All new at AW Associated Weavers

There is always lots happening at Associated Weavers but 2023 looks like being a stand-out year for new developments – many of which are focused on impressive enhancements to its service to retailers.

“We have always been ahead of the curve on product development but a key focus now is on service and we have made an incredible investment in the UK to get this absolutely right,” says Gavin Pugh, managing director.

The step change in service centres on AW’s new warehouse in Northampton which will be fully stocked to its capacity of 6,500 rolls by the end of June. Most importantly, the facility will allow a significantly faster cut-length service which prices delivery within 3 to 5 days by Q3 this year.

Alongside this physical infrastructure is the major launch of AW’s new customer portal which is undergoing final testing prior to its deployment in the Summer. This is a state of the art platform to allow 24/7 ordering, stock checking and delivery tracking for retailers, across the full range of AW products.

Across the carpet ranges, there’s a push on the exemplary performance of family favourite Vivendi, a solution-dyed nylon collection – “It’s everything you could want from a carpet” says Gavin. There’s a major colour update coming for the Autumn.

The Invictus carpet collection is adding to its invincibility with four new colours in the luxurious polypropylene ranges Cassius and Darius reflecting the warmer shades that were seen in sumptuous Orion and Sirius last year.

Gaia, AW’s newest collection launched last year, is doing very well – hitting the sweet spot that only polyester can deliver between comfort, performance and cost. The current four ranges will be joined this Summer by Mekong, a traditional saxony in 12 colours which will appeal strongly to British tastes.

T 01422 431100 www.associated-weavers.co.uk

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2023

Innovating for choice Abingdon Flooring

Abingdon is going all out to extend choice across its comprehensive portfolio of products, and accelerating its innovation to do so.

“We are really pushing the boundaries on innovation – it’s what gives Abingdon our point of difference in the market,” says sales director Graham Marshall. “Retailers know they can rely on us to deliver the ranges and service they need.

Abingdon at Harrogate!” says Graham Marshall.

Abingdon at BGNFS had plenty new to offer with a first look at Festival, the latest addition to the Stainfree family of carpets, which offers practical, deep-pile luxury. The recent launches of supersoft Affection and the classic twist Timeless were also on show.

Two excellent examples of Abingdon’s yarn development expertise are Finesse and Caress. Their new introduction to the family Reflections took centre stage at the show, available in the most popular colours from its sister ranges.

This range has the appeal of a soft-feel finish in bleach-cleanable polypropylene and a fleece backing with the multi-width flexibility of 2.5, 4 and 5m.

T 01274 655662 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

The Wilton Royal family of wool

Abingdon is really building on the strength of its Wilton Royal brand and the company reckons it has recently tripled the choice in this highly reputable wool collection, capturing the mood of the market and a consumer move into natural fibre.

From a humble start of two twists and one loop, the brand has added berbers, single and 3-ply options and more designs. The family comprises nine ranges at present and over 130 options.

Charter Berber Loop and Charter Plain Loop in 100% wool underline the approach with the relaxed, country look of loop pile carpet in a range of natural colours. The show was also the first chance to see Wilton Royal’s new point of sale, bringing the traditional collection closer to Abingdon Flooring’s modern, fresh and high-energy look.

York can still walk the walk! Ulster Carpets

Many retailers will be very familiar with Ulster’s mainstream 80/20 York Wilton – a reliable, good value twist that goes back 30 years or so since its origins with Crossley Carpets. Well now it’s bang up to date!

Ulster have added 11 new colours, making 60 in all, to ensure the spectrum covers the latest contemporary softer shades, including warmer greys and subtle greens.

York Wilton’s wool is split with nylon for extra heavy wear and is available in full multi-width – 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5m – to avoid waste and make it as economical as possible.

Tackling the important issue of moth resistance for the wool sector, all axminster and wilton carpets from Ulster are now being treated with Ecolan, an effective non-insecticide which is environmentally-friendly being bio-degradable.

Ecolan is applied at the dyeing stage to give maximum penetration of the fibre right down to the base where moth larvae often seek to start their damage. This is a better alternative to the surface treatments deployed by some other manufacturers.

T 028 3833 4433 www.ulstercarpets.com