Flooring Australia & New Zealand Magazine

FLOORING

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

june / july 2018

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Upfront

FLOORING

Welcome to the June/July 2018 edition of Flooring magazine.

In this issue – our biggest yet – we take a look at Buying Groups and Franchises in our special feature.

Our Icon for this issue is Bob Hoskins from Melbourne’s renowned Hoskins Carpet Gallery in Blackburn, Victoria; a community-minded business keeping it in the family and proudly local serving the community for many decades.

Bob is a proud ‘flooring man’ and a family man. You’ll really enjoy reading about his life and business.

We also have an insightful article from the people at Tarkett, and a great interview with the team at Ontera.

We always welcome your feedback.

Don't forget to like us on Facebook, and until next time...

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND june / july 2018

vol 36 no 3 News 04 Chinese Delegation Visits Armstrong Flooring 08 Carpet Court National Members Conference Interview 12 Ontera Overseas News 16 Create 'N' Connect at Domotex 2019 Icons 24 Bob Hoskins (OAM) Regular Reports 38 Carpets & Rugs 64 Airstep Retailer of the Month 70 Software Front Cover 01 Choices Flooring www.choicesflooring.com.au

Ronnie Gramazio Editor

www.flooringmagazine.com.au www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Flooring June/July 2018 | 3

News

Chinese Delegation Visits Armstrong Flooring Chinese visitors to Armstrong Flooring Australia examine a newly made flooring sample.

Australia’s only manufacturer of vinyl flooring has welcomed a large delegation of Chinese business and sales representatives to its headquarters at Braeside in South East Melbourne.

The 24 person delegation includes 15 customers accompanied by nine of Armstrong Flooring key salespeople in China.

Armstrong Flooring Chinese staff, whose sales areas include 31 regions and all of China’s major cities, have so far seen Australian flooring installed in 40 buildings in China.

Export market

Armstrong Australia General Manager Richard Ye said hosting the delegation was an important milestone for the company and its connection with the Chinese market. “Armstrong Flooring

Australia employs more than 100 people and China is one of our biggest export markets.”

“Our high-quality Australian-made flooring is used in hospitals, schools and office buildings across China.”

“The delegation of clients and Chinabased sales staff will help Armstrong Flooring Australia better connect with the Chinese market by building a deep understanding of our processes, capabilities, innovative approach and how our high-quality product is produced.”

“The visit is meant to help grow our sales in China and secure Australian jobs in South East Melbourne.

“The delegation members saw our factory in operation, watched staff create new colours to meet client specifications and met with staff and management,” Mr Ye said.

Global reputation

Kingston Mayor Cr Steve Staikos welcomed the visitors from China.

Cr Staikos said: “Quality Australian made products, such as Armstrong Flooring, has been identified as a preferred choice in a number of large scale local and national projects and it is commendable that Armstrong also has established a strong brand reputation globally.”

“With Armstrong Flooring Australia’s expansion into export markets, we look forward to watching with interest the company’s continuing success and seeing the community benefit it provides to our local community with regard to employment and local expenditure.”

“We warmly welcome our visitors from China and look forward to continuing strong economic ties with yourselves and our local businesses.”

Article by Jenny Ljunggren

You Could Win a Husqvarna FE450 Motorbike With the promotion currently underway and ending on July 31, 2018, Intafloors customers have a chance to win a Husqvarna FE450 motorbike when they purchase Husqvarna floor grinding machines from the Intafloors range or Husqvarna grinding consumables.

This is an Intafloors Group national promotion, and the following participating dealers involved, are: NSW: Intafloors Trade Depot Sydney 02 8678 5479 / Botany 02 8038 1111, QLD: Gibbon Group Trade Supplies Brisbane 07 3881 1777, McDonalds Flooring Accessories Molendinar QLD 07 5564 9999, SA: Seal and Sons Adelaide 08 8346 9833, VIC: FIS Distributors (HO) Keysborough 03 9768 7248 / Knoxfield 03 9764 2400 / Geelong 03 5521 6670 / Preston 03 9416 7878, WA: Kevmor Wholesale Trade Supplies Perth 08 9277 7177 See instore for details.

4 | Flooring June/July 2018

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News

An Exhibition Not to be Missed Cleantech in association with KGS Diamond Pads will be exhibiting and demonstrating the latest products and technology at the ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Exhibition to be held at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour on the 29th and 30th of August.

KGS will have experienced staff from overseas to demonstrate the latest systems to rejuvenate any stone floor. It will be hands-on and people will be able to trial them personally and obtain all the latest information to keep you ahead of your competitors. Cleantech/KGS is on Stand 168.

Birrus Matting Launch New Website Birrus has recently launched a brand-new website with many features designed to guide you to the best matting, tactiles and stair nosings for your project. There are many options to download: spec sheets, arrange for site measures, installation, sample requests and much more.

Birrus’ highly engineered architectural matting systems (see photos) are synonymous with style and quality. The company is passionate about Australian Made and all of their structural grade aluminium is extruded locally. They offer a large range of colours to suit any dÊcor.

Birrus also has an impressive range of surface mounted matting, tactiles, stair nosings and anti-slip grit tapes. Birrus

6 | Flooring June/July 2018

continues to grow from strength to strength after all of these years thanks to the best matting products on the market and their acclaimed customer service.

Their manufactured matting comes with a 10 year warranty and Birrus has distributors in each state.

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welcoming another addition

to the Choices Flooring family

e r o t s w ne in

ga

n Taura

Choices Flooring Tauranga (formerly The Carpet Couple) is proud to be the fourth Choices Flooring store to open in New Zealand. Independently owned and operated, Raewyn and Jason Fair have been helping home owners transform their households in Tauranga and surrounding areas for many years.

With the official store opening taking place in July 2018, the team at Choices Flooring Tauranga are already starting to make their mark.

We have been in the flooring industry for many years but it is great to be a part of such a respected and progressive Group. It has been such a smooth transition opening our new store, we couldn’t be happier! says Raewyn, Choices Flooring Tauranga store owner.

With a huge range of carpet, timber, laminate and luxury vinyl options, customers are sure to find the floor they’ve been searching for at their newly renovated showroom. With a fresh new look the store evolution aims to provide an unparalleled in-store experience. This is demonstrated by the new showroom layout, inspiring product displays and industry leading technology of the Inspiration Station which allows consumers to visualise over 2,000 different flooring options in their own room images.

“It is exciting to see our New Zealand network growing as we welcome Raewyn & Jason to the Choices Flooring family. We are looking forward to the official store opening night in July!” states Andrew Lewis, Newfurn CEO. Choices Flooring Tauranga welcome new and existing customers to their new showroom and are excited to help them find the floor they’ve been searching for.

Visit Choices Flooring Tauranga, Shop T23, Fraser Cove Shopping Centre.

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: New Zealand - John Nicholls

Australia - Tim Drew

Group Manager - Retail Development NZ

Group Manager - Retail Development AUS

Mobile: +64 27 322 8679

Mobile: +61 425 751 756

Email: jnicholls@choicesflooring.co.nz

Email: tdrew@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com

News

Carpet Court National Members Conference and Gala Event In May 2018, Carpet Court held its National Members Conference at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, in celebration of excellence in flooring, installation, training and customer service.

The exciting four day event culminated in a glamourous evening gala event where all 2018 award winners were announced. The theme of the of conference was ‘Be Inspired Beyond Expectations’.

Carpet Court CEO, James Hayward, said it’s important to show appreciation for the stores who have continued to exceed expectations and improve their services year on year.

“We pride ourselves on our customer relations, and these awards give us the opportunity to recoginse the exceptional teams in our stores across the country, who not only work exceptionally hard but offer outstanding service for our customers day in and day out.”

The 2018 awards ceremony recognised both new and existing Carpet Court members for their achievements within the Carpet Court network. Providing an opportunity to connect with other stores within Carpet Court’s national network, the event gives members the ability to share, inspire and learn from each other as part of a wider professional community.

The awards are divided into four different categories including Store of the Year for each respective state, Outstanding Achievement, Best Performing New Member and National Store of the Year.

Winning the top award, National Store of the Year, was Kelvin and Julie Collyer from Viaduct Carpet Court in Tamworth New South Wales. Both Kelvin and Julie were humbled and so proud that their wonderful team were recongnised for all their hard work.

Carpet Court recently introduced a new award, the Carpet Court Hall of Fame Award. In recognition of the rich history and legacy created by retiring members, the Hall of Fame Award

8 | Flooring June/July 2018

highlights those who have been significant contributors for over 30 years with Carpet Court.

Below is a list of national winners in the 2018 Carpet Court Members Store Awards: National Store of the Year

Viaduct Carpet Court – Tamworth Kelvin and Julie Collyer

Best Performing New Member

Jindalee Carpet Court – Jindalee Diccon Riley and Gavin Bowman

Outstanding Achievement

Colac Carpet Court – Colac Rod and Yvonne McDonald, with Darren and Megan Leeson and Yasna

Store of the Year (VIC/TAS)

Ringwood Carpet Court – Ringwood Josh and Heath Benninga

Store of the Year (NSW/ ACT)

Viaduct Carpet Court – Tamworth Kelvin and Julie Collyer

Store of the Year (SA)

Barossa Carpet Court - Nuriootpa Brian and Angela Grant

Store of the Year (WA)

Albany Carpet Court – Albany Jens and Jane Barslund

Store of the Year (QLD/NT)

Capalaba Carpet Court – Capalaba Eliseo and Margaret Censori, with Jason Wells (Manager)

Congratulations to the following inductees to the Carpet Court Hall of Fame: Peter and Lois Terry

Terry Bros Carpet Court Young/Cootamundra NSW

Fraser and Jenny McNaught

Alpine Carpet Court Bright VIC

Brian Buckley (accepted by his son Craig)

Buckleys Carpet Court Orange/Bathurst NSW

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INGRAIN & INSCRIBE

NEW CARPET PLANKS Ideal for retail and office fitouts, the new 250mm x 1000mm Ingrain and Inscribe carpet planks feature texture paired with a neutral colour palette. Also suited to hotel rooms, common area interiors for apartments and public space projects, these easy to install and in-stock quality solution dyed nylon carpet planks are the perfect solution for a quick turnaround on urgent projects. The colour, texture and format of the planks have been carefully crafted, whilst maintaining thoughtful attention to providing a product that delivers maximum effect and performance with incredible value when it comes to the project bottom-line.

With a Contract Extra Heavy Duty rating paired with our Stain Warden ÂŽ stain resistance, Ingrain and Inscribe will withstand heavy foot traffic and the extensive demands of a commercial environment.

Contact your Godfrey Hirst Account Manager to order sampling and discuss your next Commercial project.

PH AU: 1300 444 778 PH NZ: 0800 500 210 W W W. G O D F R E Y H I R S T. C O M

News

ADVERTORIAL

From left to right: Lindsay Hunt (General Manager), Joe Basha (Chairman), Brian Fitzsimmons, David Quilty and Kevin Delbridge (Directors). Front: Chris Hunneybell (Office administrator).

Australian Floorstyle Cooperative Annual Conference Australian Floorstyle Cooperative held their annual conference at Sea World Resort Conference Centre on the Gold Coast recently and again a great success.

The format was a half a day Friday Members-only conference including special guest speakers Stuart Budge and Kendell Waller from Premium Floors, Stuart’s was outstanding the members walked out of the room blown away with his presentation an outstanding speaker indeed.

Speed Dating or Networking as others refer to the event which key suppliers set up booths and many members that attended met with their

10 | Flooring June/July 2018

representatives on the Friday after lunch with a poolside BBQ in the afternoon well into the night and Saturday night on completion of the speed dating with a Gala Dinner and back to the lobby bar.

The highlight of the weekend was definitely the success of the speed dating and not forgetting the entertainment at the dinner which included a comedian – DJ and on request the screening on two screen world cup soccer game between Australia and France also Australia V Ireland Rugby series on the other screen even though the aussies lost both gamers in the end it was great to watch. Not to mention the cricket after.

All of our key suppliers attended and the booths displays were outstanding, time and effort put into the event made it well worthwhile, they are all to be congratulated and without their support and event like this would not be possible.

With substantial growth within The Australian Floorstyle Cooperative in the past three years and several retail stores approved by the board of directors at our last board meeting the group is going from strength to strength year on year.

Key suppliers (below) that supported the conference this year thank you for your support.

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HYCRAFT CARPETS

PURE WOOL CARPET Contact us today for new sampling opportunities

PICTURED: HYCRAFT CARRAMAR IN EVENING GREY

PHONE: 1300 444 778 WWW.GODFREYHIRST.COM

Interview

We discuss the Moisture Mitigation Service that Ontera are offering…

Site Related Solutions with Ontera Q. Please tell us a bit about the moisture mitigation service you are offering?

In the modern building environment of stretched budgets and reduced time to complete jobs, flooring contractors need support in delivering high-quality installs that meet specifications, budgets, deadlines and can be handed over with confidence.

Ontera’s fully warranted Site Related Solutions (SRS) system has an exceptional 25-year track record of successfully mitigating against moisture in concrete slabs in the USA – and it’s now available in Australia and New Zealand for both new build and refurbishment projects.

The issue we are addressing is estimated to cost the industry more than $100 million annually in Australia alone. Effectively it’s about working with the level of moisture in concrete. SRS allows concrete to do what it is designed to do, emit moisture as it cures. For refurbishments it can mitigate the need for grinding off old adhesives.

Site Related Solutions is all about the unique combination of Ontera’s non-reactive standard adhesive and our WellBAC™ open cell cushion carpet tile.

The use of Ontera’s open cell WellBAC™ cushion-backed modular carpet, together with our Non-Reactive Standard adhesive: • Prevents the possibility of concrete slab moisture-related issues from occurring

12 | Flooring June/July 2018

• Ensures moisture mitigation is built directly into every Ontera WellBAC™ cushion backed carpet tile — it is an inherent property of the cushion backing itself.

• Allows installation of carpet to begin as quickly as 90 days after a new pour is complete.

No moisture testing is required. There are no RH or pH limits. Both carpet and adhesive are fully warranted under virtually every circumstance.

It’s all about saving time and money, being fully confident in the install and having the Ontera warranty as peace of mind. * Ontera requires that all new concrete pours comply with AS 2870 Q. How does this service work and who is it for?

Ontera’s Site Related Solutions system provides benefits for all members of the flooring industry supply chain from designers and architects to builders and flooring contractors.

With SRS system, architects and

designers can maintain the integrity of the specification that was designed, with no additional costs associated with moisture mitigation required. Builders and flooring contractors save on costs of grinding or sealing slabs meaning faster turn around and peace of mind in terms of product failure from moisture issues.

Implementation of Ontera’s Site Related Solutions is very simple. It’s a matter of installing Ontera WellBAC™ cushion backed tiles with our Nonreactive standard adhesive. Under normal circumstances, we know that newly poured slabs can take 4 to 5 months to cure to a workable RH level.

With SRS, you can install as soon as 90 days after a new pour.

Ontera WellBAC™ Cushion Backed modular carpet products have been designed to manage moisture simply and effectively. We let natural processes happen naturally. With our WellBAC™ cushion backed tiles, water vapour has a way to escape. It travels freely through our open-cell cushion structure until evaporating naturally through seams at the edges of each carpet tile.

14

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Ontera Site Related Solutions Moisture Mitigation System

Ontera Cushion Backed Carpet + Ontera Non-Reactive Standard Adhesive

Installation after 90 days of newly poured concrete No moisture testing required* No RH or pH limits Fully Warranted System Save time and money Suitable for renovation & new construction

Australia Toll Free: 1800 668372 New Zealand Toll Free: 0800 668372 onteracustomerservice@milliken.com * Must comply with AS2870 and AS2455

ontera.com.au

Interview Q. Expand a little about the history of Ontera and how this new service fits in with your other services Ontera Modular Carpets Pty Ltd is a design-focused flooring leader with a 30-year history throughout the Australian and New Zealand markets. Our expertise covers design, manufacturing and supply – dedicated to creating unique and inspirational interior spaces in the Commercial, Education, Health & Aged Care, Hospitality and Retail sectors.

As a member of the Milliken family of companies, Ontera can harness global resources to implement world’s best flooring solutions. From environmental sustainability to manufacturing excellence, Ontera’s commitment to ‘doing good’ drives our innovation and production process, by enhancing people’s everyday lives through our products on health and wellbeing, environment and productivity.

The new Ontera Site Related Solution system seamlessly incorporates two market leading products in the NonReactive Standard Adhesive and our WellBAC™ open cell cushion back modular carpet. This unique combination delivers unrivalled peace of mind and insurance to specifiers, installers, builders and the end-users of our products.

14 | Flooring June/July 2018

We also offer our clients design freedom to customise their projects, delivering on their needs and expectations with a comprehensive 15year product warranty.

Q. Is this service unique to Ontera?

Yes, Site Related Solutions is unique to Ontera throughout Australia and New Zealand and the Milliken group globally.

Ontera’s WellBAC™ Cushion Backed modular carpet products have been designed to manage moisture simply and effectively. The open cell cushion technology which allows water vapour to evaporate naturally through the seams at the edge of each carpet tile.

When combined with our Non-Reactive standard adhesive, the result is a fully warranted moisture mitigation system.

Other market solutions are proposed (eg floor grinding, sealing the slabs or adhesive tab systems) but by comparison, they are extremely costly or have multiple conditions that are not fully warranted.

That’s what makes Ontera’s Site Related Solutions unique - Ontera stands behind all of our WellBAC™ cushion-backed modular carpet products with a lifetime warranty against adhesive breakdown due to moisture.

In addition - Ontera installation solutions do not require moisture

testing. Our unique WellBAC™ cushion backing and its moisture vapour-wicking properties allow Ontera modular carpet to handle concrete with higher relative humidities than other products. Provided our timing guidelines are followed, our products have no pH or RH limits. Nor does Ontera require moisture testing prior to installation.

Expensive and time-consuming moisture-based failures are therefore eliminated.

“Our unique WellBAC™ cushion backing and its moisture vapourwicking properties allow Ontera modular carpet to handle concrete with higher relative humidities than other products.”

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Flooring that inspires.

Tarkett’s 2018 collection • Modular carpet tiles • Sports flooring • Acoustic & safety flooring • Vinyl Oh, and now with LVT! WWW.TARKOSPEC.COM.AU

Overseas News

Create ‘N’ Connect at Domotex 2019 The redesigned DOMOTEX – with its more transparent clustering of allied products and the visually stunning “Framing Trends” showcase – has been warmly embraced by the market and is now gearing up for its second season.

DOMOTEX 2019 will run under the banner of “CREATE’N’CONNECT”, a keynote theme that puts the spotlight on innovative flooring industry developments and ideas inspired by today’s connectivity megatrend.

Powered by advanced technology and digital change, being connected is a tremendously important aspect of our daily lives and interaction at home and on the job. Connectedness is an important aspect of flooring in the sense that floors are unifying, connecting elements of room design. Floors and flooring provide the very foundation for the rooms in which we live and work. Floors inspire us, give us orientation and set the stage for human interaction. “CREATE’N’CONNECT” keynote theme to be creatively staged by trend Leaders.

The “Framing Trends” display area in Hall 9 at DOMOTEX 2019 is a unique opportunity for manufacturers to breathe life into the “CREATE’N’CONNECT” theme and thereby demonstrate their creative genius and position themselves as trendsetters of the flooring industry.

Complete with a quality supporting 18 16 | Flooring June/July 2018

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

With over 140 members & counting,

we’ve got Australasia covered.

For a strictly confidential discussion about the future direction of your business, please contact: New Zealand - John Nicholls

Australia - Tim Drew

Group Manager - Retail Development NZ

Group Manager - Retail Development AUS

Mobile: +64 27 322 8679

Mobile: +61 425 751 756

Email: jnicholls@choicesflooring.co.nz

Email: tdrew@choicesflooring.com.au

choicesflooring.com

Overseas News program of talks, lectures and discussions inspired by the keynote theme, “Framing Trends” is a vibrant networking platform and the beating heart of DOMOTEX. It is a place where creatives from all parts of the design spectrum can gather, make connections and contacts and spark new business opportunities. For manufacturers, retailers and designers, it is also a rich source of inspiration for new collections.

With its out-of-the-ordinary artistic staging and groundbreaking product presentations, “Framing Trends” is an absolute magnet for fashion and lifestyle-savvy visitors, architects, interior decorators, designers and influencers.

“Framing Trends”: apply to exhibit and start making connections

As a major highlight of DOMOTEX, the “Framing Trends” display area is one of the main stops on the show’s special Guided Tours for architects and journalists. This premium exposure is further enhanced by the area’s strong presence in the organizer’s social media channels and on the DOMOTEX website. Furthermore, companies that give exclusive interviews at DOMOTEX are permitted to use the interviews for their own promotional purposes. As in 2018, the “Framing Trends” showcase at DOMOTEX 2019 will have a Blogger Lounge where bloggers and visitors can meet up, talk and collaborate.

The “Framing Trends” display includes the “Flooring Spaces” zone – a series of spaces where selected exhibitors and companies from the flooring industry can stage their unique, creative visions of the “CREATE’N’CONNECT” theme in the form of physical installations, interactive display circuits or workshops. Applications for participation at the “Flooring Spaces” zone are now open. Each applying organization is invited to submit a design proposal for a “Flooring Space” of any size from 20 sqm to 60 sqm. On request, the DOMOTEX organizers will arrange for designers to help applicants with their proposals. An expert jury made up of big-name designers and architects will select the participating exhibitors from among the applicants. The jury will make its decision by the fall of 2018.

Examples of creative flooringrelated connections

The connectivity theme can be creatively expressed in many wonderful ways, as the following examples from the flooring and various allied industries show. Business decision-makers who participated in the inaugural “Framing Trends” 20 18 | Flooring June/July 2018

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CARPETCOURT.COM.AU 1300 CARPET Carpet | Classic Soft | Spanish Cream

Overseas News

showcase were full of praise for the enhanced DOMOTEX format. Their stories are glowing reports of successful business contacts made at DOMOTEX 2018.

For instance, Jutta Werner, CEO of Nomad, an interdisciplinary design firm in Hamburg, described the “Flooring Spaces” area as a “well signposted proving ground for innovation and contemporary thinking.”

She said the response to her presentation there was “overwhelming.”

Benny Jensen, CEO of Denmark’s Fletco Carpets, was impressed with the Guided Tours and their ability to communicate targeted information to visitors. He said the tours enabled his company to present its new, awardwinning “LockTiles” product directly to a quality, pre-qualified audience.

Jensen noted that “architects, designers and planners made a special point of visiting the ‘Framing Trends’ display.”

Floor coverings manufacturer Classen used the “Flooring Spaces” zone at “Framing Trends” to present a vision of a living space from the future. The 20 | Flooring June/July 2018

flooring creation at the heart of Classen’s “Flooring Space” was developed specially for DOMOTEX at the company’s own design center, while the creative design and production of the space as a whole was undertaken on Classen’s behalf by a designer. The presentation

raised Classen’s profile as an innovator.

Marketing Director Heinz-Dieter Gras says the visitors showed a “great deal of interest” and described the presentation as “spectacular” and “masterfully done”.

Thomas Trenkamp, CEO of Carpet Concept, was very pleased with the “massive response” to his company’s “Framing Trends” presentation generated in the press and among industry peers and trade visitors. The kaleidoscope project which Carpet Concept realized in partnership with Schmidhuber, Munich, was a major attraction on site, in the press and across social media channels.

Creative Matters, a Canadian design firm that specializes in carpets, rugs and wall coverings, staged a series of creative workshops that proved enormously popular with attendees.

President and cofounder Carol Sebert described “Framing Trends” as a “vibrant, high-energy” showcase that enabled exhibitors and visitors to “experience the latest innovations and creations in the flooring world first-hand.” Jürgen Dahlmanns, the founder and creative mind behind cutting-edge German carpet label Rug Star, believes that DOMOTEX’s managers have moved the show in an “exciting new direction” with Framing Trends. “It’s a fun thing to be involved in as an exhibitor”.

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Overseas News

Textile floor coverings specialist Balta Group, of Belgium, has been exhibiting at DOMOTEX right from the early days.

Marketing Director Geert Vanden Bossche said the new format has “further cemented the strong connection” his organization felt with DOMOTEX. Balta exhibits both at DOMOTEX in Hannover and at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR in Shanghai.

DOMOTEX 2019 will be held in Hannover, Germany, from 11 to 14 May (Monday through Friday). The show is expected to feature around 1,400 exhibitors from more than 60 nations.

SEBO Vacuum Cleaner Earns its Stripes at London’s Block Universe Arts Festival “When most people think of SEBO they associate it with vacuuming the corridors of prestige locations and facilities where indoor air quality is important, but who would have thought SEBO’s upright vacuum cleaner technology would take centre stage at the Block Universe festival in London”, said Kristine Collins, SEBO Australia.

On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May, SEBO’s amazing brush action was used to prepare a unique live installation by New York based artist and choreographer, Maria Hassabi.

The SEBO professional vacuum cleaner created stunning stripes on a 40-square metre shocking pink carpet that formed an integral part of Maria’s dance performance Hassabi performed on the SEBO stripes between 11am and 7pm each day at London’s newest cultural hub, The Store X on the Strand. Making her debut in the UK, her breakthrough live installation of movement was part of the popular Block Universe Festival that takes place annually in the capital.

The acclaimed international performance art festival brings together

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cutting-edge performance art at the cross-section of contemporary visual art, dance and music.

Block Universe Production Manager, Xica Aires says: “We wanted to create neat lines and a flawless finish to bring

Maria’s live installation to life. She was already familiar with SEBO’s legendary performance which is why she specifically asked for the machine.”

Visit: www.sebo.com.au

Flooring June/July 2018 | 21

Overseas News a homogeneous surface, but matches the architecture of the building and gives it a futuristic touch at the same time.

The entire flooring surface of 80 square meters was equipped with LED video elements and covered with patented glass that reduces reflection to a minimum.

ASB GlassFloor collaborated with the responsible architects from RKD Architects and the lighting experts from ARUP in order to achieve the homogeneous interior of the building.

Innovation from Bavaria for the Digital Waterfall

“While developing the floor we were asked whether we could chip in our know-how also for a digital waterfall” says Christof Babinsky. The waterfall was supposed to give the impression of falling down over four storeys into the digital lake. Just like the lake, the waterfall consists of LED and glass elements. “For the waterfall, we provided a real cuttingedge service. A special laser technique ensures that the glass hardly reflects and that the glass surface can be used as a transparent balustrade with a height of 440 centimetres. This is the first solution of this kind worldwide.”

The finished installation gives the impression of water flowing down, while the floor appears like a water surface.

“Both elements can be controlled individually per Plug&Play via HDMI interface and with a single video file, which makes operation extremely easy” says

Microsoft’s Art Floor An eye-catcher of a different kind welcomes colleagues and visitors at the new Microsoft Campus in Ireland.

A digital lake with a digital waterfall gives the spacious atrium a futuristic touch, a one-of-a-kind art installation with innovative technology. The ASB GlassFloor was adjusted in order to meet the particular requirements. The result is an impressive visual experience that can also be used for customer events and presentations. ASB GlassFloor is headquartered in Germany and is internationally active in 70 countries, although primarily in the UK and the USA. Microsofts’ new 34.000 square meter Campus lies in Leopardstown. Different teams work from the Dublin suburb, and also the technology moguls’ first data 22 | Flooring June/July 2018

centre outside the United States has its seat there. The modern building, which is shaped like a star, welcomes more than two thousand colleagues and visitors with this digital lake and digital waterfall.

The high-tech company assigned ASB GlassFloor with the realisation. “With our GlassFloors for sports applications we have a patented solution, which, with its’ integrated LEDs, is individually controllable and easy to configure” says Christof Babinsky, Managing Director of ASB GlassFloor. “Microsoft approached us to design a complying artificial lake; a very exciting task with which we were able to show new facets of our product.’

ASB GlassFloor designed a special construction for this flooring with a pixel pitch of 25mm which not only ensures

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Christof. “This way we achieve a unique effect on anyone who enters the building; and Microsoft has numerous new possible uses of the atrium. For instance, floor and waterfall can welcome visitors individually, which makes it more personal. Or they could be used to transform the spacious atrium into a monumental presentation surface.”

Not only Microsoft, but their customers and employees are delighted with the result. Christof is enthusiastic about the new possibilities as well. He says “This is a new and absolutely revolutionary appliance of our GlassFloor. We are glad to have realised this impressive project together with Microsoft.” On 22 February 2018, the new Dublin Microsoft Campus and hence Europe’s highest interior glass balustrade was inaugurated.

ASB was founded in 1965. The company has always relied on high value creation on the basis of quality and intelligent design. ASB is an important development partner for the leading international squash associations and has brought the sport several groundbreaking innovations. As a leading squash court supplier, ASB is thoroughly familiar with everything that is expected from a top-quality sports venue. On the basis of its many years of experience and sound materials expertise, the company has developed further, and ASB GlassFloor is now the only manufacturer of glass flooring for sports venues in the world.

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Flooring June/July 2018 | 23

Icons

Bob Hoskins (OAM)

In this issue of Flooring magazine, our ICON is Bob Hoskins from Hoskins Carpet Gallery in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs. Bob is the true definition of a family man and his career and family-owned business in Blackburn is a testament to his hard work and determination. With a true community-minded spirit at its core, the business and Bob are undoubtedly shining lights in the flooring world.

24 | Flooring June/July 2018

I was born in Ballarat. My father owned and operated a retail store in Sturt Street. We moved to Melbourne when I was sixteen years of age and we lived in Blackburn, a fast-growing suburb.

Orchards were making way for many subdivisions and hundreds of houses were being built. Most of these were being purchased by first home buyers and a typical house and land package cost around 4000 pounds ($8000).

They were sold completely empty without floorcoverings or curtains. The shopping centre was half developed prior to WW2, however the post war influx of new residents saw a rapid increase in new shops and other commercial properties.

My father had retired in his sixties and played bowls at the local club with a friend who was a real estate agent. This friend had an auction of a commercial block in the main shopping centre opposite the railway station. My father decided to walk past at the time of the auction just out of interest. I can honestly say that that was the only reason my father went along. When he returned home, to my mother’s amazement, he confessed that he had bought the block!

He had no idea what he was going to do with it, other than to hold onto it for a while and then subdivide it. While at a family wedding, he was discussing with my uncle the property he had just bought. My uncle worked in a furniture/

floorcovering store on the other side of Melbourne. He explained that they were sending furniture and floorcoverings every week to Blackburn to accommodate the growing community. He mentioned that my father should consider opening a store. It was at that point, at the age of eighteen, that my career took shape.

We opened our store named Hoskins Furniture on October 28th 1954.

The business grew quickly and we soon started employing staff to help us. One of our employees had previous floorcovering experience and set up the floorcovering department for us. At that time, we were dealing in mainly 27” woven Axminster or felted carpets and linoleum which all disappeared in favour of 12’ wide tufted carpet and vinyl. Our laying service was very basic with deliveries being made and goods unloaded in the car park behind the shop. The carpet was then “made up” either in the back of the shop or in our layers garage where it could be sown together the night before the job. We had no shortage of customers due to the population booming and the settlement of Melbourne Eastern Suburbs and as a result, the business thrived.

My father retired in 1964 and from then onwards, I ran the business. In 1990, my son Peter joined me and on my retirement took over the reins of running the business. In the 64 years the

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26

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business has been established, it has had four name changes: Hoskins Furniture, Hoskins Furniture and Floorcoverings, Hoskins Carpet Choice and lastly Hoskins Carpet Gallery.

The 1950’s were very opportunistic to commence any business as the population was booming and products were in short supply. The downside however was that suppliers were reluctant to open new accounts. However, we found that once we could convince a supplier to do so, others that had previously declined, then followed suit.

Like most businesses, we have had our ups and downs over our 64 years in business. As the larger furniture companies opened up along Whitehorse Road, our small furniture store struggled to compete. We made the decision in the mid 1990’s to stop selling furniture and expand our floorcoverings. Today, there are also many large flooring companies out there but Hoskins prides itself on its many years of experience and good old-fashioned service. We have many 26 | Flooring June/July 2018

customers who have bought carpet from us and then come back years later when it needs replacing.

I miss the contact and friendships made with the rep’s which were forged during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s as most have long retired. I definitely miss the social aspect of the business the most.

Prior to opening the business, neither my father or I had any flooring experience.

I still remember him saying “We will soon learn”. Dad had many years of retailing experience in other areas and because of this, I always knew that retail was where I wanted my career to go as well.

As I mentioned, it was fairly easy to start up a business in the 50’s. These days, it is much more difficult. Today, any business has to start up in an already very competitive market. My advice to any young entrepreneur would be to get as much experience as you can; working in the industry that they are hoping to start up. I would also suggest that they try to have a point of difference and not just be price orientated.

“The company is now run by my son Peter and his wife Amanda. They have made many changes, modernising the store and focusing on our core customer base.

They specialise is quality wool carpet, timber and vinyls and pride themselves on keeping up to date with all the newest looks in flooring. ” www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Icons

I had a major setback in the May of 1960. I had only been married for seven months when I had a very serious car accident that resulted in my being in the Box Hill Hospital for eight months. Both the business and my family life suffered.

We did manage to keep the business going and continue making a small profit.

When I finally returned to work, I was determined to put my accident behind me and rebuild the business back up.

I always regarded the business as the engine room of our family lifestyle. My wife and I had four growing children and we were determined to give them the best life we could. I gave the business top priority and as a result, put in many hours and a lot of hard work to build it into a successful business.

Over the years I have enjoyed having many people in my life who I have regarded as mentors. For one, my father and his previous experiences in the retail industry. Also, sometime around 1970, we joined the Newfurn group.

The chairman was a wise gentleman named Len Butler. He took Jack Swinton and myself under his wing with lots of encouragement and advice. I don’t think Jack or I realized at the time that he was grooming us to take over from him as chairman. (I for a few years but Jack for many more). Later Newfurn split its flooring division to become Carpet Choice with Jack Swinton as Chairman and myself as Deputy Chairman. This worked very well as Jack was in Swan Hill and I was in Melbourne so we shared much

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of the administration. As mentioned in a previous ICON article, we recruited Paul Amos as CEO. He taught us so much as to how to run a large organization. He contributed a great deal to the Groups’ success. I was greatly saddened to hear of Paul’s recent passing. He was a tremendous asset to the flooring world and also a very good friend. I will miss him a lot.

The company is now run by my son Peter and his wife Amanda. They have made many changes, modernising the store and focusing on our core customer base. They specialise is quality wool

carpet, timber and vinyls and pride themselves on keeping up to date with all the newest looks in flooring. Our sales staff have decades of experience and knowledge in all aspects of flooring and will always go above and beyond to give our customers the best quality service and products.

I would not describe the flooring industry as a united force. However, it has definitely improved over the last decade.

Most retailers have more respect for one another. An example of this is at events such as the recent Variety Charity Golf Day. Many suppliers and retailers got together and it was a great day.

Our main focus will continue to be to work with good people, both staff and suppliers and to sell products that we truly believe in. We will continue to produce excellent service and products that will meet and exceed our customers expectations. This attitude has taken the business to beyond 60 years.

I actually officially retired from the business 10 years ago but I still enjoy coming in to help Peter and the team out when needed. At 82 years old, the coming years will probably see me in the store less and less as I move onto the next phase of my life. My wife Beverley and I are shortly downsizing, leaving our family home of 47 years. We will definitely be staying in Blackburn though.

I look back on the last 64 years of retailing in the flooring business and the people I have met and the friendships formed will be something that I truly value.

Flooring June/July 2018 | 27

FCIA News

FCIA Hosts Inaugural Annual General Meeting FCIA Industry Presentations 1.MJS “Partners in Performance” Contractor’s conference: 18th – 20th May 2018 FCIA delivered a Keynote Speech at the opening luncheon of the MJS Floorcoverings 25th Anniversary Conference in Brisbane. The conference was attended by more than 150 guests from the Commercial Flooring Sector. The conference dinner at the Madam Wu Restaurant provided the opportunity to meet with many Commercial Contractors and retailers from all states in Australia. This resulted in a greater understanding of the objectives of the FCIA and the needs of the Commercial Contracting sector of the Flooring Industry.

The FCIA held its inaugural Annual General Meeting at the Pullman Hotel on the 30th May 2018. Following an inspiring audio-visual introduction, Andrew Lewis, Chair of the FCIA, highlighted the achievements of the FCIA since its inception in January 2017. Andrew also pinpointed the challenges facing the industry and the aspirations of the FCIA to influence skills recognition and development, Industry best practice and continuous improvement for all sectors of the Australian Flooring Industry. Andrew then handed over to Garry Thomas (FCIA CEO) to present the Directors Report and resolutions for consideration

by Members.

The following Members were elected as Directors of the 11 Member board, representing all sectors of the Australian Flooring Industry: David Aikins

Independent

Wood Flooring Association Vic

Stuart Budge

Timber Sector

Premium Floorcoverings

Brian Cooper

Retail Sector

Andersens Flooring

Scott Foster

Resilient Sector

Polyflor

James Hayward

Retail Sector

Carpet Court

Robert Herten

Carpet Sector

Signature Floors

Michael Keam

Resilient Sector

Armstrong Flooring

Andrew Lewis

Retail Sector

Newfurn Floorcoverings

Justin Losinski

Commercial Sector

Finesse Flooring

Simon Scott

Timber Sector

Clever Choice

Brett Sturgess

Carpet/Accessories

MJS Floorcoverings

Wood Flooring Association votes to Merge with FCIA

At a historic Special General Meeting of the Wood Flooring Association of Victoria (WFA) on 9th May 2018, it was unanimously agreed to merge with the FCIA. The merger brings a wealth of specialist expertise in timber, hard flooring and floor finishing to the FCIA and its industry Panels. This expertise includes technical and industry sector skills in timber and engineered products, investigations, installation, sanding, finishing, adhesives, and accessories.

In recognition of the Merger, David Aikins, an executive of the WFA, was elected to the FCIA Board of Directors.

28 | Flooring June/July 2018

2. Carpet Court “Inspired beyond Expectations” Conference: 21st – 22nd May 2018 Together with more than 30 flooring manufactures and suppliers, FCIA participated in a national expo hosted by Carpet Court, held at the RACV Resort on the gold Coast. The Expo was a central part of the annual Carpet Court Members conference, attended by more than 300 guests. The expo was a tremendous opportunity to meet with Carpet Court store owners who were keen to learn more about the national rollout of our Apprenticeship and Trade Card Programs.

Rob Cole, FCIA National Training Manager, explains FCIA’s unique apprentice residential workshops to a Carpet Court Store owner.

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A SINGLE VOICE FOR THE ENTIRE AUSTRALIAN FLOORING COMMUNITY Advocacy Stakeholder Engagement Best Practice Industry Panels Innovation e-Learning National Image One Industry Quality Trade Cards Training ‘Cutting Edge’ Apprenticeships

Phone (03) 9832 0663 Email info@fcia.org.au

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fcia.org.au

FCIA News Queensland embraces Training in Flooring Technology

2. Funding available for the recognition of existing installers for FCIA Trade Card

1. Flooring Technology Apprenticeship Rollout in Queensland

The Queensland Government has advised the FCIA that it is prepared to contribute funding to a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program specifically aimed at upskilling experienced flooring installers. Funding of more than $4,000 will be available to train eligible installers via the Qld Government’s Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program. Installers participating in the program will gain the same qualification as Flooring Apprentices and will be entitled to an FCIA Trade Card. The funding will be paid directly to the RTO to cover assessment and gap training costs. Installers will be charged a student contribution fee. It is expected that the program will become available in October this year. Places may be limited so it is important to get in early. To express interest in the program, Installers can complete an on-line application for Trade Card via the FCIA Website.

FCIA has partnered with TAFE Queensland Skills Tech (TQST) to deliver accredited Skills training for both apprentices and existing installers.

As part of the FCIA’s national rollout of apprenticeships in Certificate III in Flooring technology TQST has partnered with the FCIA to deliver the MSF30183 throughout Queensland for Members of the FCIA. Our industry driven model is funded by the Queensland Government and incorporates our unique residential training workshops renovating the clubhouses of local community and sporting organisations. Utilising skilled trainers, state of the art e-learning materials, and workplace-based training and assessment, this model has attracted more than 175 new apprentices to the industry in less than 12 months.

Enrolments have commenced. Expressions of interest can be lodged online via the FCIA Website.

FCIA offers 50% refund for skilled installers completing CIV in Training & Assessment As the FCIA moves towards our target of more than 500 apprentices in the next 12 months, there will be a growing need for qualified flooring trainers and assessors to work with our partner RTOS to deliver the Certificate III in flooring Technology.

Installers who have enrolled in the TAE40116 and can present their certificate of completion will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the Training fee.

By enrolling and registering with the FCIA, installers will automatically become associate Members. The FCIA is the only flooring industry association which offers Membership to installers. Membership will entitle Installers to access to FCIA publications, workplace relations advice, promotion to FCIA Members, access to our Trade Card program and participation in FCIA industry advisory panels.

To be eligible for the refund installers must: 30 | Flooring June/July 2018

• Be sole traders or Pty Ltd companies with an ABN; • Have appropriate insurances; • Demonstrated extensive skills and experience in carpet, resilient or timber flooring; • Be prepared to negotiate a contract with a Registered Training Organisation to train and assess Flooring apprentices.

If you are an experienced installer or know of installers who are interested in getting off the tools and teaching up and coming layers your skills, this is an outstanding opportunity to help the FCIA future proof the industry. Positions will become available in most states and territories across Australia.

Interested Installers can send an email attention the FCIA National Training Manager, info@fcia.org.au

Experienced installer and Trainer/assessor for TFIA Business Services, Andrew Cartledge, inspects the work of a Victorian Apprentice at the FCIA’s residential program at Edithvale Golf Club.

To express interest in the program, Installers can complete an on-line application for Trade Card via the FCIA Website, or complete our installer survey via Facebook or via the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ FPH3C9D

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ENDS JULY 31

ST

NSW Permit No. LTPS/18/24255 on 14/05/2018.

• •

NSW

QLD

SA

Sydney: 02 8678 5479 NEW DEPOT Botany: 02 8038 1111

07 3881 1777 sales@gibbongroup.com.au

Adelaide: 08 8346 9833

McDonalds Flooring Accessories 07 5564 9999

VIC

Gibbon Group | Trade Supplies

Seal and Sons

FIS Distributors (HO) Keysborough: 03 9768 7248 Geelong: 03 5521 6670 Preston: 03 9416 7878

WA

Kevmor Wholesale Trade Supplies Perth: 08 9277 7177 sales@kevmor.com.au

Event

Woven Treasures Add Beautiful and Unique Storylines to Living Spaces IHGF DELHI FAIR-AUTUMN 2018, 14-18 OCTOBER, 2018 5DAYS I 14 DISPLAY SEGMENTS I 2000+ PRODUCTS I 3000+ EXHIBITORS Carpets, rugs and floor flourishes from several manufacturing hubs in India, flaunt colour, design and pattern, bringing out striking ideas with ombre effects, single colour rhapsodies and patterns inspired by nature, geometrics and tradition.

Contemporary as well as traditional choices in rugs, runners, carpets, mats and flooring, take shape in wool, silk, natural fibers, acrylic, polyester and cotton in techniques like hand loomed, power loomed, hand stitched, hand-knotted and handtufted.

No item packs a punch quite like an area rug and recreates a space like a carpet made in India. Arabesques, rhomboids, motifs, patterns and colour constructions come to life with an Indian weaver’s imagination and his warp & weft as he creates stories to redefine floors in countries across the world. Each piece exudes its distinct local character and representation of a regional craft hub.

Carpets & rugs are manufactured in more than 12 craft clusters in over 8 states of India.

Internationally appreciated and sought after range of Indian carpets, area rugs and other floor coverings has burgeoned from a historically dominant culture of mats and durries in the country. Indian artisans have an admirable finesse in 34 32 | Flooring June/July 2018

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For a free sample kit go to:

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Altro has released a new range of price competitive front of house products.

Combined with their renowned back of house products, Altro now offers technically superior, highly durable and customisable products for a total project solution.

Altro Operetta™

Altro Orchestra™

Altro Serenade™

A robust floor perfect for medium to high traffic areas, Operetta coordinates with the Altro back of house range to create a seamless look throughout.

For areas where comfort and sound reduction are important, 2.85mm Altro Orchestra has been engineered to create the ideal environment to learn and live.

Silence is golden. Whether softening the sounds of little feet or maximising privacy at work or leisure, acoustic Altro Serenade is more than up to the task.

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carpet making and by fusing age old cultural depictions as well as inspirations from Persia and Europe; they have delivered motley of floor flourishes to the world. Trimmings like tufts, tassles and pom poms add to a chic appeal just as the ‘chindi’ technique of carpet weaving by hand, using scraps of colourful fabrics to make attractive patterns.

To name a few, there are intricately knotted silk/woolen carpets displaying flora & fauna motifs in a coloristic range, sturdy woven patterned rugs, pile carpets, water hyacinth flooring from North Eastern Region of the country, soft wool/ polyester shaggy carpets, carpets with aari work, felted namdahs and intricately hand knotted silk or woolen kaleens with a central medallion motif from Jammu and Kashmir, pile carpets or Khabdan and pile rugs from the snowcapped region of Ladakh, galeecha and punja or everyday rugs from Punjab, silk carpets, sturdy woven patterned rugs, pure cotton rugs, wool shags, wool and silk blended carpets, hand-knotted and hand spun wool made carpets, tufted cotton mats, woolen chain stitch rugs, etc. from manufacturing hubs like Agra, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Warangal, etc.

The popularity of Indian magical weaves are taking the home décor world by storm as kilim rugs with modern and vintage patterns from India are finding their way into bags, home furnishings,

34 | Flooring June/July 2018

cushion & pillow covers and even decorative storage boxes. Natural fiber floor décor in materials ranging from jute, coir, bamboo, hemp, kora grass. as well as, river reed like seetal patti and kauna fibre flaunt a rustic as well as “warm country feel” theme.

All this and more would be on display at India’s IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2018 – said to be the world's largest and Asia's biggest show for home, lifestyle, fashion & textiles. The biannual show in its autumn edition brings in comprehensive selections with a choice of over 2000 new takes on product expressions and more than 300 design developments across 14 product categories, spread over an area of 197,000 sq. meters at the plush India Expo Centre, New Delhi NCR, India. This trade appointment is a one stop resource for retailers, importers, wholesalers and design professionals alike.

The world’s largest congregation of handicraft exporters, IHGF Delhi Fair – Autumn, 2018 -the Ultimate Sourcing Destination is an essential meeting ground for the international gifting and lifestyle products industry. It has taken shape over 45 editions as a sought after sourcing event, encompassing the complete supply chain of home fashion & utility, collectibles, gifting and fashion accessories. While India’s top manufacturers, exporters and artisan

groups queue up to be amongst the participants in the forthcoming edition of this distinguished sourcing show, overseas buyers too are expected to turn out in large numbers. Visitors to the fair also get access to the 900 permanent showrooms in the Mart, spaced out on four levels at the India Expo Centre.

Theme Pavilions and regional representations at the show would bring in opportunities to source directly from artisans and new entrepreneurs besides established exporters from these provinces. Designers forum, a new addition at this fair will present collections from select established as well as upcoming Indian designers.

IHGF Delhi Fair is organized twice every year for Spring and Autumn, by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), a non-profit organization and the apex organization representing handicraft manufacturers & exporters, pan India.

The Council provides comprehensive information about the sector to international buyers and ensures optimal interface with the Indian handicrafts sector, facilitating business. Among its regular activities, EPCH organizes and leads participation in trade shows, buyerseller meets, conferences and study tours. EPCH has facilitated its 10000+ member exporters to customize and offer unique styles and quality products to the global sourcing community.

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TILE TODAY F U L LY E N D O R S E D B Y T H E A U S T R A L I A N T I L E C O U N C I L

Tile Today magazine is designed to promote new products and technologies to virtually every tile outlet, tile fixer and specifier in Australia.

CIRCULATED AUSTRALIA WIDE TO: • Tile importers and retailers • Leading architects, designers and builders • Tile fixers • Pool builders, landscapers and renovators

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Featured Product

Desso AirMaster - A Carpet Tile that Clears the Air On average, people spend 90% of their time indoors. At Tarkett, we strive to contribute to people’s health and wellbeing by improving indoor air quality.

Particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or smaller (PM10), in particular, can contain microbial contaminants, such as mould, pollen and allergens, which can lead to respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

They can also affect the heart and lungs, causing serious physiological problems.

DESSO AirMaster captures harmful fine dust from the indoor air more effectively than any other flooring solution, and can help play a fundamental role in improving health and wellbeing in the indoor environment.

Because of the unique construction, carpets are a good choice for absorbing sound, improve air quality and create a welcoming environment. Indeed, there is often less particulate matter (or fine dust) in carpeted rooms.

How does it work

Very fine dust is captured and retained in the fine yarns and coarser fine dust is captured in the thicker yarns of the DESSO AirMaster. The unique structure of DESSO AirMaster prevents the dust from becoming airborne again.

Importantly, it has been engineered to release dust easily during cleaning,

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ensuring that the carpet retains its advanced filtering functionality.

The result

DESSO AirMaster is 8 times more effective at capturing and retaining fine dust than smooth flooring solutions (PM10). It is also 4 times more effective than standard carpet solutions (PM10).

With using Desso AirMaster, NABERS Indoor Environment measurement would be always below the Tenancy, Base Building and Whole Building requirements regardless of the other products and devices in the office (when installed and maintained according to manufacturer’s instruction).

DESSO AIrMaster is also GreenTag Level A certified which means that it gets 100% of applicable points in GreenStar® ‘Design and As Built’, ‘Interiors’ and ‘Performance’ rating tools.

How good is it?

DESSO AirMaster is the first product in the world to be awarded the GUI Gold Plus label, the highest possible accreditation awarded by a German independent air quality testing organisation.

The Gold Plus label was awarded for high performance on three test criteria: • Suitability for allergy sufferers • High fine dust binding capacity • Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emission properties.

How does particulate matter enter the body?

1. Particulate matter enters our respiratory (lung) system through the nose and throat.

2. Larger particulate matter is eliminated through coughing, sneezing and swallowing.

3. Smaller particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs, travelling all the way to the alveoli, causing lung and heart problems, and delivering harmful chemicals to the blood system.

Flooring June/July 2018 | 37

Carpets & Rugs

Planet or Plastic: The EcoSoft Story The threat to our marine life is at a critical level due to the massive amounts of plastic being dumped in our oceans every day. At Carpets Inter, to date we have recycled over 700 million PET bottles into the manufacturing our unique ‘EcoSoft’ cushion back modular carpet tile, thus reducing the effects of plastic pollution on our planet.

They create modular carpet that does more than just make the world more beautiful; it makes it more liveable. They

38 | Flooring June/July 2018

do this with products that meet stringent indoor air-quality needs, are safe to manufacture and utilize and incorporate recycled materials wherever feasible Our commitment to ecological sustainability extends beyond our product.

They practice it in everything we do – from manufacturing facilities that maintain the highest environmental standards, to reducing our carbon footprint in every facet of our global business.

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Carpets & Rugs

Godfrey Hirst’s Ingrain & Inscribe Collection Leading Australian carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst has recently released Ingrain and Inscribe, a highly textured carpet plank product to join the Godfrey Hirst commercial portfolio.

Made here in Australia, these ranges are designed to work harmoniously alongside timber, hybrid and woven vinyl for a seamless, high-end feel.

Ingrain and Inscribe each feature their own beautiful pattern for a unified and coordinated wall-to-wall installation, yet they both share the same natural colour palette for the ability to mix-and-match.

The art inspired designs of these carpet planks lend themselves to retail and office spaces and offer an easy install solution for hotel rooms, apartment interiors and public space projects.

Available in-stock as a 250mm x 1000mm skinny plank and made from our quality solution dyed nylon fibre, Ingrain and Inscribe are cost-effective, in-stock carpet planks for a quick turn around on urgent projects. For large orders, they can be customized in tile size and colour palette to suit the specific needs of a project.

With a grading of Contract Extra Heavy Duty, both ranges will withstand 40 | Flooring June/July 2018

exceptionally heavy foot traffic and the extensive demands of a commercial environment.

Ingrain & Inscribe each achieve a fire rating that exceeds the stringent Building Code of Australia (BCA/NCC)

requirements and are also 100% PVC and BPA free.

This new multi-level loop carpet plank is ensured to create a luxurious looking environment that combines the best of functionality and design.

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We’ll cover your rugs

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Get the best out of your insurer.

was established to gain a greater insurance market share by representing a large volume of flooring retailers to insurers, which results in more competitive premiums, greater policy benefits and exceptional claims service.

Register your business for a quote by visiting www.floorinsure.com.au or calling 1800 607 204 Floor Insure is a subsidiary of Ian Jones Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (AFSL No 236 784) (ABN 72 090 167 285)

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Carpets & Rugs

Product Launch Chatsworth As you brace yourself for Australia’s coldest winter in years, here is some exciting news that will send waves of warmth your way. Hycraft (Godfrey Hirst Carpets) is proud to announce Chatsworth, a luxurious, textured and chunky loop carpet, made with 100% wool. Crafted from our chunkiest yarn ever, this high-quality carpet promises unbelievable amounts of cosy comfort underfoot.

And, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The on-trend carpet is available in a range of seven royal and nature-inspired hues —Devonshire, Dutchess, Cavendish, Sir William, Cascade, Archer & Peak District. Here’s your chance to imbue your interior spaces with a contemporary flair this season with looks to last.

A natural choice for homemakers, Chatsworth carpets absorb ambient noise, making your home feel less noisy and more relaxing. They’re also insulating, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

From a safety standpoint, as a 100% wool carpet, Chatsworth is naturally flame retardant. It’s also hypoallergenic; which means better indoor air quality for your family to breathe easy. Plus, Chatsworth is treated to deter insects and moths and carries a 10-year insect deterrent guarantee (subject to appropriate maintenance).

Environmentally conscious? (And let’s face it, we should all do our part) then there’s even more of this carpet to love!

Chatsworth offers not just a luxe and textured finish, its fibre is naturally renewable.

42 | Flooring June/July 2018

What’s more, you don’t have to worry about replacing your carpet any time soon. The 15-year wear resistance and fade resistance guarantees ensure that your designer carpet is able to combat the rigours of everyday life while looking beautiful.

Combined with an additional Residential Extra Heavy Duty Six Star Rating by ACCS, Chatsworth marries strength, resilience and natural beauty.

Go ahead, say yes to warm luxury this winter and deck your floors with the sophisticated elegance of Chatsworth wool carpets.

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Signature Floors Launches New Carpet Planks Collection Signature Floors has unveiled the latest addition, Groove, to its extensive and growing range of on-trend carpet planks.

Offering commercial grade performance with stylish design, Groove’s textured cut and loop construction features a directional groove pattern that shimmers Armstrong Australis-AW0067 1/2 Page Ad.qxp_X 12/6/18 in different light sources.

Creating the foundation for inspiring commercial interiors, Groove delivers a great value product with numerous creative design options to lift any space. Consisting of five colourways in a modern range of neutrals and stony greys in cool, monochromatic tones 4:25 pm Page 2 Groove planks adapt to the needs of

any project. The Carpet Planks can be used in a single hue or combined and also coordinated effectively with all other Signature Friendly and Intelli carpet tiles.

Groove offers heavy duty commercial grade performance with ultragard stain resistance – the ultimate option for any modern office space.

Armstrong Flooring has been proudly investing in Australian Manufacturing since 1968

Armstrong Flooring is Australia’s only manufacturer of commercial vinyl flooring and walling.

Contact us on 1800 632 624 or visit www.armstrongflooring.com.au

Australian Made Australis Flooring as featured in Bannockburn P-12 College

Vinyl

Uncover Flooring Innovation with Amtico Signature Amtico’s Signature collection of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) is available to Australian designers, architects and specifiers.

Comprising 163 extraordinary products, including 69 Woods, 43 Stones and 51 Abstracts, Signature provides a sophisticated range of palettes, distinctive patterns and stunning details.

The flagship Signature collection is produced with a high performance 1mm wear layer, which makes it perfect for a wide variety of commercial projects, including healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and leisure. To underpin the high-quality manufacturing and product durability, Amtico offers a 20-year commercial warranty on all Signature flooring.

To make the specification and design process simpler, Amtico also offers ‘Designers’ Choice’ – a range of 115 predefined and ready to use floors utilising the Signature collection. Each pattern is created by Amtico’s acclaimed design team, using cutting-edge laying patterns that bring style and flair to a wide range of commercial applications.

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www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Heading up the Australian division of Amtico is Mark Taylor, who said: “Amtico has had a presence in Australia for nearly 50 years, whether it has been through key partners or our own sales team.

However, we are keen to re-establish the company in the commercial sector, offering architects and designers direct access to our extensive design and technical capabilities. Combined with our market leading product range – that really is second to none – we’re looking forward to being involved with some major projects throughout the country.”

Amtico has considerable knowledge and expertise in the commercial sector, providing flooring products to a wide range of worldwide applications, including healthcare, education, hospitality, offices and retail. The company specialises in working with architects, specifiers and designers to maximise the potential of commercial interiors by utilising Amtico’s in-house design and technical teams.

As with all Amtico’s premium LVT collections, Signature is designed and manufactured to world class standards in the UK, ensuring continuity and guaranteed technical excellence.

Amtico’s LVT range comprises seven collections, each offering their own unique features and benefits. For quick specification and installation, Amtico Spacia and Amtico First offer hard working and streamlined product ranges, while for specialist applications, Amtico has developed the Marine, Cirro PVC-Free and Assura slip resistance collections.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Flooring June/July 2018 | 45

Vinyl

The Stunning Look of Real Timber – Rigid Vinyl Planks from Heartridge Floors

Our Highland Oak - Rigid Vinyl Plank range is a quick and affordable way to upgrade any space. Using the latest in multi-layered technology, Rigid Vinyl Planks offer the same natural beauty as solid timber minus the hassle.

Available in six different colours, our Highland Oak range includes a stylish collection of designs that recreate the stunning look of timber. The realistic timber embossing follows the natural pattern of the grain, combining with a tough PVC film to protect the floors and keep them looking their best. Planks also come in the same size as traditional timber boards to create a stunning vinyl floor that looks and feels just like real timber.

With outstanding water resistance and exceptional acoustic performance, they’re ideal for any space which makes them perfect for the demands of modern living.

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Designed for Durability

Due to the multi-layered construction, Rigid Vinyl Planks provide outstanding durability, impact resistance and comfort underfoot. Each plank offers greater dimensional stability with two layers of LVP either side of a rigid SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) core.

Complemented by a matte embossed surface, PU coating for wear resistance, and a hard-wearing clear PVC layer, rigid vinyl planks are perfect for high traffic areas.

Highly Water-Resistant

The versatile nature of Rigid Vinyl Planks allows them to be placed in wet areas, such as bathrooms and laundries.

Due to the water-resistance qualities, the planks won’t warp or peel, and the surface is able to be mopped without any complications, making cleaning that much easier.

Can be Installed in Direct Sunlight Standard Luxury Vinyl Planks are quite flexible, meaning that they may crown or peak under extreme heat. However, our Highland Oak range can be installed in direct sunlight and still remain rigid and flat as a result of its solid core.

Impervious to extreme conditions from the harsh Australian climate, the planks can withstand direct heat and extreme cold, with the lowest expansion and contraction rates.

The Quiet Achiever

Acoustically tested, with results showing a noise reduction of 30% under the NCC (National Construction Code), our Rigid Vinyl Planks are perfect for apartments and multi-level homes.

Each plank comes with an IXPE Foam Backing for increased sound absorption that won’t impact on the indoor air quality of a space as a result of the VOC-free foam.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Real timber boards require a lot of maintenance to retain their aesthetic however, with Rigid Vinyl Planks, it’s effortless. Thanks to the unique rigid construction and composition, you don’t need to oil, sand or refinish the boards.

Perfect for Every Room

Rigid Vinyl Plank flooring can be placed on any level of the home as well as in wet areas for a consistent and cohesive look. It can be installed directly over most subfloors, as well as existing hard surfaces, including tiles and particleboard.

Easy to Install

Equipped with an integrated, user-friendly 5G-i locking mechanism for speedy and secure installation, with planks clicking together tightly with no gapping. All you need is a rubber mallet to gently tap and lock them into place.

Guaranteed to Last

Backed by a Lifetime Structural Guarantee, our Rigid Vinyl Planks will remain durable for many years to come.

iQ Vinyl...

New for Life.

Suitable for any commercial environment, Tarkett iQ is the only homogenous vinyl flooring to provide consistent long-term performance without compromising on design. Its ease of installation, outstanding durability, lowest life-cycle cost and next-generation surface treatment with unique dry-buffing restoration mean iQ outperforms everything else on the market.

The result of 70 years’ innovation in materials, performance and sustainability with over 300 million square metres installed, Tarkett’s fully flexible homogenous flooring keeps proving its worth.

versatile and classic in design is available in a large range of colours, is both hygienic and easy to clean, with a reduced use of detergents and water required for cleaning and maintenance.

Our high quality range of iQ product delivers superior performance and durability for education, healthcare, offices and public buildings. This tried and tested technology

Contributing to better indoor air quality, our iQ products have low or extremely low VOC emissions.

New iQ Next-Generation surface treatment Our iQ ranges now come with a next-generation surface treatment that sets new standards in performance.

Exclusive to Tarkett, it brings best in-class protection against marks and stains, even from chemicals like Iodine and Betadine. Combined with our unique drybuffing technology, it keeps iQ flooring new for life.

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Previous PUR Eosin 1% in Ethanol 2 hours exposure after cleaning with Ethanol

New iQ Surface Treatment Eosin 1% in Ethanol 2 hours exposure after cleaning with Ethanol www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Unique restoration technology

Easy to install

Unlike other solutions, iQ’s new surface treatment offers class-leading performance FOR LIFE. The homogenous structure means it can be dry buffed to provide the smooth, resilient surface needed for maximum hygiene and resistance to chemicals or staining in sensitive environments.

iQ vinyl flooring is fully flexible for a perfect coving and a watertight finish from floor to wall, making the installation faster and easier to achieve.

The homogeneous construction of iQ allows the products to be dry buffed for the true life of the product without any need for chemicals.

Multi-colour welding rods for seamless finishing are available in a range of contrasting colours coordinated with flooring pattern designs resulting in a more seamless finish.

Best life cycle cost Thanks to iQ unique surface restauration, the iQ ranges produce significant economies in the cost of cleaning and maintenance and provides the lowest life-cycle costs on the market. With no wax, no polish, ever – save 30% on maintenance.

Tarkett now has a new software specially developed to compare cleaning and maintenance costs across a range of flooring materials.

find out more www.tarkospec.com.au

Unicolour

Multi-colour

Vinyl continued a long, proud history of the first loose lay product to hit the Australian market more than two decades ago.

“Texline continues to be the flagship of our residential portfolio. Whilst the demand for our plank ranges continues to be strong, the seamless appeal of sheet vinyl is having its own renaissance. What was once seen as entry level commodity category has evolved into high end designer flooring that ticks all the boxes when it comes to design, comfort and livability,” Jutta said.

“This new Comfort range lifts the bar even higher and presents fantastic opportunities for interior designers and flooring retailers to offer their clients flooring solutions that really deliver comfort and quality.”

The exciting new range of designs will be in stores from July.

Find Comfort in Gerflor Texline The latest and most opulent Gerflor Texline Comfort range has just landed from France. Packed with features that celebrate the underfoot comfort, warmth and quiet of this seamless roll range, Texline Comfort lives up to its name and then some.

Texline Comfort is the most acoustically robust product in the entire Gerflor portfolio making it the ideal flooring solution for townhouses, apartments and any multi storey dwelling.

Product Marketing Manager, Jutta Fronert said the launch of the new range

Texline Comfort Fast Facts • Stunning natural timber, aged tessellated tile, polished concrete and textured all over designs • Loose lay • .35 wear layer • R10 Slip rating • Best acoustic properties • 100 % recyclable vinyl • Waterproof backing made from recycled plastic bottles.

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www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Buying Groups & Franchises

Carpet One Regionals: Helping Members Achieve Success Hosted in May by General Manager, David Meyer, the bi-annual Carpet One regional meetings again demonstrated the high level of commitment the brand has to its members.

Owners and staff from stores across Australia came together with group executives to attend sessions in Brisbane and Sydney. Members were briefed on how the group is performing, provided with industry reports and reviewed latest product trends. The general manager from the groups’ digital agency was also in attendance to answer questions and provide face-to-face marketing help to members.

The Carpet One regionals also included open forums, networking events and dinners to provide plenty of opportunities for attendees to engage with each other and exchange expertise and ideas.

Carpet One General Manager, David Meyer said of the regionals, “Every year our meetings are incredibly rewarding as we are able to hear directly from our members about their successes.

And we also make sure we take time to

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work through any challenges. There are so many experts in the room that no problem is too difficult.

We all share the same vision and passion to be strong and sustainable, well into the future. The regionals are a great opportunity to get together, reinforce our vision and celebrate our achievements as a group.”

Carpet One is a fast growing notfor-profit cooperative flooring group in Australia and is part of the largest retail floor covering group in the world, with more than 2000 outlets in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Each store within the Carpet One coop is owned and operated independently, supported by a dedicated head office team. The co-op is set up purely to maximise members’ profits and provide support.

The regional meetings are part of a targeted corporate strategy focussed on member support and a commitment to helping small businesses to survive and thrive.

David Meyer says there are many advantages to the co-op, “Our members

enjoy competitive group purchasing power, with access to leading brands and experts, with flexible start up costs, and a flat fee structure. We have centralised services including group advertising, marketing, technology, finance, and administration.

Most importantly group members receive a solid return on their investment – they are financially rewarded through rebates, targeted marketing and competitive financing.”

Carpet One are undergoing an exciting growth phase and have opportunities for new stores across Australia. The group is incredibly proud of their business model and the long term success of members and would now like to extend the opportunity to new entrepreneurs with similar business drivers and enthusiasm to join the Carpet One network of retailers.

If you are interested in discussing this opportunity call us in Brisbane on 07 3725 8600, or email membership@ carpetone.com.au or visit our website www.carpetone.com.au/corporate/ become-member.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Earn more, pay less when you become a Carpet One store owner Come and meet us at:

New Member Symposium 22 Trinity on Hampden, 230 Hampden Road AUG

Crawley, Western Australia

We are hosting information symposiums across the country, kicking off in Perth.

Register to receive a $100 eftpos card*.

symposium.carpetone.com.au symposium.carpetone.com.au

A leading and trusted flooring retailer Backed by a history of growth and innovation since 1994, Carpet One Australasia is a not-for-profit cooperative, with successful retailers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

We are undergoing an exciting growth phase and have opportunities for new stores across Australia.

We are very proud of our business model and the long term success of our members and would now like to extend the opportunity to new entrepreneurs with similar business drivers and enthusiasm to join our network of retailers.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ARE YOU OUR NEXT

Business Development Manager?

We are looking for a self driven, conscientious and motivated Business Development Manager to grow our group’s membership base across Australia.

* Terms and conditions: In order to be eligible for a $100 EFTPOS card, you must register and attend the Carpet One symposium on 22nd August 2018. Only those who sign in on the night will receive a card once the symposium has concluded.

Call us on 07 3725 8600

membership@carpetone.com.au

Contact us on 07 3725 8600 or recruitment@carpetone.com.au

carpetone.com.au/corporate/become-member

Buying Groups & Franchises

Flooring Xtra Australia Flooring Xtra Australia was born in 2011 and this fresh, vibrant brand was readily embraced by the market. Scott Enno, Director of Flooring Xtra Australia had started his career working in flooring sales and then as an owner of a flooring store which was part of the Independent Carpet Retailers (ICR) group. With the sad passing of the group’s founder Ken Armstrong, Scott & Chris Sheehan took over ICR and envisioned a plan to ensure prosperity for the group well into the future.

Scott’s vision to be the best flooring brand within Australia is bold, however very clear objectives as part of an implemented strategic plan, have seen

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store numbers grow over the last 2 years by more than 20%.

Scott’s sales and business ownership background drives development of systems to enable a high level of efficiency for stores in the group.

Flooring Xtra pride themselves on working with the store network and their respective local communities to develop relationships with the goal to increase brand value, increase store profitability, create goodwill and to ensure the consumer receives a Fabulous Flooring Experience!

The Flooring Xtra network comes together at annual forums to share experiences, inspiration and advice,

so that everyone in the group has the best opportunity to succeed and be the best in their local market. Flooring Xtra are also investing in programs that will provide their members with opportunities for personal as well as business growth.

Flooring Xtra will continue to seek growth - growth in store numbers, growth in store profitability and efficiencies, and growth in their brand awareness with consumers. The positive perception of the Flooring Xtra business in the eyes of both suppliers and consumers has helped drive Flooring Xtra to where they are today. With a focus on innovation, technology and most importantly relationship building, they strive to continue to grow and will constantly drive excellence in every aspect of the business.

The culture inside Flooring Xtra is very different to others’ groups, built on respect and focussing on supporting the store network. Flooring Xtra has been built on family business values and providing systems to support family businesses.

If this sounds like something you would like to be part of, and if you are thinking about a being part of a flooring group, then please contact Jason Watkins at Flooring Xtra for a confidential discussion today – Jason.watkins@ fxaus.com.au or 0410 335 000.

Better yet, Flooring Xtra would invite you to make contact with one of their Flooring Xtra Store owners and ask them how they feel about being part of the Flooring Xtra group. Hear from the members themselves to give a true feeling of what Flooring Xtra is about and how it can benefit you.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Buying Groups & Franchises

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

Floorworld can ease your journey towards profitability in the floor covering industry with our high profile brand recognition, competitive pricing and a strong rebate structure which is the largest in the industry.

Owning a business doesn’t stop once you have opened your doors. Our philosophy is to improve your business by providing a support mechanism for small business with our proven model of operational success.

We are available to assist with support in • Business guidance through field visits, regional group meetings and a yearly conference.

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• A strong product profile. Joining a group with Floorworld’s buying strength providing new and innovative products.

• Digital and social marketing programs at a corporate and individual store level member.

• Product and professional development training which is accessible through the Floorworld online portal.

• Human resources offering specialist advice and guidance.

• A full service IT support organisation.

All 36 locally owned and operated businesses have now completed an extensive internal corporate fit out with a design to maximise the merchandising of its core product range. It all comes together here at Floorworld.

If you are interested in the Floorworld model please contact Bob Crotty (03) 9761 5235 or info@floorworld.com.au

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

WELCOME TO FLOORWORLD’S NEWEST MEMBERS Floorworld is pleased to welcome the three latest locally owned and operated members to the Floorworld family.

Our philosophy is to improve your business by providing a support mechanism for small business with our proven model of operational success.

NORTHERN RIVERS FLOORWORLD in New South Wales, owner, Rowen Hastings and his team, have over 20 years combined flooring experience in the floor covering industry and joined Floorworld only this year in March.

“Being in the industry already we were looking to join a group and Floorworld was recommended. We were impressed with the genuineness of Bob Crotty, the Floorworld model of doing business, rebate structure and support from head office and other members of the group. We couldn’t be more happy and look forward to this year’s conference” Rowen said.

“When we looked at opening a carpet shop in Launceston, Floorworld was the best fit for us. It only took a matter of a few days after making a phone call and Bob Crotty flew over to discuss joining the group and from that point on the support has been fantastic.

Being in a smaller franchise group ensures we are not just a number. The ongoing assistance from everyone from the other members in the group to all the staff at head office has been outstanding and certainly helped us to grow bigger and better in our first 18 months of business“ said owner Dan Manshanden of LAUNCESTON FLOORWORLD Tasmania.

Katie and Josh West owners of TOOWOOMBA FLOORWORLD, Queensland, have been part of the Floorworld group for nearly 2 years and have gone from strength to strength in that time.

“Being new to the retail flooring industry, the Floorworld team took a step by step approach with us in the planning and setup of our new store. We never felt like we were alone and were given flexibility and ownership. The level of support hasn’t diminished with regular communication, on site store visits, regional group meetings and annual conferences which provide a great networking opportunity with fellow Floorworld members. We couldn’t be happier with our choice of retail groups.

Intrigued by the possibility of joining a retail group with tangible benefits then Floorworld may be the perfect solution for you. If you are interested in the Floorworld model please contact Bob Crotty (03) 9761 5235 or info@floorworld.com.au for a confidential discussion.

At Floorworld, we offer more than just flooring.

Buying Groups & Franchises

Thinking of Franchising your Business?

Franchising 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 customerfacing 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.

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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) 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 dayto-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.

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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 over time. It is not recommended to commence franchising before completing five years of successful business operations. If franchising is a longterm 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

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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 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 decision-making about the choice to invest in a franchise business, accurate disclosure of the commercial proposition, mandated processes for key aspects of the franchiseefranchisor 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 economy-wide 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

Flooring June/July 2018 | 59

Laminate

Carpet Court Introduces New DIY Product Australia’s largest flooring retailer, Carpet Court, is proud to once again bring to market the latest innovation in hybrid flooring, launching Pryzm, a second -generation hybrid flooring that is entirely scratch, dent and stain resistant.

Where vinyl and tiles for high-traffic spaces have traditionally been popular choices, Pryzm opens up endless design possibilities for DIY enthusiasts and renovators, combining an Australian-first product that totally redefines flooring ‘wear and tear’ , without compromising on the look and feel of real timber.

Created with future design trends in mind, Pryzm boasts an impressive range of finishes from traditional oak and ash, to Australian species that are sure to provide an on-trend colour choice for any interior space.

Thanks to its 100 percent waterproof rating, combined with its Australian-first abrasion class rating offering outstanding durability for high foot traffic areas, Pryzm allows renovators to push their styling inspiration further and create a cohesive look that flows seamlessly throughout any space.

Anthony Carter, National Product Manager for Carpet Court, says hybrid flooring has been hugely successful in offering customers a durable and waterproof flooring option for their homes, and Pryzm brings it to the next level.

“Pryzm delivers all the same benefits of the first generation of hybrid floors, but ups the ante with an Aluminium Oxide surface coating. By using what can essentially be described as a laminate surface rather than vinyl, Pryzm can now deliver outstanding scratch, dent and stain resistance to the hybrid flooring category,” he says.

Alongside its unique blend of design and durability, Pryzm also provides the simple installation process that is characteristic of hybrid flooring. With minimal subfloor preparation and no acclimatisation period required, plus pre-adhered underlay and the same simple click locking system as laminate, Pryzm is ideal for those looking to give their interiors a quick and stylish refresh by themselves.

And for those tackling a full-scale renovation project, Pryzm is also capable of coping with the full suite of home applications.

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www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Every carpet deserves a SEBO! _

__________

SEBO Floorcare can help you maximise your customer’s carpet investment by providing them with an effective vacuum cleaner right from the start!

SEBO X4 Upright with automatic brush height adjustment, large wheels for easy glide and highly efficient filtration system combine to give an outstanding cleaning performance on any type of floor, including Godfrey Hirst eco+ and for any sized home or commercial premise.

SEBO - Made in Germany and recommended

by Flooring Manufacturers world-wide.

To discover more about the SEBO Reseller Program and to receive your free, handy SEBO Vac Guide Ph 1300 697 326 or visit www.sebo.com.au

Laminate

Signature Floors Launches Three New Sunplank Collections Sunplank® is Signature’s answer to the growing demand for hybrid flooring products.

Signature unveils its latest and exciting collection, Sunnyvale, as the newest addition to the Sunplank® series; which already offers Retreat and Summerville within the range.

Signature’s Sunplank® category is specifically designed for the Australian climate and lifestyle; meeting the essential needs of any sun-drenched

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family home and setting new industry standards due to the collection’s contemporary design palette, combined with modern technology and high performance.

The unique construction and manufacture of Sunplank® means that the planks are 100% waterproof. The range is an ideal solution for wet areas in the house also because of the Tight Lock™ installation system, making the planks suitable for all rooms of the home

including bathrooms, laundries and kitchens - giving a unified flow from one area of the house to another.

The brilliance of Signature’s Sunplank® innovation is its rigid, solid core that keeps each plank stable and flat.

Sunplank® can be installed quickly, easily and directly over existing floors such as ceramic tiles and over most surfaces like chipboard and concrete – making the range an ideal renovator’s product.

Furthermore, Sunplank® can be installed in areas up to 400m2 without the need for visually distracting transition gaps.

The extra dense rigid, solid-core of Sunplank® is free of harmful content as the core is made of up to 80% natural limestone. The inbuilt underlay provides added acoustic performance, making it a great choice for second storey homes and multi-rise apartments.

Signature’s Sunplank® also features a multi-layer Quartz enhanced PUR coating providing exceptional resistance to heavy foot traffic, indents, scratches and scuffs; perfect for the busiest family homes.

Combining optimum performance with stylish design, Sunplank gives the natural look of timber – for a luxurious addition to any home. Each collection offers ontrend oak designs which are available in different designs, lengths and widths to answer any individual home needs.

Remaining flat and stable under 80°C testing with a lifetime residential warranty, it is time to relax and let the sun shine in!

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST

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Retailer of the month

Working Class Man Carpet Giants, Salisbury, South Australia

64 | Flooring June/July 2018

M

ichael Anderson owns and operates Carpet Giants in Salisbury, about fifteen kilometres north of the Adelaide CBD. An independent flooring store, Michael is besieged by no less than a dozen other outlets within a five kilometre radius. “It’s pretty cutthroat with our competitors here but we’re fortunate that we’re a warehouse type outlet and it’s been our biggest winner” he says. Michael is also fortunate that his people have at least twenty years’ experience each and that he’s started at the bottom; experiencing both the practical and sales sides of the business. He’s the real ‘working class man.’

Michael and his wife Sheryl-lee give their customers a unique experience in Salisbury. First; the store has a warehouse feel with two-thirds of the store dedicated to warehouse storage. Michael buy’s ten to twenty rolls at a time and has a large stock of over thirty thousand square metres of carpet and other types of floor coverings.

One of Michael’s slogans is “The way we buy is the way you save” and his customers can see the flooring that will be laid in their home. In the case of carpet; there will be no colour variation as the whole job will be from one production run. A second experience for Michael and Sheryl-lee’s clients is the homewares they’ve added to the business.

Sheryl-lee runs the homewares section and it’s a lot more than ‘window-dressing.’

On sale is a range of gifts, ornaments and furniture items designed to complement the designer aspect of the floor coverings industry. The store provides an extensive designer service with ceramics, blinds and wallpapers and is a virtual one-stop shop.

The Andersons have put a lot of effort and thought into what their customers want

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and the store is now one of Salisbury Plain’s leading local businesses. It has a reputation for getting the job done right and providing a quality; service-focused customer experience.

Located in an industrial complex but with residential, working class housing all around, the business attracts much of their trade through television advertising.

The previous owners of the store were very good at this and Michael still uses their contacts. It can be expensive but a very good percentage of their sales come through the medium of TV, even when taking up short-notice offers with their agent. Their business is mostly residential with some occasional commercial work, mostly pubs and restaurants.

The area is well-known for its manufacturing and the now closed Holden car plant, closed last year is only one kilometre away. Many people left the area when the factory shut down but the demand for residential housing has been constant and occupancy is still high. The close-down was a seven-year process so there was little impact on Carpet Giants.

The feeling is upbeat and business is good; Sheryl-lee and Michael have plenty of return business and as Michael put it “We do our own thing and don’t worry about what the others are doing.”

Michael has been doing his own thing very well since he left school. An apprenticeship at Marleston TAFE saw him awarded best apprentice in his final year and Michael still warmly remembers his teacher Ray Cook. Michael tells us he thinks apprenticeships aren’t valued as much as they used to be and certainly not as much as they should, but still uses the old catch-phrase ‘It’s something you can always fall back on.’ After TAFE he went out on-site and eventually did dome work for the previous owners of the store, taking care of their overload and then working for them full-time until they decided it was time to sell.

The transition from employee to employer was a “Step not taken lightly” said Michael. “We spent about two years looking at it before we decided to take it over, we gave it a modern look but not too flashy” he says. “I went from

knowing what I needed to do each day as opposed to turning the key and not knowing what or who was going to walk through the door. We did enter into a franchise a few years ago but we pulled the pin last year; it wasn’t what we were looking for” he says.

Michael and Sheryl-lee would like to exit the business in ten years; he says “I need to groom someone to take over.” They live on a five-acre hobbyfarm running Alpacas, Sheep, Ducks, and Chickens and this takes a fair share of their time. They are also addicted to travel and have been to Bali over fifty times, often on business but always a pleasure for them. They’ve built a solid reputation in a difficult area after only eleven years as owners. Adelaide’s Jimmy Barnes grew up only a few kilometres from their store and from his classic song comes the words “He ain't worried about tomorrow; cause he just made up his mind; life's too short for burning bridges; take it one day at a time, oh, oh, oh he’s a working class man.”

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

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

Timber Floors

Quick-Step Intenso Timber Collection The first prefinished chevron timber floor with easy click installation has arrived.

The newest Quick-Step timber collection is unique in its kind: it boasts the eyecatching chevron pattern, coupled with an unparalleled ease of installation. Coming with an extra matte lacquer to protect and enhance the natural timber features, the Intenso collection will transform any home.

Creation of Intenso

Intenso is based on the traditional Hungarian herringbone design, a pattern that once graced the most majestic

66 | Flooring June/July 2018

palaces and is now hot on trend today.

Different planks with various widths and structures are hand selected to be brought together in a harmonious and balanced whole. The extra matte finish offers the authentic look of an oiled floor with the resistance of lacquer.

Unique Features

• Prefinished surface which allows for immediate use after installation • Highly advanced extra matte lacquer for higher wear, stain and scratch resistance

• Comes with the world’s strongest click system Uniclic®, making installation easier and quicker • Hand selected planks create ultimate authenticity • A solid 25-year warranty The all-new Quick-Step Intenso timber collection is brought to you by Premium Floors Australia and Floorscape New Zealand.

The collection is available for all commercial projects, and exclusively available at Choices Flooring retail stores and timber specialist stores.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

AUSTRALIAN MADE PREMIUM QUALITY.

BIRRUS MATTING SYSTEMS

trusted since 1948 P | 1300 369 858 E | sales@birrusmatting.com.au W| birrusmatting.com.au

CHECK OUT OUR RANGE OF STAIR NOSINGS, TACTILES AND NON SLIP TAPES.

SPEAK TO OUR FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL SALES STAFF WHO CAN ADVISE WHAT MATTING WOULD BE RIGHT FOR YOUR APPLICATION.

Different shapes and sizes are our speciality.

Site measuring and installation available. Short lead times.

10 YEAR WARRANTY | GREEN STAR RATED | FIRE AND SLIP TESTED

www.birrusmatting.com.au

ORDER A SAMPLE ONLINE TODAY!

tI 's about time!

Start working with efficiency!

Gone are the days of hand written dockets, sticky notes or the old diary for scheduling appointments and booking out samples. BookIT is a game changer for the Australian Flooring industry - created specifically for you.

START YOUR FREE TRIAL TODAY

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his e ver a

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Access BookIT anywhere, anytime - web-based.

Keep track of your samples.

Find installers’ availabilities in real-time.

Last-minute job postings.

Generate automatic customer text reminders for measure appointments, overdue samples, installation dates, rescheduling and more.

Visit bookitim.com.au to find out more!

Proudly Marketed by

Floorcoverings

Software

BookIT in Profile Our industry is changing as a result of advancements in technology. We are now quicker to embrace new tech as history has proven its place in our businesses.

Products that not long ago were only considered a convenience or luxury, are instead now a necessity. So why do we put up with obstacles in our business?

Perhaps they have been there for so long that you no longer see them as problems, they have just managed to camouflage their way into your routine.

BookIT is shining a light on these obstacles and providing a simple and effective solution. BookIT is an industry specific, project management tool that will help streamline and reorganise your processes. BookIT ensures effective communication between internal staff members, installers & customers in live time. Using BookIT, you don’t have to tackle every problem at once. You can use parts or all of the program depending on what issues you wish to address at a time that is convenient for you.

Below are just some of the topics BookIT can help you cover.

Sampling

Often taken for granted, samples are lost, damaged or simply forgotten. For those who do ensure they have shelves full of product, it often involves time consuming phone calls having to remind customers to bring the samples back to the store in a timely fashion. If sampling is a pain point for your business, let BookIT take care of it. BookIT can automatically alert

available, and the bookings you have made. The installer, once a job has been booked in, can now see exactly what they have on, ensuring they are prepared for the week ahead. They are notified instantly of any critical changes via the BookIT Installer app.

you and your customer if the samples have been borrowed for too long. Set automatic reminders to yourself and the customer informing them to return those samples in a timely fashion.

Measuring

How great are those Doctor appointment and Car Service Reminders? Have you ever wanted to incorporate them into your business? BookIT will automatically send measure appointment reminders, via text message and email, directly to your clients hours or days before the appointment. Ensure your customers are ready for every appointment scheduled.

Not only that, but once the measurer is onsite, a customised scope of work and checklist can be completed, as well as photos or other documents uploaded instantly to the project. You can now document and photo any existing damage at the point of the measure, or perhaps start creating some great before and after shots.

Last Minute

Installation

If you aren’t convinced yet, BookIT has plenty more to offer. What about for those urgent times where an installer calls in sick. Using BookIT’s last minute function, you can post jobs to a variety of installers in specific locations. Installers can apply for the job, and you can view their profiles, rates, qualifications and references prior to accepting their application.

For some, making the change to go digital and parting ways with the diary or whiteboard is not an easy one. We have been reliant on our current processes for so long, it is easy to ignore alternative solutions. Well, BookIT is a simple to use, affordable, and effective solution to streamline current processes in your business, ensuring problems are dealt with in the most efficient way possible.

BookIT will help save you time and money.

How many hours a week you spend on the phone to installers? Using BookIT’s installation calendar, you and the installer will spend less time on the phone. You no longer need to phone the installer to find that available date. Think of BookIT’s installation calendar like hotel bookings online. You only see the days

Try th

is!

70 | Flooring June/July 2018

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

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

Mobile Sales Measuring Reporting Projects Sales

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

Australia: 1800 229 427 New Zealand: 0800 643 012

www.rfms.com

salesau@rfms.com

Software

Make More Sales By Paying Sales Commissions Each sales opportunity our salespeople handle on our behalf can have a material impact on our weekly or monthly results.

They are working with clients on large, irregular purchases; to be effective, they need to establish a relationship, use all their skill and experience to identify the product from our offering that best meets the customer’s needs, and then measure and quantify those requirements. Often a salesperson has discretion on pricing, and then we rely on them to follow up.

Compared to selling in a department store, ours is a complex and sophisticated sales process. Many similarly complex sales roles in other industries incorporate a commission element in the remuneration package.

Commission is one of the few tools available to connect the activities of the salesperson to their income. It is one of the few ways to help salespeople keep focus over the time it takes to complete a flooring sale.

Many similarly complex sales roles in other industries incorporate a commission element in the remuneration package.

What I am often told is “we don’t pay commissions, but we might pay a bonus at the end of the year if the business does okay”. This is a great thing to do for your non-sales staff. Your sales staff, on the other hand, should be remunerated primarily on their sales performance; these are the people with most influence on business performance.

Their performance deeply impacts your income as a business owner. Therefore, their income should have a performance element. Without it, we can predict that sales from month to month will be those sales they can make within their current comfort levels.

There are numerous reasons why you should consider introducing commission as part of your sales remuneration package. Some of the most compelling: • It gives everyone a reason to monitor sales performance regularly • It will incentivise salespeople to make that extra effort, and uncover those who are quite happy to live on their base salary • It will motivate to implement and follow a robust follow-up process • As you employ new salespeople, you can identify those applicants who are excited at the prospect of an income capped only by their energy and application If you cannot currently easily implement and manage a commission scheme, you likely need a fully integrated business management system such as

RFMS. RFMS is designed and built for the flooring industry, and commissions are simply a matter of setting them up and then running a single report each pay period. It’s not difficult or timeconsuming, and there is no room for debate; you provide each salesperson with a report showing each sale for which commission was paid, and how much was payable.

Commission is one of the few ways we have to connect the activities of the salesperson to their income.

If you would like to have a look at RFMS, all you need is an hour of time, and we will provide you with an introduction and answer your initial questions.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Director of RFMS Australasia a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry. Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry, and he can be contacted at cogden@rfms.com.

My observation is that, within the flooring industry, very few salespeople have any “at risk” element to their remuneration. By this, I mean that they earn the same this month as they did last month, regardless of their sales performance.

My own experience is that introducing performance-based remuneration was a key element in the success of our own flooring business.

The reason commissions are not widely used in the flooring industry is that they are time-consuming to calculate, and they often lead to debates as to whether the calculations are correct.

Many flooring businesses have tried commission schemes but abandoned them for these two reasons. If this has been your experience, stay with me; there is a solution.

72 | Flooring June/July 2018

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Employing Millennials With Baby Boomers hitting retirement age, the people we are employing today are more likely Millennials (born in the 80’s and 90’s), or of the Gen Z generation (just coming into their 20’s).

Amongst other things, they are more confident and self-assured than my generation was at a similar age. Some other attributes are worth recognising: The need for understanding. They need to understand not just what you want them to do, but why, and why it must be done in a particular way. We find ourselves justifying our processes.

It’s often annoying, but not necessarily a bad thing.

They are not defined by their work.

Work is a means to an end for these employees. They understand that the current work environment is not so conducive to developing a lifelong career as it once was. They define themselves by activities outside of work.

They are driven by short term goals. Because they are not thinking

about a career, they don’t have the patience to slowly accumulate skills.

They want to be experiencing success now, not in the future.

They are technologically savvy.

They have grown up around computers, smart phones, tablet devices, and the Internet. They have an expectation that these will be tools they will use in their employment.

Employees of this age are a challenge, not because they make bad employees, but because we need to think how we employ them and manage them. If we think that we can give these employees a pad of graph paper and a pencil to train them to be effective salespeople, two things are going to happen. They are going to struggle, and because they struggle, they will not be successful. We are unlikely to keep them as an employee.

On the other hand, if you hand them Measure Mobile on a tablet device, they are quickly going to learn how to

measure and quote, and they will soon be making sales. Not only are they using technology they are familiar with, they are experiencing success. These people can be your quickest and most accurate quantifiers, and your best salespeople.

Because they are not thinking about a career, they don’t have the patience to slowly accumulate skills.

If you are not yet familiar with Measure and Measure Mobile by RFMS, contact me on cogden@rfms. com and I will be happy to arrange a demonstration.

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

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

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

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

salesau@rfms.com Flooring June/July 2018 | 73

Product Update

ZEROMONO in the Spotlight ZEROMONO is a single component high performance adhesive with silanic termination.

Featuring the exclusive PRHS technology (PERFECT RIDGE HEIGHT SYSTEM) to improve the rheology ZEROMONO does not contain water, solvents, isocynates, epoxy or amino compounds or heavy metals (tin), and it does not bear any health or risk warnings or symbols. ZEROMONO offers excellent adhesion on all subfloors as well as a permanent elasticity. Ideal for laying multi-layer pre-finished wood floors and traditional solid wood floors of average sizes on any type of subfloor with or without underfloor heating, ZEROMONO does not affect the coating of pre-finished wood floors and for this reason does not leave marks.

The spreadability, the coverage and the resistance to water together with its certified soundproofing (insulation from footsteps) and certified heat resistance qualities, complete the characteristics of a product unique in its kind. Being certified EMICODE EC1PLUS, ZEROMONO may apply for the awarding of the EQ credit for Indoor Environmental Quality – Low-Emitting Materials of the new international certification standard LEED v4. Distributed in Australasia by South Pacific Timber, Auckland, NZ.

New Blastrac Single Phase Dust Collectors Blastrac has developed a new range of single phase dust collectors.

With this new line of dust collectors, Blastrac will meet all the expectations you will have from an industrial dust collector for professional end users. M-class or H-class certified, Longopac bagging system, for small or big jobsites, we have a dust collector for all your needs!

The new line of single phase dust collection systems aims to offer a complete range of small, powerful & high

Mighty Line Solid Floor Tape Now Available

Being 7 times thicker than the average floor tape, Patented Mighty Line makes it more durable than other floor tapes. With a manufacturer’s three -year warranty this product has already proven to withstand industrial scrubbers, forklifts and heavy- duty wheel traffic.

Faster to install than paint with no downtime, Mighty Line peel & stick adhesion makes installation quick and simple. Having bevelled edges increases durability for forklift traffic and can take

76 | Flooring June/July 2018

quality dust collectors to our customers.

They all come along with a safe bagging system that protects the health of the operators and save time on jobsites (Longopac system).

Depending on the type of dust you have to suck up, you will have the opportunity to choose between a M-class or H-class unit, knowing that the HEPA filter will ensure the highest filtering efficiency, therefore the highest operators’ safety.

a beating from industrial heavy wheeled traffic.

Mighty Line is available in most colours, based on AS1318-1985, to delineate work areas, mark proper placement of equipment, tools, inventories and machinery. Available in 50mm & 75mm widths, each roll is 30 metres long.

Implement a 5S system and safeguard your facility and the safety of your employees by contacting Floorsafe Australia Pty Ltd.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Product Update Fortis Products Deliver Outstanding Results for Major Tweed Heads Shopping Centre Australia’s leading concrete technical experts, Con-Treat, were called upon to advise the best concrete preparation products for a major 2,300m2 refurbishment project for the Tweed City Shopping Centre, Northern NSW. After the concrete had been mechanically ground, the flooring contractors discovered that the concrete surface was extremely porous and required densifying prior to installing the subsequent sealer.

In advising the project contractors, Con-Treat Managing Director, Andrew McLeay suggested a combination of two Fortis products to solve the porosity issue and to seal and enhance the concrete surface: • Fortis Concrete Shield Potassium Densifier; • Fortis Wet Look Concrete Shield Enhancer.

78 | Flooring June/July 2018

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Product Update

Fortis Concrete Shield Potassium Densifier was used to reduce the porosity of the concrete and harden the surface.

After 72 hours, the Fortis Wet Look Concrete Shield Enhancer was applied; achieving the manufacturers desired application rate.

Fortis Wet Look is a highly effective colour enhancer and offers heavy duty sealing protection against most stains.

It works quickly to enrich and darken the surface to provide a natural wet look finish. With multiple applications, it can be used on polished concrete, natural stone, interior and exterior locations within warehouses, restaurants,

retail, shops, car parks and residential properties.

Con-Treat Managing Director, Andrew McLeay said “no matter what size the project is, it’s crucial that the concrete's environment is initially analysed to better understand the degrees of preparation and treatments that may be required. Over 15 years, Con-Treat has advised on many technical product applications that have delivered outstanding results for our clients - we’re very pleased with the outcome at the Tweed City Shopping Centre.”

If you have a technical project challenge, speak to the experts at ConTreat, you’ll be glad you did.

Product Update

A New Product from New Oz Building Materials Group New OZ Building Materials Group is excited to introduce a new stonefloor hybrid composite. This is a completely 100% waterproof product. Made up of a solid 8mm thick limestone composite core and topped with a commercial grade vinyl surface.

The solid 8mm core gives the product a superior thermal tolerance and a minimal expansion and contraction, perfect for the tough Australian climate be that hot to cold or dry to humid weather. Stonefloor can handle them all.

Another advantage of the solid stonefloor is its 5 star accredited acoustic rating, and its superior fire rating.

The solid stonefloor also incorporates a unilin lock system allowing for an easy floating floor installation. But with the added benefit of its superior stability allowing for kitchen cabinetry, breakfast bars and wardrobes to be installed on top of the flooring allowing for a more seamless and visually appealing look.

Stonefloor is available in a range of timber look colours measuring 1600 long*180wide*8mm thick. Also available in tile look 600long*300wide 80 | Flooring June/July 2018

with the added benefit of no grout lines and a warmer feel underfoot than that of a traditional tile. With the added advantage of being able to interlock the

timber and tiles to allow for individual design options. This is perfect for architects, designers and the general public.

System Tested

L’nTw

AAAC Star Rating

FIIC

Bare Concrete (ECFS)

65

2

39

Test 0: 8mm Stonefloor

47

4

63

Test 1: 8mm Stonefloor over 2 mm Stonefloor Green Underlay

43

5

66

Test 2: 8mm Stonefloor over 5 mm A1 Ruber Underlay

42

5

66

AS/ISO 9239.1-2003 Reaction to Fire Tests for Floorings.

Radiant Heat Source Date of Sample Arrival - 08/09/2017 Date Tested - 14/09/2017 CHFValue 1 Length 11.2 Width 11.2 Smoke Value - 1 Length 76 Width 67 Melting Yes Blistering Yes

Determination of the Burning Behaviour using a

2 3 11.0 11.0 - - 2 3 59 86 - -

Mean 11.1 kW/m2 Mean 74 %. min -

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Product Update

iRubber’s America Biltrite with Nfuse Technology Murray Gardner, CEO iRubber (Victoria) is proud to announce the addition of American Biltrite products to his company’s broad range of niche rubber flooring materials.

American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd. is a company based in Sherbrooke since 1913, whose mission is to serve a global customer base in the resilient flooring.

A family owned company, American Biltrite leads the way in rubber technology as far as colour goes, and provides high quality rubber flooring in tile and roll form.

Few companies’ today manufacture in roll form, but the ones that do, enjoy the business from the healthcare sector. Hospital corridors in rubber are a big seller, as coupled with a seamless look (that can be welded), the 3.1mm thickness provides a comfortable walking surface and is exceptional in acoustic noise reduction, where a quiet environment is needed.

The flooring is available in smooth, round, hammered and profiled textures and colours are plain or there is a range of speckled available.

Special colours can be made if over 140m2, and in some cases can be therefore colour matched to existing floors to reduce replacement costs

82 | Flooring June/July 2018

Called AB Pure or AB Marathon and Pure Imagine (speckled) the materials are all R9 anti-slip, but can be enhanced to a higher anti-slip if needed by accessorising with a roll on finish.

If in stock in Canada, it takes about 6 weeks to ocean transit and if not in stock would take about 9 weeks to make and ship.

Perhaps one of the most endearing features is the no-fade – 10 year guarantee the product has, which allows the product to retain its fresh and vibrant look for years.

Maintenance is a cinch using REMP Australia’s Enzyme cleaning liquid “Hyperclean” .

AB Pure, Imagine and Marathon are also available as a stair system to provide a total look for corporations, hospitals and schools.

2 months ago American Biltrite announced an industry breakthrough that changes the paradigm for pressed rubber floor tiles. American Biltrite ABPURE® rubber flooring tiles with its new Nfuse technology are ready to use right out of the box. What this means is that once installed the floor does not require any costly and time-consuming set-up to be ready for occupancy.

While there are sheet rubber products that are occupancy ready American Biltrite is the first to develop an occupancy ready pressed rubber tile.

During the manufacturing process this patent-pending treatment enables the floor to be ready for use immediately following installation.

• This unique treatment significantly reduces installation downtime • Thereafter due to this treatment the floor is easier to clean and maintain ready rubber flooring tile are Declare “Red List Free”

• This major technological breakthrough will set the standard for rubber flooring for the future. No longer does the installer have to treat the floor tile product after installation; this not only reduces the cost but also the time”.

As a special introductory offer through 2018 there will be no premium for this product.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Why Colloidal Silica Works and Silicates Do Not Silicates were originally used in pottery and in the manufacturing of glass. In the 1960’s they found their way into the flooring market as hardeners commonly known as crystallises for in situ Terrazzo flooring. There are many variations and blends of Silicates, however they all have similar reaction profile and structures with extremely high pH and zero polarity.

Silicates applied directly to concrete, gel prior to penetrating deeply, even with dilution or brooming. When applied to freshly laid concrete they are detrimental to the final strength of the concrete due to the interaction with Tricalcium Silicate (the key component in Portland cement).

Silicates should only be used as a low cost method for hardening concrete that is at least 30 days old.

Silicates will commonly leave salts within the concrete due to the reaction with hydroxides, therefore allowing the ability for the reaction to reverse in the presence of excess moisture. This can cause accelerated corrosion of the concretes reinforcement and in no way are they truly effective as a vapour or moisture barrier.

Densi-Crete and Moisture Proof are specially-blended colloidal silica’s, not silicates. They have Nano particles which have been negatively charged to allow them to be attracted to the positively charged calcium and magnesium ions within the concrete. Like a magnet, the colloidal silica is drawn deep into the pores of the concrete to form a uniform structure.

As Densi-Crete and Moisture Proof penetrate the concrete, the water in which they are held in suspension disperses the colloidal silica and it begins

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

to bond to itself forming an irreversible gel which prevents the movement of water but allows the transition of gases.

Unlike silicates, Densi-Crete and Moisture Proof have the unique ability to penetrate concrete to depths of up to 100mm. As they are negatively charged, they can be used on either horizontal or vertical surfaces. They can even be sprayed from underneath to protect bridges or provide added protection to suspended slabs used for carparks etc.

Their irreversible molecular bond and particle size distribution make them extremely effective at penetrating and sealing concrete internally whilst also hardening and strengthening it.

The high pH of silicates are not recommended where concrete reinforcement may be effected by excessive corrosion. Densi-Crete and Moisture Proof have the unique ability to render harmless existent internal corrosive activity by sealing the concrete from moisture, reducing the pH of the overall slab and reducing the impact on the embedded steel. They treat virtually every ailment or potential ailment associated with concrete, even to the point of increasing its compressive and flexural strengths.

Don’t be fooled by products claiming to be Colloidal Silica, insist on Densi Crete or Moisture Proof. They are the only colloidal silica’s in the Australian flooring industry. They are Australian made and have been specifically designed to Cure, Waterproof, Harden and act as a Moisture Barrier for concrete of any age.

Further information may be found at www.duracore.com.au.

Prep, Install & Care

Tips to Get More Life Out of your Diamond Tooling Floor preparation is the critical part to a perfect floor. It’s a part of laying floors right. All Preparation Equipment has been working closely with contractors and trainees who have attended TAFE Courses or doing Traineeships in the flooring industry. It’s all about having the knowledge on preparing, levelling and removing floors right so you can lay the new floor coverings right.

The famous quote by Benjamin Franklin applies to flooring just as much as anything else, ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.’ It’s absolutely essential in laying floor coverings that

84 | Flooring June/July 2018

the substrate is prepared properly as with applying a coating or in the concrete polishing process.

If you’ve ever seen a floor that has had the coating fail, an epoxy coating starting to flake off or a sealer having been poorly applied, or moisture come up in a concrete floor to ruin carpets of vinyls– you never want to see it again. Based on the Concrete Surface Profiles created by the International Concrete Repair Institute – All Preparation Equipment has put together a number of comprehensive guides for concrete floor preparation online at www. allprep.com.au.

Here’s a few tips All Preparation Equipment has shared to help you get the most out of your diamond tooling be it on an angle grinder, a stand-up concrete floor grinder or a larger three phase planetary head grinding machine.

• Unknown floor condition, start with a medium bond and go to softer or harder if needed. This saves wearing away diamonds quickly.

• Soft, open or porous concrete floor, start with a harder bond or medium bond diamond tool.

• Very hard or steel trowelled floors, start with a medium to soft bond. Or even a very soft bond if you have the option.

Schwamborn Concrete Grinders have several levels of soft and hard bonds to save you burning through sets.

• Diamonds grinding slow or glazing over, choose a softer bond diamond.

Increase your grinding pressure, change the tooling speed or spray a little water ahead of your machine on the floor to help lubricate the diamonds and keep them cool.

• Diamonds wearing away quickly. The key to getting more life out of your diamonds is to go to a harder bond. In the case where the bond is too hard your diamonds will be unproductive so it’s important to be able to read your floor.

Different machines achieve different finishes or profiles on a concrete floor.

Concrete Floor Grinders are most commonly used, followed by Floor Stripping machines for removing old or existing coverings to Scarifiers, Shotblasters or Scabblers which leave a heavy profile or key on the concrete in preparation to reapply onto.

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THE INNOVATORS IN SURFACE PREPARATION

THE NEW RANGE OF DUST COLLECTORS FROM BLASTRAC

WE MANUFACTURE THE BEST SURFACE PREP SOLUTION(S) NOT JUST THE BEST GRINDERS

Thought you didn’t have a choice in quality dust collectors? Think again!

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The widest range in surface prep solutions.

CHECK OUT THE ALL NEW GRINDER RANGE 2018 ONLINE AT WWW.BLASTRAC.COM.AU OR YOUTUBE

NEW Range of Dust Collectors

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ARRIVING JULY

CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 1300 247 111 OR 0407 945 694

www.blastrac.com.au 1300 247 111 or 0407 945 694

Prep, Install & Care

Commercial Flooring Without the Flaws Aesthetics and comfort are likely to rank high on the agenda when selecting floorcoverings for commercial installations. Nevertheless, these are not the only considerations; maintenance and long-term performance will almost certainly be seen as key issues when it comes to determining the final specification, especially when sustainability and whole life costs are brought into the equation.

Carpet v Hard Floor

Considerable controversy exists over whether smooth floors or carpets are the easier maintenance option. In reality, both have their place, but with a good cleaning regime, carpet will retain its appearance and be as hygienic as any other flooring material - it holds the dust, grime and associated bacteria in place, rather than allowing it to float into the air to be inhaled. From a health and safety perspective, carpet is soft should falls occur, and non-slip even when liquid is spilt. It also offers comfort underfoot and is an inherently sound-absorbent material, ideal where acoustics are an issue.

Upright v Backpack v Cylinder

With a good upright vacuum cleaner, carpet maintenance is very easy.

Models with strong suction and motor driven brushes are the most effective for carpets as they groom and lift the pile and remove dirt far more effectively than back pack and suction only cylinder cleaners. A variety of height settings on

86 | Flooring June/July 2018

good quality upright vacuum cleaners allow adjustment to different pile heights and constructions. On certain models, an electronic guide for brush height ensures optimum cleaning results and a longer brush life.

A well-designed upright vacuum cleaner offers the benefits of manoeuvrability, controllability and overall ease of use. Uprights offer a very high level of productivity, can clean a carpeted floor rapidly and, as the brush roller agitates the pile, it is always done thoroughly. If the upright is used in a systematic way, such as overlapping onepass sweeps, the floor area is cleaned quickly and efficiently, saving considerably on time-related costs.

powder (also known as compound) is ideal. This consists of micro-sponges which contain a safe solvent for greasy soiling, a neutral shampoo for non-greasy soiling, and an anti-re-soilant to delay re-soiling. The powder may be used in conjunction with a brushing machine which works the powder deep into the pile and around every fibre, in the process absorbing soilage. Unlike wet cleaning agents, which result in problems such as carpet shrinkage, adhesive damage, smell and long periods where the area cannot be used due to lengthy drying times, powder is simply vacuumed away leaving the carpet clean, soft and fresh.

Visit: www.sebo.com.au

Matting and then there’s matting

Commercial cleaning is a regular task that must be conducted to the highest standards. Any cleaning regime will depend on the usage of particular areas and should take account of the fact that, when carpet is walked on, any dirt or grit trapped in the pile will be crushed against the fibres causing premature wear and matting. This is a particular problem at entrances and other heavily-used areas, so daily vacuuming is advisable in these locations. Entrance mats to protect carpeted areas are always sensible, and it is vital that these are regularly vacuumed too.

Dry v Wet

For removing soiling that a vacuum cleaner cannot pick up, carpet cleaning

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Sika originated in Switzerland 106 years ago and is now the genuine market leader in Construction Chemicals with fully owned subsidiaries in 98 countries worldwide.

With its leading edge technology, gathered from across the globe and manufactured here to suit our climate, Sika Australia welcomes our newest addition.

SIKAFLOOR ® - LEVEL range takes into account all site conditions and requirements as much as the applicators needs and wants.

SIKAFLOOR® - LEVEL Primers & Levelling Compounds, Deep Fill, Ramping Mortar, Skim Coat, Concrete Repair

SIKATITE® Flexible Membranes, Moisture Barrier

SIKABOND® Timber Adhesives, Epoxy Barrier, Sika Acoubond® System

SIKAFLEX® Construction Adhesives & Sealants

CTA® Tile Adhesives, Flexible Membranes, Grouts

NSW Ph: (02) 9725 1700 orders.nsw@au.sika.com

VIC Ph: (03) 9797 0600 orders.vic@au.sika.com

QLD Ph: (07) 3633 9222 orders.qld@au.sika.com

SA Ph: (08) 8162 9055 sales.sa@au.sika.com

TAS Ph: (03) 6272 1000 orders.tas@au.sika.com

WA Ph: (08) 9395 5300 wa.sales@au.sika.com

Prep, Install & Care Only original Dustcontrol filters are tested and approved for use in our machines. The use of other types of filters could lead to the leaking of hazardous dust and/or machine breakdown.

Dust-control’s warranty only applies to machines equipped with original Dustcontrol spare parts. The filters are certified in accordance with current European requirements for dust extraction.

This ensures that, with correct handling, optimum filtration will be achieved. Follow the instructions when handling filters, so that they can be replaced without exposure to hazardous dust.

To ensure that the filters comply with the requirements of relevant regulations for health and safety at work, a number of different testing standards are used. These are described below:

Test methods

The test methods used in current standards for dust extractors and filters are always based on particle counting.

By injecting particles before the filter and by using a particle counter to determine the concentration before and after the filter, the penetration can be calculated (a penetration of 0.1% is equal to a degree of separation of 99.9%). The test is carried out in several stages by individually examining the filter media, the complete filter cartridge and, in some cases, also the complete unit.

HEPA filters — High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters

Classification Between H Class and HEPA Vacuums Dust extractors are used to improve the working environment, and to reduce levels of hazardous dust in the air to a minimum. This places great demands on the ability of the dust extractor to separate fine dust.

A fine filter in mobile dust extractors separates most of the dust. But in order to capture close to 100% of the finest and most dangerous particles, All Preparation Equipment always completes the design with a HEPA H13 filter.

All Preparation Equipment has been working closely with Dustcontrol Vacuums and Air purifying systems from Sweden where all their systems use conical pleated filters in all of our dust extraction 88 | Flooring June/July 2018

units. A pleated filter has a very large area in relation to its physical size. The dust extractors can therefore be compact in relation to the large filter area they contain.

When classifying HEPA filters, Dustcontrol uses the strict HEPA standard (EN 18221). It is divided into different levels (E10 to H14) depending on filtration efficiency.

Dustcontrol applies level H13, which can separate up to 99.95% of the particles between 0.15 and 0.30 µm in size. This particle size is used because it is the hardest to separate – both larger and smaller particles are easier to capture in a filter.

Dust extractors

In IEC-60335-2-69 (EN-60335-2-69), the standard for testing wet and dry extractors, dust extractors are classified into three categories –– where the H category is the most stringent. (Please note: do not con- fuse this “H” with that in HEPA H13). The category required for a specific application is decided on the basis of the permitted maximum concentration for that type of dust (MAK) in the working environment or by local regulations.

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The test according to EN-60335-2-69 comprises two parts

1. A test of the filter system – in our case, a fine filter and a HEPA H13 To achieve category H, a degree of separation of 99.995% is required, where 90% of the test particles must be smaller than 1.0 µm. Our fine filters comply with category M, and our HEPA H13 filters with category H. 2. A test of the “assembled unit” – in our case, a complete dust extractor. Here, 99.995% efficiency is also required, however 10% of the particles must be smaller than 0 µm, 22% smaller than 2.0 µm, and 75% smaller than 5.0 µm.

Concrete dust affects every construction and job site. Be it grinding concrete floors, grinding concrete high spots, grinding off glues, adhesives, coatings or epoxies, grinding waterproofing membranes or blackjack removal, dust is a bane - everywhere.

With rising regulations to control concrete silica dust from it's source, Dustcontrol SE from Sweden is the sole distributor throughout Australia and New Zealand by All Preparation Equipment.

Dustcontrol Vacuums range from a small compact DC2900L Single phase Vacuum designed to be used alongside Handheld Angle Grinders and smaller 250mm Stand behind Concrete Floor Grinders through to Separator units DC3900L, DC3900L Vacuum and Separator system, through to a Three phase DC5900L 4kW and 11kW Vacuum system and DC400, 15amp Tromb Vacuum setup. Each vacuum ranges in capacity, suction and power through to a Longopac drop-down Vacuum system.

Dustcontrol Concrete Vacuum systems allow you to: • Help to stop and reduce the dust • Help to control the dust, both airborne and surface dusting from concrete floor grinding, scarifying, scabbling, concrete floor sawing, concrete cutting, concrete core drilling and other related activities • Maintaining and reviewing the control for dust.

KGS DIAMOND-FLOOR MADE IN EUROPE

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR

Safety

Entrance Matting – Enhancing Safety through Innovation At Classic, we are passionate about providing our customers with innovative solutions to their problems. The prevention of slips, trips and falls is one of the main goals of any business owner, but addressing this issue is not always straightforward.

The best line of defence is the installation of entrance matting, which significantly reduces the ingress of moisture and dirt which can lead to slips, trips and falls. In addition to this, it also enhances the appearance of any building entranceway. In this article we will discuss the need, purpose and how to choose the right entrance matting for various applications. We will also shed some light on the benefits of Verse matting – Australia’s most specifiable entrance mat.

inside by wheeled traffic or on the soles of pedestrians. This greatly reduces the incidence of slips, trips and falls occurring as people move about the interior of a building; saving managers and businesses from costly claims, reducing cleaning costs and enhancing access to public spaces for all.

Standards, Types & Examples of Entrance Matting Applications in Australia

The Building Code of Australia recommends that entrance matting should be installed at a dimension of at least 1.8m front to back, as this would allow at least two contacts with each foot upon entering a building. This is however just a minimum recommendation, and the effective dirt/moisture removal would be determined by the quality of the matting. In some cases, it may be necessary to extend further or explore alternative matting options which may be better suited.

Types and Materials

There are many different types of entrance mats, and they are all suited to different application scenarios. When thinking of entrance matting, you might think of the traditional coir mat found at the front door of households all over Australia. Most people don’t pay as much attention to the entrance matting seen around the places we visit every day, such as shopping centres, banks, transport hubs and office buildings - but it plays a very important role.

Entrance Matting – Why It Matters

Slips, trips and falls are by far the most common injuries sustained in Australia, yet they are easily preventable. More than 50% of injuries can be attributed to environmental factors such as rain and dirt, which cause floors to become slippery and dangerous. Both managers of public spaces as well as business owners have a duty of care for the general public, customers and employees. Safe Work Australia require all people conducting business (PCBU’s) to manage the risks associated with slips, trips and falls “as far as is reasonably practicable”.

Entrance matting is an ideal way to address this requirement.

Entrance matting can be installed seamlessly at the exterior and/or interior of a building entrance, and it will serve to remove and hide dirt and moisture that would otherwise be tracked 90 | Flooring June/July 2018

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Architectural entrance matting is comprised of two parts which work together as a scrubber and scraper to retain dirt and moisture.

Entrance matting is normally constructed of either aluminium, synthetics, stainless steel or sheet fibre to provide structural rigidity. Inserts made from bristle, rubber/synthetic or fibre are then inserted, and these, help to improve traction and retain moisture resulting from both pedestrian and wheeled traffic. Various colour options for the inserts are available, with most office buildings opting for classic black or grey to enhance the appearance of their entranceway and maintain an upmarket image.

What specifiers look for

As a contractor, guiding your clients towards the best solutions for their issue is important. When specifying entrance matting, there are a few key elements to be considered.

Appearance – Every client has different aesthetic goals.

Some prefer the appearance of carpet style matting or the rustic appeal of coir, but businesses and high-traffic environments need to consider aluminium matting as it strikes a balance between professional appearance and functionality.

Effectiveness – Every product has different scraping/wiping ability. Carpet style and coir matting is effective at reducing dirt/ moisture, but it wears faster and does not hide or retain as much debris as aluminium matting combined with tufted pile/ rubber/synthetic brush. Inserts/tufts containing a high number of individual filaments will offer improved brushing ability, as this allows for increased friction and intense dirt removal.

Durability and Expected Lifespan – Aluminium matting is generally the most durable, whilst coir is the least durable. A good indicator for durability is the rating for low, medium or high

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traffic levels. Double sided construction can also maximise the lifespan of a product.

It is also important to consider the needs of your clients both now and in the future, considering expected traffic levels, indoor/ outdoor application and the types of people who will be coming through the doors (e.g. people in wheelchairs, couriers with trolleys etc). Most heavy-duty matting products use nylon for the surface material, as it offers a high-end appearance, crush resistance and is very effective at brushing and scraping.

Maintenance – Most business owners appreciate matting which is easy to clean and maintain, and it should also be installed at an appropriate depth such that it will keep adjacent floors clean and dry. Roll-up matting, reversible matting and modular matting are all easy to clean, whilst carpet style matting may require slightly more effort.

Selecting the best mat for the job

Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine the appropriate matting product for a specific scenario. While some mats fit only some specific usage scenarios, others, such as the Integra Verse help to solve this selection issue, as fits most of the application scenarios. Backed by a 35-year warranty, Verse is a durable, hard-wearing and visually pleasing entrance matting system for high-traffic applications.

An ideal matting system, such as Verse, allows you to meet the needs of your clients through the following ways: • Modular and Reversible – Modular construction and reversibility maximises wear and makes for easy cleaning and repairs. It can be specified in various ways, for example it is possible to order module 1-2-1-2 or other configurations.

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

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

FLOORING

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Ronnie Gramazio Email: ronnie.gramazio@elitepublishing.com.au TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley6@bigpond.com ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Sandie Velkovska Email: sandie@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour Email: georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN Uber Creative Phone: (03) 8513 0208 Email: connect@ubercreative.com.au www.ubercreative.com.au

• Quick Drying and Highly Effective –Designed to retain up to 95% of moisture and dirt during scraping and wiping, with the unique design fusing alternate layers of rubber and aluminium to channel moisture towards the periphery for easy removal.

• Elegant Appeal – Constructed from aluminium scraper bars and re-purposed conveyor belt rubber held together by high tensile steel wires, Verse has a contemporary, slim appearance which is more in line with current building designs.

This makes it suitable for office buildings, schools, shopping centres and other developments.

• Suitable for wheeled traffic – Some matting products such as coir and carpet style can cause difficulties for wheeled traffic. Rubber wiper strips installed in Verse allow wheelchairs, trolleys, bags and equipment to be rolled smoothly across the surface without getting stuck. Verse requires less effort for pushing, and the level of ‘trolley’ vibration is reduced.

• Specifiable – An intuitive design that allows the matting system to adapt to user needs is a must. With varying amount of aluminium and wiping area for improved absorption, the variants can support less or more traffic making the system ideal for different applications and budgets. This allows it to be specified in accordance with the unique requirements (e.g. particularly wet environments).

• Quick Lead Time, Easy Install – Average lead time of two weeks is ideal and with Verse, a modular low-profile design makes for straightforward installation, easier shaping and reduced waste.

Summary

Entrance matting is a remarkably effective way to enhance the appearance and safety of any public building entranceway. It will help to significantly reduce the ingress of moisture and dirt, keeping adjacent floors clean, dry and as safe as possible. There are a range of products available on the market, and the choice of product will depend on the usage scenario and budget. By taking into account the needs and expectations of your clients, you can determine the right solution. In difficult applications where no single product can meet requirements, you may benefit from the range of specification options and longevity provided by Verse. For more information, contact Classic Architectural Group.

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

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Supplier Woodworking Magazine, Tile Today Magazine, Discovering Stone Magazine, FB Magazine, Flooring Magazine, Finishes & Surfaces Magazine

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Exhibitions

Ad Index

2018 Exhibitions

JULY 2018 15-17 The Manchester Furniture Show

Interiors, furniture and flooring show

Manchester, UK www.manchesterfurnitureshow.com 18-19 HMFSE 2018

Home Furnishings Solutions Expo

Atlanta, USA www.hmfse.com 19-22

DĂŠcor + Design Show Interiors event showcasing interior products and furnishings and floorcoverings

Melbourne, Australia www.decordesignshow.com.au AUGUST 2018 8-12 Decorex Joburg 2018

Home DĂŠcor, flooring and design expo

Johannesburg, South Africa www.reedexpoafrica.co.za/decorex 26-28

IFHS Furniture and Homewares 2018 Furniture, flooring and Homewares Trade event

Dublin, Ireland www.ifhs-tradeshow.ie

SEPTEMBER 2018 12-13 Architect@Work Netherlands

Tailored contact days for architects, interior designers and other design consultants

Rotterdam, Netherlands www.architectatwork.nl OCTOBER 2018 18-22 Interieur 2018

International Biennial for Creative Interior Design

Kortrijk, Belgium www.interieur.be 26-29

Ideal Home 2018 Expo devoted to furniture, flooring, interiors and lifestyle

Dublin, Ireland www.idealhome.ie NOVEMBER 2018 1-4 Countryside 2018

All aspects of country living including interior design, flooring, food and art

Ghent, Belgium www.tradefairs.com/countryside/Ghent *** For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, please check the individual event websites.

Airstep Australia 64-65 Altro Apac 33 Andersens Flooring Back Cover Armstrong Flooring 43 Australian Floor Style Co-Op 10 Australian Flooring Supplies 35, 63 Australian Select Timbers 5 Birrus Matting 67 Blastrac Australia 85 Carpet Court 19 Carpet One Australasia 53 Choices Flooring Front Cover, 7, 17 Classic Architectural Group 74-75 Clear Choice Products 89 Con-Treat 79 Dunlop Flooring Inside Front Cover,

Inside Back Cover & Insert Duracore 83 Floorcovering Institute of Australia 29 Flooring Xtra 55 Floorworld 57 GMK Logistics 47 Godfrey Hirst Australia 9, 11 Ian Jones Insurance Brokers 41 IHGF Delhi Fair 51 Intafloors 31 Kenbrock Flooring 25 Laser Measure Australia 81 Latham Australia Insert Mapei Australia 77 MJS Floorcoverings 68-69 New Oz Timber Flooring 39 Ontera 13 RFMS Australasia 71, 73 Sebo Australia 61 Sika Australia 87 Tarkett Australia 15, 48-49

Get your personal copy of Flooring magazine Just email info@elitepublishing.com.au and supply us with your full contact details.

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

SIMPLE INSTALLATION

Locking mechanism

Our Rigid Vinyl Planks use an integrated, user-friendly 5G-i locking mechanism for speedy and secure installation. Planks click together tightly with no gapping. No adhesives are required; all you need is a rubber mallet, and three gentle taps on the end join to lock them in.

PERFECT FOR ALL CLIMATES Can be installed in Direct Sunlight

Impervious to extreme conditions inherent to the harsh Australian climate, Rigid Vinyl Planks can withstand direct heat and extreme cold, with the lowest expansion and contraction rates.

For more information contact Dunlop Flooring on 1800 622 293 or visit heartridge.com.au

RIGID VINYL PLANK

HIGHLAND OAK available in 6 NEW colours HIGHLY WATER RESISTANT Suitable in wet areas

Can be installed in wet areas, such as bathrooms and laundries.

Being impervious to moisture, the planks won’t warp or peel, and the surface can be mopped without any complications, making cleaning that much easier.

EASY TO CLEAN Real timber boards require a lot of maintenance to retain their aesthetic, but with Rigid Vinyl Plank, it’s effortless. Thanks to the unique, rigid construction and composition, you don’t need to oil, sand or refinish the boards.

Regal Cove

TRANSFORM A HOME WITH EASE USING OUR NEW

RIGID VINYL PLANK

Join the brand with a plan.

Proven Business Model

Top Tier Training & Support

Prime Site Selection

Respected Brand

Mobile franchises available from only $50k drive away.

For a confidential discussion on how owning an Andersens franchise can put you a step ahead of the rest, call Liam Brown on 0448 946 373 or email lbrown@andersens.com.au

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