Tile Today Issue 97 | June 2018

TILE TODAY 97

FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL

BOB BEAUMONT’S REMARKABLE MILESTONE THE FRANCHISING OPTION

COVERINGS AND CEVISAMA SHOW REPORTS TRENDS

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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

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I N S TA L L AT I O N

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Do YOU Fit The Membership? ive g s u l Exc Pricin .

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We’re Tile Power Limited *For membership enquiries contact Adam on : 0430 930 921 Scan QR code for more information

Tile Power Limited - 18 Kelso Crescent, Moorebank - NSW 2170 T : 02 9734 9200 - F : 02 9734 9211 - www.tilepower.com Tile Power Limited is a ceramic retailers buying group.

contents

97 PROFILE 8

Bob Beaumont, CEO and executive chairman of Beaumont Tiles, helped to bring the tile industry into the modern era.

32 Trend Group stands out as a global leader in full-

body glass mosaic, gold mosaic, Venetian glazes and agglomerates.

COMPANIES 10 CDK Stone hosted its annual Open House event in

Melbourne recently. The industry turned out to see it.

RETAIL 16 Franchise Council of Australia highlights the benefits of

franchising for tile businesses.

INDUSTRY 20 There are four main elements that can help tile

companies find success in stock management, according to Bryan Vadas.

SHOW REPORTS 26 International correspondent Joe Simpson discovered

some surprising trends at Coverings in Atlanta (USA).

42 Cevisama in Spain indicates that vibrant colour, craft

and heritage style are back in force.

INSTALLATION 40 Making the appropriate choice of tile adhesives for a

project means looking beyond the standards.

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS 36 Project Spotlight 46 Featured Products 49 News

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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This edition of Tile Today acknowledges some leading lights of the tile industry.

Bob Beaumont has made his name synonymous with tiles and he celebrates 50 years at the company his father started in 1960. There is so much more to come from Beaumont Tiles and you can read about his story on page 8.

Trend Group, a significant leader in art and design mosaics, is also serious about its commitment to sustainability. One of its striking works graces the front cover for this issue. The company is profiled on page 32.

Another company that sets the tone for industry initiatives, CDK Stone held its annual Open House event in Melbourne. The story starts on page 10.

This issue has a special feature from the Franchise Council of Australia that explains and elaborates on the advantages of franchising for tile businesses. It can be a vehicle for growth if operators can implement it properly.

Franchising may be one option for tile businesses but effective stock control can be the difference between a profitable or loss-making enterprise. Bryan Vadas writes about this on page 20.

On a global level, our roaming international correspondent Joe Simpson has visited the Coverings show in Atlanta (USA) and Cevisama in Valencia (Spain) to bring our readers the latest developments in tiles from these two very different continents.

We hope you find something to pique your interest in this issue.

Happy reading,

TILE TODAY Proudly produced and printed in Australia 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.tiletodaymagazine.com.au www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Betty Tanddo betty.tanddo@elitepublishing.com.au INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT Joe Simpson joe.simpson@elitepublishing.com.au MACHINERY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Trudi Woodward trudi.woodward@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN Uber Creative – Annette Epifanidis Mobile: 0416 087 412 annette@ubercreative.com.au www.ubercreative.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Press Pty Ltd

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ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Flooring Magazine, Discovering Stone Magazine, Finishes & Surfaces Magazine, TileToday Magazine, Supplier Magazine and FB Magazine.

Leading the Industry

Endorsed by Australian Tile Council www.australiantilecouncil.com.au

FRONT COVER IMAGE Custom glass tile mosaics, providing modern interpretations of classic mosaic art, are available from Trend Group Australasia.

Drawing upon more than 300 colours of Italian glass mosaic tiles and three different tesserae formats, the company is able to work with interior designers and architects on translating any artwork, design, photograph or fabric sample into a gorgeous hardwearing mosaic surface that will last a lifetime.

6 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD. 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.

Please note: Shade variation is an inherent feature of tile production. The Publisher is not liable for any discrepancy between images published in Tile Today and actual products.

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P ROF ILE

Bob Beaumont’s golden jubilee If they were married, Bob Beaumont would be celebrating his golden anniversary with the company founded by his father in 1960.

R

ather than rest on his laurels and remain complacent after 50 years at Beaumont Tiles, CEO and executive chairman Bob Beaumont is looking to overseas markets for expansion. He also plans to grow the groups’ local network in Australia from 115 to 180 stores. Most of the 65 new Australian stores will be franchised businesses, according to Bob. He recently told Inside Franchise Business, “There is plenty of opportunity within Australia, and opportunity for sales within each store to grow as well”. Staff development is the key to strong sales growth, he added. “We already have very good marketing. I think we can develop our people to be stronger and better than they already are.”

When asked if he ever anticipated that Beaumont Tiles would become a leader in the industry, Bob simply replied: “We had one store, and that was it”.

A humble start From a single shop in Adelaide to the biggest retailer of tiles in the country, Bob says a lot of the company’s success came from taking the opportunities

that were presented, even if they were risky.

“My father and I had always been keen on the idea of grabbing an opportunity when it presented itself.

In the early days, we were offered the Victorian outlets of a failing tiling business, which we decided to go ahead and buy,” he said.

“It was very risky because it was losing a lot of money. However, we gradually built on it until finally, we became the biggest in Victoria. That then enabled us to leap frog into Queensland and other parts of the country.”

many other businesses at the time,” said Bob. But from the depths of despair, Beaumont Tiles became a business with serious flair. Bob said it was from this low point that he set the biggest target of his career. “I set a goal that by the year 2000 we would be turning over 100 million dollars,” he said. “A lot of people thought I was a fool, but we did it. I think it’s very important to set really big goals and go for them like crazy.

“I think that was probably the biggest challenge we faced but out of that was one of the biggest victories.”

Goal setting

Changing times

Bob has never been afraid to take a chance. He said, “Someone who used to work with me very closely used to say, Bob, you bite off more than you can chew and then you chew like buggery.

“That’s exactly what we used to do, but it’s how we got to where we are today.”

The road to success wasn’t without its challenges, with the recession of the 1990s one of the most trying times. “It was really tough, and we came pretty close to the edge, as did

Over his half-century long career in the tile industry, Bob has experienced a great deal of change. This includes a major shift in the tiling industry that led to the beginning of the DIY market boom.

“We were the drivers of switching the whole industry over to adhesives from the traditional ‘mud mix’, which is what they all called it,” he explains.

“This meant that DIYers could do tiling quite easily themselves and this certainly drove the renovation market.”

Bob believes homeowners are currently spending an average of $20,000 on a full bathroom renovation which is helping to drive the company’s robust growth. At the moment it is importing 100 shipping containers full of tiles each week to keep up with demand, according to a report in Fairfax Media.

Beaumont Tiles generates about 50% of its business from the renovations market and the other half from new home and apartment construction.

Bob says tiles themselves have also transformed dramatically over the decades. “Looking at the product itself, it’s not only changed in look but in composition. Most of the tiles

Bob Beaumont (centre) surrounded by his Beaumont Tiles senior executive team.

8 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

these days are porcelain, which are far less porous than the old tiles.” he said.

“However, the greatest change is in the evolution of digital glazing, where you can take almost any surface – timber, stone, slate or concrete – and duplicate it on the surface of a tile.

This gives you an extremely durable, easy to clean surface which looks the same as timber, for example.”

The way homeowners are using tiles has also changed remarkably.

Bob said, “I built my first home in 1974 and I put tiles throughout much of the living area. People said I was absolutely crazy because nobody did that.

“We were making a statement that we believed in the product and we saw a big change over the following 20 years in how people used tiles.”

Systems upgrade This year, the retailer is launching an IT system that will be a base for future business. Bob said, “We plan to

grow substantially over the next four to five years and then we can use this as a launch pad to extend the brand overseas.”

There are currently no specific countries targeted for expansion, but the team working on exporting the brand have pinpointed countries such as Malaysia and India as well as North America (ie. Canada) as potential regions. Bob said, “We believe by bringing together the disparate parts of the business, particularly the IT this year, we can build on this package, transfer and adapt it. We will have to be flexible but strong enough to withstand any environment.”

He identifies the challenges ahead to be developing a system that takes a client through the sales process to delivery and payment, integrating all aspects.

To carry on his business success, Bob will continue to live by his motto: “You can’t just dream big, you’ve got to dream huge.” ■

(l&r) Ian Forster, regional managing director, Ardex Australia and Bob Beaumont.

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CDK Stone Open House event Every year, CDK Stone showcases an extensive range of machinery, tools and equipment at its Open House events.

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afety and the inclusion of technology into stone fabrication were the main topics discussed at CDK Stone’s recent annual event that was held at its Melbourne head office recently.

“Safety is a real issue within our industry and with growing concern about Silicosis, CDK Stone wants to inform the industry about its risks…Our OH&S expert led the discussion on the dangers of Silicosis and potential health risks. The presentation looked at alternative fabrication processes and Silica exposure reducing practices to better keep our practitioners safe,” explains national marketing manager, Simon Terpstra.

“Another focus of our industry presentations was software and how it can be used to increase our customers’ businesses. Many industries have been revolutionised through technology and the stone industry is no exception. With a complete automated machinery setup, many businesses can increase output and more easily manage their equipment. Through the use

of software, they can more easily manage stone production and processing. From CNC processing to warehousing slabs, we discussed how using software can increase efficiency as well as production. The software featured was Maintabase and SeKon software.”

Discussions also centred around the key changes around automation.

CDK Stone believes there has been a growing interest in automated machinery and equipment that allows increased productivity, without increasing labour costs.

Terpstra said, “The discussions focused on advancements in sawing machines that have higher cutting speeds, as well as devices that measure slab thickness and tool wear and automatically compensate.

Attendees were keen to discuss the 5 axis water jet machines and machines that combine both blade sawing and water jet cutting in one continuous process. Cartridge adhesives were a significant area of interest such as Integra Adhesives that offer faster application and greater bond strength. The technologies by Integra also saves time and reduces wastage.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Tenax Products stand with customers discussing CNC Tools; James Clark (CDK Stone), Alessandro Masetti (Tenax), Peter Wu chatting with David Onesti (CDK Stone), Mara Comandulli (Comandulli Machinery) and Matthias Eich (ECS Masonry); Simon Lewis and Mitchell Newman, both from CDK Stone with Thibaut Machinery representative Yann Salaun discussing the Thibaut CNC 818 and the Comandulli Omega.

Attendees were interested in techniques for polishing, honing and creating textured finishes on marble and granite. “These finishes are growing in popularity with homeowners so we took the opportunity to educate our customers 12 about this process,” said Terpstra.

10 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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Event attendees welcomed it as a networking opportunity while seeing tool and equipment demonstrations.

Director David Onesti said, “Interactive displays were featured throughout the Open House including a live demonstration by a chef cutting and preparing mixed foods directly onto scratch resistant Neolith surfaces.

“CDK Stone introduced a new range of colours as part of the Neolith range at the 2018 Open House. We were proud to present Neolith, a premium sintered stone showcasing the very best design principles with functionality.”

Joint managing director, Jonathan Height, said, “The CDK Stone Open House had record attendances with people coming from all over the world and Australia. It has brought together a high calibre of machinery providers from around the world and allowed our customers to learn more about the latest industry developments and increase their output. ” The company would like to thank all of this year’s attendees and is extending a warm invitation to all Tile Today and Discovering Stone readers to its 2019 Open House in Sydney. ■ CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Peter MitchelHill (CDK Stone) chatting with Angelo Perez (Adriatic Stone), Mara Comandulli (Comandulli Machinery) and Mitchell Newman (CDK Stone); Jean Poisson from Integra Adhesives demonstrating its latest range; Steve Multari from CDK Stone exhibiting the capabilities of the Manzelli 3PN top line Stone Lifter; Onlookers inspecting the GMM Extra.

12 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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Looking for a new opportunity?

It’s the time to join Australia’s #1 tile specialist

Bob Beaumont at the Wetherill Park opening (store number 110) with Nin Tran and Thi My Phuong Nguyen franchise partners and 2016 Block Contestants Kim and Chris.

Like leaders in any field, we didn’t get to the number 1 spot overnight. We have been perfecting what we do since 1960. Yes, that is 57 years of learning, improving, testing, working hard and growing. Today, we are Australia’s largest tile group.

We supply more tiles to Australian homes and builders than any other tile retailer. But don’t listen to us here’s what our Franchise Partners have to say: Neil Gilroy, Franchisee Vic

“My experience as being part of the Beaumont Tiles franchisee community has been life-changing to say the least.

Sure, over my 15-years of business ownership I’ve had my fair share of tests – as any business owner has – yet it’s the unwavering support and dedication from Beaumont Tiles that has allowed me to overcome hurdles and build a business that I would never have been able to do on my own. Join the Beaumont’s family - it’s a decision that can produce excellent returns while working hard but maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The vision from Bob Beaumont and Danny Casey is inspiring and the future is looking fantastic.”

Michael Lee, Franchisee Qld

“My business partner James Webb and I joined Beaumont Tiles after having previously owned other businesses, and I have to say that the behind the scenes support and overall vision that the brand offers are unparalleled. From human resources and purchasing, through to marketing and strong operational-level support, Beaumonts is there. Along every step of our franchisee journey Beaumont Tiles has helped collaborate with us to build and maintain our successful and profitable business.

We have a great lifestyle, brilliant working culture with our staff, and most importantly a happy work - life balance.”

Today, the Beaumont group of shops totals over 110 outlets in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

These outlets are serviced by stateof-the-art sophisticated distribution warehousing in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Of these 110 plus outlets, around 30% are company owned and managed (we call them corporate) and the other 70% are Franchise Partners. This certainly makes for a

unique situation. There is no, ‘us’ and ‘them’ at Beaumonts because whatever we do is for the benefit of all. We all share the same systems, product, price structure, infrastructure and marketing.

The way that we operate is totally transparent. Everyone has input, and every branch is a profit centre with valued, and welcome input. It is a team effort that works for the benefit of all.

As a group, we employ around 800 staff (company and Franchise Partners) and each and every person is valued for their contribution and input.

For franchising enquiries please call Greg Stock on 0498 005 785 for SA/NT/VIC/TAS, or Marcus Allchin on 0418 791 088 for ACT/NSW/QLD, or email franchiseenquiry@tile.com.au

A word from Bob ‘Our philosophy has always been that the franchisee must make money first, and then the franchisor soon afterwards.’

Looking good is just the beginning at Beaumonts!

Interested?

Go to tile.com.au and watch our Franchising with Beaumonts Video on the Franchise page Photograph: Leeza Egan | Instagram: @leezaegan

You’ll also enjoy working with the brand that features in every Australian TV Renovation show, NUMBER 1 with them too!

Thinking of franchising your business?

Franchising has provided small business owners with the resources to compete against corporations that dominate the retail industry.

F

ranchising is unrivalled for enabling entrepreneurship and makes a very significant contribution to the Australian economy, generating $146 billion of revenue each year. This scale of activity, supported by a comprehensive regulatory framework enables 1100 franchise brands to support 80,000 customer-facing businesses employing 460,000 Australians.

Franchising is now the chosen format for many entrepreneurs to expand and develop their business.

The great majority of franchise systems operating in Australia are home grown and increasing numbers of Australian franchise systems are successfully taking their systems overseas.

There is no doubt that franchising offers an exciting marketing approach.

Properly structured and well run, it provides benefits and satisfaction for both parties. However, it is not an easy “route to riches” for franchisor or franchisee, nor is it a panacea for the ills of a “sick” business.

Becoming a franchisor is not a responsibility to be taken lightly.

Your brand, support and decisions will directly influence the lives and livelihoods of your franchisees, and all who are employed in your franchise network.

Any business proprietor who is considering franchising as a method of expansion must understand the skill, patience and capital required to establish the systems and processes that will set both franchisor and franchisees up for long-term success.

What is franchising?

Franchising is not a business itself, but a way of doing business. In the franchising business relationship, the franchisor (the owner of the business providing the product or service) 16 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

assigns to independent people (the franchisees) the right to market and distribute the franchisor’s goods or service, and to use the business name for a fixed period of time.

The relationship between the franchisor and franchisee, which is commonly referred to as a “commercial marriage”, includes the product, service and trademark, as well as the entire business concept itself from marketing strategy and plan, operational standards, systems and formats, to training, quality control and ongoing assistance, guidance and supervision.

In short, it provides small business (the franchisee) with the tools of big business (provided by the franchisor).

It is also a win-win relationship where the franchisor can expand its market presence without eroding its own capital, and the franchisee gains through established business systems, at lower risk, for their own commercial advantage.

Why franchising?

There are several key advantages of choosing franchising as a way of growing your business.

Gaining access to finance is a key challenge and a constraint on business expansion, but in a franchised business the growth of the network is achieved using the financial and human resources of the franchisees.

Access to capital from franchisees can provide the network with an ability to grow rapidly, though it is wise to ensure this growth aligns with your business strategy and ability to support the franchise network. This allows the franchisor’s organisation to be compact and earn profits without involvement of high capital risk, and with fewer staff and associated challenges.

Franchising also creates a separation of responsibilities between franchisor and franchisees.

This means that the franchisor is not involved with the day-to-day operation of each outlet. Instead, the management of each outlet is the owner who will be motivated to achieve successful.

Expansion through franchising also enables the franchisor to service national, and perhaps eventually international customers using its network of outlets.

Establishing a franchise Meticulous care and planning, and adequate financial resources are required to establish business as a franchise.

The time scale for establishing a franchise system and preparing it for marketing can be as long as three years and it can take another three to five years before the franchisor begins to see net profits and cash flow.

The capital requirements of the franchisor must reflect these time spans. However, once the network moves into net profit and achieves relative maturity, the return should make the effort and investment worthwhile.

Franchising your business can be a successful way of expanding. Some of today’s largest businesses have used franchising to finance and accelerate their growth into global brands.

However, franchising must be planned properly, and there are some key things you’ll need to consider: * Proving the business concept: If you are planning to franchise your business, it must be pilot tested with company-owned and operated outlets.

The business must be operating well, distinctive and replicable. You will need also need to prove that it can survive different trading conditions

18

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over time. It is not recommended to commence franchising before completing five years of successful business operations. If franchising is a long-term objective, this allows sufficient time to develop the systems and support mechanisms that will be required to develop and maintain a franchise network. The lessons learned during this phase will reap dividends after the fruitful start of franchise operations. * Taking expert professional advice. Experts who are skilled and experienced in franchising can give you competent advice relevant to your franchising plans. Be sure to seek out these specialists, including legal, accounting or financial advisors.

Also consider obtaining franchise development advice from a franchise consultant. It is critical that intending franchisors get the right advice from the very start of the journey and, in particular, that all aspects of their intellectual property rights are protected prior to franchising. * Preparing your documentation.

The franchise agreement and operations manual are the two most important documents in any franchise system. The agreement must be written by an experienced franchise solicitor. The operations manual is the “blueprint” of the franchise system and how to operate the business. * Franchisee recruitment and training. Choose franchisees very carefully and slowly. Your franchisees are your brand ambassadors, so know the characteristics you are looking for when recruiting franchisees and provide first-class training once they have come on board. * The importance of maintaining good ongoing relationships with franchisees. A good relationship with your franchisees is imperative for the success of your network and the individual franchise units within it. So, avoid overselling to franchisees. This approach will only lead to distrust and unrest in the franchise relationship, which does not benefit either party. Instead, focus on franchisee satisfaction and profitability, maintain open channels of communication, share 18 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

a clear vision for the business, and if disagreements arise (and this is inevitable in any business), handle them promptly and appropriately. * Planning and developing marketing and PR. Franchisees are buying into your franchise brand, so it is essential that you have a plan for marketing it and assisting them to undertake their own local area marketing activities. * Keep developing the franchise and maintain standards. The marketplace and your competitors won’t stay still, and neither should you. Good franchisors undertake ongoing market research as part of their operations and evolve and innovate to ensure franchisees remain competitive and profitable.

Regulatory and dispute resolution For 30 years, a sector-specific code has regulated franchising in Australia, and in particular the conduct of parties to a franchise agreement – that’s the franchisee and franchisor – towards each other. The current revised and strengthened mandatory Franchising Code of Conduct commenced on 1 January 2015.

Administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) the code provides a framework that aims to ensure fully informed decisionmaking about the choice to invest in a franchise business, accurate disclosure of the commercial proposition, mandated processes for key aspects of the franchisee-franchisor relationship, an obligation for “good faith” dealings between the parties, measures to address any power imbalances and mediation mechanisms.

Under the Franchising Code of Conduct, franchisors are obliged to develop and communicate internal procedures for handling complaints, which seek to support early resolution.

The comprehensive regulatory framework provided by the Franchising Code of Conduct is supported by additional economywide safeguards, such as unfair contract terms protections, overseen by the ACCC.

Joining the Franchise Council of Australia If you are intending to franchise your business, it is essential that you join the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA).

Members of the FCA are part of a unique association where business information and the lessons of experience are exchanged freely. This is because FCA members share a common method of doing business, not a common business itself.

For this reason, service franchisors in say the lawnmowing industry, can freely exchange ideas with retail food franchisors (or indeed, most other franchisors), without fear of losing a competitive edge over a competitor.

It is this non-competitive culture of sharing that makes the FCA unique among trade associations, and this alone can repay the cost of membership many times over from a single piece of advice gleaned from a fellow member at an FCA gathering.

These are just a few of the intangible, but highly valuable benefits of being a member of the Franchise Council of Australia.

Additional resources and information about franchising and the services offed by the FCA are available at www.franchise.org.au

Final word Franchising is not a magic formula that guarantees business success, but it can offer significant commercial advantages for franchisors and franchisees.

Franchising works best when the franchisor provides a proven business formula to its franchisees and the franchisees follow the formula and work as a team. When it works well, it is a system which rewards entrepreneurial flair, innovation and commitment to team discipline.

And when franchisors and franchisees each do their jobs, collaboratively and in unison, it can be rewarding for all. ■ Story from the Franchise Council of Australia

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I ND USTRY

A stock matrix for tile businesses Stock is not like red wine – it does not improve with age is a lesson that Bryan Vadas learnt many years ago.

Mastering the balance between ranging and stockholding tiles will enable businesses to mitigate risk and maximise profit.

W

hen one thinks of the costs of running a tile business, the mind usually focusses on the rent and staff costs which typically make up the majority of the expenses pie. But while the recurring monthly investment is firmly placed in these two pots, the constant depository for cash is stock.

Prudent business practice is to constantly review expenses and the production of monthly P&Ls. This causes us to pause and focus on these expense lines but how often do we review our stocks, and ensure that the capital we have tied up there is working for us to best effect?

With the money markets no longer offering us a strong return for our capital, we can all get the most bang for our buck by investing in stock and turning it fast.

In the industry, we often hear of the desired “4.2” stock turns per

20 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

annum. Doing this seems out of reach of many, while those that do manage to achieve it find their cash growing if stock management is done effectively.

It is not just a matter of simply moving it out but getting the right balance of fast movers that allow us to be “in the game”, and those that take a little longer to clear whilst returning high margins and providing us our point of difference.

Faster moves to market With the advent of digital technology, the ability to replicate has become easier and faster, so the window of opportunity is not as open as it once was. Speed to market for new products is essential, and the gross margin curve is much steeper than before as product lifecycles are shortened before the next best thing comes along.

Managing stock levels when going into new lines, and then knowing

when to quit them has become a fine science. It is a balance of being fast, flexible and fashionable along with being on top of your stocks and market trends which are the keys to good stock management.

Stock modelling has truly become a blend of science and art, a mix of what we know and what we feel.

Creating a good matrix is a good place to start (if not a desired place to get to).

Having a well-defined understanding on the areas to which your business is targeted is paramount to creating a stock matrix that will align to your stated intent. Many make the mistake of just buying cheaper and cheaper, and then selling lines at the lowest possible price. This fails to maximise profits and ride on the opportunity to optimise margins. It is by understanding your market and being clear on the position you want for your business to take will help drive your product matrix.

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Whilst fashions and markets vary across the different states and countries in which we do business, we have found that primary considerations for stock modelling and ranging are related to the financial and marketing positions of the business. The amount of stock and of what lines is driven by the mix of cheap, medium, and upper level products, as well as those items that will differentiate your business to the market.

The budget and forecast of the business also has a heavy bearing on the stock levels required to operate successfully (thus the reason for creating a good forecast and tying the purchasing and stock model back into the budget – something we have seen way too many businesses fail to successfully achieve).

Your forecast sales and margin should tell you what stocks to keep, and this “science” will set up the matrix which your “art” will fill.

Being fortunate to have worked with tile businesses both in Australia and around the world, we have found four common traits between those businesses we consider to be strong in the area of stock management: 1. Aware They know exactly where their business is positioned, and they know their place in the market. They know what’s happening in that market, what their opposition is doing and can identify where their points of difference sit. They recognise opportunity and can see what products fit where in the market, and how they can get the right products to the right customers in the right manner. Awesome businesses do the small things well, and that starts with “Marketing 101”, ie. knowing what the market wants and creating a matrix to ensure they have the offering to deliver.

2. Fearless Like Kenny Rogers so aptly put it, when it comes to stock modelling and ranging, you have to “know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em”. Part of a good product offering is taking a risk on some lines and 22 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

3. Sensible High performing businesses are considered in not just their product mix but in the volume of each item they carry. Structured accounting practices create framework onto which their “market research” builds a matrix, and this matrix is then filled by the colourful quilt of products that suit what the market has indicated they need.

It is this framework that will then guide the business to ensure it has enough volume of each item, whilst at the same time mitigating the risk of becoming overstocked and ultimately having dead and worthless stocks encumbering the progress of the entire business. These businesses understand that some products are meant to deliver volume, while others are there to make a statement but may move in lesser volumes and at less speed.

Tile fairs can be seductive environments at which to commit to new lines, but an informed and considered decision always delivers far more sustainable results.

elite sportsmen. They continue to perform and remain fast and flexible.

Such businesses don’t just create a P&L each month but understand the importance of reviewing stock and range in their monthly review of KPIs. Sometimes the market shifts and the performance of the product ranges needs to move with the times. Occasionally some product lines take off and sales accelerate for seemingly no reason at all.

Getting to the root cause of why is as essential as understanding anomalies that may affect your numbers and being aware of what is coming from the market intel of your sales force.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could “print” tiles to order? Imagine having no need to hold inventory, no shade variations, no delay in shipping products from overseas, and freeing up all that cash tied up in stockholding and putting it to better use.

Technology in our industry is advancing. We have seen it become easier for factories to replicate popular lines. Designs are becoming simpler to scan and copy.

Minimum production requirements have decreased from thousands of square metres which used to be required to trigger a production, to what is the case now with just one container being needed to justify a production run.

The ability to stock less and opt for “just in time ordering” has helped some while complicating the lives of many others. There is no crystal ball which can foresee trends and fashions, nor can we forecast with absolute accuracy what will sell and what will sit.

However, by understanding the market and the position which the business wants to fulfil, along with adopting sound business practice which includes constant review, we can all improve the mastery of ranging and stockholding to mitigate risk and maximise profit. ■

4. Vigilant Businesses that continue to measure progress and performance are like

Story by Bryan Vadas, Tile Agencies Group (www.tileagenciesgroup.com.au)

trying those products that make you stand out in the market.

When we first started our tile agency, we had a range of tiles that converted polluted air into pure oxygen. Did we sell much of it? No. Did it get us many appointments?

Hell yeah! It opened an amazing number of doors for us. The key when you venture into the area of being “different”, is to minimise risk.

Similarly, we have all been guilty of hanging on to a product for too long. Sentiment has no place to play in product ranging and stock modelling. Again, listening to the market and being acutely aware of your numbers as they relate to the efforts and activities of your business will help you realise when it’s time to quit, to liquidate stock while it still has a value (even if that value is less than what you paid) so you can make way (and cash) for new and more profitable lines.

Based on a 200 by 200mm square module, Terra Mia is a Mediterranean-inspired ceramic collection from Ornamenta.

SHOW R EPORT

Best in show at Coverings 2018 International correspondent Joe Simpson reports on Coverings and finds a unique American spin on the tile market.

W

ith Coverings in Atlanta (USA) following fast on the heels of Cevisama in Valencia, and running only six months after Cersaie in Bologna, I was not expecting to see any radical shifts in tile design trends. However, digital technology and continuous pressing means that the cycle of product development has speeded up in the tile industry and now incremental changes are made in weeks rather than years. As a result, Coverings was able to throw up a few surprises, as well as reinforcing the over-arching trends in the tile sector.

So, what were the lessons to be learnt at Coverings? Well, the first has an obvious US slant and concerns colour. As we all know, greys have dominated the tile palette in recent years. And there were still plenty of grey tiles at Atlanta. However, the colour palette has definitely been

24 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

warmed up, with beige and greige hues very much to the fore at Coverings. In part this reflects long-established US taste, but also signalled something more pronounced; with lighter earth tones now emerging more strongly across all design segments.

Regarding accents, the must-have hues at the moment are inspired by Le Corbusier and Modernist architecture of the 1930s, and the optimistic postwar palettes of the 1950s. Here we are mainly talking about rich pastels with an added depth of grey. Companies like Tonalite really brought this trend to the forefront, with well curated palettes of fashion colours.

The accent colour of choice at Coverings was blue. Everything from the deep saturated blue of Trafalgar, through bold cobalt blue, to lighter blues in the Duck Egg arena. Blues were often combined with greens, in a nod towards the popularity of “natural� interiors; while there was

also great use of deep wine red at the opposite side of the colour spectrum.

Style directions Terrazzo remains the leading theme in new tile design. Coverings saw some avant garde interpretations of the stracciatella vibe with bolder colours, larger inclusions, selective lustre highlights and much more.

Here, companies like Ornamenta really led the way. There were also many excellent examples of more commercially-focussed terrazzo looks that drew the visitor back to the period in the 1960s when this material dominated in supermarkets and commercial interiors.

White marble effects, often in XXL formats, were hard to avoid at Coverings. The quality was superb, especially in book matched installations. Two range enhancements really caught the eye.

One is the use of sinking inks to add

26

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depth to vein patterns. The other was subtle use of metallics, particularly gold, and lustre, to highlight and emphasise the grain. There were plenty of finish options as well, from mirrored gloss, through restful satin to more tactile leather effects.

Coverings also saw some really dramatic saturated black marbles.

Digital technology means that tile companies can now produce XXL slabs of black marble that are all but impossible to quarry, because the seams are too thin, or the material too friable. I think this is an area that more and more manufacturers will exploit in the years ahead, as the results are so striking, opulent and decadently stylish.

Wood-effect tiles remain prominent, which is hardly surprising as they currently account for around 30% of tile sales in the USA by volume. Here the trend was towards more subtly aged affects, the recycled look, featuring woods like oak in different colour options, and lighter woods with a clear Scandi vibe.

Regarding formats, planks are getting longer, up to 2.400mm, and wider, up to 600mm and beyond.

Herringbones and chevrons remain popular, but what really caught the eye were tiles with a butcher’s block look featuring thin wooden staves in contrasting colours. This may well prove to be a developing trend.

Cement and concrete-effect tiles continue to be a staple in the major manufacturers’ portfolios. There were many different takes on this ubiquitous construction material, from the heavily variegated postindustrial reclaimed look, through to very light grey tiles with just a ghost of a texture. However, the emerging trend is for composite designs the mix concrete, wood and stone effects in one tile. This could be inspired by shuttered concrete or developed as something original with the colour of concrete, the grain of wood and surface texture of stone. The aim is to create a neutral and practical backdrop for the widest possible range of interior styles … and it works.

Another welcome development in the tile sector is the trend for 28 26 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

The TO BE Marble Light & Dark collection in Renoir (colour) by Cercom.

The Boulevard from Colorker from its Metropolitain range.

Museum takes classic tile design and gives it a twist.

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manufacturers to use the same colour palette across several different ranges.

Many companies at Coverings had wood-effect ranges, concrete-effect ranges, cotto-effect ranges and stoneeffect ranges in identical formats and identical colour palettes. This means that different surface finishes and patterns can be mixed and matched with confidence, significantly increasing the design options while allowing retailers and distributors to simplify their inventory control.

Small is good

Bali Green from the Flair collection by Naxos.

Maiolicata is a ceramic take on grey lava stone, from Ornamenta.

28 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Geometric shapes and other interlocking small formats continue to gain traction in the marketplace. As well as 200 by 200mm, 100 by 200mm and other smaller rectilinear sizes, there were, of course, hexagons and the new flavour of the month, fishscale tiles. But there was also a place for triangles, diamonds, elongated hexagonals, and many more shapes.

One that is starting to feature prominently is the rhombus, as seen at Cevisama in Spain earlier this year.

This featured in several eye-catching displays, and can create really

dramatic features, with a virtual 3D look achieved by combining light and dark tiles.

For some readers, the return of small format tiles may seem an unwanted throwback to the 1970s and 1980s. For others it represents a reconnection with tiling’s heritage.

My take on this trend is that it presents a great opportunity for retailers to offer consumers choice and options.

And today’s small format tiles have the benefit of digital decoration technology, and so can produce tiles with a visual complexity and range of designs unthinkable when small formats last ruled the roost. One company, Colorker, really made the case with a fresh take on the classic metro tile that breathes new life into a popular and timeless classic.

It was also interesting to see new 300 by 300mm floor tile ranges placed centre stage at Coverings. In an era when 600 by 600mm had become almost the entry level for floor tiles, this retro format seems like a breath of fresh air. The 450 by 900mm also proved popular; while there were also plenty of 900 by 900mm, 1,000

30

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by 1,000mm and 1,200 by 1,200mm tiles for aficionados of modern XXL tile slabs.

The 20mm exterior tiling and ventilated tiled façades were granted a lot of stand space at Coverings but the most significant development is the use of gauged porcelain panels for kitchen countertops. This, surely, will emerge as the key sales battlefield for tile manufacturers in the decade ahead.

There is no doubt that they already have a superb product. The question is whether they will have suitable commercial structures in place to take on the combined might of the natural stone, wood and composite material manufacturers. Only time will tell; but I am optimistic that gauged porcelain panels will gain significant market share in the years ahead, led by pioneers like Iris Group’s Sapienstone.

Looking to 2019

The Joyful collection by Tonalite.

Frost is a grey shade from Fiandre Architectural Surfaces.

Charisma Decor Graffiti tile from Monocibec.

30 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

I will finish with a brief word about Coverings itself. Say what you like about the Americans, but they know how to put on a great trade show. The seminar program was fantastic; and offered great free education across a broad range of design and business topics. The venue, as ever, was first class, with masses of catering, good signposting, and easy circulation.

While visitors number on Atlanta appeared down on the 2017 show at Orlando, the turnout was still impressive. And there was even an area in the middle where rescue puppies played around 12 fullytiled dog kennels that were donated to animal charities after the event.

Ahhh!

With a wide range of superb natural stone exhibits, led by some quite breathtaking exclusives on the Antolini stand, a good representation of the USA artisan tile manufacturers, plus a plethora of adhesive, grout, sealant, tool and surface prep companies, Coverings really had it all.

It amounted to four very enjoyable days that left me anticipating next year’s event, when Coverings returns to Orlando before heading off to New Orleans in 2020. ■

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The high-end Orsoni range represented as poppies.

Leader of the pack Trend Group is known for its ability to interpret change and anticipate trends. This is reflected in a product line that combines creativity and versatility.

T

he global interior design sector is characterised by the seemingly endless search for novel surface solutions that combine aesthetic excellence with incredible technical performance.

So it was little wonder that Trend Group attracted a lot of attention at Cersaie 2017 where it demonstrated the enormous possibilities of employing printed glass as a bespoke interior solution.

The combination of large format glass panels and high resolution digital printing techniques developed

by Trend results in surprising surfaces and decorations. With its Infinity concept, glass can be the medium for simulated marble, stone, wallpaper, wood, steel, and fabric-effect designs, and much more as this system can recreate in physical form any visual illusion. It is therefore possible to

32 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

blend realistic images with abstract designs, colour melanges, and dreamlike renderings. This is a realm where the only limit is the imagination.

Trend’s outstanding stand at Cersaie 2017 showed the full extent of the company’s technical and design capabilities and underlined its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Designed by Studio Asia under the direction of Carla Baratelli, it placed natural elements at the centre of the thematic niches, where both new products and aesthetic interpretations explored the company’s capacity to translate the creative potential of this material into practical solutions with real personality.

Trend’s in-house design team takes pride in creating unique designs that have a flair for fantasy. For Infinity flooring applications, Trend uses

10mm panels that weigh 25 kg/m2; while for Infinity wall applications thinner 6mm panels, weighing 15 kg/ m2, are used. The choice of panels formats is equally impressive, and includes 3,000 by 300mm, 1,200 by 300mm, 3,000 by 600mm, 1,200 by 600mm, 3,000 by 1,200mm, 1,200 by 1,200mm, 3,000 by 350mm, 1,400 by 350mm, 3,000 by 700mm, 1,400 by 700mm, 3,000 by 1,400mm, and 1,400 by 1,400mm. Custom designs and sizes can also be produced upon request.

The physical characteristics make these panels ideal for challenging environments. They have zero water absorption, excellent stain- and fireresistance, and high- level impact resistance.

Trend’s stand at Cersaie 2017 conveyed the endless decorative possibilities offered by Infinity.

Terrazzo trend

Artistic mosaics used on a pool in Brisbane.

Su House by Alexander Brenner Architects in Stuttgart, Germany featuring Liberty Diamond tile. Photo: Zooey Braun.

The Infinity range as seen at Cersaie 2017.

With terrazzo and terrazzo-effect tiles now officially the hottest trend in wall and floor surfacing, La Veneziana, from the Trend Origina portfolio, is meeting its increasing demand in the marketplace. This range is a faithful tribute to the ever-changing, and always beautiful, tradition of Venetian terrazzo. From the Renaissance through to Art Deco, this type of surface has evolved over time … and this evolution continues apace today.

Trend offers a well-considered range of terrazzo-style designs – Campo Chiaro, Calle Grigia, Campo Scuro, Grigio Doge, Rio Alto, Rio Fondo, Nero Gondola, and Nero Ducale – that represents the many faces and features of the material.

This is also a very practical collection.

With zero water absorption, frost resistance, impact resistance of 6.1 J/m, breaking strength of 40.9 Mpa, flexural strength of 28.1 Mpa, and abrasive wear of 87.1/mm3, La Veneziana can be specified with confidence. And, when it comes to slip resistance, it has an R10 DIN rating, and has a dynamic coefficient of friction of 0.54 for the honed finish, 0.46 for the matte finish, and 0.38 for the polished finish.

La Veneziana comes in 298.5 by 298.5mm, 1,200 by 600mm, 1,200 by 1,200mm, 600 by 298.5mm, 3,000 by 600mm, 3,000 by 1,200mm, and 600 by 600mm formats; with tailormade sizes available on request.

Agglomerates of various grains enrich this Origina range, which is produced at Trend Group’s factories in the United States.

The company provides added value in both the customisation of sizes and the unique yield of each blend. This range has also obtained Greenguard certification, which guarantees the highest standards of air emissions within buildings.

Trend is also a preferred source for more bread and butter surface solutions. A good example is the Aquatica collection of mosaics.

Inspired by the soothing accents of the ocean and sky, it delivers a classic, elegant and timeless look. Durable, www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #97 | 33

The Supreme collection displayed at Cersaie 2017.

easy to maintain and excellent value, swimming pools across Australia have been enhanced by this versatile and attractive collection.

It features Trend Plus; an innovative technology that supports glass mosaic mixes and helps create a strong seal in any interior or external application. This is an ideal choice when installing mosaic in a wet environment like a steam bath or swimming pool. Aquatica has graduated shading mixes, classical borders and geometric borders for added visual appeal. The 20 by 20mm tesserae are presented on 316 by 316mm sheets, and are frost-, chemical- and colour-resistant.

Greater choice in 20 by 20mm glass mosaics can be found in My Spa, which has artistic decors such as twin and individual dolphins, flowers including roses and trailing floral ensembles, butterflies, starfish, and geometric stars. There is also a wide choice of plain coloured mosaics, mixes, and graduated melange panels.

New products Trend’s current portfolio is a tour de force of the interplay of glass, colour and light: the three fundamental elements at the core of the company’s operations.

Highlights include Supreme with hand-cut glass, created with colours, glaze, and Aventurine, and embellished with individual

finishes. The Supreme collection is named after the outstanding quality of the materials used in its production.

The fluctuating, iridescent or metallic effect owes its intensity to light and changes in transparency. Its application is diverse thanks to the wide variety of sizes and cuts: from the largest size of 600 by 300mm, through to different custom sizes.

These latest products from Trend Group bear the unmistakable mark of Pino Bisazza who, together with several expert colleagues, started the company in 2000. The aim then and now is to develop an enterprise that blends the artistic Italian tradition with a respect for nature and leverages the most innovative technologies.

Today, the company is a world leader in full-body glass mosaic, gold mosaic, Venetian glazes and agglomerates. The group has three brands: Trend, Trend Transformations and Orsoni.

The endless possibilities of mosaic can also be seen in Trend Transformations; a full-service home and business remodelling franchise.

Orsoni is the exclusive, luxury brand of the group. The ancient Orsoni furnace is the symbol of the excellence of Venetian craftsmanship, that uses the same traits since 1888 to produce 24K gold leaf mosaics, coloured gold and glazed pieces.

The Karma Mirage tile (20 by 20mm) on the Timone campus that is part of the University of Aix-Marseille in Marseille, France.

Architect: Corinne Vezzoni, photo: Lisa Ricciotti.

Global operations The Trend Group has production and assembly facilities across three continents and operates in more than 55 countries. The company is led by Andrea Di Giuseppe; under whose direction a significant rebranding process has taken place.

The Italian HQ is located in Vicenza, a place of creativity and design that best represents the whole vision of the group. Major ongoing investment in R&D make Trend a reliable supplier on creative projects at all levels. This expertise has been called upon on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican right through to private residences in many countries.

A final point worth emphasising is that Trend Group has a clear mission to invest in environmentally-friendly production processes, which results in lower raw material consumption and the design of durable products.

Seventy-eight per cent of the raw materials used in Trend’s products come from pre- and post-consumer waste; emphasising the truth that lies behind the company’s slogan “Nothing is destroyed, everything is transformed.”

Trend Australia is based in Seven Hills (NSW), www.trend-group.com. ■ Story by international correspondent, Joe Simpson

A portrait of tiger is the subject of artistic mosaics in a Melbourne home.

Exterior of Toyota Cedar Park dealership in Austin, Texas (USA) that features the One range from Ceramiche Caesar.

Function meets luxury aesthetics International correspondent, Joes Simpson writes about a Toyota dealership in Austin, Texas that features Italian tile flair.

C

ar showrooms have traditionally been one of the core sectors for porcelain tile specification. The combination of mechanical strength, stain resistance, and easy maintenance makes porcelain tiles a great surface solution for internal spaces that are worked hard yet must maintain the high aesthetic standards that are demanded in this highly-competitive market.

So when it came to specifying the flooring for the new Toyota Cedar Park dealership in Austin, Texas (USA) it was little wonder that Gensler, the project architects, opted for top quality Italian porcelain tiles.

The One range from Ceramiche Caesar was selected for the showroom in this iconic American city. This range from the Fiorano Modenesebased manufacturer delivers the functional qualities and aesthetic appeal required for these heavily trafficked public spaces.

36 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

The One collection has proved to be the winning solution because its concrete effect offers a contemporary look. This Italian porcelain stoneware range also provided the essential resistance to heavy pedestrian traffic and the dynamic loads that car showrooms experience on a daily basis.

The One range has also added its unique style to the dealership’s waiting room, which made creative use of the Frame decoration in a 600 by 600mm format. The skilfully matched shapes, combined with the range’s industrial chic, allowed the design team to deliver fresh, original and inviting environment.

As well as the 600 by 600mm format used in this project, One is available in a 1,200 by 1,200mm format in the Cement, Gesso, and Mud colour options, as well as the 1,200 by 2,400mm format in Cement.

These additional sizes, part of an extensive programme of modular formats, has greatly extended this

range’s adaptability.

The larger formats can also be used to reduce grout lines, so achieving a greater perception of architectural scale and enhancing the sense of formal elegance.

There are six colour options in the One range: Mud, Rope, Gesso, Cement, Indigo, and Ground; plus a Mix Deco patterned tile. The available formats are 1,200 by 2,400mm, 1,200 by 1,200mm, 600 by 1,200mm, 400 by 1,200mm, 300 by 1,200mm, 750 by 750mm, 250 by 750mm, 600 by 600mm, and 300 by 600mm: all rectified.

The One tiles have a soft, shaded surface that achieves a warm, natural atmosphere. Added visual impact and complexity can be provided by the restrained Mix decors, suitable for both floor and wall applications, in 600 by 600mm, and 300 by 300mm.

For a minimalist geometric accent, the 600 by 600mm Frame décor, as used in the waiting room at Austin

car showroom, is produced in all the base colours.

The finish options are called natural and grip. The natural finish has an R10 A slip resistance rating, and the grip finish a R11 A + B rating.

The One also includes 20mm thick tiles for external applications with Cement and Ground in 400 by 1,200mm, Cement in 750 by 750mm, and Cement, Rope and Ground in 600 by 600mm. As a result, this is a range that can deliver the on-trend, inside-out look.

The 20mm rectified tiles come in the grip finish. Special pieces include bullnose plinths, step treads, and step tread corners for the crisp detailing.

The tiles were supplied by Horizon Italian Tiles which opened the first showroom to the trade in Dallas, Texas in 1995. Horizon works with premier factories and quarries to provide designers and architects with high end imported materials. As the company puts it: “Our mission is to provide first quality, unique materials to discriminating professionals and

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their clients, making a lasting mark on the landscape of commercial and residential structures worldwide.”

About the dealership Toyota at Cedar Park is a Toyota dealership that opened its doors in 2017. As well as an extensive stock of Toyota models, and a very proficient service department, Toyota at Cedar Park is a company with a progressive business ethos. The third pillar of the Cavender Auto Family, it is proud to take part in a wide range of community support projects, and hosts and participates in events to benefit area charities and organizations such as United Way, Texas Humane Heroes, Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Dell Children’s Medical Center, Leander Police Department, Faith Angler Network, and local schools.

The dealership is also an active supporter of and official car dealership for basketball team, the Austin Spurs. The dealer principal, Julie Herrera, states, “The platform of our business model is simply to serve the community”.

38 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

LEFT AND BELOW: The One collection of terracotta-cement effect porcelain tiles consists of six hues: Mud, Rope, Gesso, Cement, Indigo and Ground.

The showroom bears testimony to the dealership’s ambition and attention to detail. The 60,000 sq. ft facility was designed by Austin-based Gensler Architects and built by the White Construction Company. The project included a car wash, service drive and several outdoor vehicle display areas.

Incorporating LEED’s principles, the project was designed to utilise both regional materials and materials with recycled content. Landscaping was carefully selected to blend with the natural setting and to reduce maintenance and water demands.

Additional sustainability initiatives include a reflective roof and parking areas that minimise microclimate heat island effects, as well as occupancy sensors and LED lighting fixtures.

The state-of-the-art facility spans 15 acres along the Texas 183 Toll Road. It has a Hill Country aesthetic, with an on-site cafe and full-time barista, free wi-fi and a retail store.

More details can be found at: http://www.caesar.it. ■

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I NSTA LL ATION

What is the best choice of adhesive for my project?

Choosing ceramic tile adhesives well Laticrete’s Fred Gray argues that looking beyond the standards is important when making the right choice for tile adhesives.

S

hould tile adhesives be selected solely based on the classification numbers on the bag? I don’t think so, and I thought this was the view of everyone!

However, I see a growing number of specifiers and contractors making choices on which adhesive to used based on the AS/ISO13007.1 rating on the bag, rather than matching the adhesive to the actual requirements of the project they are going to tile.

Common reasons include “a C2TES1 was asked for and I will use the cheapest one” or “it’s a C2TES1, it should do the job”. A growing number of these adhesive choices are made without any inquiry or understanding of the suitability of the adhesive, the differences between adhesives of the same rating, or which one is better for the project they intend tiling.

Since its introduction in 2003, the Interim Australian Standard AS4992.1 & 2, Ceramic Tiles – Products for Installation co-existed with AS2358 - Adhesive for Fixing Ceramic Tiles during its withdrawal phase. Subsequent editions of AS4992

40 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

have culminated into today’s Ceramic Tiles – Grouts & Adhesives Standard - AS/ISO 13007.1, 2, 3 & 4.

Part 1 - Terms Definitions and Specifications for Adhesives has provided us with definitions, specifications and performance requirements to group the ceramic tile industry’s range of adhesives into Normal or Improved Cementitious (C), Dispersion (D) and Reaction (R) classifications.

Part 2 - Test Methods for Adhesives has provided the test methods associated with measuring a limited set of performance requirements.

It’s important to recognise that the performance requirements and classifications in AS/ISO13007 describe a select range of physical characteristics of an adhesive that can’t be solely relied on when it comes to the selection and use of tile adhesives. They are a starting point for the most part. There are other characteristics you should consider, like compressive strength, shear capacity and immersed installation abilities to name a few, that would

prove useful in making an appropriate decision.

I have noticed a growing trend over the years that tile adhesive selections are being determined solely by its classification and designation as outlined in AS/ISO13007.1, with the implication that its classification and designation alone is sufficient to make an appropriate choice for a given project. That it is sufficient to determine what product can be used for a project without investigating the manufacturer’s information regarding the products features and limitations.

For instance, a specifier may simply ask for a C2TES1 adhesive for a driveway installation. Assuming tile and substrate compatibility, whilst many C2TES1 adhesives may be suitable for this type of installation, some will not be, and a risk exists that its use will not be appropriate especially if it does not have the compressive strength for such service conditions. Compressive strength is a useful property not tested in our standards, but that would be useful to know.

The withdrawal of AS2358 has taken the emphasis off shear testing in place of tensile testing as the predominant means of gauging physical characteristics and properties with the C classification adhesive in the various iterations of AS4992.1 & AS/ISO13007.1. In fact, shear testing is not required at all for gauging the performance of a cementitious adhesives in our current adhesive testing standards.

Is this important? I think so! In basic terms and in addition to the other properties tested, higher shear strength and higher shear modulus adhesive are more desirable than lower shear strength and lower shear modulus adhesives in many installations. They are a better choice where there is significant exposure to high levels of cyclic or sudden stress.

So it is reasonable to expect that whoever is specifying or selecting adhesives for installations subject to cyclic or sudden stress environments, should be able to reference a greater range of adhesive properties including shear properties. This can

help make better decisions about what cementitious adhesive to use on our projects.

The predominant type of adhesive used for tiling installations such as swimming pools, facades, street scapes and the like in Australia are cementitious. Given they are generally exposed to prolonged, cyclic or sudden stress in these types of installations, a need exists for adhesives with known high shear and shear modulus properties to mitigate and design out stress related issues. For example, workmanship aside, could a hypothetical string of ceramic tile failures in aquatic centre swimming pools be solely the result of concrete shell shrinkage taking place after an otherwise adequate tile and movement joint installation?

Or could it just be the inability of a selected cementitious adhesive to cope with the normal expected, within range, shrinkage? Having relevant information about the expected shrinkage strain in the concrete, the abilities of the tile adhesive to cope with such shrinkage movement and

the knowledge to interpret these dynamics, may avoid potential failures. Perhaps it’s time to see the shear characteristics tested alongside tensile characteristics so we are more informed about the real capabilities of tile adhesives.

As alluded to above, the specification and selection of tile adhesives can be very complex and requires more than a reliance on its AS/ ISO13007 classification and general industry guides to gauge its suitability for a given project. Evaluating the surrounding environment, service requirements of the installation, tiles to be installed and the effects from the tiling background is an important part of the process in establishing the desirable adhesive properties for the project.

It is important that selections are made together with the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations and documentation to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved.

As makers of the adhesives, they would have far more knowledge about the true capabilities of their

Was this delamination the result of excessive shrinkage of the concrete after the tiles were installed or just the selection of an adhesive (with the right numbers on the bag but without the capacity to cope with the normal expected shrinkage?)

products, especially given they have more than likely tested their products above and beyond the requirements of the AS/ISO13007 standard.

Many global companies that are able to share a greater understanding of what works as a result of depth of experience and a unique knowledge of its product can’t be translated in a series of numbers on a bag.

Besides, involving the adhesive manufacturer also helps secure warranties or guarantees that the selection is fit for purpose. Specifiers and professional installers can ask for written specifications for their next project to get that locked in. ■ Fred Gray is the technical service manager at Laticrete Australia

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The Riga tile

by Realonda.

The red body stoneware tiles in a 45cm x 45cm format features 12 designs in Patchwork (four patterned pieces per tile); as well as a grey matte tile in the Concrete range.

Colour breakthroughs at Cevisama 2018 There is a return to more decorative ceramic tiles with the use of colour and artisan styles, writes international correspondent Joe Simpson.

T

his year Cevisama, Spain’s annual tile exhibition, attracted visitors from more than 145 countries and showcased an innovative tile sector that now produces in excess of 530 million sq. metres of tiles per annum.

A notable source of inspiration for new tile designs this year was the construction yard, and the skills and techniques used by the building trade. Whether it was shuttered concrete, chipboard, plaster, building blocks, or just the pattern made on an exterior wall when façade tiles are removed, décor tiles reminiscent

42 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

of these materials created appealing surface finishes for both commercial and residential interiors.

For those who love pattern but want something subtle, the trend for the faded or rubbed out décor tile, where a pattern is often interrupted or smudged, is ideal for adding character to a surface. It also avoids the heavy rustification of the distressed finishes that were prevalent in the past. At Cevisama, Spanish manufacturers were very inventive with this trend, exploring the capabilities of digital printing to the full.

Colour and craft One particular tile type came to the fore this year’s event was the interlocking fish-scale tile. They were not a ubiquitous shape and, indeed, many factories had no fish-scale designs on show at all. But on certain stands they were the real stars of the show. Natucer is one company that springs to mind, but no manufacturer worked this quirky, but surprisingly versatile, form better than Realonda.

Not only were large sections of Realonda’s stand given over to contrasting fish-scale displays but diminishing panels of this iconic shape clad the stand’s exterior.

Scale Shell offered neutral faces with fans of raised ridges. Scale Slate added a new twist to slate-effect tiles.

Scale Concrete worked the industrial look in an entirely new direction, with a soft palette of greys. Meanwhile, pale greens and blues, with some darker highlight tones, featured in Scale Garden. Other colour trends in square and rectangular tiles were also referenced in Scale Cotto, Scale Mud, Scale Statuario and Scale White.

Sweethome by Azteca is a range of rectified porcelain tiles for wall and floor in a choice of four terrazzo-effect colourways. The format is 600 by 600mm.

Scale Shell, Scale Concrete and Scale Garden are new fish scale tiles from Realonda.

Metallics got a look in with Scale Shell Gold; dramatic dark hues in Scale Shell Anthracite, and stone-effects in the three option of Scale Stone.

There were even plain and pattern combinations in Scale Boho, Scale Gloss, and Scale Zellige.

The format is, nominally, 307 by 307mm with each tile featuring nine scales in three bands of three. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is certainly a format that can provide a powerful and distinctive statement in a crowded exhibition.

This is just one example of the return to vintage styles which continues to be a key driver in the interior design sector…and it is one that plays to Spanish tile manufacturers’ strengths.

Modern terrazzo Terrazzo has evolved and now features giant flecks, unusual colours or geometric patterns that have been over-layered with marble pieces.

Numerous tile brands displayed designs that tip their cap to traditional terrazzo but take this look in new directions. A key development is that it’s now possible to have a largerformat version – even a generous 3,600 by 1,200mm slab – as well as a wider variety of smaller sub-formats.

The show featured many examples of heritage-style terrazzo – a look that typically has tiny chips of marble or stone set in a cementitious ground

– but there were also many innovations and unexpected developments in this design thread.

Designed to bring a sense of natural decoration to walls and floors, new products experimented with scale to create a fresh new look.

Some terrazzo designs were more intricate with smaller patterns, while other tiles used scale to its maximum effect for a bold, modern look. Mixing materials was a standout trend, with a number of exhibitors marrying conglomerate designs with unrefined, urban-inspired concrete tiles to create a stunning visual effect.

These concrete, plaster and cementeffects are still a dominant trend.

Industrial in their overall aesthetic, there was a range of different finishes on offer from raw and urban, through to glamorous and refined. The oxidised concrete look proved very much on trend, bringing a distressed look to surfaces – tapping into the design movement towards utilitarianstyled interiors.

Colour palettes varied from cool, contemporary greys with pewter and steel tones, through to burnished, warmer shades of brass and rusted metals; many in elongated formats for maximum impact. Designs were complemented by a series of concrete structures and textured prints with a tactile feel to bring more dynamism to sleek spaces. www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #97 | 43

Beaumonts at Cevisama 2018 Christie Wood, strategic designer at Beaumont Tiles attended Cevisama. She identified some of the leading trends from the event.

The Osaka Multicolor is a floor tile and part of the Nassau range by Vives.

Magnificent marbles Marbles shone brightly this year.

Matte finishes have been replaced by a new generation of marbles with a high gloss finish that reflects light to great effect, or satins for a smooth sheen.

Designs were soft and restrained with warm tones and delicate veining, highlighted by the gloss finish. Carrara and Calacatta remain popular, with some stunning golden Carrara options delivering understated opulence. At the darker end of the spectrum there were many pulpis marble effects with directional veining, not surprising given this stone’s popularity in Spain. What was interesting was

Fanal captured a strong masculine look with its oxidized concrete designs in a number of colour options from grey and off white, through to warmer rusted metals. Here the textured matt finish was embellished with mica highlights.

44 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

how manufacturers have taken the pulpis look and reproduced it in less intense beige and grey colourways, as well as the natural rich brown.

Grey remains the neutral hue of choice in both gloss and matte finishes. A timeless shade that opens up spaces while adding a hint of colour, grey has defined interior spaces for some years now and continues to do so for marble effect tiles. Mid grey marbles were prominent, with gentle white veining delivering a monochromatic colour palette.

Linear structures inspired by natural organic forms also featured strongly, teamed with a concrete or plaster effects. Heavily textured, these linear designs have strong horizontal lines with a rough matte finish, for a real urban vibe. A complete contrast to the soft waves and undulating ripples that we see so often, this raw matte finish, combined with the stone-effect and linear structure, gives the tiles a powerful industrial appearance.

Distressed, reclaimed and whitewashed wood-effects are starting to filter through to interiors in a big way, and there were many great examples at Cevisama. Designs were faded and weathered to look aged. These new wood effects blend a number of different styles, from the

The colour blue has started to weave its way into tiling trends in the latter part of 2017 and is not losing momentum anytime soon. Duck egg blues and pastels are the on-trend colours, though any shade or a combination of multiple, will pay homage to this trend. “The use of blue across all tiling designs was certainly one of the main takeaway trends at this year’s Cevisama. This is the colour of the moment and was showcased in everything from organic terrazzo designs right through to subway and everything in-between,” said Wood.

“Blue is the perfect shade to complement the raw, earthy textures that styles are currently embracing. When contrasted against the rich deep brown of parquet timber look tiles, or brushed bronze tapware, the colour simply pops.”

From walls to countertops and even ceilings, large format tiles can now be applied to almost any flat surface. “Rendered walls are being reinvented with the use of absolutely huge large tile formats that can be anywhere up to 1000 x 3000,” said Wood.

“We’re seeing massive large format tiles across all categories, in fact they’re so large that they’re now being used to cover entire shower walls and even kitchen benchtops in lieu of marble.”

The industry can also expect to see a lot of experimentation with both shiny and matte metallic colour schemes as we move further into 2018.

Wood said, “Pushing the style boundaries and throwing out the fashion rulebook was the debut of loud and bold metallics exhibited across all tiling designs.

“One key take-away from this year’s Cevisama is to use copper hexagonal tiles to enhance the wow factor in outdated kitchens and bathrooms.

Use them on the walls, floor or they can create a unique and beautiful kitchen splashback.”

industrial-looking loft apartment through to a lighter, paired back Scandinavian chalet aesthetic.

Traditional wood effects were quite thin on the ground, with exhibitors embracing texture and pattern over classic woods, but the quality of the new traditional woodeffect ranges that were shown was quite sublime. Among the smaller formats, chevrons and herringbones remain popular.

Regarding the increasingly highprofile metallic finishes, old and rose gold, brass and copper topped the style stakes at Cevisama. For the last few years, companies and designers alike have been looking back in time, revamping classic, time-honoured materials. This phenomenon is inspired by the search for deeply grounded values and timeless objects; and reflects the cutting edge of today’s design world.

At Cevisama there were signs that tile manufacturers believe that architects and interior designers have put their minimalist leanings and preferences for neutral ceramic tiles to one side and are really starting to explore the possibilities of colourful small format hand-crafted ceramic tiles to add character to spaces.

Pavigres was another manufacturer to display oxidized concrete tiles, notable for its colour variation.

Pavigres also offered eye-catching coloured and patterned hexagonals.

Hallmarks of this throwback to the past include revamped handcrafted motifs and classic ceramic tile styles, all established strengths of Spanish tile manufacturers.

African and Latin American patterns are the inspiration behind

Stripes is a new series of wall and flooring tiles from the Shapes collection by Dune Ceramica.

many of these new, decorative designs. These are often combined with clever combinations of shapes and sizes to create interiors with a sense of rhythm and movement.

Current trends in shape and size also have a role to play when creating original interiors with lots of character. Hexagonal tiles are just the thing for adding a quirky touch to walls and floors. Among many Spanish manufacturers, the honeycomb pattern continues be popular. The eye-catching hexagonal shape, when laid in a way that alternates patterns and colours, makes it easy to come up with countless decorative options.

Hexagons are ideal for creating patterns or illustrations adapted to personal preferences.

Overall, many of Cevisama’s 2018 ceramic tile collections took us on a journey back in time, adding quirky touch and some bold interior looks.

While high-tech tiles continue to press forward in areas like façades, worktops and furniture manufacture, it seems that there is also growing room for smaller ceramic tile formats that transmit the essence of yesteryear thanks to their colours, formats, motifs and reliefs. ■ www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #97 | 45

F E AT U R ED P R ODUCTS

Bathe with quartz Italian design house ZAFF Designs have partnered with iStone to create the Louise bath in a white and brown quartz. The entire Louise bath range is made from patented iStone. This inert and non-toxic material is solid and formed by a chemical reaction in a mould. iStone is very durable with marks and scratches removable with natural cleaning products.

PACO JAANSON 1800 006 260 www.pacojaanson.com.au

Monochrome medley Maximo is a new addition to Beaumont Tiles stone look tile offering. An ideal main flooring choice, it utilises digital glaze technology to produce a silken finish that magnifies design elements for added depth to the veins of each tile’s design. Made in Australia, Maximo is a hard-wearing, large format, soft touch tile.

BEAUMONT TILES 08 8292 4444 www.beaumont-tiles.com.au

Enhancing natural stone Lithofin FVE is a new product for benchtops.

This high-performance solvent based impregnator that highlights the natural colour of stone and leaves a deep and vibrant finish.

The protective treatment also produces a water and oil repellent effect. It is food safe and easy to apply. Lithofin products are available from CDK Stone.

CDK STONE 03 8552 6000 www.lithofin-australia.com

Practicality meets style Vintage Wood is the latest tile to join Beaumont Tiles timber-look tile offering. Striking grain markings and colour variations from tile to tile create a sense of untamed beauty making it suitable for homes styled in country chic, coastal, eclectic bohemian, Scandinavian or global fusion trends.

BEAUMONT TILES 08 8292 4444 www.beaumont-tiles.com.au

Perfect colour, every time Davco has launched six new Easy Grout colours to match, complement or contrast any tiling project. Easy Grout guarantees no efflorescence and maximum colour consistency which makes it the safest and surest choice, according to Davco. Easy Grout is also reusable and requires no mixing or sealing.

PAREX DAVCO 1800 653 347 www.parexdavco.com.au

46 | TILE TODAY #97 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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NEWS

A speaker session at DesignBUILD 2018 in Melbourne.

DesignBuilding talks housing

Ardex invests in DTA

Build to rent could play a key role in addressing Australia’s housing crisis, but the tax system must adapt and more government incentives would need to be introduced to launch the model, according to industry experts speaking at DesignBUILD 2018.

Prefabrication was also lauded as another solution due to its lower costs and construction time. However, changing the mindset of consumers remains the biggest challenge faced by the industry in making it more mainstream in Australia.

These were just some of the important topics discussed at the 32nd annual DesignBUILD expo, which took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event is the only dedicated trade show to bring together the best in Australia’s built environment community.

Conference Director Pia Argiratos explains, “DesignBUILD is about bringing together people who are talking about the big topics that the industry is starting to deal with, and most importantly looking to drive change.

“With the Australian population continuing to swell at such a fast rate, this is a crucial time for the architecture, building, construction and design communities to come together and discuss some of the big challenges faced by their industries, and that’s what DesignBUILD is all about…”

DesignBUILD will be back between14-16 May, 2019 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour.

The Ardex Group has attained a strategic stake in DTA, a supplier of tools, trims and machinery for the wall and floor market. DTA was established in Australia in 1976 and is considered a leader in developing tile tools. It manufactures, imports and distributes high-end tools, trims and machinery throughout Australia, New Zealand and USA. Dedicated to delivering innovative, dependable products, DTA focuses on servicing the professional contractor.

“This joint venture is an exciting

addition to the Ardex strategy of system solutions,” said Mark Eslamlooy, CEO at Ardex Group. “The burgeoning synergies we develop with DTA will present additional value to our customers.”

DTA owner, Phillip Cozens, added, “DTA is proud to be welcomed into the fold of the ARDEX Group. “We anticipate building on opportunities for DTA in markets around the world.”

DTA will continue to operate independently from the Ardex companies in the US, Australia and New Zealand. There are no planned changes to personnel in either company.

For nearly 70 years, Ardex has been offering quality building chemicals with excellent processing reliability.

It is regarded as the brand of choice for installers and wholesalers. Ardex remains an independent, family-owned business with over 2,700 employees in 50 countries.

RLA moving forward The RLA Group has recently completed its brand new multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art technical centre in the Melbourne suburb of Kilsyth. It allows RLA to develop its latest adhesives and sealant products with additional attention on technology and performance, while better supporting QC and development labs in its manufacturing sites around Australia.

Technical manager, Steve Etches said this will help his team to better support the RLA Group not only within Australia, but globally throughout the Asia pacific region.

The company was also recently involved in the Trowel Trade Awards hosted by Holmesglen TAFE. David Van Keeken was awarded the best third year tiling award for 2017, at this year’s ceremony in Melbourne.

www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #97 | 49

NEWS

advertiser

index ACT Australia

34-35

Australian Tile Council

48

B.A.T. Trims

29

Beaumont Tiles

14-15

CDK Stone

9

Clear Software

37

Colortile 17 Distinctive Tile Imports

39

Efflock

29

Europe Imports

11

Everstone

5, 21

Finishes & Surfaces Magazine Inside Back Cover Floorex Products

41

Mapei

25

National Ceramics

7

Parex Davco

31

Prestige Tiles/RAK

19

RLA Polymers

27

Starstile (Fenice International)

Back Cover

Tile Power

2-3

Trade Port

13

Wedi

47

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Mondéco Rapide has been installed on the floors the Asics concept store in Brisbane.

Flowcrete relaunches Mondéco Flowcrete Australia has introduced Mondéco Rapide to its collection of highly decorative resin terrazzo floors.

Mondéco Rapide reduces the overall installation time associated with epoxy or polyurethane resin terrazzo flooring systems by up to 75%.

Based on a technology called PUMMA, Mondéco Rapide brings together the rapid curing power of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with the flexibility of polyurethane.

Craig Brookes, president of Flowcrete Group, said: “Being able to provide the same speed of cure of an MMA system alongside the flexibility and durability of polyurethane positions Mondéco Rapide as a truly unique offering in the market…

“One of the top design trends of 2018 is now at the fingertips of new-build and refurbishment projects that previously would have foregone terrazzo due to the prohibitive application schedule…

“This is ideal for a wide variety of locations, from shopping centres to stadiums – anywhere that needs a high performance, attractive finish but that can’t afford long periods of problematic downtime.”

The tough and elastic nature of polyurethane also enhances the flexibility of the MMA resin, which means that it can be easily applied on tiles and difficult substrates. It further streamlines the installation process because applicators don’t have to spend time prepping the substrate. Other trades are also able to work alongside the product, allowing for a schedule that saves time and cuts costs.

Flowcrete Australia has also rebranded Mondéco Marble which is now known as Mondéco EP. This move has been made to better distinguish the

epoxy-based system from its PUMMA based sister product.

Mondéco Rapide has already been used at The Rocks Centre in Sydney; 500sqm was used to revitalise the shopping centre’s concourse. A one-off colour called Grey Ghost was chosen and a special blend of marble chip aggregates was incorporated into the coating to give it a sparkling, dappled effect.

Mondéco Rapide’s fast curing capability combined with the fact that it could be laid on top of the existing tiles reduced the impact of the installation on the building’s tenants and shoppers.

To minimise hassle and stress for tenants, the work was undertaken in the evening and over stages to ensure there was no need for downtime.

The speed at which Mondéco Rapide can be installed made it the floor of choice for sports fashion brand Asics at its new Brisbane concept store. The project’s designers chose this system, as not only would it suit the store’s sleek and contemporary brand identity but it was completed in only two days and allowed other trades to work onsite shortly after installation.

Flowcrete Australia has offices in Brisbane and Sydney and is part of Flowcrete Asia Pacific.

The Rocks Centre in Sydney has 500sqm of Mondéco Rapide on its concourse.

YOUR DIRECT LINK TO THE COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE

ACCESS MORE: • Architects • Specifiers • Interior Designers Reserve your advertising pages now for the 2018 edition of Finishes & Surfaces Magazine.

CONTACT • Trudi Woodward +61 3 9890 0815 trudi.woodward@elitepublishing.com.au

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