerflor, Pegulan, MSA and Polyflor joined Choices Flooring CEO Andrew Lewis and his team along with well known industry trainer Bill Tree and David McElvenny from Workspace Training for this ground breaking event.

“We are delighted with the response to our initiative,” said Andrew Lewis. “This is a fantastic turn-out for our first event. We look forward to more and more companies joining our Alliance Partner program in the near future.”

Andrew went on to stress that this program wasn’t just for Choices Flooring and its members. “Once we have the program off the ground, we hope to offer this system to the whole industry,” he stated.

Australia’s

number one

Floor Coverings Retailer...

is coming to

New Zealand

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: Andrew Lewis Chief Executive Officer Mobile: 0400 400 036 Email: alewis@choicesflooring.com.au Jason Verstak Group Manager - Marketing Mobile: 0498 136 395 Email: jverstak@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com.au

Carpets

Celebrate the human experience The Park: Shaw Contract Group’s latest collection celebrates the human experience enjoyed through public parks.

Inspired by the parallels of how we move, gather and connect within different zones of a park, Shaw Contract Group’s The Park, explores the transition from communal energy to a quiet, singular moment and how this correlates to commercial interiors.

The collection’s compelling design goes further to infuse elements of outside and influence well-being for everyone experiencing a space.

“Our designers observed hotel lobbies, as in a park, where we saw guests enjoying being alone, together,” said Shaw Contract Group Sales Director Aaron Martin.

“Amidst the hustle and bustle, individuals can be seen taking a moment to gather their thoughts or gather together, taking a moment to appreciate the importance of human connectivity or the elusive art of being present.

“The collection was designed to be transformative - in thinking, in people and in space. Our goal is to reinforce and demonstrate that through great design, balance can be achieved in the spaces we gather, play and escape,” said Aaron.

The Park delivers flexibility through a combination of 18 x 36 (46 x 91cm) and 9 x 36 (23 x 91cm) carpet tile formats constructed using Colorpoint tufting technology.

The collection creates spaces to gather thoughts or gather together using varying degrees of pattern, texture and colour allowing you to design a range of spaces from communal to private.

Warm and cool tones with vivid colour options reflect renewal and vitality.

Products within the collection include: Drift –a 9 x 36 tile in a near-solid indulgent bark texture available in 14 colours.

Explore – a 9 x 36 tile that adds texture in a large-scale stone aesthetic available in nine colours.

Renew tile

Renew –­­ a 9 x 36 tile that captures the reflective visual of water available in nine colours.

Linger – a 9 x 36 tile that provides a moment of calm on the floor available in nine colours.

Create – a 18 x 36 tile reminiscent of horizontal brush strokes with vivid colour – like public art or water shimmering across a lake available in six colours.

Reflect – a 18 x 36 tile emulating an abstract vista of sky seen through trees available in six colours.

The Park is suitable for all market segments and offers durability, style and recyclability. The Shaw Contract Group lifetime commercial warranty covers abrasive wear, tuft-bind, edge ravel and delamination.

Constructed with premium Eco Solution Q nylon and

Drift tile

EcoWorx backing, all styles within The Park are certified Cradle to Cradle Silver and assessed for human health and are backed with an environmental guarantee for reclamation.

The collection is GECA certified and achieves a Green Star Level A product rating according to the Green Building Council of Australia.

A whole new meaning to underfoot Cavalier Bremworth has announced the release of two beautiful exclusive hardtwist cut pile carpets ­– Versailles and Bacall. Both are made from 100% pure NZ wool and have been designed in a similar way with a high twist level, providing real textural interest on the floor compared to standard cut piles.

The difference between the two lies in their weight.

Versailles is the denser option and is a stunning addition to Cavalier Bremworth's premium Bremworth Collection.

32 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

It is now the heaviest carpet that Cavalier Bremworth makes – and the quality of this carpet is evident with just one touch. The range comes in six colours.

Bacall joins Cavalier Bremworth's large range of durable, family-friendly wool carpets. Although not as dense as Versailles, Bacall still provides real comfort and softness underfoot. With nine colours ranging from soft neutrals through to charcoal grey, there's something to suit every style of decor.

Versailles and Bacall are available in New Zealand and Australia.

Left: Bacall Above: Versailles Images by Marina Mathews Photography.

Need commercial flooring ASAP? Shaw Contract Group’s 2015 In Stock In Australia program delivers the largest choice of flooring designs that can be at your door and on the floor ASAP. Choose from carpet tile and hard surface collections in stock now from Perth to

250,000m2

Brisbane including our popular Hexagon collection. Design is a rush.

OVER 50 STYLES

Contact us to find out more or to order any of our In Stock samples today.

Australia 1800 556 302 shawcontractgroup.com.au

New Zealand 09 574 0640 jacobsens.co.nz

IN STOCK NOW

Carpets

Recycling: more than a good yarn There’s plenty of rhetoric in the manufacturing world around sustainability.

Philosophies like product stewardship, cradle-to-cradle recycling programs and the circular economy sound great, but is there any real hope of or even value in these becoming mainstream practice in Australian manufacturing?

Recently, carpet tile manufacturer Interface announced that stage one of a $1.4M project to reprocess old carpet had been formally approved for its Sydney manufacturing facility. The project will be integral to the company’s ReEntry program and will divert hundreds of tonnes of old carpet away from landfill and back into the manufacture of new carpet.

Australian Interface CEO, Clinton Squires said that while the company has operated the ReEntry program since mid-2000s and reprocessed returned carpet at its sister factories overseas, this development will mean we have an Australian solution for what is an Australian problem.

“The timing is right and this ‘bricks and mortar’ recycling process reflects our success in the Australian market. It is a clear result of local innovation and top class engineering,” he said.

“There are lessons for all manufacturers here. Firstly, setting big, ambitious targets like Mission Zero, our promise to reduce our environmental impact to zero, is a real business driver for efficiency and profitability. We do well by doing good!” he added.

Clinton Squires, CEO Interface Australia

“Mission Zero gives our leadership the mandate to find the capital that will deliver savings in the mid and longer term. It forces us to look beyond a quarter’s results: years beyond even.

It’s liberating in a way – giving us the freedom to invest in projects like this ReEntry upgrade.

“There’s also a marketing return – our customers increasingly demand this sort of real product stewardship.

The market is trending

towards the expectation that recycling is not an aspiration but the norm. The time is coming when manufacturers will simply be unable to afford the waste of not recycling.

What’s more, even your recycling programs will need to be lean and efficient,” said Mr Squires.

Mr Squires said that while ideas like the circular economy are yet to crack the mainstream, he predicts that soon they’ll just be part of sound business practice.

Re-shaping floor design Launched at this year’s Sydney Indesign, Shapes

by Signature has sparked interest from specifiers across the nation.

Signature Floorconcepts is the very first in the world to offer six off-the-shelf stocked modular carpet shapes that tessellate with each other, allowing a ‘mix and match’ effect across the whole collection.

“With a gap in the Australian market, we seized this opportunity to allow design to come from completely new perspectives without compromise on quality,” said Richard Braic, Commercial General Manager of Signature Floorconcepts.

Six shapes consisting of triangle, rightangle, rectangle, hexagon, square

34 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

and trapezoid with a total of 127 stocked colour references allow discovery of infinitely possible floor designs.

The Shapes collection is suitable for large and small scale projects alike: it can be used it as a full floor effect or a focal feature to add interest within office, public space and education environments. Use one Shape or multiples, use a neutral palette or go bold with brights. It is precision pressed rather than cut to ensure that each piece is consistent and finished to the highest standards no matter what is chosen.

Signature has developed ways to make designing intricate floors more accessible and, of course, less time consuming with

the Shapes web app. Three distinct options, depending on the project and time constraints, range from designing your own inspired creations using an AutoCAD Toolkit, to a set and specified

option finalised within in a matter of minutes.

Limited only by the imagination, Shapes by Signature can bring colour, texture and shapes together in a project in total harmony.

■

The Next Generation Uncoupling Mat

■

Adhesive Mortar Hydration Vents

■

©2015 LATICRETE Pty Ltd. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.

^Contact LATICRETE Australia for complete warranty information.

A-1104-0415 LATICRETE Pty Ltd 29 Telford Street, Virginia, QLD 4014 1800 331 012 www.laticrete.com.au

_ STRATA MAT Accelerates thin-set curing for faster dry time of porcelain and larger format tiles – grout the next day

Mechanical Bond

Thin-set adhesive forms a mechanical bond to STRATA_MAT™ surface for greater strength

Instant Coverage Verification Translucent colour indicates proper adhesive coverage under STRATA_MAT

Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials n Use under tile and stone installations n Enhanced mechanical bond - shorter time to grout n Lightweight roll - easy to carry and fast to install n Part of the LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty n

Snap for more information.

Part of a total Tile and Stone Installation Materials System covered by a comprehensive System Warranty.

www.laticrete.com.au

l

1800 331 012

LATICRETE Pty Ltd 29 Telford Street, Virginia, QLD 4014 1800 331 012 www.laticrete.com.au ©2015 LATICRETE Pty Ltd. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.

■

■

A-1138-1115 ^Contact LATICRETE Australia for complete warranty information.

■

™

Laminate

Golden Field’s new German laminate Floors from Germany and ideas from all over the world; manufactured by Krono Original, Goldenfield Corporation has introduced its new Prima Series laminate flooring.

More durable than real wood and available in 10 realistic oak decors, according to Golden Field’s Tony Carr.

The square edges give Prima Floor a chic and unique look and, with the introduction of an anti-bacterial coating, Prima floor sets itself apart.

The Prima Series is 100% German quality and in stock from November 2015.

Creative mix of styles The new, informal mélange of urban lifestyle and modern country style reflects developments in the housing market – the continuing exodus from rural areas has meant significant population growth for metropolitan regions.

In order to provide muchneeded living space, even the smallest urban vacant plots are being creatively used in the form of overbuilding, or residential spaces are being created by gutting and converting vacant industrial buildings. The materials found in the existing stock, with its processed surfaces such as metal, concrete or stone, are often deliberately utilised in the redesign concept.

The new surface finishes designed by laminate flooring manufacturers have been inspired by these characteristic structures, colours and effects, and once again they're setting the trend on international flooring markets.

36 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Old and new combine in a mix of styles, a rustic closeness to nature, Mediterranean-inspired lightness or Nordic clarity – anything goes currently, in terms of flooring. However, there is no compromise in the appearance: an authentic look and naturalness are de rigueur for all décors.

Where the room size allows, classic laminate floorboards can show off their realistic imitation-wood effect in new, generously wide and longer formats. If the surface area is limited by structural conditions, multi-strip effects are increasingly being used.

With a creative mixture of twostrip versions, with floorboards in different colours and wood finishes, individual floors can provide a special atmosphere.

In the main, oak remains the wood of choice in European laminate floor design, due to its versatility in terms of colour and shaping.

However, traditional woods such as beech, walnut, 38

Unilin/Quickstep: Light, natural shades with whitish coloration, greige or light grey. Combining laminate decors can also create exciting flooring styles.

Laminate

Haro: Natural-look wood effect: Classy walnut effects enhance the range offered

by European laminate flooring manufacturers

36 pine, elm and ash are also maintaining their place in the current range of decors.

Perfect structure reproduction and a natural play of colours have long been taken for granted in terms of these famous and classic wood species.

Simple design and harmonious colour combinations determine the current laminate flooring look: natural shades in bright or soft muted colours such as white, white-glazed, cream, light beige and greige are frequently found in all contemporary furnishing styles. A bright, warm grey has established itself as a neutral, easily-combinable flooring colour. The darker laminate decors – with their warm nuances in many shades of brown – create a cosy

38 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

atmosphere of understated elegance.

After the very rustic, significantly-textured surfaces of recent years, with their massive cracks and branches, it's now time for calmer decors to take their place in the collections, although some vintage features such as the rough-sawn effect definitely still have their place.

Printing techniques are being continuously developed.

In particular, innovative, industrial digital printing onto decorative paper allows for a more varied, luminous and multicolour range.

Using special press plates, material reproductions offer lifelike depictions – from the patina of old wooden floors to metallic effects. The experience of the surfaces has become more authentic and

holistic thanks to the refined and technically complex manufacturing process: structures seen on the ground can also be experienced on floorboards.

With the appropriate equipment, low-maintenance, robust laminate floors are suitable for all living and working areas, and they also have new applications in commercial and office spaces and doctors' surgeries.

Manufacturers are also able to offer floorboards with integrated sound insulation and useful additional features: These include anti-static surfaces, increased protection against micro-scratches using electron-beam technology and special anti-slip surfaces for use in entrance areas and workspaces.

Innovative moistureprotection devices allow laminate flooring to be laid in bathrooms and kitchens: a special board formulation and a corresponding impregnation of the top layer reduce swelling, whilst the edges receive a special sealant for protection purposes.

Finally, patented locking methods ensure that the joints are securely locked.

Thus, laminate flooring can be employed as a warmer alternative to traditional tiling.

The internationally recognised EPD environmental declarations offer certification that tested

laminate flooring exhibits a very good ecological balance, with enormously positive values in terms of primary energy requirements and global-warming potential.

Kronotex: The laminate collections display creativity, with various floorboard formats.

Meister: High-quality wood patterns are at their best over generously long and wide formats.

Kronospan Schweiz AG: Emulating nature: The dark laminate decors create a cosy atmosphere with their warm tones.

Wineo: Innovative moisture-protection devices allow laminate flooring to be laid in bathrooms and kitchens.

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The project specifications called for dyeing and polishing the new and existing concrete floors and stairs. However, as the project got underway, the existing floors had to be refurbished to make room for electrical and plumbing lines that would serve the addition.

Because the floors included old concrete, new concrete and extensive concrete patches, the contractor and installer decided that a polishable overlay would be the best solution for the entire area.

Furthermore, the Concrete Arts team had to mill the concrete surface down 0.95 cm to accept the overlay, while also filling and repairing all cracks and joints, and finding a way to match the pre-fabricated stairs to the polished floors.

“Like any public building, hospitals must stand up to a lot of foot traffic while providing an attractive and safe environment,” said Tom Graf of Concrete Arts. “We wanted the look of a polished or decorative concrete, and thanks to Laticrete, we were able to overcome the challenges of matching all surfaces included in the addition.”

ENVIR

Hudson Hospital has been serving Western Wisconsin, USA with a full suite of health and medical services for more than 60 years. The hospital is an important part of the community and was recently named as one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for the fifth consecutive year.

With a focus on improving health and well-being in partnership with its members, patients and community, Hudson Hospital needed a new medical office building to keep pace with its growth. The new 3,809 m2 space includes 325 m2 of polished concrete in the lobby, hallways and waiting areas and is part of a $10 million expansion for HealthPartners Hudson Hospital and Clinic.

“Blending old and new in any expansion project is always a challenge. With the right Laticrete products, Concrete Arts was able to achieve the seamless look the hospital desired and complete the project on time for the grand opening.

Thanks to the results, Hudson Hospital is ready for its next 60 years,” said Jeff Bonkiewicz, SPD Channel Manager, Laticrete.

Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016 39

PICFloors

Preparation, Installation & Care

Myths of polished concrete floors A true story by Ivan Imerman

On arrival the owner and In October of 2013 I was builder where both there. The called by a builder to quote place was a mess and only on a 450 m2 office fit-out partially done. floor. The total fit out was “What do you think of the about $1 million at the time floor? asked the owner. for a major property owner's I said: “Well, he has done administration office. about 80m2 in four weeks I gave my quote and the and, quite frankly, he has builder said: ”Are you mad – done a cut-and-seal with a we can do this floor for $30 driveway roll-on sealer. So m2“ this is what $30 m2 looks I replied: ”No problem: it like”. will look like a $30 m2 floor The owner replied: “Not but if you want a quality floor only is he not finished, there with no sealer and stain proof are swirl scratch marks and give me a call”. scratch marks everywhere, Late November 2013, the plus his machine broke down owner of the property called and we hired him a machine, me to have a coffee with him Inclean_IBS_DEC_QPC_Print.pdf 1 he 2/12/2015 4:30 We pm which also broke. and to look at his new floor.

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IBSTRAINING 40 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

also had to hire diamonds at $400 each times 12.

When can you start and fix this floor. I am moving in 19 December”.

The long and the short of it is YES we did start the next day and completed the 450 m2 by 19 November (10 working days) and these were the comments we got back from the owner: “The floor looks like polished granite and I personally would like to thank you very much for your professional service and quality Certi Shine floor. I cannot believe how beautiful

it looks: a great job – well done and thank you so much.“ So yes, quality does count but that is not the end of the story.

The builder then said: ”Please come and do my house“, which we did and he is very happy.

The interior designer said: “Please come fix the mess that the $30 man did at my holiday home”, which we did and he is also very happy.

So life is simple. If you want a quality floor with a manufacturer’s 20 year warranty then go to the expert.

Au AV st AIL ra A lia B W LE id e

FLOORS

White floors at flagship salon When the international salon brand Jean Louis David (JLD) designed its flagship Hong Kong store it was imperative that the chosen floor would meet the iconic hairdresser’s high standards for quality, appearance and cleanliness.

Located at 12/F New World Tower 2, the store specialises in innovative hairdressing techniques and is committed to providing customers with a luxury ambiance alongside the highest levels of client service, care and hygiene.

The salon’s interior designers required a crisp white finish that would convey the contemporary, highly stylised image of the company. The floor’s visual impact would need to be maintained despite a challenging operational environment that would involve constant foot traffic, impacts from dropped equipment, frequent cleaning and spillages of hair products.

To create a surface able to combine these functional and aesthetic demands, a three millimetre coating of Flowcrete’s hard wearing, polyurethane system Flowfresh MF was installed over a 300m2 area. This was topped with two coats of the water-based Flowseal WB floor sealer in satin white.

It took the Flowcrete Hong Kong approved applicator

two weeks to complete the flooring project. The robust nature of the completed floor was ideal for meeting the client’s aesthetic and functional criteria and it meant that the salon’s luxurious ambiance would not be affected by a failing finish.

The salon’s floor tied into the venue’s striking white aesthetic, as the furniture, hairdressing booths, gowns, walls, ceilings and even the bottles of hair products are white. This look is complemented with chrome trims and linings around the hard furnishings, all of which provides a sophisticated backdrop to the black reception desk and the colourful product display areas.

The easy to clean nature of seamless resin floors is a significant practical advantage in environments such as this, as it facilitates the quick and effective removal of cut hair and unwanted contaminants from the public-facing areas.

When undertaking this project, Flowcrete Hong Kong, part of the international resin-flooring manufacturer Flowcrete Group, was able to draw on the company’s wealth of experience supplying floors for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious commercial venues.

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An extensive range of popular European & proprietary flooring brands now available Australia Wide.

European manufactured Laminate from KronoSwiss, the newly introduced Wicanders Cork Flooring, along with our ever popular Verdura Bamboo and a host of exciting Prestige Oak and engineered timber options.

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ProductUpdate

Classic range, Classic service, Classic matting For well over 30 years, Classic Architectural Group has been recognised for its exceptional quality and diverse entrance matting range.

All products in the Integra collection have been selected to offer a variety of solutions for specific entrance matting needs. The Integra range includes scraper, carpet style, modular and aluminium entrance matting options and can be found throughout Australia in projects such as apartment buildings, schools, airports, hospitals as well as major shopping, events and convention centres.

Studies have proved that over 80% of dirt is tracked into buildings from the outside.

Not only does this soil and moisture take a toll on the life of floors finishes but it also increases the risk of costly

slip and fall accidents. Integra matting is engineered to maintain the condition of the floors beyond the matting – stopping dirt in its tracks.

From design to innovative framing systems, the ability to produce fully customised shapes and sizes as well as complete installation services and aftercare, the dedicated team at Classic can assist from concept to final completion and is committed to enhancing the safety and aesthetics of all entrance areas.

Floorex releases new dust extractors How often do you wish for a dust extractor (vacuum) that is specifically designed to work with concrete dust?

Floorex Products has several new models in 240v and 415v extractors. The DustMaster DM-2360 and DM-2560 are highly capable twin motor extractors for 240v and small 415v machines with a highly effective rotating dust cleaning system the gets those filters clean.

DustMaster RP-4000 is a very large, highly efficient

dust extractor for the largest diamond grinder, scarifier or scabbler on the market. It has an on-board air compressor that pulse cleans the filters, with an air blow gun with hour meter and reversing switch so the machine spins in the right direction.

To get the best life out of the motors and the filters, Floorex recommends that you don’t remove the filters on any of these machines, just allow the machines to clean the filters themselves.

The Emporium

QuickFix solution from Velcro

Etihad Stadium

42 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Velcro Companies recently announced its partnership with Desso to create QuickFix, a quick, clean and green solution for professional carpet tile installation.

The treatment is an environmentally friendly solution that’s easy to use and easy to remove by incorporating Velcro brand hook and loop.

QuickFix is a professional floor tile installation tape for a speedy and hassle-free fitting that can be used on all Desso SoundMaster and SoundMaster Lite carpet tiles and leaves a flawless finish.

Since there is no drying time or mess to clean up, users can

quickly and simply change the look of their floor or replace tattered tiles.

“We wanted to work with Velcro Companies, an organisation that has a similar mission – providing customers with easy-to-use products and providing them with options to save money and cut back on labor costs,” said Ludwig Cammaert, Design and Technical Development Director, Desso. “Our tiles are easily removed and replaced and there are zero VOC* emissions, contributing to a healthier indoor environment for our customers who use QuickFix.” *According to test report AgBB.

Create an extravagant impression Beaumont Tiles is launching three new flooring choices – Timeless, Revival Timber and Tribeca – all made in Italy and exclusive to Beaumont.

Timeless

Create an extravagant impression with the grandeur of seemingly natural full slabs of stone using the large Timeless tiles. The colours, finishes and sizes allow each project to be customised with original solutions, creating a luxurious timeless look.

Available in a number of large sizes including the newest 800x2400mm size as well as the 797x2397 6mm thick, 297x597 10mm thick, 597x597 10mm thick or 297x1197 10mm thick. A 1000x3000mm 3.5mm thick slab is also available through The Beaumont Studio.

Digitally printed these matt and polished glazed porcelain tiles have a rectified edge.

Revival Timber

The Revival Timber collection iemulates rustic worn timber finishes using trending colours and metallic slithers in a plank format. Available in eight colours, the glazed porcelain rectified edge tiles come in a matt finish and are 196x1198, 10mm thick.

Revival

Timeless

Tribeca

Brick tiles present a lightweight alternative adding tactile rustic warmth.

Achieving a slip resistance R11, Tribeca has a refined surface for comfortable bare feet walking. It comes in six colours and two sizes – 60x250mm and a 120x250mm corner piece.

All three tile styles are suited to both floor and wall applications.

Tribeca

Let the grey shine through

Australia’s much-loved timber care brand, Feast Watson, has launched a new clear exterior timber and deck oil, which lets your exterior timber grey naturally over time whilst providing the long-lasting protection it needs.

New Feast Watson Water Repellent Timber and Deck Oil is formulated especially for exterior timber. It is a waterrepellent oil with a clear, matt finish that lets the natural

beauty of the timber shine through. It retains the natural colour of the timber, allowing the deck to grey naturally over time without compromising its quality and long life.

In addition to decking, timber walkways, fences and pergolas, Feast Watson Water Repellent Timber and Deck Oil is perfect for areas around waterways where a timber cleaner cannot be used, such as boardwalks.

Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016 43

Business

Natural selection in workplace evolution Canon research reveals that the modern workplace is evolving – and trust, workplace design, diversity and inclusion are key ingredients to success.

A new report has identified an untapped opportunity for improved workplace productivity and performance, along with worrying levels of employee concern over conditions for productivity and creativity, the provision of workplace technology and workplace trust.

The report, titled ’Work in Evolution’ and commissioned by Canon, examines Australia’s wider business landscape through a survey of 300 employers and 1,010 employees from businesses with more than 20 employees.

The intent was to determine whether workplaces are embracing modern practices, processes and technologies.

Effie Fox, Director, HR and Communications, Canon Oceania, said the findings demonstrate that Australian businesses typically have a way to go to catch up to the expectations of employees but, pleasingly, that most are willing to embrace the changes required, which is often the first step.

“Increasingly, Australian businesses are recognising that the workplace and its people should be at the top of the business agenda; consequently, we wanted to look at whether that recognition is translating into effective action,” said Fox. The research suggests a high level of complacency

44 Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016

with 65.2% of employers admitting that their workplaces were ‘one-sizefits-all’ and could be noisy, distracting and lacked privacy, while 66% disclosed that they hadn’t considered changing those workplaces.

And, although technology has emerged as the great enabler of workplace change, disconnect was apparent between employees and employers, with 69.1% of bosses believing the workplace was equipped with the latest technology while only 55.1% of employees felt the same.

Disconnect also occurred regarding two of the main drivers of modern workplace reform – flexible and remote working. The research showed that 77.5% of employers would consider allowing flexible working and 71.6% would consider enabling people to work remotely. However, employees had differing views, with only 66.7% believing employers would consider flexible working and 56.4% thinking employers would be open to remote working.

“Employers must be both alert and agile, and respond to these changes, otherwise they are at risk being overtaken by competitors – as well as missing out on attracting and retaining the best talent. This means addressing legacy working strategies – styles and policies that do not support cultures of trust, diversity and inclusion,” said Fox. And while nearly all employees (95.9%) recognised the importance of trust in a positive

workplace culture, more than one quarter (27.6%) of employees didn’t have trust in their bosses.

Despite a stated willingness to change, the research indicated employers still have a long way to go in improving diversity and inclusion to reflect Australian society, employee expectations and modern attitudes.

KEY FINDINGS

The research showed that both employers and employees agreed that current workplace formats were damaging to performance: • Two thirds of employers (66%) agreed that their workplaces had been set up in their current format for a long time but they had not yet considered change.

• 40.2% of employees did not consider that their workplace drove productivity, 39.3% disagreed that their workplace fostered creativity and innovation and 44.9% said their workplace didn’t utillise up-to-date technology for staff.

• More than a quarter (28%) of employers were not considering enabling more people to work remotely.

The research showed a considerable employee trust deficit.

• More than one quarter (27.6%) of employees indicated that they could not trust their managers.

• Nearly one quarter (23.9%) believed they could not trust their colleagues.

• More than one quarter (27.7%) of employees also felt they could not raise issues or problems without fear of recrimination.

• More than more than one fifth (21%) believed they were not necessarily free to come up with new ideas or ways of working.

• While 92.7% of employers said their teams knew they could raise issues or problems without fear of recrimination, only 72.3% of employees stated they could raise concerns without fear.

Businesses understand the importance of diversity and inclusion – but there’s a long way to go.

• Employers (79.7%) and employees (76.8%) thought employers worked hard to create a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

• More than one third (34.5%) of employees did not believe that their senior leadership teams consisted of people of different ages, cultures, gender, identities, religions, caring responsibilities, sexual orientations or disabilities, while 28% of employers held a similar view.

• Gender equality is still a problem – only 58.6% of employers and 50.3% of employees said their businesses had an equal ration of men to women.

• More than one fifth (22.9%) of employees indicated their employer discriminated against disabled people when hiring and in

A challenge to common misperceptions accommodating for their needs.

Change and trust expert, Donna Meredith, Principal of Interaction Associates Australasia, believes businesses need to take action to ensure they are ready to handle the inexorable changes already well underway – emphasising that preparing for change takes more than just a project plan.

“Change efforts often fail because leaders focus on the technical aspects – installing the system, rearranging the environment, redrawing the organisational chart – while overlooking the changes in behaviour, skills and attitudes required to make change work,” said Meredith.

Canon has recently embarked on a unique change program focusing on people, collaboration and culture to create a high performance working environment.

“Adapting to the new world of work can be daunting.

We don’t feel we have all the answers and we’re committed to achieving more.

Since making the change, we are already seeing a more engaged and collaborative response to the work environment,” added Fox. Canon believes that trust is the secret ingredient: “Pay keen attention to trust, leadership and collaboration as together they define the formula for high performance. Involved employees share in the responsibility to deliver strong results – they care, they have ‘skin in the game’ and they deliver results.”

J+J Flooring Group* has issued its latest technical paper, “Flooring and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – A Challenge to Common Misperceptions”.

The paper provides an important resource for architects, designers and other professionals who are responsible for specifying flooring products or seeking to improve a facility’s indoor air quality. It is available for free download at http://www. jj-kinetex.com/technical/technical-papers/ The paper comes at a critical time: modern research indicates that IAQ can impact academic performance in schools, productivity in office environments and health outcomes among patients and staff in hospitals. As one of the most abundant finishes in the built environment, the proper flooring offers an important opportunity to positively impact IAQ. Citing multiple, independent third-party research, published reports and data, the paper focuses specifically on two key areas: the triggers and effects of asthma and allergies, and the effects of VOC emissions and chemicals of concern.

Research cited, for example, shows that asthma, one of the most common chronic childhood disorders, accounts for an alarming number of lost school days

through student absenteeism. A proper flooring can substantially minimise air borne particles by sequestering common allergens, irritants and dust.

“J+J Flooring Group is committed to being more than just a provider of exceptional commercial flooring products and solutions,” said David Daughtrey, J+J Flooring Group Corporate Director of Business Development Education and Healthcare. “By exploring critical issues and concerns in the various markets we serve, we strive to be an educational resource for our customers, helping them make informed decisions that can positively affect their projects and facilities.”

Other technical papers issued by J+J provide information on flooring and acoustics, moisture control, safety and infection control. * Established in 1957, J+J Flooring Group is a leading US manufacturer of commercial specified flooring. With our two brands - Invision broadloom and modular carpet and Kinetex textile composite flooring - we provide a range of product and service solutions to meet the needs of our customers in the corporate workplace, education, healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors.

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Flooring Dec 2015/Jan 2016 45

Exhibitioncalendar

2016 Exhibitions

JANUARY 2016 12-15 Heimtextil Frankfurt 2016

International trade fair for home and commercially used textiles

Frankfurt, Germany http://heimtextil.messefrankfurt. com/frankfurt/en

9-11

Surface Design 2016 Event for architects, interior designers and specifiers looking for innovative surface solutions for the built environment

London, United Kingdom http://www.surfacedesignshow.com

16-19 Domotex Contractworld 2016

World trade fair for carpets and floorcoverings Hannover, Germany http://www.domotex.de

20-23 IHGF Delhi Fair Spring

India Expo Centre and Mart

New Delhi, India www.ihgfdelhifair.epch.in

19-22 SURFACES, StonExpo, Tile Expo

International floorcoverings, stone and tile industry event

Las Vegas, Nevada http://www.tisewest.com

6-9

FEBRUARY 2016 1-5

Cevisama 2016 International fair for natural stone, raw materials, frits, glazes, colours and machinery

Valencia, Spain http://cevisama.feriavalencia.com

MARCH 2016 Xiamen Stone Fair Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Centre, Xiamen, China http://stonefair.org.cn 17-20 Keramika 2016

Ceramic Tiles, Sanitary/Bathroom Furnishing and more

Jakarta, Indonesia http://www.keramika.co.id 22-24 Domotex Asia / ChinaFloor 2016

International Floorcovering Exhibition Shanghai, China http://www.dacf.cn

APRIL 2016 18-21 Coverings 2016

Trade event for ceramic tile, natural stone, flooring and related products Orlando, FL, USA http://www.coverings.com MAY 2016 12-15 Erbil Stone 2016

Stone, ceramics, tile & sanitary equipment & machinery exhibition Erbil, Iraq http://erbilstone.com/English/ default.aspx 26-29

HIA Sydney 2016 Home Show Sydney, Australia http://www.sydneyhomeshow.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2016 26-30 Cersaie

International exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings

Bologne, Italy http://www.cersaie.it/en/ *** For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, please check the individual websites.

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With over 45,000 unique visitors per month and more than 3000 members, Infotile.com is the place to go for all the latest news, product profiles, installation guides and advice dedicated to the ceramic tile and natural stone industries.

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Access our publications archive and read feature articles in Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Tile+Stone Showcase magazines.

Can we interest you in becoming a ® SPARTACOTE Distributor?

Engineered for long-term superior performance, SPARTACOTE® decorative resin floor coating systems are designed to meet the needs of the most demanding heavy-duty traffic environments.

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