The Stocklists - April 2023

FLOORINGNEWS starts on page 26

FLOORINGNEWS starts on page 19

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Buying groupology

The power of buying groups to trade through tough times for their members pages 38–40

Digital development

Portals are powering the trade to new levels of efficiency and real-time customer service pages 44–47

flooring factories page 32

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DISCOVER OUR REDEVELOPED CASSIUS & DARIUS RANGES

Cassius and Darius in our renowned Invictus brand will get a fashion update this year. 14 updated colours in a 70oz and 50oz pile weight respectively offer a soft saxony product with a heathered appearance, one of the few products to offer this in the market today, the recoloured ranges are planned for launch in May.

Please ask your local area sales manager for more details

2023-2026

Carpet: Laguna

Image: Studio Designs European Oak Herringbone CLH17

I'M RECYCLED

100% RECYCLED POLYESTER YARN FROM PET BOTTLES

I'M UNIQUE

A PATTERNED WILTON FROM PET

NEW RUNSWICK BAY • ELEGANCE, GRACE, SIMPLICITY & COMFORT

6 patterns in 4m width. Bleach cleanable. 120 PET bottles makes every square metre.

Your customers know right now that we need to give the planet a break. Make it easy for them with a superb carpet range with the comfort, appearance and performance of polyester – with the impeccable environmental credentials of recycled PET.

www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Award winning state-of-the-art underlay.

FLOORINGNEWS

Softer yarn finds affection

Made in Britain in eleven trend colours, Affection is the new Stainfree carpet now available from Abingdon Flooring. Offering a luxuriously deep and invitingly soft pile, it joins a growing range of deep pile Stainfree styles. Affection benefits from Abingdon Flooring’s bleach cleanable and stain-resistant polypropylene Stainfree yarn. In its latest generation, the yarn has become softer and more luxurious, fuelling the launch of several deep pile Stainfree carpets.

Charlotte Coop, marketing manager, says: “Polypropylene used to be considered a rather coarse fibre, but improvements have meant we’ve been able to engineer softer yarns without a trade-off in stainresistance or cleanability. These softer yarns make polypropylene deep pile qualities more desirable and attractive and so we’ve been expanding the number of options in our Stainfree family.”

The tenth gauge tufted carpet has a 14mm pile depth and also comes with Abingdon Flooring’s fleece backing. Adding comfort and warmth, while making the carpet more pliable and so easier to install; it brings benefits to homeowners and installers. The fleece can also help to reduce underlay thickness.

Homeowners can pick from 2.5m, 4m and 5m widths depending on room sizes and the carpet is rated suitable for heavy domestic use. With Abingdon Flooring’s Stainfree for Life promise and a 10-year wear guarantee, Affection is a quality deep pile carpet that offers excellent value compared to nylon and polyester styles.

T 01274 655 694 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Making an entrance

Rita Bancroft looks at the creative art of designing happy hallways pages 35–37

Independents together

The power of buying groups to trade through tough times for their members pages 38–40

Digital developments

Portals are powering the trade to new levels of efficiency and real-time customer service pages 44–47

COREtec is growing

Despite still being new to the UK, COREtec is growing in popularity, reputation, the size of the range, and now the size of the planks.

COREtec already has 94 floors stocked in the UK, available exclusively through The Likewise Group. There are wood, stone and contemporary finishes across 3 collections, Essentials, Naturals & Megastone, available in a huge range of plank & tile sizes, herringbone, multi-series and more.

The latest addition to the range is the incredible COREtec XL-End – a brand new collection of stunning wood finishes with an unprecedented 15mm thickness, 0.8mm wear layer and 2100 x 228mm plank size. Each board has ultra realistic registered embossing, high definition printing and is backed with 3mm of sustainable cork underlay. As with all COREtec floors, there is also the security of a lifetime warranty and the back-up of a complete suite of waterproof matching accessories.

COREtec XL-End is presented on a dramatic retail display wall unit, perfectly complementing the company's existing suite of in-store displays.

discover@coretecfloors.co.uk www.coretecfloors.com

“As with all our floors, there is also the security of a lifetime warranty and the back-up of a complete suite of waterproof matching accessories.”

"Polypropylene used to be considered a rather coarse fibre, but improvements have meant we’ve been able to engineer softer yarns without a trade-off in stain-resistance or cleanability.”

Knowledge in Knowsley

The brand-new Academy for Excellence in Flooring in Knowsley, Liverpool, has seen the first floor fitters through its doors to take part in the Quick-Step Master Installer programme. With a brand-new training facility that includes six bays and separate cutting room, a dedicated training room for theory-based learning and product tuition and breakout area; The Academy for Excellence in Flooring is a state-of-the-art centre for training the industry’s new generation and upskilling its professionals.

Having recently opened its doors after a period of testing, the Academy has already welcomed the first attendees through its Wood & Laminate Master Installer and Vinyl Master Installer courses at the new centre. Feedback to both the courses and new centre have been very positive.

Support strengthens for CRUK

Following significant growth in its membership network, Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) is seeking more engagement from the construction, facilities management and flooring sectors to act to reduce textile flooring waste such as commercial broadloom carpet, carpet tiles and underlay.

The not-for-profit association reports that working with 80% of the UK’s carpet and textile flooring manufacturers and distributors puts it in a stronger position to represent the sector when it comes to discussions on favourable Government policy outcomes.

“The only real way to describe the last three-days is wow,” says one newly qualified Wood & Laminate Master Installer. “I came here thinking I was a pretty good fitter, but I’m leaving with much more understanding and the ability to make my business grow.” Another industry professional, having completed the Vinyl Master Installer programme, said, “Loved the training, very detailed orientation and pushed me to perfection”.

The feedback received by the first installers to pass through the Academy underlines that it has created the perfect training environment for novices and experienced professionals. The Wood & Laminate Master Installer course at the new Knowsley centre has also been accredited by the NICF (National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers), so those successfully completing the programme can also qualify for NICF Master Installer status.

T 028 302 58094 www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

Subfloor superhero

Support from CRUK’s 17 core members comes from Balsan, Betap, Brintons Carpets, Condor Group, Cormar Carpets, ege Carpets, Furlong Flooring, Gradus, Headlam Group, IVC Commercial, Likewise Floors, Milliken, Modulyss, Rawson Carpet Solutions, Shaw, Tarkett and Victoria Group. They are taking voluntary producer responsibility for the products they place on the market and striving to reduce waste in production as well as for their customers, helping to create cost savings.

Commenting on their focus for 2023, Adnan Zeb-Khan, CRUK Scheme Manager says: “In our 15th year, the 80% increase in industry support adds weight to our representation for the sector, recognising the achievements of our members and wider network, as we continue to help the sector to develop sustainably.

“Moving forward, companies will need to demonstrate reductions in use of new resources, design products with recycling in mind, include methods of identification of material make up and consideration of reverse logistics for take-back and recycling outcomes. Our members are making great strides ahead with many developing products with recycling in mind, from single polymer ranges, to ranges made with recycled content.”

T 0161 440 8325 www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

Lion Floor is the cost-effective and sustainable pre-conditioned engineered fibreboard alternative to BS 8203 plywood for resilient floor installations.

For one floor store in Frodsham, Cheshire, it has achieved superhero status. Lee Rodgers, owner of Rodgers Carpets, explains why he’s made the move to Lion Floor for all his resilient flooring installations. “I first saw Lion Floor at the National Flooring Show and was drawn to it because you could screed directly onto it without having to pre-treat. When it became available through my local IDS branch, I couldn’t wait to give it a try, particularly as it was significantly cheaper than the BS standard plywood I usually used.

“The big advantage of Lion Floor is that it gives a very clean installation. There’s no significant dust and certainly no splinters, and the clean working area always impresses customers. It’s also superhero strong. Heavy items just bounce off it and it doesn’t dent like plywood – it’s the Superman of flooring!”

Lion Floor’s recently improved supply chain has allowed Lee Rodgers to make the switch away from plywood. The store owner fits Lion Floor every month, generally choosing the 8’ x 4’ option, though appreciates the 4’ x 2’ sheets for their easy handling and manoeuvrability in smaller rooms.

T 020 110 3300 www.finfib.fi

UZIN L2 CONTRACT

COST EFFECTIVE 2 PART SMOOTHING COMPOUND

*Terms and conditions apply. For more details visit: https://www.tradechoice.com/red-carpet-club/red-carpet-club-terms-conditions/

Flawless Gold

Leaving a super smooth finish over a range of subfloors, floorwise Pro-Screed Gold is a two-part smoothing and levelling compound that’s easy to use. Working over old adhesive residue, timber and the cracks, lumps and bumps of tired subfloors, Pro-Screed Gold can tackle a wide range of problems, leaving a floorcovering ready subfloor in just four hours.

Setting in just 90-minutes, the bag and bottle system offers a coverage thickness of 2-12mm and bulked with aggregate, a thickness of up to 30mm is achievable. No matter how thickly floorwise Pro-Screed Gold is applied, the end-result is always the same: a subfloor that looks like new. Andrew Gill, group product manager, says: “Pro-Screed Gold has been our most successful ever subfloor preparation product for good reason. It is easy to work with and leaves a flawless result. Fitters have come to love Pro-Screed Gold not only because of its quality of finish, but also its versatility – there’s not many situations that Pro-Screed Gold can’t handle.”

Moisture-tolerant and suitable for use over DPMs, Pro-Screed Gold doesn’t require a primer in many situations, making it even faster to use. It’s also suitable for use with most underfloor heating systems. Better yet, Pro-Screed Gold is included in the current floorwise 2023 Rewards promotion, now on at distributors across the UK and Ireland.

Cairo challenge at top hospital

A high-performance levelling compound and adhesives from F. Ball and Co. Ltd. were chosen to install floorcoverings at the healthcare and research centre for the treatment of burns and trauma in the Ahl Masr Hospital in New Cairo, Egypt.

Flooring contractors from Cairo-based Tradelink installed floorcoverings throughout the newly built hospital, including in inpatient rooms, intensive care units, nurse stations, blood donation areas, emergency department, administration centre and corridors, a total area of over 5,500m2

Hooked on sustainability

Hardly any other topic is as deeply present in our minds as sustainability and it is influencing all areas of our lives –Domotex 2023, the world's leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings, is no exception.

Domotex once again proved to be the industry's international trend show in January 2023. Apart from the positive atmosphere, the valuebased orientation of the event was particularly convincing.

The current keynote theme "Floored by Nature" referred to the megatrend of sustainability and thus focused on green topics such as the sustainable use of resources, recycling management, natural and recycled materials as well as healthy living and work environments. The main theme was divided into the areas "Connecting Markets", "Conscious Living" and "Colourful Nature".

With presentations of sustainable products and current research projects, a haptic material show as well as an inspiring conference program, the special display "The Green Collection" in Hall 23 formed the creative and communicative heart of the fair.

The sustainable focus was also reflected in the exhibitors' product range in the flooring section and the trend towards increased environmental awareness is accompanied by rising demands on quality, durability and production of machine-made carpets.

Sustainable developments like these are creating curiosity about the next Domotex, which will take place from 11 to 14 January 2024 in Hannover and many leading companies have already confirmed their participation for 2024.

www.domotex.de

Surfaces were then primed using F. Ball’s Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer to promote the application characteristics of subsequently applied subfloor preparation products.

Stopgap Red Bag was then applied throughout to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings to be installed and F. Ball’s Styccobond F44 solvent-free acrylic emulsion adhesive was used to install Gerflor safety flooring throughout the hospital. Styccobond F44 provides a high bond strength, strong initial tack along with a long open time and is protected against biodegradation.

Gerflor Mipolam Elegance EL5 conductive flooring was installed using Styccobond F57 in the operating theatres and X-ray rooms. Conductive/ anti-static floorcoverings stops the build-up of electrical charges that can affect sensitive electronic equipment. The solvent-free adhesive also offers strong initial tack and a high bond strength.

T 01583 361 633 www.f-ball.co.uk

“Sharing the love” for independent retailers

Alternative has launched a major marketing initiative to drive consumers to buy from independent, local flooring retailers under the slogan “Share the love, buy your carpets locally.”

The British brand has built a strong, innovative in-store and online package based on its expertise. Working with a major marketing agency for six months, this initiative builds on a post-pandemic renewed interest in shopping locally.

The design-led Alternative portfolio of products is not available from ‘out of town’ flooring outlets or major department stores.

“Our retailers are up against the major chains but don’t have the resources to compete for consumers,” says Lorna Haigh, Alternative’s Creative and Marketing Director. “We’re using our expertise and funding advanced marketing techniques to drive consumer traffic to the high street."

“Alternative believes in the independent flooring retailers, which are often family businesses who offer both reliability and service with a smile,” she adds. “We’ll be telling people to invest in their local flooring expert. When you buy local, it stays local. More jobs will be created, your community will prosper, and people will be more connected than ever to their own town or local area.”

The initiative aims to bring back ‘human high streets’ as places of personality for communities and is operating on several fronts.

T 01264 335111

www.alternativeflooring.com

POINT OF SALE

New POS is being deployed, including the impactful Play Studio. Alternative is celebrating its 100th Play Studio install and its newly launched Play Pod which houses all the award winning ranges Alternative has to offer.

CLICK 'N' COLLECT

Through its Click ’n’ Collect retailers, Alternative will be promoting and driving web rug sales. Whether through bespoke rug and runner options using Make Me A Rug, its Everyday Favourites and its exclusive designer rugs and runners by Margo Selby, retail partners who are part of the Click ‘n’ Collect programme will “earn money whilst they sleep”.

DIGITAL PROMOTION

Alternative has partnered with a top digital agency to drive traffic through Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimisation as well as boosting its social media presence.

PR AND PUBLICITY

Alternative is placing content in leading consumer publications, both digitally and in print. The last month alone has seen carpet promotion in four top flooring articles including the Daily Express and Homes & Gardens.

TRAINING TO GAIN

Alternative is committed to training. Through its Play Partners it has sponsored over six natural flooring fitting courses at Fita and a new training package for retailers was launched in March.

Margo Selby Bridge rug and Fibonacci cushion

Lifestyle carpet – Sisal Herringbone Hockley bespoke stair runner

Share the love... and join our story

Alternative truly believes in independent flooring retailers, often family businesses who offer both reliability and service with a smile.

This British brand is supporting a renewed interest in shopping locally and bringing back ‘human high streets’ as places of personality for their communities.

Come ‘Play’ with Alternative where independence matters.

To find out more please scan the QR code.

www.alternativeflooring.com

FLOORING FORUM READER SURVEY

Retailers reckoning on revival

Things are starting to get better after slow start to trade

After a sluggish start to 2023, retailers reckon things are just starting to pick up and have high hopes for the rest of the year.

According to our survey, taken in the third week of March, 47% said trade was starting to improve, though 38% had seen few signs of improvement.

More positively, an encouraging 62% expected growing consumer confidence to boost sales in the second half of 2023.

January and February have been slow months in the interiors industry with high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis suppressing demand. 48% of our respondents said footfall had been poor, and only 19% said it had been good. The entry-level end of the market had suffered most said the majority of our readers.

"We are getting larger orders, so quality over quantity. Wool sales are up, but synthetic is down," said one respondent in the Midlands.

On the whole, retailers have been sitting tight in the first quarter. 47% said they had not been discounting to secure sales and only 28% admitted they had. 48% had kept their prices the same during the period but nealy a third (31%) had applied small increases.

"It is quiet but we are converting the vast majority of quotes –98%. We are promoting the shop on social media weekly and adverts in the local paper. We can only remain positive and things will improve," said a West Country respondent.

A retailer in Kent summed it up: "The retail disaster that was predicted for January by the media failed to arrive, and this January was pretty much like most Januarys - we got by but didn't put any fat on the bone. February was an indifferent month too, poor footfall, but those that were out and about, had money to spend. So far March has been pretty good."

Staffing has been stable in two-thirds of our survey sample while 15% have taken on new people. 10% said they had had trouble recruiting people and a similar proportion had let people go.

About half of all our retailers still reckon their sales over the last two years are ahead of pre-pandemic trading levels though in our end of year survey in December, 43% said the pre-Christmas period was poor and 89% had seen margins decline.

Looking at supplier prices in the weeks and months ahead, most retailers are anticipating further increases with 44% bracing themselves for significant rises. Only 5% thought supplier prices would start to fall back now.

"We really need more stability in pricing so that we can quote reliable prices for our customers," said a reader in Wales.

47% say trade is picking up

62% anticipate growing consumer confidence

48% say first quarter footfall has been poor

28% have been discounting to secure sales

15% have taken on new staff

89% say margins have not improved

One retailer in the North East mentioned a theme that has been coming through more strongly in recent surveys: "Wholesalers opening up to “all trades” is turning them into the screwfix of flooring. Pretty much anyone is welcome there now. This is a big problem for small retailers."

The Stocklists polled 3,200 retailers throughout the UK during March 2023. Replies and comments are recorded anonymously. Many thanks to all those who took part.

Flanders forges ahead

The first edition of the Flanders Flooring Days (FFD) attracted more than a 1000 visitors from around the world and was a huge success. Consequently, the founding manufacturers are extremely excited to announce that this event will once again take place in 2023 (May 22-25) on a bigger scale.

More companies from the Flanders region will take part. Visitors can discover the best Flanders has to offer to the worldwide carpet and flooring industry. They are also excited to announce that preparations for 2024 have started and are even more ambitious to expand the event to companies beyond Flanders.

“This event is like being invited to dine in the house of a friend versus being invited to a restaurant,” says Ruben Desmet, CEO Unilin Flooring and one of the founding partners.

The first edition of the FFD boasted visitors in the showrooms of Flanders’ 10 leading flooring providers. It was initiated by the seven “founding fathers” of the sector.

12 manufacturers in a 25km radius

For the 2023 edition, Flanders Flooring Days will be welcoming new players. 12 leading Flemish flooring manufacturers will treat visitors to visits in their flagship showrooms and factories. Visitors will discover them within a radius of less than 25 kilometres, in the heart of easily accessible Flanders. Result? A highly time-efficient visit for those who want to stay on top of trends in the sector.

Associated Weavers, Beauflor, Belysse, Berry Alloc, Betap, Condor Group, COREtec Floors, Lano, McThree, Osta Carpets, Real Orotex and Unilin will open their doors to visitors from all over the world.

See all of it

FLOORINGNEWS

Further ambitious plans for 2024 inviting other European players

Showing their true innovative spirit the founding fathers are planning 2024 to be even more inclusive and exciting. In 2024 Flanders Flooring Days will also welcome other European players to show and demonstrate themselves to wholesalers and retailers in the industry. Flanders is small in surface, but big enough to open itself to the flooring world.

A traditional trade fair only shows you a selection of what each producer can offer. Here visitors get to see everything of every company taking part. As one of the visitors said: “So inspiring. As a customer I had the unique opportunity to see the complete product range of several manufacturers. ”The founding fathers of this prestigious event gave visitors the closest & most complete insiders’ view that one can get. It’s easy to ask questions directly to the people behind the companies, talk to the exclusive group of wholesalers and retailers that are joining as visitors or even get a factory tour.

Enjoy Flemish hospitality at its best

These top flooring companies are eager to invite their clients back again at their ‘homes’ and just as equally customers are keen to visit. This second edition adds even more chances to discover, meet and learn. This will be topped off with a delicious sauce of Flemish culinary and cultural traditions: Flemish hospitality at its best, back again in 2023!

T +32 56 24 11 11 www.flandersflooringdays.com

IN FLANDERS

Trends drive innovation at AW

Associated Weavers is one of the leading European manufacturers of tufted wall-to-wall carpet and a challenger to be reckoned with in the world of luxury vinyl flooring.

By keeping a close watch on the trends and innovations in terms of colour, texture and technique, the company succeeds in standing out from the crowd with creative and contemporary carpet and flooring for the residential and commercial markets.

Invictus Luxury Vinyl Flooring

For delivering great performance, nothing beats Invictus LVT. Choose from a large variety of designs –including true-to-nature wood planks, realistic stone look tiles, or bold statement patterns.

Broadloom Carpet

The company’s 630 dedicated employees achieve an average production of 26 million square meters of carpet each year based around the factory at Ronse in Flanders. A passion for flooring, thorough product knowledge, an eye for great design and invincible marketing are the strengths of Associated Weavers’ teams. Distinctive AW brands you can’t afford to miss include Sensualité, Invictus, Vivendi, Gaia and Sedna.

www.associated-weavers.co.uk

Betap focus on quality, sustainability and value

Betap’s inaugural showing at the Flanders Flooring Days is marked with a series of new ranges born out of a focus on quality, value and sustainability.

A collection of tenth gauge products will be on show for the first time. Each range has its own handwriting and adopts a colour palette of fresh neutral tones, revised greys and signature accent colours.

Innovative sustainable ranges using recycled yarn sit organically next to a collection of new wool developments in Betap’s pursuit of a circular economy.

At its core, Betap develop big selling, popular ranges designed for affordability and several additions will be showcased at the event.

The Wielsbeke showroom will also play host to their latest artificial grass collection from the PARQ brand. The new group of products include the NextGen range which is fully recyclable.

www.betap.com

Lano classic, contemporary style

The history of Lano NV goes back to the 1920s. The Belgian family business that started 100 years ago with a few weaving machines has grown into a global player in the industry.

Through the years, Lano Carpets, still a 100% Belgian manufacturer, has built a strong reputation and is known for innovative products, service and quality. Lano Carpets produces broadloom carpet, rugs as well as artificial grass.

NEW PRODUCTS

A Touch of Luxury: A collection of premium carpets with unique styles that bring a luxury edge to classic and contemporary interiors. SmartStrand: The softest, strongest, and easiest to clean carpet. Tougher on stains owing to the permanent stain protection in the yarn, softer on the environment thanks to an eco-friendly fibre. The SmartStrand innovative fibre is engineered to resist marking and crushing, maintaining its beauty and appearance over time.

Lano Landscaping: Time has become an important commodity and spending time on gardening is sometimes difficult. Artificial landscape surfaces provide an always green, just cut appearance that is a boon to any landscape environment. Virtually maintenance free, natural looking all year round, time saving, and no requirement to water or mow are just a few of the advantages. www.lano.com

Jermyn Street

'Silent' flooring factories of Turkey's earthquake disaster

Manufacturers and suppliers in Europe are bracing themselves for a shortfall in synthetic fibre and finished goods after February’s devasting earthquake in Turkey claimed some 60,000 lives and severely damaged industrial infrastructure.

The epicentre of the quake near Gaziantep in southern Turkey is in the heart of the country’s textile sector with a major producers of polypropylene, polyester and especially PET recycled fibre, a business that exports nearly £3 billion internationally and has the UK as one of its top 5 importers.

The immediate effects have been mitigated by logistics as containers were already on the water to Europe and the UK but towards the end of March, the shortfall will start to bite. Carpet manufacturers have been in a race to secure alternative sources and reassured customers that everything is being done to avoid supply interrruptions.

Many finished goods factories for rugs and carpets have been destroyed. Some of the key fibre plants are more modern and have survived the disaster but many of their employees have lost their lives, power supplies have been cut off and access to ports has been very severely disrupted.

Istanbul journalist Yasemin Salih reported: “In Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the disaster of the century, the machines that produce yarn for the whole world are silent. Most of the factories, which employ 155,000 textile workers and are home to some of Turkey’s best spinners, have been destroyed.”

The area around Kahramanmaras exports over £1 billion annually of carpets and yarn. Fatih Mehmet Zülkadirosu heads the region’s Teco Textil engineering that supports yarn manufacturers says that 30-35% of the spinning machines in the region have become unusable, and that 15-20% of them will be scrapped.

“We have surveyed the region,” says Fatih. “The damage is very big. Buildings have collapsed, and the machines in those that have not collapsed have become unusable.”

Ironically, Government incentives during the pandemic mean that many new machines are on order for suppliers in the region but Fatih points out: “Some of the new machines were due to arrive this year. This is an advantage, but more earthquakes are expected. A spinning machine costs 10-20 million euros, and owners are afraid to put them inside buildings.”

The region around Istanbul in the west of Turkey is the second largest production hub for floorcovering textiles and is largely unaffected by the disaster directly, but logistics to ports are compromised.

Support the Disaster Emergency Committee’s Appeal: https://donation.dec.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal/

New flooring franchise offers secure future

As a franchise business owner, participants will own and operate their own Colourbank carpet and flooring store in their chosen location, and the central operation will supply everything needed for each and every customer order –from carpets and flooring to underlays, glues and consumables.

Colourbank enjoys substantial discounts as a bulk buyer from all the major manufacturers for its own operation and franchisees will be able to buy at these prices – a major opportunity to enhance their margins far beyond what they could achieve individually.

The comprehensive support package from Colourbank includes guidance in selecting suitable retail premises and recruiting staff, plus advice on store fittings, displays and technology.

An initial training programme covers all aspects of the business and a franchise handbook with a detailed operating manual, regularly updated, will ensure day-to-day trading runs smoothly.

“We have the buying power to ensure our franchisees are competitive and the expertise and resources to ensure they can offer a reliable, professional service to consumers,” says Trevor,

Flooring

Marketing insights

Making an entrance

Hallways are a home’s first impression. It’s the first area that family, friends and visitors see when they step inside. As well as making an entrance with its design and decor, it’s also a space that needs durable, hardwearing and easy-to-clean flooring. Children, pets, muddy boots… hallways need flooring that’s up to the challenge and that’s what Amtico LVT is all about.

Luxury vinyl tile is the perfect flooring choice for hallways. It’s hygienic, as Antimicrobial Technology provides protection against potentially harmful bacteria; it’s waterproof, scratch and stain resistant, easy to clean, repair or replace so it needs minimal maintenance and it’s tough enough to last a lifetime. It’s also warm and comfortable underfoot. Hallways should be warm and welcoming. After a long day, we all want to come home to the interiors equivalent of a big hug. It’s also a great way to make a dazzling impression as well as complement or contrast a property’s age and style. A period house for instance appears stunning with authentic-looking Victorian tiles from Amtico’s artisan Décor collection or White and Black Marble in a checkerboard pattern.

Amtico also has a selection of Indoor Cotton Mats to help keep the flooring clean. Made in Britain from 100% recycled materials, the washable designs come in zig zag or striped styles for a functional finishing touch.

Entrances are now an integral part of interior design and have become key spaces in the home. As a beacon of creativity, Alternative has plenty of inspiring choices where the practical and beautiful happily co-exist.

So, let’s keep in step with the latest entryway flooring ideas from Alternative. As entrances are the first thing anyone sees, Alternative advocate the floor needs to be stylish but chosen with careful consideration.

Carpet brings a sense of comfort in sisal or wool, both sustainable natural fibres that work in high-traffic areas. Sisal is hardwearing while wool is a softer durable option. Alternative’s Woosie is where sisal and wool meet – this balanced all-natural floor

By Rita Bancroft

comes in three subtle designs that works hard while looking good. If you already have a stone, tiled or wooden floors, why not layer a runner or rug to soften and inject colour with borders or whipped edges. Or go all out for a patterned wool design from their award-winning Quirky pattern or design-led Margo Selby striped collections to make a statement entrance. Decoratively, stripes can make narrow entryways appear wider while practically speaking, pattern is forgiving and cleverly hides the marks. Abingdon Flooring has boosted the loop pile wool-rich carpets of the Wilton Royal family, responding to the early signs that the country-look texture of loop pile carpets is returning to favour.

Thanks to the recent addition of Royal Sovereign and the reinvigorated New Royal Windsor, homeowners can pick from two 100% wool loop pile carpets that are made in Britain and come with the quality and value of styles made by Abingdon Flooring. In the 100% wool Royal Sovereign, homeowners will find a laidback style with a medium loop pile, while New Royal Windsor provides a smaller loop for a more refined and elegant look. The styles enjoy the extra comfort of Abingdon Flooring’s fleece backing, which also makes installation easier.

As with all Abingdon Flooring carpets, the two styles are available in 2.5m, 4m and 5m widths, bettering value in any size of home or room, with the narrow option ideal for entrances and hallways. Moth-resistant and with a 10-year wear warranty, they are a durable and comfortable choice for anybody looking for a natural carpeting option to wow visiting friends and family.

Both Royal Sovereign and New Royal Windsor are presented in a palette of modern natural colours that are chosen to work in today’s homes. Characterised by wool’s unmistakable dye take, each colour is given a depth and richness that feels uniquely British.

A simple yet striking stair runner from Cormar can completely elevate the entrance to a home and add a splash of personality, style and comfort to any hallway space which explains why this contemporary trend is seeing no signs of waning.

As staircases are one of the most heavily used areas in a home, durability is just as important as style. Choosing a hard-wearing carpet to cushion the daily impact of foot traffic is vital.

Whether it’s a neutral style to suit a more toned-down palette or something bolder and more daring, like a strong repeating stripe, Cormar have a variety of carpet ranges to help create the perfect entrance.

A wool loop carpet is a great choice for busy areas. Their supremely stylish Pimlico collection (pictured) is available in three distinctive designs – level, texture and stripe in a palette of nine fashionable, neutral shades

As one of the hardest working spaces in our homes, hallways need to be more than just welcoming, as flooring should be durable, practical, and beautiful.

Abingdon, Royal Sovereign

Amtico, White and Black Marble in a checkerboard laying pattern

Alternative, Margo Selby Stripe Rock

Marketing insights

Making an entrance continued from page 35

to compliment any colour scheme or decor. Pimlico is produced using 50% pure New Zealand Wool, in a premium quality 3-ply yarn, enabling a cleaner, brighter effect for lighter shades. Ideal for traditional or modern homes and available in both 4 and 5 metre widths.

An easy clean carpet is also a popular choice for a well-used hallway space. Cormar’s Primo Ultra made from 100% Excellon Polypropylene is stain-resistant, bleach-cleanable and comes with a 10-year stain and wear warranty to eliminate the stress that comes with the thrills and spills of busy family life. This range is manufactured using fine tenth gauge machinery and is available in 4 and 5 metre widths.

Adam Carpets advise we should forget about being on trend, as it’s all about going with what we love. Encouraging us to create interiors that reflect our personal style, their recent new ranges Parquet, Enigma, Nexus and Cascade are designed and coloured to do just that. The collection comes in a range of complimentary and comfort colours that work across different interior styles. The top colours are sumptuous tones that melt and fade into one another, creating a lustre appearance overall. The ranges include, soul soothing greens and blues, uplifting yellow and rust, and grounding earth tones. All the colours connect to nature and induce wellbeing.

oval sofas and rounded decorative accessories. All designs are available in 4 metre and 5 metre widths.

When the pressure is on to recommend a floor that can withstand the most extreme interior environments such as hallways, then it has to be BerryAlloc’s High Pressure Floors. Thanks to an extremely durable surface, BerryAlloc High Pressure Floors (HPF) can withstand use in the most intensive indoor environments and is proven everywhere from international airports to homes. So, if you need to recommend a floor that stays looking good under the heaviest use, look no further.

Original is the collection that started High Pressure Floors and it’s now available in a choice of 44 unique decors in a versatile plank size for a range of room sizes. With planks of 2.4 m in length, Grand Avenue is the HPF for open spaces. Measuring 2.4m long and 30cm wide, Grand Majestic is BerryAlloc’s biggest ever floor and comes in a size only made possible by the strength of HPF technology and its AluLoc joint. Grand Majestic’s eight wood decors capture the calming influence of nature in realistic structures.

Both Grand Majestic and Grand Avenue use the patented aluminium AluLoc locking system so that large areas (15m x 15m) can be installed without an expansion gap for a better-looking floor. Despite its strength, the lock is easy to install – simply push down to click the floor into place. And with the inbuilt SilentSystem sound-absorbing underlay, every HPF style is not only easier to install, but up to 19dB quieter too. Made in Norway, all HPF collections come with a lifetime warranty for residential use and a 10-year commercial warranty.

Kelly Butler, head of design at Adam Carpets explains, “We wanted to provide a modern take on retro style. Geometric influences are all around us and can be found in furniture design, architecture, and materials too. The three new designs illustrate how geometric patterns in interior design work without the use of loud colour. Our choice of different scaled designs, in considered colour palettes create a refined look”.

Parquet’s clever 3D effect creates an all over stylish design that is a textile embodiment of one of floorings biggest trends in a retro revival of colour. Enigma’s charm lies in the abstract pattern which fits perfectly into modern but also nostalgic vintage interiors. Nexus is a playful touch of strong shape which brings any interior to life, in sumptuous yet bold colours for a striking look. Cascade’s organic curves radiate calm and helps transform a room into a real place of wellbeing, and complements

Brockway’s Herdwick Herringbone Runners complement the award-winning Lakeland Herdwick carpet collection. The sophisticated herringbone design will lend a subtle yet striking design element to your stairs and floors. Specially designed for those that want the hardwearing practicality and high performance of pure wool, without compromising on warmth and comfort, Herdwick Herringbone Runners are available in six neutral colourways to complement all schemes.

Cormar, Pimlico in Madeira 50% New Zealand Wool

Adam Carpets, Parquet

BerryAlloc, Original

Brockway, Herdwick Herringbone Runner

Grown in Cumbria, spun in Yorkshire and woven in Kidderminster, Brockway Herdwick Herringbone runners are authentically British. The appearance and rugged durability of the carpet results from the natural resilience of one of Britain’s best loved and hardiest sheep breeds. The Herdwick Herringbone collection is the naturally discerning carpet runner of choice.

British wool textiles still enjoy a reputation for high quality based on tradition, history, and the quality of raw materials. The Herdwick runner is a niche traditional product for the home which falls naturally into the category of contemporary British style. The classic herringbone twill is inspired by fine wool cloth woven for the discerning tastes of Savile Row and created by weaving the yarn into carpet.

Styled, hand-crafted and tailored in Kidderminster, the Lakeland runners are produced on heritage Grosvenor Wilton carpet looms. Woven using a combination of undyed wool yarns combined or paired with black, the colours reflect the earthy rustic palette of the Cumbrian hills and fells.

Rita is Director of Bancmarketing Ltd and has over 30 years of marketing experience with a proven track record in both business to business and business to consumer multi-channel marketing.

“It will present our widest collection to date with a total of 70 unique wood and stone designs,” added Stella.

We can expect designs that ooze character and elegance with options to suit individual tastes, from traditional English country style to modern minimalist. Home decorators will appreciate the extensive variety of colourways and tile sizes as well as a convenient choice of formats to cope with different situations.

There will also be new design strips that can be added between individual planks (shown in picture) for an authentic wood look finish or introduced as border details, giving a sophisticated edge that effortlessly disguises the awkward angles often found in hallways.

We all know, first impressions are everything which is why entrances and hallways can have a huge impact on how a home is perceived. UK manufacturer, distributor and supplier, Furlong Flooring’s new LVT collection will deliver the good looks, practicality, and affordability for entrances and hallways that price conscious consumers are looking for Hard-wearing, durable and stylish, Furlong Flooring’s new LVT collection features contemporary designs and quality construction for the busiest of hallways. Beautiful modern tile designs sit alongside on-trend natural stone and herringbones in an up-to-date, attractive range of LVT that will create the very best hallway floor.

“This year we’re all about making happy memories with our loved ones so staying in is the new going out,” says Stella Coyle, national retail sales manager at Karndean Designflooring

She explains, “When we welcome friends and family to our home, we want them to feel comfortable and at home in an instant. Your hallway can help you make a lasting impression. “Hallways are hard working spaces and so need a floor that can stand up to the rough and tumble of life. Luxury Vinyl Flooring is ideal for this, offering the natural look of real wood or stone but with a hygienic durable surface that will look amazing for many years with minimal maintenance.”

This April, Karndean will present new designs from around the world with dual format convenience. Ideal for any room in the home including hallways and entranceways. The update to its popular Van Gogh collection will introduce stone designs to the range for the first time as well as wood designs in on-trend herringbone and chevron options.

Furlong Flooring understand how hard it is for brands and products to stand out and grab customer’s attention in competitive retail environments. That’s why they are supporting retailers and have developed a range of fresh, bright, and appealing and easy to use LVT display models. Designed to maximise visual impact without taking up precious space, their modular POS solutions are customisable and have the wow-factor needed to help secure sales.

For more information contact:

Abingdon Flooring 01274 655 694 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Adam Carpets 01562 822247 www.adamcarpets.com

Alternative 01264 335111 www.alternativeflooring.com

Amtico 0121 745 0800 www.amtico.com

BerryAlloc +32 56 52 84 80 www.berryalloc.com

Brockway 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

Cormar Carpet Co. 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Furlong Flooring 01322 628700 www.furlongflooring.com

Karndean Designflooring 01386 820100 www.karndean.com

twitter.com pinterest.com instagram.com youtube.com houzz.com

Karndean Designflooring, Natural School Cedar

Karndean Designflooring, Luna Breccia Marble

Furlong Flooring's new LVT collection

FLOORING FOCUS • BUYING GROUPS

Independent together, with nothing to lose…

Each year we take a closer look at the role of buying groups in our industry and explore why retailers should consider joining, especially when costs are challenging and the market is highly competitive. Concerns about independence seem to be the reason for reluctance by some retailers, but the groups go out of their way to emphasise that members very much run their own show – just with better margins! Group buying power, own-label competitor protection, product selection expertise plus a whole basket of business and marketing support are the reasons why more than 1,200 of the UK’s most savvy retailers have signed up.

But which buying group? They’re all a little different in how they run their operation and retailers should talk to a number before making a decision.

With over 450 retail outlets throughout the UK, SMG is the largest flooring buying group and can offer independent retail members a package of benefits which include preferential group pricing, rebates, promotions, a central ordering facility and options for own branding.

SMG has something for every retailer, large or small, long established or just starting out. Members run their business as they see fit but gain advantage from the most comprehensive package of benefits around and, all for the lowest annual membership fee.

“No need to be on a committee, attend Group meetings or go to an AGM – just increase your profit without changing what you do – it’s as easy as that,” says Linda Thomas of SMG.

As well as the group’s award winning Smartchoice displays, it also provides many initiatives and benefits from which members select those that suit their business best.

The group secures the best trade prices and is very transparent regarding rebates earned by its members. Rather than accumulate these in house and then redistribute them to members, ACG insists that rebates are paid by the supplier direct to the member store.

“A retailer should never be worse off by becoming a member of ACG and we are confident that you will receive the best returns and support for your business, against your subscription investment,” says Jon Richardson of ACG.

“A retailer should never be worse off by becoming a member of ACG and we are confident that you will receive the best returns and support for your business, against your subscription investment,”

SMG – Pure branding

“The key driver for SMG has always been to create profitable partnerships between members and approved suppliers,” she says. “Both have the same goals and SMG is able to deliver more sales and greater profitability for both.”

“No need to be on a committee, attend Group meetings or go to an AGM – just increase your profit without changing what you do – it’s as easy as that,”

The Associated Carpet Group is run solely for the benefit of its 325+ member stores and not for profit, unlike some other groups. It is non-intrusive and does not dictate in any way how you run your business, with the majority of members being independently familyowned stores.

The Metro Group is a multi-award-winning buying group, formed by retailers for retailers in 1979.

Members retain 100% of their independence but improve their profitability and there is a portfolio of 200+ Carpet1st ranges.

“Every member gets a free allowance of £720 a year to spend against this service,” says Steve Depport of Metro Group

A key feature of Metro is the unique, bespoke merchandising service. This can design, print, manufacture & install everything from a business card to a shop front.

“Every member gets a free allowance of £720 a year to spend against this service,” says Steve Depport of Metro Group.

“This is truly unique because we want you to invest in your business.”

Continued on page 40

Jon Richardson of ACG

Metro merchandising

FLOORING FOCUS • BUYING GROUPS

...continued from page 40

Other typical services like phone, broadband and credit card deals and a range of group stands is also available. There are local meetings twice a year you will be invited to. The Group Central Order Service allows members to order from suppliers they do not deal with.

“Everything the group provides is optional, you decide because it is your business,” says Steve.

“Contact me for an informal chat, there is nothing to lose and a lot to gain."

“Everything the group provides is optional, you decide because it is your business,” says Steve. “Contact me for an informal chat, there is nothing to lose and a lot to gain."

Flooring One offers a friendly and highly professional service to independent flooring retailers throughout the UK and Ireland with the aim of increasing their profitability.

The group is in partnership with some of the finest key suppliers and works with them to offer members margin protection on rebranded products with dedicated support from its expert field merchandisers.

“The group is in partnership with some of the finest key suppliers and works with them to offer members margin protection on rebranded products with dedicated support from its expert field merchandisers.”

Flooring One is a subsidiary of Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the leading buying group for fashion, home and leisure for independent retail. Their unique and powerful payment system (CENPAC) enables members to save time, money, and administration as well as enjoying improved settlement discounts from suppliers and access to exclusive group merchandise rebates.

BRM (Bond Retail Marketing) prides itself on its history, experience and agility to navigate and keep pace with the ever-changing flooring marketplace.

“We offer a bespoke personal service which can be tailored to serve each retailers individual needs, allowing the retailer to carry on with the day to day running of their business,” says Carl Harris of BRM. “With no joining fees, and a family feel within the group, why not consider being part of BRM.”

“We offer a bespoke personal service which can be tailored to serve each retailers individual needs, allowing the retailer to carry on with the day to day running of their business,” says Carl Harris of BRM “With no joining fees, and a family feel within the group, why not consider being part of BRM.”

BRM’s buying & marketing function has many years of experience negotiating with all types of suppliers large and small in the UK market across all flooring product groups, with the addition of an online presence via www.beautifulflooring.co.uk where consumers are directed to BRM’s national retailer network.

De-branding and profit engineering are all attributes they are skilled in developing with individual retailers to create successful and profitable business models that will stand the test of time and designer initiatives, such as the Daisy Alexandra Subert collection, gives BRM retailers unique and exclusive selling opportunities with enhanced margins.

In 2022, Greendale Carpets & Flooring celebrated 60 years as a buying group. From humble beginnings, they have grown into one the most respected buying groups in any industry. They own their own warehouse, capable of stocking up to 2,800 rolls of carpet. “This buying power enables us to offer yearround low prices for all our members,” says Eamonn Prescott of Greendale.

“After all, why wait 12 months for rebates, when you can benefit from lower prices from day one?”

“The warehouse allows us to go to suppliers and buy 40-50 rolls of carpet at a time. No other group has this type of buying power because they don’t have a central warehouse with stock exclusively for members,” says Eamonn.

Dealing with all the major suppliers, Greendale offers central ordering, so members can place all their orders through the group, allowing members to pay just one invoice.

Greendale HQ and warehouse

This system also includes a fully dedicated customer service offer so If there is any issue, it is Greendale who will liaise with the member and the supplier. Greendale is a member owned group with new members buying a share into the cooperative. As Eamonn explains “We are run as ‘not for profit’ and as such we are here to make money for our members, not from them.”

“The warehouse allows us to go to suppliers and buy 40-50 rolls of carpet at a time. No other group has this type of buying power because they don’t have a central warehouse with stock exclusively for members,”

ACG • 01942 825520

BRM • 07403 442229

FLOORING ONE

www.acgcarpets.com

www.beautifulflooring.co.uk

www.flooringone.co.uk

GREENDALE CARPETS • 01432 852000 • www.greendalecarpets.co.uk

METRO GROUP • 01204 393 539 • www.carpet1st.co.uk

SMG • 0118 932 3832 • www.smg-group.co.uk

Metro – POS stands

Buying Groups

How to decide whether to join a buying group – and which one…

• Evaluate all buying groups as they all work differently

• Talk to the main marketing contact and/or a member of the committee

Why join?

Buying groups have been a highly successful feature of the floor retailing scene in the last decade or so, giving independents the extra edge they need to compete effectively with the retail park chains.

More than 1000 retailers are now members of one of the several buying groups which operate in our sector and the numbers are slowly, but steadily growing.

While the benefits of bulk buying power are self-evident, the resistance to the buying group concept among nonmembers appears to be centred on fears of surrendering some control to a committee – and most particularly compromising long-established relationships and negotiated terms with current suppliers.

The bottom line is the bottom line. A retailer selling across a broad range of products is likely to improve margins within a buying group – but you don’t need a leap of faith to join up. Ask the buying groups for answers...

Key benefits

Increase margins

• Group purchases to get beneficial rates

• Rebates

• Exclusive higher-margin products

• Special promotions

One of the key reasons to join a buying group is to benefit from the discounts they negotiate as a bulk buyer from manufacturers. The way discounts and rebates are passed on to members varies between groups so make sure it’s absolutely clear how this will be done. You’ll need to work out how this compares with discounts you have already negotiated locally with preferred suppliers.

Access professional services

• Business and financial services

• IT and internet support

• Training and workshops

• Professional bodies

Some buying groups offer an excellent range of other services which may be valuable to your business. Financial services include invoice factoring, credit, loans and insurance. Some of the more sophisticated groups offering marketing packages, software systems to help you run your business operations and customised websites ready to use. Relationships with professional and training organisations can also offer discounts.

• Get a list of members and call up two or three for a ‘real-world’ view

• Establish your territorial exclusivity – where’s the next nearest member of each buying group

• Ensure you understand the financial arrangements, any fees that would relate to your membership, how the bills are paid and whether your fees are refundable if it doesn’t work out. Ask the buying group for a consultation to estimate your potential savings

• Review all the extra benefits and services to see what you would actually use

• Check out the product ranges offered including the own-label options and the UK/European mix

• Ensure you understand any rules that may limit your flexibility to run your business the way you want

Increase sales

• Best of both worlds’ proposition

• Wider ranges and exclusive products

• POS, displays and merchandising support

Your customers will like the proposition that you are independent but with the buying power of a group –this gives them (and you) the ‘best of both worlds’ with personal service and competitive pricing. Most groups will also offer you ‘own label’ ranges and support with pointof-sale, merchandising and displays. Central stockholding may also be on offer.

Network with other independents

• Members-only exhibitions with preferred manufacturers

• Regular meetings and supplier presentations

• Regional workshops

• Helpline

A lot of retailers enjoy the buying group environment of being independent but not alone out there on the High Street. Groups hold regular meetings and some have their own trade shows, regional meetings and workshops to help you develop your business. The network gives you someone to call when you need advice on, for example, an unusual installation, a technical consumer complaint, legal issue or business dilemma.

www.beautifulflooring.co.uk

Contact: Carl Harris Tel: 01892 549050 charris31@sky.com

www.flooringone.co.uk Peter Karra Tel: 0121 683 1426 peter.karra@flooringone.co.uk

Metro Group www.carpet1st.co.uk

Contact: Jill Coward Tel: 01204 393539 jillcoward@carpet1st.co.uk

www.smg-group.co.uk

Contact: Mike Reed Tel: 0118 932 3832 info@smg-group.co.uk

Associated Carpet Group www.acgcarpets.com

Contact: Jon Richardson Tel: 01942 825520 jon@acgcarpets.com

FLOORINGNEWS

Inspiration on display

With a wide range of display options available, BerryAlloc gives retailers of all sizes the chance to enter its world of inspirational floors.

From Ocean+ 100% water-resistant and Chateau herringbone laminate collections to Pure and Live vinyl planks and tiles, high pressure floors, parquet and Wall&Water wall panels, BerryAlloc gives a world of possibilities for homes. With quality, variety, durability, longevity and ease of installation; BerryAlloc is sure to have a solution for every space.

In store, the BerryAlloc brand is distinct with a striking visual language that has established the brand as a premium offering. And with a range of high-quality display solutions – from toasters right through to shop-in-shop concepts and customisable brand corners – every retailer can take advantage.

For example, full collections of High Pressure Floors and Ocean+ laminate flooring can be displayed across three toaster displays that combine for an impressive solution. With graphic areas that communicate everything customers need to know about the collection, as well as a long plank display that demonstrates different sizes and thickness of planks, these displays are a way to bring high-end branding to store.

Brand corners are a fully customisable option for retailers, with a large back panel graphic and supporting toaster racks that can feature any collection. Bringing a high-quality look across a minimal footprint, brand corners are a flexible option that can be switched to promote new collections without having to change footprint. Simply ‘hot swap’ the graphics and samples in the toaster rack for a completely new display without disruption.

www.berryalloc.com

Scott Arundell, sales director, BerryAlloc says:

“Our displays are made with both retailers and their customers in mind. Compact and flexible, yet capable of truly showing off the beauty in every floor and communicating the reasons to buy and capturing the mood of each collection; they give the chance for all stores to enter the world of BerryAlloc.”

Digital developments boost industry agility

The flooring industry’s digital landscape has been developing fast over the last five years from a wild West of web and online interactions to an increasingly sophisticated network of high performance portals and carefully curated social media communication channels.

The pandemic accelerated not only the innovation in this sector, but also the uptake and appetite for IT among retailers who have historically been late adopters of technology. Now, the expectation is that the leading suppliers offer effective digital solutions to make the working day easier and more effective.

Here are some of the best…

PORTAL POWER

This summer sees another important step to further improve Associated Weavers’ service level in its partnerships with their customers. A new portal will be launched this summer.

“Customer expectations have changed,” says Emmanuel Lioen of AW. “When ordering carpet or other flooring solutions in retail shops, the end consumer wants to be informed about product availability, possible alternatives and expected timing of delivery. The portal addresses these functions and will help retailers to close the order.”

Since its launch in 2011, users of Cormar Carpet Company's successful online Trade Portal have been benefitting from 24/7 access to order processing, stock checks, invoicing and statements, making it the place to go for online trading for carpet retailers. In the last 12 months, Cormar has invested over £75,000 towards further enhancements, including the ability to add multiple cuts or rolls to the basket, saving customers time and improving user experience.

By introducing the portal, AW customers get a 24/7 order entry channel with an all-time access to the product portfolio - wall-to-wall carpet, carpet tiles and luxury vinyl flooring. Simultaneously, the portal will lead to higher transparency and reliable tracking of open orders up to delivery.

A new marketing materials area, which was highly requested by portal users, now allows users to easily access and download Cormar’s portfolio of high-quality imagery alongside various marketing materials. This and the other improvements further secures the portal as a ‘one stop shop’ for customers to carry out most of their interactions with Cormar online. Aside from the above enhancements, Cormar have also been developing their mobile phone text message delivery updates which now also allows customers to receive notifications when their order is due at their selected Collection Point. Cormar is committed to continuing to work with their customers to further enhance user experience and bring useful and exciting new features to their trade portal.

Finally, the portal is expected to lead to higher accuracy in order intake and a reduction of errors and returns.

As part of its commitment to customer service, Furlong Flooring’s new online portal and open banking system gives retailer account holders across the UK full access to everything from stock checking to ordering and delivery tracking, all with secure and instant fast payments.

Through the online portal, account holders will be able to find out about the very latest additions to Furlong’s comprehensive flooring collection, as well as colours and accessories for every room.

Exclusive benefits include access to Monday discounts and the online portal will enable retailers to check stock availability and place orders quickly and seamlessly with their customers, usually with next day delivery. The open banking system ensures account holders can pay quickly and securely via a digital system from their phone.

Harvey Maria continues to develop innovative features for its online retailer dashboard and are currently trialling their new 'Buy with Fitting' Service. This online feature is designed to drive sales enquiries for the supply & fitting of Harvey Maria floors directly to retailers, from users of harveymaria.com Retailers can view the customer enquiries in their online account and keep track of their progress.

The online retailer account dashboard is packed with more new features. The popular Rewards programme is now in its second year after a really successful launch. Retailers can easily track their targets and it's a great way for Harvey Maria to show their appreciation for sales efforts throughout the year.

Cormar Carpet Co. – Online trade portal

“When ordering carpet or other flooring solutions in retail shops, the end consumer wants to be informed about product availability...”

Associated Weavers' portal

“Since its launch in 2011, users of Cormar Carpet Company's successful online Trade Portal have been benefitting from 24/7 access...”

FLOORING FOCUS

Digital developments boost industry agility

continued from page 44

“Retailers will be pleased to know that they won't see Harvey Maria collections on any 3rd party websites, or widely available elsewhere at discounted prices.”

Harvey Maria retailers can also enjoy a share of online sales with their Local Online Sales Commission. This was designed specifically to combat the challenges faced by UK retailers on local high streets and means that Harvey Maria retail partners now receive a share of their online sales. They pay them a percentage of the invoice value on consumer orders received at harveymaria.com for delivery within the retailer's territory –a really effective way of supporting local business and traditional retail, which is extremely important within our industry.

Retailers will be pleased to know that they won't see Harvey Maria collections on any 3rd party websites, or widely available elsewhere at discounted prices.

The B2B website and app ordering system at Likewise uses the latest technology to deliver a fast efficient self-serve solution to its customers. Available 24/7, customers can check stock availability in real time, place orders, check prices and track their order history and account status at their convenience.

relationship with the trade. “The development of the DMS Trade Portal gives new and existing customers the ability to take control of their account online at their convenience,” says David.

“You can place orders, check stock availability, pay your bills and so much more. The portal offers an easy to navigate dashboard; it’s responsive too, so accessible on any device,” he says.

While the recently launched DMS trade portal is intuitive and easy to use, it features a ‘contact us’area in case you have a question or need information you can’t find via the quick and accurate search facility.

DMS prides itself on great customer service and doesn’t see the portal as a replacement for face-to-face business. Much more so it’s an extension of DMS customer service and gives its customers around the clock access.

The innovative team at Company Dynamics are trying to bring some sense to all the tech options out there. Technology is way more advanced than 30 years ago and the uptake with customer websites, means that most users are far more tech savvy than ever.

“We’ve started to get more positive feedback from suppliers, that are now providing digital catalogue and access to their range images,” says Stuart Hunt at Company Dynamics. “So, it’s now becoming possible to create a one stop all supplier environment where retailers can order goods and then go through to the correct supplier, from one place.

Fully automated with Likewise systems, it allows fast order processing and delivery, ensuring they are meeting the demands and providing the best service to customers.

Offering a great online catalogue too, the portal allows customers to browse Likewise’s entire flooring collection or, using the enhanced search facility to find exactly what they need. A sophisticated technical set up ensures both products and data are loaded instantly allowing a smooth and speedy way to place orders

Useful analytics tools also allow Likewise to track session activity to constantly improve and enhance the customer experience with regular new features and updates.

While DMS Flooring Supplies has a website, social channels and great customer service, MD David Gowling felt he needed to create a closer

“We are working with several large and small independents, to generate a workable product catalogue, which is easily maintained. And this in turn links with the online ordering systems to provide a more seamless experience,”

“We are working with several large and small independents, to generate a workable product catalogue, which is easily maintained. And this in turn links with the online ordering systems to provide a more seamless experience,” he said.

The next stage on this journey, is to link back to the purchasing system either through an integrated system, as with Compay Dynamics’ eGizmo software, or through imports from the website. “Whichever way you do this, it is still going to be a time saver,” says Stuart. “Being able to quickly access the data for buying, tracking and invoicing, certainly will reduce the work required by yourself, or your sales team or operations and accounts departments. The technology is there, it is just a matter of bringing it all together.”

DMS Trade Portal

“Available 24/7, customers can check stock availability in real time, place orders, check prices and track their order history and account status at their convenience.”

Likewise – Customer portal

CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

Amongst the wide range of digital channels utilised by F. Ball and Co. Ltd., its website is the first touchpoint for many people requiring information about the company’s products. Retailers and manufacturers can also subscribe to F-Talk, the e-newsletter for the Ball Rewards loyalty scheme members, for free, to receive company news, including product launches and promotions, such as regular cashback on purchases of F. Ball products.

F. Ball’s virtual site visits, facilitated by video-messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and FaceTime, allow contractors using F. Ball products to receive an on-the-spot site assessment and advice on the best course of action for specific flooring projects from an F. Ball technical service officer. Alternatively, enquiries can be made using the company’s other social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which also serve as noticeboards for information about F. Ball products, as well as video demonstrations, case studies and promotions. They also facilitate two-way conversations with flooring retailers and contractors, allowing you to be part of one of the flooring industry’s largest online communities.

“It is very noticeable that these industry-wide interest posts get the most traction,” says Rupert. “For example, during Covid we lobbied Government over the behaviour of certain retailers and kept the industry informed on Facebook and Twitter and we got a huge response.”

Government over the behaviour of certain retailers and kept the industry informed on Facebook and Twitter and we got a huge response.”

On all fronts, The Foundation’s audience is the trade and it finds Facebook is its most successful platform while Instagram is on an upward spiral but Twitter is losing traction. “The good thing on all fronts is you can see how engaged and engaging your content is or was,” says Rupert.

December 2020 was the starting point when it came to introducing Kellars to social media platforms.

Month by month, the Design team began to grow, along with the Kellars brand as a whole and 2021 saw the rebrand of Kellars with a hugely positive reaction within the flooring industry.

“We became a familiar face after launching our new identity at The Flooring Show in 2021, and again in 2022, which was promoted heavily across our socials,” says Ellie Featherstone at Kellars.

“Digital platforms have been one of the keys to our success as a wholesaler, with weekly posts across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, along with links to our website and monthly blogs.

“Our social presence has contributed to our success in achieving two Flooring Innovation Marketing Awards (FIA) in 2021 amd 2023,” says Ellie. “This year, we have seen a huge increase in competitors stepping up their game when it comes to social presence and design as a whole.

Ball – WhatsApp virtual visits

“F. Ball’s virtual site visits, facilitated by videomessaging apps, such as WhatsApp and FaceTime, allow contractors using F. Ball products to receive an on-the-spot site assessment...”

F. Ball’s industry-acclaimed Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG), which lists the compatibility of the company’s adhesives with over 6,000 floorcoverings from more than 200 manufacturers, is also accessible online and via a mobile app, which is free to download from the Apple App store or Google Play.

Digital, and social media, has to be the way forward. “Certainly for us,” says Rupert Anton of the Carpet Foundation. “We don’t have foot soldiers on the ground who can bang the drum for us out in the market place so we have to use online newsletters and social media to reach the industry.”

Unlike individual companies, the Foundation is not product or fibre specific so its content differs largely from that of others in the industry. It only communicates when there is something interesting or useful to say – its latest consumer online advertising, the consumer press coverage it generates or general information on the industry.

“It is very noticeable that these industry-wide interest posts get the most traction,” says Rupert. “For example, during Covid we lobbied

In tackling the challenges of interacting with the industry over the past 18 months the Flooring Industry Training Association launched FITA Digital Virtual Demos, the base for all new online and existing digital content. To see what’s going on, visit the FITA Training YouTube channel and subscribe to the channel to access all the virtual content.

“This content is accessible for anyone to view and is also shared across all our social media platforms along with great support from our manufacturer sponsors,”

“This content is accessible for anyone to view and is also shared across all our social media platforms along with great support from our manufacturer sponsors,” says FITA’s training manager Shaun Wadsworth.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CARPET FOUNDATION www.carpetfoundation.com

COMPANY DYNAMICS www.companydynamics.co.uk

CORMAR CARPET COMPANY www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

DMS FLOORING SUPPLIES www.dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

F. BALL AND CO. www.f-ball.com

FITA www.fita.co.uk

FURLONG FLOORING www.furlongflooring.com

HARVEY MARIA www.harveymaria.com

KELLARS www.kellars.co.uk

LIKEWISE www.likewiseplc.com

F

Click or flick?

Hopes for “best-ever” Harrogate

“The Flooring Show 2023 is shaping up to be one of our best shows ever,” says event director Alex Butler with six months to go before the doors open in Harrogate on September 17.

“We’ve already sold 90% of the Harrogate Convention Centre floorplan and have exciting expansion plans in the works,” says Alex. “With some of the biggest names already confirmed to exhibit, a brand new LVT Pavilion, and the return of the Demo Zone, this is set to be a fantastic year for the show.”

Some 250 brands are expected to exhibit at the three-day event along with thousands of retailers, contractors, distributors, fitters, designers and developers checking out the trends, networking and sourcing new products.

Event organisers are responding to the growing momentum behind vinyl flooring with the new dedicated LVT Pavillion and this coincides with the 2023 Fitter of the Year competition which is also dedicated to LVT.

Meanwhile Hall C will still be playing host to the Wool Trends Centre and there is a welcome return of the Demo Zone in Hall B with a rich schedule of skills sessions covering carpet and vinyl fitting, sub-floor preparation and engineered wood floor installation.

Registration will open in June.

www.theflooringshow.com

Costs crisis hits laminates

Sales of laminate flooring saw a major decline in Europe during 2022 with volumes down 24% according to the EPLF, the European producers of laminate flooring organisation.

A statement by the EPLF said: "The decline is mainly due to the global energy crisis that followed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to inflation.

Belgium at -34,7% with 6.019.139m² sold, Finland at -34,2% with 2.081.062m² sold and The Netherlands at -33,5% with 14.158.495 m² are among the countries that suffered the most from the crisis in Western Europe.

Despite the supply issues and the higher energy costs the sector is facing, EPLF members say they are confident that they will soon return to sales figures similar to those of 2021 when consumers' enthusiasm for remodelling boosted the purchase of laminate flooring, during the pandemic.

In the meantime, they continue to innovate and provide customers with quality laminate flooring, that is both sustainable and affordable in the years to come, says the EPLF.

Have it all your own way.

ScS makes progress with focus on value

ScS, one of the UK's largest flooring retailers, reports sales growth and a recent uplift in order taking as it focusses on a value offer to hard-pressed consumers.

The plc which has 100 stores across the UK, posted its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 28 January 2023 which showed sales up 3.5% on last year to £154.9m.

ScS said it delivered a strong winter sale with the last 10 weeks of the period which generated order intake growth of 2.6%, and gained the company additional market share.

The improvement was enough to reduce its losses - underlying pre-tax losses for the half year were £4.7m, compared to a loss of £5.6m for the same period last year. The company says it expects to return to profit by the end of its full financial year at the end of July.

ScS said that online sales have increased 16.7% and now represent 10.1% of total sales. The growth follows investment in their online platform including visualisation so that customers can see multiple products including furniture and floors in their room settings.

Steve Carson, Chief Executive Officer of ScS, commented: “The Group made good strategic progress in the first six months of the financial year and continued to take market share. The macroeconomic environment continues to be challenging and we are mindful of the pressures faced by many of our customers. Therefore, continuing to focus on our value driven proposition is more important than ever," he said.

Headlam hopes for £100m boost to sales

UK flooring distributor Headlam expects to boost its business by £100m in a new drive for sales to larger retail groups, housebuilders and builders merchants.

The announcement came in the plc's annual results for the year ended December 31 which showed the group's net profits were up 38% to £33.6m on sales which were maintained at £663m compared to 2021.

Commenting on the results, chief exective Chris Payne said: "Despite very challenging industry headwinds in the year, most notably the UK cost of living crisis and significant operational cost inflation, revenue was maintained and profit improved against 2021. So far in 2023, revenue performance is slightly ahead of last year despite a continuing weak residential sector."

He added that the UK cost-of-living crisis had "particularly impacted consumer spending on discretionary items. As a consequence, the residential sector of the marketplace, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of the Company's revenue, was notably weak in the year with underlying volumes significantly down. However, product price increases provided support to the Company's revenue performance, as did a recovery in the commercial sector."

Looking ahead, Headlam says it will be "targeting the multiple retailer and other larger customer segments where the Company is significantly underweight to materially grow revenue."

Headlam's development of a national network of one-stop shop trade counters is also adding to the bottom line and is set to grow. The Company has a target of 90 new, relocated or refitted outlets by the end of 2025, from the 53 sites in 2021. "This fast growing business unit is targeted to add approximately £120 million of revenue upon maturity to the approximate £80 million reported for 2021," says the company's statement.

Flooring inflation finally falls

The relentless rise of flooring inflation has finally eased despite a suprise increase in the general rate of inflation.

Counter to the easing of inflation in the furniture sector, floorcoverings have been resistant to the fall in recent months, but the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the rate is down to 10.4%

Last month, floorcovering inflation was at 12.2% so the fall is a welcome respite for the trade – but prices are still high and this time last year flooring inflation was 9.4%.

Furniture and furnishing prices rose by 10% in February, down from 11.1% in January, while also declining from 14.4% compared to the same month last year. This marks the sixth consecutive month of easing price inflation for furniture and the lowest rate in well over a year.

Imports decline reflects slow start to the year

Carpet imports showed a sluggish start to the year, reversing a revival before Christmas.

The latest figures compiled by The Furnishing Report from HMRC data, show a decline in volumes of 6.5% in January but most striking is the 4.3% drop in values to a total of £73.2m.

This value drop is the first for nearly a year – for several months, rising inflation has outpaced the decline in volumes to show an overall gain.

Belgium continues to suffer after a torrid year of falling exports to the UK in 2022 and January was no exception with a 23% decline in value and imports from India were a third down.

The winners were the Netherlands which increased its exports nearly 7% and Turkey, up 20%, but its figures pre-date the disasterous earthquake.

'Tireless performance" drives growth at Penthouse

Employee-owned Penthouse Carpets has reported continued growth which saw sales rise over 10% last year.

The Rochdale-based manufacturer filed results for the year ended 30 June 2022, reporting sales up 10.5% to £17.5m with net profits up 6.2%.

The company's statement said the 2021/22 period was "a good trading period fuelled by the buoyant housing market and consumer spending on home improvements."

The directors paid tribute to the empoyees who "worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic period, and the current year, to enable the solid performance." Penthouse acknowledged the current trading challenges of the "intensely competitive flooring market and uncertain economy" but said it was in a good, solid financial position and had "immense confidence in its products, personnel and customer service."

February footfall up, but growth slows

After Christmas and the January sales, growth in retail footfall saw a slowdown in February but it's still up 10% on 2022 and shopping behaviour is "normalising" say analysts.

The latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shows total UK footfall increased by 10.4% in February copared to the same time last year, a growth rate that is 2.1% below that of January. The high street, up 17.8%, performed more strongly than retail parks, down 3.3%, while shopping centres were up 11.7%.

Compared to pre-pandemic shopping in 2019, total retail footfall was 8.8% lower – high streets down 7.7%, while retail parks decreased by 2.7%.

Enter the industry Oscars now!

“This year has started with a new set of challenges and a tight market but the industry has plenty of innovative ideas to tempt consumers to make purchase decisions,” said Flooring Innovation Awards organiser Bridgette Kelly.

The national Flooring Innovation Awards (FIA) sets out to identify products and services that are genuinely new and exceptional in the sector. Award categories cover not only flooring products, but also recognise achievements in service, technology and marketing.

Last year there were more than 100 submissions to the award scheme and 34 shortlisted entries received the coveted Innovation Star. The judges then went on to select the Innovation Gold in each of 10 categories to receive the ultimate award.

The awards scheme website is at www.flooringinnovationawards.com and gives full details of all the categories for 2023 and has an entry form.

Pure Gold

Sponsored by THE

Debbie Turvey of Victoria

TWITTER @flooring_awards

INSTAGRAM flooringinnovationawards

“Star” judge Bridgette Kelly was able to present several of the Gold awards at The Flooring Show in Harrogate, last September.

Charlotte Coop and Martin Peace of Abingdon

Emmanuel Lioen of Associated Weavers

Ann Shaw of Ball & Young (left) with Bridgette

Diane Martin of The Stocklists magazine with Peter Jones of Lion Floors

Scott Arundell of BerryAlloc

Debbie Turvey of Victoria

£200WIN! 0 CASH + TOOLS + TROPHY

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & skills to be LVT FITTER OF THE YEAR 2023?

THE 2023 COMPETITION FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS:

1). * You do NOT need to be an NICF member to enter this competition. Applicants must be aged 18 years or over on 30 April 2023. NICF Council members and previous LVT Fitter of The Year winners are excluded from entering.

2). Deadline for entr y is 23:59 on Sunday 30 April 2023.

3). Entrants are initially required to complete a questionnaire giving the most full and accurate answers possible. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the answers provided and 10 fitters will be selected to progress to the Semi-Final practical trials.

4). The Semi-Finals will be held on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 June 2023 (five fitters per day) at the FITA Training Centre, Loughborough. Five fitters will progress to the Final competition.

5). The briefing information for the five finalists will be supplied digitally in August.

6). The Final is at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 September 2023.

ENTER ONLINE @ www.nicfltd.org.uk/FOTY-Competition

The Final will be held at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, 17-18 September 2023

Fitter of The Year LVT 2023 Competition is kindly sponsored by

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

FLOORING FACTSHEET ADHESIVES

SELECTION CHECKLIST

The criteria to select an adhesive will cover the following points. Larger manufacturers offer detailed guides to select the correct adhesive – even indexing floor manufacturer’s products by name to ensure an accurate match. For accurate and up-to-date information consult the F. Ball Recommended Adhesives Guide.

Open Time:

The time you have to fit the flooring into the adhesive after which the bond will no longer be ideal. The time until the floor may be walked on should be checked.

Odour:

Low odour, solvent-free and low VOC products are increasingly favoured and now have the same performance characteristics of older products.

Coverage:

How thick and how far can the adhesive be spread.

Application Method: Different adhesives may be applied by roller, trowel or spray.

Strength:

Including how quickly the adhesive will “grab” the floor covering and its strength when fully cured.

Underfloor Heating:

A lot of modern adhesives are suitable for use with underfloor heating but this criteria must be checked where appropriate.

To find out more visit f-ball.com/training

April 2023

ADHESIVE TYPES

Acrylic/Resin: Ideal for plasticised PVC and most modern flooring.

Bitumen: A tar-like material, bitumen has a high degree of moisture resistance and is used for damp-proof membranes and installing tiles, wood blocks and mosaics.

Epoxy Resin: A two-part chemical curing system that is used in aggressive environments such as conservatories, wet rooms, commercial kitchens and exterior installations.

Polyurethane: An adhesive with rapid bonding characteristics, typically used for wood floors.

Polyvinyl Acetate: Typically used for close fitting joints in timber, laminate floors and panels.

Subfloor: What surface will the adhesive stick to most effectively including concrete, sand cement screeds, levelling compounds, plywood and chipboard.

While there are multi-purpose adhesives, specialist products will be better suited to certain surfaces.

The porosity of the floor is a key determinant of the type of adhesive to be used and its performance during installation.

Special Performance:

Certain adhesives are more suitable for damp, humid or high temperature environments.

Air Quality and the Environment:

The old wisdom that the more it smells, the better it sticks is no longer acceptable to modern consumers and solvent-based products are increasingly replaced by water-based adhesives.

Tackifier: An adhesive for carpet designed to increase the tackiness – or the tack range –of an adhesive.

Water-based Adhesive: Many different types of adhesives now use water as their carrier to avoid odours and flammability issues which are common with chemical solvents.

F48 PLUS fibre-reinforced, high temperature grade vinyl adhesive provides high resistance to heat and PVC plasticisers, giving you reassurance when fitting in heavily glazed areas subject to direct heat. Suitable over underfloor heating systems, it offers excellent grab with fast drying properties that allow floorcoverings to be installed from just 5 minutes.

Carpet types

Tufted

With advances in manufacturing technology, 95% of all carpet produced today is tufted. It takes about an hour to make a roll of carpet that might take eight hours to weave. To make tufted carpet, hundreds of yarn-threaded needles are pushed through the primary backing fabric to form loops or tufts, which may be left as is or cut. A heavy adhesive coating is applied to hold the tufts in place and a secondary backing is usually glued on for strength and stability. A wide variety of styles and textures can then be created using various techniques.

LOOP PILE

Berber – Berber carpets look like and are named after a handmade, bulky wool carpet made by the Berber tribes of North Africa and Asia. The loops are made from thick or bulky yarns of wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blend of these fibres to give a cushioned effect underfoot. These carpets are available in an assortment of colours and may be flecked and can be either level loop or multilevel loop. Level loop – When all the loops are of the same height, a highly flexible and durable carpet is created which has a natural, casual appearance even when (commonly) it is made from synthetic fibres. The tight loop texture tends to hide marks so it’s a good blend between luxury and practicality.

Multi-level loop – The loops vary to two or sometimes three loop heights to create informal, random textures which are very forgiving for marks and stains and therefore very suitable for high traffic areas and busy family rooms.

BONDED

Bonded carpets (sometimes called ‘fibre-bonded’ or ‘fusion bonded’) are created by firing fibres into an adhesive material – the fibres are not stitched into the backing in any way. The technique is principally used for commercial carpet tiles.

CUT PILE

Freize – Frieze or frisée (pronounced freesay) carpets are similar to saxony, but the yarns are more tightly twisted and should always be heat set. They have a dense, low pile surface which creates a coarse, pebbly texture. Frieze carpets are very durable and hide footprints, dust and dirt, which makes them suitable for heavy traffic areas. Saxony – Saxony textures are made of twisted yarns, which should be heat set. The tips remain very distinct, rather than blending together to form a very elegant finish. Saxony textures show footprints and vacuum marks so are suitable for more occasional rooms in the home. More textured variations improve the practicality of saxonies.

Twist – The popular twist carpet is the cut-pile standard. The yarn is tightly twisted and often heatset to retain this feature and the result is a versatile, textured finish that is ideal for plain colours.

Velvet – Velvet textures (sometimes called ‘velour’ or ‘plush’) all have a level surface pile of approx 5mm to 10mm height, which is then sheared to give a smooth finish. With very little twist in the yarn, the ends blend together which then further enhances the overall finish. These carpets tend to ‘shade’ with heavy use. Footprints show easily and the colour looks different from place to place because fibres lying in different directions reflect the light differently. A luxury for occasional rooms.

CUT AND LOOP

When some of the pile is cut and other left as loop, a variety of surface textures and patterns can be created (in a variety of colours). The multi-level surface is excellent for hiding footprints and stains so cut and loop is good for high traffic areas and general purpose rooms in the home.

Shag pile – Shag pile has varied in popularity. The pile is up to 50mm long and the texture is casual and loose but the surface can flatten easily and may lack durability.

Woven

Woven carpet may be in a tiny minority of today’s production but still produces some of the finest carpets which are used for prestigious installations.

Axminster

The pile of the carpet is inserted into the backing as it is woven and cut to length, creating U-shaped tufts to give a velvety surface. The process locks in the fibre to create a carpet of high durability and performance retention as well as a luxury feel. The process allows for intricate designs and colours to be used – although modern trends mean that the traditional patterned axminster has given way to current fashion trends for plain carpets.

Wilton

Wilton woven carpets are produced in a similar way to axminsters – the principal difference being that a continuous fibre is woven all the way through. The carpet can be sheared to create a range of cut and loop textured effects. The result is a high quality carpet of unrivalled durability.

Flat weave

Manufactured in the same way as wilton, flat weave is a loop pile which allows the yarn to be woven across a wider area to created a flatter, more textured effect.

In a tight market for margins, underlay for carpet and hard flooring offers retailers one of the best opportunities to add value to every sale – with good profitability, trade-up potential once benefits are understood and high customer satisfaction levels.

The Carpet Foundation and its Consumer Code of Practice approved by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) recommend that new carpet underlay is bought with every new carpet.

Many consumers are now aware of the benefits of underlay but more needs to be done to provide information about the different types available and their suitability for different areas of the home.

Setting up in-store demonstrations so customers can walk on samples with different grades of underlay and feel the difference has shown excellent results. Some manufacturers offer point-of-sale units and foot testers.

Benefits

Good underlay will...

• Improve underfoot comfort

• Increase appearance retention, reducing flattening

• Absorb the pressure of foot traffic and reduce wear

• Improve thermal insulation and warmth

• Increase sound insulation

• Smooth out sub-floor imperfections

• Last the lifetime of the carpet

Poor or old underlay will...

• Feel hard and unwelcoming

• Reduce carpet life

• Cause wrinkling and premature wear spots

• Cause carpet fibres to break down more quickly

• Not meet British Standards

How thick?

A maximum of 12mm is recommended (working with gripper will be difficult thereafter) but rooms with heavy traffic will need a thinner, denser pad. The combination of thickness and density is all important as a thick underlay with low density may not perform well. Typically, the thicker the underlay, the better quality it will need to be – 11mm is often used for luxury installations with 9mm and 7mm the common domestic thickness.

Types

PU (polyurethane) foam • This is now the market’s most popular underlay and is typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options and densities and provides great insulation – and its light weight helps handling.

Sponge rubber • A more traditionally manufactured underlay available in flat or waffle patterns in a wide range of weights for different applications. It performs well for comfort and has a durable spring retention.

Crumb rubber • Flat and dense, crumb rubber is good for heavy footfall – offering maximum protection but a little less comfort (and very good over stair nosings).

Laminate underlay • There’s still an opportunity to sell underlay with laminate flooring, improving the acoustic performance of the floor and helping the boards float above any imperfections in the sub-floor.

Combination • A rubber crumb base with a felt top layer offers a good combination of protection, durability and comfort. It also allows carpet with seaming to bed into the top felt.

Underfloor heating underlay • Always ask if there is underfloor heating. Most manufacturers offer specialised products. Underlay and carpet with a combined tog rating of 2.5 can be used – which means the underlay would normally have a tog rating of 1.0.

Felt • This traditional (but environmentally friendly) undelay is made from recycled fibres – wool, jute and synthetic – to create a firm, dense pad with excellent thermal insulation. Still a very popular choice among contractors when stretch fitting woven carpets.

Pre-tackified underlay • A self-adhesive single stick underlay in both needlefelt and PU. A removable system for heavy use when comfort is desired.

Underlayment for LVT • This provides a smooth surface on which you can glue down immediately. If there is a time or acoustic issue or a problematic underfloor, a stable, smooth dual underlay system will provide the best solution.

Sponge rubber

Crumb

Combination

PU foam

The Stocklists

Belvedere Carpets

Durham Twist from Hugh Mackay

Brockway’s Vogue

Love Story Deep Feelings by Abingdon

If you would like to be included in this section or upgrade your listing, please contact Diane Martin on +44 (0)1482 659396 or email diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk

Bronte’s Cream Shagpile

Pimlico by Cormar

Wellington Stripe from Ulster

Carpet trouble-shooter

• shedding • pulled loops

Fading on Wool

Carpets made from wool can and do fade in use. The degree of fade can vary depending on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected.

Fading can be caused by exposure to ultra violet light which is found in daylight, but is accelerated when sunlight shines directly onto the carpet. This has the effect of lightening or “Bleaching” the colour just as exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair. Wool is after all animal hair.

Protection should be given to carpets exposed to such conditions just as you would protect other furniture or fabrics.

A complaint on fading would be considered justified if it failed to meet the required shade standard when tested to the British Standard BS1006 (1990).

Soiling

Soiling is usually the result of some local condition to which the carpet has been subjected to, or maintenance, or lack of maintenance programme. There is nothing we as manufacturers can do to prevent soiling in use. There are several types of soiling which are quite common: Spillages - Liquids such as soft drinks, cordials or any drink which contains sugar, particularly hot drinks, is likely to leave a stain. In such instances, professional help should be sought.

Colour matching

Carpets are produced in batches - known as creels - and usually each batch produces between 500m2 - 3000m2 in a single width, depending on the creel size. Whilst the recipe used by the dyer remains constant, and is followed to the letter, in each separate production the colour reproduction will vary from batch to batch. However production is matched back to the original or master sample to ensure that the colour remains ‘within a commercial tolerance’. This process if not an exact science and a commercial tolerance is subjective but nevertheless is usually the professional judgement of the head dyer based on his/her experience.

A greater level of tolerance is required on blended colours (Heathers etc). To ensure perfect colour matching it is advisable that a single width be used in any installation requiring exact colour matching.

N.B. Carpets which are laid with the pile travelling in different directions, even though they be from the same batch will appear not to match. For further information please check with the manufacturers recommendations.

Sprouting

Occasionally an odd tuft or two can work its way to the surface and stand proud of the rest of the pile. This is probably due to one end of the tuft being longer than the other i.e. J shaped tuft instead of V shaped. Remedial action merely requires that the offending tufts be scissor trimmed level with the rest of the pile. They should never be pulled out.

Shampoo - if incorrectly applied, can leave sticky soap residues in the fibres which can result in the soiling reappearing quite rapidly.

Dust - which is carried on draughts can soil carpets in various ways, apart from the obvious soiled edges, at gaping skirting boards for instance, dark lines appearing on surface might suggest airborne dust vacuum-drawn through poorly fitted floorboards. Sometimes the shape of floorboards can be seen quite clearly. Air borne dust sometimes shows itself as spots on the carpet, this is due to the air carried on a draught under the carpet escaping through minute holes both in the underlay and the carpet, leaving dust deposited on the pile much like a filter action. In such installations, the use of a lining paper is essential as a preventative measure.

It is the responsibility of the retailer to advise the consumer when the carpet is measured of any poorly fitting doors, skirtings, or floorboards and the consumers responsibility to ensure any remedial work to seal draughts, is carried out before the carpet is fitted, if a resulting complaint is to be avoided.

Static

Carpets do not produce static but like other household fabrics and objects have the capacity to store it. Static is caused by the build up of static electricity upon personnel in a dry environment and is discharged when a person makes contact with an object which can conduct electricity (i.e. door handle or filing cabinets, etc).

The static charges will vary in intensity depending upon the individual, air humidity and the contact materials. Static is more usually associated with synthetic materials as they do not retain moisture very well but it can and does occur with wool in very dry room conditions.

Preventative measures include the introduction of moisture into the room or in situ carpet treatment.

Flattening

Flattening will occur as a result of traffic which eventually flattens the pile particularly in the main areas of use.

All pile fabrics will flatten to greater or lesser degree dependant on the amount of traffic to which it is subjected and the construction (tuft density/pile fibre/height/weight) of the product concerned.

Shading

Shading occurs because the pile of the carpet has become crushed, flattened or brushed in a different direction to the natural lie of the pile whilst in situ. This causes light reflection at differing angles resulting in the creation of light and dark patches on the carpet. This will occur on all pile fabrics but can be more noticeable on plainer carpets because the shadows created by pile pressure will not be disguised by a heavy pattern or design.

Pile Reversal

Like shading, this occurs when the pile or nap of the carpet changes direction and thus reflects light at different angles showing the effects of shading which can become permanent. It is also described as ‘watermarking’. This can happen to every carpet construction be it Axminster, Wilton, Tufted, Hand Woven, Persian, Chinese, Indian or even Coir Matting. Like shading it can be more apparent on plain carpet because heavy patterns can disguise the effects. It can occur quite quickly after installation. A tremendous amount of research has been carried out over many years by many institutes to determine the cause of this phenomenon but none of it has proved conclusive. There is no commonly known manufacturing process which can cause or cure this phenomenon and therefore it is not a manufacturing fault. For further information please check with individual manufacturers recommendations.

Shedding

All cut pile carpets will lose short fibre, which is created during production when spun yarn is cut for tuft formation. These fibres fall onto the surface of the pile and appear as ‘fluff’. The effect varies with yarn type and may be removed without detrimental effect upon the carpet by vacuum cleaning. This excess fibre is only a small fraction of the total fibre contained in the carpet.

Indentations

When a carpet is subjected to a heavy point load, such as under the legs of furniture, it is unreasonable to expect the carpet not to indent. Usually, the longer the load is in place, the longer will be the time for the pile to recover. In the case of very heavy loads in place for a considerable time, the recovery time can be very considerable.

It must be remembered that it is not only the pile of the carpet that becomes indented. The underlay will also indent and the backing of the carpet may also distort into the indentation in the underlay. Some underlay’s will recover well and some less well depending upon their composition, thickness, density etc. The use of cups below furniture legs can spread the load and the net result is a larger area of less deeply indented carpet.

The ability of a carpet to recover from a heavy static load can be measured in the laboratory, using the test method described in BS 4939 and many manufacturers will have data on this aspect of carpet performance. In this test the carpet is loaded for 24 hours and the degree of recovery is measured after 1 hour and 24 hours. Since there are so many different underlay’s however, it is very rare for the recovery from a heavy static load to be evaluated on carpet and underlay.

Often normal maintenance (vacuum cleaning with a rotating brush machine) will speed up recovery but in the case of serious indentations the use of an iron and damp cloth or a steam iron together with a blunt darning needle to carefully tease up the pile can be beneficial. Care must be take not to over wet the carpet, of course.

Pulling Loops

Pulled loops occur only in looped pile carpet where one or more loops in the continuous pile is pulled through the primary backing of the carpet. This is usually due to some local condition, possibly some sharp object which has caught in a loop in situ and has resulted in a pull. Pulled loops are easily dealt with by trimming the offending end level with the rest of the pile. They should not be left as this could result in further loops being pulled and developing into a ladder.

Samples Installation

The samples held by individual retailers may not be from the same batch as current production and therefore should be used as a guide and not an exact colour match.

This information is given by responsible manufacturers to help you help your customer to make an informed choice.

The original carpet tile

Registered Inspectors Network

Registered Inspectors Network

Wool

Approved

WoolSafe Approved Products The WoolSafe Academy

If you would like to be included in this section or upgrade your listing, please contact Diane Martin on +44 (0)1482 659396 or email diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk

Vinyl + LVT Supplier Directory

Abingdon SoftStep info@abingdonflooring.co.uk

01274 655 694 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Adoretouch

+1.631.843.0900 www.adorefloors.com

Alsapan g.folkes@alsapan.com

03 88 59 29 89 www.alsapan.com

Altro enquiries@altro.com

01462 489 516 www.altro.co.uk

Amtico info@amtico.com

0121 745 0800 www.amtico.com

Aspecta

+31 (0) 88 1662500 www.aspectaflooring.com

Avenue Floors info@avenuefloors.co.uk www.avenuefloors.co.uk

Beauflor sales@beauflor.com

+32 56 67 66 11 www.beauflor.com

Brampton Chase support@bramptonchase.co.uk 01604 664855 www.bramptonchase.co.uk

Earthwerks

saleseurope@earthwerks.com

0800 689 1657 www.earthwerks.eu.com

Forbo Flooring info.flooring.uk@forbo.com 01773 744 121 www.forbo.com

Furlong enquiries@furlongflooring.com 01772 316155 www.furlongflooring.co.uk

Harvey Maria info@harveymaria.com 0330 330 1231 www.harveymaria.com

Interface

interface.uk@interface.com 0800 313 4465 www.interface.com

Invictus Info@invictus.co.uk 01422 431100 www.invictus.co.uk/lvt

IVC – Moduleo + Leoline www.ivcgroup.com

Kährs UK sales@kahrs.com 023 9245 3045 www.kahrs.com

Karndean Designflooring 01386 820100 www.karndean.com

Kellars sales@kellars.co.uk 0161 443 0970 www.kellars.co.uk

Kraus sales@qep.com 01283 245430 www.krausflooring.co.uk

Lifestyle Floors info@lifestyle-floors.co.uk

01827 831448 www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk

Leoline info@leoline.co.uk

0800 032 3970 www.leoline.co.uk

Moduleo salesuk@moduleo.com 01332 851500 www.moduleo.co.uk

Polyflor info@polyflor.com

0161 767 1111 www.polyflor.com

Tarkett communication@tarkett.com

01622 854040 www.tarkett.com

Quick-Step 08448 118 288 www.quick-step.co.uk

Victoria Design Floors (Distinctive Flooring/Universal Flooring) info@myvictoria.co.uk 01562 749300 www.myvictoria.co.uk

Wineo info@wineo.de +49 (0) 5237 6090 www.en.wineo.de

Westex info@westexflooring.co.uk

01274 861334 www.westexflooring.com

Landscape Parquet by Victoria Design Floors

Victorian Treasure by Invictus Van Gogh Classic Oak by Karndean Designflooring Studio Designs by Brampton Chase

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is a fast growing sector of the flooring market due to its durability at relatively low cost and huge range of designs available. Sheet vinyl and cushion floor by the roll are popular but the sector is dominated by LVT. In reality, most of the products sold today are “LVP”, Luxury Vinyl Planks, as wood decors are more popular than ceramics and stone but the term LVT is still used to cover the whole non-sheet market.

Benefits

• Huge choice in terms of decors across wood, ceramic, stone and geometric designs

• Impressive realism – not just in the design but infinishing techniques that allow for wood knots you can feel, tiles you can grout, etc. See appearance options.

• Excellent performance in durability for high traffic areas, scratch resistance and cleanability. Vinyl also tends to be much more nonslip than natural materials. Some products are water resistant for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Warm and soft to touch compared to ceramic and stone floors - and a good heat insulator anyhow, and suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.

• Sound reduction – vinyl has neglible impact sound compared to the tap/click of laminate and transmits less sound and vibration compared to solid floor.

• Considerably cheaper than the ‘real’ thing – both to buy and to fit – and tile/plank approach minimises wastage.

Installation

Installation preparation

Vinyl requires a dry, sound, level subfloor as the relative thinness of vinyl and its light reflection performance will quickly reveal imperfections after installation as well as cause potential wear issues.

Exisitng wooden/MDF floors may need a plywood underlay up to 6mm thick and then the joints will need to be skimmed or taped. Non-wood sub-floors will need a self-levelling screed to be laid to ensure a suitable base for the floor. A damp-proof membrane may be required depending on sub-floor moisture levels.

However, new rigid core products are less flexible and can be laid more easily over existing floors – see Construction.

Product options

• Dry back – a sheet or tile that needs to be fixed to the sub-floor using an adhesive.

• Self-adhesive – tiles with a peel-off backing paper to stick to the sub-floor. Some tiles have adhesive overlaps to stick to each other rather than the sub-floor.

• Loose lay vinyl – tiles that simply drop onto the floor and rely on a high friction backing to keep them in place – they demand a very sound, level sub-floor but are the easiset type of tile to lay or replace.

• Click – tiles that have a mechanical jointing system to attach to one another (like a locked tongue and groove system) and ‘float’ on the sub-floor without being glued down. There are many proprietary versions of the click system which offer fast, clean installation and stability.

Appearance options

Vinyl tiles and planks cover a hugh variety of sizes and shapes and can be mix-and-matched to achieve an infinite number of designs. Current fashions include extra wide and long planks for wood through to very small planks for wood. Border effects can be easy to achieve in LVT. Other notable options include:

• Embossed – this is where the top clear layer of the tile has been embossed to create a realistic texture that matches the style of the stone of wood decor. Registered embossed is the most authentic –the texture matches the design so that, for example, a wood knot or hand-scraped element in the wood design can be felt on the surface of the flooring.

• Grouting and grooving – vinyl tiles can be laid with grouting inlay strips or beads of vinyl for addewd realism – and there are acrylic grouts that can be applied. In wood decors, planks are available with v-grooves or bevelled edges between planks for added realism.

LVT construction

Top coating – A polyurethane or aluminium oxide coating provides protection against scratches and stains and gives enhances anti-slip.

Wear layer – This is a key layer - determining the performance and resilience of the product. A 0.3mm (12 mil) wear layer is a good for heavy wear areas. Commercial installations need 0.5mm wear layers or above with 0.7mm at the top end. The wear warranties and guarantees carried by products will be based on this thickness.

Decor layer – This is the decor itself - in essence it is a paper- or filmbased photographic inkjet print. (A few LVT floors have the image printed directly to the surface of the floor but this implies less image definition and different wear characteristics.)

PVC and fibre glass layers – The construction ‘sandwich’ can vary between products but a combination of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) layers for strength and flexibility and fibre glass layers for structural stability may be used. Any click-system profile will be incorporated into these layers. Products often use a combination of recycled vinyl which is cheaper and virgin PVC which lasts longer and is more stable.

Rigid core LVT has a solid, less flexible PVC layer with maximum stability which means it can be laid over exisiting, less even flooring without showing imperfections and therefore avoiding wear problems.

Base (or backing) layer – The final high density PVC layer varies according to the installation requirement and is designed for taking adhesive or as an ‘underlay’ for loose-lay and click installations.

The Stocklists

Wholesale Distribution

NATIONAL

Fells Carpets

Leeds - see page 12 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

TCS “The Carpet Specialists” Morecambe 01524 840177 info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

Xylo Wood Flooring London 020 8368 8122 infouk@xyloflooring.com www.xyloflooring.com

NORTH WEST

A&A Carpets

Manchester 01204 701188 sales@aandacarpets.co.uk www.aandacarpets.co.uk

Hathaway Flooring

Manchester - see page 14 and Floorwise page 66

Kellars Limited

Manchester 0161 443 0970 sales@kellars.co.uk

Lakes Flooring Supplies

Kendal - see Floorwise page 66

Millbrook Carpets

Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk

Preston Underlay Centre Ltd

Preston/Lancashire

- see Floorwise page 66

EAST

Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk

Salesmark Ltd St Neots Tel: 01480 212888 sales@salesmark.co.uk www.salesmark.co.uk

STS Flooring Distributors

Cambridge - see page 16 and Floorwise page 65

NORTH EAST/YORKSHIRE

Fells Carpets

Leeds - see page 12 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Kellars Limited

Darlington 0161 443 0970 sales@kellars.co.uk

Fells Carpets

Goole - see page 12 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

RBV Flooring

Bradford 01274 670011 rbvflooring@yahoo.com

Trade Carpets and Floors Ltd

Rotherham 01709 437723 sales@tradecarpetsandfloors.co.uk

MIDLANDS

Birch Distribution Sheffield - see Floorwise page 65

Birch Distribution Leeds - see Floorwise page 65

Birch Distribution Hull - see Floorwise page 65

Cornerstone Flooring Supplies

Doncaster - see Floorwise page 65

Cornerstone Flooring East Midlands and Warwickshire 01159 444711 sales@cornerstoneflooring.co.uk www.cornerstoneflooring.co.uk

DMS Flooring Supplies

Northampton - see page 10 01604 664850 sales@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

Floorwise D & J Ltd

Southam - see Floorwise page 65

Kellars Limited Rugby 0161 443 0970 sales@kellars.co.uk

Matty’s Wholesale Carpets

Birmingham 01675 433072 sales@mattys.co.uk

STS Flooring Distributors

Hemel Hempstead - see page 17 wand Floorwise page 65

Trade Counter Carpets

Leicester 0845 604 3055 tradecountercarpets@gmail.com

Woodall Brothers Ltd

Shrewsbury - see Floorwise page 65

SOUTH WEST

BL Flooring Supplies Bristol - see Floorwise page 65

BL Flooring Supplies

Gloucester - see Floorwise page 65

Fitwell Flooring Ltd

Redruth - see Floorwise page 65

Fitwell Flooring Ltd

Newton Abott - see Floorwise page 65

Flooring Supplies (Wessex)

Amesbury 01980 625888 orders@flooringsupplieswessex.co.uk

R & M Wholesale

Bristol 01179 531222

Tiverton 01884 258266 sales@rmwholesale.co.uk

Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury - see Floorwise page 65 Tel: 01980 880933 mail@salesmark-west.co.uk www.salesmark-west.co.uk

Solent Wholesale Carpet

West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

Ashmount Flooring Supplies

Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooringsupplies.co.uk

Ballister

London 020 8570 1668 london@ballister.co.uk www.ballister.co.uk

Ballister

Reading 0118 931 3535 reading@ballister.co.uk www.ballister.co.uk

Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk

Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com

Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com

Columbia Flooring

Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk see page 9 for details

DMS Flooring Supplies

Hemel Hempstead - see page 10 01442 502562 sales@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

DMS Flooring Supplies

Milton Keynes - see page 10 01908 049006 sales@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

DMS Flooring Supplies

Colindale, North London 0208 036 9945 - see page 10 colindale@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

Flooring Storage UK Potters Bar 01707 245999 sales@flooringstorage.com www.flooringstorage.com

Littner Hampton London 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk

John Palmer Carpets

Fareham 01329 221933 sales@johnpalmercarpets.uk.net

Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd

Brighton 01273 557211

sales@pwwflooring.com www.pwwflooring.com

Salesmark

Lancing - see Floorwise page 65 Tel: 01903 750522 sales@salesmark.co.uk www.salesmark.co.uk

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623

sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk

STS Flooring Distributors

Basildon - see p16 & Floorwise p65

STS Flooring Distributors

Croydon - see p16 & Floorwise p65

STS Flooring Distributors

Orpington/Croydon - see page 16 & Floorwise page 65

Trade Carpet London

Wimbledon 0208 247 3891

sales@tradecarpet.com

www.tradecarpet.com

IRELAND

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd

Dublin - see Floorwise page 65

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd

Belfast - see Floorwise page 65

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd

Limerick - see Floorwise page 65

TCS “The Carpet Specialists” Co. Louth 00353 429 351 351 info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

SCOTLAND

Kellars Limited

Glasgow 0141 647 7685

sales@kellars.co.uk

MCD Scotland

Uddingston

Glasgow 01698 808000 mcdscotland@mcd.co.uk

www.mcdscotland.co.uk

Neil Smith Ltd

Glasgow - see Floorwise page 65

WALES

Matty’s Wholesale Carpets

Birmingham 01675 433072

sales@mattys.co.uk

Floorwise Wales

Merthyr Tydfil - see Floorwise page 65

0161 872 8003

sales@hathawayflooring.com

10 Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster, DN3 3FE

Tel: 01302 835117

Fax: 01302 302542

cornerstonefloor@ btconnect.com

11 Birch Distribution Sheffield, S9 5PH

Tel: 0114 243 1230

Fax: 0114 243 5118

s.sales@birchdistribution.co.uk

12 Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury, SY1 3JE

Tel: 01743 441584

Fax: 01743 441629

sales@woodallbrothers.co.uk

13 Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam, CV47 0DR

Tel: 01926 814922

Fax: 01926 817899 sales@fwdj.co.uk

14 Floorwise Wales Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4TQ Tel: 01685 374243 sales@floorwise-wales.com

15 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd

Gloucester, GL2 5HY

Tel: 01452 223355

Fax: 01452 371284

info@blflooring.co.uk

16 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Bristol, BS2 9SH

Tel: 0117 955 5454

Fax: 0117 955 2626 info@blflooring.co.uk

17 Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury, SP4 7LN Tel: 01980 880933 mail@salesmark-west.co.uk

18 Salesmark Lancing, BN15 8UN Tel: 01903 750522

Fax: 01903 851111 sales@salesmark-floorwise.co.uk

19 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abbot, TQ12 6TR

Tel: 01626 835935 sales@fitwell.co.uk

20 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth, TR15 1SS Tel: 01209 214344 sales@fitwell.co.uk

21 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge, CB23 8UD Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

22 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7ER Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

23 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Basildon, Essex, SS14 3DW

Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

24 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Croydon, Surrey, CR0 4WP

Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

25 STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Orpington, Kent, BR5 3SS Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk

TRAINING COURSES — 1 TO 4 DAYS

Carpet Fitting — Basic

Carpet Fitting — Intermediate

PROFESSIONAL FLOORING TRAINING

FITA provides short training courses, workshops and assessments for both commercial and domestic markets. Both our fully equipped training centres at Loughborough and Kirkcaldy are run by seasoned professional instructors with specialist knowledge of the flooring industry.

Carpet

Carpet Fitting — Advanced

NEW! Carpet — Borders

NEW! Natural Floorcoverings

Sheet Vinyl Installation — Commercial — Basic/Intermediate

Sheet Vinyl Installation — Commercial — Advanced

Vinyl

Linoleum

Resilient

Wood

Sheet Vinyl Installation — Domestic

Sheet Vinyl — Wetrooms Installation — Advanced

Linoleum Installation — Basic

Linoleum Installation — Intermediate

Resilient/LVT Fitting — Basic

Resilient/LVT Fitting — Intermediate

Resilient/LVT Fitting — Advanced

Laminate and Floating Wood Fitting — Basic

Wood Fitting — Intermediate

Wood Fitting — Advanced

Wood Sanding and Finishing

Subfloors Subfloor Preparation — Commercial

Subfloor Preparation — Domestic

Cost-Effective Estimating and Planning — Commercial

Supplementary

Profitable Measuring and Quoting — Domestic

Moisture — Preventing Floor Failures

CARPET WORKSHOPS — ALL 1 DAY DURATION

NEW! Bullnose and Double Bullnose

NEW! Joins (including Repairs)

Carpet

NEW! Stairs (including Open Plan)

NEW! Stretching Techniques (including Power Stretching)

ROLL STOCK PLEASE!

38-year large furniture store based in mid-Wales town is looking to sell carpet off the rolls, along with carpet roll ends, on a cash and carry type basis. We are looking for suppliers of such.

Contact: jgilligan28@yahoo.com

Super Plus

The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place

For orders and further information, please ring P&R Ratcliffe (Underlays) Ltd.

Burnley, Lancashire BB10 3BH

Tel: 01282 421026, Fax: 01282 412321 www.foxirugtamer.co.uk

In an independent survey which asked 450 retailers which of the nine trade titles they actually read, our magazine came top of the pile. Thank