70 MasterPiece 70 Metro
Read our detailed reports from the show on pages 55 – 84
Associated Weavers................. 56–59
Condor
Fells
What’s new for ’22
Furlong 60–61 Hugh Mackay 73
In carpets, wool in general and loops in particular are continuing to build in public appeal, and polyester is more popular for its enhanced performance vs. softness, helped by the happy fact that the fibre has increased less in price than PP!
Adam Carpets
F.
LVT is a shorter discussion – its more and more herringbone and parquet which is universally adored. Muted, faded ceramic designs in tiles make a sophisticated contribution to the smooths offer.
62
ACG 83
Last month we gave you the snapshots from Harrogate so now it’s time for the detail with reviews from 40 leading companies with their latest and greatest offers for Q4 and 2022.
Cybergold 72
54 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Cavalier 74
Abingdon Flooring............................
Cormar 65
More colour is coming through – we say this every year but this time it appears to be true! Blues – both dark and denim – are doing well and flavours of orange are everywhere – it goes so well with grey! And yes, more subtle patterns too and animal prints (lots of leopards) are everywhere.
Ball & Young
Easylay 78 Ball 55 73
But while new products are less plentiful, some of the trade’s main players have launched significant new ranges, some developed last year and held back by the rollercoaster of Covid.
Review page
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While the pandemic held back product development to some extent as manufacturers focussed on essential production, marketing departments used the time well with several companies substantially overhauling their brand presentation and messaging to the market.
CRUK 80
84 Penthouse ........................................... 75 Qfloors 66 SMG 68 Sonixx .................................................. 72 Texfelt 75 Tradeco 76 Ulster ................................................... 68 Unifloor 82 Uzin 78 Verona ................................................. 85 Victoria 63 Woolsafe 83 The full round-up of the latest products and launches featured at The Flooring Show, Harrogate
INNOV8 Tomkinson.............................. Group
81
BerryAlloc 81
............................................. 76 Interfloor 67 Kellars 64 Kenburn .............................................. 74 Kingsmead 66 Lano 80 Manx
Computers for Flooring 82 85
Harrogate
T 01538 361633 • www.f-ball.co.uk
F Ball
Expertise at speed
REVIEW
F Ball’s on-stand demonstration area was a new innovation for the show
F Ball sales director Darren Kenyon said: “we are delighted to be able to utilise cutting-edge technical knowledge to provide flooring contractors with a floor finishing compound that we believe are superior to anything that they have used Stopgapbefore.”Micro
The training programme has been restyled to offer a more dynamic, hands-on learning experience for installers and the courses, which run all year round, are free to attend – tailored to the needs of apprentices as well as experienced professionals, helping them to keep up-to-date with the latest advances in product technology and installation methods.
Speed is of the essence for F. Ball and Co Ltd who impressed visitors to Harrogate with their ambitious, extended stand space that featured a live demonstration area presenting the latest innovations in action.
The need for speed is also delivered in the latest fastdrying formulation from F Ball. The Styccobond F58 PLUS enables LVT floorcoverings to be secured from just five minutes. When initially applied, the products wet-lay adhesive transitions to a semi-wet stage to become fully pressure sensitive. Fibres in the adhesive provide resistance to lateral movement, preventing vinyl tiles and planks moving around when working.
One of the latest product innovations being showcased was Stopgap Micro Rapid – a new ultra-smooth flexible floor finishing compound which delivers a seamless feathered edge to fill indentations formed by screws used to secure plywood sheets, as well as the gaps at joints between the panels. It can also be used to repair minor surface defects in a wide range of absorbent surfaces including sand/cement and calcium sulphate screeds.
Product demonstrations from the experts in F. Ball’s technical service department were hugely popular and also showcased the training programs that the company delivers at the F Ball Centre of Excellence - a new, state-ofthe-art, facility opened at its Staffordshire headquarters.
The product is designed to meet demanding deadlines – it is walk-on hard and ready to receive new floorcoverings in just 20 minutes and it does not require planing.
55THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Rapid has been demonstrated at over 60 trade days at wholesalers around the country in the last three months with overwhelmingly positive feedback. it is supplied in 8kg eco pouches which are 100% recyclable and easy to handle and transport.
AW aim to impress on every level and their stunning stand at The Flooring Show didn’t disappoint, dominating Hall M with trade-leading marketing, creative presentation and new launches.
56 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 Harrogate REVIEW
Gaia is set to be a major brand in the UK T 01422 431100 • www.associated-weavers.co.uk
“We mean serious business and when we set out to do something, we do it as well as it can be done,” says Emmanuel Lioen, marketing manager of Associated Weavers. “We work closely with our partners in retail to find out what will make the most difference to help them do better business. We have had great feedback at the show.”
dominated Hall M
AW rolls out class-leading point-of-sales and product presentation across the UK, led by the Invictus brand for both carpets and LVT, plus an impressive portfolio of supporting brands such as Sedna, iSense, StainAway, Viviendi, and now Gaia. “Nobody does marketing like AW but it starts with having the best products in every category to ensure our offer is exactly what consumers want to buy right now,” says Emmanuel.
Polyester has that key attraction of improved performance over polypropylene but with extra softness and easy maintenance – it’s bleach cleanable – plus an attractive silky touch that makes it a premium product.
Gaia has arrived in four ranges in the UK – Indus, Dorado, Tigris and Ganges – and AW has taken advantage of the fibre’s excellent ability to take colour to develop a brilliant colour selection across the collection.
PETfromtextileFusionBacnaturalwholebackingFusionBacitgivesthepackageasoft,feel.ECOisauniquebacking,made100%recycledplasticbottles.Theimpressivestandpresentation
Doing business better
Adding to the prestige approach, Gaia benefits from AW’s award-winning ECO
The power of polyester
Gaia Tigris
AW and Invictus rolls out an impressive presentation for retail and contract
And there is something new for everyone in every department – product development has been in top gear at Associated Weavers despite the challenges of the last 18 months.
A key new feature for AW is the arrival of its major Gaia polyester brand in the UK - the growing appetite for polyester across the market making this a perfect time to add it to the portfolio.
AW has an impressive portfolio across all sectors
The online Invictus community (for both carpet and LVT) numbers some 12,500 followers. AW links its social media and Internet activity directly to retailers with excellent technology for use in-store and at home to select options and visualise installations to make the buying process funto-do and as effective as possible.
REVIEW
The mainstream range here is Vivendi which has been established as “stressfree carpet for happy people”...
57THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Push for polyamide
The Invictus brand continues to be the powerful portfolio of mainstream ranges that has been so enthusiastically embraced by retailers and AW has been playing to this strength by unrelenting development of the brand.
StainAway
For 2022, Vivendi sees the re-colouring of the Soul and Vibes ranges as well as the introduction of newcomers, Karma and Vitality, to extend the appeal.
So retailers have welcomed the launch of Ultimate Harvest Heathers which plays right into the current popularity of the natural, heathered effect with 14 colourways with a subtle, speckled design.
“We have created a real community of followers both in the trade and among consumers,” says Emmanuel. “And consumers are more prepared than ever to invest in their homes so the high quality marketing tools we give retailers allows excellent opportunities to make better sales.”
T 01422 431100 • www.invictus.co.uk/carpet
Vivendi Karma
Harrogate
Ultimate Harvest Heathers
Some of AW’s most active development continues to be in its high performance polyamide fibres which the company has engineered to achieve unique softness alongside the undoubted resilience of nylon.
The StainAway collection is still the core of many retailers’ mainstream offer and the company continues to invest strongly in the polypropylene brand to make it as relevant as possible, at a competitive price point.
The mainstream range here is Vivendi which has been established as “stressfree carpet for happy people” – a solution-dyed nylon which is therefore bleach cleanable and has impeccable wear resistance.
Still convincingly invincible
iSense Subtlety
The super soft and durable set of carpets under the iSense label has seen a whole bunch of recent range introductions including Splendour, Serenity, Subtlety, Suspense and Obsession.
Meanwhile, Sedna – the flagship brand which saves sea life by using nylon recovered from abandoned fishing nets and other waste – sees the introduction of a new, cleverly named, range called Oshun.
Sedna Oshun
The Invictus carpet collection came to Harrogate with two new ranges – Aurelius and Tiberius – plus an attractive re-colouring of the popular Orion and Sirius ranges with improved yarn which retailers will see in the New Year, featuring updated, on trend colours including the latest pastel hues.
Since Invictus LVT took the market by storm it has gone from strength-to-strength and there are 19 new options in the latest catalogue to ensure that the collection is maintained at the leading edge of consumer demand. As the portfolio grows, the Invictus team has organised the offer into four distinctive categories – Contemporary (on trend and eclectic), Urban (sleek and sophisticated), Townhouse (grand, traditional, and classy), and Country Living (natural, cosy and authentic).
Invictus Contemporary
Invictus LVT credentials are well known – exemplary authenticity and ultra-strong performance including the Scratchmaster top layer and robust construction that allow the Primus range to come with a 20 year residential warranty while Maximus is good for 25 years. And the flooring is 100% recyclable and reusable and can be part of the industry’s growing vinyl take-back schemes.
Each collection has been carefully curated and kept up-to-date and this approach makes it easier for both consumers and retailers to navigate the extensive options both in DryBack and SPC Click and get a good start to make their selection.
“Retailers who have bought into the awardwinning in-store display from Invictus are very enthusiastic on guiding customers through the customer journey”
Invictus Country Living
With some 40 planks, 13 parquets and 17 stone tiles, there is plenty to choose from for both the mainstream demand and the more adventurous design-led consumer. The random effect of Designer Parquet and the Tropical Forest wood decors fall into that unique eye-catching category along with Concrete Crush and Groovy Granite in tiles.
58 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 Harrogate REVIEW
AW’s John Matthews and Kelly Johnson with the “toast-rack”
Invictus Townhouse
www.invictus.co.uk
Carefully curating Invictus LVT collections
Invictus Urban
Of course, that selection process is massively enhanced by the hugely impressive point of sale system that Invictus has engineered to showcase the LVT collections – taking consumers from the sample to a real room set in seconds, removing all obstacles to the sales process.
Retailers who have bought into the award-winning in-store display from Invictus are very enthusiastic on all the features and benefits of guiding customers through the customer journey
The in-store Invictus LVT presenter is state-of-the-art POS
Harrogate
“We are convinced that sales people who know more, sell more,” says Managing Director Gavin Pugh. “Our mission is to turn sales staff into carpet and flooring champions to ensure that our retailers can set themselves apart from the competition.”
Based at the headquarters of Associated Weavers in Halifax, the Academy is an intensive course that is both insightful and fun to do. The programme kicks off with a technical training session on how carpet and LVT are made and highlights the benefits and installation of these floorcovering options. Then, the sales experts at AW share their vision on the customer experience, efficient in-store sales tools and the importance of colours and brands.
Graduating from the AW Academy
This innovation is the remarkable commercial project suitcase – a comprehensive sales tool comprising a wheeled case that sits on his own stand and opens up to reveal everything from LVT to carpet tiles and broadloom. Each SKU holds a unique QR-code which leads you to the AW Commercial Flooring visualiser, where you can see your favourite designs in your very own interior (pictured right).
•
The program also includes new Maverick range of commercial wall-to-wall carpet and carpet tiles, made from AW’s iMax solution-dyed nylon in a dense, 10th gauge construction. 431100 www.aw-commercialflooring.co.uk
59THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
“The power of the group means we can bring the full breadth of our flooring options together to address the needs of this new audience,” said Mark Danbrough, the new Commercial Sales Manager. “We can handle all the different use cases – and in true AW style, we are presenting this in an innovative new way.”
The unit is easy to take along to architects and specifiers and a consistent, modular approach to sampling makes matching, comparison and selection easy.
AW Commercial Flooring project suitcase
Creating flooring champions
REVIEW
“The power of the group means we can bring the full breadth of our flooring options together to address the needs of this audience.”
The case for AW commercial flooring
The AW Academy is all about elevating the business opportunities of the company’s retail partners by ensuring that sales staff have the knowledge they need.
Invictus New England Oak Herringbone
Medusa carpet tiles
The launch of AW Commercial Flooring division was a major event for the company at The Flooring Show – establishing a powerful new force in the contract sector which will leverage the full extent of Associated Weaver’s product portfolio.
T 01422
Highlights at the show included the re-vamp of best-selling Elegance – a recent winner of the Flooring Innovation Award for man-made carpets – to complete Furlong’s comprehensive family of twists.
Elegance has been updated to enhance its best-seller status
The key to this success is built on the company’s home-grown credentials, manufacturing in the UK and committing to market-leading levels of stock backed up by a logistics service to match.
First choice flooring
Furlong Flooring Delivering on choice reliabilityand
Harrogate show preview
Veneto adds opulence to the soft-touch collection
Furlong Flooring knows that what retailers want more than anything else is reliability. The right products, at the right price, that turn up at the right time.
overhaul of Furlong’s impressive point-of-sale systems stood out at the show with a contemporary and coherent appearance including back-lit graphics that make a major impact in store.
The luxury new range Veneto was also introduced to add some opulence to the company’s impressive range of soft-touch performance carpets.
60 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Easy? Anything but in the turbulent times of the last 18 months but Furlong have made a virtue of keeping faith with their retailers through thick and thin and have been rewarded with loyalty and popularity that was evident at The Flooring Show in Harrogate last month.
The company has also been busy in product development, ensuring a seamless portfolio of ranges matched to each segment of the market to fulfil the Furlong mantra of “first choice flooring for every room.”
“We are one of the very few major players where everything is in house,” says Neil Valentine. “Therefore our destiny is in our own hands and we will do everything it takes to protect our customers from the ups and downs in the marketplace.
“There is a big appetite for our kind of business – delivering mainstream best-sellers on time and competitively priced.”
“The value of this approach came through in Harrogate – I don’t think in all the 19 years I have been coming here we have had a better show. There is a big appetite for our kind of business –delivering mainstream best-sellers on time and competitively priced,” he Thesaid.recent
Furlong ticks all the boxes
Harrogate show preview
We’ve updated our three best-selling vinyl ranges, as well as launching a brand-new range, to give customers more choice.
Cirrus III - Strong, durable, on-trend vinyl
Our updated Pictora III range gives customers the perfect blend practicality and design. From quirky geo-patterns to traditional designs, this imaginative, creative range allows customers to let personality shine through. With a foam backing for enhanced efficiency and comfort, this range is affordable and easy to clean, making it perfect for family living.
Award winning point-of-sale enhances the one-stop shop approach across the Furlong portfolio
Pictora III - Statement vinyl for a fresh new look
Furlong’s increasingly popular portfolio of smooth flooring completes the one-stop-shop approach with a smart, award-winning point-of-sale system and a growing choice across LVT, vinyl, laminate and wood for competitive-priced, family-friendly smooth floors.
Cirrus Woods - Our most hard-wearing vinyl, now available in 10 plank decors
The key credentials of Furlong Flooring were represented across a series of eye-catching panel presentations at the show...
What’s new?
Building on the hard-wearing properties
Pictora III - Statement vinyl for a fresh new look
We’ve updated our three best-selling vinyl ranges, as well as launching a brand-new more choice.
Cirrus Woods offers both traditional plank designs for those looking for a durable Cirrus Woods is ideally suited to high-traffic hygienic PU Lacquer coating, protecting excellent impact resistance and heat delivers fantastic value for money.
Building on the popularity of previous Cirrus ranges, Cirrus III gives homeowners and commercial businesses the chance to update flooring in heavy-traffic areas with hard-wearing but stylish vinyl. Available in a range of subtle tile decors and foam backed for comfort and energy efficiency, Cirrus III benefits from excellent impact resistance and heat insulation properties. A strong and durable vinyl range that gives you the dual benefits of practicality and style.
What’s new?
We’ve updated our three best-selling vinyl ranges, as well as launching more choice.
T 01772 696787
Our updated Pictora III range gives customers the perfect blend of practicality and design. From quirky geo-patterns to traditional cottage designs, this imaginative, creative range allows customers to let their personality shine through. With a foam backing for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort, this range is affordable and easy to clean, making it perfect for family living.
And there was a first look at new additions to the laminate collection including the tough Elite with the UniLin click system with micro-bevelled edges and its sister range Urban Laminate with sophisticated city-style looks – both of which benefit from the Blue Angel environmental certification, while Elite XL adds CARB2 compliance on emissions for high air quality standards.
Versatility II has a selection of warm, cosy vinyl flooring with a natural look and feel that will enhance the style of all homes. Featuring modern and contemporary wood and tile designs, this range has a felt backing for easy installation and fantastic acoustic insulation – making it perfect for new builds and any room in the home.
Versatility II - Cosy vinyl for the home
FIRST CHOICE FLOORING
What’s new?
Cirrus Woods - Our most hard-wearing 10 plank decors
Cirrus III - Strong, durable, on-trend vinyl
61THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Visitors to the show heard about Furlong’s new focus on vinyl which sees 53 new decors across the collection - updating three best-selling ranges and introducing a totally new range to offer exceptional choice - from the subtle finishes of Cirrus III to the modern styles of Versatility II. The Autumn launch of these updates is the ideal time for retailers to update their vinyl offer.
All the flooring options as a single source for
Our updated Pictora III range gives customers the perfect blend of practicality and design. From quirky geo-patterns to traditional cottage designs, this imaginative, creative range allows customers to let their
Building on the hard-wearing properties and popularity of our Cirrus range, Cirrus Woods offers both traditional plank decors and modern herringbone designs for those looking for a durable flooring solution. Foam-backed, Cirrus Woods is ideally suited to high-traffic areas and comes with a hygienic PU Lacquer coating, protecting against the build-up of dirt. With excellent impact resistance and heat insultation properties, this vinyl range delivers fantastic value for money.
First choice flooring for every room in the house
Our updated Pictora III range gives customers the perfect blend of practicality and design. From quirky geo-patterns to traditional cottage designs, this imaginative, creative range allows customers to let their personality shine through. With a foam backing for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort, this range is affordable and easy to clean, making it perfect for family living.
Cirrus III - Strong, durable, on-trend vinyl Building on the popularity of previous Cirrus ranges, Cirrus III gives homeowners and commercial businesses the chance to update flooring in heavy-traffic areas with hard-wearing but stylish vinyl. Available in a range of subtle tile decors and foam backed for comfort and energy efficiency, Cirrus III benefits from excellent resistance and heat insulation properties. A strong and durable range that gives you the dual benefits of practicality and style.
Cirrus Woods - Our most hard-wearing vinyl, now available in 10 plank decors
Building on the hard-wearing Cirrus Woods offers both designs for those looking Cirrus Woods is ideally hygienic PU Lacquer excellent impact resistance delivers fantastic value Cirrus Woods - Our 10 plank decors
Pictora III - Statement vinyl for a fresh new look
Furlong commits to the highest levels of service to its customers
Cirrus III - Strong, durable, on-trend vinyl Building on the popularity of previous Cirrus ranges, Cirrus III gives homeowners and commercial businesses the chance to update flooring in heavy-traffic areas with hard-wearing but stylish vinyl. Available in a range of subtle tile decors and foam backed for comfort and energy efficiency, Cirrus III benefits from excellent impact resistance and heat insulation properties. A strong and durable vinyl range that gives you the dual benefits of practicality and style.
Versatility II has a selection look and feel that will and contemporary wood for easy installation and for new builds and any Versatility II - Cosy
Award-winning point-of-sale is a superb showcase for the portfolio
Investmentretailersinstock and logistics for on-time deliveries, every time
We’ve updated our three best-selling vinyl ranges, as well as launching a brand-new range, to give customers more choice.
What’s new?
The popular sales portal gives instant access to stock availability
Building on the hard-wearing properties and popularity of our Cirrus range, Cirrus Woods offers both traditional plank decors and modern herringbone designs for those looking for a durable flooring solution. Foam-backed, Cirrus Woods is ideally suited to high-traffic areas and comes with a hygienic PU Lacquer coating, protecting against the build-up of dirt. With excellent impact resistance and heat insultation properties, this vinyl range delivers fantastic value for money.
www.furlongflooring.co.uk
One-stop smooth selection
Building on the popularity of previous Cirrus ranges, Cirrus III gives homeowners and commercial businesses the chance to update flooring in heavy-traffic areas with hard-wearing but stylish vinyl. Available in a range of subtle tile decors and foam backed for comfort and energy efficiency, Cirrus III benefits from excellent impact resistance and heat insulation properties. A strong and durable vinyl range that gives you the dual benefits of practicality and style.
Pictora III - Statement vinyl for a fresh new look
“This is a real handful of carpet,” said Martin. “Lots of people still really like a heavy saxony and this is the heaviest carpet we can make.”
Indulgence is part of the Stainfree collection and as well as its depth of fibre, this launch also shows the increasing appetite for colour including some beautifully sumptuous soft pastels.
Abingdon Flooring
T 01274 655662 • www.abingdonflooring.co.uk
“This feels so different and has a lovely handle,” says Martin. “Polyester is more competitive than nylon and offers superb softness, but it has that extra performance that makes it family proof and because this is solution dyed polyester, it is bleach cleanable – this has gone down so well at the show.”
Gracefully going soft
Velveteer looks like a real winner as a newcomer to the Love Story collection. With a beautiful finish and that lovely lustre of polyester, Abingdon has brought 30 smart colours – 10 greys, 10 plains, but then 10 fresh and vibrant colours to appeal to the more fashion
62 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 Harrogate REVIEW
addition to Love Story will arrive in January. Wild Silk is distinctively different – a colourful berber fleck, almost like confetti, which is unique in its construction and difficult to make (and copy!). 50% of Wild Silk is polyester yarn from Abingdon’s Romance range blended with a coloured yarn in space-dyed polyester – all of which, again, as the performance with softness credentials this fibre enjoys – is going to be a really interesting entrant into the market next year.
“Some of our developments have been held back almost 2 years because of the pandemic along with the issues with yarn and logistics,” said Martin Peace. “But we have been keen to move forward with some important launches that are set to be among our future best-sellers.”
In fact, Abingdon have gone soft over lockdown with the launch of two striking new polyester ranges.
conscious.Another
Staying soft, but this time in Abingdon’s carefully engineered polypropylene yarn, is Aristocrat, a subtlety heathered partner to the popular plains Sophisticat range in a very attractive new pallete of colours. And finally, for people who like a lot of carpet for their money, there is new 70oz Indulgence.
A global pandemic isn’t the best time for product development but the busy Abingdon stand at The Flooring Show demonstrated what you can do with carefully selected initiatives to meet the mood of the market and keep flooring fresh for consumers.
Victoria The new Victoria – elegance and accessibility
“We have spent a lot of time listening to what retailers want and developing a clean approach to our marketing in this key sector to make everything easy and accessible,” says James.
For carpets, this approach has meant the creation of three families of products – Natureborn for wool, EasiCare for manmade ranges and Luxuria for unashamed opulence – the best of the best. Super new point-of-sale presentations have been developed to present these collection to best effect with striking new graphics and smart information panels.
A centrepiece of the Victoria stand was the impeccable Luxuria Velvet - the company’s first nylon 6.6 product which won a Flooring Innovation Award on its introduction last year and made its debut at the show to the appreciation of visitors.
Wow! Victoria is just looking so lovely these days with a complete brand transformation as MyVictoria which has accelerated the company into the fast lane of fashionable flooring for families in every sector of the market.
Victoria’s Design Flooring portfolio for LVT is also getting a major makeover to bring together the Distinctive and Universal brands and Harrogate visitors got the first sight of the smart and simplified approach to smooths.
Smarter smooths
Colour coded samples and the clever Stick-me/Click-me labels help the process with, for example, all the Landscape planks and the 12”x24” Landscape tiles available as both click and dryback. A new SPC option with a 0.30 wear layer has been introduced alongside a 0.50 Retailersherringbone.willstart to see the Victoria Design Flooring rolling out in style early in 2022.
The family of carpets
63THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 Harrogate REVIEW
“We have reimagined our whole approach across the business with the main aim to make it easier for consumers to shop Victoria, giving retailers better access to highquality sales,” said James Caldwell, Sales Director for Victoria Carpets & Design Floors.
Victoria has managed to combine elegance with accessibility and their superb stand at Harrogate captured style to perfection.
Tudor Twist is at the core of Victoria’s 80/20 offer, a large range in 36 colours and two different weights which has seen an impressive re-colouring to bring in blues, reds, pink and gold’s alongside the mainstream palette. And Victoria’s especially elegant, chunky loop pile carpet Habberley – made from 70% wool and 30% Tencel – is adding two new designs including a straight set ridge and a complimentary herringbone.
T 01562 749300 • www.victoriacarpets.com
In the Easicare man-made department, new Ultimate Expressions adds heathered options to the popular Ultimate Impressions range and the new Heartland Heathers range extends the choice with a family-friendly two-ply collection of 12 colours. The colour pallete for Aura has also been reimagined across 16 options and refreshing to see the range still remaining strong on the emphasis of colour.
Victoria has been busy developing their natural fibre collection. A star of the show was the immaculate 100% wool Royal Velvet, based on the original Royal Victoria now coloured in 20 fashionable shades.
Kellars grew from a highly respected distributor in North West England into the formidable national force they are today following a major injection of investment in 2018. Today the business has four major depots across the country, many with trade counters and showrooms.
“We have really moved up a gear and it’s getting a lot of attention,” says Claire Lewis who has directed the design of this transformation since she joined the business in June last year.
• www.kellars.co.uk
“We have had a tremendously positive reaction to the new style and have been selling stands in large blocks to retailers who want a coherent, creative look to the store,” says Claire.
Few in the flooring sector will have missed the unstoppable rise of independent wholesaler Kellars over the last year who have transformed their business into a major market player with the product portfolio and brands to boost business on the High Street.
The award-winning POS system for Forma LVT
The presentation of their portfolio is exceptional, and this year, they have focussed on a new, strong point of sale for their six brands across a wide range of flooring, underlay and accessories – all of which was shown off to great effect in a superb stand at The Flooring Show.
A strong creative approach to the brand identity of key ranges is underpinned by attention to detail in product stands and promotional materials. The modular package of point-of-sale that includes lightbox graphics and strong visual themes has been found highly effective by retailers.
“Almost everything is new and exciting, and it’s easier than ever for retailers to buy into quality across the full range of flooring.”
The approach also attracted a Flooring Innovation Award in the Marketing and new Brands Concepts category from a panel of independent judges this year. Having majored on man-made carpets and LVT this year, Kellars expects to extend the portfolio with more wool options in 2022 including a response to the increasing popularity of textured loops.
So Kellar’s momentum will keep moving forward – at pace! 443 0970
64 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 Harrogate REVIEW
Kellars Unmissable momentum of creativity
T 0161
Picture title
“I didn’t realise just how much our customers love the portal until the challenges of recent months put it to the test,” says Alex Hindle. “When all’s happening around you, having reliable information about meeting customer’s expectations is so important.”
Harrogate
The other popular newcomer was the 80/20 Woodland Heather Twist which is a welcome addition to the company’s successful wool twist collection. This quality 10th gauge heathered range covers lots of options with 14 colours across two weights, Elite and Deluxe.
65THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk•
The style has been carried through into the company’s new point of sale offering, which includes an enhanced wall unit system and two new lectern displays helping retailers better showcase their award winning products to their customers. Both the wall and lectern units now feature removable samples amongst a host of other benefits, to make selling easier in-store.
The two key launches at the show were right on the money for modern tastes. Primo Tweeds is a new addition to the well-established and highly popular man-made twist Primo Collections. “We felt there was something missing in that range and we have just what we need now to fill the gap – a distinctive pattern with just the right level of contrast,” said Alex Hindle, Cormar’s marketing manager.
Cormar has the confidence of a market leader –returning to Harrogate showcasing their smart new branding and building on the strength of key bestsellers to extend their appeal to consumers. The new branding looks both professional and friendly at the same time. “We felt it was time to move up a grade with a more modern home furnishing, which conveys the premium carpets for all, at an affordable price message,” said marketing director David Cormack.
Cormar has an enviable reputation for the ability of its logistics operation and its portal platform to handle order taking with real-time stock and delivery positions 24/7 and never has this been more important than in the recent turbulent times.
Cormar marketing manager Alex Hindle is pictured with Primo Tweeds
Now, 50% of orders from Cormar customers come via the online portal. On the day of delivery, customers receive a two-hour delivery slot –usually on the next-day delivery for most options. Despite everything, the system is achieving 96% on-time delivery with the company investing in stock and infrastructure, Cormar has more than 70 of its own vehicles in the distribution fleet – to make it happen.
Cormar Carpet Company Premium popularity
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Ella Salvato (left) with Catherine Whelan
Portal power
Primo Tweeds cleverly blends two 2-colour yarns to create a colour bank of 14 options with the contemporary stipple effect that is a buzz with consumers and interior designers right now.
“We have been looking closely at the position of all our brands to ensure they deliver at every level for each consumer need,” said Scott Hosie, the head of product at Kingsmead’s parent company Headlam.
“Kingsmead Is the first to benefit and we are looking for the brand to be more distinctive and design led.”
One of the first impacts of this approach launched at the show was the relaunch of Artwork, a favourite of fashionistas for stripes – a beautiful carpet in New Zealand wool that has been re-coloured in 31 options.
T 01827 831424 • www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk
Qfloors will replace the Hasslefree ranges and the brand also expects to introduce a complimentary LVT package next year.
Kingsmead will also be looking at introducing more wool in addition to developing its own yarn plans to provide a unique offer to the market. The new in-house studio will also ensure that everything is delivered subtly on trend.
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Qfloors Join the Q
T 01429 892555 • www.hughmackay.co.uk
“We think this concept is going to open a lot of doors for us,” said Keith Morgan of Hugh Mackay Carpets. “Inevitably, we are thought of as a top quality wool house and rightly so. But we can turn on the style in man-made carpets too and Qfloors makes it easy for retailers to get right up-to-date with everything they need in one place.”
Qfloors is a smart, spin-off from Hugh Mackay Carpets – a new home for the company’s man-made fibres which brings together 600 options in just six ranges and in one concept that covers just about everything. The focus here is on families – with flexibility and performance. But design and colour is strongly at the forefront alongside the mainstream bestseller categories so expect animal print, geometrics, modern plaids alongside contemporary colour banks of plain and heathered blends – one package with appeal for almost every consumer.
Kingsmead Carpets Distinctive developmentdesign
Kingsmead Carpets has enhanced its position in the style sector as the brand becomes increasingly sophisticated in its selection of quality, performance ranges – increasing its appeal along with the opportunity for retailers to trade up their customers.
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Interfloor is investing strongly in promoting the impact of this major product launch. The stand at Harrogate was beautifully redesigned to reflect its green status and the company is promoting the product directly to consumers through advertising and, for example, in the Grand Designs magazine.
Attention to detail
T 01706 213 131 • www.interfloor.com
“Increasingly the issue of sustainability is front of mind for consumers, and therefore for retailers too,” said Laura Ashall, marketing director. “renu delivers a responsible, sustainable message in every aspect of its production and presentation.”
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Interfloor went big and green at Harrogate to celebrate the launch of their outstanding sustsainable underlay renu – set to become a game changing product for the company at the forefront of its environmental credentials.
renu was launched in the UK at the end of May and has received a fantastic response so far. Interfloor also have a renu stockist locator online to guide consumers to their nearest retailer.
Interfloor is increasingly focussed on the industry’s environmental responsibilities and is working across its portfolio to optimise the sustainability of its product range, including, most recently, the introduction of a new gripper made in Dumfries using wood from sources approved by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Interfloor Seriously sustainable
renu is made from 98% ethically-sourced recycled materials and is itself 100% recyclable. “Increasingly the issue of sustainability is front of mind for consumers, and therefore for retailers too,” said Laura Ashall, marketing director (pictured right). “renu delivers a responsible, sustainable message in every aspect of its production and presentation.”
Harrogate
The attention to detail on this agenda is impressive. In addition to its manufacturing standards, the product has a brown, undyed backing and is even printed with water-based inks. The sample wallet has been made out of recycled shoeboxes and the renu packaging is made from 100% recycled plastic – even plastic hangers have been substituted with clever cardboard engineering. A unique wooden display box completes the picture.
SMG
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The buying group SMG has a firm following for its savvy approach to point-of-sale – a key issue for retailers who are seeking own label protection to support their margins against direct selling and Internet operations.
“Our POS is incredibly popular and we have some retailers join us just for that reason,” said Linda Thomas, business and marketing manager of the group.
So the group has redesigned its lecterns to take a standard 18” x 18” sample, with no double lecterns. Product information is fixed to the first sample to avoid messy graphics on the head of boards – achieving an elegant simplicity.
Ulster Carpets
The design department at Ulster Carpets took the opportunity of lockdown to take a fresh look at established favourites as well as move forward with new ranges.
As a result, the finely scrolled and floral designs of Anatolia acquired some new hues including the increasingly popular denim blues as did the sharp 100% wool loop Habitüs.
New hues and wool news
Ulster expects to start the New Year with some other exciting developments, especially for plaids where consumer demand remains strong, as well as more quality wool loops.
T 0118 932 3832 • www.smg-group.co.uk
T 028 3833 4433 • www.ulstercarpets.com
SMG offers its members a range of attractive merchandising units under its Pure branding.
Pure and simple
“It lives up to its name – we want to keep it pure with a clean, simple and sophisticated approach that is easy to work with for both our suppliers and retailers, and purchaser,” she said.
All perfectly complemented by Axfelt. Ulster launched their new 10 year guarantee to retailers at the event.
The floaty ethereal patterns of the Watercolours collection has also gained some of those blues along with dusty pinks and a warm taupe to add more momentum to this popular range bringing it right upAlsoto-date.displayed at the show were Natural Choice Axminster, a 100% undyed wool carpet in six designs which has a woven jute backing to tick all the right environmental credentials; and also Natura, a 4m wide stock contract product in more than 20 options for those retailers and installers looking for something different in the contract sector.
For extra impact, many retailers have also found the display table an attractive feature – a focal point for store to discuss consumer choice.
SMG also launched at the show its new collection of carpet tiles for residential and soft contract opportunities, which comes packaged in a compact library box.
T 01562 www.adamcarpets.com822247
Adam Carpets Evolving colour choices
As purveyors of one of the industry’s most extensive colour banks as found in the class leading Fine Worcester Twist, it comes as no surprise that Adam Carpets takes its shades and hues very seriously and continues to evolve them.
In a departure from plains, Adam Carpets introduced two new colours in the award winning Flare collection of zigzag patterns –and the company hints at more geometrical designs to come with a selection of samples racked up on their stand to gauge reactions from visitors.
“It has been fascinating to see how tastes are evolving,” says Chris –and we’ll all have to wait and see which make the final cut.
Adam Carpets is looking to add 10 new colours for Fine Worcester Twist (pictured below left) and brought 18 of these to Harrogate to take soundings from visitors. They were classified into three categories (pictured below right with Chris Adam) - reflecting the competing moods of consumers during the crisis.
“There is no doubt that people are looking for something different after the experience of the last few months.”
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The company researches the fashion and interiors markets intensely to identify evolving trends and then uses its expertise to interpret these into effective carpet options. The pandemic threw up some surprises. “We were frankly amazed by the change in colour perceptions among consumers pre-Covid versus now,” said Chris Adam, MD (pictured bottom right). “There is no doubt that people are looking for something different after the experience of the last few months.”
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T 01737 355831 • www.masterpiece-system.com
And there is a lot else besides going on at Manx Tomkinson these days as the brand moves a little more upmarket, and with little more wool. Other news includes the brand new range Tomkinson Tweed, a beautiful collection of heathered tones in 16 amazing shades and the launch of countryside inspired Natural Rustic, an attractive 100% wool loop in nine colours. Check out the company’s newly launched website to catch up with all the latest.
MasterPiece Demonstrating digital efficiency
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In partnership with the Campaign for Wool and British Wool, the Headlam Group has created a yarn concept with wool derived from each of the four nations of the UK, making it truly British wool.
T 01827 831450 • www.manxtomkinson.co.uk
Manx Tomkinson Wool rules Britannia
In addition to a project which involved training 70 UK estimators remotely from Australia, the company has been busy finessing the system to add functionality to the measuring, planning and estimating tools that can be used in store and on site.
Wool Britannia is a brilliant concept which will be a feature of this year and next – not bad timing with the Platinum Jubilee coming up! –and Manx Tomkinson were proud to give it its debut at The Flooring Show.
The very first range to feature Wool Britannia is the smart new twist Seasonal Views available from Manx Tomkinson in 16 contemporary colours.”
Pictured above is national sales manager, Andy Heard.
MasterPiece is used by most of the major players in the retail flooring market and the company’s philosophy is to keep the core of the system simple so that newcomers can train up in under an hour to begin getting the key benefits, before adding additional functionality tailored to their needs.
“This is going to be a very big thing for the group,” said Claire Kimble. “We are very excited to be part of this and it has had such a great reaction at Harrogate.”
In addition to making the tasks of measuring and planning carpets and LVT designs easier, MasterPiece supports the selling process towards closure of the sale, via automated costing, emailed estimates, reduced wastage and rapid application of discounts.
The value and flexibility of digital tools for the flooring industry came to the fore during the lockdown and over the last 18 months and class-leading estimating software from MasterPiece has demonstrated its effectiveness including for ‘remote estimating’ where the customer wields the tape measure, guided by a remote estimator over video.
71THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 thanofreductionExcellentsoundnoless21dB acoustic, fast track floor prep system for all resilient floor coverings! UK Toll Free: 0845 603 www.unifloor-underlay.com0906 EXPERTS IN SUBFLOOR SOLUTIONS • Fast track subfloor preparation • Reduces installation time and costs • Instant floor levelling • Superb smooth finish • For the immediate glue-down of vinyl, vinyl sheets, LVT, linoleum, cork, rubber, carpet, etc. • Overcomes many substrate problems
The company’s patented Rug Control technology is available in underlay matting, by rolls or pre-cut sizes, in a range of thicknesses, as well as in a spray solution – all designed to stop drugs moving on all hard floors and carpets. 01494 761814 www.cybergolduk.com
The trend towards modern, open architecture with smooth flooring creates an acoustic challenge – Impact and airborne sound can be easily transmitted through floors and across rooms, reducing the comfort of those living spaces.
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Soundsure 560 forms part of the fabric of a building as a 5.6 mm layer of crumb rubber which isolates floor screeds from the main structure. This solution can achieve a sound reduction of 27dB and as it is made from fully recycled materials, it ticks the boxes for environmental credentials as well. 238
810 • www.interfloor.com
The Flooring Innovation GOLD Awards were presented at The Flooring Showing - check out pages 44 + 52 for full details
T 01706
Pictured are Simon Miller (left) and Paul Robson of Sonixx
Sonixx Keep it quiet
Sonixx has a core range of two high performance products. Resilient 250 is built around a 2.5mm sponge rubber layer which can be used with all types of smooth and textile floorcoverings to achieve an impact sound reduction of up to 19dB, exceeding UK building standards.
T
Interfloor set out to address this issue with all their expertise and focus on it in a new business division called Sonnix with the mission to develop easyinstall underlayment solutions for sound insulation.
Cybergold’s highly effective anti-slip underlay’s and sprays always find a ready market with retailers for their potential to not only gain an add-on sale but also to increase customer satisfaction with the performance of their rug purchases.
•
Cybergold Supply without a slip
But some of the supply chain issues of recent months has put the UKbased company in pole position in meeting demand. “Some of our competitors have been relying on supply from Europe or further afield and they just have not been able to offer the reliability and pricing that we can as a British manufacturer,” said Nick Burger of Cybergold.
Joining the family in January is brand new Durham Tweed, a subtle blend with unexpected flecks of colour that earned the newcomer a prize in the Flooring Innovation Awards.
Hugh Mackay Durham delights
Fells also showed a new polyester range Arcadia with geometric patterns printed on a coloured base to create an authentic woven look.
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“This is a best-selling range and by refining the colour choice and weight options we can guarantee excellent stock levels and service.”
Durham was the destination for Hugh Mackay with a showcase of fine wool carpets on which the company has established its reputation for quality.
Fells Carpets Going for bold
T 01429 892555 • www.hughmackay.co.uk
Durham Twist is a flagship 80% wool carpet which has enjoyed a colour overhaul with 10 fresh new options and a re-working of the colour range with 48 options now in three sets – colours, elements and naturals. All of which has also been worked into the complimentary stripes range too.
Hugh Mackay were also showcasing the superb Quintessential Twist, the beautifully crafted three-ply satin twist – double sheared for a velvet finish – which was launched to great acclaim just before lockdown and is now reaping the attention it deserves.
Fells has become a leading protagonist of pattern and attracted attention at Harrogate not only from visitors for their very latest range Grand Designs but also from the judges of the Flooring Innovation Awards who marked it out as a winner in the Carpet Design category. This collection is the latest in a bold and eclectic portfolio of pattern, covering some small geometric designs and plaids that led by an eye-catching leopard and snakeskin option which was shown off on the stone floor to great effect.
“We always set out to be bold and challenge assumptions,” said Carl Cummings of Fells Carpets, “and it’s great when you get the recognition and response that we have out of the show.”
T 01977 662211 • www.fellscarpets.co.uk
A fine velvet finish completes the stylish package but there is performance too –Grand Designs is made with a resilient polypropylene heatset yarn to preserve its lasting appearance and the fibre is fade resistant, stain resistant and bleach cleanable.
Now available in two weights instead of three, Keith Morgan commented: “This is a bestselling range and by refining the colour choice and weight options we can guarantee excellent stock levels and service.”
And a lot else has been happening alongside the branding makeover with a substantial overhaul introducing more colour into bestselling ranges such as Pennine Heathers, the Country Collection and Cartouche Velvet as well as three new products…
T 01254 268000 • www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk
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“The public is asking more questions,” says Simon Wells of Kenburn, pointing to the gathering momentum to find better solutions to piling carpet waste up in landfill.
“After everything that has happened, we thought it was time to make a statement in our positioning for the future and a lot of that is about securing the family values that have seen us flourish in the past,” said Hans Lowe, who is sales director alongside his brother Nathan as MD.
Kenburn is the industry’s go-to supplier for carpet crushers, part of a network that links into Carpet Recycling UK as part of a more responsible approach to trade waste. The economics of the solution for larger retail trade distributors speaks for itself compared to increasing skip and disposal costs.
Modern new look and heritage family values – Cavalier Carpets attracted attention that The Flooring Show with a bold re-design underwritten by the strapline “The Family Carpet Maker.” And it turned heads – one head in particular! A traditional cavalier’s head was associated with the company’s brand but disappeared several years ago – now it’s back in a modern new style.
The Kenburn Balex 30 “carpet crusher” reduces the volume of carpet waste by 4:1, reducing the transport costs to ship material to the nearest carpet recycling plant.
Downtown Loop was launched at Harrogate as a great value quality range and then, coming later in the year or early next will be Patina Loop, a 70/30 loop with 30% Tencel derived from tree bark and then Genteel, a superior wool twist with 10% polyester.
Congratulations to Matt Bowles of Norwich who won out against stiff competition as the NICF LVT Fitter of the Year in the finals at Harrogate.
The £2,000 prize was presented by The Flooring Show event director Alex Butler (pictured right).
“A transformation is coming – we already know of councils that are charging to take flooring waste at their local tips and it looks increasingly likely that consumers are going to get left with the problem,” says Simon. “Retailers need to get ahead of this curve and be ready to gain competitive advantage by offering an uplift and recycling service.”
Cavalier Carpets Family values
Kenburn
Public pressure for recycling
Super fit champion
T 01727 844988 • www.kenburn.co.uk
Penthouse Carpets Passion for proper carpet
Penthouse is passionate about ‘proper’ carpet and sets the agenda for quality tufted 80/20s across its extensive collection of ranges and The Flooring Show was an opportunity for the company to show how some of its bestsellers are getting even better.
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Springbond looks different because it is! This eco-engineered alternative to PU underlay has had a strong start in the market since a new manufacturing plant was set up in 2018 in West Yorkshire to upcycle fibres derived from recycled plastic bottles into this distinctively white underlay product.
Each roll contains 180 recycled PET plastic bottles and the product, which is available in 7, 9 and 11mm thicknesses, is chemical free, contains virtually zero VOCs and is the first underlay to be awarded the prestigious Allergy UK – Seal of AsApproval.wellas excellent comfort and performance characteristics, Springbond also offers class leading acoustic properties with a 57db reduction in sound transfer.
The affordable luxury of popular Wentworth has been enhanced with seven new on-trend colours including the increasingly popular blues and pink shades that consumers are selecting this year. Now, this finely crafted range has all the answers in a 18 strong colour bank with availability at 40 and 50oz options and 4m and 5m – with guaranteed full widths! But what’s this! A new loop - and the first for the Lancashire-based company for more than 10 years. The sustained and growing popularity of loop in the market is irresistible and Penthouse has built on the success of its timeless cut pile berber range Crofter to create an attractively textured Crofter Loop in the same nine colourways.
T 01706 341231 • wwwpenthousecarpets.co.uk
George Elphick (left) is pictured with Michael Walsh of Texfelt
“This is a product full of benefits with no downside,” says George Elphick of Springbond’s manufacturers Texfelt. “It really is the greener, cleaner, quieter and safer alternative to PU foam underlay – and it is made in the UK to minimise its carbon footprint.”
T 01274 905411 • www.texfelt.co.uk
Penthouse MD Shirley Jackson is pictured with company chairman Michael Muschamp
Texfelt Performance underlay with bottle
“It’s always nice to have a bit of a surprise to show people,” said Gemma Kopczyk, “and it has been a very pleasant surprise, with a great reaction at the show.”
INNOV8 Samples & Merchandising Seize the opportunity of smart sampling
Tradeco Back to the future
“Our business in flooring has just grown and grown,” says MD Charlotte Norton. “Flooring people know that this is a critical part of their sales operation and when they see the quality and attention to detail we can offer, it makes sense to outsource to a professional partner.”
The expert merchandising team of INNOV8: Tristan Smalley, Charlotte Norton and James Norton
INNOV8 has become a major player in this sector, building up a reputation for a top quality presentation service since they started nIne years ago from a base in Northamptonshire, covering carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl, LVT, grass and accessories.
The roll racks are back! Tradeco are boldly going where noone has gone for the last two decades or so – and business is booming!
“We have smashed it at the show,” said Wolfgang. “It has been absolutely ridiculously busy and I reckon we have probably sold about £1 million worth of carpet. But we still have plenty more of it to sell, so we are always worth a call.”
In an increasingly customer-centric flooring market, first impressions are all important – whether it is raising the performance of in-store merchandising or responding to consumers who are increasingly enthusiastic about making selections at home from samples they have ordered over the internet.
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And stock is something that Tradeco has in abundance – 7,000 rolls to be precise covering B-grade carpet, underlay, grass and even A-grade wool twist starting at just £1.50 metre squared.
For busy manufacturers and suppliers, these activities are either a huge headache or a major sales opportunity, the difference often depends on who’s doing the work!
T 07870 552261 • www.innov8ltd.com
INNOV8’s sample fulfilment and a complete merchandising package is constantly being developed – and living up to their name, the company has just introduced a laser engraving and carpet taping service and will launch an edge-banding service by the end of this year.
Tradeco serves nearly 4,000 outlets across the UK with an impressive logistics network to deliver within 48-hours of many orders.
T 07833 660451 • www.tradeco.uk
“We’re going back to the nineties,” says Wolfgang Douglas, who runs the wholesaler from a large (and full!) 125,000 square feet distribution centre in Sheffield. “This used to be an important part of the business and it has all but disappeared – until now! Times are tight for many households so there’s a place for specials, B-grade and clearance stock.”
77THE STOCKLISTS November 2021 QUICK, EASY AND COST EFFECTIVE LVT INSTALLATION OVER CHIPBOARD!* With UZIN RR 620 Underlay and UZIN KE 66 High Temperature Adhesive, please visit www.uzin.co.uk for more information. ALTERNATIVEGREAT TOPLYWOOD! * UZIN RR 620 is only suitable for P4-P7 flooring grade chipboard and must be free from contamination, sound, load bearing and free from any cracks or deformation. The chipboard may need to be primed with a neat coat of UZIN PE 260 before installing UZIN RR 620, please see the product data sheet for more information. UZIN. THE FLOOR BELONGS TO YOU.
“This does the job so well and so much quicker and cleaner,” says Laura Roberts of Easylay. “Time saving can be up to 80% so that means same-day installation in many cases and then there are added benefits of acoustic and thermal insulation.”
Easylay Fast not furious
Floorfixx is part of a portfolio of floor preparation solutions which Easylay offers as a one-stop shop alongside its personal service and advice from a team that has in-depth expertise of every type of installation.
UZIN
A key innovation is UZIN RR 620 underlay for LVT. This self adhesive underlay can be applied over chipboard to provide a flexible, surface that is immediately ready for floor covering installation –increasing comfort and sound insulation, and avoiding the need for plywood. Paired up with UZIN KE 66 high temperature adhesive, it allows jobs to be completed quickly with minimal effort and save some money in the process.
The systems combine two layers of engineered MDF with XPS foam and an interactive adhesive. The result is a highly stable surface that sits above (and protects) the subfloor, ready to take all forms of resilient flooring, carpets and carpet tiles.
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T 0344 357 3535 • www.easylaysystems.co.uk
LVT installation innovation
For fitters who would rather be fast than furious, Floorfixx from Easylay Systems smooths away all the woes of poor subfloors and gets the job done perfectly and professionally.
Wolff Tools were also demonstrating the latest range of battery powered tools for LVT installation including high performance floor strippers, mixers for smoothing compounds and the very latest door saw – a real problem solver on site (pictured right with Daniel Leeson).
T 01788 530080 • www.uk.uzin.com
A range of four floating board systems is designed to cover a multitude of sins without screeds, glues, nails or other fixings – no drying or setting time, no priming, no mixing, no rubbing down and it has no smell.
UZIN and Wolff Tools, brands of UZIN UTZ UK, keep fitters up to date with the latest tools and are focusing this year on LVT in line with the growth of the sector in the UK market.
avenuefloors.co.uk@avenuefloors Avenue is a brand of
Carbontex can be installed over existing ceramic, wood and laminate floors.
Fit on top of existing floors
Carbontex is the new cushion vinyl collection from Avenue Featuring Luxatex for glue-free installation over a range of floors, Carbontex is the fast and easy way to make homes feel more welcoming. Contact us on info@avenuefloors.co.uk for the 2021 collection
Artificial grass is also a key offer from Lano with an increasingly environmental theme. The company launched its new ensō qualities of 100% easily recyclable landscaping grass as well as showing four additional ranges in its Green12345 program. There are now eight landscaping qualities, each one available in five different widths from stock.
“We had a great show and really enjoyed seeing everyone again so a big thank you to all those people who came by our stand,” said Gary Alp of Lano. “The diversity of our ranges means there is something of interest for everyone and we had plenty of new things to shout about.”
The remarkable SmartStrand Forever Clean collection – made from a bio-based fibre - is attracting attention for its innovation new point-of-sale which sells the benefits of “the world’s most forgiving carpet.”
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Lano is looking strong with an impressive line-up at Harrogate across the full portfolio of quality man-made products – and a busy flow of visitors were appreciative!
Lano Carpets Delivering diversity
T 0161 440 8325 • www.carpetrecyclinguk.com
Carpet Recycling UK recognised a clear change in attitudes towards sustainable solutions for textile flooring waste from key decision-makers at the 2021 Flooring Show. Several key manufacturers, including members and potential members, approached the notfor-profit 107-strong membership association for advice on how they can ‘make a difference’ ahead of any forthcoming legislative/extended producer responsibility changes.
Alongside the latest in Lano’s popular Touch Down collection of sophisticated super-soft polypropylene, new ranges for 2022 in Lano’s polyamide X Luxury concept were well received by retailers looking for absolutely on-trend, high end carpet.
Set up in 2008, Carpet Recycling UK helps the UK carpet and textile flooring sector to become more sustainable by expanding and promoting options for reuse, recycling and treatment of this waste, recognising it as a valuable resource, and diverting waste from Accordinglandfill.to the latest CRUK figures, the industry is diverting approximately 65% of textile flooring waste from landfill. Around 430,000 tonnes of carpet and textile flooring waste arises annually in the UK.
“Manufacturers were also talking to us about how they are focusing on including more recycled content within their product ranges and designing products with reuse and recycling in mind at the end of life. Raw material suppliers also enquired about how we can help promote their products to our network as they see us as being the right vehicle to do so. All in all, a very positive show for us!”
T 00800 5266 5266 www.lano.com
Carpet Recycling UK Driving sustainability in textile flooring
SmartStrand Forever Clean - Freedom
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“We are impressed that the sector is concerned about the amount and types of waste being produced and want to reduce this for environmental reasons, and to help reduce costs of disposal,” said CRUK Manager Adnan Zeb-Khan. “Overall, we have 70+ leads to follow up on and a number of these are companies wanting to reassess where their textile flooring waste ends up.
Ball and Young’s sustainability in the manufacturer of PU underlay for over 25 years, says Ann Shaw, “It’s in our DNA.”
“This is quite remarkable in today’s very different market place. So a big thank you to the organisers who ensured the safe running of our stand and visitors. We look forward to a very busy lead up to Christmas.”
Scott Arundell, sales director UK, says; “After its extended break and with most of us spending a huge amount of time within the same few walls over the last 18 or so months, The Flooring Show was one of the first opportunities for us to demonstrate our impressive and innovative product portfolio to a large audience. It was great to welcome so many people onto our stand.
“We’ve big plans for developing our presence in the UK and making BerryAlloc the ‘go to’ flooring brand for homeowners looking for quality products that are fairly priced - improving our retailer network is where this starts.
T 01536 200502 • www.underlay.com
Showcasing its impressive roster of LVT, laminate, HPF and wood floors, BerryAlloc had a hugely successful three days at The Flooring Show.
With the FIA (Flooring Innovation Award) winning Ocean+ water-resistant laminate, the super-wide and extra-long planks of Grand Majestic, DreamClick equipped Pure and Style LVT, and the Les Essentiels and Les Exclusifs parquet collections; BerryAlloc’s stand at this year’s show was one not to be missed.
“The wonderful world of the carpet trade was seen at its best at Harrogate as visitors came to support not only Ball and Young’s brand leader Cloud 9 but our whole trade,” said Ann.
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BerryAlloc Planning for UK growth
Harrogate REVIEW
Showing innovations designed to make flooring easier to install, easier to maintain, longer lasting and more beautiful, along with clever displays and point-of-sale, BerryAlloc demonstrated to visiting retailers that it is a brand with big intentions in the UK market.
Ball and Young, as part of the Vita Group, have been pioneers in sustainability and setting the industry benchmark for decades.
Ball & Young Setting the sustainability benchmark
“The Flooring Show provided a chance to talk people through collections and how our displays and merchandising are geared up to maximise return. It’s an exciting time for the brand and we’re looking forward to seeing BerryAlloc floors in more stores right across the country.”
T +32 56 52 84 80 • www.berryalloc.com
The Jumpax system is made of two self-adhesive components comprising high performance MDF with FSC certification and a polystyrene film which are available in different thicknesses. As a free floating surface, the subfloor can be preserved as required and the new surface is removable and replaceable.
Computers for Flooring showcased Carman, its award-winning flooring management software for carpet shops and flooring retailers at The Flooring Show.
As well as the installation advantages, Jumpax offers excellent sound reduction of up to 22dB and is suitable for use over underfloor heating.
Jumpax creates a floating subfloor which smooths over irregularities - eliminating the need for screeds, primers and plywood to allow the immediate glue-down of LVT, vinyl, linoleum and carpet. And the latest product developments shown at Harrogate enhance the stability to accommodate direct stick engineered wood.
T 0845 6030906 • www.unifloor-underlay.com
Other new developments for 2021 include the Carman Companion App, the latest Android release of the Carman Companion app offers ERP and Enterprise users real-time stock visibility at every stage, ensuring total control of stock from goods in through to Thedispatch.newCarman
Harrogate REVIEW
Unifloor
T 0845 869 8403 • www.computersforflooring.com
B2B Portal is an off-the-shelf framework, fully modified to your business giving an affordable hassle-free solution for B2B and trade sales online.
And finally, Computers for Flooring announced an industry first, Carman Business Intelligence, a joint project with the University of South Wales and their data scientists. Its business intelligence translates complex data relating to the Carman user’s business into meaningful, understandable, and actionable information, which in turn can be used to support more effective strategic, tactical, and operational insights for decision-making.
To save the time and trouble that is the start of some installations, Unifloor developed its family of fast-track floor preparation systems each tailored to different challenges but all delivering the same outcome – a reliable, stable surface that ensures floors are fitted faster and last longer.
Computers for Flooring Software solutions
Carman lets you take control and manage your flooring business and comes in three core solutions: Carman, for companies holding minimal stock; Carman ERP, perfect for small to medium stockholders and multi-site operations; and, new for 2021, Carman Enterprise, for large scale, multi-site stockholders with multiple storage, dispatch networks and retail stores.
Stability ability
If the sub-floor is the problem, Jumpax is probably the solution!
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“We focus on increasing profit for our members – working through a practical calculation with retailers considering joining the group to show them how their business can benefit without losing any of their independence,” said Jon.
WoolSafe
The timing of The Flooring Show could not have been better for Jon Richardson, who joined ACG just over a year ago and is responsible for group development.
“There are a huge number of products in the market, making all sorts of claims, but our job is to narrow that down and to certify those that the industry can absolutely rely on,” says WoolSafe MD Agnes Zsednai. “This environmental issue is really gaining momentum and the EnviroSeal accreditation will continue to be a valuable tool to identify the best products with credible environmental claims”.
T 01943 850 817 • www.woolsafe.org
ACG Independent advantage
Effective environmentalism
T 01942 825520 • www.smartercarpets.com
“After all the restrictions of the last several months this was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with members we haven’t seen for a while,” said Jon (pictured left). “There is a lot of positivity surrounding the group’s activities which has created a good vibe across our membership’.
The focus for Woolsafe at this time is promoting the acceptance of EnviroSeal EGTS:1502, the new environmental accreditation in Europe which is a first for carpet and upholstery cleaning products.
Harrogate REVIEW
WoolSafe works with manufacturers, suppliers and professional service providers to maintain these high standards and promotes the programme to consumers through internet resources at www.environseal.eu and its popular Carpet Stain Cleaning Guide app.
The organisation’s mission is to add accreditation to cleaning products through its WoolSafe Approved Mark so professionals can be assured of their efficacy and safety for wool. Now, with the rising eco agenda, the challenge has been to be able to recognise products that have strong environmental credentials but are still effective cleaners.
Pictured below (l to r) are Agnes Zsednai, Richard Sudall and Barbara Walker of the Woolsafe Organisation
“But it was also clear from the feedback at the show that ACG’s brand is second to none, and our POS has been a great success in protecting our members and their margins,” he added.
Creativity at its best was on show at Harrogate with the debut of a welcome new feature - the Floor Art Gallery.
Floor Art Gallery Artistry on show
“We are all about encouraging our members to invest in the promotion of their stores,” says Steve Depport of Metro (pictured right, centre). “A well-presented retailer looks more confident and reassures consumers – and it gives a great platform for better quality business.”
The curators of the gallery were Paddy McNicholas who looked after the LVT and Dan Jones showing the textiles. The gallery showed a series of intricate designs and craftmanship and was a popular attraction at the show for visitors.
Metro Group Platform for promotion
The marketing scheme has a very high take-up among members who get a £500 allowance each year to select from a catalogue of marketing options – they can then buy more services at a discounted rate. New members get an introductory £600 allowance. Members can use their own marketing identity, or take advantage of Metro’s popular Carpet 1st own-label brand.
Pictured left is Paddy McNicholas and above is Dan Jones
All buying groups have a bundle of goodies to offer members – you pay your money and you take your choice – and then you make some more money than you would have done otherwise with preferential supplier rates!
T 01204 393539 • www.carpet1st.co.uk
Paddy McNicholas • T 07855 400013 • mcnicholasflooring@gmail.com
84 THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Paddy runs Floor Training Ltd and the LVT Training Centre in Wolverhampton, while Dan Jones is part of the family business Peter Jones Carpets in Telford, and was 2019 NICF Carpet Fitter of the year.
Dan Jones • T 01952 242231 • info@peterjonescarpets.com
But if marketing is your thing, then Metro is going to be a top choice with its exceptional offer of a portfolio of merchandising and promotional support that can cover anything from the shopfront through point-of-sale down to your ticketing and business cards.
Condor are coming to the market with a strong story of competitive quality this autumn with new products aimed at increasing profitability for UK retailers.
The new SPC range, ClickLux, offers rigid, waterproof, click-fit vinyl in a whole host of options, including 10 plank and eight tile designs for ultimate creative freedom. A 1mm foam underlay is built into each piece to provide added comfort underfoot, and make the installation process easier.
ClickLux comes with a 20-year warranty for domestic use.
“We think we will be able to build our share of the market as I don’t think I have seen a more competitively priced offer of this quality in our sector,” said Dean Smith of Verona.
T 0113 244 4984 • www.veronagroup.co.uk
Verona is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style this year with a range of new flooring options which are now available to retailers. Made up of various materials, the collection will include a range of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), stone polymer composites (SPC) and a number of stylish laminate designs.
Verona
Celebrating in style
T +31(0)38 477 89 11 • www.condor-group.eu
And watch out in the New Year for 100% wool loop from Condor with more rustic appeal and more texture in three styles – a cable and two designer loops – across six colours –the kind of carpet in high demand right now.
Verona has also welcomed a water resistant laminate range with the launch of their innovative HydroClick collection, offering all the benefits of laminate for water-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. The plank designs includes the latest herringbone and chevron options as well as two attractive patterned tile designs for a more decorative finish.
The Verona team of: Chris Lamb, Dean Smith, Adam Curran and Brad Saunders.
Harrogate REVIEW
Condor Competitive quality
“The market is looking very positive now and there are a lot of consumers with money to spend on the right quality of carpet,” says Paul Harris of Condor (left) “We have responded with a new portfolio of products that offer enhanced appeal at competitive prices.”
85THE STOCKLISTS November 2021
Visitors to Harrogate were introduced to the Simplicity Natura collection, a capsule collection of trend-led laminates, offering six of the most popular decors, making an excellent starting point for retailers to introduce their customers to a simple but sophisticated flooring solution.
The company is also responding to a greater interest in colour. Examples of what’s coming from Condor include an impressive 10 gauge twist with the latest denim blues and on-trend greys and earth colours.
