FLOORING
dec 2017 / jan 2018
Print post approved 100018531
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
p8
www.flooringmagazine.com.au
Upfront
FLOORING
Hi, and welcome to the December 2017/January 2018 issue of Flooring magazine. We hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas break and are all geared-up for a fantastic New Year! In this issue of the magazine we have a lot to cover, so let’s get cracking…. With our usual News and Overseas News sections we bring you stories from both Australia and abroad. I am also thrilled to share with you our ICONS feature for this issue. Jack Swinton is certainly a legend in the flooring industry, and ICONS delves into his history of working within the business and his strong involvement with one of the most well-known flooring businesses in Australasia. You will enjoy reading about Jack! There’s also a great feature on green flooring by Global Green Tag’s David Baggs and an interview Q&A with Sebo Australia.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND dec 2017 / jan 2018
vol 35 no 6 News 6
Laticrete Australia Continues to Grow
7
Choices Flooring Brings Inspiration to Decorators Across Australasia
Overseas News 14 Holly Becker to Speak at Domotex 2018 ICONS 16 Jack Swinton Interview 28 Q&A with SEBO Regular Reports 34 Airstep Retailer of the Month 36 Vinyl 45 Product Update
Airstep Retailer of the Month takes you to Adelaide, and we also bring you two very different Case Studies: One in Melbourne and the other in New Zealand. To top it all off, Flooring has exciting new Products to share with you, as well as Carpets and Vinyl, and don’t forget to take a look at our Prep, Install & Care section for the latest and greatest in floor care and maintenance.
50 Prep, Install & Care Front Cover 01 Choices Flooring www.choicesflooring.com.au
We know you’ll enjoy this issue of Flooring. To all our readers, have a super New Year. Until next time… READ ON THE GO: Scan code to view the latest FREE digital versions of the magazine on our website. Simply click on the front cover once you have scanned the code.
Ronnie Gramazio Editor
www.flooringmagazine.com.au Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 3
News
The Latest News from Floorex There’s been exciting times at Floorex, with more excitement to follow into 2018… Eric and Haydn recently had great success showcasing the company’s range at the Auckland Build Expo 2017. They were also featured in one of New Zealand’s top Hire & Rental Magazines and were pictured with Angus Kennard of Kennard’s Hire (HIANZ – Issue 10).
Floorex have decided to maintain a strong presence at various exhibitions having signed on to be a participant in the HIRE2018 Show to be held in Brisbane next year. This is so they can showcase their top-end range of Floor Preparation Equipment. They will have the realdeal team at hand in person, to demonstrate why these machines are right for the Hire Industry, and they can answer your burning questions.
New Website
In addition, the Floorex Team is growing, and so is demand – what better way to keep their existing clients refreshed and ensure new clients are able to source information easily, than by launching a new-look website! Tony has been working hard over the past few months to design and launch the modern, 4 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
fresh and easy-to-navigate website. This allows people from anywhere in the world to be able to easily navigate the website and find what they need, and FAST – with Australian and New Zealand users being able to purchase via the convenient and updated online ordering system.
WANT TO BE PART OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST FLOORING & BLINDS RETAILER? Pictured: Timber | Bespoak - Merino
As an owner-operator in Carpet Court, you’ll be joining an established corporate organisation built on a growing network of dynamic local family businesses. It’s the best of both worlds! You’ll have the freedom of running your own business, backed by the security of knowing you’re a vital part of one of Australia’s most successful retailers. We are looking to expand our family into these areas around Australia: Victoria - Eltham South Australia - East Adelaide and Mt Gambier Western Australia - Kalgoorlie and Geraldton New South Wales - Murwillumbah
Queensland - Atherton, Gladstone, Mackay and Maryborough/Hervey Bay Northern Territory - Alice Springs
GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY. VIC, TAS, WA & SA Please contact Brett Talbot P: 0499 800 702 Brett.Talbot@carpetcourt.com.au
1300 CARPET CARPETCOURT.COM.AU
NSW, QLD & NT Please contact Greg Zeegers P: 0488 079 326 Greg.Zeegers@carpetcourt.com.au
News Hardwood Floors Magazine Introduces the ’40 Under 40’ Hardwood Floors magazine is proud to recognize 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the wood flooring industry. These individuals are today’s movers and shakers who are already setting the pace for tomorrow. The magazine is excited to shine the spotlight on these outstanding 40 men and women whose career accomplishments have moved them to the forefront. Their professional track records have helped to establish them as some of today’s brightest stars — before their 40th birthday. Meet Clinton Borthwick, Co-Owner, Borthwick Floors (pictured). Clinton started in the industry at the age of eight, helping his father after school and during school holidays. He began working full-time as a thirdgeneration floor sander in the year 2000 at age 18. After his dad retired, he became the co-owner of Borthwick Floors along with his brother in 2006. In 2008, he bought an engineering business, Canterbury, which manufactures floor buffer machines. In 2014, Clinton won the Australian Timber Floor Association Commercial Floor of the Year award and 2014 MAPEI Wood Floor of the Year. Throughout his career, he has worked on jobs in some of Melbourne’s most prestigious buildings. Clinton is a member and writer for Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) and a member of Wood Flooring Association of Vic (WFA). He is also involved with the Australian Men’s Shed Association, The Susie Harris Memorial Fund for Motor Neurone Disease, and Diabetes Australia.
Beaulieu Moves to New Premises Beaulieu of Australia is pleased to inform the industry that it will be moving to new purpose-built premises in early January 2018. All manufacturing and administration will commence the new year from the facility located in Pearson Rd, Yatala. The move is necessary to accommodate new investment in manufacturing equipment and provide
more area to facilitate the growth the company has achieved over the past ten years. The new facility is approx. 24,000m2, almost 60% larger than the current premises. All existing contact details including postal address will remain the same. An official opening will be held in the first quarter of 2018.
Waterproofing Training Held at Holmesglen TAFE LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep, Erin Fraser, recently carried out waterproofing training for apprentices at Holmesglen TAFE in Victoria. Students had the opportunity to learn about the regulations, standards, and responsibilities, as well as gain hands-on experience with HYDRO BAN®. LATICRETE says it is committed to educating and providing technical support. It provides on-site & inhouse structured and tailored, product specific courses that cover commercial, residential, industrial tile and stone installation practices and industry standards. The training programs are specifically developed for industry professionals who want to improve their profitability and increase their productivity. Seminars include both classroom instruction and hands-on product demonstrations.
For more info on our upcoming Events happening around your area, check out the Seminars page on their website, or keep up to date with the Trade Events by following the company Facebook. Contact Laticrete to book your seat at their next free training seminar, or arrange a trade event, a demo or for technical support. Phone 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au.
LATICRETE Australia Continues To Grow LATICRETE Australia is excited to announce Glenn Mannix has joined the Australian team as a Technical Sales Rep servicing NSW, alongside Joe Tabone and Craig Hunter. After a three year break, Glenn rejoins the team with a strong tile & stone background and the company wishes him every success in the future. For details, contact Laticrete Australia. 6 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
Floor Distributors Appoints New Queensland Sales Manager Floor Distributors is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Crouch as Queensland Sales Manager. Neil brings with him over 25 years of flooring experience, many of which has been working alongside his current team mates. Scott MacGraw the company’s Director worked alongside Neil in his parent’s old business. “Neil’s expert product knowledge and excellent customer service will greatly complement our new but highly experienced operation.” Floor Distributors has an ever-increasing range of Engineered flooring and accessories.
KGS Relaunches in Australia with CLEANTECH KGS Diamond Australasia P/L will relaunch its complete range of products in Australia following a new partnership deal with CLEANTECH PTY LTD Mr. Wilson, KGS general manager South East Asia, said he is delighted to have a company like CLEANTECH associated with KGS as it has a long association with CLEANTECH distributing KGS products. CLEANTECH has been selling KGS Diamond floor pads for many years now and was the first company to introduce Diamond Floor Pad technology to Australia more than 11 years ago. “The quality of the floor pads has changed over this time. The pads last longer and the results are obtained much quicker,” said John Spiers from CLEANTECH. With the introduction of a new product called KGS Stone Shine Maintenance Solution, where you use the stone shine together with the Diamond Pads, the results are even better. This Nano technology allows the beauty of the stone floors to shine through. For more information please contact CLEANTECH.
Choices Flooring Brings Inspiration to Decorators Across Australasia In late January 2018 Choices Flooring will launch their fifth edition of Inspiring Choices magazine in both print and digital format, to bring flooring inspiration to decorators across Australasia. This will also be the first time Inspiring Choices will be distributed throughout New Zealand, with the opening of several new Choices Flooring stores across the country. Produced by Choices Flooring’s in-house team, the 2018 edition will contain over 100 pages of inspiring flooring trends categorised by room type and welcomes the introduction of the interactive bookmark, which engagingly demonstrates the impact different flooring choices can have in the same room. Inspiring Choices 2018 will also feature editorials from The Block All Stars’ winner Amity Dry and writers from Australia’s leading home and lifestyle magazines. These contributions will be brought to life through personalised videos within the digital format. Supported by an integrated marketing communications campaign and comprehensive distribution strategy, Choices Flooring’s partnership with Bauer Media will again see the magazine distributed to over 400,000 Australians through its integration within Australian House & Garden and Real Living magazines throughout the first half of 2018. Attracting over one million unique visitors to their website each year, Choices Flooring’s website visitors will be able to experience the interactive digital format of Inspiring Choices, which will allow them to view the magazine at any time, on any screen, while still encouraging them to collect a free printed copy from their local store or have one delivered to their postal address. The innovation behind Inspiring Choices 2018 reiterates the group’s positioning as Australasia’s most progressive retail floor coverings group. To find out more about the Inspiring Choices magazine visit, choicesflooring.com Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 7
The future of flooring retail has arrived in New Zealand! Newfurn is proud to have officially opened their first two Choices Flooring stores within New Zealand. With the formal store openings taking place in late November, the teams at Choices Flooring by Charteris (Hamilton) and Choices Flooring New Plymouth are already starting to make their mark. The openings were supported by hundreds of guests including designers, alliance partners and commercial agents. Also in attendance were members of the Newfurn executive team including Chairman Shane Chillingworth and Vice Chairman Steve Blackwood. CEO Andrew Lewis with Shane provided an excited welcoming speech highlighting the historical significance for the group. We are excited to join such an innovative group with a long history. - states Graham Meecham, Choices Flooring by Charteris owner.
I am extremely thankful to Graham, Jennie, Tim, Fiona and their teams who helped make this all possible and we welcome them into the Choices Flooring family - Andrew Lewis, Choices Flooring CEO.
Both stores are enthusiastic about this next step and look forward to serving their communities with a unique level of service and exclusive product selection. The stores have a fresh new look with the implementation of the Choices Flooring store evolution program. This program focuses on the customer experience and is different approach to what retail flooring has offered consumers in New Zealand previously. This is demonstrated by the new showrooms layout, inspiring product displays and industry leading technology of the Inspiration Station which allows consumers to visualise over 2,000 different flooring options in their own room images. We are thrilled be one of the first Choices Flooring stores to open in New Zealand. - Tim Proctor, Choices Flooring New Plymouth owner.
This is just the start for Choices Flooring’s brand growth within New Zealand. With a third store in East Tamaki (Auckland) opening in early January 2018, many more stores will be joining the Choices Flooring brand in 2018 from all parts of the country.
For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact:
John Nicholls Group Manager - Retail Development Mobile: +64 27 322 8679 Email: jnicholls@choicesflooring.co.nz
Clockwise from top: Choices Flooring by Charteris store opening; Shane Chillingworth (Chairman), Jason Verstak (GM Marketing), Choices Flooring by Charteris store owners Graham and Jennie Meecham, Steve Blackwood (Deputy Chairman) & Andrew Lewis (Newfurn CEO); New store fit-out; Tim Proctor store owner of Choices Flooring New Plymouth demonstrates the Inspiration Station.
News
LATICRETE Supports TAFE Facilities Recently QLD LATICRETE Technical Sales Reps, Mitchell Haw and Shane Anderson, had the opportunity to be judges at TAFE Queensland SkillsTech for the 2017 Regional Worldskills Competition for QLD. Six apprentices participated, from first year to fourth year students, all vying for the win and the opportunity to represent QLD in the national competition. The task was to complete wall and floor tiling in a particular pattern and with only 7 hours to finish. A big congratulations goes out to Tyler Sutton who was awarded the Silver medal, and Andrew Hartley who was awarded the Gold medal and the overall winner.
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The FCIA Celebrates Its First Birthday Through broad representation and input from key stakeholders the FCIA under the guidance of Garry Thomas and the Board have been able to create and implement programs to truly present our combined interests as a unified ‘Flooring Industry’. These initiatives and this unity will continue to see Floorcoverings gain recognition and therefore funding by Governments to sustain our ‘industry’ through education, training and recruitment long into the future. MICHAEL KEAM – ARMSTRONG FLOORING
Our achievements in 2017 include: • Establishing an industry driven, nation-wide, government funded apprenticeship program; • Creating Industry Sector Panels to prepare and publish a Handbook to benchmark Installation best practice in Resilient, Carpet and Hard Flooring; • Introducing a Trade Card program to recognise the skills and experience of flooring installers; and • Establishing the Flooring Industry Trainers Forum to ensure consistent and up to date training materials and assessment procedures to future proof the skills of the industry.
The FCIA provides a seamless system for all retailers to recruit, employ and train apprentices through up to date and modern techniques. The FCIA’s Industry Sector Panels provide expert information on new and innovative products, which can be communicated to apprentices, installers and retailers in an authoritative and timely manner.
This edition of Flooring Magazine marks the first anniversary of the establishment of the Floor Covering Institute of Australia. In just one year the FCIA has made its mark on the industry, bringing together Retailers, Manufacturers & Suppliers, Commercial Contractors, and the Training Community to drive the sustainability of the entire industry. The FCIA is the first flooring association that truly represents all sectors of the Australian Flooring industry. The cooperation of the members and the results that have been achieved in the first year is result of FCIA’S commitment to enhance and advance the industry across all sectors. SIMON SCOTT – CLEVER CHOICE
So much has been achieved, through the support of our Industry, in such a short period of time - true testament to the FCIA’s vision but even more exciting is the path we are on and the goals we have committed too! BRETT STURGESS – MJS FLOORCOVERINGS
Throughout 2017, The FCIA has developed a strong network of stakeholders from government, Industry Groups, Apprenticeship Service Providers, TAFE, and Private Training Providers.
BOB CROTTY - FLOORWORLD
With the support of these networks and the FCIA Board, we have been able to offer a range of services, (such as our dedicated Workplace Advice Line) to our constantly growing Membership base.
The growth and prosperity of our industry will rely heavily on the continued training, development, and provision of clear and accurate information for all stakeholders. To achieve this, we, as an industry, need to roll our sleeves up and drive this improvement ourselves. The FCIA has already set a strong foundation in place that can be built upon by industry, for industry. STUART BUDGE – PREMIUM FLOORS
Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 11
News
2018 - The Year Ahead for the FCIA 2018 will be a huge year. Our inaugural AGM, scheduled for May 2018, will see the consolidation of the FCIA as the only national Industry Association which engages every sector and stream of the Australian Flooring Industry.
Engaging Installers
In 2018 the FCIA is committed to engaging with the installer community to develop and support the entire Flooring industry supply chain. For too long Flooring Installers have not received the recognition they deserve as critical stakeholders in the industry. At the AGM a resolution will be put to Members to include Installers as Associate Members of the FCIA. The resolution will also propose to create a Director position on the FCIA board and establish state based Installer focus groups. These groups will be like the FCIA industry Panels and the Trainers Forum and participate in the development and production of FCIA publications and policies with respect to best practice in Flooring installation.
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Apprenticeship Residential Workshops
Following successful negotiation of our funded Apprenticeship programs throughout Australia, The FCIA expects to enrol over 500 apprentices in Flooring Technology by the end of 2018. The workshops will bring together groups of 15-20 apprentices to renovate sporting pavilions or community centres under supervision of industry experts and qualified trainers and assessors. On current trends, the FCIA will be coordinating three community based residential workshops in partnership with our affiliated training providers in the first six months. As apprenticeship numbers grow over 2018, we expect to coordinate residential programs in all major capital cities.
Industry masterclasses
Throughout 2018, the FCIA is working with Armstrong Flooring and other Members to deliver short courses and industry masterclasses in flooring technology. These masterclasses will be
promoted nationally via the FCIA website and newsletter and delivered in major capital cities in Australia. In collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers, the FCIA will align the courses to the Certificate III in Flooring technology. Consequently, attendance at these Masterclasses will provide Installers with professional development points which may directly contribute towards a FCIA Trade Card through recognition of prior learning.
Future Member Services
In the coming year the FCIA will expand its Workplace Advisory services to include specific support to Retailers, Contractors, and Installers with respect to Vulnerable Workers legislation and related information relevant to the recruitment, employment, and subcontracting practices in the flooring industry. We are also exploring the implementation of a claims mediation framework utilising the specialist expertise of the FCIA Industry Panels.
Overseas News
Registration Now Open for Domotex Asia/CHINAFLOOR Shanghai. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR – the annual hub for Asia-Pacific flooring professionals now welcomes visitors to register for the 2018 edition, March 20th – 22nd. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event’s fruitful campaign and to celebrate, 100+ pre-registered visitors will be granted signature VIP access and receive invitations to concurrent conferences and festivities during the show.
2018 Preview InnovAction
The InnovAction Flooring Campaign empowers Carpet, Wood, and Resilient flooring enterprises to launch new products within custom showcases. These flagship pavilions are designed by Kostas Chatzigiannis and his team at KCArchitecture Ltd. Companies looking for an ideal platform to introduce their products in the industry will have the opportunity to reach an audience of 55,000+ at the upcoming show.
Sport Flooring Experience
In the next few years, the Asian-Pacific region will host some of the most important sporting events in the world. The 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan will all require heavy investment from the region to construct new, state of the art sporting facilities. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2018 is following suit and organizing experience zones for companies specializing in sport flooring. The sport flooring area will host a Badminton Tournament on a 200sqm pitch of artificial sports turf, organize a Snow + Ice Experience Zone, and open the China Green Campus Construction Forum to visitors interested in discussing the future of “Green, eco-friendly” surfaces with municipal governments, sports bureaus, and school associations.
DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR that celebrates 20 years, from when it was first launched, in March 2018. With six months before the show, exhibitors from across the flooring industry are quickly securing their space at the upcoming edition, with over 80% of the show being already booked. The show’s internationality is increasing year per year with even more world- renowned brands joining the largest flooring show in Asia Pacific in its upcoming editions. International brands, up to date, occupy more than 21% of the total confirmed exhibiting space. Some of the world’s leading brands that will be part of this DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR are: Armstrong, Gerflor, KCC, KDF, LG Hausys, Nox, US FLOORS, HanWha, Tarkett, Toli, Meijer, Elegant and Kingdom showing resilient flooring, Alsapan, Classen, French Timber Association, Haro, Swiss Krono Group, Parador, Kaindl, Egger, Faus, Giant, Weitzer Parkett, Edelholz, Balterio, Alloc, Unilin, Homelegend, Lamett, Power Dekor, Arte Mundi, A&W and Valinge displaying wood flooring, Balta, Boyteks, Nishaburi, Oriental Weavers, Farrahi, Shanhua, Haima, SanLi, Beaulieu, Mannington, Best Wool Carpets and Suminoe exhibiting carpets, and Homag, Osmo, Dynea, Klumpp, Winters-teiger, Hawk, Banfert and Azumi showing floor technology To register, guests can visit domotexasiachinafloor.com
Luxury Brands
VIPs and invited guests can visit Luxury Brands, a distinct display area presenting 15 renowned carpet design firms who indulge visitors with a variety of new, extravagant products. Luxury Brands is co-organized and sponsored by COVER Magazine, a key partner of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR.
2018 Visitor Profile
DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR increased their international attendance by almost 20%, from which, the top 5 visiting countries outside of China ranked: South Korea, Japan, the United States, India, and Australia. “I expect our 2018 global visitor registration and attendance to exceed last year’s results” states Mr. Shine Liu, Project Director of VNU Exhibitions. “The event continues to be the industry’s key meeting point in Asia and the international flooring community is noticing. Since last year, we signed on new international pavilions (Croatia & Iran) and hope to organize more country marquee’s to join the ranks of Canada, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, USA, and Italy”. Furthermore, the Shanghai New International Expo Center will be the meeting point amongst flooring professionals once more during this anniversary edition of
Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 13
Overseas News
Holly Becker of Decor8 Fame to Speak at Domotex 2018 DOMOTEX, the world’s leading trade show for floor coverings (12 to 15 January 2018), now packs even more interior design and lifestyle inspiration thanks to a guest appearance by Holly Becker, one of the world’s foremost interior design bloggers.
design. Becker explains: “I love combining the old with the new. The key is not to take interior decorating too seriously. It’s not about perfection, it’s about finding joy.” Holly Becker also has a passion for teaching and offers e-courses for bloggers of all levels, from beginner to advanced. She hosted her first e-course on her “Blogging Your Way” portal in April 2009 and since that time has taught more than 10,000 students globally about blogging, social media, interior styling and photography. Her e-courses address fundamental challenges faced by all new bloggers. How do bloggers find their niche? How does the creative process work? What research methods are there? How do I win followers? They also focus on legal issues and provide instruction on blog visual design and implementation. As a teacher, Becker is supportive and nurturing. “I see other bloggers not as competitors but as part of a community,” she says. “And so far my courses have been instrumental in starting a lot of people off in really amazing directions.” Holly Becker will also be sharing her extensive experience at DOMOTEX. Her presentation “How To Collaborate With Bloggers and Influencers to Market Your Products”, which runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on 12 January, is aimed primarily at exhibitors and other bloggers, but will also offer a wealth of inspiration for architects, designers, interior planners and other DOMOTEX visitors. From 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. that same day, she will also be participating in a discussion with other bloggers on future trends in interior design. In between times, she will be taking bloggers on tours of the show, spying out the latest exciting and creative innovations in the floor coverings industry. Her presentation, discussion group and tour will all be conducted in English.
Blogger Lounge premieres in Hall 9
Next year, DOMOTEX will feature its first-ever Blogger Lounge. Located in the new “Framing Trends” special display in Hall 9, the lounge will provide a central location where the blogger community can gather, share ideas and reach out to tradeshow visitors. The lounge will be decked out with large-format monitors that will display the participating bloggers’ blog and social media posts in real-time. The “Framing Trends” display will also be home to a richly diverse and immersive world of experience that will serve as a central gathering point and source of inspiration for visitors. It will feature studies of current trends plus creative product installations inspired by the show’s keynote theme, UNIQUE YOUNIVERSE, itself a touchstone of the product individualization trend. Holly Becker is the founder of Decor8 – one of the best-known design blogs in the world, with a global following of 1.5 million loyal fans and readers. On 12 January 2018, the German-based American interior design expert and influencer will be taking the stage at the DOMOTEX’s new “Framing Trends” showcase in Hall 9. As well as contributing to Decor8, Holly Becker is a bestselling author with four books to her name so far. Titled “Decorate”, “Decorate Workshop”, “Decorate with Flowers” and “Decorate for a Party”, they are available in 20 languages worldwide and are a celebration of the fun and joy of interior 14 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
About Holly Becker
Holly Becker has made an international name for herself as a blogger, journalist, interior stylist and author. She is the founder of the award-winning design and lifestyle blog Decor8 (www. decor8blog.com) and the popular e-course platform Blogging Your Way (www.bloggingyourway.com). Holly Becker is also the international best-selling author of the “Decorate” series, under which she has so far published four books. She has won a string of awards for her work on and off-line and is an international tastemaker with 1.5 million loyal fans and readers worldwide. American-born, she is now based in Hannover, Germany, and divides her time between the USA and Europe.
A SINGLE VOICE FOR THE ENTIRE AUSTRALIAN FLOORING COMMUNITY Advocacy Stakeholder Engagement Best Practice Industry Panels Innovation e-Learning National Image One Industry Quality Trade Cards Training ‘Cutting Edge’ Apprenticeships
Phone (03) 9832 0663 Email info@fcia.org.au
Get involved! @FloorCoveringInstituteofAustralia
fcia.org.au
Icons
ICONS
Jack Swinton Welcome to another ICON of the Flooring industry. In this issue we take a close look at the life and achievements of Jack Swinton. He has led an incredible life and is undoubtedly one of the ‘flooring greats’ of the business. Both this interview and accompanying photos speak for themselves…..Enjoy! 1. Hi Jack, and welcome to ICONS. As you are this issue’s ICON, in some detail what do you feel have been the career highlights for you looking back? How long have you been in the flooring business? JS. The launch of Carpet Choice and the success of the group and also the co-operation and acceptance from the suppliers. There were overseas trips to Las Vegas to source product and a trip to Kidderminster to Brintons to try to source Axminster colours more suitable to the Australian market. We settled for the Canadian versions. Judy and I had an interesting luncheon with Sir Tatenam Brinton and his Board. HIGHLIGHTS--Having been re -elected to the board continuously for38years, having the board room named after me, the GEMS award in my name but more importantly the honour to have been able to serve Newfurn and Choices flooring over so many years.
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2. How long have you been associated with Choices Flooring/Newfurn, and where and how did it all start? How difficult was it in ‘the good ol’ days to get a toe-hold within the industry? JS. Starting with my father uncle and mother who came to swan hill from Melbourne…I became chairman of the 2 groups etc. 3. Jack, you are undoubtedly an icon in the flooring industry….Are there any aspects to the business you miss most? Please tell us about how you got started in the industry and a bit about your background and family life growing up. Was flooring in your blood growing up? JS. On leaving school in 1948 I was employed to work in the family business where we had a floorcoverings department. It was some time before I had any experience in sales as I was treated the same as other employees and was trained in sweeping, cleaning windows truck driving and installations. Eventually I was trained in sales, 18
Icons purchasing, then management. So I suppose furniture and floorcoverings were in my blood. What do I miss most? The people, the friends and the challenge. 4. Do you have any tips and industry suggestions for those starting out in the business today? JS. It is most important that you have some experience in business and or floorcoverings and the best way to have support is to join a buying group. Many of the Choices Floorings members were installers and being in a group has assisted them. If the customer has confidence in you, you are halfway there to making a sale, so good customer relationships are vital. Always strive to also maintain a good relationship with your suppliers. 5. Any lowlights that you care to mention? And did you climb your way up through hard work and sheer 20
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Icons perseverance? I am assuming that passion for your work played a pivotal role? JS. In the beginning we had to overcome some lowlights such as finance but the West pack bank at Heidelberg had faith in us and looked after us and the group is still banking with them. I would be most annoyed if the banking arrangements were changed. 6 . Has there been a mentor whom you looked up to – either from overseas or from Australia – who gave you the drive to keep going in a single industry through the years? JS. Our CEO Paul Amos and I worked closely together during the formation of the group. We had the same ideology vision and work ethic. We always worked for the betterment of the group without any thought of personal gain and this flowed through to the Board members. Bob Hoskins and I were charged with the responsibility of recruiting a new CEO and were pleased that Paul accepted our offer. Paul was able to get the most from those under his employ and was most constructive at board level. 7. If possible, enlighten our readers on the Jack Swinton Award, as part of Choices Flooring’s inaugural General Excellence in Marketing and Sales (GEMS) Awards showcasing outstanding service and sales performance.
JS. The Jack Swinton Award is presented to the winning state member who has shown the most outstanding General excellence in service and sales performance over the previous 12 months and from those awardees the National winner is selected. I have had the honour of making the presentations on 2 occasions. (GEMS) 8. Please tell our readers a bit more about what it has been like to work at Choices Flooring, and how do you feel that Choices Flooring – in all its incarnations through the decades – stands out from the pack? JS. Choices Flooring is the most professional organisation that I have been associated with and those high standards have been maintained by the members. Good management and high standards are contagious and this is reflected in the high standards of presentations in the stores. There is also good back up and training available which makes Choices Flooring stand out from the rest.
Choices Flooring is the most professional organisation that I have been associated with and those high standards have been maintained by the members.
9. Do you see the flooring industry as a united force in Australia or more as a series of individuals or separate businesses simply striving for the best to serve their customers? JS. Whilst we get along with other retailers and groups, we are certainly in competition with each other and as we all rely on the same suppliers a certain harmony must exist. In our town of Swan Hill we have a good rapport with our opposition. Having said all of that I feel that we are all separate groups and businesses striving for the best to serve their customers. 10. Are their aspects of the business you miss, Jack? Do you have any final words for your colleagues out there in the flooring business? As a flooring veteran, do you have any sound advice? Jack, just lastly, what are you looking forward to the most, moving forward? JS. I miss the cut and thrust of corporate management but am aware that you cannot go on indefinitely. I was very pleased to have been accepted to serve on the board until was 78 years of age. Judy and I are so fortunate that we are invited to every Magic Carpet Ride which keeps us in touch with the many friends that we have made over the years. 22
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Icons In his own words, here is an overview of Jack’s contribution to the furniture and floorcovering companies of First Choice Furniture, Newfurn and Carpet Choice now renamed Choices Flooring…. My father, mother and uncle came to Swan Hill from Melbourne in 1932 during the depression and from a background of furniture manufacturing went into furniture retailing calling the business Swintons’ Home Furnishers. In the 40’s a small group of Country furniture retailers, including my father Roy, finding themselves somewhat isolated met in Melbourne regularly to swap ideas and discuss ways to improve their performances. This caught on as others joined the group. Their next step was to approach manufacturers for exclusive merchandise and bulk discounts and this attracted even more members including many from Melbourne and from this base Newfurn Ltd. Buying group was formed trading as First Choice Furniture. The group has since amalgamated with Home makers, a powerful National buying group. I took over the management of the family business in 1969 and my association with the Newfurn group was in the early 1970’s when I was first appointed to the Board of Directors. At that time, many of the stores had floorcoverings departments but there were not any stand alone floorcoverings stores. As the group expanded we eventually attracted 15 floorcovering only stand alone stores which caused some problems as they felt that they were not getting their fair share of the advertising budget or enough special deals from suppliers even though we were importing product from Brintons in England. As group chairman I was attending with the Flooring members at a meeting at Brintons Geelong. I was informed by the 17 members present that if they were not granted autonomy and a name change that they would break away and form another group. I made a decision and without board approval granted them their wish. Fortunately the board went along with my decision, So Carpet Choice was launched. I became Chairman of the 2 groups which became difficult as I was running our furniture business, a Forty Winks store and our new stand alone carpet Choice store.(We later brought our floorcovering manager Steven and Lynne Heslop in as partners). I was also a shareholder and on the on the board of Forty Winks, 3years as chairman and having to travel from Swan Hill twice a month was too much. Paul Amos was our CEO of both groups and he was feeling the strain, so as we could see a great future in the floorcoverings group we made the decision to go along with them. Paul Amos was a brilliant CEO and was also part of the catalyst that made Carpet Choice such a success. At a group meeting I attended recently in Melbourne there were 350 present and that is where I presented the second Jack Swinton award for excellence and I was also inducted into the Choices Flooring Hall of Fame. During my 38 years of participation on the above mentioned boards, I also found time to be president of our local hospital,50 years a Rotarian (Paul Harris award ) Foundation committee Murray Downs Golf and country Club, Chairman of the building committee, foundation committee for the 22 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
As group chairman I was attending with the Flooring members at a meeting at Brintons Geelong. I was informed by the 17 members present that if they were not granted autonomy and a name change that they would break away and form another group. I made a decision and without board approval granted them their wish. Fortunately the board went along with my decision, So Carpet Choice was launched. establishment of the Swan Hill Pioneer settlement outdoor museum. Prior to that at age 4 I had my first violin lesson, studied for 14 years (Mother was a brilliant violinist), played saxophone and clarinet in a local dance band and enjoyed my time with my wife Judy in Swan Hill National Theatre where we played in one Shakespearian play a year and had the opportunity to play in several other plays. I must here pay tribute to my wife Judy who because of my activities was often left holding the fort in our businesses. Without her contribution I would not have been able to devote so much time to other organisations. I have been most fortunate to have lived in Swan Hill, as it is much easier to be a successful fish in a small pond. The other enormous assistance was from my father Roy, my mother Ruth and Uncle Bill who mentored me and taught me so much about business, ambition and life.
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Carpets & Rugs
New On-trend Shades by Cavalier Bremworth in Focus New on- trend shades are the focus across Cavalier Bremworth’s quality carpets this summer and beyond. Starting with beautiful greys across the chunky loop pile Lisburn and the plush cut pile of Champ Elysees, within the sought after Bremworth Collection. Still in wool, the popular loop pile carpets Troika, Lattice, Overtones and Levante also offer new shades across the ranges. And Solution Dyed Nylon hasn’t been forgotten with up to five new, light to dark grey tones, in Verve, Stylex and Inscape. Cavalier Bremworth Marketing Manager and Head of Product Development Rochelle Flint says “Our uniquely designed and made in New Zealand carpets are renowned across Australasia for superior quality and style. But it’s no secret that some of our popular ranges were well over due for new on trend colours to be introduced.” Ms Flint says that the market can “expect more exciting new products and colours from the team at Cavalier Bremworth’ in 2018 and beyond.”
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Feature
Green Flooring Laid Out By David Baggs
David Baggs puts together a strong case for using environmentally-friendly, sustainable flooring. He is well-positioned to do this as the CEO and program director of Global GreenTag. David is a passionate advocate for the development and use of sustainable products in building design and construction. It makes good sense (for your health and for the sake of the planet) to use green flooring products but there are so many other reasons that make a great business case for only using green flooring. Especially when you consider what is now available and compare them against other “business as usual” flooring products in the market. Regarding price point (there’s often little difference these days), we really all need to get past the perception that green flooring (or any green products for that matter) only belongs on exclusive, up-market projects whose sole aim is to push green building program boundaries. Health (human and planetary) is everybody’s business. The bottom line is, green flooring can and should be used on every project. It is because of green-focused flooring design that there have been developments in the flooring sector that have led to some significant product outcomes. For example, major initiatives have been launched in product stewardship (recycling from building sites) in the PVC flooring sector. This is epitomised by the recent awards received by Karndean and Tarkett for their PVC recycling outcomes. Critically, green designed flooring products are pushing boundaries in product health and safety, which is an important factor to consider in
minimising professional risk. We know there have been a number of indoor environment studies that have revealed concerning levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These have been attributed to sub-par flooring products, affecting indoor air quality and subsequent respiratory problems for building occupants. That, and the issue of leaching chemicals present in flooring found in other studies, present the problem of toxic chemicals taken through
the skin – with crawling age children being at most risk. Social behavioural studies confirm that end users are becoming wiser to these product related problems and progressive flooring manufacturers like Australianbased Karndean Design Flooring agrees. Technical consultant Graham Caldwell recently spoke to GreenTag about the growing need to provide consumers and professionals with “compliance evidence”. He said the Karndean sales
David Baggs, CEO and program director of Global GreenTag.
Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 25
Feature force who visit flooring retailers and face the public at home exhibitions are reporting that the “mums and dads” are very environmentally aware before they purchase a floor covering. In particular, they are asking about VOC compliance and phthalate free evidence. Trust in that evidence is also important, said Caldwell. Naturally, most people want to avoid flooring products that are making false green product claims. Selection is made easier by flooring companies who have taken care to qualify their product manufacturing processes and put third party certification in place. They have also ensured that certification also defines how it is compliant to building rating systems with pertinent sustainability criteria addressed in detail. Be careful to distinguish when certification only covers raw materials and not the manufacturing and ingredient toxicity. An example of this is when a manufactured timber product makes much of its FSC, AFS or PEFC certification to the exclusion of all else. While this is nonetheless important, such certification only covers the supply of the raw timber and completely ignores the toxicity of the other ingredients, VOC and formaldehyde emissions in use, worker safety, employment conditions and disposal and recycling fate, i.e. the overall life cycle impacts. An effective certification system will assess and rate the performance of all these issues together with the product’s relevance and compliance to local green and healthy building rating tools. To assist professionals in making sustainability and health related decisions, the Global GreenTagCertTM certification system was created to penetrate product claims at this deepest level and rate them beyond the typical binary “Pass/Fail” of Type 1 ecolabels that have until recent times prevailed. GreenTag decided to take this approach from the beginning because we find that one of the biggest issues in sustainable procurement is making sure that the products you are buying or specifying are actually delivering real and measurable sustainability outcomes. Once it is realised that the vast majority of ecolabels are just that, “eco” labels (assessing health and environmental outcomes only) it is easier to understand that only certain aspects of sustainability are being assessed by ordinary ecolabels and most don’t “measure” specific outcomes at all.
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Specifying and planning for green flooring
Essentially, a good certification system will clarify the relevancies of flooring product certification and reporting outcomes and their compliance to Green Building rating tools. The two product rating schemes of GreenTag LCARateTM and GreenTag GreenRateTM can be applied and are compliant with a number of green building rating and infrastructure rating schemes, including Green Star®, LEED® and BREEAM® . Flooring manufacturers whose products are aligned with these schemes will seek out GreenTag’s certification program to provide the high level of scientific support, transparency, quality endorsement and one-stop certification required.
comply with these Green Star categories. Accessing information about a flooring product under the GreenTag LCARateTM certification system, for example, also enables you to compare a product over its full life cycle. After this, more confident specification or purchasing decisions can be made because the most sustainable flooring is determined by considering not only just cost but also the highest certified rated product from Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum outcomes. Once the product with the highest rated outcome is determined then the most sustainable product is the one with the lowest GreenTag EcoPOINT score. Metrics like the lowest EcoPOINT per Dollar/Pound/Euro can then be developed to assist in assessing tenders.
Naturally, most people want to avoid flooring products that are making false green product claims. Selection is made easier by flooring companies who have taken care to qualify their product manufacturing processes and put third party certification in place. In Australia, most green building projects seek to meet the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star system and to achieve Green Star credits. Flooring product needs to meet the building sustainability criteria, as set out under the Green Star tools and credit system. All surfaces, including paving, resilient flooring, timber, laminates, ceramic tiles and carpets are now encompassed in different Green Star tools that include: • Design and As Built (D&AB-base buildings and integrated fit outs); and • Interiors (all interior fit outs); together with • Performance Tool (building operations) require “Sustainable Products” credit compliant certification • Both D&AB and Interiors tools also have a “Life Cycle Impacts” reduction credit that involve a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the project. The compliance currency for projects with these LCA credits is for the products they certify to have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD- a summary LCA report) available as well. Referring to the green flooring product registry table, following this article, it is possible to track which products would
These EcoPOINT scores are displayed on all GreenTag certified product certificates, scorecards and web pages on www.globalgreentag.com and other international websites such as globalgreentag.co.za and globalgreentag. cn. A similar process can be used when focussing on the health aspects of products with the rating scores (BronzeHealth, SilverHealth, GoldHealth and PlatinumHealth) which sit under Global GreenTag’s recently launched Product Health Declaration™ or PhD tool. The GreenTag PhD is the first system globally to assess the health impacts of the final product – and not just the hazards of the ingredients. The Green Building Council of Australia in 2018 has flagged that it will be introducing its new product health compliance tools under Green Star 2018 – and GreenTag will be ready. David Baggs is a multi award winning architect and consultant with over 35 years experience. He is also a qualified Exemplar Global Lead Auditor and both a LEED® and Green Star® Accredited Professional as well as CEO of Sustainable Design and Green Compliance Certification consultancy Integreco Pty Ltd.
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Interview
Q&A with SEBO Flooring Magazine speaks to Kristine Collins, SEBO's Product Manager, who is responsible for pricing, distribution marketing, as well as managing SEBO's staff and customer base. Please tell our readers about your role within Sebo, and how long have you been working in the industry? How did you get started? Established in 1979, Nayla Pty Limited is an Australian owned and operated family business who imports, exports and together with a national distributor network, brings the best of locally and overseas manufactured products from world leaders. Better known today as SEBO Australia Pty Limited, supplying the commercial and domestic markets with the SEBO brand of vacuum cleaners, power heads, polisher and dry powder carpet cleaner. Made in Germany, SEBO manufacturers products of only the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and value, to provide solutions to our customers’ needs. I have been SEBO’s product manager for almost 10 years now, responsible for pricing, distribution marketing, as well as managing SEBO’s staff and customer base. When I was a teenager I earned pocket money working at the business’s warehouse, rather than completing household chores like my other school friends. I literally swept the warehouse floor every day after school. And while it may sound like a menial task, it was quite important. Keeping the warehouse clean meant we had a clean and hygienic work area and the products we held in stock remained in better condition when they were delivered to the customer. Following my career as the business’s star sweeper, I moved on to answering customer calls – “Hello, SEBO Australia, this is Kristine speaking how can I help you?” always with a smile even though they could not see me down the phone. Once I built up the confidence 28 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
to speak to people and had an understanding of the products we sold, I moved onto handling those preliminary customer enquiries myself. Then I just naturally moved into the sales side of the business with the rest of the team.
What do you love most about the business, and what drives you each day? Knowing that there are great products out there like SEBO that can have a beneficial effect on one’s health. Did you know that the indoor air we breathe can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside? This is why choosing an efficient vacuum cleaner is critical to not only the appearance of a floor but the health and hygiene of it too! Carpet is the largest filter of dust and dirt indoors and if it’s not maintained correctly then people with respiratory issues can get sick quite rapidly. Indoor air quality is paramount in residential homes, hospitals, aged care, healthcare facilities alike. SEBO vacuum cleaners contribute
to the improvement of IAQ and thus the health of many Australians. Better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Growing up with a sister who suffered from asthma triggered by dust and dust mite allergies we needed to keep the air we breathed clean. Most asthma sufferers are advised to remove carpet and opt for hard floors, this doesn’t solve the dust problem, rather just kick it from skirting board to skirting board – with more dust air borne. This is why carpet, the biggest filter of dust in our home is the better choice – if maintained correctly. Consumers should also be aware of the respiratory dangers of unhygienic dirt disposal. Unlike bag-less Vacuum Cleaners, SEBO collect the harmful allergy causing agents into a dust tight 3 layer disposable bag with sealable lid, so that the user does not need to touch or breathe in what has just been picked up.
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Interview
How many people work at Sebo across the board? Is it a team environment? What is the structure like? SEBO is a world-wide brand with offices located throughout. In Australia we employ 8 full time staff members based in Blacktown, NSW. We have a dedicated warehouse and service department too which houses 99.9% of spare parts locally, allowing us to fulfil customer orders promptly. SEBO Australia operates two divisions: Commercial – supplying vacuum cleaners to the likes of Crown Casino, Ramsay Healthcare, Shangri-La Hotel just to name a few and Retail – supplying domestic end uses via Harvey Norman and independent vacuum and carpet retailers.
To some of our new readers, please explain to us the history of Sebo…..How did it start? Where? When? And how does Sebo differ from perhaps similar companies out there? SEBO: SEMIGEWERBLICHE BODENPFLEGEGERATE translated means; "Semi-Commercial Floor Care", but more commonly it is recognised internationally as meaning "Quality". SEBO have been instrumental in the development of the modern vacuum cleaner. They have introduced new technology to make machines which are more user friendly, more reliable, and give better performance. Hoses on upright vacuum cleaners are now commonplace, but it was SEBO who originated the concept. SEBO's first upright model (the SEBO 350), on sale in 1978, featured the first built on hose and the first use of electrostatic filters. It also was the first upright to incorporate a clutch protected, timing belt driven,
Established in 1977 in Germany, SEBO vacuums can be found being used on all floors throughout the world. Some notable homes include The White House, Buckingham Palace and my place too! 30 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
brush. The SEBO 350 also had the ability to lay completely flat and was light and easy to use. This machine was to become the worlds' biggest selling commercial upright vacuum cleaner, a position SEBO machines still enjoy. SEBO commercial vacuum cleaners are the leading gold standard in carpet care and maintenance worldwide, recommended by Flooring Manufacturers. We implement the same professional technology into our domestic models. We do what we do best which is full size vacuum cleaners that remove the maximum amount of debris from soft floor furnishings. Already a leader in our field we do not deviate from providing 'the very best clean' and this is shown year after year in CHOICE's vacuum test results. The SEBO K3 Premium Barrel and Felix Premium Upright vacuum cleaners remove the maximum debris from carpets ahead of the leading and popular brand names 7 years in a row now - definitely our Hero products! Established in 1977 in Germany, SEBO vacuums can be found being used on all floors throughout the world. Some
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Interview notable homes include The White House, Buckingham Palace and my place too! All SEBO products are "Made In Germany". The company is certainly wellestablished. Are there any plans for major expansion, both locally and abroad? What sets Sebo apart? A Flooring Retailer should continually strive to earn their customers business through service after the sale. One of the ways do that is by providing them with the best possible information regarding the care and maintenance of their flooring investment. This is where SEBO Floorcare can help you maximise their customer’s carpet investment by providing them with an effective vacuum cleaner right from the start. According to a study on soil, 79% of soil in carpet is dry. It is the gritty soil in the carpet pile that destroys the fibres, causing unsightly matting and premature wear of carpet.
No water, no worries – the SEBO UHS Polisher hygienically cleans hard floors without the use of water or chemicals or polishing sands! It kills surface microbes leaving the floor looking great without wiping marks and lines. You don’t need a broom cupboard full of machinery, the UHS Polishing Head is an attachment that at the press of a button connects to the CHOICE Recommended SEBO K3 Premium barrel and Felix upright vacuum cleaner. So easy to use – straightline, just like vacuuming!
Being a family business I can’t go past the wisdom from my parents. Both my mother and father have been big supporters. In order to give expert advice you must educate yourself using all tools available – seminars, courses, on the job experience, etc. Routinely visiting the manufacturing plant in Germany and observing the units being designed and built gives us greater knowledge on how our products can solve customers’ flooring problems, not just the hygiene but the service and reliability of the units too.
Any exciting plans moving forward which you might like to share with our readers? What’s the secret to the company’s success? (We will understand if you don’t divulge company secrets!).
Any advice you’d like to share with young people wanting to get started in the industry? Pitfalls, hurdles, things to look out for?
It’s very hard selling a product to someone who doesn’t see a need for it – they have not been educated that not all vacuums are equal or suitable for niche soft floor furnishings.
CHOICE has recommended the SEBO K3 Premium Barrel for the last 7 years running as the best overall performer in this category. It has the highest dirt removal score, 100% pet hair pick up and is hard floor compatible. SEBO premium vacuum cleaners are the gold standard in debris removal and can remove up to 92% of soil from carpets. We give carpet retailers the opportunity to on-sell SEBO vacuums to their customers. Not only protecting their investment but complimenting their service also. With low competition, carpet retailers can enjoy maximum margin for their minimal effort.
Explain some of the new products Sebo has recently launched or is soon-to-launch in 2018 and beyond…. Not being content with designing some of the world’s most advanced cars, the Germans are now they’re taking on other European and American cleaning equipment manufacturers with the radical SEBO Ultra High Speed Suction Polisher.
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We work with carpet manufacturers to ensure their products are maintained in accordance with their care and maintenance guides - that there is a SEBO for every carpet! For example, Mohawk suggests when vacuuming their triextra high pile carpet to use an upright vacuum. The commercial grade SEBO X4 Automatic upright, with selfadjusting brush roller height, large wheels and efficient filtration system works effortlessly on all plush pile carpets. Also Customers may not be after a ‘vacuum cleaner’, but they may be after something that improves their indoor air quality – which just happens to be a vacuum cleaner! Or don’t like the unsightly streak marks steam mops leave behind. We provide solutions to customer’s problems.
Who has been your business/ professional mentors throughout your career in the industry?
I think in any industry women returning to the workforce is a challenge. Returning to work after having a family was a learning curve regarding work-life balance. A supportive husband and family, flexible working conditions and hours was a great help. They say it takes a village to raise a child, I would like to thank my staff for their contribution to raising my family! We are supportive of women returning to the workforce and have four female staff members who have successfully done so.
Can a Sebo product change your life? Please explain!! For most households, an upright or barrel vacuum cleaner is an essential part of the cleaning arsenal. Most can handle dirt pick-up from hard floors very well, but carpet can be another matter, and pet hair can be a real challenge too. So what makes a good vacuum cleaner? CHOICE has recommended the SEBO K3 Premium Barrel for the last 7 years running as the best overall performer in this category. It has the highest dirt removal score, 100% pet hair pick up and is hard floor compatible. Not only is the SEBO K3 Premium rated the best but the SEBO Felix Premium has the most dirt removal score by any upright vacuum on the list. CHOICE’s test method is based on the internationally accepted vacuum test standard, but adapted to Australian conditions and carpets, so the test is both rigorous and practical. Made in Germany - is there a better clean than a SEBO clean? Not according to CHOICE’s results – the SEBO K3 Premium best performer 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
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Retailer of the month
The Courage to Lead Choices Flooring Keswick, Adelaide, South Australia
B
runo Iannucci and his wife Grace own Choices Flooring Keswick, Choices flooring by David McLeay and Decorating Solutions Keswick in Adelaide, South Australia. In September this year they acquired a one-third share in the Bellagio restaurant at Kadina on the York Peninsula. It sounds like a lot of work but it’s been much harder than it is today. In fact, Bruno has lost a small fortune over the years as he’s learned many life lessons; lessons he hopes to pass on to others as he and Grace become more focused and learn to live a simpler, less hectic lifestyle. Bruno has learnt to let go of being the best sales person; the “Star of the show”
34 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
he says. He’s learned to make himself dispensable. Bruno says “Our journey so far has been wonderful, both the good and bad times. We’ve have had some real stress to deal with but the business has given us lots of joy as well. Looking back now; some of our darkest days made us who we are today and I’m glad we’ve gone through them because it’s made us better people. One of my biggest lessons was to let go. As a company grows it must change, and those changes are only possible when employees take on new challenges, expand their capabilities, cultivate new behaviours and entertain new ideas. I was doing everything myself and not allowing others to have any
control. Making me dispensable and vulnerable took some courage but to my surprise the exact opposite happened. I became less vulnerable, more courageous and the team started to rely on me more for direction.” Their journey started in 1982 at Malcolm Reid’s in junior sales, working in the warehouse, unloading thousands of rugs and doing all the dirty jobs. He progressed to being a site measurer, then to sales before moving to Solomons Carpets Modbury in 1985. After three years he and Grace established Solomons Carpets at Kensington; a business they operated for ten years, selling it in 1998. Two great years followed, as Bruno says “Walking and doing a lot of thinking”
before they re-entered the business, establishing the Choices Flooring Keswick store. An adrenaline rush followed with the Unley store in 2003; ‘Now Blinds’ at choices flooring Keswick in 2004; Choices flooring at Modbury in 2006; David McLeay brand & business on sir Don Bradman drive in 2011 and ‘Decorating Solutions’ within the Keswick store in 2016. Over the years some of these enterprises were sold. Bruno said; “Wow; a great 29 years right? Well no; we lost a lot of money over this time. The problem was that after having a vision to build a multiple-site flooring business with several partners I should have ensured I was leveraged out of the business. I should’ve had a far superior understanding of best practices; bench marking; a clearer understanding what the ‘back of store’ costs and operations looked like. I should have had better systems and procedures in place and had a better grasp on cash flow and financial management. The reality is that if I knew the critical importance of this and how much I lacked in these areas I probably would’ve stayed with one store.”
2003 to 2014 were Bruno’s horror years and after selling off the last of the multiple stores by 2014 he says “I was a mess emotionally but in many ways I was in a really good space, Grace is an amazing support. Offloading these businesses made our life more focused and we increased our turnover by 60% in the first year after Unley was sold. This has been achieved without me selling a single job, thanks mostly to Michael Battifuoco; Joe Testa and Steve Long, our three sales pillars. 2018 is looking to be the most profitable yet.” Bruno says the industry is constantly changing and both he and his people need to keep learning. He has fifteen fulltime equivalent people plus contractors and quite a number of apprentices over the years. He says “You have to build a good culture. Grace and I are family and our business is family. Having a great culture is the glue that kept us going and we lead from the front. One of our values is to do what is right. In my darkest hour financially a supplier forgot to invoice me $18,000 so I called him to send me a bill that I paid in 24 hours. My people see
this and they have been forever loyal.” Some of Bruno’s lessons are to call for help because you can’t do it alone. He singles out Paul Amos from the Choices Group and his many suppliers who he considers were essential to the survival of his business. He says “If you create a relationship everything is negotiable” and over the years has been given a lot of financial assistance from people who believed in him, money he’s since repaid. Bruno takes responsibility for all the mistakes of the business and sees this as an opportunity to see what he could have done to prevent it and make the business stronger. Theirs is a great story and an example of a culture of honesty and responsibility to the business and the people who work there. Their true success is not measured in dollars and cents, but in the privilege of leading a great business. The future looks great but required leadership from Grace and Bruno. It required the courage to ‘let go’ and allow others to make the business great. It hasn’t been easy but having the courage to lead has made all the difference.
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Vinyl
Signature Floors launches Loft Collection Signature Floors’ brand new Loft range is the latest addition to their successful Signature Moduleo® collection of luxury vinyl planks and tiles. Combining the very best in manufacturing innovation with the special Signature Floors’ design twist, creating an on-trend and contemporary range that is guaranteed to add a touch of modern cool to your interiors. Signature Floors Moduleo® LVT collection is designed and manufactured in Europe, which will add a premium look to any residential or commercial space – whilst retaining all the qualities and features needed for the Australian home. The Loft collection introduces eight sophisticated plank designs ranging from fresh, muted colourways to cool graphic greys and charcoals. In addition there are also four new, innovative tile options that have been designed from a diverse range of inspirations, including bold architecture and edgy, urban stone references. If you are looking for a contemporary and unique flooring solution that creates a real sense of arrival – the Loft collection provides the perfect solution. As a Signature Floors premium standard, these planks and tiles will continue to give unparalleled performance due to their unique eight layer composition and manufacturing technology. Two fibreglass layers provide added dimensional stability which is the perfect solution for Australia’s extreme conditions. The central design layer of these planks are printed onto vinyl instead of paper, setting new benchmarks for water and fade resistance. To assist with easy maintenance, a PUR Protectonite™ surface treatment is placed on the very top to ensure superior scratch and stain resistance, ideal for all busy family households and demanding commercial installations. Loft is available in both Stick and TAC installation methods, which gives consumers flexibility and functionality. 36 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
Stick is adhered to the sub-floor below and is the ideal choice for wet and sun-exposed areas. The ‘TAC’ application method for LVT installation is fast becoming a favourite amongst consumers due to the fast and flexible installation process, easy floor maintenance and the option of removal after laying*. As TAC planks have extra thickness, they also offer improved thermal and acoustic benefits, providing a warmer and quieter home – particularly helpful in second floor bedrooms. Signature Floors new Loft collection is the perfect fresh update for any residential or retail space with its easy application, hardwearing properties and fashionable designs. The range also features a 20 year residential warranty and 10 year commercial warranty giving consumers peace of mind and a guarantee that their flooring will keep brightening any interiors for years to come. *When installed using a semipermanent adhesive.
Case Study
BCITO Launches My Boss Legend Campaign
We tell many stories across all our media channels about young people who become champion apprentices; are high achievers in their trade; people who’ve struggled and through industry training have come out on top or now have a better lifestyle because they joined the building & construction industry. But the stories we haven’t shared regularly are those of the employers of these young people, who without their boss’s dedication and best work practices, would never have been given the opportunities and support they have enjoyed. At a gala event held in Wellington on Tuesday 7 November, we launched a new marketing campaign to promote ‘good bosses’ across all our trade sectors. My Boss: Legend will inspire employers to improve their workplace practices and behaviours in order to be like the legends they see and read about through this campaign. Our goals are: • to help reduce apprentice churn in the first 18 months of training by encouraging employers who train to lift their game • inspire behavioural change to improve workforce development 38 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
• give apprentices the opportunity to single out their boss as a legend within the industry and to thank them Do you remember someone who has inspired you? Whether it be a teacher at school, your first boss, or just someone you know in your community who has mentored and supported you – we’re sure you can all think of someone. These are the types of stories we’re going to tell. The first phase of the campaign is the launch of a new micro website at mybosslegend.nz. Some employers aren’t just great, they’re legendary, so we went out and asked apprentices a simple question – ‘Why is your boss a legend?’ We’re sharing these apprentices’ stories in fifteen short films we’ve commissioned. We hope that other employers watching will be inspired to think about and focus more on workplace culture and training within their own businesses. These fifteen stories are just the beginning – on the website apprentices and employees can share their own stories with us about their legendary bosses and we’ll craft those 40
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Flooring Retailer should continually strive to earn their customers business through the service after the sale. One of the ways to do that is by providing them with the best possible information regarding the care and maintenance of their flooring investment.
“We want you to have an enjoyable experience with your carpet throughout its life on your floor. " SEBO Floorcare can help you maximise your customer’s carpet investment by providing them with an effective vacuum cleaner right from the start!
INNOVATION SEBO is a world leader in professional vacuum cleaners. Intelligent design shows in every aspect from the brush height adjustable powerheads, to the large wheels allowing for easy glide, together with many other details, create a vacuum cleaner that works with the user, and their soft floor furnishing.
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PERFORMANCE It's the gritty soil in the carpet pile that destroys the fibres, causing unsightly matting and premature wear. SEBO's powerful airflow, professional cleaning heads and highly efficient filtration system combine to give an outstanding cleaning performance on any type of floor and for any sized home or commercial premise.
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Case Study
into inspiring tales of the real legends who help support our trainees every day on the job and share them with the wider industry. We believe that if employers can have better relationships with their workers by improving their workplaces, then we may be able to curtail the number of apprentices leaving their apprenticeship because, for example, they don’t get on with their boss, and we hope this will also make for better work environments. By creating a better working environment, including better working relationships between employers and apprentices, we hope some early withdrawals can be avoided. Each film is unique but they all share the same theme - what it means to be a good employer and ultimately a legendary one. We know there are some great stories out there and sharing these stories with the rest of the industry not only singles out and thank those employers but will also help showcase the nature of the people in our industry who make it what it is today. At BCITO we know that people are the most important part of every business. This campaign shines a light on what employers within the industry can do to make their workplaces a better place to work and grow apprentices and future industry leaders. More tactics are planned for this ongoing campaign in 2018 and beyond. We’ll be sharing case studies and other sidestories in print, online, through social media channels and in our own publications as well as in trade-specific and industry association magazines and newsletters. Go to mybosslegend.nz now to view just some of the real legends that are our apprentices’ heroes. 40 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
Hybrid Luxury Floating Floor
New Victorian Education Campus with Heritage Edge From a historic hall and post office to an award-winning educational facility, two heritage listed buildings in Port Melbourne, Victoria, have come together to form the impressive Albert Park College Year 9 Environmental Arts Hub campus. Designed by Six Degrees Architects, Albert Park College is an adaptive reuse of a heritage Naval drill hall, built in
1911 and the Sandridge post and telegraph office, built in 1862. “Our aim was to complement the original architecture,” explains Simon O’Brien, Director of Six Degrees Architects. “Our design highlights the qualities and intricate details of the historic buildings – robust construction and light and airy interiors.”
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Case Study
42 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
With an emphasis on showcasing the original features of both buildings, Big River Group’s Armourpanel timber finishes were utilised to enhance the original timber floors, create warmth and texture and to visually connect the campus. “The new school campus is designed specifically for Year 9 students, the year they usually push the boundaries as they transition to adulthood. The project required a material that is both hardwearing and durable, and would sit comfortably within the heritage context. Using the plasterboard default usually associated with government schools would have been an injustice to the history of the buildings and would have been damaged within weeks.” says O’Brien. The design adapts the existing mezzanine and lower floors into large teaching and learning spaces and retains the drill hall as a multipurpose performance and teaching space. In the spacious drill hall building, a stepped timber seating area made from Big River Group’s Blackbutt Armourpanel engineered plywood connects the two levels and gives a unique appreciation of the building volume; increasing the usefulness of the space for performance and large group activities. O’Brien describes the post office building as being a unique piece of Victorian history that they worked carefully on to conserve. “We stripped the post office to its original finishes and preserved it in an elegantly unfinished state,” he says. Utilising the cellular brick spaces to house administrative, meeting and music rehearsal rooms, 44
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Case Study Big River Armourpanel was selected for the ceilings and walls complementing the exposed brickwork and fitting in effortlessly with the building’s original features. Big River Armourpanel is Australia’s strongest decorative plywood and has been designed, tested and approved to tolerate extremes of heat and humidity, and to resist shrinkage. Its tolerance of changes in ambient temperature and its toughness make it ideal as flooring, ceiling or wall linings in hard-wearing areas. New external built forms are separated from the heritage structures and clad in subtle and recessive materials to remain in keeping with the original layout. The new lift tower and stairs are located to the rear of the building to activate the laneway and minimise visual impact on the main heritage facades. Overall, approximately 300 sheets of Big River’s Armourpanel made from native Australian timber was used for the floors, ceilings, walls and joinery. O’Brien looked to Big River Group’s plywood for the internal finishes for its long life, durability and greater warmth and appearance value. “Although a complex project, involving multiple stakeholder groups, the project has delivered another life to two heritage buildings and is now a fabulous asset to both the College and the local community.”
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The Albert Park College Environmental Arts Hub was recognised with two awards at the recent 2017 Victorian Architecture Awards: • John George Knight Award for Heritage Architecture • Henry Bastow Award for Educational Architecture For more information visit www. bigrivergroup.com.au
About Big River Group
Big River Group manufactures and distributes timber and steel formwork products, timber flooring, structural
plywood and related timber products and distributes a broad range of other building products, primarily to the commercial and residential, non-residential and infrastructure construction market segments. The Company has a network of 10 sales and distribution centres across Australia and sources its products from both its own manufacturing facilities and also many Australian and international manufacturers of building products. The Company owns and operates manufacturing facilities at Grafton and Wagga Wagga in NSW.
Product Update
Dunlop Advantage 3 – Making a Difference When It Comes to Noise Reduction It has been a long day. You open the front day of your home, kick off your shoes and collapse on the couch. Some peace and quiet is all you need to prepare yourself for the rush of evening duties. Your eyes are closed and you feel your body begin to relax. Thump! You ignore the sound. Thud! You look up, attempting to guess just what object has hit the ground. The kids are wreaking havoc in the upstairs living space, again.
As more people choose multi-level residential living, the issue of sound insulation has become a greater priority for homeowners. Whether it’s in a townhouse, apartment or two-storey home, the sound of footsteps, moving furniture or falling items can not only cause frustration but can result in sleep deprivation and stress. The scenario above reflects just one of the many inconveniences that can occur
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when a consumer is not informed of the importance of hard flooring underlay and its ability to improve the acoustics within a home. To tackle this problem, Dunlop has developed Advantage 3; a rubber/ cork acoustic underlay suitable for conventional and double bond applications in conjunction with timber, laminate and vinyl floors. Designed to reduce impact sound insulation, Advantage 3 exceeds the NCC minimum requirements for acoustic performance whilst also acting as a thermal insulator, thereby reducing energy bills and decreasing your environmental footprint. It has undergone extensive testing by the CSIRO to determine its acoustic properties and compliance with the standards set by the NCC.
Benefits of Dunlop Advantage 3
• Guaranteed for the life of the flooring. • Improves acoustics by reducing noise transfer. • Acts as a thermal insulator, reducing energy bills and decreasing your environmental footprint. • Low VOCs.
Product Update
New Quick-Fix Tactiles Announced Missing tactiles are very noticeable, unsightly and can become a health and safety hazard. Even to replace the smallest number of tactiles can be time consuming plus there’s the inconvenience of having to close off the area whilst the installation adhesive has time to set. These repairs are either carried out by the company’s maintenance person or a specialised tactile contractor which can finish up being a costly maintenance repair. After many months of testing, Floorsafe Australia has designed a new self-adhesive Quick-Fix individual tactile. No more waiting for a contractor, simply replace the missing tactiles in your own time. The new DIY self-adhesive tactiles
are quick & simple to install and require no additional adhesive. With no mess and no need to close of access points, replacement can be carried out quickly and cheaply. If you want to avoid drilling holes or using an expensive adhesive to stick tactiles onto new surfaces, then QuickFix tactiles is the answer. Take the risk out of cracking the tiles and having to close the area down whilst waiting for the adhesive to dry. Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned and left to dry, remove the release paper from the adhesive pad on the back of the tactile, place tactile into template and lightly tap the top of the tactile to achieve full bond.
When placing an order for 500 or more tactiles, you will also receive Floorsafe’s complimentary self-locking tactile templates.
Ceradura Hardwax Oil in the Spotlight CERADURA Hardwax-oil is a balanced blend of oils and hard waxes. One of the most outstanding features of this product is the “spot retouch” that allows localized repairs to be carried out without having to undertake demanding sanding work over the whole surface. Thanks to its in-depth penetration and fast drying time, CERADURA Hardwaxoil provides the wood with a high level of protection, guaranteeing a surface that remains resistant to dirt for a long time without altering the vital natural transpiration properties of the wood. Unlike the usual oiled floors, the surfaces treated with CERADURA Hardwax-oil are easy to clean and maintain. CERADURA Hardwax-oil guarantees a high standard of comfort living and contributes to daily well-being combining the value of the look with the natural qualities of the raw materials. For those requiring a stain effect, the wood can be treated with a first coat of CERADURA Hardwaxcolour. Easy to use, it stains the wood floor evenly, penetrating in-depth to enhance the grain. CERADURA Hardwaxcolor is suitable for all wood species, but it produces the best results and is recommended especially for use on wide grain woods such as oak, larch and chestnut. Available in a variety of 20 colours that can be mixed together
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leading to an infinite range of shades to customize any wood product, CERADURA Hardwax-colour requires a protective coat of CERADURA Hardwax-oil.
This product is distributed through South Pacific Timber, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Mirka, a world leader in abrasive technology innovation, has developed Abranet® as a solution to improve the working environment and time efficiencies of sanding tasks, particularly for floors, for professionals and DIYers. Abranet has revolutionised sanding, the open weave net structure means no dust particle is ever more than 0.5mm away from a dust extraction hole, resulting in a dust-free, healthier working environment. The use of Abranet also eliminates any clogging or dust build-up between the sanding disc and surface, creating a finer, more consistent scratch pattern for a better surface finish. Reduced clogging also improves the durability of Abranet, which can last up to 10 times longer than traditional abrasives. Sanding with Abranet not only provides a clean, dustfree environment, it saves time, is practical, easy to use and delivers a high-quality surface finish. Abranet is quick and easy to attach. The net construction means no lining up of holes and can be used with existing sanders and dust extractors. Simply combine Abranet with an electric or hand-sander, then attach a bagged dust extractor for instant access to a dust-free sanding solution. Abranet is ideal for plaster sanding, paint removal and wood sanding. The Mirka range from Tenaru includes a selection of abrasives, Mirka® DEROS electric sander, Miro 955® plasterboard wall and ceiling sander, Professional Dust-free Sanding Kit and dust extractors.
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Altro Adds New Colour to Pisces Range Due to popular demand, Altro Australia have added a new colour to the Altro Pisces range: Pisces Jetty. For ‘home from home’ environments, looks really do matter. For those providing accommodation, safety remains a top priority, especially in wet environments where the likelihood of a slip is high. Achieving Class B to DIN51097 for barefoot use, plus a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of ≥50 (Slider 96), a soft-look finish and 16 attractive shades, Altro Pisces™ brings together the best of both worlds. Altro Pisces™ performs whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot.
Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018 | 47
Product Update
Cleaner, Quieter City Streets Australian Pump’s Hydro Hush concept is working for councils and contractors around Australia. Most are opting for ‘clean and capture’ versions of this super quiet, 4,000 psi steam cleaner. The Aussie Hydro Hush offers real benefits for city cleaning. Apart from the ‘Loop’ version allowing the operator to work on the ‘clean and capture’ concept, the machine’s low noise level means it can operate during off-peak traffic and pedestrian times. “Big benefits are being realised by users with the results that city-scapes are becoming cleaner. High use areas like plazas and outdoor eating areas can be easily cleaned by the machine’s 4,000 psi steam capabilities” said Aussie Pumps Product Manager, Mal Patel. The 4,000 psi Hydro Hush is powered by Kubota water cooled diesel engine and comes with its own 1,000 litre water tank to enable it to be used where water
48 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
pressure is not readily available. This makes the machine self-sufficient as it doesn’t need mains pressure to operate. The Hydro-Loop can carry out tasks like graffiti removal, cleaning council-owned amenities or even council-operated recreational spaces with BBQs and picnic areas. The heart of the system is a ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini heavy duty triplex pump developing a whopping 20 lpm at 4,000 psi. The burner unit enables the operator to infinitely adjust temperature from ambient (cold water) to temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius. “When that temperature is applied with pressure to graffiti, it just peels it off the wall” said Patel. “Other jobs like sanitising amenity areas and sports facilities, or removing oil stains from council-owned car parks are easy due the machine’s high steam capabilities” he said.
The unit, in its Hydro Hush-Loop configuration can not only carry out these tasks but also can collect the wastewater and recycle it through the 1,000 litre tank. That capability is unique in a machine of this size and at this noise level. Chores like cleaning the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House can be carried out late at night or in the early hours of the morning without disturbing residents. The silencing factor achieved is not the result of the machine being encased in a large sound proof box. Rather, a high-tech engineering approach has been used to develop stainless steel panels that absorb the noise without the potential of the engine or machine overheating. “That’s the real benefit of the Hydro Hush system” said Patel. “We can achieve the low noise level but at the same time not run the risk of breakdowns due to lack of airflow around the machine” he said.
Prep, Install & Care
Air Cleaners and Purifiers by All Preparation Equipment Every construction site has dust. Dust Control Air Cleaners, make for cleaner air on construction sites. Alongside the trusty range of DustControl SE Vacuum Systems and Dust Extraction units, All Preparation Equipment stocks a range of Air cleaners and purfiiers – new to All Preparation!
DC AirCube Air cleaners
There is an extremely simple way of decreasing dust in a working environment. The DC Aircube is designed to improve the general site air quality and as a complement to source extraction. • Hook it up to electricity and have it cleaning the air, day and night. • Air is filtrated continuously by the large area HEPA filter.
• Makes for a safer, cleaner worksite. All day, every day. The DC AirCube is an air cleaner which is suitable for many applications. By circulating the air through a highly efficient HEPA filter, the air in the room is cleaned by removing the hazardous airborne dust that is harmful to health. The most dangerous particles are those that are so small that they are invisible to the eye. The DC AirCube is designed to separate fine and hazardous dusts down to 0.3 microns. An example of such particulate could be quartz dust, which is found in concrete, brick, grout and mortar. When hammering, wall grinding, concrete grinding, demolition work, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and
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general construction, the AirCube is an ideal solution. It is also a popular choice in other applications including internal demolition, defit and stripout projects, workshops, carpentry projects and much more where the air purifier / cleaner can suck away the dirt and dust and purifier into clean air you want to be breathing again. The heavier the dust being created, the larger or more effective the unit needs to be. By circulating the air through a highly efficient HEPA filter, the air in the room is cleaned from airborne dust. One or several DC AirCubes can be mounted in the ceiling which is often the most effective solution in long term working areas like a carpenters workhop, bakery or wood working store.
Prep, Install & Care
Renting Versus Buying Your Floor Cleaning Equipment One of the oldest decisions faced by owners of cleaning businesses is whether to rent or buy equipment. While there is no hard and fast answer, companies have been choosing to rent in greater numbers than ever before for a range of logistical, economical and pragmatic reasons. Nilfisk Australia Rental Equipment Manager Stephen Garland says the ratio is currently 60 per cent buyers to 40 per cent renters, with the rental segment on the rise as companies realise its myriad benefits. Equipment is a necessary yet costly aspect of setting up any cleaning business, and purchasing products outright can be cost-prohibitive. Renting is advantageous as it eliminates the capital outlay required. Cashflow can be difficult enough to manage, so removing the cost of purchasing expensive equipment can free up funds for wages and other mandatory overheads. When one considers the cost of purchasing an entire fleet of cleaning machines, the benefits of renting are even more evident. QantasLink Line Maintenance has recently signed a rental contract with Nilfisk for a floor scrubber. GSE / Tooling Coordinator Tim Robinson says the
50 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
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organisation has always chosen to rent due to the fiscal gains. “It is better to rent this type of unit as the initial financial outlay has a lower impact,” he says. Opting to rent equipment instead of buying it also eliminates a significant volume of responsibility and operational stress. Nilfisk Australia provides a service to its clients that includes training, technical support and troubleshooting, which provides great reassurance day-to-day and empowers employees with the correct tools to ensure they are extracting the best from each machine. What’s more, the rental company is responsible for maintenance and repairs (unless the damage has been caused by the operator), both of which can prove costly in both time and money. It is therefore possible to reap all the benefits of having a sophisticated piece of equipment without the unknown expense and nuisance of maintaining it. These benefits also extend to forecasting by eliminating the need for unforeseen repairs, whilst delivering transparency over the regular rental costs. Indeed, it was this sustained approach that led QantasLink Line Maintenance to rent the machine instead of buying it outright, according to Robinson. “We decided to rent because of the ongoing support for the unit, which is simply not there when you choose to buy” he says. Buying may seem like the natural progression after renting, but according to Garland, companies that rent often continue in the same vein. “Although some companies will go on to buy after they have rented, renters usually continue to rent. When we upgrade their machines and extend their contracts, we find a lot of people are happy with the arrangements and renew them. It just removes a lot of unnecessary stress from running a business,” he says. 52
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Prep, Install & Care Renting provides greater flexibility while companies navigate demand and familiarise themselves with the practical output of each product. As the business grows, so too may the demand for larger or different products, all of which can be remedied when rental agreements are renewed. Conversely, when a business outgrows a machine that has been purchased, a range of questions are raised; ‘What is a reasonable depreciation rate?’, ‘Where do I sell such a unique product?’, ‘Is there a market for second-hand equipment?’ and ‘What are my responsibilities as a seller?’ Defining a clear direction for the business is imperative in deciding upon the appropriate equipment and means of purchase. While many companies begin from a generic basis and eventually develop a niche offering, this can often lead to missed opportunities in the early stages. In the cleaning industry, services and products are often very unique to each industry, and failing to select a speciality can mean failure to offer the specialised equipment, training or knowledge that is required. Renting can provide a means to enter a niche industry for companies of all sizes.
Renting provides greater flexibility while companies navigate demand and familiarise themselves with the practical output of each product. As the business grows, so too may the demand for larger or different products, all of which can be remedied when rental agreements are renewed. Securing specialised industry equipment also allows business owners to actively form relationships with their target market, and the importance of strong business relationships can never be underestimated. “If you have the right equipment behind you, you’re able to talk to the right people,” says Garland. In the event that companies find themselves unable to service clients 52 | Flooring Dec 2017/Jan 2018
due to lack of appropriate equipment, short term rental can prove the perfect solution. Nilfisk Australia rents machines that cost more than $4,000 to purchase, providing a great option for when unexpected opportunities arise. Many clients find it helpful to discuss what is new in the industry, talk about what works and ultimately know that they do not have to meet the full commitments of purchasing an expensive product. Cleaning equipment can serve businesses in a number of ways. The most popular items that Nilfisk Australia rents are warehouse floor sweepers and scrubbers. These industrial-grade machines eliminate dirt, dust and other allergens far more thoroughly than people, which reduces labour costs and provides a superior result. These benefits also extend to cleaning employees and staff at the facility, who enjoy cleaner, healthier workplaces. For many of the
cleaning companies that rent these products, purchasing them would prove too costly. One of the largest burdens that is lifted by renting cleaning equipment is compliance, agrees Robinson. Nilfisk Australia ensures all machines are serviced regularly, environmentally compliant, in safe working order and operated by adequately trained staff. What’s more, Nilfisk Australia keeps records of testing dates and other important information for its own benefit and clients’ peace of mind. The cleaning industry has been rooted in tradition, which Garland attributes to the slow rise in rental numbers. He believes that as more business owners and managers realise the multiple advantages of renting – better financial management, less stress, less downtime and labour, less administrative burdens – the rental segment will continue to rise.
FLOORING
From Start to Finish in a Day with Schwamborn At Westside 4 x 4 stores, easy maintenance floors are essential. With the help of Briz Floors this floor was turned around from removal to preparing and resurfacing the floor, and applying a new coat the floor was completed in a day. By using effective Schwamborn Three phase grinding system the production time on this project was easy meaning the floor could be ready to coat and the project finished in a day. This flooring team runs the single and three phase Schwamborn Grinders, after
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years of using alternative machines, the Schwamborn Grinding system allows for faster preparation of floors, removal of coatings and epoxies and resurfacing of floors ready to relay. The single phase, DSM250 Edge Concrete Floor Grinder allows easy prep around posts, into tight spaces and around the edges ensures all areas of concrete can be properly prepared ready for new coatings to be installed, with a key on the concrete the product can bond to. By running their Three phase DSM800S Schwamborn Concrete Floor Grinder makes preparing floors faster and also ensures a flatter floor finish in your initial cut. Covering a wider area and running on Planetary Grinding system the Schwamborn machines take the preparation where it needs to be.
Tips on How to Achieve Renders and Screeds by Laticrete Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides tips on how to achieve high performance renders and screeds: "Want exceptional, known performance and productivity with your screeds and renders? 3701 Mortar Admix gauged with 226 Thick Bed Mortar delivers! We realise that not every project needs this exceptional level of performance, but when contractors want to ensure their mortars and adhesives are of a higher standard, that’s when LATABOND™ comes in. Use internally or externally to increase, amongst other things, the flexibility, compressive/tensile strength and shock resistance of your mortar. Use diluted or un-diluted to determine your own level of performance and economy with adhesives, grouts, slurry bond coats, renders, screeds and those alike. Anything that has Portland cement in it can benefit from LATABOND.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
The more concentrated and less diluted it is, the better the performance. You’re in control of the working and physical properties of your mix for permanent and trouble- free installations. LATABOND, like most LATICRETE products, is non-hazardous, low VOC and safe to use. For more complete information see Data Sheet DS-1078."
PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Ronnie Gramazio Email: ronnie.gramazio@elitepublishing.com.au TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Sandie Velkovska Email: sandie@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 Phone: (03) 8513 0208 Email: connect@ubercreative.com.au www.ubercreative.com.au PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Group Pty Ltd 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. 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
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Exhibitions
Ad Index
2017 Exhibitions
FEBRUARY 2018 27 Feb-1 March HI Design MEA Business Forum for the hotel interior design industry Doha, Qatar www.hidesign-mea.com MARCH 2018 1-5 CBD 2018 China International Building and Flooring Decoration Fair Guangzhou, China www.chinaexpo-fair.com/CBD 1-7 EFWEX 2018 European Floor and Wall Expo Ghent, Belgium www.efwex.eu 6-8 Decofair 2018 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia www.decofair.com 6-9 HOMEDECOR 2018 Flooring and Interior Decoration Show Poznan, Poland www.homedecor.pl
Airstep Australia 26-29 INDEX Dubai 2018 International Design Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.indexexhibition.com 26-29 Workspace 2018 Commercial Interiors Exhibition Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.workspace-index.com
34-35
All Preparation Equipment
47
Australasian Timber Flooring Association 31 Blastrac Australia
55
Carpet Court Choices Flooring
5 Front Cover, 8-9
Classic Architectural Group
27
Clear Choice Products
49
APRIL 2018 1-5 Gifts & Home Expo 2018 International gifts, home product and flooring fair Shenzhen, China www.chinagiftsfair.com
Con-Treat
2-6 IDEA 2018 Innovation Design Expo Bergamo, Italy www.bergamofiera.it
Gibbon Group
21
GMK Logistics
17
Laser Measure Australia
29
25-26
Mapei Australia
Architect@Work 2018 Specially tailored contact days for architects, interior designers and others involved with innovation and design Kirchberg, Luxembourg www.architectatwork.lu
*** For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, please check the individual event websites.
47, 51
Domotex Asia/Chinafloor
19
Dunlop Flooring
2
Floorcovering Institute of Australia (FCIA) 15
Laticrete 37 Back Cover
Preference Floors
41, 43
Pyrafloor Polished Concrete RFMS Australasia
51 23, 24
Sebo Australia
39
The International Surface Event
33
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RETURN TO: Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd PO Box 800, Templestowe 3106, Victoria, Australia Or FAX to: +6139890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au
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