Flooring June-July 2017

june/july 2017

The Revolutionary Online Learning System p10

incorporating

FLOORS

june/july 2017 | vol 35 no 03 www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Industry News

Special Features

Regular Reports

FrontCover

8

14 Focus On: Big Dreams for Young NZ Business Owner

16 Airstep Retailer of the Month

01 Choices Flooring

New Intafloors Catalogue Recently Launched

10 Digido - The Revolutionary Online Learning System 12 New Faces Join Dunlop Family

4 | Flooring June/July 2017

29 Carpets & Rugs 38 Product Update 46 Exhibition Calendar

With over 140 members & counting,

we’ve got Australia covered.

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: Andrew Lewis

Tim Drew

Chief Executive Officer

Group Manager - Retail Development

Mobile: 0400 400 036

Mobile: 0425 751 756

Email: alewis@choicesflooring.com.au

Email: tdrew@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com.au

Upfront

Hi everyone, and welcome to the latest issue of Flooring magazine.

MEET THE TEAM

This issue we focus on many things and there’s an array of news and information to keep you reading and informed during these cold winter months.

We have a huge number of new appointments to report in our News section, as well as plenty of hot-off-the-press reports from Overseas, too.

Take a look at our ‘Focus-On’ piece and this issue we travel to New Zealand to meet with a free-spirited young lad who is undoubtedly a shining light on the flooring industry both here and abroad.

There’s a lot by the way of rugs and carpets and our Product Updates are getting bigger and bigger by the month, so you can keep up-to-date on what’s hot in the flooring world right now!

Vicky Cammiade Publisher

Our Airstep ‘Retailer of the Month’ profile travels to the Brisbane suburb of Aspley where a team of flooring professionals really know their stuff and have fun along the way. We share their secrets of success with you.

Just a reminder to make sure you participate in Finishes & Surfaces magazine to be launched later in 2017 Until next time, happy reading and enjoy this issue of Flooring…

Ronnie Gramazio Editor

Ronnie Gramazio Editor

Ashley Cooper National Sales Manager

Got Something to Say? We welcome your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts on Flooring Magazine or on the flooring industry in general.

Send your comments to ronnie.gramazio@elitepublishing.com.au

www.flooringmagazine.com.au 6 | Flooring June/July 2017

Philip Ashley Technology Editor

finishes& SURFACES

THEpreview OFFICIAL & review of brand new products > Annual PUBLICATION FOR FINISHES > Innovative ideas, aspiring projects & SURFACES EXHIBITION > Distributed to leading specifiers, interior designers, retailers and newsagencies Australia wide

Published by

www.elitepublishing.com.au www.infotile.com/publications

For more information and advertising opporturnities please contact: Vicky Cammiade

Phone: +61 3 9890 0815 Email: vicky.cammiade@ elitepublishing.com.au

Flooring>Carpet>Tile>Stone>Veneers>Vinyl>Laminate>Paint>Glass>Timber>Concrete

News

AFS Wetherill Park Triples In Size Thanks to Dedicated Staff Large-scale growth has seen flooring and accessory trader Australian Flooring Supplies (AFS) triple the size of its Wetherill Park operations following a branch relocation in May. The move from the old Canley Vale Road branch to the new location at Unit 2, 472 Victoria Street in Wetherill Park is a huge step forward for AFS according to Kerry Cartwright, operations manager AFS NSW. “We are all excited about the branch size and layout as it will make things so much more customer friendly,” Cartwright said.

“With the layout of the new branch customers can now see most of the product range on show.

“Along with centralising other facets of the business, it will also assist with delivering into our wide metropolitan customer base.”

The move is the second relocation the Wetherill Park branch has undergone due to growth, having been at the previous Canley Vale Road branch for just eight years.

The Wetherill Park team managed the move to the new location in just three business days with business resuming as normal at the new branch on Monday, May 8.

Positive customer feedback about the new branch began to flow in immediately said Stuart Gale, Wetherill Park branch manager, with customers amazed at how much bigger the new branch is.

“The new branch is almost three times the size of the last Wetherill Park branch,” Gale said.

“We are now able to carry all the stock that customers

8 | Flooring June/July 2017

require and customers are impressed with the additional stock they are already seeing.”

Craig Hildebrand, general manager of AFS in NSW, said the success of the Wetherill Park branch was thanks to the dedication of staff.

“Employees influence the fabric of an organisation, for this reason, people have the ability to create an environment that allows the unwritten rules to influence value creating business performance” Hildebrand said.

“This has certainly been the case more widely throughout the AFS branch network, none more so than at our Wetherill Park location.

“It is the dedication of not only these employees, but all AFS employees that create a culture that affords AFS to continue to be ‘The Force in Flooring’.”

In addition to celebrating the new branch, the Wetherill Park team is also preparing to celebrate two long-serving employees.

In June admin and accounts officer Jimaima Chand will have been with AFS Wetherill Park for 20 years.

During her two decades with AFS Wetherill Park Chand said she has seen the business undergo many changes. One of these changes includes new management with AFS Wetherill Park, formally known as Accessories Flooring Supplies, acquired by QEP in 2003.

“I love AFS and the people I work with,” Chand said.

“I love what I do here as I am involved in so many different roles and different responsibilities.”

Cartwright, who joined AFS shortly after it was acquired

by QEP, is another long-serving member of the team having been with AFS for 14 years.

“Over the years I have seen a lot of new products come in and some suppliers go, and I was once told, you will learn something new each day working in the flooring industry,” Cartwright said.

AFS consists of 14 branches with nine in NSW, one in Canberra and four in Victoria. The branches are further supported by a network of sales reps and a depot in South Australia. Owned by QEP, AFS sells a wide-range of

flooring accessories and tools directly to flooring installers.

AFS has also recently secured a position as a preferred alliance partner for Choices Flooring. Brands supplied by AFS include Roberts, Ardex, Makinex, Capitol, ProKnee and Protect Crete.

New Intafloors Catalogue Recently Launched The Intafloors catalogue is now available in print and also online. It contains information on Intafloors Depots in each Australian state, together with customer testimonials and the company’s entire product range, such as: adhesives; carpet tools and accessories, cutters and trimmers, floor preparation materials; moisture

control equipment; essential flooring tools; seaming accessories and trims and extrusions.

Depot locations are at Queensland (Depot and Mobile Fleet), the Gold Coast, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Victoria and Tasmania. Locations in New Zealand comprise Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

I N T RO DUCI NG THE

Welcome back Dan, here is a snapshot of how your training with Digido is progressing so far!

A learning revolution Digido is an exciting and revolutionary new mobile phone app designed to assist Apprentice Flooring Installers easily access their learning material in order to achieve their Certificate III in Flooring Technology in a more convenient way.

Digido has been created for students, trainers, employers and assessors to participate in a supportive online learning community that can be accessed via desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phones (iPhone & Android).

The new Digido mobile phone app was launched by the Newfurn Training Academy nationally during two, one-week Residential Workshops held at the Aitken Hill Conference Centre in Melbourne during March and April 2017.

The system is an easy to access educational tool that allows:

Unique personalised experience

• Students at all levels to access, study and submit assessments as part of their customised training plan • Trainers can easily manage students who are assigned to them and keep track of their progression, results and upcoming assessments • Employers can use the portal to track student’s progression, results and keep up-to-date with trainer’s feedback.

• Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) can monitor the progression of all the students In the future, the Digido learning platform will be able to accommodate a variety of online short courses providing much needed professional development for a range of personnel throughout the Flooring Industry.

newfurn.com.au

Learn your own way Text, audio and video content

Use your phone to provide evidence based learning assignments

*Currently available to registered users on the Apple App Store and Google Play

News

Brintons to Bring Indian Bazaar to Sydney Brintons will showcase its industry-leading portfolio of carpet that's at the cuttingedge of design and technology from August 15-17 at the Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) in Stand 250 at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

AGE visitors will embark on a trip around the globe at Brintons' stand, which will be transformed into an Indian Bazaar themed space, which is part of its latest collection of stocked Axminster carpets, Antipodes.

The Indian-inspired theme was chosen in celebration of Brintons' Indian manufacturing base, where world-class practices in employment and sustainability are observed

by Brintons. With hundreds of factory staff and almost 100 per cent water-recycling procedures, Brintons is proudly a part of the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) global initiative.

The Antipodes range, meaning ‘direct opposites’, cleverly brings together contrasting design elements in a collection of ten striking Axminster patterns. Rigid and structured geometrics contrast delicate free-flowing florals.

Soft colour palettes balance hard angles. Taking cues from nature and architecture, the designs strike a harmonious

10 | Flooring June/July 2017

balance between colour, texture and functionality.

According to Brintons Head of Marketing Asia Pacific, Pounéh Sedghi: "Antipodes offers an expert flooring solution that is engineered to perform in the most demanding, heavy traffic areas in hospitality, clubs, pubs and gaming venues.

"AGE visitors will be able to get a feel for what Brintons has to offer and how we create carpet that enhances energetic atmosphere for gaming. We encourage innovation to better meet venue operator and customer needs.

"Brintons will display live the Sahara Fawn design and product and design specialists will be on hand to discuss Antipodes and all other relevant gaming flooring solutions," added Pounéh.

Brintons redefines the way people think about pattern and colour on the floor and the impact carpet can have on an environment. The combination of thoughtful design, experience, innovation and technical knowledge allows Brintons to deliver high performance floor covering the world over.

With more than 230 years of experience, Brintons supplies carpet to major commercial sectors including: hospitality, healthcare, public spaces, leisure, marine and gaming.

Digido – The Revolutionary Online Learning Platform Recently Launched Launched in March, Digido has been designed for students, trainers, employers and assessors to participate in an online learning platform across desktop and mobile devices. To further support the training of apprentices as they obtain Certificate III qualifications, the Digido App is available across both Apple and Android platforms.

The system is quite simply an educational tool, whereby: • Students from all levels can study, submit and participate in their customised training plan • Trainers can easily manage students assigned to them, and keep track of progression, results and upcoming assessments • Employers can use the portal to track students’ progression, results and keep up-to date with trainers’ feedback • Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can monitor and register students The need for the platform became apparent when TAFE’s started to remove Certificate III in Flooring Technology courses, making it increasing harder for students to attend in person. As such, the Digido platform acts as a mobile classroom which can be accessed throughout Australasia. The platform is also recognised by RTOs in order to provide government funding and qualifications for students.

The process to use the platform is rather simple.

The RTO will first register

a student via the Digido system, setting the level of assessment required – either full apprenticeship - consisting of 11 core subjects and 14 electives; or additional training for those wanting to further their education in other flooring categories – with 75 elective streams available.

Once the RTO registers a student via the registration process in Digido, the system will issue a password to the RTO (for the student) allowing access to the selected course material. It will also assign a trainer/assessor to manage the student.

From there, the student will login to their personalised dashboard where they can update their profile, see their progression, submit work, and identify upcoming events. The content within Digido provides three learning formats – text, audio and visual – allowing students with any level of secondary education to expand their professional development.

Currently over 70 students are learning via the Digido system.

The functionality of Digido as a learning platform is critical to increasing the number of flooring apprentices and qualified installers across Australasia.

For further information, visit digidolms.com.au If you are an installer wanting an industry recognised qualification or an apprentice, contact the FCIA (fcia.org.au) to find out how you can get started.

Technical Boost for Gerflor Makinex and the Industry Hose2Go layers with the necessary Gerflor has ramped up its Receives skills to professionally install technical competencies and resilient flooring. He will those of the flooring industry 2017 Good also provide his professional with the appointment of a new expertise to Myskills, a Technical Manager, Anthony Design® Department of Education and Perroudon.

Training program that delivers Born in France, Anthony Selection Certificate 111 in Flooring recently migrated to Australia to take up the national position with the local subsidiary of Gerflor where he honed his skills as a Flooring Maison.

“Gerflor operates a Technocentre in Tarare France and I was one of the 2010 intake into the 18 month course where we learnt everything about flooring products, sub floors and installation skills. After my training the company wanted me to become a technician and since then I have worked on many major events, including the 2012 London Olympics and the Rio Games,” Anthony said.

The Technocentre occupies 1500m2 and houses classrooms, simulated installation settings that focus on critical points like corners and pipes, video and technical media and a dedicated sports installation zone.

Anthony will oversee an expansion of the local training program that aims to equip contractors and floor

Technology.

“I have delivered many training programs in more than 50 countries over the years and I am sure my experience can be valuable to Gerflor and also the broader flooring industry in Australia.

“Here, and also in France, there is a shortage of layers but this is a great opportunity for young people who want training to get a good job.

It has been a very good job for me and with the right training and professional competencies it is easy to get work,” Anthony said.

Anthony has now been joined in Australia by his wife and two young children and is enjoying his new home.

“For a long time I have wanted to move from France and Australia was one of the destinations I wanted so I was very happy when this opportunity arose.

“I love it here. I love the office, the people here at Gerflor and the way they think and work,” he said.

Good Design Australia announced the 2017 Good Design Selections today marking the countdown to Australia’s most prestigious awards for design and innovation.

After an extensive evaluation process involving more than 35 Australian and international design experts, the Jury have finalised their results and awarded only the best entries to receive the Good Design® Selection.

Makinex Hose2Go was one of only 244 entries to receive the 2017 Good Design® Selection and is now in the running to receive the coveted Australian Good Design Award, which will be announced at the Good Design Awards Ceremony on June 8 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) in Sydney.

On receiving the Good Design® Selection for Makinex Hose2Go, the Jury commented: “This is a great innovation that solves a clear problem in a very elegant way. The form language is fit for purpose and materials and finish are well chosen and constructed.”

The Jury set the bar very high this year with only the very best submissions receiving this level of recognition.

Australia’s Good Design Awards date back to the 1950's and have an enviable record of unearthing globally recognised talent and products.

Last year, the Flow Hive, an innovative beekeeping

device that has taken the world by storm took out the prestigious Good Design Award of the Year, the highest design honour in the country.

The 2017 Good Design Awards Ceremony and Festival will coincide with Vivid Sydney, now the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas.

Winners will be celebrated at the black tie Awards Ceremony in Sydney, where guests will be invited to the exclusive opening of the 2017 Good Design Showcase, which will feature the winners of this year’s Awards.

“The Australian Good Design Awards attracted innovative entries from all corners of the world and the standard of submissions this year has really been incredible,” said Dr Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia and Chair of the Good Design Awards program.

“This is one of the few design award programs in the world where design and innovation are celebrated so broadly. This year’s Good Design® Selections represent excellence in design across the widest spectrum of design including Product Design, Service Design, Architectural Design, Design Strategy, Digital and Communication Design and Social Innovation,” Dr. Gien commented.

Flooring June/July 2017 | 11

News

Carpet Court Introduces New Flooring Category Australia’s largest flooring retailer, Carpet Court, introduces a brand-new flooring category to the market, with the launch of Multilayer Hybrid – an exclusive collection of flooring options designed for use throughout the entire home.

Across three game changing ranges from two suppliers – Veles by Godfrey Hirst and Aqua Tuf in Standard and Longboard options from Embelton – Multilayer Hybrid combines the waterproof properties of vinyl, the durability of laminate and the look of timber.

The category’s unique multi-layer technology features a tough protective wear layer, stylish decorative film, composite core board and pre-adhered underlay to deliver comprehensive benefits unmatched by any single existing flooring surface.

The category’s key point of difference lies in the composite core panels built into each board, which render the range 100 per cent waterproof and offer unrivalled stability for Australia’s variable climates, meaning boards will not expand, contract or warp as temperatures change.

These waterproof properties allow Multilayer Hybrid products to be used throughout the entire home, even in bathrooms and laundries where hardwood is typically avoided due to its susceptibility to moisture. As the trend for timber flooring continues to grow, this new category now offers homeowners the option to extend their timber flooring into every room of the home, delivering a wholly seamless aesthetic.

Anthony Carter, National Product Manager for Carpet Court, said: “Multilayer Hybrid marks the next generation in flooring innovation and is the most resilient, all-purpose flooring range to ever hit the Australian market, so we’re extremely excited to be the first to launch the category.

“Its superior performance in hot, cold and humid environments makes Multilayer Hybrid the ideal flooring option for every Australian home and we have no doubt the category will be welcomed by those looking for a flooring solution appropriate for the full suite of home applications.”

New Faces Join Dunlop Family The Dunlop team is pleased to welcome Rhonda Hutton as a member of the Finance team.

With a wealth of experience in accounts payable across both small businesses and corporate settings, Rhonda has already proven her worth in commencing the streamlining of the accounts payable process and is looking forward to building team and vendor relationships.

Outside of work, you can find the keen Essendon supporter spending time in the great outdoors.

The Dunlop Finance team also welcomed Diana Pearce into the role

12 | Flooring June/July 2017

of Accounts Receivable Officer. Diana has over 25 years’ experience in accounts receivable and credit control, having worked in the distribution, manufacturing and car industries. Diana has a passion for her work and enjoys developing relationships with customers and colleagues. A dedicated Essendon supporter, Diana was also a keen Showjumping competitor!

Dunlop is thrilled to have Jacinta Ceola join the Queensland Sales Team.

With a strong background in residential and commercial interior design, as well as sales experience in soft furnishings, tile and the media industry, Jacinta’s energetic nature has seen her quickly settle into her new role. Having dealt quite extensively with architects, builders and interior designers in her previous role

with The Beaumont Studio, Jacinta is already creating new opportunities within the QLD Commercial & retail markets.

Beyond work, she loves a glass of wine, cooking and travelling, and is not afraid to admit her passion for the Australian cricket team!

Dunlop is pleased to also welcome Cassandra Chiong as our new Marketing Assistant.

With tertiary qualifications from RMIT University, she brings with her an abundance of experience in media communications with a particular focus on film and TV production. Her passion and enthusiasm, as well as her willingness to have a laugh with the Dunlop team, have already resulted in some terrific ideas and abstract ways of thinking. Outside of work, Cassandra is an ardent filmmaker, enjoys a good novel and is a keen traveller.

new Multilayer Hybrid

Carpet Court’s latest development in resilient flooring has hit the Australian market, Multilayer Hybrid – our brand new flooring category.

WANT TO BE PART OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST FLOORING & BLINDS RETAILER? 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 Western Australia - Kalgoorlie and Geraldton Please contact Brett Talbot P: 0499 800 702 Brett.Talbot@carpetcourt.com.au

New South Wales - Murwillumbah Queensland - Fortitude Valley, Caloundra, Atherton, Dalby, Gladstone, Mackay and Maryborough/Hervey Bay Northern Territory - Alice Springs Please contact Greg Zeegers P: 0488 079 326 Greg.Zeegers@carpetcourt.com.au

GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY.

CARPETCOURT.COM.AU

FocusOn

Big Dreams for Young NZ Business Owner Joehan Ewen has a dream.

He wants a waterfall.

To be exact, he has his eye on a piece of land near Warkworth with a waterfall on it. It's not for sale, but the 21-year-old dreams about the day it will be his, a place of solitude away from the rat race.

At an age when many of his peers are still studying or focused on having fun and heading away on their 'OE', Ewen has completed an apprenticeship, set up his own carpet laying business, employed an apprentice of his own - and believes hard work will help him get that land with the waterfall.

"I would like to get myself some land with cattle and sheep," he says. "I often drive past this place near Warkworth which has a waterfall. I've definitely got my eye on it.

"I'm not really into going out and partying. I don't mind it, but there are better things to do and when I do go overseas I want to enjoy it, I don't want to do it with no money.

Ewen did his apprenticeship with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), a body hoping to attract more apprentices through the Not Your Average Tradie Road Trip launched in April.

The trip involved a group of BCITO apprentices travelling the country to help community groups, schools and charities with building projects.

Running over four weeks, it’s aim was demonstrating job opportunities in the construction industry at a time when it is facing a severe shortage of skilled trades. Up

14 | Flooring June/July 2017

to 50,000 more workers will be needed in the next five years as the building boom continues and about half of those will need to be qualified tradespeople.

Ewen says he has always wanted a business of his own. "My dad runs his own IT business, so I think it came from there. I originally thought about building as both my grandfather and uncle are builders.

"I fell into carpet laying when I got a school holiday job working for a flooring business. I enjoyed it so thought I might as well do an apprenticeship," he says.

"It took me two years, but I learnt a lot."

Armed with a National Certificate in Flooring, Ewen set up his own business, Optimal Flooring. Based in Silverdale, his work comes from contracting to flooring retailers and direct sales.

He has been so busy, Ewen hired 17-year-old Stefan Oosthuizen straight from Orewa College last November as his off-sider. "I told him I would teach him all I know and he has enjoyed it so much he has signed into a BCITO apprenticeship as well.

"We work hard but do no more than eight or nine hours a day. There is no point in working until you're dead and I couldn't expect others to do longer hours otherwise they wouldn't want to work for me, although we often work six days a week," he says.

Although he says he wants to make good money, he also wants to be able to go home each day and know he has done a good job.

"My plan is to get this business well established and then maybe look at getting into management of big-build construction projects as I

love working with people and I'm always up for a challenge.

I think a healthy income is relatively achievable with what we are doing, I'm sure I can get it to that point."

BCITO chief executive Warwick Quinn says about 10,500 apprentices are currently in training. But with building consents running at a 40-year high thousands more are needed.

"This skills shortage, while being felt throughout New Zealand, is most acute in the Auckland, Waikato and Tauranga regions," Quinn says. "Consents have continued to grow and are up 2.3 per cent in the first two months of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

"While it is still early days, if this trend continues and 2017 exceeds the 31,423 new residential consents issued in 2004, it will be the busiest year since the

mid-1970s. This boom is expected to last many years and job prospects are excellent."

The tradie road trip was designed to attract new apprentices and demonstrate the possibilities of a career. A group of up to 10 apprentices worked on projects in Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth and Wanaka and cover carpentry, flooring, interior systems, joinery, precast concrete and painting and decorating.

Among the groups being helped were schools, a surf club, a health and social services provider and Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit group which builds and repairs houses for people in need.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to show people what a career in the trades offers," said Quinn, "while also supporting our local communities."

“I fell into carpet laying when I got a school holiday job working for a flooring business. I enjoyed it so thought I might as well do an apprenticeship. It took me two years, but I learnt a lot.’’

Flooring June/July 2017 | 15

Retailer of the month

A Walk in the Park Andersens Aspley, Northern Brisbane

16 | Flooring June/July 2017

S

uzanne Geils has a simple business philosophy: “Look after your people and they will look after you.” This attitude was also championed

by Jack Andersen during his four decades at the helm of the Andersens carpet empire; founded on the principles of honesty, integrity and respect.

It’s Jack’s legacy that Suzanne follows as the relatively new Store Owner of Andersens Aspley, North of Brisbane.

“Jack’s outlook on business has helped me immensely in running our store” Suzanne says.

“We’ve always wanted to run our own business” says Suzanne. “After working for the Andersens Group in Queensland; we recently became aware that Andersens Aspley was available. My husband Stephen and I thought this would be a good venture. There are several other Andersens stores close by so we share a large

area of Northern Brisbane together.” The store is mostly flooring but also provides window coverings; it’s a little bit like an interior design store and Suzanne is always making changes to make her customers feel special. It would not be unusual to see fresh flowers in the store.

Andersens Aspley has only been operating under Suzanne’s direction for just over three years but in that time their turnover has increased thirty percent.

The drive comes from the competition within the Aspley Homemaker Centre where they are located; and the support of the six people who’ve helped make the store the success it has become. Being a seven day a week store, Suzanne observes another of Jack’s well-known business principles “Don’t do everything yourself; employ those with the skills you need so you can get on with running the business.”

But Suzanne is not exactly

new to the flooring business.

Her work with the Andersens Group over ten years allowed her to learn all the aspects of the business, particularly how to treat customers.

And it’s working, as some customers say “There’s life in this store.”

Suzanne took the existing staff when they bought the business and they have been hugely supportive.

Store manager Donna; Gavin, Aaron and Simon in sales along with parttimers Jennifer and husband Stephen all work together and have regular meetings to ensure that everyone knows exactly what’s going on and their customers are served in the best possible way. Like other stores, Suzanne has chosen new people not necessarily from the trade and in every case this decision has proved to be a great success. “They’ve been eager to learn and adapt to our ethos. I always

go back to the Andersen’s way of caring for customers and providing the service they expect” says Suzanne.

This team has to work well together because the shop and warehouse are quite modest. The turnover does not reflect the small warehouse and it’s surprising what an enterprising team is able to achieve. Suzanne says “The store cannot survive if we don’t work as a close knit team. In fact, there is a definite family feel about the business and I tend to treat my staff as close family members.” The team is supported by sub contract installers and they can call on extra people when they get busy. And of her installers; Suzanne says “They are a great and reliable, loyal bunch of trades-people.” There are no months predictably busier than others but Suzanne recalls that this

March has been the busiest in their three years.

The store does mostly domestic work with renovations taking up the bulk of the jobs in the builtup areas north of Brisbane.

They have people who can handle commercial jobs when necessary. They have plenty of referrals and return customers, even after just over three years in business.

“We can’t point to any special projects but I can tell you that every one of our customers is special to us” says Suzanne. “We provide carpet; timber; bamboo; laminates; vinyl sheeting and luxury vinyl plank flooring as part of our extensive range of products” she says.

“We’re proud of our brand and respect where it came from. We keep going for all the right reasons, no matter how difficult it might seem.”

What epitomises Suzanne and Stephen’s belief can be seen in two recent trek’s

to the Everest Base Camp, the second with their two children.

“With Everest Base Camp you learn to treat the people around you with respect.

You learn that with the right support, most things are possible. You learn about working together to achieve a common goal; to be patient and to enjoy the little things” says Suzanne.

She says it’s all about the journey; although in this case the destination is one of the most stunning sights on the Planet. They didn’t go to get a T-shirt; they went for the life experience and learning. With a 130 kilometre trek over nine days, Suzanne has learned to look at the positives and keep going no matter what.

Kilimanjaro also happens to be on the wish-list and with Everest under their belt and their wonderful business ethic behind them; this should be a walk in the park.

…AIRSTEP UNDERLAY …“THAT’S CONFIDENCE” www.airstep.com.au • Bonded Foam Underlays • High quality Natural Rubber Underlays • SBR Double Bond Commercial Underlays • Floating Floor Underlays • Recycled Textile Underlays THE COMPLETE UNDERLAY COMPANY Manufactured and distributed by AIRSTEP AUSTRALIA LTD, PO Box 166 Dandenong Sth Vic 3175 Ph: VIC/TAS 1800 803 545 NSW 1800 802 926 WA/SA/NT/QLD 1800 806 375 Fax all states (03) 9706 8553 In New Zealand distributed by

Jacobsen Creative Surfaces Auckland (09) 574 0640 Wellington (04) 4954 300 Christchurch (03) 3664 153

OverseasNews

Domotex 2018 to Host Big-Name Designers and Labels For that last five years, leading carpet designers have combined antique designs with the latest materials and techniques to create unique specimens that transport traditional design into the 21st century. DOMOTEX 2018, to be held between 12 to 15 January, is where big-name designers and labels will showcase their innovative carpet creations.

The graphic language of ancient textiles comprises a rich glossary of motifs specific to particular tribes and areas of the world. Many of the symbols and patterns woven into their design—from basic shapes and marks to complex and intricate decoration—have become easily recognisable even to the non-expert, and they tell the story of the rug and of the movements of peoples across the world.

However, excluding work still produced by existing tribal communities, the design of contemporary textiles concerns ‘tribal identity’ in a completely different way.

Today’s designs are driven by trends—often relatively international in scope—and the concept of individualism.

The eclectic gleaning of aesthetics from different sources, eras and nations provides a rich melting-pot of visual language.

‘Modernised tradition’ is the name given to a current trend recognised across all design fields. In it, a classic design—or combination of designs—is appropriated and updated to make a new aesthetic, which the viewer can recognise in both a historic and a contemporary context. This can be seen in fashion, homewares and many areas of design, but no medium shows it more 18 | Flooring June/July 2017

clearly than in the modern rug industry, where a new genre titled ‘transitional’ design has acquired great popularity.

The term ‘transitional’ does not denote one particular look; it describes the adaptation of traditional designs with devices such as disintegration, overlapping, glitches, reinterpretation and similar effects that can be aided by digital manipulation. Each of the premier rug companies producing transitional designs has its own set of devices and aesthetics. This also makes it possible to respond to individual customer requirements in terms of size and color. Products like these are part of the UNIQUE YOUNIVERSE at DOMOTEX 2018 and will reveal the opportunities for individualizing interior furnishings.

The 21st Century Persian Carpets by Iranian Germanbased designer Hossein Rezvani joyfully revive the rich history of Persian weaving.

By taking a traditional Iranian carpet design and reducing the pattern to its essence, using dynamic colours and high-quality production, Rezvani creates a modernised traditional design highly desirable to a contemporary market that wants something fresh and innovative but with traditional grounding.

In terms of innovative rug design the work of Jürgen Dahlmanns of Berlin-based brand Rug Star is hard to beat. His new Rug Star Tuft collection of high-end tufted rugs produced in China blew the minds of visitors to Domotex Hanover in January 2017, where he launched the full production. From afar a rug like New Classic Tabriz may look like a contemporary take on an ancient Persian

design, but up close it is even more revolutionary, with thick pile forming a brightly coloured raised classic design on a flatwoven ground. The effect is surreal, like a carpet from Alice in Wonderland.

Dahlmanns and Rezvani are not the only ones reviving the greatest Iranian designs.

The Graffiti 2 gabbeh rug by well-respected Iranian Swissbased company Zollanvari exemplifies the skill of blending old and new. Gabbeh are traditional nomadic Persian weavings, but in this example a glitch in the design transforms an antique rug into a contemporary piece of art for the floor. Ayka Design’s Vase collection combines a classic Persian pattern and company designer Karen Michelle Evans’ distinctive use of longer pile heights. The alluring result is an Iranian design we only just recognise but that can appreciate on numerous levels.

The 17th Century Modern collection by London-based brand Knot Rugs is another perfect example of modernised tradition. The company’s design team researched and revisited some of the world’s most prestigious classic rug designs and the

resulting collection is a perfect marriage of ancient and new.

Skull No.1 replicates the colours of an old Polonaise design and has a beautiful antique patina from the use of oxidisation; but the incorporated tattoo-inspired skull shape brings us slap bang into the 21st century.

Afghanistan is now a very different place from the time when Afghan carpet production was at its zenith. Despite the ravages of war, companies are still producing rugs in the region and supporting the Afghan people through the art of weaving. Erbil Tezcan, owner of US brand Wool & Silk Rugs has been working in the country over the past three years. His Afghan-produced design History Rug was exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC to demonstrate Turquoise Mountain’s work in promoting local crafts in Afghanistan.

For this special carpet Tezcan worked digitally to unify twenty-three traditional Afghan rug designs using contemporary colour and pattern. The resulting rug is a summation of Afghan design, following tradition in telling the story of place but with a contemporary voice.

THE FLOORWORLD ADVANTAGE

About Us Intrigued by the possibility of joining a retail group but unsure about the tangible benefits then Floorworld may be the perfect solution for you.

A RETAIL PACKAGE DELIVERING BUSINESS SUCCESS FOR INDEPENDENT FLOOR COVERING RETAILERS

Floorworld can ease your journey towards profitability in the floor covering industry with their high profile brand recognition, proven model of operational success along with competitive pricing and a strong rebate structure back to its members. Owning a business doesn’t stop once you open your doors. Our philosophy is to improve your business.

NEW & INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS BIGGEST BRANDS DIRECT & MASS MARKETING

We are available to help with support in product, marketing, training and business advice. Floorworld conducts regular regional group meetings and a yearly conference which are great resources for forward planning and review, sharing business techniques and strategies.

As 34 locally owned and operated businesses, Floorworld is passionate about what we do. With a product range second to none in floor coverings for our domestic and commercial customers, Floorworld supplies the latest innovative ideas and products from the biggest brand names in floor coverings.

Our corporate imaging is designed as a modular store concept which is inexpensive and designed in order to maximise the merchandising of its core product range.

BUYING STRENGTH FINANCIAL REWARDS MINIMUM OUTLAY MAXIMUM RETURN

Floorworld’s marketing strategy incorporates modern communication techniques that cater for the individual store at a local level as well as offering extensive corporate campaigns.

Our unique training format in product knowledge and professional development is easily accessible through the online portal.

We have the expertise and knowledge that only dedicated and helpful staff with years of experience can offer. It all comes together here at Floorworld.

If you are interested in the Floorworld module please contact Bob Crotty (03) 9761 5235 or info@floorworld.com.au ADVICE. PRICE. RANGE. At Floorworld, we offer more than just flooring.

OverseasNews

DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR Concluded Stronger than Ever DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR, the leading flooring tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, opened its doors to visitors and exhibitors from all around the world during March 21-23, 2017 at the Shanghai New Exhibition Centre. 1,364 exhibitors from 40 different countries, among which 313 were international, exhibited both traditional and innovative flooring products in an extended gross area of 145,000sqm spread throughout 13 halls. Ten countries, namely Afghanistan, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, India, Iran, Turkey, The Netherlands and USA were also represented through country pavilions.

The total number of visitors increased by 8.2 % from the previous edition and reached 54,529 visitors, among which 12,812 were international flooring professionals.

“Again DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR confirmed its leading position in AsiaPacific. In particular, the huge variety of domestic and international brands proved the profound commitment of the flooring industry “, said Ms. Susanne Klaproth, Global Director DOMOTEX at Deutsche Messe, one of

20 | Flooring June/July 2017

the organizers of the show.

“We received a very positive feedback from our exhibitors who appreciate the high quality of the visitors. This motivates us to keep on targeting the best buyers of carpets and floor coverings from China and Asia-Pacific. “ The InnovAction Flooring program once again gave DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR 2017 exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their newest products to the

audience before and during the exhibition. More than 500 new products were launched on the show’s dedicated online platform by over 400 exhibitors. Visitors voted online and onsite for their favorite innovative products choosing the Top 10 from wood, carpet and resilient sectors. The companies that received an award under the category 2017 Top 10 New Products were: ERE FLOORING, FUYU WOVEN, FUXING

CARPET, PROPARQ, HOMEDEC WEIYA CARPET, INNOMASTER HOME, JIALI CARPET, KINGDOM PLASTICS, TAISHAN ARTIFICIAL TURF INDUSTRY, and YINGTAIHONGYE HOME DECORATION. Onsite, visitors had a chance to preview and experience a selection of 50 new products displayed in 2 dedicated InnovAction Centers. cadex, the international hub for connecting, learning and doing business in the design and architecture industry was held for the

second year concurrently to DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR. cadex hosted three days of conferences, networking, interactive events, creative displays, and much more.

For the first time, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR in collaboration with COVER

magazine successfully hosted ‘Luxury Brands’, a contemporary high-end handmade design carpet showcase in the heart of hall W5. Luxury Brands consisted of an exclusive display area which featured a curated selection of high-end handmade carpets from some of the top international rug brands, namely: Amadi Carpets, Ariana Rugs, Art Resources, Ayka Design, Creative Matters, Hossein Rezvani, Knots Rugs, New Moon, Rug Star, Samad, Tissage, Wool & Silk Rugs and Zollanvari. The Luxury Brands showcase was met with great enthusiasm and interest by the visiting audience, showing a clear trend setting in the Asian market for the handmade carpet sector.

The exhibition’s halls were flooded by visitors from China, Asia-Pacific and other regions of the world, who came to discover new trends, technologies and

innovations and took part in 33 conferences, events and seminars around flooring practices, applications and modern day challenges, presented by world-renowned flooring experts, professionals and designers. Events like the “ALL IN ONE Home Decoration Industry and Wooden Products Development Summit” and the “Bamboo Flooring and Outdoor Decking Matchmaking” attracted a plethora of both domestic and international flooring visitors, while cadex conferences such as the “Luxury Boutique Hotel Design” and “Smart Home” were fully packed with architecture and interior design professionals.

Another feature that continued its successful route following its 2016 launch was the US Distributor Delegation that brought together 10 flooring professionals from some of the biggest flooring distributing companies in the

US for a China Factory Tour before the exhibition and onsite B2B match making with selected exhibitors during DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR. “The breadth of products at the exhibition was simply incredible. It is something that any executive who deals with Asian manufacturing should experience. I would definitely say the trip provided me with extra knowledge that will prove crucial for future dealings.” – said Chuck Greene, hardwood product manager at Apollo Distributing.

Future is looking particularly bright for DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2018, which will mark its 20th year on the forefront of the flooring industry in Asia as the leading flooring tradeshow. With a phenomenal onsite rebooking rate of 64 % and an excellent feedback from the exhibition’s visitors, the 2018 edition is sure to come back even more enriched and maintain its position as

Visitor Numbers Up at Domotex Turkey DOMOTEX Turkey, which hosts 203 exhibitors, has achieved 36 foreign exhibitors from 10 countries. Not only with its exhibitors but also its visitors, it offered an international gathering. DOMOTEX Turkey 2017 hosted 9,124 visitors. 1,003 of them were international visitors which means an increase of 11 % compared to last year’s edition. The exhibition provided an important platform for exhibitors to meet buyers from more than 80 countries especially from Middle East and Africa.

Alexander Kühnel, Hannover Fairs Turkey General Manager said: “DOMOTEX Turkey which was participated by pioneer firms of the sector once again, displayed the strength of Turkey

and especially Gaziantep in machine-made carpet manufacturing. Besides that, the high number of international visitors proved that DOMOTEX Turkey has gained importance for not only Turkey but for the whole Middle Eastern region as well.”

Moreover, for the first time, an international hosted buyer program that was supported

by The Ministry of Economy was organized during the fair.

Exhibitors and visitors enjoyed an important opportunity for new business connections and penetrating new markets during B2B Meetings that took place on the second day of the exhibition. The hosted buyer program included attendees from Albania, Bulgaria, Iraq and Jordan.

As a result of fruitful four days the majority of exhibitors expressed their willingness to exhibit again at the show next year.

Organized in Gaziantep, DOMOTEX Turkey brought industry leaders together

from 22 to 25 May for the 4rd time with the support of Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GTO), Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters' Union (GAIB) and Gaziantep Chamber of Carpet Producers (GHO).

Flooring June/July 2017 | 21

FROM LEFT: Lisa Hassanzadeh, Peter Ippolito, Tamara Pallasch, Martin Lesjak and Ushi Tamborriello.

OverseasNews

Heimtextil Think Tank Identifies Focal Points for the Contract Sector Heimtextil is taking the next step towards becoming a top innovation and scientific platform for textile solutions in architecture and hotel design.

With the support of a think tank comprising members from across the world, the world's leading trade fair for home and contract textiles continues to expand its knowledge for the commercial segment. ‘Heimtextil offers an unbelievable range of products, incentives and networking opportunities for architects, interior designers and hoteliers. We aim to tease these out more from the overall portfolio of Heimtextil and prepare them in a way that suits current requirements within the industry. To this end, we have been in discussions with international experts and developed some exciting ideas’, explains Sabine Scharrer, Director of Heimtextil.

In mid-April, five representatives from internationally renowned architecture and interior design studios met in Frankfurt am Main. They included Lisa Hassanzadeh (concrete architectural associates), Peter Ippolito (Ippolito Fleitz Group), Martin Lesjak (INNOCAD Architektur), Tamara Pallasch (Pallasch Interiordesign) and Ushi Tamborriello. Together, the expert team identified current themes in the industry and developed ideas aimed at giving architects and interior designers even more textile solutions and knowhow suited to their needs at Heimtextil. Determining and

22 | Flooring June/July 2017

highlighting the performance and variety of applications for textiles in architecture and contract furnishing is one of the main objectives of the think tank. 'Textiles are often only used as decorative elements. But this is wrong.

They can create rooms and reveal worlds. I would like to see the integrated use of textiles as spacebuilding elements', says Lisa Hassanzadeh. Peter Ippolito, Managing Partner Ippolito Fleitz Group emphasises: ‘Textiles in all their facets are an essential and identityforming component of our construction culture.

Heimtextil, as the most important meeting place for the industry, has the opportunity and mission to offer more than just pure product presentation and be a relevant source of inspiration and driver of innovation in order to rediscover textile furnishing time and time again’.

Heimtextil combines all its expertise in applications for textiles in architecture, hotel furnishing and fittings in the contract sector under the title “Interior.Architecture.

Hospitality”. In addition to a high-quality programme of talks (Lectures Interior.

Architecture.Hospitality), this also includes industry-specific trade fair tours (Tours Interior.

Architecture.Hospitality), a special exhibitor guide (Guide Interior.Architecture.

Hospitality) and a meeting point for architects, interior designers and hotel furnishers to network (Salon Interior.Architecture.

Hospitality). The selected

offer provides architects and interior designers with targeted added value.

'A curated selection of innovative textiles or technologies enables professional visitors to orient themselves and find inspiration within the broad range on offer', confirms Ushi Tamborriello.

Architects from the following studios took part in the think tank for Heimtextil: Lisa Hassanzadeh is Partner and Head of Interior at the Dutch office of concrete architectural associates, where a team of 45 architects, interior designers and designers works. Concrete see particularly creative potential in the interdisciplinary approach. Internationally renowned designs for the “Laundry Industry” in London or the overall concept for the branches of the lounge restaurant chain “Supperclub” prove them right.

Peter Ippolito is cofounder of the Ippolito Fleitz Group, a multi-disciplinary studio for design with its offices in Stuttgart, Shanghai and Berlin. The aim of the studio is to translate the complex identity of the customer into an appropriate design. For them, identity is a fluid process that they underpin with architecture, product design and communication. The studio's projects have been awarded more than 250 national and international prizes.

Martin Lesjak is cofounder of INNOCAD Architektur in Graz. The studio's varied works in all

fields of architecture and interior design are created through team work with internal and external partners based on a pragmatic and analytical approach. Works by INNOCAD have already been awarded numerous national and international architecture prizes and publicised worldwide.

Tamara Pallasch and her Berlin studio Pallasch Interiordesign focus on individual interior design in the hotel and gastronomy segment as well as on highquality private interior designs including furniture design.

The basis for the design of a hotel is the location.

Exploring this and finding out what makes it special, which contexts need to be taken into account and also which new approaches are necessary in order to create a contemporary hotel is the big challenge. For its hotel concepts, the studio has won numerous international prizes.

Ushi Tamborriello and her team work primarily on the design of independent rooms: identity-forming locations with concentrated atmospheres that do justice to the needs of their users.

Developing design approaches based on the existing substance of the place, seeking out traces as part of a tour of discovery and combining found elements with invented elements in a respectful manner is the theme that runs through the whole creative process. The studio in Switzerland attracts attention mainly with its innovative hotels, spas and wellness facilities.

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Software

Make More Sales By acting competitively

By Chris Ogden, Managing Director, RFMS Australia Selling is, or at least should be an enjoyable competitive activity; the best salespeople are by nature competitive, and in successful flooring businesses you will see a healthy competitive spirit amongst the sales team. The most effective salespeople strive to be the best, maybe for a financial incentive, for the recognition, or just for their own satisfaction.

Some of us see competition amongst salespeople as a bad thing; so, just to be clear I am not advocating an “every man for himself”, cut-throat, or bullying environment. Our sales team should be, well, a team. However, we want our salespeople within that team to be striving to compete; to achieve personal excellence; how else can a salesperson demonstrate excellence than by achieving excellence in sales? Is there any other way of measuring a salesperson?

Another aspect of healthy competition is the competitive attitude we need to have toward our competitors; those other flooring retailers in our vicinity. Again, I am not advocating anything other than the sort of competitive spirit we see between two sports teams on the field of play; to win they will exert themselves vigorously, but within the rules. In our case those rules, except for those set by legislation, are unwritten, and we successfully meet each other at industry events without fights breaking out.

If our salespeople have that competitive spirit toward our competitors, they will feel the pang of losing a job to 26 | Flooring June/July 2017

a competitor, and they will feel exultant when they have won a job. Just like a sports team. If we are salespeople or business owners, there is something wrong if we do not experience these feelings in the process of selling.

I have described two types of competition; internal and external, and I see the lack of both affecting the performance of flooring businesses. The lack of competitive spirit prevents us from achieving peak performance.

Internal competition requires a number of things, but fundamentally it requires information. How competitive is a sports team going to be if nobody is keeping score?

Or, if the score is being kept, but not shared? Or is being kept but runs an hour behind the actual game?

Once we have the information, we need goals. Sticking to sporting analogies; even amateur sportspeople track their PBs or “personal bests”. PBs are achieved by having a target. Similarly, increased sales are made by having a goal in sight. How many of your salespeople know how much they sold last month?

How many know what the goal is for this month? For the year? Moreover, do you have the systems in place to give them their performance information on a day by day basis? Finding out how they did in June, half-way through July does not contribute to the ongoing achievement of budget. It doesn’t help foster a competitive environment.

External competition is similarly promoted by information. We know when

we win a job, but do we know when we lose a job?

More importantly, who we lost it to and why? If we are not following up, if we are allowing jobs to age to the point that we simply assume that they are not going ahead, for whatever reason, we will never feel the pang of losing the job to a competitor. That feeling steels us for the fight and makes us determined not to lose the next job.

All of which seems overly dramatic, we are just selling flooring after all. Well, I don’t agree. It doesn’t matter what we are selling; competition ensures that our business is thriving instead of just surviving. Striving for excellence in whatever we do makes our job interesting and worthwhile. Competition might knock us around from time to

…we want our salespeople to be striving to compete; to achieve personal excellence

time, but it makes us better at what we do and increases our sense of self-worth.

If you would like to stoke the feelings of competition in your business, you might not currently have access to useful information about your salespeople and how they are performing. Number of sales, total value of sales, GP% per job, average GP% across all jobs, conversion rates, and outstanding quotes are all information points you should want to share with your salespeople in real time. You might want to establish a commission scheme to drive sales performance but are daunted by the amount of work involved. RFMS is an integrated business management system, designed for the flooring industry; it will give you all of this and a great deal more.

We would be happy to hear from you if you would like to learn more.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Director of RFMS Australasia a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry. Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry.

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salesau@rfms.com

Software

Electronic Quantifying is Not Going away Electronic quantifying (EQ) is getting higher up on retailers list of priorities. In the past six months, Measure, the world’s leading flooring quantifying solution, has seen the level of interest in EQ, and its number of users, grow significantly. Why is that?

• If you are a retailer, you are seeing it used by competitors. EQ is no longer innovative technology, for many retailers, their EQ solution is as bedded in and indispensable as pencil and paper and scale rule used to be.

• As younger people join the industry, they expect to use more sophisticated technology than the pencil/paper/scale rule

combo. Many of the initial enquiries into Measure are made as an outcome of web searches, and the story is universal; “I’ve just started work for XYZ Flooring, and there has to be a better way of quantifying”.

• EQ software is now no longer stand-alone; Measure, for example, integrates directly with the RFMS business management software; a quote completed in the customer’s home on a tablet device in Measure Mobile can be automatically exported into the RFMS business management software, with plans and photos attached.

• EQ is flexible; whatever your workflow for measuring and quantifying, Measure and Measure Mobile will not only fit in but remove layers of work.

• Customers are coming to expect it, and feedback from them is that they have more confidence in an EQ based quote than one calculated manually.

• As employees move from one business to another, they are encouraging their new employers to invest in EQ, and these employers are more than happy to do so because it’s a quick route to taking EQ off their “to do” list.

• Service and support is being provided to assist

retailers to make the transition to EQ. Measure, for example, has a regional team to support Australian and NZ users; they are available to train new users, work with them on projects, and to answer questions when they arise.

RFMS Measure is the industry’s leading quantifying solution. If you would like to trial it in your business contact me at the email address below and I will be happy to get you going with a 30-day free trial.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Director of RFMS Australasia a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry. Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry.

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28 | Flooring June/July 2017

salesau@rfms.com

Carpet&Rugs

Signature Launches Another Design Winner Following the success of its foray into carpet planks with the ultra-stylish Fashion Collection, Signature Floorconcepts has further extended its carpet plank category launching Botanica, a celebration of tropical colour and texture in premium commercial carpet planks.

Botanica planks have been designed with multiple textures, patterns and colours derived directly from nature. In two foundation patterns - Stone and Bark - Botanica planks feature realistic textures that echo washed stone and tree bark in three neutral tonal variants. These create the foundations to a comprehensive range of

feature colours that dapple the neutral background patterns in Plus; create an exciting Edge of colour; and ultimately feature in a solid Moss plank. The graduation of colour intensity from subtle to statement enables the designer to be infinitely creative whatever the desired outcome.

"The design options are limitless" says Richard Braic, General Manager Sales & Product Developer for commercial products.

"We wanted to offer a comprehensive colour range to give designers the freedom to explore textures, colours and patterns in one very large collection." And that they have. With over 52 stocked colour options, there's a tone, an effect, a solution to be created for any installation.

"Our design team offers a new range of existing designs, from Cumulus that

plays on the ethereal nature of cloud planks, to Japonaise which features only Plus planks, each with just the bare speckle of colour; to All Sorts, a cascade of brights on a Midnight base.

The creative options are endless!" says Braic.

Botanica Planks are 250mm x 1000mm in

size, featuring multi-level loop Solution Dyed Nylon and Antron Legacy® construction* with UltraGard™ soil and stain protection. Available in stock, Botanica offers an extra heavy duty solution that co-ordinates with all Signature Intelli and Friendly carpet tiles.

The Flooring Association Of Victoria 2017 ANNUAL GALA AWARDS DINNER

Saturday, August 5, 2017 The Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins St. Melbourne Dress code: Black Tie

The dinner event was such a success last year, and due to popular demand, we are staging the Awards night again and are excited with a new venue, The Plaza Ballroom at 191 Collins St Melbourne. The Plaza will provide fine food by Executive Chef, David Ricardo (Pearl and Chin Chin), premium selection of beer and wine, a cash spirit bar and soft drinks.

The entertainment will again be the popular Wild Things and a new MC, funny man Dave Hughes from the popular Nova FM radio show Hughesy and Kate and The Footy Show.

Registration:

You can register your interest in attending and also nominating for an award by sending an email to favawards@gmail.com.

A formal invitation will be sent with further details after you register for the event. Once the invitation is sent we will then need a guest list, table numbers, names and dietary requirements.

Demand for tables and tickets are extremely high with sponsor commitments and preregistration exceeding last year’s ticketing sales. For this reason we had to opt for the larger venue.

The ticket price will continue to be subsidised by FAV for members and we are pleased to announce that we were able to maintain pricing at the same rate as last year. Table of 10 is $1,200.00. Individual tickets can be purchased at $120.00 per ticket.

It is advisable to register your table within the next 30 days so tickets can be allocated and disappointment can be avoided.

FAV Floorcoverings Awards Nominations 2017:

You are invited to nominate projects that were installed between 1/1/2016 & 31/3/2017 and you think are worthy of being the most outstanding in the following categories: Education / Health Care / Residential (Apartments and Homes) / Retail / Office Fit Out / Hospitality Note that the following criteria will be taken into consideration: Degree of difficulty / Visual Impact / Design / Products specified Please send photos and a description of the project to: favawards@gmail.com Applications close 30th May 2017.

Flooring June/July 2017 | 29

Carpet&Rugs

Latest Rugs at Armadillo & Co Recently Launched The latest rug from Armadillo & Co superbly balances visual restraint with sumptuous luxury.

The new Agra Knot takes the company’s luxurious Heirloom Collection in another direction, departing from the rich textural designs and patterns synonymous with the company and exploring the perfect imperfections of hand dyed and spun wool. Worked in a single colour and with a deep cut pile that reflects the light, it brings life, character and a timeless elegance to contemporary and traditional interiors.

Brand co-founder Jodie Fried says she and her co-founder Sally Pottharst took their inspiration for the Agra Knot from the exquisite simplicity of deep colour and abrash dyes.

“There’s a beautiful, quiet energy around these rugs

that resonates with people,” explains Jodie. “We wanted to capture the natural variations that could occur when placing only one material in the hands of skilled artisans.”

The result is a plush, pure wool rug with gentle abrash tonal variations reminiscent of those found in aged Persian rugs. The richness of each rug’s colour and the delicate changes in shading are due to the hand spinning and dyeing processes.

“The Agra Knot collection appears to be something quite simple. But up close, the artistry is revealed,” says Jodie.

“You see it in the exceptional quality and the fine detail with meticulous hand knotting and finishing of the rugs, right down to the intricately knotted tassels.”

Sally is equally enthusiastic about their latest release. “We love that this hand making

effectively allows our family of artisans to each leave their “signature” on the Agra Knot and embody their stories into every rug. It’s important to us that, beyond producing beautiful rugs, we can use sustainable and fair production practices to help our artisans’ communities in a meaningful and lasting way.”

QEP to Unveil New Protile Range QEP is poised to unveil its exciting new range of modular carpet tiles under its wellestablished brand, Protile.

Breaking from tradition, the latest ProTile range will feature on-trend carpet ‘planks’ in addition to traditional square tiles.

Carpet planks’ linear patterns offer a refreshing alternative and broaden the design options available to architects and interior decorators.

Planks are becoming increasingly popular for commercial projects. The larger surface area means less handling and less 30 | Flooring June/July 2017

product required – resulting in significant savings in time and expenditures.

The Protile modular flooring collection combines traditional designs with on-trend bold colours. The entirety of the new range will be held in stock at QEP’s Melbourne warehouse with despatches to go out daily.

Manufactured from 100% solution dyed nylon fibre and treated with 3M “Stain Resist” - Protile guarantees durability and performance in the heaviest traffic commercial areas.

Available from August 2017.

ResilientFlooring

Maple Adds a New Leaf to the Gerflor Sports Catalogue More than 100 years of North American maple wood history was shared around the table when International Director of Connor Sports, Bill Roever met the national Gerflor team.

Bill shared his extensive knowledge about more than 35 flooring systems that are manufactured at the ISO 9001 and 14001 certified plant in Michigan that is now part of the Gerflor group.

“Connor is one of only seven manufacturers globally who are recognised by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association. This is an international body that oversees standards specific to sports flooring,” Bill said.

With a seed to harvest window of 40 years and 80 years to full maturity, maple is not the cheapest option

when it comes to sports flooring. But, for sports such as basketball that require the right balance of rigidity, flexibility and athletic performance, maple is the pinnacle and the flooring of choice for more than half of the elite NBA teams.

“Maple delivers a unique combination of hardness and environmental stability.

Excessive humidity and moisture are key problems that plague wooden sports floors but maple is hard, dense and the tight cellular structure lets little air inside. There are some woods out of Thailand that are harder, but they have a high moisture content that will see them crown and buckle over time. This is also true of many of the manufactured woods because the laminate

is restricted from expanding and contracting so it comes away from the solid ply back,” Bill said.

Connor systems have been used for a range of competition and training facilities at four Olympic Games and major national and international events for decades. They now sit alongside Gerflor Taraflex to complete the Gerflor sports offer that Managing Director, Chris Low is keen to communicate here in Australia.

“It has been terrific for our national sales team to hear first hand Bill’s passion and knowledge about the Connor range. As well as the permanent wood systems he has been able to give them a thorough understanding

about the Quicklock portable system that can be installed in just three hours and the Powerdeck rubber range for fitness and gym applications.

“The addition of Connor to the Gerflor family enables us to offer the most comprehensive sport specific and multi purpose flooring solutions on the market. We have the products along with the technical expertise honed at Olympic level. This is a very exciting development for Gerflor and opens new opportunities for us here in the Australian market,” Chris said.

Gerflor is working closely with its network of Connor installation specialists including Aura Sport, Riga and Kemellies to strengthen and grow Connor projects around Australia.

Flooring June/July 2017 | 31

E-News

The latest flooring industry news on the go Look forward to reading your favourite magazine more often with the launch of the Flooring E-Newsletter, which can now be sent to you electronically in between issues of Flooring magazine.

It will be filled with news and articles about the Flooring industry from Australia and abroad and it will certainly keep your finger on the pulse all year round.

Whether you want to keep abreast of local and overseas industry flooring news or want to know what’s happening with the latest products, carpets and rugs, vinyl or floating floors; relevant stories to keep you inspired from one month to the next. You can catch-up on all your favourite flooring stories and perhaps see the E-Newsletter as a companion to the magazine. It is a great resource, useful tool and most of all, a great read.

When reading the E-Newsletter, you can simply take a look at all the articles at a glance and then you can click on the ‘Read More’ link to continue reading. It is fast, easy, informative and direct to your Inbox!

You can now enjoy Australia’s favourite flooring magazine whenever you want at your fingertips…..

PICFloors

Preparation, Installation & Care

Faster Floor Levelling with Mega Hippos With over 100 apartments, needing their floors prepared ready for the layers to arrive it was time to do something quickly about the process of mixing, pouring and levelling off the floor. Called to site All Preparation Equipment was able to transform the existing 20L mixing bucket and hand-held drill process to a streamlined Portamix Hippo Mixer – meaning the guys could mix, pour and apply direct to the floor.

Using the ultimate bulk fill compound, MAPEI UC Leveller the once slow, tiresome process was turned to a fast, paced productive one.

The Portamix Hippo Mixer is a system used by professional floor laying contractors to ensure accuracy, speed and effectiveness in the mix.

- Improved consistency in the mix - 6 x 20Kg bags + water in a single mix

- Apply directly to the floor Partnered with the use of STICKEM Sticky Level Pegs, the team on site got the floor 100% accurate ready for the layers to come and lay on. Distributed through Australia and New Zealand, Stickem’ Level Pegs are available through All Preparation Equipment.

And, in recent months there has been an addition to the Portamix family…..

The Pelican Mixing Cart is the ultimate transport cart taking you to the next level of performance. Working best alongside the Hippo Mixing Station the Portamix Hippo Mixer to help move it in larger projects. The Pelican is well-balanced meaning that one person can transport and pour the product out with precision and ease to leave the Portamix Mega Hippo do what it does best, MIX.

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FIS Distributors (HO) Keysborough: 03 9768 7248 Knoxfield: 03 9764 2400 Geelong: 03 5521 6670 Preston: 03 9416 7878 Email: sales@fisdistributors.com.au

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PICFloors

Preparation, Installation & Care

SEBO X4 - The Soft Plush Pile Vacuuming Specialist The SEBO Automatic X4 upright vacuum cleaner is of professional quality, performance and reliability - designed for use on niche plush pile carpets such as Mohawk Smartstrand, Godfrey Hirst Eco+, Quest Premier Soft and Cavalier Bremworth Inscape, just to name a few.

Why does SEBO work when other vacuums fail?

Good vacuum design and correct carpet cleaning knowledge is behind the technology capable of maintaining plush pile carpets in accordance with a carpet manufacturer’s recommendations and at the same time achieving optimum Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Innovation. The Computer Control System on the SEBO X4 optimises performance by ensuring that the brush is always at the correct height. The computer sensor identifies the flooring height and changes the brush height to suit the carpet nap, raising or lowering the brush automatically for optimum cleaning. Using the SEBO X4 on plush pile carpet will ensure that it stays beautiful

longer, while providing essential carpet care.

Performance. The high performance motor, automatic brush height system, large wheels and efficient air flow design combine to give outstanding cleaning results - which is why SEBO regularly comes top in independent tests.

They go flat for reaching under furniture and feature an integrated hose and wand system which has been imitated, but never surpassed, for convenience and effectiveness.

Quality. Made in Germany, SEBO vacuum cleaners are constructed from the highest quality materials and used by many professional carpet cleaners, hospitals, aged care facilities and 5-star hotels Australiawide. High performance filtration is standard across our entire range, removing a minimum of 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers.

SEBO, recommended world-wide by carpet manufacturers for the correct care and maintenance of their soft floor products.

Free Templates Simplify Tactile Installation Floorsafe offers a huge range of tactile indicators that can be used to enhance pedestrian safety by providing additional warnings of impending hazards. The range includes PVC, stainless-steel, brass and carborundum tactiles, with bar and directional shapes in addition to the standard round profile.

Now, for a limited time, the company is offering free interlocking tactile templates 34 | Flooring June/July 2017

with every bulk order to simplify installation.

Depending on the size of the order, Floorsafe will supply up to eight interlocking 300 x 300mm templates that can be used to ensure accurate alignment of the tactile installation.

Floorsafe reckons it has the lowest prices in Australia for tactiles, and will not be beaten on quality or service, either. Applications advice is

available over the phone, and the company’s online shop provides quick access to the complete range of tactiles and other flooring safety products.

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PICFloors

Preparation, Installation & Care

Vacuum Cleaner Guidance Offers Added Value for Flooring Retailers As any good retailer will know, looking after the long-term interests of customers and the products they have bought can reap huge ongoing benefits, not only by reducing the number of call-backs and complaints but by building customer satisfaction and gaining repeat sales. In the case of carpets and other flooring, providing advice on care is an important part of the sales process and should include guidance on which vacuum cleaner is best suited to the floor covering that has been purchased.

Matching a floor with the right vacuum cleaner is not something to leave to chance. The vast range of flooring types available means that it is vital that the customer is given sufficient information to choose the most appropriate maintenance regime and vacuum cleaner. A carefully selected, good quality, high performance machine of the right type will, without doubt, help ensure a floor not only looks good but lasts. An example of the kind of problem that can occur if the wrong machine is used is fluffing of a wool loop pile carpet forming a fuzzy surface, a process known as pilling. Much more common is damage caused by inefficient machines that fail to clean properly, leaving grit and dirt behind. This trapped debris cuts the fibres and damages the integrity of the pile as the carpet is walked on, shortening its life.

Added to this is the visual downside of a dirty carpet.

When correctly matched with the floor covering, a good machine will clean quickly and thoroughly without harming the floor surface.

SEBO works closely with 36 | Flooring June/July 2017

carpet manufactures and rigorously test carpets on their behalf to establish which machines work best on each type of floor covering. The sales team visits retailers to discuss specific issues and provide training. If a previously untried carpet is being used it will be tested so the correct cleaning solution can be developed.

The range of vacuum cleaners available on the market is vast but principally split into upright and barrel models. Generally, with cut pile carpet, upright machines with a rotating brush are effective. Barrels usually rely on suction alone to clean so are normally better for delicate surfaces and hard floors. Where a mixture of carpets and hard floors need to be cleaned, an upright machine designed to do both, is a good solution. Alternatively, a barrel machine with the option of a power head, like the CHOICE Recommended SEBO K3 Premium, or turbo brush may be right.

For the retailer, there is the opportunity to sell appropriate vacuum cleaners, or provide added value with the cost of the machine built into the price of the carpet. Indeed, this is potentially a win-win situation with both an additional sale and a happy customer who has been helped to care for their flooring.

The Tough Machine Leading the Way....

Schwamborn….. With over 85 years of designing, manufacturing and engineering excellence in Germany, Schwamborn is the leading supplier of flooring solutions for concrete floor grinding, preparation and polishing.

Giving operators confidence in getting a perfectly flat floor, removing high spots, glue, adhesives, coatings, membrane or waterproofing, tile bedding, and so much more, these Concrete Floor Grinding machines have taken 2 of their machines to a new level. Now Remote.

The DSM650RC and DSM800RC are both now available as concrete floor grinding machines you can

use by remote controlled feature and offer features that drive performance, flatter floors and easier concrete preparation in any flooring project.

Side by side their ability to prepare concrete floors, they are the dream machine that polishes concrete floor.

Using Knock On Diamond Grinding shoe attachments and Easy Tool exchange for the tooling you also have the added ability to run a 180 degree turning movement – overlapping to give a uniform grinding result, automatic movement independently working forwards and the toughest gearbox out there giving maximum power transmission.

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Flooring June/July 2017 | 37

ProductUpdate AFS Brings Premium KneeKickers to Australia Australian Flooring Supplies has been named the exclusive Australian distributor for custom made, custom fit kneepad brand ProKnee.

The American-made kneepad brand, which prides itself in specializing in occupational knee injury prevention since 1989, will be in stock at AFS from mid-June 2017.

AFS will stock ProKnee’s two most popular models, the custom-fit shin-to-knee model 0714 and the one-size fits all model AP16. All parts in both models, which are suitable for installers who work on hard floors, are replaceable.

The premier 0714 model was designed to eliminate knee pain for professional flooring installers.

The knee-to-shin support system is designed to remove

pain and stress from the knee joints by spreading weight across the length of the kneepads.

The one-size fits-all AP16 model features a shorter shin pad but still includes ProKnee’s knee pocket shape and flat bottom design to stabilise the knee-joint, reduce joint wear-out and knee burn pain.

To be fitted for the ProKnee 0714 installers can simply visit their local branch for a quick measure.

The AP16 will be available at AFS branches from midJune.

Cloudwalk – now GECA Certified Cloudwalk have been operational in NSW for the past two decades, and they specialise in foam and flooring underlay products. Products are designed with comfort in mind: as well as extending the life of your carpets and timber flooring, they will also add a luxurious layer of comfort and support.

A Cloudwalk foam underlay feels great and will help extend the life of your flooring.

It adds luxury and longevity to carpets and timber floors in commercial and residential environments with its perfect balance of comfort and support.

Cloudwalk now stands as a premium supplier of quality Carpet and Timber underlay to

retailers, commercial flooring companies and builders.

Almost their entire range of carpet cushion products are now certified under GECA’s Floor Coverings standard, making it even easier for buyers to find the perfect underlay that fits their needs while having a lower environmental, health and social impact as well.

GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) is a purpose driven, not for profit that provides solutions for sustainable consumption and production. It provides specifying professionals and consumers with the resource to find products that are a better environmental, social and healthier choice.

Comcork Walk Easy Profile Now Available in P4 Slip Rated Version Entegro Group the manufacturers of Comcork Flooring are excited to announce that their leading Comcork Walk Easy Profile is now available in a P4 Slip rated version.

This latest profile, known as “Comcork WalkEasy P4 Textured” is available in 22 fantastic colours. This profile provides the market within an excellent solution for most internal or external safety flooring requirements.

The new range is proudly made in Australia from a unique combination of natural cork and rubber. Comcork 38 | Flooring June/July 2017

Walk Easy P4 Textured is heavy duty, anti-slip, low in VOC’s and quieter and softer underfoot than most other resilient flooring on the market. The commercial flooring sector is demanding more P4 slip rated products and in turn Comcork is delivering on that as well as providing a P$ rated floor that also offers comfort and long lasting performance.

Containing approximately 70% natural cork, this new profile is a Safe and Natural Flooring Solution. Any queries please contact Comcork Flooring.

Are you getting what you have paid for?

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Densi Crete

CONCRETE SEALERS

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The purpose of these cork bumpers are similar to that of vinyl and polyurethane bumpers as they are also designed to be used with desks, table and counter-tops.

Furthermore, they are a natural product suited for protecting objects on unfinished surfaces.

ANTI-SKID™ Bumpers

There are two types of AntiSkid Bumpers; Moulded foam and Thermoplastic. These bumpers can be used on furniture and stops them from moving or sliding around. They are designed for all surfaces including vinyl, ceramic and hardwood floors.

The soft texture of moulded foam absorbs vibrations and protects a wide range of surfaces. Thermoplastic is used to reduce noise and absorb vibrations.

Madico® Protec® can protect the surfaces in your home with a wide range of surface protection products.

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Rubber bumpers are ideal for use with electronic equipment or similar items. They can be used on desks and tables.

Another alternative use for these rubber bumpers is to place them underneath chopping boards and heavier objects as they absorb shocks protecting your counter-tops and other surfaces.

or existing concrete

AL

Viny bumpers are designed for use on desks, tables and counter-tops (not under furniture legs). They can also be used to protect shelves, timber sideboards and dressers by placing them underneath objects such as keepsakes and ornaments.

Another alternative use for these vinyl bumpers is to have them on the edges of cupboards and draws to stop them from being slammed shut.

Similarly to the vinyl bumpers, polyurethane bumpers are also designed to be used with desks, table and counter-tops but not under furniture legs. These are good at reducing echoing noises

Rubber Bumpers

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Sometimes looking at surface protection for your home can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look for. There is a whole range of products you can use and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You might only need floor protection for your tables and chairs or you might need them for a lot more. There’s floor protection products that are made for almost everything you can think of from vases, small kitchen appliances and electronic equipment to beds, desks and couches.

The Madico® Protec® range includes vinyl, polyurethane, rubber, cork and moulded foam bumpers.

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Flooring June/July 2017 | 39

Widely circulated to key specifiers and all sectors of the industry Proudly supported and endorsed by:

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Sandie Velkovska National Sales Manager Email: sandie@elitepublishing.com.au Phone +61 3 9890 0815

ProductUpdate

Quick-Step Timber Flooring Range Hits the Market The new generation of timber flooring has entered the Australian market, with the launch of the all-new QuickStep Compact Timber Range.

Measuring at 12.5 mm per plank, which includes a 2.5 mm of timber top layer, Quick-Step’s Compact range showcases the innovation, technology and quality of what we know, love and expect from Quick-Step, with a timber flooring that is friendlier to the back pocket.

Available in eight glorious hues and designs, Quick-Step Compact packs a punch with texture, design and smart flooring. From Blackbutt and Spotted Gum, to a wide variety of oak designs such as Pure Oak, Cliff Grey Oak, Creamy White Oak, Slate Grey Oak, Wintry Forest Oak and Natural Oak, Compact is a true celebration of nature with a splashing of contemporary design and elegance.

Each colour palette was handpicked to showcase the diversity and splendour of what timber floor has to offer – creating a perfect canvass for every room style and taste.

Extra Matt, Extra Lush

Quick-Step Compact boasts an extra matt finish, giving each floorboard a luscious natural look and feel of timber flooring in its finest form.

The best of both worlds: The protection of 7 layers of

lacquer with the natural look and feel of an oiled floor.

Quick-Step was meticulous in selecting the top producers of lacquer in Europe with quality as an absolute priority.

Compact also inherits Quick-Steps practical and innovative Uniclic® Mulitfit click system. Unlike traditional timber flooring, Quick-Step Compact can be glued down or installed floating. A floating installation is a breeze using one of the three methods: angling, horizontal or the dropdown method. With the dropdown method, installation time is 30 percent faster and perfect for DIY.

UP-GRADE by Vermeister in the Spotlight Vermeister UP-GRADE is a special pre-dosed shader that can be added to any Vermeister waterborne products, sealer or top coat, single or two component, to lighten or darken the original color of the wood, eliminating unpleasant colour changes.

Especially for oak and, in general, for all light coloured woods, UP-GRADE in its white version tends to neutralise yellowing and excess shading due to water soluble extractives naturally present in the wood. Each coat increases the toning effect and it is advisable to carry out a preliminary test to verify the final look.

The product is available in shades of White, Grey, Black, Amber from New Zealand distributor, South Pacific Timber in Auckland.

High Density Core Equals Versatility Compact boasts a top quality high density fibre board, steering away from a hevea or spruce core, which usually is used. With very low thermal resistance, floor heating and cooling is showcased at its best.

Sustainability Sense

Raw materials are meticulously screened to create Compact, using worldstandard energy efficient production and sourcing from sustainable forestry. Like all Quick-Step timber products, Compact complies with the strictest of norms and regulations.

Flooring June/July 2017 | 41

SpotlightOn The Classic Advantage: Right Products, Best Solutions The need for evolving infrastructure is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. For a safer, sustainable and more practical world, the infrastructure community needs to work as a team, implementing long term solutions for real life usage scenarios and for everyone including the physically impaired.

Be it a child, a grown up with a broken limb, a parent with a pram or an elderly person, we are all physically disabled at some time in our lives. As far as the built-up environment is concerned, it is important that it should be barrier-free and adapted to fulfil the needs of all people equally.

In any built-up environment, the ground that you walk on is one of the most used and potentially one that can cause most slip accidents, which studies have shown to be on the rise.

Floor safety is critical to any building project but can be easily overlooked during the build process.

For contractors and builders, the obvious need is for products that match their specifications but the latent need is for a solution that not just addresses the specifications but also their concerns about product endurance, appearance, application, cost and Compliance. A ‘product’ may help finish a job but a solution has the potential to create a long-lasting legacy while ensuring the safety of people who use the infrastructure.

Classic Architectural Group (Classic) focuses on providing this solution to architects and builders.

The Classic Solution

Classic addresses the access issues for its customers and partners, with a wide range of product solutions that cater to different floor types, designs, extent of use and aesthetics.

Whether you require entrance matting, stair nosing, tactile indicators, or trims, the Classic team is well versed in the various regulations, standards and real-life usage scenarios to intelligently advise architects, project managers and contractors on development of their specifications, challenges around enduser application scenarios and fitment of the products.

This approach saves builders and contractors efforts, costs and time that they potentially would end up spending on multiple contractor’s, reworks and replacements post building surveys.

To ensure the perfect fitment of the product at the site, Classic also offers to measure, template and install our products, throughout Australia and NZ. This reduces the effort and risk for the contractors and builders, making it a seamless experience for all parties involved.

At Classic, the experience and expectations of our customer, partner and product users are valued immensely. Every Classic product and interaction is designed to create an advantage for them.

With over 80% of the top builders and flooring contractors in Australia as long-standing customers and thousands of product-installs throughout the Oceania region, including landmarks such as MCG, SCG, Adelaide Hospital, Gold Coast Convention Centre, VCCC, Medibank and Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, Classic products are proven for their quality and endurance.

Classic products and services reflect the driving values of our people behind them –

42 | Flooring June/July 2017

• Rigorous - We are relentlessly driven to uncompromised world class quality, service and efficiencies • Respectful - We maintain equality and integrity for all our business partners and users of public space • Responsible - We are committed to uphold our obligations to clients, staff, the community and the environment • Resourceful - We are dedicated to providing seamless experiences through insightful, innovative solutions with cando versatility

What’s the word out there?

Here is what partners and customers say about Classic “Classic have a great operation here and are the best in town. No one comes close.”

“Classic’s opposition hates it when we win a job, because they know that we always stick with Classic because they look after us every time without fail” “I always come to Classic whenever I need advice on Floor safety products, because they are always so happy to share it, and offer me solutions. I’ve given up chasing around for junk, or getting cheap stuff that ends up failing. Classic products are great - they are properly designed, they work well and they last” “I really appreciate the way Classic operates. I wish others were more like them!”

The Tile Advantage for your Flooring Needs With hugely popular TV shows like The Block, House Rules and The Home Team hitting our screens, Australian audiences are inspired more and more to undertake renovations on their new home to reflect current trends.

While winter renovating may influence the decisions on styles and materials used, Beaumont Tiles strategic designer Rachel Gilding warned that decisions about flooring choice needed to not only be on trend, but also transcend the seasons.

“At Beaumont Tiles we are of course biased, but for good reason, tiles come out on top, hands down, as the best flooring option when you consider durability, maintenance, room traffic, moisture levels and allergens,” said Ms Gilding.

“Tiles are not just the practical choice either; tiles come in unlimited colours, textures, and designs to fit everyone’s lifestyle and home. Tiles can also be the warmest flooring choice this winter with under tile heating.

“With so many different types of tiles in the market, it is important to select the right tile for your space. From bathrooms, kitchens and laundries to living areas, bedrooms, balconies and swimming pools, your home can greatly benefit by selecting tiles.”

Rachel Gilding’s advice on why you should choose tiles

are resistant to mould and they don’t contain compounds that can inflame allergies,” said Ms Gilding.

Look-a-like tiles. Tiles are a long lasting, hard wearing and a durable alternative to natural resources such as timbers, marbles and stones which are increasingly becoming harder to source.

“You can create a low-maintenance look-a-like look with tiles. Wood, brick, cement, marble and stone are the most replicated tiles in the market and have really opened up a new area of choice. By choosing tiles you can have the timber or brick look that you so desperately want in areas you would not normally be able to use these natural resources,” said Ms Gilding.

Toasty toes. Under-tile heating is the perfect winter warmer for bathrooms or living areas. It keeps a tiled room warmer for longer than other heating solutions.

“Under-tile heating creates a drier environment by radiating heat to all solid objects and the air is warmed by convection.

This means a room stays warm long after the system is turned off unlike regular heaters where the heat dissipates quickly,” said Ms Gilding.

“It is child-safe with no exposed heaters so little fingers won’t get burnt, and under-tile heating also prevents mould from building up.”

Durability. Tiles are an excellent choice for high traffic areas thanks to the products strength. If you are looking for a flooring product that lasts throughout the years, look no further than tiles.

“Tiles have proven their durability and flexibility over thousands of years. Floors tiled in Ancient Rome are still in use today. The Romans were prolific users of ceramics to tile walls, floors and to create magnificent decorative effects in their homes and public areas,” said Ms Gilding.

Ease of maintenance. Normally tiles require very little time and effort to keep clean. They are virtually non-porous and tend not to absorb any liquid, smoke or fumes.

“Tiles generally only need to be cleaned once a week.

Firstly a quick vacuum or sweep of the area to remove the dirt and grit from the area, a damp mop or cloth and water with a drop or two of vinegar. There is no need to use any soaps, detergents, powders or chemical cleaners of any kind for regular cleaning,” said Ms Gilding.

Allergens.Certain types of floors could be behind sneezing, itching and allergies, tiles however are seen as the allergy friendly flooring choice.

“Tiles are a very hygienic floor covering. Tiles don’t collect dust, pet hairs or mites and they are easy to keep clean. Tiles

Flooring June/July 2017 | 43

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Ronnie Gramazio Email: ronnie.gramazio@elitepublishing.com.au TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Ashley Cooper Email: ashley.cooper@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour Email: georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN Uber Creative 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.

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"Your Industry – Your Magazine"

Why are so many architects turning to polished concrete for their clients?

When it comes to selecting the flooring during building or renovation, flooring choices such as timber or tiles have often been recommended in the past as the best choice. In 2016/2017 however, there has been an increasing trend where many architects are recommending polished concrete for residential and commercial applications in addition to industrial flooring, and it turns out that their clients are loving it.

We all want to give our clients the best option, and in flooring this equates to matching with a number of criteria. Quite often for the client priorities can be visual appeal, cost effectiveness, durability and easy maintenance. There are of course other factors taken into account by professionals, such as the creative use of space and materials and in the case of renovation, what flooring will complement the existing structure. It appears that polished concrete is being viewed as one of the best fits for all formulas.

Why is this?

Healthy, Durable and Low Maintenance

In the durability arena, polished concrete rivals even the traditional choice of timber.

When done correctly by concrete polishing specialists with good quality products, a mechanical polish hardens the concrete by a factor of up to ten times, making the floor surface extremely durable. After many years when the floor needs a ‘lift’, a simple reapplication of the penetrative sealer and a high speed burnish (buff) is enough to bring it back to new life. A mechanically polished floor has a fully refined surface, meaning it doesn’t harbour dust mites, pollens or other allergens, making it a very healthy living environment and great for asthma sufferers. This aspect of a well done polished concrete floor assists in the constant endeavour of keeping our homes dustless and cleaning is simply done with hot water or a pH balanced product. It’s one of the lowest maintenance floors available over the long term and can be recycled at the end of it’s very long lifespan.

Warm or cool, your choice

Some argue that concrete is cold, and it’s true that concrete has been thought of as a ‘cold’ material. The good news, whether you live in a hot or cold climate, is that it has an effective thermal mass which enables it to absorb the days temperature, store it and

then slowly release it over the rest of the day and into the night in a way that carpet or timber can’t. This is why many solar passive homes have concrete floors. Feedback from those living with polished concrete is that power bills for heating, cooling and lighting reduce when living with polished concrete.

Concrete can have a cool look to it if used with glass and steel, or for those of us who like to ‘live warm’ it can easily be warmed up by teaming it with touches of warmer-looking materials, such as timber.

Renovations

Remember the old saying ‘you can’t make a silk purse of a sow’s ear’? It turns out that it’s not always true. You absolutely can when a client is renovating and they have an existing slab beneath tiles, timber or some other existing flooring.

The concrete underneath can be hiding the design equivalent of gold. Many an owner of an older residence or commercial building in Brisbane for example, has been fortunate enough to find their concrete contains the original river stone aggregate, which was the aggregate of choice prior to blue metal aggregate. The photo shows a very old floor in the Redcliffe region, polished in April this year. The owners had no inkling of what aggregate they had and were thrilled to find it.

World's First Polished Concrete Virtual Reality Showroom

A recent innovation commissioned by OzGrind, Brisbane’s premier concrete polishers, is the newly developed polished Virtual Reality application, which puts them within the room and gives them an exceptionally lifelike view of each polished concrete finish they would like to see.

T H G Matching a Floor with the RI

Va�u�� C�e���� Choosing flooring is a considered process, however, many customers do not consider how they are going to care for their flooring upon installation and long term.

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Advertisers Index

Exhibitioncalendar

2017 Exhibitions

AUGUST 2017 10-12 BuildExpo Tanzania 2017

Interiors and lighting, sanitary ware, building and construction material, flooring and carpeting

Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania www.expogr.com/tanzania/buildexpo 23-27

Decorintex 2017 Decoration, interior and flooring exhibition

Surabaya, Indonesia www.decorintex.com/surabaya 23-26

Formex 2017 Interior and flooring designs for all things Nordic; Autumn edition

Stockholm, Sweden www.formex.se SEPTEMBER 2017 8-12 Maison & Objet 2017

The international homestyle exhibition

Paris, France www.maison-objet.com/en/paris 13-17 Habitare 2017

Interior design, flooring and furniture fair

Helsinki, Finland www.habitare.com

Airstep Australia 14-17

Furn Expo 2017 International furniture, home textile and carpet exhibition

Erbil, Iraq www.iraqfurnexpo.com 28-1 Oct Bursa Home Style Fair 2017

Design and Innovation-focused home and flooring dĂŠcor fair

Bursa, Turkey www.expointurkey.org/exhibitions/bursa OCTOBER 2017 18-22 Lisboa Design Show 2017

Interior Design expo

Lisbon, Portugal www.lisboadesignshow.pt 25-28 Home & Floor Show 2017

Carpet and floor coverings fair

Istanbul, Turkey www.tradefairs.com/istanbul DECEMBER 2017 15-24 Dar Deco 2017

Decoration and design exhibition

The Kram, Tunisia www.dardeco.com/tn *** For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, please check the individual event websites.

16, 17

Carpet Court Choices Flooring

15 Front Cover, 5, 11

Classic Architectural Group

24, 25

ConTreat

39

Dunlop Flooring

2

Floorsafe Australia

31

Floorcovering Association of Victoria

29

Floorworld

19

Gibbon Group

33

Global Media Network

3

GMK Logistics

41

Laser Measure Australia

35

Mapei Australia

47

Oxtek Australia

Back Cover

PR Floors RFMS Australasia

37 27, 28

Sebo Australia

45

Sika Australia

23

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