The Stocklists - June 2019

Stocklists The

3 June 2019

with

Carpet&FlooringReview

BRITAIN’S No. 1 FLOORCOVERING MAGAZINE FOR THE RETAIL AND CONTRACT MARKET

MAXIMISE YOUR FLOORSPACE AND YOUR PROFITS Have you thought of adding mattresses to your sales floor?

Now’s the time!

TCS - Solely Committed to Serving Independent Retailers in the UK and Ireland PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Head Office: 01524 840177

email: info@tcscarpets.co.uk

Unit 4, TCS Industrial Park, South Gate, White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe, LA3 3PB THE

D E S I G N E R COLLECTION

2

Natural Sleep

Carpets and Flooring

C A R P E T S

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Stocklists The

ISSUE 532 : 3 JUNE 2019 Published by Mayville Publishing Co Ltd., 219 West Ella Road, West Ella, Hull HU10 7SD @thestocklists Tel: 01482 659396 Fax: 01482 659397 www.thestocklists.com Sales Director: Diane Martin. diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk Publication Director: David Spragg Founded by Roy Spragg in 1973.

THE MAGAZINE THAT’S ALL ABOUT FLOORING

Advertisers

Our news service starts on page 21 Buying Groups

National Flooring Show

H ABINGDON

FC,35

01274 655694

53

0121 559 6783

H ASSOCIATED WEAVERS

4,5,38

01422 431100

n BGNFS

33-51

H BONDWORTH 7 t

Read our trend report and reviews • pages 33-51

... and twist again

Hugh Mackay’s quintessential twist page 44

BRAMPTON CHASE

n BRITISH WOOL

Purring softly

Abingdon’s feline flooring delivers soft performance page 35

The Stocklist_JUNE_Front Cover.indd 1

Furlong’s Carefree launch page 40

Page Contact No No

n ADP

Showtime in Solihull The trade’s agenda-setter for the season

Let’s twist again

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD

Index

21/05/2019 11:03

Fashion textures

Cormar’s new Southwold loop page 46

— 01562 745000

8

01604 664855

23

01274 688 666

o CARPENTER BC

01457 861141

s COLUMBIA FLOORING

9

0208 443 3322

H CONDOR

—

+31 (0)38 4778911

H CORMAR

—

01204 881234

H FELLS CARPETS

—

01977 662211

n F. BALL

6

01538 361633

n FIA

52 —

n FITA 74

01159 506836

n FLOORING ONE

0121 713 4454

37

n FLOORWISE 72

01509 673974

H FURLONG FLOORING

10,11,12,33,40

01772 696787

H H&V CARPETS

13

07813 714498

H HAMMER CARPETS

14

H HUGH MACKAY 15,44 n INTERFLOOR t KARNDEAN

DESIGNFLOORING

01473 826870 01429 892555

36,47

01706 213131

41

01386 820 100 01282 694565

H MASTERCRAFT

42

n MERRYFIELD ENGINEERING

3

01422 373799

n METRO GROUP

39

01204 393539

n NICF 74

0115 958 3077

00353 61 339287 o NOVOSTRAT 55

Natural effects

Trim take-away

Rita Bancroft goes back to nature page 28

Mind the skills gap

Future proofing though training page 54

Posh profiles all wrapped up page 36

Challenge of choice

Likewise options for independents page 56

FlooringFactsheets

Cushioning wood

n PACKEXE

25

01392 438191

H PENTHOUSE CARPETS

43

01706 639866

t PRO-TEK

53

020 3917 5550

s RACKHAMS 16

020 85319225

The latest from Leoline page 21

H RIVIERA HOME

Solent celebrates

n STAIRRODS

22

01207 591176

s TCS

IFC

0787 2861547

n THE FLOORING SHOW

31

s SOLENT WHOLESALE CARPET 17,57

50 years of independence page 57

H THOMAS WITTER 20

The industry’s knowledge-bank

Adhesives

60

Carpet Types

Buying Groups

73

Underlay 62-63

Carpet Company Directory

68-69­

Wholesaler Distribution Directory 70-72

Carpet Trouble-shooter

66-67

Woolsafe: the carpet care guide

ISSN 2046-7338 © Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2018. Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.

—

61

64-65

01299 871446 01243 774623

— 01429 892555

H VICTORIA CARPETS 18,45

01562 749300

H WINEO 19

0121 28100 99

n WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND

27

01943 603888

n WP GROUP

—

01706 875500

Classified Adverts & Jobs .........................page 75 H carpets/rugs/tiles t woods/laminates/smooths n accessories/services/organisations = fibres o underlay s wholesalers/distributors l adhesives

MERRYFIELD CARPET CUTTING MACHINERY British Manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Visit ‘Merryfield Carpet’ on YOUTUBE to see our full range of cutting machines or call 01422 373799 3

Any room. Any life.

Stressfree – bleach cleanable • Incredibly resilient Superbly wear-resistant • Pleasantly soft

4

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Vivendi

®

Stressfree carpet for happy people Remember those stressful Sunday afternoons at

Stressfree - bleach cleanable

your grandparents? When you were just a child, and any spill on the carpet was a drama? For better childhood memories, there’s Vivendi®. Stressfree carpet for happy people.

Incredibly resilient

With a Vivendi® carpet, nothing stops you from enjoying life’s best moments. Vivendi® is made with the exclusive iVivo® yarn, a solution dyed nylon of an exceptional quality. It makes

Superbly wear-resistant

Vivendi® carpet bleach cleanable, incredibly resilient, superbly wear-resistant and yet pleasantly soft. With five diverse ranges, there’s a carpet to make all people happy: from playful to dense, from discreet pastels to trendy greys and

Pleasantly soft

intense colours.

Watch the award winning Vivendi-movie and discover full details:

www.vivendi-carpet.co.uk

Ranges

Soul

Vibes

Vigour

Ardour

Verve

A UK brand since 1964

Associated Weavers Ltd - F Mill – 2nd Floor East Dean Clough Mills - Halifax - West Yorkshire - HX3 5AX - UK THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Tel: + 44 1422 431100 sales@associatedweavers.co.uk - www.carpetyourlife.co.uk

5

s e w h Ne ouc o-p

Ec

Switch today for a greener future

Stopgap 400 Repair compound and Stopgap 500 Micro floor finishing compound are now available in our innovative, fully recyclable eco-pouches. In new, more convenient pack sizes the eco-pouches offer a robust, water resistant design and by minimising plastic content they represent the next step in our commitment to reducing plastic waste.

3 Repair and finish for the perfect subfloor 3 Use only what you need – just add water 3 New convenient pack sizes 3 Durable, water resistant packaging

F. BALL IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING PACKAGING WASTE AND SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT TO MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.

GREAT BRITISH INNOVATION

Tel: 01538 361 633 • email: mail@f-ball.co.uk • web: www.f-ball.co.uk 6

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

SPIRIT - Jinn 7-2007 80% Wool 20% Nylon Woven Axminster Available 3.66m wide For more information please visit our website, www.bondworth.co.uk Townshend Works, Puxton Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5DF T+44(0)1562 745000 F+44(0)1562 732827

November 2018 stocklist.indd 1

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

15/10/2018 13:1

7

Classics

PR

E PC MI FL UM O O LV T R IN G

Classics

Stones

UltraCore

UltraCore

&

W

Stones

Alaskan Lodge

UltraCore Superior Surface detailing

Classics

Classics

Stones

Stones

UltraCore

UltraCore

Limed Oak

Classics

Classics

Stones

Stones

Dorset

UltraCore

UltraCore

Luxury floors for every home and lifestyle Discover outstanding retailer opportunities at www.bramptonchase.co.uk/become-a-retailer or speak with our team directly on 01604 664855 8

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Columbia Flooring plc

The Leading Country Wide Carpet & Flooring Suppliers We can supply you with virtually any make of carpet and flooring at GUARANTEED maker’s list price.......

Delivered direct to business premises FREE OF CHARGE. For a Speedy and Efficient Service

Call US NOW!!!

020 8443 3322

sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooringplc.co.uk Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346 TRAFALGAR TRADING ESTATE, JEFFREYS ROAD, ENFIELD , MIDDLESEX, EN3 7TY.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

9

Furlong Flooring

ALAN CAIRNIE EAST SCOTLAND M: 07976 311434

SOUTH EAST

SCOTLAND

The people who care about your success

PAUL LOVELL NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS

TONY CONWAY BEDS, NORTHANTS, OXON & BUCKS

M: 07816 217549

M: 07791 891025

plovell@furlongflooring.com

acairnie@furlongflooring.com CHRIS GRUBB WEST SCOTLAND

tconway@furlongflooring.com PETER FLETCHER FLETCHER HAMPSHIRE & DORSET

JOHN AKIEN EAST & WEST SUSSEX M: 07791 891024

M: 07970 163372

M: 07816 217561

TIM BAILEY SOUTH EAST WALES & HEREFORDSHIRE M: 07794 048414

tbailey@furlongflooring.com JASON BRIMBLE AVON & GLOUCESTERSHIRE M: 07794 041266

jakien@furlongflooring.com

HARD FLOORING SPECIALISTS

WALES & SOUTH WEST

cgrubb@furlongflooring.com

pfletcher@furlongflooring.com ADAM CLARK S.YORKSHIRE, YORKSHIRE, LINCS NORTH EAST, EAST COAST, NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE

GUY FERGUSON KENT, HAMPSHIRE, DORSET, SURREY, EAST & WEST SUSSEX M: 07816 217 558

M: 07970 269730

gferguson@furlongflooring.com

aclark@furlongflooring.com

JAMES MURRAY SCOTLAND

JEFF COLLINS ESSEX, HERTS, N, N.W. & EAST LONDON, NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, CAMBS

M: 07816 821757

M: 07793 244 620

jbrimble@furlongflooring.com BEN THOMAS MID & WEST WALES M: 07794 048809

jmurray@furlongflooring.com

jcollins@furlongflooring.com OWEN CHENERY S.E. WALES, HERTS, AVON & GLOS, LEICS, WARWICKS, BIRM’HAM, SHROPS, STAFFS, SOMERSET

pastelle

M: 07794 367 825

bthomas@furlongflooring.com

ochenery@furlongflooring.com

STEWART WAITHMAN DEVON & CORNWALL M: 07794 048413

Competitive, best-selling products all available now from UK stock

swaithman@furlongflooring.com

10

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

M: 07872 964685

rtooth@furlongflooring.com WESLEY GRAHAM LEICESTER, WARWICKSHIRE M: 07968 324598

wgraham@furlongflooring.com

M: 07983 446969

rlockey@furlongflooring.com JAMES DAVIES YORKSHIRE & EAST LANCS M: 07968 828516

jdavies@furlongflooring.com

ALAN CHEETHAM GTR MANCHESTER, CHESHIRE M: 07966 263571

acheetham@furlongflooring.com DANNY BROWN MERSEYSIDE, WIRRAL & NORTH WALES M: 07597 459642

dbrown@furlongflooring.com

MIKE SHUTT BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE

MARTYN MORRIS MORRIS SOUTH YORKSHIRE

MARK DOWSON PART LANCS, FLYDE COAST & CUMBRIA

M: 07970 158594

M: 07973 403450

M: 07980 786265

mshutt@furlongflooring.com

LONDON

RICHARD LOCKEY LOCKEY NORTH EAST, EAST COAST

NORTH WEST

MIDLANDS

ROSS TOOTH NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS

YORKSHIRE AND NORTH EAST

...and can help grow your sales in 2019!

mmorris@furlongflooring.com

ROSS BIRCH S.W, SOUTH, S.E. LONDON, SURREY (INSIDE M25)

JACK O’CONNOR SOUTH BUCKS, BERKSHIRE, WEST LONDON, SURREY (OUTSIDE M25)

M: 07793 244619

M: 07816 217550

rbirch@furlongflooring.com DARREN SPENDIFF KENT M: 07791 890861

dspendiff@furlongflooring.com

joconnor@furlongflooring.com JAMIE BONE N.W, NORTH, EAST & CENTRAL LONDON M: 07816 217548

jbone@furlongflooring.com

mdowson@furlongflooring.com ANDY THOMPSON ESSEX, HERTFORDSHIRE M: 07816 217565

athompson@furlongflooring.com

Preston Sales tel: 01772 696787 fax: 01772 311921

Gloucester Sales tel: 0845 520 0800 fax: 01452 222515

London Sales tel: 01322 628707 fax: 01322 698733

Email enquiries

enquiries@furlongflooring.co.uk

New website

www.furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

11

Luxury Vinyl Tiles.

Sirona, Carina and Aurora.

A luxury yet family-friendly flooring for your home offered to you by Furlong Flooring.

Available in both contemporary and traditional styles to suit every home, our LVT collection provides a luxury option for every room.

The tile or wood planks are textured to look & feel completely natural and are offered in both dryback and click system for easy installation. LVT creates a cosy feel to a room as it is warm to the touch and possesses excellent heat & sound insulation properties.

This flooring is also easy to clean and moisture resistant, making it a hygienic and family friendly choice. With improved wear levels and durability – LVT is scuff, stain & scratch resistant – perfect for day-today life no matter what it throws at you!

why retailers love Furlong Flooring

As you’d expect from Furlong Flooring, our LVT ranges comes with all our service guarantees, including fast response, product quality and excellent customer service.

Experience first choice flooring for every room and explore our Luxury Vinyl Tile collection today.

Carpet www.furlongflooring.co.uk

12

i

vinyl

lv t

Full range of flooring for every room

l aminate

Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

i

UK-wide distribution High-level service centres and in-house agreements, with delivery fleet outstanding rates of stock and on-time delivery

Hardwood

Dartford - 01322 628 707

i

Gloucester - 0845 520 0800

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

H&V are a leading carpet manufacturer based in Belgium.

We deliver direct from Belgium to the U.K supplying full rolls only, without a minimum order quantity.

Delivery is 5 working days from receipt of order.

Contact your local sales agent below for further details and sample books.

Representation

North West, West Midlands, Southern Ireland Paul Hugo (Sales Manager) 07813 714498 North Wales, Cheshire Matt Bell 07980 223303 Scotland James Hall 07787 140136 Yorkshire, North East England Steve Allitt 07971 952873 East Midlands Charlotte Jarvis 07460 875070 Northern Ireland Norman Gray 07860 495649 Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire Adam Nicol 07885 738975 South Wales, Bristol & Avon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Herefordshire Emma Rees 07920 837422 London, Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, South East Jon Marsh 07976 795821 Zac Marsh 07828 663325 Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire Richard Cooper 07860 525 245 Belgium Office Johny Peeters 0032 475 71 08 69 0032 513 20 54 3

Carpets to dance about!

H&V Carpets NV, Nijverheidsstraat 26, Meulebeke, West-Vlaanderen, 8760 Belgium Email: handvuk@gmail.com

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

13

Tel 01473 826870

Email infouk@hammercarpetsuk.com

Web www.hammercarpets.com

Beautiful carpet collections in 100% wool stocked in 4m and 5m wide

Jacs

Designer tonal loop pile in 100% wool available in 4m and 5m widths.

Natural Lines

Supreme Boucle

Super luxurious 100% wool loop pile available in 4m and 5m widths.

Natural Lines

Natural Weave

Skagen

Natural Weave

A unique 5m wide wool flatweave in a subtle herringbone design with a stripe option.

Supreme boucle

Our best selling level loop 100% wool product available in 12 up to the minute colours in both 4m and 5m widths.

Las Vegas

A chunky luxurious loop pile in 100% wool available in 4m and 5m widths.

Sisal Boucle & Sisal Berber A heavy domestic tonal stripe in 100% wool loop pile.

The Stone Fibre Collection

Our Stone fibre carpet is available in 4 designs. Each design available in 4 colours, in 4m and 5m widths.

Memphis

100% wool textured loop available in 4 & 5m widths.

Diamond Weave

100% wool flatweave available in 5m width.

Scandic Weave

100% wool flatweave available in 5m width.

Sloane Square

100% wool innovative cut and loop pile geometric design.

Skagen

Soft tones in a heavy wool loop with a luxurious Wool pile.

Hammer Carpets are the world’s largest manufacturer of bespoke design 80/20 Colortec carpet. Ask your Agent for more details and samples or call our friendly sales office.

Scandinavian quality by design Our UK Sales Team Ron Fewery 07976 244892

London, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, East Anglia, Buckinghamshire

14

Steve Acton 07957 836207

Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset

Sandy Anderson Stephen Korobejko Lee Palmer 07445 232345 07702 292558 07774 101640 Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Tyneside

Yorkshire & the North East

Channel Islands

Martin Gorny 07530 365125 Bristol & the West Country

Stephen Binnersley 07710 618754

Midlands, South Wales & Northamptonshire THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

D U R H A M TW I ST

L ET ’S T W IST AG A IN We b e l i eve t h at D urha m Tw i st i s the b e st valu e prem iu m twist pile in th e m arketplace tod ay.

I f yo u d o n ’ t u s e t he ra ng e at p re se nt, take a fresh look at it. We’re su re you ’ll be im press e d !

It’s a range of 60 shades in plains and heathers, made in three weights 40, 50 and 60 ounce.

It then has 10 co-ordinating stripes made 1m, 4m and 5m wide.

SOUTH WALES OXFORDSHIRE, WILTSHIRE, PAUL POWELL HAMPSHIRE, BRISTOL, M: 07968 186 150 & GLOUCESTERSHIRE E: paulpowellagencies@gmail.com DAVID MAY M: 07976 204 778 SOUTH EAST & SOUTH LONDON EAST MIDLANDS SCOTLAND E: mayatthelimes@talktalk.net MIKE ALP STEVE FURNISS GEORGE STUART M: 07770 861 441 M: 07773 384 787 M: 07860 366 092 SOUTH WEST E: alp.michael@googlemail.com E: furnissagencies@btinternet.com E: gstuart@whitestone.co.uk BRENDAN HART N LONDON & HOME COUNTIES WEST MIDLANDS NORTH EAST & CUMBRIA M: 07850 130 221 DAVE MARNEY DEAN STANLEY BECKY GIBBONS E: ba.hart1@yahoo.com M: 07794 221 443 M: 07572 758 010 M: 07970 491 215 E: d.marney@whitestone.co.uk E: dssalesagencies@gmail.com E: rebann2@btinternet.com NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, CAMBS, NORTH ESSEX CENTRAL LONDON LIVERPOOL YORKSHIRE ROBIN SAUNDERS NICK WOOD MALCOLM HOYLE JOHN ALSOP M: 07968 344 892 M: 07976 945 505 M: 07860 772 608 M: 07860 572 220 E: nick@essentialflooring.co.uk E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk E: malcolm.hoyle@btinternet.com E: rsagencies2004@aol.com

NORTH WEST & NORTH WALES SCOTLAND JOHN ROSTRON JOHN STUART M: 07973 733 208 M: 07860 565 200 E: johnrstuart@btopenworld.com E: johnrostronagencies@hotmail.com

NORTHERN IRELAND GARY O’BOYLE M: 07831 220 675 E: goboyle@ntlworld.com REPUBLIC OF IRELAND LARRY WHITE M: 03862 594 126 E: thelarwhite@hotmail.com SALES DIRECTOR KEITH MORGAN M: 07710 701063 E: keith@hughmackay.com SALES DIRECTOR VINCE HOLDEN M: 07900 262 434 E: vince@hughmackay.com

H U G H M A C K AY Support your British manufacturer

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

W W W. H U G H M A C K AY. C O . U K

15

PRETTY IN PINK AND READY TO SERVE! ORDER BEFORE 16:00 FOR OUR NEXT DAY SERVICE, DELIVERED FREE, DELIVERED WITH STYLE!!!

NATURAL EFFECT

Gold Fields Ivory Coast 2015 London Life 4&5M Natural Habitat 4&5M Northern Lights 4 & 5M Promenade Rocca 2016 Southern Chic 4&5M

SAXONY / SHAG PILE Fabulous 4&5m Glamorous 4&5m Saxon King 2015 Turkish Delight 4&5M

ULTRA SOFT FEEL LUXURY Cashmere 4&5M Cashmere Luxe 4&5M Fairfield Silk 4&5M Fascination (New) 4&5M Faye 4&5M Genius 4&5M Graceful Delight 4&5M Kesari (By Leonis) 4&5M Montana Silk 4&5M Noble Luxury 4&5M Pearlescent 4&5M Pure Class 4&5M Queens Saxony Soft Noble Deluxe Softer Style 4&5m Startwist Saxony 4&5M Startwist Silk 4&5M Tender Kiss Tender Touch Versailles Palace 4&5M

CORD, NEEDLEPUNCH & ENTRANCE MATTING Big Hit Canterbury Gel Hippo Mat Gala 2017 4&5M Gala Stripes Lone Ranger Magnum Mat Magnus Mat Supacord

TWISTS - STAIN RESIST

VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING

Carlton Club Chunky Twist Dalton 2018 Dublin Heather 2016 Dublin Twist 2018 Echo Twist 2017 4&5M Fairfield Creations 2018 Heathertwist Supreme 40 4&5M Heathertwist Elite 50 4&5M Kaleidoscope 4&5m Peerless Twist Supreme 4&5M Peerless Ultra 4&5M Startwist Edition 2016 4&5M Startwist Elite 2016 50 4&5M Startwist Supreme 2016 40 4&5M Super Noble Twist 4&5M Wessex Twist Elite 4&5M Wessex Twist Supreme 4&5M

Dura-Tex Eclipse 2016 - Elite Eclipse 2016 - Genesis Eclipse 2018 - Revelations High Society II Luxury Comfort II Luxury Royale Luxury Value II Moonlight Starlight Techno-Safe 2017 Multi Flex

CARPET TILES Canterbury Capital City Capital Plus

FINSA LAMINATE COLLECTION

TWISTS - WOOL

Finsa Original 4v (stock) Finfloor 12 4v Pure Floor 8mm 4v

Dimensions Plain/Heathers 40 Dimensions Plain/ Heathers 50 Dimensions Heathers Stripe 50 Dimensions Plain/Heathers 60 Lingdale 4&5m Lingdale Elite 4&5m Premium Deluxe 40 4&5M Premium Deluxe 40 Stripes Premium Elite 50 4&5M Premium Finesse 60 4&4M Ultimate Berber Twist 4&5M

WELCOME TO Where service is EVERYTHING! We have great products, great prices and, best of all, a great team to serve you!

Check out the Rackhams offer….NOW!!

GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Endurance Gel 2016 Marathon

ENGINEERED WOOD COLLECTION Oaken Options

REVOLUTIONARY LVT FLOORING FROM CAVALIO Conceptline Projectline

We also stock a complete selection of underlays, accessories and entrance matting. We offer a Special Order Service on products from virtually every flooring manufacturer in existence! Express Delivery Service on Finsa, Balterio & Krono laminate ranges.

Area Sales Executives Aaron Smith London postals NW,N,E & SE 07881 502506

16

Daniel Pearson London SW Postals, Surrey (West of A24), Beds, Berks, Bucks, Herts (West of A1) 07881-502508

Fiona Harris Essex (Outside M25) Cambs, Suffolk, Herts (East of A1) 07837-295379

Carrie Gillis Kent/Sussex 07881-502507

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

E TS

EN

SOL

C

RP

CARPET, FLOORCOVERING & ACCESSORY WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS

H O L E SA L E

50

W

A

Solent Wholesale Carpet Company Ltd

T

YEARS IN FLOORING

1969 - 2019

Telephone: 01243 774623 Fax: 01243 210105 E-mail: sales@solentwholesale.co.uk Website: www.solentwholesale.com Zola Park, Barnfield Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6UX.

IMPROVING WITH AGE

ST

THE SHIELD YOUR TAGLINE HERE

IL

U L F A M I LY R

N

DLEIHS EHT EREH ENILGAT RUOY

See special article page 57

CHECK STOCK, PLACE ORDERS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT 24/7 ALL THROUGH OUR WEBSITE Oxford, Berks, Bucks, Beds, Hants, Middlesex & Herts . . . . . . . . . . Ian Cardrick, i.cardrick@solentwholesale.co.uk, mobile: 07973 406329 Sussex E & W, Surrey, South London & Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Robson, j.robson@solentwholesale.co.uk, mobile: 07973 898453 Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucs, & I.O.W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Gozzard, p.gozzard@solentwholesale.com, mobile: 07973 406799 VICTORIA Atlas Burford Celestial EasiCare Heartland First Impressions Freedom Royal Victoria Strathmore Collection Tudor Twist Wentworth Wentworth Saxony LANO & BAJONG Cashmere Cashmere Luxe Fairfield Ceations Fairfield Silk Heather Twist Elite Heather Twist Supreme Montana Montana Twist Oasis Pembridge Heathers Seranade Star Twist Collection 40/50 BALTA Big Hit Classic Charm Gala Cord - all options in stock Grand Prix Heritage Exquiste Luxury Heritage Heather Moorland Twist Noble Collection Noble Heathers Paramount Playground Sarabi Saxon King Shepherd Twist Heather Shepherd Twist Soft Noble Superstar BROCKWAY Cavendish Collection Dimensions - New Dimensions Heathers - New Lingdale (Both Qualities) Orion/Orion Major

LUSOTUFO Nature/Nevada Safi Sahara Tangier Titan & Tital Diagonal Valencia Wool Cord Wool Dream CORMAR Apollo Comfort Apollo Elite Apollo Plus Gemini Highland Saxony Home Counties Heathers Home Counties Plains Malabar 2 fold Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Natural Berber Twist Primo Choice Super/Elite Primo Excellence Primo Grande Primo Plus Primo Ultra Sensation Sensation Feeling Sensation Heathers Sensation Supreme Sensation Twist Soft Focus Soft Focus Heather’s IVC Atlas II Classic Limestone Comfytex Cosmolike Fusion Groovy Isafe Apex Isafe First - limited Isafe One Planet Presto Tile Styles Ultimate Elements Woodlike Woodmark

MOHAWK CARPETS

The only distributor to offer Mohawk in the UK.

X Collection Freedom - to order Super Freedom - to order IDEAL CARPETS Can can Dublin Dublin Heathers Echo Endurance - New Colours Grace Grass Collection Mars Monsoon Motor Car vinyls Athena Black-tex Emotions Galaxy Gemini Spectrum Taurus entrance matting Alicante Heavy Tread Orotex - Ceylon Orotex - Magnum Orotex - Matrix EARTHWERKS Lagoon Dry Back Lagoon SPC Tempo VENTURE FLOOR COVERING Brisbane Cordoba Glamorous & Hobart Toronto MISCELLANEOUS CLASSIS CARPETS Amber Amber Plains San Diego Winter MILLENNIUM WEAVERS Desire New Millennium Twist Ultra Twist PARAGON Toccarre Carpet Tiles TELENZO London Bridge/Kings Cross

We carry other products not listed above, and can also provide a swift special order service on non stock lines.

Our reps and sales office would be pleased to answer all enquiries. Our last Price List is dated May/June 2019.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Find us on 17

M

AD

E

IN

TH

E

U

K

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION We’ve reimagined the legendary First Impressions, one of our best-selling 10th gauge qualities, bringing it right up-to-date for today’s style savvy homeowners.

Call us today on 01562 749 600 to make a great First Impression with customers.

100% EasiCare Luxury PP in a heavyweight 63oz quality 9 hot new colours join 7 best-selling shades Longer 15-year stain and wear warranty for peace of mind

U2V VICTORIA CARPETS PORTAL

Our new U2V portal is an efficient online account management tool.

Simple and easy to use, it’s the smarter way to order.

Tel: 01562 749 600 Fax: 01562 749 349 sales@victoriacarpets.com victoriacarpets.com Worcester Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1JR

PERFECT FIT UNDERLAY MATERIAL THE RIGHT ONE FOR EACH FLOORING QUIET, WARM, ORGANIC – PU-COMFORTABLE UNDERLAYS BY WINEO EXCELLENT NOISE REDUCTION WITH HARD AND SOFT FLOOR COVERINGS ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

f ast, energy-efficient distribution of ground heat l ong-life performance of at least 30 years n o residual indentation (recovery almost 100 %) s ustainable raw materials w ith no chlorine, plasticisers or solvents c ertified sustainability

OUR CONTRACT SALES PARTNER Irwo de Lange irwo.delange@windmoeller.de +31 62947 2772

Stephen Binnersley stephen@sbsurfacesolutions.co.uk +44 7710 618 754

John McPherson jsmcpherson.carpets@gmail.com +44 7850 494 845

Mark Broster mark@jcagencies.co.uk +44 7766 255 222

Lee Harris leeharrism66@gmail.com +44 7842 448 495

Gary O’Boyle goboyle@ntlworld.com +44 7831 220 675

Helen Thomson-Blok thomsonblok@icloud.com +44 7903 583 806

Irwo de Lange irwo.delange@windmoeller.de +31 62947 2772

CONTACT UK: PHONE +44 121 28100 99 | WWW.WINEO.CO.UK Windmöller GmbH |June Nord-West-Ring 21 | D-32832 Augustdorf | Phone: +49 5237 609 - 0 | Fax: +49 5237 609 - 309 | E-Mail: info@wineo.de THE STOCKLISTS 2019

www.wineo.de 19

10 YEARS WEAR

Accolade

WARRANTY

• MADE WITH 80% BRITISH WOOL • AVAILABLE IN 40 & 50 OUNCE • • IN 4 & 5 METRE WIDTHS •

SCOTLAND MARK VINTER M: 07775 902 376

NORTH WEST & CUMBRIA JOHN ROSTRON M: 07973 733208

SOUTH WALES PAUL POWELL M: 07968 186150

NORTH EAST BECKY GIBBONS M: 07970 491 215

EAST MIDLANDS STEVE FURNISS M: 07773 384 787

SOUTH EAST & LONDON ANDREW GOLDSMITH M: 07432 119 220

YORKSHIRE ALDO BERETTONI M: 07971 173 560

WEST MIDLANDS DEAN STANLEY M: 07734 324 356

CORNWALL/DEVON/ SOMERSET/DORSET BRENDAN HART M: 07850 130221

OXFORDSHIRE/WILTSHIRE/ HAMPSHIRE/BRISTOL & GLOUCESTER DAVID MAY M: 07976 204778 NORTHERN IRELAND GARY O’BOYLE M: 07831 220 675 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND LARRY WHITE M: 0862 594 126

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER KEITH MORGAN M: 07710 701063 KEY ACCOUNTS NATIONAL GED AINSCOW M: 07815 806 783 SALES OFFICE

T: 01429 892567 T: 0844 7252 034

THOMAS WITTER Support your British manufacturer

V I E W LO G I S T I C S , PA R K V I E W R O A D E A S T, H A R T L E P O O L , T S 25 1 H T

E : S A L E S @ T H O M A S W I T T E R . CO M

T: 01429 892555

W W W. T H O M A S W I T T E R . CO M 20

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview Go modern with modular The LCT (Luxury Carpet Tiles) First collection is Balta Carpet Tiles’ response to quick transformations in residential and commercial interiors, bringing fast flooring that’s easy to install, replace and move.

With an emphasis on styles flexbile enough to suit all interiors, LCT First ensures that homes can really benefit from the advantages of carpet tiles without taking on the ‘commercial look’ commonly associated with these products.

“Carpet tiles offer homeowners, landlords and leaseholders definite advantages, but for many the office look is just too much of a compromise to make, and so we created the LCT First collection,” explains Geert Vanden Bossche, marketing director, Balta Group.

“Bringing that all-important home-like feel, the collection makes complete sense for communal areas in flats and apartments, loft conversions and anywhere where ease of moving and fast fitting is required.”

Practically, the LCT First collection is also an ideal ‘take away today’ fix for landlords needing a fresh new look to impress prospective tenants, or in areas where traffic ‘spots’ show the signs of wear before other areas. With LCT First, these traffic spots can be easily and quickly replaced for a good as new look. By changing laying patterns and mixing up colours, the collection is also a brilliant choice for any homeowner wanting to express themselves through a unique look that still gives underfoot comfort and warmth.

Using Imprel polyamide, StainSafe polypropylene and PA/PP fibre blends with a strong and stable backing for easy fitting and long-term durability; the LCT First collection comprises around 25 ranges ensuring that the perfect combination of style, quality and value can be found for almost any project. With a new plank format (25cm x 100cm) as well as standard 50cm x 50cm tiles, LCT First allows limitless layout combinations, ensuring that homes and businesses can benefit from the flexibility and ease of modular carpet from Balta.

T +32 56 62 22 11

www.baltagroup.com

Cushioning wood Timberline is the brand-new collection by Leoline, made to bring never-seen-before authenticity and the latest trends to wood-effect cushion vinyl flooring.

With designs including the herringbone of Marilyn and the cool, calm white of Copenhagen, Timberline exemplifies the lengths Leoline will go to in developing floors to meet permanent and flash trends, ensuring that retailers always have an option to meet the exacting tastes of customers.

From the rustic, reclaimed look of Cabana and Lido to the richness of Colorado D, the new Timberline collection features a healthy mix of hot new looks and stone-cold classics, all designed and made entirely in-house.

Maaike Dickx, product manager, Leoline, explains the 2019 collection: “When developing Timberline we wanted to make sure that we had something for consumers with a willingness to go for something a little different, particularly in experimental rooms such as bathrooms where they may explore a more ‘out there’ approach to design. Yet, we were also conscious that the collection also served a healthy dose of muchloved classic looks that will always be a popular choice for those looking for something a little more timeless. The result is a collection of 17 woodeffect designs ready for setting a sense of occasion or providing the idyllic beginnings of a muted interior scheme.”

All floors within Timberline feature Leoline’s Superguard PUR technology for a surface that resists stains marks, while making it easy to wipe-away spills and dirt. With a special acoustic backing, the collection also helps to make homes quieter and more comfortable too. For those seeking a quality cushion vinyl floor for their home, Timberline’s 15-year wear warranty offers peace of mind and is a reassuring nod to this European made floor’s high-quality construction.

Timberline can be loose laid in rooms up to 16m2 and comes with added slip-resistance for a safer floor underfoot. With a natural look and feel textured surface and available in two, three and four-metre widths, this water-resistant floor really does make great flooring style easy.

T 0800 032 3970 www.leoline.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

21

NEWS Savour silky Sancerre For Interior designers and stylists seeking a luxury, yet practical and hardwearing carpet for residential and corporate hospitality settings, Sancerre from ITC Natural Luxury Flooring is an excellent choice.

It’s a stunning 100% PA 6.6 nylon carpet with that indefinable feel of silky luxury and the deep pile construction represents the height of underfoot comfort, while a choice of 7 subtle colours fits perfectly with contemporary tastes.

Available from stock in 4 and 5 metre widths, Sancerre can also be made as a bespoke rug up to 5m wide T 0162 253 4041 www.itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com

Selection for savvy shoppers Abingdon Flooring has launched a brand-new ‘shop-in-shop’ concept designed to maximise the potential of its carpet collections. Consisting of wall units, lecterns, bold wall graphics and showroom carpet; the concessions promise to deliver a unique shopping experience.

Providing a complete Abingdon Flooring zone for all sizes of store, the ‘shop-in-shop’ is available in three packages with retailers free to choose from any ranges available from the manufacturer’s StainFree, Love Story and Wilton Royal collections. Starting out with the Bronze package, ideal for smaller stores, and rising to the hugely impressive Gold Package; the introduction of the ‘shop-in-shop’ marks a major move for Abingdon Flooring.

Martin Peace, sales and marketing director, Abingdon Flooring, explains: “Our collections are designed to offer homeowners a wide choice of great value carpets made in the UK and through our most popular brands. We’ve built a formidable array of styles that cater for any need; however, our previous display offer has sometimes felt slightly disjointed. We want to make sure that we are giving retailers a way of capturing the diversity of our ranges, whilst also allowing them to fully capitalise on the Abingdon Flooring name. The ‘shop-in-shop’ concept achieves this by helping retailers to create a dedicated area for Abingdon Flooring - an impressive brand statement that is sure to make an impact on savvy shoppers.”

With the entry-level Bronze Package, retailers can benefit from four wall units, two lecterns and a carpet for the floor. Stepping up to the Silver Package brings six wall units, four lecterns, one wall graphic and carpet for the floor. The toplevel Gold Package is the ultimate in carpet retail display with ten wall units, six lecterns, two wall graphics and carpet for the floor. Depending on store size, the packages can easily convert any area into a well thought-out and easy to understand shopping experience for consumers.

T 01274 655 694

22 June 2019

www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Carpet&FlooringReview

from The Stocklists

June 2019 23

NEWS Reflected glory Since its launch, the Reflections collection by floorwise has grown to become one of the supplier’s most popular profile ranges, with customers finding the quality and coordinating finishes available a worthy investment.

“The brushed steel nickel finish found in Reflections has proved exceptionally popular,” explains Richard Bailey, managing director, floorwise. “Indicative of the dominance of grey as the floor colour of choice, for which it is an ideal companion, brushed steel has overtaken sales of aluminium and simbrass to become the de facto choice for homeowners.”

Along with brushed steel nickel, the Reflections collection also features true chrome plate, providing a perfect match to interior fittings including lights, switches and electrical sockets. Creating a high-style look in the home, the popularity of Reflections demonstrates that homeowners are willing to invest in a more complete finish.

Infinite possibilities Abingdon Carpet Tile Division has launched Infinite, a new collection of premium carpet tiles made from Econyl regenerated nylon.

A Class 33, BREAM-rated loop-pile carpet tile in 26 exciting colourways and a mixture of plain and linear designs, Infinite is designed to allow unlimited layouts and as a foundation to the creation of inspiring spaces. Ideal for most commercial situations, such as new build, main contractor builds and government spend projects, the carpet tile provides faultless performance for busy locations.

Using Econyl solution-dyed nylon repurposed from discarded fishing nets, Infinite not only provides a strong ecological stance, but with stain and fade-resistance it makes cleaning and maintenance easier for end users too. The loop-pile tufted 1/10th gauge construction sits atop a modified polymer bitumen backing, with a comfort backing also available to help combat noise reduction and insulation concerns. Helping to combat impact noise by 26dB, the optional 100% recycled backing ensures that Infinite helps to meets Building Regulations, significantly reducing sound between floors.

“Traditional profile finishes, such as simbrass and polished aluminium are still popular, but don’t provide the contemporary designer look that can be found in Reflections,” continues Richard. “Ultimately, homeowners want a new floor that they can be proud of and which will be admired by their friends and family, so they see the little extra investment in Reflections to get a first-class and impressive finish well worth it.”

With refined finishes launched last year, the Reflections collection continues to deliver long lasting durability, and with the higher-quality finish these profile offer better value than before. Reflections profiles are available in all main profiles: single edge, dual edge, Z edge, stick down cover strip and 2-in-1 stick down ramp edge; catering for every need.

T 01509 673974 www.floorwise.co.uk

“Infinite is our premium carpet tile designed to tick all the boxes for clients looking for the best in style, quality and everyday performance,” explains Martin Peace, sales director, Abingdon Flooring. “With a wide colour palette and a useful stripe design, it’s a really versatile collection that can turn its hand to almost any space.”

With functional blues and greys joined by coordinated stripes and contrasted with flashes of bright ruby, bright emerald and bright amber; Infinite certainly provides design scope with enough combinations to deliver fresh and unique layouts. Equipped with a 12year wear warranty, Infinite is available from stock for fast delivery.

T 01274 655 694

www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Lasting a lifetime As the only Quick-Step approved installers, Master Installers are able to offer a lifetime warranty on workmanship that’s fully-backed by the manufacturer. Giving purchasers of Quick-Step floors confidence, this puts all badge holders in an advantageous position when it comes to winning work using the brand’s products.

Customers purchasing Quick-Step floors are clearly interested in the quality of finishes in their home and so are also keen to ensure floors are fitted to a high-standard by skilled professionals. Through the quick-step.co.uk website, the brand’s growing number of e-commerce customers are turning to the Master Installer listings to find their local expert.

“Offering a lifetime workmanship warranty is a great way to build instant trust between installer and customer,” reveals technical and procurement manager, Lee Thompson. “The Master Installer programme shows that Quick-Step has complete faith in the quality of work, whether on a hardwearing and easy-tomaintain laminate or a natural oak floor.”

All qualified Master Installers are tested on every aspect of installation, so that they can overcome any problem found on-site, and have unique access to a dedicated technical helpline. Falling in with the lifetime warranty on Quick-Step floors, the workmanship warranty also adds value to Master Installers’ work and can become a deciding factor in being awarded work. www.quick-step-academy.co.uk 24 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

WIN BIG! in our 30th anniversary GOLDEN TICKET giveaway, with £30,000 worth of holiday vouchers and £30,000 of Packexe® products as prizes

TRIED, TESTED & TRUSTED

Tickets included at the end of our rolls of protective film, between 1st May and 30th September* *Terms and conditions apply - please see website

Holiday Vouchers provided by

www.packexe.co.uk • sales@packexe.co.uk • 01392 438191 facebook.com/packexe twitter.com/packexe instagram.com/packexe.ltd

from The Stocklists

Packexe products are available at:

June 2019 25

NEWS Theatrical floor play Designed for use over flexible subfloors, F. Ball and Co. Ltd’s Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound and Styccobond F3 flooring adhesive have helped to create a show-stopping floor finish in the Regent’s Park Rehearsal Studios, a new stand-alone rehearsal facility for the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London.

Studio 1 is the largest of the Regent’s Park Rehearsal Studios, measuring 140m2. The raised plywood subfloor was firstly primed using Stopgap P131 primer, which is designed for use over absorbent surfaces to promote adhesion and to prevent rapid drying of adhesives and levelling compounds. Without such a primer, unacceptably fast drying can weaken the levelling compound and lead to floor failure.

Since the studio would face heavy foot-fall from rehearsing actors and dancers, contractors selected Stopgap 700 Superflex as their levelling compound: a fast-drying, fibre-reinforced levelling compound designed specially to be used over flexible subfloors such as raised access floors, metal or plywood. Stopgap 700 Superflex is also suitable for use over the studio’s underfloor heating system, and was applied at a thickness of 3mm prior to the installation of Harlequin Cascade vinyl dance floor coverings.

Studios 3 and 4 are used for smaller-scale rehearsals or as office spaces, divided by a retractable soundproof wall that can open to create one larger space measuring 28m2. Following the application of Stopgap P131 primer and Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound, contractors opted for Styccobond F3 flooring adhesive to install cork rubber tiles over the timber subfloor.

With over 50 years on the market, Styccobond F3 is recognised as the UK’s most used flooring adhesive for the installation of textile floorcoverings. It is a water-based rubber/resin flooring adhesive which offers excellent wet grab and benefits from an early build up of strength.

It is also protected against bio-degradation, and is compatible for use with over 70% of the 6,000 floorcoverings in the F. Ball Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG).

T 01538 361 633 www.f-ball.co.uk

Swatch to watch Belgian rug and woven carpet maestro, Louis de Poortere, has released the Haute Couture Design Box containing a world of woven carpets, tailor-made rugs, standard sized rugs and stair runners.

Now readily available, the box holds swatches of the collection’s woven wool, cotton polyamide and cotton wool qualities, across 40 samples selected from 15 designs. Giving an impressive overview of the sheer scale of the collection, the box also holds an inspirational brochure revealing in full the designs, colours and finer points of the concept.

Each of the 14 designs, themselves available in a broad selection of colourways, can be made in either broadloom carpet, standard sized rugs or a tailor-made rug, allowing homeowners to choose the design and format that works best for their needs. Along with Stair Runners in six designs and over 30 colourways, it’s certainly a very comprehensive range. From sophisticated geometrics in Zig, Zag and Ari through the multi-colour pinstripe of City Stripe to the wonderfully organic linear motif of Coral, the delicate weathered florals found in Agra and the distressed patchwork of Patch; Haute Couture is also a collection packed full of visual and textural interest.

With standard size blind-finished rugs in 10 sizes, many homeowners will be off to the perfect start, but it is the tailor-made rugs and broadloom carpets that really showcase Louis de Poortere’s flexibility. Choosing from any of the colourways available in 15 designs, consumers can make their perfect sized blind-finish rug or select a beautiful woven wall-towall carpet. With a folded seam that offers easier installation and more resilience than before, it’s certainly worth taking note of this improved offer, particularly with its mill folded option.

“The Haute Couture Design collection is expansive, and it has been something of a challenge to make sure it can be thoughtfully and elegantly presented,” explains Alan Russell, sales director UK, Louis de Poortere.

“We believe we have just the thing with our new box.”

The Haute Couture Design Box is available for just €99, discounted back from the first order if required.

T 01505 615663 www.louisdepoortere.com

Healthy expansion Polyflor’s Expona Commercial and Polysafe Arena flooring ranges were selected for the expansion of InHealth’s community endoscopy service in Oxfordshire with the opening of an additional state-of-the-art Community Health Clinic in Bicester. The clinic houses a spacious consulting room, a procedure room equipped with high-end endoscopy equipment, 2 recovery rooms with beds and a rest area with reclining chairs for patient comfort and safety.

Installed by The Commercial Flooring Co. of Bicester, Polyflor Expona Commercial in Blue Recycled Wood was used for the staffroom and kitchen area, with the shade Painted Cement across the reception and entrance. A great addition to the development, it is ideally suited to heavy commercial areas within the retail, leisure, office, education and healthcare sectors. Replicating the beauty of natural timber and uniqueness of concrete, these shades offer an original and unique Expona Commercial design. The product is one of the out-of-the-box design floor options, which allows flooring contractors to create a unique multi-tonal plank effect quickly and easily, with minimal cutting required.

All Expona products are enhanced with Polyflor PUR, Polyflor’s exclusive and robust polyurethane reinforcement which is cross linked and UV cured to provide superior cleaning benefits and a cost effective maintenance regime.

Polysafe Arena PUR in the shade Linen was fitted in the corridors, toilets and laboratory areas and is a high specification, decorative safety flooring range combining the assurance of sustainable slip resistance with high durability for years of performance. Replicating material, textile and abstract designs; the range incorporates clear aluminium oxide particles in the vinyl which are virtually invisible to the naked eye, ensuring an attractive yet safe floor finish for high traffic areas.

T 0161 767 1111 www.polyflor.com 26 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

TRULY NATURAL FIBRE, WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Wools of New Zealand provides wool that is measured and innovated to provide a natural fibre with outstanding benefits for the end user.

PLANET FRIENDLY 100% Renewable | 100% Biodegradable | 100% Traceable | Low Carbon Footprint | Energy saving

PEOPLE FRIENDLY Fire Safe | Warmer | Softer | Quieter | Allergy Safe | Asthma Safe

STYLE FRIENDLY Easy to clean | Natural soil and stain resistance | Excellent appearance retention | Unlimited colour and style

WWW.WOOLSNZ.COM from The Stocklists

June 2019 27

Marketing insights Natural effects Whether it’s carpets or hard flooring, nature is a wonderful inspiration for texture and colour.

There’s no doubt that when it comes to carpets, wool is the ultimate natural fibre. The coiled and crimped structure provides natural elasticity, making wool, and particularly British Wool, strong and resistant to flattening. The fibres can be bent back on themselves over 20,000 times without breaking, so it’s a great choice for carpets, offering superior resilience to constant footfall.

Wool feels great beneath your feet and will look good for years to come.

The British sheep population is the most varied in the world, with over sixty different breeds cared for by more than forty thousand sheep farmers on hills and lowlands. This variety in wool type means we can produce many different flooring options - from chunky bouclé’s, right through to the finest velvet finish. British wool also looks great undyed, offering a beautiful, natural look - the heather tones and flecks seen in British wool are a unique fibre characteristic of British sheep breeds. In addition to this, there’s a whole host of other benefits to consider – it’s fire-resistant, hard-wearing, hypoallergenic and easy to care for. The ultimate natural fibre.

When it comes to incorporating natural effects in their textured twists, Adam Carpets lead the way. Kasbah Twist was ground-breaking when it was first launched over twenty years ago and still carries the reputation of being one the finest and most individual twists on the market. Made in their own factory in Kidderminster, it features unusually thick berber yarns to create a unique rugged finish. A firm favourite with retailers across the UK, it is available in 23 stunning “earthy” colours and comes in 4m and 5m widths.

More recently, Adam Carpets captured the palette of the moment in Pure Brit, a range of eight colours specially created using undyed British wool. Given that greys remain the staple consumer choice, this range combines fashion and the environmental credentials so rightly valued by consumers today. Available in 4m and 5m widths, this range, like all Adam carpet, is made in their own

“British wool looks great undyed, offering a beautiful, natural look – the heather tones and flecks seen in British wool are a unique fibre characteristic.”

modern factory in Kidderminster. Pure Brit offers outstanding value for money for those wanting a berber look with a modern, sophisticated finish.

Inspired by original wood and stone, Karndean Designflooring is widely recognised for its authentic luxury vinyl flooring collections. “We find the inspiration for our designs in the natural world and feel passionate about bringing the individual natural effects into every product we create,” explains Stella Coyle, national retail sales manager at Karndean Designflooring.

“Homeowners continue to experience the warmth, look and natural effects of real wood without the natural drawbacks of having to sand or varnish floors.”

She said: “Homeowners continue to experience the warmth, look and natural effects of real wood without the natural drawbacks of having to sand or varnish floors. Our designers work tirelessly to recreate the knots, textures and tones of many different types of oaks, pines and walnuts to name but a few.”

Karndean’s most celebrated Van Gogh collection features 32 wood designs offering the authentic look of natural wood in a range of tones including rustic, classic and contemporary. From the soft white stylings of White Washed Oak with its cool chalky washed finish, to the distinctive charcoal black and grey Ebony, there’s a design to match all spaces.

Stella comments: “Country Oak, Distressed Oak and Classic Oak remain our top three selling designs from our Van Gogh collection.”

Adam Carpets – Pure Brit, Porlock

Brockway Carpets Rare Breeds Elite – winner of the British Wool category, 2018 Campaign for Wool Carpet & Rug Awards

28 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

by Rita Bancroft Rita is Director of Bancmarketing Ltd and has over 25 years of marketing experience with a proven track record in both business to business and business to consumer multi-channel marketing.

Karndean Designflooring – Van Gogh, Classic Oak

Victoria Carpets - Habberley, New Dawn

Full of charm and character, Art Select is also Karndean’s premium wood and stone collection bringing the natural effects of real timber and stone to life in the home.

“Through meticulous attention to detail and careful selection of some of the most beautiful and inspiring natural timbers and stones, our Art Select collection includes our most intricate designs and realistic embosses,” added Stella.

Victoria Carpets is committed to being ‘a cut above the rest’ and delivering high quality products, ranging from natural rustic colours to crisp clean beige tones. Whether you are looking for a wool range like their Natural Co-ordinates, or a wool mix such as Habberley, Victoria Carpets is sure to have something for everyone.

With an elegant and contemporary chunky loop style, Habberley, is guaranteed to make any home naturally beautiful and bright. Being made from 70% Wool and 30% Tencel, makes the 4ply yarn the ultimate comfort underfoot, whilst providing a practical and hard-wearing flooring for your home. From New Dawn to Maple Spring, the colour names really do speak for themselves. Habberley comes in 8 welcoming and refreshing beige and grey tones, designed to complement any interior. Habberley is available in both 4 and 5 metre widths.

“Padstow offers the consumer a beautiful and neutral foundation on which to build any interior scheme and brings a modern organic aspect into the home.”

Brockway Carpets – Padstow Strata, Llama

In comparison, Natural Co-ordinates is a tighter, 100% wool 3 ply loop construction in 2 great finishes, Cord and Stripe. Presented in 15 stunning and earthy shades, such as Driftwood and Limestone with 6 complementary stripes, the range boasts a simplistic yet unique look for all rooms of the house. Available in 4 and 5 metre width, Natural Co-ordinates comes with a moth resistance warranty, like all their wool products, to give all customers that extra reassurance. You can let Victoria Carpets make you fall in love with your floor again… naturally!

Padstow is a rustic influenced, chunky loop carpet collection made of 100% un-dyed British wool, manufactured by Brockway Carpets of Kidderminster.

Available in two smart textures – a Strata rib and a Pebble loop, the palette consists of 7 natural shades including two duo-tone tweed combinations.

Padstow offers the consumer a beautiful and neutral foundation on which to build any interior scheme and brings a modern organic aspect into the home.

Long lasting, hard wearing, comfortable underfoot and good handle a Padstow carpet makes the perfect natural textile base for healthy and creative living.

Harvey Maria has launched a new collection of ultra-authentic wood effects. The new Master Craftsman Series – also known as ‘the MSeries’ – includes four distinct collections of oak and wood plank designs, each with an incredibly realistic fine wood grain and highly tactile top surface.

from The Stocklists

Continued on the next page...

June 2019 29

Marketing insights Natural effects continued Harvey Maria – MSeries Natural Plank, Coppice

“PRO–TEK WPC is an award-winning floor provides a robust finish and dramatically cuts installation time.” wood plastic composite or ‘WPC’ core. The middle core has an integral joint, which locks the boards together without adhesive, and the bottom layer comprises an attached IXPE foam underlay base. This integral construction maximises the floor’s versatility, reduces the amount of floor preparation required and speeds installation. It also eliminates ‘telegraphing’, where subfloor distortion can mirror to the floor surface.

Within the range, designs are divided into four nature-inspired collections.

The Excel, Essential, Distressed and Excel Long Plank Collections include wood effects in shades spanning from Notting Hill Ivory, to rich Mocha Oak. The fourth collection - Excel Tile - includes slate, travertine and marble-effects.

All materials used are phthalate-free and 100% recyclable. PRO-TEK WPC can be installed in all settings - including bathrooms, basements and over underfloor heating – with designs to suit all interior styles.

“The MSeries enhances Harvey Maria’s wood offer, giving wider choice at the premium end of the market, where customers are looking for greater quality and authenticity.”

PRO-TEK WPC - Excel Tile, Vesuvian Marble

Renowned for striking patterned and designer collections, the MSeries enhances their wood offer, giving wider choice at the premium end of the market, where customers are looking for greater quality and authenticity.

The four new MSeries collections include Natural Plank, Natural Oak, Parquet Oak and Selected Woods. Natural Plank and Natural Oak include 14 decors, which each have a premium ‘registered emboss’ top surface. Natural Plank features the most rustic designs, with strong graining and colour variation.

Natural Oak has an elegant contemporary theme, in shades spanning from palest ‘White Oak’, through mid tones to rich conker-toned ‘Burgundy Oak’.

Parquet Oak replicates Natural Oak, in miniature scale. The six ‘mini-plank’ stave decors can be laid to create classic parquet patterns or combined with Natural Oak to form borders, thresholds and decorative features. The fourth new collection, Selected Woods is an eclectic mix of reclaimed pine and engineered oak decors, in a contemporary grey and mid-toned oak palette.

All floors from the Master Craftsman Series have a distinct bevelled edge detail and provide a tough, waterproof and slip-resistant finish. They can be installed in all settings, over a plywood or screeded subfloor, and are also suitable for installation with underfloor heating. Natural Plank, Natural Oak and Parquet Oak each measure 2.5mm and have a 25-year domestic warranty. Selected Woods measures 2.0mm and has a 20-year warranty. All collections are featured on Harvey Maria’s new MSeries retail display stand, and within a new brochure.

PRO-TEK WPC is a new type of engineered vinyl flooring offered in 40 authentic wood and tile-effects. Combining an LVT surface finish with an integral waterproof core and acoustic underlay, the award-winning floor provides a robust finish and dramatically cuts installation time. The new designs are suitable for residential and commercial settings - and are offered alongside a range of matching accessories, with a colour and décor-matched option for every floor.

Each of the new PRO-TEK WPC designs have a multi-layered construction that comprises six layers. The traditional LVT layers sit above a waterproof 30 June 2019

For more information contact: Adam Carpets T: 01562 822247 www.adamcarpets.com British Wool T: 01274 688666 www.britishwool.org.uk Brockway Carpets T: 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk Harvey Maria T: 0330 330 1231 www.harveymaria.com Karndean Designflooring T: 01386 820100 www.karndean.com PRO-TEK T: 020 3917 5550 www.pro-tek-flooring.com Victoria Carpets T: 01562 749300 www.victoriacarpets.com

Join the online community on: facebook.com twitter.com

pinterest.com instagram.com

youtube.com houzz.com

Carpet&FlooringReview

THEFLOORINGSHOW.com TheFlooringShow

FlooringShow Image courtesy of Cormar Carpets

RegistrATION now OPEN THEFLOORINGSHOW.CoM New product launches Design trends Demonstration zones from The Stocklists

June 2019 31

Edward Wilson, Chairman of Ulster Carpets (second from right), pictured with his family following a retirement presentation by staff at Ulster Carpets.

NEWS Edward Wilson retires

Edward Wilson CBE, Chairman of Ulster Carpets, has retired after over half a century at the leading luxury carpet manufacturer.

Edward is well known in the carpet retailer sector, having personally welcomed visitors to the company’s Portadown facilities and hosting a presentation and guided tour of the factory.

Known for his diplomacy, patience and people skills, Edward – who is the son of company founder George Walter Wilson – steps down after 58 years, having played a pivotal role in making Ulster Carpets one of the province’s leading exporters and the largest single site producer of axminster and wilton carpet in the world.

Despite this retirement, the Wilson family will remain at the helm of Ulster Carpets, with Edward’s nephews, Nick Coburn and John Wilson, as Group Managing Director and Chairman respectively.

Edward commented: “One of my greatest pleasures in life has been going into the factory and talking to our staff. As I have been reminded so many times, one of the biggest selling points of Ulster Carpets is our wonderful workforce – people who are passionate about what they do.

“When my father started Ulster Carpets in 1938, I’m sure he never thought that the company would still be here over 80 years later, employing people not just in Northern Ireland but across the world. For that success, I must pay tribute to our wonderful staff and that is something I take great pride in.”

T +44 (0) 28 3839 5197

Edward Wilson, Chairman of Ulster Carpets (left), is pictured with Nick Coburn, Group Managing Director & Deputy Chairman (left), and John Wilson, who is taking over the role of Chairman.

www.ulstercarpets.com

Thirteenth win for service Thirteen may be unlucky for some – but not for Cormar Carpet Company which has won Flooring One’s Supplier of The Year award for the 13th consecutive year.

The accolade cements the carpet manufacturer’s leading position in the industry as a company that produces high quality products, invests in staff and expertly services the flooring industry.

Cormar picked up the award at the Buying Group National Flooring Show, held at Flooring One’s head office in Solihull. Voted for by members of the buying group, the scores are based on delivery performance, quality and response to quality issues, products and sales support/communication.

“We’re delighted to, once again, be recognised for all the dedication and commitment from our Cormar team,” said David Cormack, marketing director at Cormar. “To be awarded Supplier of the Year for 13 years running is a fantastic achievement. We really do pride ourselves on continually producing new ranges and providing industry leading delivery, excellent product quality and first-class customer service.”

Cormar continues to produce all its wool and polypropylene carpet ranges from its two production sites near Bury in Lancashire. It also has a new Southern regional distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead and a network of retail collection points across the UK. The company has its own fleet of more than 70 distribution vehicles to ensure a top-class delivery service to customers, as well as its own team of 30 sales representatives throughout Britain and Ireland.

Cormar is one of the UK’s most successful independent carpet producers with some one million people a year buying a Cormar carpet.

T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Circular way to sustainability Catch all the action at Carpet Recycling UK’s 2019 Annual Conference and Awards Event which opens at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, Birmingham on Thursday July 18th. Taking the theme of ‘Design for Recycling and the Circular Economy’, this year’s event will cover innovations in carpet reuse and recycling techniques, as well as new developments in circular carpet design.

The industry-backed association for reusing and recycling waste carpet will be recognising the achievements and important contributions by members – both individuals and organisations – who continue to advance sustainability in the flooring sector.

Sponsored by Invista, manufacturers of ANTRON Carpet Fibres, the one-day conference will include inspired talks and discussions, latest sustainability trends, great networking and of course the annual awards ceremony. Awards are open for entries now until June 18th, the awards reward members’ environmental sustainability, innovation and success in recovering carpet for new uses. The four award categories are Recycler of the Year; Reuse Member of the Year; Take Back Partner of the Year and Recycling Champion of the Year.

CRUK’s conference offers valuable networking opportunities, attracting international decisionmakers from across the carpet supply chain, such as manufacturers, raw material suppliers, recyclers, waste management companies and retailers. It is also of interest to equipment suppliers and local authorities.

T 0161 440 8325 32 June 2019

www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

Carpet&FlooringReview

Showtime in Solihull The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM THE SEASON’S AGENDA SETTING SHOW

Carefree Twist – your new family favourite A hard-wearing, family-friendly easy-care carpet that’s perfect for rooms with heavy footfall.

CARPET www.furlongflooring.co.uk from The Stocklists

I

VINYL

LV T

Made in the UK from 2-ply yarn using best-selling bleach cleanable Carefree fibres, this carpet can take anything the family throws at it. When life happens, Carefree Twist can cope.

L AMINATE

Sales: Preston - 01772 696 787

I

HARDWOOD

Dartford - 01322 628 707

I

Gloucester - 0845 520 June0800 2019 33

Buying Groups

National Flooring Show Let’s twist again Trend review from the showtime in Solihull After several years of seemingly unstoppable success, the bandwagon of ever softer, deeper polypropylene is slowing down a little. Now manufacturers want to twist – and shout about it!

Certainly cheaper, deeper soft saxonies are on the wane, to be replaced by tighter, tougher twists and also with polyamides (nylon) and more natural fibre in the ascendancy in the soft sector.

Whether this is driven by fashion, by persistent concerns about performance, or by the worrying relegation of soft carpet to upstairs-only is difficult to establish. The likelihood is that all three reasons are shifting the trend.

Consequently, at the buying group show in Solihull, it was clear that manufacturers were deploying their tight development budgets to produce better, higher quality performance products which has to be a good thing for the trade in terms of increased sales value and greater consumer satisfaction.

Prime examples at the show was the launch of Carefree Twist by Furlong, Abingdon’s Stainfree Maximus and Hugh Mackay’s new 80/20 Quintessential Twist.

But as the demand for soft still continues to have substantial momentum, there were launches of polyamide products with impeccable performance credentials in this category including Associated Weavers’ iSense fibre and its SEDNA yarn from recycled nylon, which is also set to make a major contribution to soft performance during the Summer; and Telenzo’s superb Atmosphere collection.

Maybe price has finally ceased to be the main motivator in the market and that there is an increasing appetite among suppliers to pursue better business

And higher end polypropylene is getting ever better as can be seen in AW’s robust Invictus collection; Victoria’s re-vamped First Impressions and Abingdon’s new Sophisticat, all with densely packed PP pile.

Wool has had a healthy start to the year with some interesting new products ready to tempt increasingly environmentally conscious consumers away from synthetic fibres. We’ve mentioned Hugh Mackay’s major launch of 80/20 Quintessential Twist but it was also interesting to note that Cormar were back in the wool development business with sophisticated plains range Southwold and Penthouse are extending their Stateside plains collection.

All of the above also indicates maybe that price has finally ceased to be the main motivator in the market and that there is an increasing appetite among suppliers to pursue better business rather than a cut at any cost.

In terms of design issues that are increasingly apparent in the industry and that came to the fore in Solihull, there does seem to be more colour being sold – a trend often talked about but seldom fulfilled in reality, but now one which seems to have traction at least around the edges of the consistently popular grey palette. Blues, gold, lime greens and some reds appear not only in patterns but increasingly in plains. Small patterns are gradually gaining popularity but it is strong texture that still has the upper hand for people who prefer not to be totally plain.

Finally, we have not focused on LVT here but that is not to deny its increasing popularity. However, the most noticeable trend in this sector right now is not so much to do with products, but is the increasing number and diversity of suppliers.

This may reach a crescendo next month with the dramatic arrival of Associated Weavers into this market. Given the reputation and track record of success by AW marketeers, it will be fascinating to see if their move adds to the number of suppliers or, in fact, shakes down those who are already there. Watch this space!...

34 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Performance and popularity Abingdon Flooring Abingdon was setting the pace in Solihull with two impressive launches that reflect important trends in the flooring sector to give retailers mainstream products that they can rely on.

And it’s all about performance for both the new Sophisticat softy and the Maximus super twist.

Sophisticat lives up to its name as a seriously sophisticated, super-soft deep twist pile which has a lustrous look and a luxurious feel. And a set of fabulous feline graphics adds to the appeal. But it’s important to Abingdon that this cat has at least nine lives!

Soft has been so successful but increasingly retailers want to be sure they can rely on the carpet to sustain its appearance

“Soft has been so successful but increasingly retailers want to be sure they can rely on the carpet to sustain its appearance,” says Martin Peace of Abingdon. “Sophisticat has sophisticated yarn engineering to ensure there is a high density of fibre with a lot of twist which is not going to break down.”

Sophisticat will be purring into position across the country next month in 20 contemporary colours including some fashionable new blues and terracotta and is available in Abingdon’s multiwidth format.

Driven by the push for performance, there is a noticeable shift in trends back towards shorter pile twist carpets and Abingdon are anticipating this demand with their superb new Stainfree Maximus Twist.

At Harrogate last year, Abingdon launched two tight 10th gauge twists, Stainfree Tweed and Stainfree Ultra and it is the popularity of these two that has encouraged the company to go even further with a product that they describe as having the maximum pile height and density. The gladiator graphic on the point-of-sale tells the story.

T 01274 655 694 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

“If you have any concerns at all about the performance of polypropylene, Stainfree Maximus is the ultimate carpet you can trust,” says Martin. “The pile is relatively high but it is packed in tight and has nowhere to go. The quality shouts out of it!”

Stainfree Maximus, a 60 ounce 10th gauge, will be available in 20 colours when it is launched in early July.

And to complete the picture, Abingdon also rolled out the re-engineered and recoloured Satin Touch collection with a new softer yarn and a elegant, sheen finish across 16 plain colours.

from The Stocklists

June 2019 35

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Top take-away to add to sales Interfloor Now the market-leading luxury of the Gripperrods Premier profiles is all wrapped up and ready to take away!

The shiny sophistication of these trims has been showcased in eye-catching point-of-sale units since their launch last year to great acclaim but Interfloor has recognised the opportunity to capture consumers’ attention in their own homes.

They have introduced a portable display wrap that rolls up several of the profiles into a handy package that estimators can take into the home to inspire consumers to move upmarket in the installation of the new floor.

With the shiny products inside a black cloth, the approach is reminiscent of a jeweller presenting precious stones!

“This presentation has an element of theatre about it which allows the estimator to make a home visit even more engaging and presents an opportunity to win a more valuable sale,” says Marketing Director Laura Ashall.

“This presentation has element of theatre about it which allows the estimator to home visit even more engaging

an make a and

The shiny sophistication of these trims has been showcased in eye-catching point-of-sale units since their launch last year to great acclaim...

Premium performance underlay For LVT, Interfloor was showcasing its latest Duralay ‘professional’ underlay products which are quick to fit, easy to work with, and help to reduce the risk of damage to flooring due to uneven sub-floors. There is an underlay to suit different types of LVT installations such as ‘click-fit’, ‘dry back’ tiles and double-stick installations.

Solihull was also a focus for Interfloor’s Premium High Density underlays in its Tredaire collection which the company describes as the ultimate ‘shock absorber’ for carpets – a high-end retail product which has excellent comfort and acoustic properties as well as prolonging carpet life. This robust 180kg/m3 performer is available in three thicknesses from the top 10mm Palladium, through 9mm Chromium to 8mm Titanium.

T 01706 213131 www.interfloor.com

36 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

A partnership for profit AIS/Flooring One has had a strong reputation in the flooring industry for over 30 years. It is renowned for its diverse selection of quality suppliers and manufacturers from a variety of countries.

Flooring One’s experienced in-house team source exclusive product and develop own label ranges to display alongside manufactured brands, giving improved margins and a point of difference in the market. Our merchandising team is constantly in the field supporting member businesses and Flooring One’s collective buying power attracts major flooring manufacturers to offer the best settlement terms backed with annual rebates all through a centralised payment system.

NEW product samples are delivered directly from suppliers to ensure the newest products are in store as soon as possible. The group also offers free online training so you don’t lose valuable sales staff from the shop floor.

Members can also expect a number of benefits including; access to product and buying information, marketing support through our online portal Membersnet, and Flooring One’s superb unitary display stands are also available to purchase at competitive prices.

Flooring One welcomes direct approaches from independently minded, quality retailers and from prospective suppliers who wish to find out more about the organisation.

For more information about Flooring One plus other services available to members please contact: Sam Bradley sam.bradley@flooringone.co.uk or Peter Karra peter.karra@flooringone.co.uk

T: 0121 713 4454 F: 0121 713 4451

from The Stocklists

www.flooringone.co.uk Cranmore Park, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4LF

June 2019 37

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Get set for excitement Associated Weavers Associated Weavers sets out to excite the flooring market with the sheer energy and enthusiasm of its product development program and 2019 is not going to be a year to disappoint!

There is a strong focus on the quality and performance of polyamide – a sector in which AW has pioneered some of the finest products. “This is a key strength for us and we are one of the only manufacturers who can really get this right,” said Gavin Pugh, Managing Director.

This presentation has an element of theatre about it which allows the estimator to make a home visit even more engaging and presents an opportunity to win a more valuable sale. iSense is the showcase collection for polyamides and the UK’s favourite brand for supersoft carpet. AW has invested in powerful new branding for the ranges based on the four “muses” with the marketing statement that iSense is the embodiment of tenderness and strength.”

New graphics set out the virtues of the iSense nylon yarn – not least its cleanability where AW has teamed up with the European cleaning solutions specialist James to offer a unique cleaning kit that is free to consumers.

Another, quite different polyamide product to look out for this year is Camden, a modern designer-led printed carpet which again sets Associated Weavers apart from the competition in this technology. “People have been asking us for years for a printed range like this and now we have delivered in style,” says Gavin.

AW is also set to roll out SEDNA in August – soft luxurious and durable carpet that made headlines at its launch last Christmas for the innovative application of Econyl yarn – regenerated nylon made from recycled waste such as old carpet and abandoned fishing nets, helping to preserve marine life.

As well as offering the ultimate environmental story, SEDNA products are both soft and almost impossible to wear out. Two ranges will arrive this summer – Varuna, a nice clean 50 oz 10th gauge, and Yara, a luxurious 90 oz Saxony.

This 2-ply, 10th gauge carpet has three contemporary designs in houndstooth, geometric and polkadot and a palette of soft, warm colours that are right on trend.

Associated Weavers’ hugely popular Invictus range has also been seriously upgraded with a next-generation polypropylene yarn technology which comes with a 20 year wear and stain warranty. All new point-of-sale backs up the presentation.

50 oz Darius and 70oz Cassius will be launched this month in 16 heathered colours and multi-widths. A superb, hard-core heavy twist Septimus will also be joining the collection this summer along with Severus, a plush 65oz Saxony.

And we haven’t even mentioned AW’s impending launch of LVT yet! Get ready for a major shift in that market very, very soon!

T 01422 431100 www.associatedweavers.net

38 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Brand new brand Furlong Flooring Furlong Flooring, a leading supplier of flooring for every room in the home, unveiled its new corporate branding at the Buying Group’s National Flooring Show in May. The logo is a clever intersecting of the two initial letters in the company’s name, and will be used in a variety of ways across the flooring ranges, in-store displays, digital media and exhibition materials. Customers will notice a gradual re-branding over the coming 12-18 months as Furlong revises its paperwork, delivery trucks, corporate clothing and more.

We needed a single, consistent brand that unites the business, and that our customers can recognise at a glance.

“We were aware that our existing logo needed a refresh,” says MD at Furlong Flooring’s Dartford facility, Mike Symonds. “We’ve been looking at both our internal and external communications recently, and it’s become clear that we needed a single, consistent brand that unites the business, and that our customers can recognise at a glance.

“The clever way that the logo has been designed means that we can use it across all our flooring ranges without losing the impact.

It will help us to reinforce our brand to our key customer base – independent and national retailers, property developers and flooring contractors.”

Showcase twist Carefree Twist was the showcase launch in the new branding – available in 15 shades, it is a hard-wearing, family-friendly easy-care carpet that can be used in any room in the home.

Made in the UK from 2-ply twist using best-selling bleachcleanable Carefree fibres, this carpet can take anything the family throws at it. When life happens, Carefree Twist can cope. The impressive 10-year guarantee that comes with the range protects against more than just food and drink – it covers absolutely everything, with the one exception of gloss paint.

To make life even easier, the Carefree Twist range uses Combibac – a specially-designed backing that is flexible and strong.

It has six times the yield of a standard secondary backing – so strong that the company says it can eradicate delamination completely. This means even more customer satisfaction because the fit is better and the quality is higher.

As you’d expect from Furlong Flooring, the new Carefree Twist range comes with all our service guarantees, including next day delivery wherever possible and quick response to queries. So you can sell to your customers with complete confidence in the quality of the product and the quality of our customer service.

“This is the first new product range launch under the new Furlong Flooring brand, commented Ian Collacott, Sales Director for Furlong Flooring’s Dartford facility. “We’re excited to introduce it to all our retailers across the UK, reinforcing our position as a leading supplier of family-friendly, affordable flooring that works for every room in the home.”

T 01772 696787 www.furlongflooring.co.uk

40 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Inspired by Moorish splendour.

Designed to make a statement.

One creative design, available in two subtle yet striking colourways, offers a modern interpretation of these iconic patterns. Inspired by the artistic techniques of traditional Moroccan and medieval Spanish architecture, these tiles feature a non-uniform, patchwork arrangement that incorporates a stylish combination of geometric forms, curves and crests.

Karndean.com/Kaleidoscope

from The Stocklists

Featured floor:

Casablanca SP219 June 2019 41

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

The rug collection curator Mastercraft Mastercraft’s Robert Dickson is the curator of one of the industry’s most discerning collections of contemporary rugs and the company’s presentation at the Solihull show is always a scene setter of styles for the year ahead.

The company’s credentials were reinforced by winning, yet again, the rug supplier of the year accolade from the Flooring One buying group at the event this year.

We like to bring new, different ranges into the market gradually at first to see what works at the retail level...

Flooring One’s rug supplier of the year – Mastercraft achieves a successful blend of extending the popularity of existing ranges while introducing their new collections to test market trends.

A flagship collection for the company, Galleria, is a good example. Among over 40 options, there are 20 new designs including a shift into more abstract concepts. And the Mehari range has also been enjoying growing popularity and now there has been some additional colour additions to explore the contemporary trends for more pinks and blues.

The ranges Canyon and Nomad were introduced a year ago and have seen strong sales, so more options have been added for the 2019 season. “We like to bring new, different ranges into the market gradually at first to see what works at the retail level and when we have a winner we can work on extending its appeal,” says Robert.

Chamonix (left) and Galaxy (right)

The company is also keen to offer new yarn styles and there were several examples on show including Liberty, which uses new generation heatset polypropylene yarns for softness; and Bruges, a sophisticated new cotton chenille range with a popular, distressed appearance in nine colours.

Working with wool, Mastercraft introduced Chamonix, 70% wool blended with 30% polyester in 10 colours; and Galaxy, a chunky textured mix of 40% wool, 40% heatset polypropylene and 20% polyester in five colours.

T 01282 694565 www.mastercraftrugs.co.uk Bruges

42 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

e id ! es ed at d St ad s ew e N ad sh

Understated elegance

‘Shown: Stateside - Atlanta.

We’ve re-imagined our ever popular Stateside carpet range with the addition of new on-trend colourways, designed to complement today’s interiors. This beautiful clean, crisp, plain dyed cut pile carpet is crafted at our mill in Lancashire, using only the finest raw materials, delivering the superb quality and finish for which we are renowned.

Offered in 18 shades, with 40oz and 50oz options, guaranteed full 4m and 5m widths, this durable easy to fit 80% wool 20% synthetic fibre carpet will stand the test of time.

For samples and further information call 01706 639 866 or email sales@penthousecarpets.co.uk

penthousecarpets.co.uk from The Stocklists The Stocklists JUNE 2019 LIVE.indd 43

June 2019 43

24/05/2019 07:05

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Quintessential quality Hugh Mackay You can have it on the QT… Hugh Mackay is out to impress!

“We set out to make a carpet of which we can be really proud. The very best of its type in the market,” said Vince Holden, MD of Hugh Mackay.

They have succeeded. QT, Quintessential Twist, is the ultimate 80/20 – a 3-ply construction in 80% New Zealand wool, 10% nylon and 10% meltbond with a pinpoint finish and a stylish, velvety sheen.

“It is not just a twist, it is a satin twist and we are delighted with the result after a year in development,” says Vince. “We are best known for wool ranges of uncompromising and quality this is going to be our flagship.”

The company worked with interior designers on a brand-new palette of 20 colours and the reaction in Solihull to its launch suggests they have got the balance absolutely right.

All new point-of-sale for the range also displays the dictionary definition of quintessential: “representing the most perfect or typical example of its quality or class.” It’s all of that!

Hugh Mackay also relaunched their classic Durham Edition, a tufted graphic in 80/20 British Wool with 12 new colours and on the man-made side of the business, the Hasslefree collection added a polyester semi-saxony called Finesse in 16 colours.

T 01429 892555 www.hughmackay.co.uk

We set out to make a carpet of which we can be really proud. The very best of its type in the market.

Hugh Mackay were the well-deserved winners of the Best Stand Award at the Buying Group’s National Flooring Show for their eye-catching and ambitious design which featured carpet samples recessed into squares and circles across the back wall and edge-lit. Representatives from all the buying groups were judges in awarding the prize to Hugh Mackay.

44 June 2019

Well done to Steve White at Total Carpets & Flooring in Corsham, Wiltshire, for winning the amazing Amazon Echo Display Screen from the lucky prize draw at the BGNFS.

Keith Morgan (left) and Vince Holden (right) of Hugh Mackay receive the stand award from judge Chris Moffatt of SMG.

Carpet&FlooringReview

Our lifeblood is the independent retailer and we need to give them something extra.

A cut above Victoria Carpets Victoria Carpets has a deceptively simple new ethos – to be better than their competitors.

First Impressions, Victoria’s flagship polypropylene twist range is not a bad place to start as the company has introduced nine beautiful new colours to this luxurious, 63oz 10th gauge carpet while keeping seven of the best-selling options.

A new point-of-sale display shows the exemplary wear performance of the yarn over time.

You’ll now see added to the company’s branding the copy line “A cut above the rest” and new sales director James Caldwell (pictured above) is serious about making a difference.

“Our lifeblood is the independent retailer and we need to give them something extra.

We want to make the best, better and I’m excited about the possibilities to do that distinctively across our portfolio,” said James.

The launch of Luxuria also got a great reaction at the buying group show as an unusual 80oz, 10th gauge saxony – a soft, heavyweight in 18 colours.

Luxuria is also the first range to display Victoria’s classy new “Darwinian” brand, sporting an elegant dragonfly illustration. Expect bees, humming birds and other flora and fauna in this attractive style which James calls the “evolution of Victoria.”

Smart new innovative point-of-sale units which offer up to 10 products on eight stands can be used side-to-side of back-to-back to give a real built-in feel to in-store display.

T 01562 749300 www.victoriacarpets.com from The Stocklists

June 2019 45

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Fashion for wool texture Cormar Carpets The launch of sophisticated Southwold shows Cormar’s commitment to the development of its wool portfolio and introduces an attractively textured wool loop into the market.

Southwold is 100% New Zealand wool in 2-ply which offers a chunky textured loop and a level loop, each in eight colours which are strong on greys and neutrals.

The launch follows the success Cormar has enjoyed with the more berber wool loop Malabar. “The Berber style sells more strongly in the North and as part of our wool development programme we were keen to extend our range of plain loops which are popular in the south – although the geographical divides are becoming less distinct as these products become increasingly fashionable,” said Carl Quail of Cormar.

“Southwold is a product that shows its quality in 100% wool but it is competitively priced and we are excited about its potential in the market,” added Carl.

T 01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Pictured with Southwold (l to r) are Cormar’s Neil Burgess, Alan Harris, Chris Isaacs, Darren Jackson and Carl Quail.

Fresh success Ball & Young Ball & Young’s Cloud 9 product range is pioneering a drive towards improved air quality in the home and has been tested to ISO 1600 by one of Europe’s leading product testing facilities to demonstrate its credentials.

Cloud 9 domestic ranges are now certified to the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (IAC) Gold standard and classified as “best-in-class products with low emissions, thus good for indoor air quality.”

“Consumers are increasingly conscious of the quality of their home environment and the reassurance of the Eurofins Gold rating gives retailers the opportunity to trade their customers up to top quality products in the Cloud 9 collection,” says Ann Shaw of Ball & Young.

This certification sits alongside Ball & Young’s initiative in introducing the Ultra Fresh treatment to its product range, a technology that has proven to be effective, durable, safe and fully tested for advanced microbiological performance.

Given the Cloud 9 are produced using prime foam off-cuts from the manufacture of furniture foam and utilise only paper backing from sustainable resources, the products also have very admirable green credentials.

T 01536 200502 www.underlay.com 46 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Underlay so comfortable, you’ll forget all about the sofa interfloor.com 01706 238 810 from The Stocklists

June 2019 47

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Pure and simple SMG Bruce Starke will be displaying a range of mats suitable for indoor and outdoor use along with opportunities for stockists of PVC backed coir rolls and needle punch matting.

A new corner unit has been added to the smart selection of “Pure Carpets” wall displays and lecterns. Also there is now a full LVT display system for click, dryback and tile options and a full underlay selection covering sponge, PU and LVT products.

“We think we have created a really clean, contemporary look with lots of flexibility so that members can take as much or as little branded products as they wish,” says Linda Thomas of SMG (pictured left).

SMG recognises the key importance of this approach, allowing their members to compete more effectively against price comparison and online buyers but it also gives them the opportunity to sell manufacturers ranges they might not otherwise have access to and to try out more niche collections or product categories without having to commit until they’re ready.

Also on show was SMG’s new collection of undyed wool carpets, a sector that is attracting an increasing amount of quality business in the market.

T 0118 932 3832

www.smg-group.co.uk

Still surprising in style Fells Carpets Fells Carpets has become the go-to place for retailers who still like to be surprised by the creativity of the latest launches in the industry, given the company’s commitment to bold and exciting design in patterned carpet.

The launch of Artisan at the buying group show is a prime example – an unusual design combining a washed look vintage style infused with the latest tones such as sage greens, gold and denim and linear as well as classical motifs.

“We like to bring forward styles that aren’t already there in the market and Artisan is very distinctive,” says Carl Cummings of Fells (pictured right). “It is a clever and unusual design but it is also worth noting that this is one of the bestselling rug styles in the US at the moment.”

T 01977 662211 www.fellscarpets.co.uk

48 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Something more sophisticated Axminster Carpets The launch of the innovative, luxury range Aalya took pride of place on Axminster Carpets’ smart new stand in Solihull.

Aalya is a woven blend of first-year sheep’s wool and a touch of alpaca wool to create a very special, soft-touch carpet but it’s uniqueness lies in the tonal quality of the dying process.

Alpaca wool is notoriously difficult to dye and Axminster is one of the few companies confident to handle it. By blending it with lambs’ wool, the two fibres absorb the dye differently creating a random internal effect that is distinctively different. “People expect something more sophisticated from Axminster Carpets and this range delivers on that promise,” said Dave Williams (pictured right).

The company also attracted attention for the re-colouring of its hugely popular Devonia Plains collection which is now showing some softer tones in pastel shades alongside stronger statement colours to create a fresh new palette.

T 01297 32244 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

Crushing success Kenburn Waste Management The Kenburn Carpet Crusher received another amazing response at this year’s buying group show, highlighting the financial and environmental benefits for recycling new and uplifted carpet and underlay waste.

Both the volumes of orders and enquiries for the carpet crusher far exceeded expectations, with buying group retailers in particular “keen to go green.”

With skip costs increasing by a staggering 250% over the past few years and a recycling cost of only 25 pence per square metre, it may be worth arranging a no obligation waste survey where Kenburn can advise you on a recycling initiative which not only reduces skip costs, it also impresses potential customers as well, ensuring a guaranteed improvement in sales conversion rates.

T 01727 844988 www.kenburn.co.uk

from The Stocklists

June 2019 49

Review: Showtime in Solihull

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show 2019

Clever colour coordination Brockway Carpets Brockway Carpets has built up something of a reputation for the quality of its striped collections with the carefully considered colour palettes and coordination guidance.

The company’s stand at the buying group show was a fine example of the style using Wimbledon Stripes from Brockway’s recently revamped Dimensions collection to show coordination in action. The sample labels for each stripe lists suitable options in the plain and heather ranges that have been selected to coordinate beautifully.

“Our aim is to inspire consumers and show what stunning effects can be achieved using the expert guidance our colourists have provided,” says Shaun Lewis of Brockway.

Continuing the colour theme, Brockway were also promoting their Solar Infinity program which allows for any colour, from maybe a fabric, wallpaper or fashion item, to be custom matched and dyed and produced in as little as 25m2 of this smart 80/20 carpet, and in any of the three weights available.

T 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

Adding extra quality Telenzo Carpets Telenzo’s new textures add the extra quality for which the company is renowned in its latest wool loop collection in fashionably undyed wool.

Rya is a heavily textured basket weave and Cormo (pictured left) is a smart rib in 100% 4-ply wool with five shades in each design.

“We have had a strong reaction to these new products and excellent initial sales so we are confident we have something here that consumers are looking for,” said Mark Rooney of Telenzo Carpets.

At the other end of the spectrum is Telenzo’s “softest, most indulgent carpet ever” under the name of Atmosphere - a smooth collection of nylon fibre in 4 qualities which was launched last year and has been growing in success ever since.

Now, the company is keen to promote and remind retailers of the stunning colour palette available in this collection after seeing how consumers are responding strongly to the portfolio of ten bold accent colours in the Twister range.

T 01422 374417 www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk 50 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Finessing the features Masterpiece MasterPiece has been busy finessing the features of its estimating software for the flooring industry to make its products more flexible and configurable for the way individual retailers organise their work.

In the sales processing side of the system, there are new features to ensure the scope of installations are understood and confirmed, for handling terms and conditions, and for providing for customer sign off on screen. On the planning side an organisation can choose between having autoplanning or manual planning or both.

The standard module for costing of jobs can be extended to be more automated, by tailoring to the costing rules of the particular retailer. For instance, a labour charge can be automatically applied wherever stuck gripper will be used, and a charge can be applied for each winder or bullnose. Costing in the home thereby becomes fast, reliable and stress free.

“Our mission is to make sure that our users get only the features they want, configured in a package that reflects the way they work,” says Charles Pearson. While the estimator generally wants a full set of capabilities, the store may just need the ability to open any job and print off the information for the fitter. Some stores may wish to extend this to have the ability to load a new job and generate a measure sheet while with the customer. Where a store has a full amendment capability then responsibility can be passed between store and estimator to avoid a muddle.

“Tailoring the system in this way means that it is not only easier to work but that our customers only need to pay for what they use,” he added.

T 01737 355831 www.masterpiece-system.com

Going Stateside in style Penthouse Carpets Penthouse Carpets has been building on its strengths to further improve its class-leading 80/20 twists and announced an upgrade to the popular Stateside collection.

This flagship plains range has gained four new contemporary colours including the latest on-trend greys, blues and earth tones to complement its portfolio of 18 options. Stateside is an 8th gauge which is double-sheared for a fine finish and is available in 4 and 5m widths.

“We were encouraged by the success of our berber collection Crofter when we launched it last autumn and decided the time was right to revamp our Stateside plains collection to keep our portfolio of products fresh and up-to-date,” said Gemma Kopczyk (pictured right).

T 01706 639866 www.penthousecarpets.co.uk

More next month! Look out for part 2 of our reviews from Solihull in our July issue... from The Stocklists

June 2019 51

Get set to star in 2019!

More than 60 candidates for the 2019 Flooring Innovation Awards have already come forward in the first few weeks of the scheme’s opening, demonstrating that inspiration and inventiveness is alive and well in the industry.

“The immediate success of the scheme last year caught the imagination of the savvy suppliers in our sector and they have got off the mark quickly this time to compete for these prestigious awards”

“The immediate success of the scheme last year caught the imagination of the savvy suppliers in our sector and they have got off the mark quickly this time to compete for these prestigious awards,” said FIA organiser Bridgette Kelly.

And the independent panel of judges has now been finalised. Led once again by Chris Moffat, the SMG buying group chairman, the panel will have two new judges in the form of Laurence Bird of Carpet Recycling UK and master fitter and carpet consultant John Hopkins.

And returning judges include Deborah Barker, former editor-in-chief of Homes & Gardens and 25 Beautiful Homes; David Spragg, editorial director of The Stocklists; and Bridgette Kelly, erstwhile of the Campaign for Wool.

The National Flooring Innovation Awards 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.

The “star” judges line-up (l to r): Chris Moffat, Bridgette Kelly Laurence Bird, John Hopkins, Deborah Barker and David Spragg.

Last year there were more than 100 submissions to the award scheme and 40 shortlisted entries received the coveted Innovation Star. The judges then went on to select the Innovation Gold in each category to receive the ultimate award which is presented at The Flooring Show in Harrogate.

The awards scheme website is at www.flooringinnovationawards.com and gives full details of all the categories for 2019 and has an entry form for companies to make their first submissions to the judges. The award winners will be announced at the beginning of September, with the exceptional Innovation Gold titles to be handed out at Harrogate later that month.

Check out the categories, rules and entry form at www.flooringinnovationawards.com READERS! Nominate your favourite products now

www.flooringinnovationawards.com 52 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

N REVW ICE

Yo u ’re in safe h a nds wiTH...

SE

Pick & Pac Man

Fulfilment solutions – sameday, overnight and international Excellent customer service Easy online ordering Fully tracked delivery options

ADP offer efficient, reliable and inexpensi ve order fulfilment solutions, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

In need of this great service?

Get in contact with us! www.adp-distribution.co.uk

fulfilment@adp-distribution.co.uk t: 0121 559 6783

Follow our adventures!

A SMART SOLUTION: Using innovative technology

TM

What makes PRO-TEK™ WPC engineered vinyl flooring so different?

UV Layer

Wear Layer

Decor Layer

• Hygienic, anti-scratch wear resistance layer

• Commercial grade for protection from staining and excessive wear

• Exclusive, authentic décor designs that are fade resistant

Luxury Vinyl Top Layer • Stability layer made from durable virgin vinyl with built in

Award-winning PRO-TEK™ WPC is a new innovative type of engineered vinyl flooring for the commercial and residential sectors. Offered in 40 wood and tile-effects, PRO-TEK™ WPC is 100% waterproof, has a built-in underlay and offers acoustic performance up to 24 db. Other benefits include:

resistance to chipping and dents

Glueless Locking System • For quick and easy installation

Core Structure • WPC waterproof core, providing stability for installations over imperfect floors

Attached Premium IXPE foam Underlay • Acoustic impact sound performance up to 24db

ü A range of colour and décor-matched WPC accessories ü Less floor preparation and faster installation than a ‘stick down’ ü Compatible with underfloor heating ü Phthalate-free and recyclable ü Can be installed in high humidity, damp areas and over contaminated subfloors ü Suitable for new homes with anhydrite calcium sulphate screeds

For more information or to request a presentation of our collections, please contact us: T: 020 3917 5550 E: info@protekflooring.co.uk W: www.pro-tek-flooring.com from The Stocklists

June 2019 53

Flower on Flooring Addressing the flooring industry’s skills gap Experts from all areas of the flooring industry provide The Stocklists magazine with their views on the approach to ensure that there is a sufficient number of skilled workers in the future.

Following British Standards and current industry best practices, the courses utilise the latest products, tools and techniques. FITA believes its method of teaching gives the best opportunity to learn both new skills and develop existing.

F Ball and Co sales director David Hibbert says: “Addressing the gap in skills is a perennial challenge faced by the flooring industry and many other trades.

“Improved confidence in their ability through learning the ‘FITA way’ can give floorlayers an edge in a highly competitive market. An investment in training is an investment in a floorlayer’s business and therefore their future,” it says.

“The government could be doing more to make young people aware of opportunities provided by vocational careers, including those accessed via apprenticeship schemes.

Industry bodies, such as the CFA (see comment below), also have a part to play by communicating to employers the benefits of taking on apprentices,” he continues.

FITA runs over 20 different courses ranging from one-day workshops to four-day intensive courses.

On-site assessment and training with the chance to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Floorcoverings is also available.

Manufacturers can ensure quality training is available to help people acquire essential skills, including ‘off the job’ training for apprentices that is required as part of new standards-based

“The government could be doing more to make young people aware of opportunities provided by vocational careers, including those accessed via apprenticeship schemes.” schemes. Knowledge of new, advanced products that reduce the time it takes to install floorcoverings also helps reduce the pressure on workforces.

F. Ball training in action

CFA’s The Flooring Apprentice of the Year winner - Tom Havard

FITA’s newly refurbished centre in Loughborough

CFA Council members were instrumental in developing the new Floorcovering Apprenticeship Standard through a Trailblazer committee backed by CITB. This standard is now ready for delivery and replaces the previous Framework Apprenticeship.

Each year CFA and the Contract Flooring Journal holds the Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition to highlight and reward achievements made by apprentices in the sector.

The CFA is committed to training through direct support and guidance.

It aims to address the future skills and labour gap by developing a strategy for multiple entry points into training within contract flooring and improving recruitment methods.

Further options are provided by the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA), an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing not only courses and workshops designed to suit beginners getting started in the industry, but also upskilling courses aimed towards seasoned professionals.

54 June 2019

To tackle this issue WoolSafe set up an Academy over a decade ago, to train operators in the carpet and cleaning industries to the highest standards.

It developed the Fibre Care Specialist course that gives trainees the skills and knowledge to clean all carpet fibre types effectively and safely.

“Improved confidence in their ability through learning the ‘FITA way’ can give floorlayers an edge in a highly competitive market. An investment in training is an investment in a floorlayer’s business and therefore their future.”

“This is why F Ball provides free training courses covering all aspects of subfloor preparation and floorcovering installation, for all abilities, at our purposebuilt training centre,” says Mr Hibbert.

The Contract Flooring Association (CFA) - one of the UK’s leading trade associations for the contract flooring industry, promoting quality, expertise, training, safety and professionalism - states that it publishes training opportunities and access to a wide range of training courses and qualifications through the annually updated CFA Training Guide.

Woolsafe Academy says poor cleaning is one of the main factors, alongside poor installation, that leads to complaints about carpet performance. Carpet cleaning, unfortunately, is unregulated, it states.

Making it easy to find trained carpet cleaners, WoolSafe built up a global network of approved service providers that are well-trained, experienced and use cleaning products that will not damage the flooring they clean.

In addition to the Fibre Care Specialist course WoolSafe Academy also runs over a dozen online and classroom-based training courses and events around the world, including UK, Australia, USA and China.

Academy for Excellence in Flooring business development manager Lynn Melia says: “Consumers look to retailers to provide them with the assurance and reasons for making their final flooring choice. So the knowledge of the sales assistant is a crucial part of securing a sale, particularly for higher-value floors where the benefits may need more explanation.

Carpet&FlooringReview

by Dennis Flower Academy for Excellence in Flooring

“That’s why we work with the nation’s biggest retailer - and many others - on developing bespoke training programmes for installers and stakeholders at all levels of retail sales.”

“That’s why we work with the nation’s biggest retailer - and many others on developing bespoke training programmes for installers and stakeholders at all levels of retail sales.

The sexiest underlay you will never see

“Covering product knowledge, accessories, maintenance and installation, the courses for wood, laminate or LVT ensure they are fully equipped to talk knowledgeably to consumers and answer any questions. With assured answers, consumer confidence is improved and so too is that of the sales assistant, a key part of good customer engagement and really helpful in gaining extra sales - particularly for up-selling to a higher-value floor,” Ms Melia concludes.

Karndean trains at its UK HQ

Karndean Designflooring retail sales director Scott Cochrane says: “Having recently been named Flooring One’s Smooth Floor Supplier of the Year, we have a responsibility as the market leader to help the industry and our independent retail network recruit, train and shape future talent in floor fitting.”

His company’s training centre now regularly welcomes fitters to participate in basic and advanced courses in luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), promoting the importance of sub floor preparation and how vital fitting is through a balance of theory and practical skills combined.

“Having our own training centre at our UK head office allows the future talent and experienced fitters alike, the opportunity to develop and learn from our experienced fitters and dedicated training team.

“We will continue to support the industry and work closely with our retail network to grow the future talent bank of floor fitters in the UK,” says Mr Cochrane.

Sonic Gold Excel wood and laminate floor underlay

EXCEPTIONAL SOUND REDUCTION EXCELLENT IMPACT RESISTANCE EVENS OUT UNEVEN FLOORS Part of the Novostrat range of polyethylene underlays to suit every application and pocket.

From store to floor - there’s no better solution

Sonic range Comfort range HIGH PERFORMANCE UNDERLAYS

For more information Academy for Excellence – www.quick-step-academy.co.uk CFA – www.cfa.org.uk – 0115 941 1126 F Ball and Co – www.f-ball.co.uk – 01538 361633 FITA – www.fita.co.uk – 0115 950 6836 Karndean Designflooring – www.karndean.com – 01386 820200 Woolsafe Academy – www.woolsafeacademy.org – +44 1943 850 817 from The Stocklists

TEL: 00353 61-339287 www.novostrat.com info@novostrat.com June 2019 55

BUSINESS NEWS The Headlam Group, Europe’s leading flooring distributor, flagged a revival in market sentiment at their AGM on May 24 with a “positive performance” – UK trading up over 3% for the first four months of 2019.

After a torrid time for Belgium carpet manufacturers in 2018, flooring imports into Britain rose at their fastest rate in 17 months, up 8.5% to over £80 million.

The Group said there had been good residential growth and “notably strong” results in the commercial sector – like-for-like revenue increased by 3.1% and 5.8% in the UK and Continental Europe respectively. “This early stage performance is pleasing,” says Headlam and is confident of its expectations for the traditionally stronger second half of the year.

UK retailers, distributors and wholesalers bought over £25.1 million from Belgian companies in March, up 11.9 percent on the same month last year.

During 2018, Belgium, who is the U.K.’s biggest importer of carpets, suffered an 11% fall in sales during that year, losing out to importers in Turkey, Holland and the Netherlands.

UK carpet exports are 3% ahead of this time last year at over £70 million for the first quarter of 2019, despite a 1.3 percent annual dip in March.

Victoria is confident about future growth after a successful refinancing and a positive trading forecast last month.

Reporting to the City in May, the Kidderminster-based business said: “The strategy adopted last financial year to drive top line growth, is continuing to deliver in the current calendar year, with like-for-like revenue gains across the Group continuing to be +3%. Management remain confident that this growth is sustainable for the foreseeable future.”

Sellers, the UK’s carpet manufacturing machine maker, has been rescued from administration by a consortium of American and Dutch investors.

The £12 million Huddersfield-based business appointed administrators in March. The restructure is the second insolvent buyout in recent years.

Its management team put together a rescue package five years ago after it had run into trouble with a major contract to supply machinery to a carpet maker in Libya.

The rescue has been led by Charlie Armitage who heads the US operation of Sellers in collaboration with Dutch flooring equipment manufacturer ETF and Innovative Automation, a systems integrator.

Sellers was started in 1912 and has a worldwide reputation in its specialist niche. The company will now be known as Sellers Textiles Engineers.

It said that after the new long-term debt financing it secured in April “the Group is well-placed to continue to create wealth for shareholders from organic and acquisition-led growth” and reassured investors that margins in the business would steadily improve after the successful delivery of its productivity plan.

Carpetright reports that UK sales improved significantly in the first part of 2019 to date and the company is on track for sustained success going forward, helped by the achievement of £19m of annual savings.

“Whilst consumer confidence remains challenged in the UK, the work we have done to reposition the business is starting to deliver the benefits necessary to put Carpetright back on the path to sustainable profitability,” said CEO Wilf Walsh.

“This has been a transitional year for Carpetright and we remain on track both with our recovery plan and our strategic initiatives,” he added.

Likewise aims to offer alternative choice The Likewise Group has set out its ambition to offer the flooring market a “solid alternative choice” as it grows a business that aims to become a mainstream supplier across the industry.

And Likewise knows what it’s talking about – it’s led by people who have done it before, notably Tony Brewer and Andrew Simpson who helped grow the Headlam group as Europe’s leading distributor, operating many of the best-known brands in flooring.

“There is a lot of space in the market and we see a good opportunity to grow the Likewise business and give manufacturers, buyers and retailers a solid number two in mainstream flooring distribution. People like choice.” says Tony, who was CEO of Headlam from 2000 to 2016.

Likewise emerged into the market at the beginning of this year, listing on the International Stock Exchange to raise funds for acquisitions. The first deals included matting businesses William Armes Ltd and Bruce Starke & Co Ltd, followed by London wholesaler Lewis Abbot Limited.

But it is the £10m acquisition of Heatseam Ltd that has set the agenda for the future, bringing Likewise a national flooring distribution infrastructure with depots in Dewsbury, Daventry and Glasgow together with a £20m+ turnover and a product portfolio which includes carpet, vinyl, laminate, artificial grass and accessories.

Hot on the heels of the Heatseam deal was the acquisition of H&V Carpets in May, a Belgium-based carpet roll manufacturer and supplier with £7m of sales to the UK and Europe – giving Likewise an international dimension.

Likewise intends to build its own reputation as a name to be recognised across the industry, without internal brands competing with each other.

The model is still as flooring distribution, working with suppliers across the UK, Europe and worldwide who, Tony points out, are also looking for more choice in channels to serve the market.

“Throughout it all, the independent retailer carries on as the core of the industry – they adapt, that is their strength, and we want to work with them to give them what they need,” he says.

T 01787 466330 www.likewiseplc.com

56 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

SOL

E TS

50

C RP

EN

H O L E SA L E

A

UNIQUELY INDEPENDENT

A personal view from the Solent family

T

W

YEARS IN FLOORING

1969 - 2019 IMPROVING WITH AGE

ST THE SHIELD YOUR TAGLINE HERE

IL

U L F A M I LY R

N

As we celebrate our 50th year, we find ourselves in an almost unique position of being one of the last independent floorcovering distribution businesses left in England, if not the whole of the UK. The business was started in 1969 by Tom McHale, and at the time was based in Havant supplying the trade mainly in the area between Portsmouth and Southampton, hence the name of ‘Solent’ Wholesale, as the Solent is the area of sea between the mainland and the Isle of Wight.

We are very much family owned and run, as Claire Wagg & Simon McHale are two of Tom McHale’s children and they have been joined by some of their own offspring (Stephanie, Luke & Adam) to bring the third generation into the business. We know many of our customers on a ‘first name’ basis, and most of them know who they are talking to at the other end of the phone. Of course, we can do the online stuff with our own portal which is open 24/7, but there is still a place for the personal touch and this is something a lot of customers still value in their choice of supplier - not everyone wants to be just another account number! We are very aware that most of our customer accounts are family businesses as well, although not necessarily on quite the same scale, but their values are the same as ours.

The business long since moved from Havant, is now based just down the road in Chichester, where we have our warehouse purpose built to our own design and specification just over 10 years ago. It sits just off the A27 - the primary trunk road serving the south coast - perfect. We now cover a much larger area which is basically as far as we can get to (& back) in a day with one of our own lorries.

The emphasis is it being our own lorry, with one of our own drivers because the driver is perhaps even more important than the rep. Every time you place an order with us you will get our driver on the doorstep, whereas you will probably only see the rep once each month. He knows who you are, where you are and understands how you like your carpets left in the store. He also appreciates that cup of tea he might get!

NT SOLLEESA LE WHO

2019

Although we keep many of the same products available elsewhere, we have historically stocked a selection of products which are perhaps a bit above the usual quality available from wholesalers. We enjoy a unique relationship with some well known UK manufacturers such as Brockway & Victoria. Cormar too, feature in our price list, and we genuinly feel that consumers can be persuaded to buy from the UK manufacturers if this is highlighted by the retailer, probably even more so since the referendum. Although man-made fibres have become more popular in recent years, wool is still a popular choice in Sussex & Surrey so we try to make sure we have a good selection of products from right across the price spectrum, budget to luxury and everything in between.

C A R P E T

CO.

W TRADE SHO

ded hments Inclu

refres Lunch and light

PRODUCTS SERVICES SUPPLIERS FITTING DEMOS RAFFLE MEET THE TEAM AND MORE!

t on the Extra Discoun e day for clearanc

s on Fitting Demo Artificial Grass and LVT

&

rs Exclusive offe attend to customer that

rd A U GU ST 23 11am-3pm

have your name e a space and arrive Email to reserv into the draw when you put automatically holesale.com sales@solentw Exhibitors Include

The third generation of family members have brought their own thoughts and ideas to the buying meetings, and we have been able to translate this into some buying choices in line with what the younger buyers

are looking for. Flooring and floorcoverings are much more of a fashion item today and the new generation of consumers seem far more likely to want to change their decor on a regular basis than their parents.

Running the business has had it’s ups & downs over the years, and for us, one of the most difficult periods was in 1994 following the floods which inundated Chichester. The warehouse at that time was in the area which was worst affected – it was under a metre of water for just under three months. We lost everything! Most of our customers were fantastic, still doing their utmost to support us and delaying their fitting dates to give us chance to get their orders in as cuts from the factories. Out of that we were even more determined to come back – determined even more to succeed, and determined to be better than we had been before. Our main objectives was to get away from that warehouse so we would never have to go through that again. One of Tom McHale’s proudest moments was the day we opened the doors to the new warehouse on 2nd January 2007 and we are still there today. We never, in any of our wildest dreams, thought we would get the chance to design our own warehouse and set it up exactly as we would want, with all the latest technology and equipment. It really is ‘state of the art’ and we have everything that even the biggest of our competitors have, with barcodes on the rolls and on the shelf locations, iPads on all the reach trucks and a fully automatic and computerised cutting machine.

“Flooring and floorcoverings are much more of a fashion item today and the new generation of consumers seem far more likely to want to change their decor on a regular basis than their parents.”

It has taken an awful lot of hard work to get to where we are and the target we have always set ourselves is to be the best at what we do. We might have made a few mistakes along the way, but you learn from those and they make you stronger & better at what you do. We are now looking forward to the next 50 years. If one thing has been constant in the last 50 years, that is nothing remains the same and change is certain.

Solent Trade Show – 23rd August 11am-3pm Visit www.solentwholesale.com for more details See also Solent’s regular advertisement on page 17.

from The Stocklists

June 2019 57

DLEIHS E

EREH ENILGAT RUOY

NEWS

Expert at your elbow

Eco pride of pouches F. Ball and Co. Ltd. has introduced a new, more environmentally friendly packaging solution for its Stopgap 400 Repair compound and Stopgap 500 Micro floor finishing compound. The 100% recyclable ‘eco pouches’ require significantly less plastic to produce than the existing packaging.

Durable and waterproof, the pouches are lighter and easy to handle, more convenient to use and deliver extended product shelf-life. The introduction of two pack sizes for each product, in response to feedback from the flooring trade, offers contractors greater choice.

Stopgap 400 Repair is now available in 5kg and 10kg eco pouches, while Stopgap 500 Micro is available in 4kg and 8kg eco pouches. Stopgap 400 Repair is a fast-setting, rapiddrying compound for repairing internal floors in light to heavy duty areas prior to the application of a suitable floor levelling compound. Stopgap 500 Micro is a rapid-drying floor finishing compound for creating a smooth surface over plywood and other rigid, dry, absorbent surfaces, prior to the installation of floorcoverings.

The introduction of the innovative eco pouches demonstrates the company’s next step in its commitment to reducing plastic waste within the flooring industry. This follows the recent launch of fully recyclable 5 litre plastic bottles for the company’s gauging liquids, primers and tackifiers which are themselves made from 95-98% recycled plastic and a new 20 litre recyclable bottle for its Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier.

F. Ball Managing Director Mark Hughes said: “The new eco pouches are another significant step in our continued efforts to reduce plastic waste; a sentiment that is shared throughout the flooring industry and very much welcomed by our customers. In developing the eco pouches, we also wanted to take the opportunity to deliver additional customer benefits, including pack size flexibility and extended product shelf life.”

T 01538 361 633

www.f-ball.co.uk

Now entering its second year, The Specifier’s Guide to Flooring is a comprehensive technical guide to product selection – and an invaluable resource for architects, interior designers and facilities managers. Praised as “the industry’s leading technical publication for floor specification,” the launch of the new 2019 edition follows that of sibling title – The Specifier’s Guide to Tiling – which was launched several years ago to widespread acclaim. Both guides are available in print and online at www.specifiersguide.co.uk.

Described as an “expert at your elbow, combining industry technical expertise, stunning imagery and CPD information” by architect, Simon Jackson, the Guide’s 2019 content spans adhesives to luxury vinyl tiles, wood and laminate - and everything in between. It includes informative articles on sports floors, smoothing compounds and carpet tiles from highprofile and specialist flooring manufacturers. Eye-catching international case studies demonstrate how techniques and products from the guide can be applied in real installations, whilst exploded material make-ups take a closer look at specifications.

The initial print distribution of The Specifier’s Guide to Flooring includes over 5,500 architects, as well as developers, interior designers and facilities managers.

The Guide is published by Kick-Start, the team behind the UK’s leading contract flooring and tiling trade publications – CFJ and TSJ. T 01892 752400 www.specifiersguide.co.uk

NICF Fitter of the Year – Awards 2019 The NICF have announced this year’s 14 semi-finalists who will be taking part in the 2019 practical trials. The trials are taking place over two days, 6th and 7th June 2019, at the FITA Training Centre in Loughborough. The final takes place in Harrogate in September.

The contestants are Darren Ash, Michael Beard, Jason Draper, Dan Evans, Paul Finch, Ryan Hughes, Dan Jones, Peter Kearney, Richard Long, Jamie Nelson, Tony Newall, Phil Stock, Steve Whitburn and Sam Willis.

T 0115 9583077 www.nicfltd.org.uk

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

58 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Click or flick?

Online, on mobile, in print and follow us @thestocklists

Have it all your own way.

Visit www.thestocklists.com and click the links for our hard-copy mailing list or online sign-up. There are back copies available too for the last 7 years.

Stocklists The

from The Stocklists

June 2019 59

Flooring

Factsheet Adhesive Types Acrylic/Resin: Ideal for plasticized 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.

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.

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

Coverage: How thick and how far can the adhesive be spread.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The Perfect System for your Designer Floor The perfect adhesive choice for luxury vinyl tiles Choose Styccobond F46, the market leading pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive.

Stopgap 300 HD, Stopgap P131 and Styccobond F46.

The perfect system for simply stunning luxurious floors.

GREAT BRITISH INNOVATION

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.

Tel: 01538 361 633 • email: mail@f-ball.co.uk • web: www.f-ball.co.uk

60 June 2019

Carpet&FlooringReview

Flooring factsheet 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. from The Stocklists

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.

June 2019 61

Flooring factsheet from Interfloor Luxury underfoot

Interfloor’s underlay recognised at first National Flooring Innovation Awards Interfloor was proud to have its products recognised in the inaugural National Flooring Innovation Awards, demonstrating its commitment to delivering new and exciting creations into an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Winner Underlay: Tredaire Palladium

The awards scheme is designed to celebrate the ideas, imagination and innovation driving the UK flooring industry to new heights. There were over 100 submissions in categories ranging from carpets to underlay to version point-of-sale.

Solid blue

Interfloor introduced its highest density PU underlay range in response to market demand for firmer and more luxurious products suitable for use in all areas of the home.

4.0 42

In the underlay category, one of Interfloor’s new class of Premium High Density (PHD) products Tredaire Palladium was named a winner.

Interfloor’s Sales Director Gary Cowley said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this accolade and recognition for our commitment to innovation. It really strengthens Interfloor’s reputation as an inventor of quality flooring products.”

One of the three products in the PHD range, Tredaire Palladium 10mm was recently relaunched in response to customer feedback.

Tredaire Palladium has high performance Textron backing to give it more dimensional stability and cleaner cutting during installation as well as exceptional ‘shock absorber’ properties to help give it a longer life. It has superior heat insulation properties ‘Gold’ version and high acoustic ratings to reduce noise. It has a nominal density of 180kg/m3 and offers superior protection for carpets that is longer lasting and better Use restricted to ‘Innovation Gold’ performing. winners only Palladium is also made from 100 per cent recycled foam, giving it excellent “green” credentials.

Gold colour is The National Flooring Innovation Awards were sponsored by industry magazine The Stocklists and CMYK 0.9.100.0 designed to be different from the usual ranked prize schemes, setting out to identify products and RGB 255.233.0 services that are genuinely new and exceptional.

For further information, please visit www.interfloor.com

s to 4.0 35

Interfloor manufactures leading brands in the underlay market, Tredaire and Duralay. Recognised by customers as brands of quality and with over 70 years of expertise, they are trusted by users throughout the world.

r 26

62

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Flooring factsheet Underlay 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.

www.interfloor.com

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.

Sponge rubber

Combination

Crumb

PU foam

www.interfloor.com

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 Introduced in the 1950s, this is 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.

www.carpenterunderlay.co.uk

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.

www.underlay.com

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.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

www.floorwise.co.uk

www.qaflooringsolutions.com

63

WoolSafe factsheet Caring for carpet the right way The WoolSafe Organisation is the UK’s leading authority for the correct care and maintenance of carpet and offers a range of services empowering retailers to build a reputation for great service and consumers to get the most out of their investment.

A

W :RRO6DIH ZH ZRUN KDUG WR EULQJ \RX VHUYLFHV WKDW KDYH D SRVLWLYH LPSDFW RQ \RXU EXVLQHVV /RRNLQJ DIWHU \RXU FXVWRPHUV LV NH\ LQ PDLQWDLQLQJ \RXU UHSXWDWLRQ :KHQ \RX VHOO D FDUSHW RU UXJ WR D FXVWRPHU GR \RX SURYLGH WKHP ZLWK DQ\ DGYLFH DERXW KRZ WR ORRN DIWHU WKHLU YDOXDEOH LQYHVWPHQW" $IWHU DOO LI WKH\ FDUH IRU WKHLU FDUSHW SURSHUO\ LW ZLOO SHUIRUP ZHOO RYHU WKH ORQJ WHUP DQG \RX ZLOO KDYH D PRUH VDWLVČ´HG FXVWRPHU

Stain Removal Guides 7KH IUHH WR GRZQORDG :RRO6DIH &DUSHW 6WDLQ &OHDQLQJ *XLGH $SS SXWV WKH ULJKW ZD\ WR WUHDWLQJ VSLOOV DQG DFFLGHQWV DW \RXU Č´QJHUWLSV 7HOO \RXU FXVWRPHUV DERXW WKLV DSS DQG KHOS WKHP WR PDLQWDLQ WKHLU LQYHVWPHQW WKH FRUUHFW ZD\

Approved Service Provider

$YDLODEOH IRU L3KRQH DQG L3DG RQ $SS 6WRUH DQG $QGURLG GHYLFHV RQ *RRJOH 3OD\

7KH :RRO6DIH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ LV GHGLFDWHG WR UDLVLQJ VWDQGDUGV LQ WKH FDUSHW FOHDQLQJ VHFWRU DQG VR UXQV WKH :RRO6DIH $SSURYHG 6HUYLFH 3URYLGHU 1HWZRUN

:RRO6DIH 79 RQ <RXWXEH LQFOXGLQJ KRZ WR UHPRYH UHG

2Î?HULQJ FRYHUDJH RI WKH 8. DQG Î&#x2013;UHODQG WKH :RRO6DIH $SSURYHG 6HUYLFH 3URYLGHU 1HWZRUN FRQVLVWV RI WUXVWHG DQG KLJKO\ SURIHVVLRQDO FDUSHW FOHDQLQJ FRPSDQLHV WKDW RSHUDWH WR D VWULFW FRGH RI SUDFWLFH 6HUYLFH 3URYLGHUV KDYH DW OHDVW RQH :RRO6DIH )LEUH &DUH 6SHFLDOLVW LQ SHUPDQHQW HPSOR\PHQW ZKR KDV SDVVHG :RRO6DIHČ&#x2021;V ULJRURXV WUDLQLQJ FRXUVH 7KHVH SURIHVVLRQDOV DUH DPRQJ WKH EHVW LQ WKHLU LQGXVWU\ DQG VKRXOG EH WKH Č´UVW SRLQW RI FDOO ZKHQ SURIHVVLRQDO FOHDQLQJ VHUYLFHV DUH UHTXLUHG )LQG \RXU $SSURYHG 6HUYLFH 3URYLGHU DW ZZZ ZRROVDIH RUJ

The clean carpet you expect... the service you deserve www.servicemasterclean.co.uk 64

$ VHULHV RI RQH PLQXWH VWDLQ UHPRYDO YLGHRV DUH YLHZDEOH RQ

ZLQH DQG FRÎ?HH VSLOOV IURP D ZRRO FDUSHW ZLWK MXVW WLVVXH SDSHU DQG D :RRO6DIH DSSURYHG VSRW UHPRYHU

Free Customer Care Helpline Î&#x2013;I \RX KDYH WURXEOH GHDOLQJ ZLWK FXVWRPHU TXHULHV RQ FDUSHW PDLQWHQDQFH VXFK DV Č&#x2020;KRZ GR Î&#x2013; JHW UHG ZLQH RXW RI P\ FDUSHWČ&#x2021; WKHQ MXVW JLYH WKHP WKH :RRO6DIH +HOSOLQH QXPEHU DQG ZHČ&#x2021;OO JLYH WKHP WKH ULJKW DGYLFH

01943 850817 British Wool makes a better carpet... naturally www.britishwool.org.uk THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;STOCKLISTS June 2019

Registered Registered Inspectors Inspectors Network Network 7KH :RRO6DIH 5HJLVWHUHG ΖQVSHFWRUV 1HWZRUN LV 7KH :RRO6DIH 5HJLVWHUHG ΖQVSHFWRUV 1HWZRUN LV RQ KDQG VKRXOG D SUREOHP EH WRR ELJ WR VROYH RQ KDQG VKRXOG D SUREOHP EH WRR ELJ WR VROYH :KHWKHU EHWZHHQ EHWZHHQ \RX \RX DQG DQG \RXU \RXU FXVWRPHU FXVWRPHU :KHWKHU \RXU FXVWRPHU FXVWRPHU DQG DQG WKH WKH PDQXIDFWXUHU PDQXIDFWXUHU RU RU WKH WKH \RXU PDQXIDFWXUHU DQG DQG \RX \RX :RRO6DIH :RRO6DIH 5HJLVWHUHG 5HJLVWHUHG PDQXIDFWXUHU ΖQVSHFWRUV XVH XVH WKHLU WKHLU H[SHUW H[SHUW NQRZOHGJH NQRZOHGJH WR WR ΖQVSHFWRUV LQGHSHQGHQWO\ LQYHVWLJDWH FDUSHW FRPSODLQWV LQGHSHQGHQWO\ LQYHVWLJDWH FDUSHW FRPSODLQWV 8VLQJ H[SHULHQFH H[SHULHQFH JDLQHG JDLQHG RYHU RYHU PDQ\ PDQ\ \HDUV \HDUV RI RI 8VLQJ SUDFWLFDO LQYROYHPHQW ZLWK FDUSHWV DQG UXJV DQG WKHLU H[WHQVLYH SUDFWLFDO LQYROYHPHQW ZLWK FDUSHWV DQG UXJV DQG WKHLU H[WHQVLYH WUDLQLQJ :RRO6DIH :RRO6DIH 5HJLVWHUHG 5HJLVWHUHG ΖQVSHFWRUV ΖQVSHFWRUV DUH DUH IXOO\ IXOO\ TXDOLȴHG TXDOLȴHG WR WR WUDLQLQJ LQYHVWLJDWH FRPSODLQWV RQ VLWH IRU ERWK GRPHVWLF DQG FRPPHUFLDO LQYHVWLJDWH FRPSODLQWV RQ VLWH IRU ERWK GRPHVWLF DQG FRPPHUFLDO LQVWDOODWLRQV 7KH\ 7KH\ FDQ FDQ FDUU\ FDUU\ RXW RXW RU RU FRPPLVVLRQ FRPPLVVLRQ WHVWV WHVWV ZKHUH ZKHUH LQVWDOODWLRQV UHTXLUHG DQG ZLOO SURYLGH D FRPSUHKHQVLYH UHSRUW UHTXLUHG DQG ZLOO SURYLGH D FRPSUHKHQVLYH UHSRUW 5HJLVWHUHG ΖQVSHFWRUV DUH OLVWHG DW ZZZ ZRROVDIH RUJ 5HJLVWHUHG ΖQVSHFWRUV DUH OLVWHG DW ZZZ ZRROVDIH RUJ

WoolSafe Approved Approved Products Products WoolSafe 6RPH RI WKH ZRUOGȇV ELJJHVW FOHDQLQJ SURGXFW QDPHV DUH HQUROOHG 6RPH RI WKH ZRUOGȇV ELJJHVW FOHDQLQJ SURGXFW QDPHV DUH HQUROOHG LQ WKH :RRO6DIH $SSURYHG SURJUDPPH $SSURYHG SURGXFWV KDYH LQ WKH :RRO6DIH $SSURYHG SURJUDPPH $SSURYHG SURGXFWV KDYH EHHQ WHVWHG WHVWHG LQ LQ WKH WKH :RRO6DIH :RRO6DIH ODERUDWRU\ ODERUDWRU\ E\ E\ VFLHQWLVWV VFLHQWLVWV IRU IRU WKHLU WKHLU EHHQ H΍HFWLYHQHVV DQG VDIHW\ 7KHUH DUH DSSURYHG SURGXFWV VXLWDEOH H΍HFWLYHQHVV DQG VDIHW\ 7KHUH DUH DSSURYHG SURGXFWV VXLWDEOH IRU FOHDQLQJ DQG PDLQWDLQLQJ $// W\SHV RI FDUSHWV DQG UXJV QRW IRU FOHDQLQJ DQG PDLQWDLQLQJ $// W\SHV RI FDUSHWV DQG UXJV QRW MXVW WKRVH PDGH IURP ZRRO MXVW WKRVH PDGH IURP ZRRO )LQG DSSURYHG SURGXFWV RQ ZZZ ZRROVDIH RUJ RU ZKHQ XVLQJ WKH )LQG DSSURYHG SURGXFWV RQ ZZZ ZRROVDIH RUJ RU ZKHQ XVLQJ WKH :RRO6DIH $SSV DYDLODEOH RQ $SSOH DQG $QGURLG :RRO6DIH $SSV DYDLODEOH RQ $SSOH DQG $QGURLG

Wool Owners Warranty 7KH :RRO6DIH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK VRPH RI WKH 7KH :RRO6DIH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK VRPH RI WKH 8.ȇV OHDGLQJ OHDGLQJ ZRRO FDUSHW PDQXIDFWXUHUV KDYH 8.ȇV KDYH ODXQFKHG ODXQFKHG DQ DQ LQGXVWU\ ȴUVW D EUDQG QHZ DIWHUFDUH VHUYLFH IRU LQGXVWU\ ȴUVW IRU WKRVH WKRVH ZKR ZKR SXUFKDVH D ZRRO FDUSHW WKH :RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ :2:

SXUFKDVH D ZRRO FDUSHW WKH :RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ :2:

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ΖQ WKH HYHQW RI D VSLOODJH RQ WKHLU WUHDVXUHG ZRRO FDUSHW \RXU Ζ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ȇV FXVWRPHUȇV SUHPLVHV WR DWWHPSW D SURIHVVLRQDO WUHDWPHQW )5(( RI FKDUJH SUHPLVHV WR DWWHPSW D SURIHVVLRQDO WUHDWPHQW )5(( RI FKDUJH 7KH HDV\ VWHSV WR UHJLVWHU \RXU FXVWRPHU IRU 7KH HDV\ VWHSV WR UHJLVWHU \RXU FXVWRPHU IRU :RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ :RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ 9LVLW ZZZ ZRZZDUUDQW\ FRP FOLFN RQ WKH UHWDLOHU SRUWDO 9LVLW ZZZ ZRZZDUUDQW\ FRP FOLFN RQ WKH UHWDLOHU SRUWDO

DQG UHJLVWHU \RXU FRPSDQ\ ΖQ IXWXUH \RX ZLOO ORJLQ WKURXJK DQG UHJLVWHU \RXU FRPSDQ\ ΖQ IXWXUH \RX ZLOO ORJLQ WKURXJK WKH VDPH SRUWDO

WKH VDPH SRUWDO

ΖQSXW \RXU FXVWRPHUȇV GHWDLOV DQG WKH LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH ΖQSXW \RXU FXVWRPHUȇV GHWDLOV DQG WKH LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH FDUSHW SXUFKDVHG FDUSHW SXUFKDVHG (LWKHU VHOHFW D ORFDO :2: 5HJLVWHUHG &OHDQHU RU OHDYH LW RQ (LWKHU VHOHFW D ORFDO :2: 5HJLVWHUHG &OHDQHU RU OHDYH LW RQ DXWRPDWLF DOORFDWLRQ DJUHH WR WKH 7 &V DQG FOLFN 5HJLVWHU DXWRPDWLF DOORFDWLRQ DJUHH WR WKH 7 &V DQG FOLFN 5HJLVWHU 7KH SURFHVV LV VLPSOH DQG WDNHV MXVW WZR PLQXWHV 7KH SURFHVV LV VLPSOH DQG WDNHV MXVW WZR PLQXWHV

TheWoolSafe WoolSafe Academy Academy The 7KH :RRO6DIH $FDGHP\ LV \RXU SRUWDO IRU SURIHVVLRQDO 7KH :RRO6DIH $FDGHP\ LV \RXU SRUWDO IRU SURIHVVLRQDO OHDUQLQJ DQG \RX FDQ GLVFRYHU D ZRUOG RI DGYLFH WHFKQLFDO OHDUQLQJ DQG \RX FDQ GLVFRYHU D ZRUOG RI DGYLFH WHFKQLFDO ȴOHV DQG D IXOO OLEUDU\ RI LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ FDUSHW FDUH ȴOHV DQG D IXOO OLEUDU\ RI LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ FDUSHW FDUH ZZZ ZRROVDIHDFDGHP\ RUJ ZZZ ZRROVDIHDFDGHP\ RUJ 7KH :RRO6DIH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ 7KH :RRO6DIH 2UJDQLVDWLRQ %RURXJKJDWH 2WOH\ :HVW <RUNVKLUH /6 $* %RURXJKJDWH 2WOH\ :HVW <RUNVKLUH /6 $* 7HO RɝFH#ZRROVDIH RUJ 7HO RɝFH#ZRROVDIH RUJ

Environmentally aware for superior carpet care www.cleantecinnovation.com THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

:RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ LV XQLTXH DQG FDQ EH H[WHQGHG IRU WKH :RRO 2ZQHUV :DUUDQW\ LV XQLTXH DQG FDQ EH H[WHQGHG IRU WKH OLIHWLPH RI WKH FDUSHW RQ FRQGLWLRQ LW LV FOHDQHG DQQXDOO\ E\ D OLIHWLPH RI WKH FDUSHW RQ FRQGLWLRQ LW LV FOHDQHG DQQXDOO\ E\ D :2: 5HJLVWHUHG &OHDQHU ΖW LV XQOLNH DQ\ RWKHU FDUSHW ZDUUDQW\ :2: 5HJLVWHUHG &OHDQHU ΖW LV XQOLNH DQ\ RWKHU FDUSHW ZDUUDQW\ RU ȆVWDLQ SURRIȇ JXDUDQWHH DWWDFKHG WR FHUWDLQ V\QWKHWLF FDUSHWV RU ȆVWDLQ SURRIȇ JXDUDQWHH DWWDFKHG WR FHUWDLQ V\QWKHWLF FDUSHWV 1R RWKHU ZDUUDQW\ R΍HUV D IUHH VSRW UHPRYDO VHUYLFH IUHH 1R RWKHU ZDUUDQW\ R΍HUV D IUHH VSRW UHPRYDO VHUYLFH IUHH ERWWOH RI VSRW UHPRYHU DQG IUHH SHUVRQDOLVHG FDUSHW FDUH ERWWOH RI VSRW UHPRYHU DQG IUHH SHUVRQDOLVHG FDUSHW FDUH DGYLFH ΖPSUHVV \RXU FXVWRPHUV VHOO PRUH ZRRO FDUSHW DQG DGYLFH ΖPSUHVV \RXU FXVWRPHUV VHOO PRUH ZRRO FDUSHW DQG PDNH PRUH SURȴW 5HJLVWHU WRGD\ PDNH PRUH SURȴW 5HJLVWHU WRGD\

ZZZ ZRZZDUUDQW\ FRP ZZZ ZRZZDUUDQW\ FRP

Vacuum cleaners - the choice of cleaning professionals www.sebo.co.uk 65

Flooring factsheet 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Static

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.

66

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.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

• sprouting • shading • static • fading • pile reversal • shedding • flattening • soiling

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.

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.

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.

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

Samples

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.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

The original carpet tile

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.

Installation

Telephone National Institute of Carpet Fitters (NICF) for further information – 0115 958 3077.

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

67

The Stocklists Carpet Company Directory Abingdon Flooring

01274 655694

Adam Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W Ww

01562 829966

Alternative Flooring

01264 335111

Associated Weavers Tw Tu

01422 431100

Avena Carpets Ltd Tu Ww Axwoven Carpets Ltd Ax Be Axminster Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tw

01422 330261 0121 550 5788 01297 32244

Brockway Carpets Ltd Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk

01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

Bronte Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W office@brontecarpets.co.uk www.brontecarpets.co.uk

01282 862 736

Burmatex Tu

01924 262525

+32 56 62 2211

Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww 01254 268000

Beaulieu International Group Be Pr Tu Tw

+32 56 67 66 11

Christy Carpets Tu 019078 308777

Belvedere Carpets

Tu W sales@belvederecarpets.co.uk www.belvederecarpets.co.uk Betap Tufting BV +31 383 861 060 BIC Carpets +32 56 23 54 10

020 8800 0740

Clarendon Carpets Tw

01827 831480

Classis Carpets Tu W Ww

0870 020 1725

Condor Carpets BV Tu Tw W Tu

+31 38 4778911

Be Tw W

Contempo Carpets

Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W

01924 488882

Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww

020 7823 3040

BMK

0113 380 5333

Bond Worth Ltd Ax 01562 745000

68

0800 689 4741

sales@contempocarpets.co.uk www.contempocarpets.co.uk

Cormar Carpets Ltd Tu Tw W info@cormarcarpets.co.uk www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Brintons Couristan Carpets Ax Tu Tw W Ww 0800 505055 Ax Tu W Ww

Stainfree Twist from Abingdon

01294 558400

Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0116 284 1455

Creatuft Carpets Tu W

+32 56 35 4444

Custom Carpet Company Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01737 830301

Dan-Floor UK W

0844 9151000

Domo Floorcovering Pr Tu Tw

Balta Industries Tu Tw W Ww

Belvedere Carpets

Craigie Carpets Be

Durham Twist from Hugh Mackay

01204 881 234

800 223 6186

+32 55 335211

E & WE Carpets W

01562 825952

Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd Tu Tw W sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Enterprise Weaving Co Be Ww

01422 374 417

01562 745030

Fells Carpets

Ww cummings@btinternet.com www.fellscarpets.co.uk Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W

01977 662211

+45 96 60 3000

Flock-living Limited Tu Wa info@flock-living.com www.flock-living.com

Firth Carpets & Flooring Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

+44 (0)20 8440 8777

01484 721529

Brockway’s Vogue

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

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 KEY TO CODES: Be: Bespoke • Pr: Printed • Tu: Tufted • Tw: Twist • W: Wool • Ww: Woven Wilton • Wa: Woven Axminster

Le Tissage d’Arcade Ax Ww

+32 05685 4747

Lecaflor Ltd Ax Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

Furlong Flooring

Tw W enquiries@furlongcentral.co.uk www.furlongflooring.co.uk Gaskell Wool Rich Tu Tw W

01772 696 787

01827 831525

Gaskell Mackay Carpets Ltd Ax Tu Tw W Georgian Carpets Tu Tw W

01429 892525 01827 831430

Godfrey Hirst (GB) Ltd Tu Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu

0800 526696 +49 037 421 420

Hammer Carpets

01473 826870

Heckmondwike FB

01924 410544

infouk@hammercarpetsuk.com www.hammercarpets.com

ITC Be Pr Tw Tu

0032 51 424 411

John Lanham Watts Carpets Ax Tw Ww John Evans Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

07850 935301

Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W

Lano NV

Ax Pr Tu Tw W Ww marketing@lano.be www.lano.com

01937 588511

01827 831400 01827 831 424

+32 56 65 4300

Bronte’s Cream Shagpile

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

0800 78 33 712

Leigh Spinners Ltd Tw

01942 673232

Louis de Poortere W

+32 56 393 386

Lusotufo Tu

+35 12 56 750 500

Manx Carpets Tw W

01827 831 434

Master Weaver W Ww

01562 754 382

Mayfield Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 639 866

MID NL Be

+31 38 851 8700

Millennium Weavers Europe Tu Tw sales@millenniumweavers.eu www.millenniumweavers.be Modulyss Be Tu Tw Pr

+32 55 50 9050

+32 52 457211

Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww

01827 831 450

Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 341231

Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu

01484 863227

Pownall Carpets Tw W

0845 6528811

Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww

+32 56 73 57 11

Signature Carpets Be Tu W

01422 845075

TAT Carpet

07976 607657

Tapibel NV Pr Tu Tw

01623 481 221

Tasibel NV Tw

+32 52 499600

The Grosvenor Wilton Co W Ww

01562 701456

The Sultana Carpet Co Ax

01299 822300

Wilton Carpet Commercial Ax Tu Tw Ww W Be

01722 746000

Thomas Witter UK Ltd Tu Tw

0870 1128318

Timzo Tufting Industry BV Tu

+31 38 385 4477

Tisca Tiara Tu Ww

07860 911748

Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W

01274 855080

Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

02838 334433

United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww

01709 732 666

Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww

01562 749300

Vorwerk Flooring

01282 332025

Westex Carpets Tu

01274 861334

Weston Hammer W

0845 644 9090

Whitestone Weavers Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01429 892555

Wilkies Carpets Tw

0113 307 9955

Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0845 652 8811

Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww

Sans Frontieres Ltd Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

0844 5611977

Wool Classics Tu Ww

Shaw Home Foundations Tu

01675 433 501

Woven Carpets of Kidderminster W 01299 827477

Cormar’s Sensation Twist

0800 526696 0207 349 1560

Wellington Stripe from Ulster

69

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory National

Midlands

Leeds 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Birch Distribution Leeds - see Floorwise page 72

Fells Carpets

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 East

Fells Carpets Leeds 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise page 72

North West

Carpet Line Direct Manchester 01204 701188 salesnw@carpetlinedirect.co.uk www.carpetlinedirect.co.uk D. M. Miller Ltd Manchester 0161 205 9949 dm.miller@btconnect.com www.dmmillerltd.spaces.lives.com Fells Carpets Goole 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Birch Distribution Sheffield - see Floorwise page 72

Birch Distribution Hull - see Floorwise page 72 Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster - see Floorwise page 72 Cornerstone Flooring East Midlands and Warwickshire 01159 444711 sales@cornerstoneflooring.co.uk www.cornerstoneflooring.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

East

Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk Salesmark Ltd St Neots - see Floorwise page 72 STS Flooring Distributors Cambridge Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.co.uk

South West

BL Flooring Supplies Bristol - see Floorwise page 72

Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam - see Floorwise page 72

BL Flooring Supplies Gloucester - see Floorwise page 72

J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise page 72

Matty’s Wholesale Carpets Birmingham 01675 433072 sales@mattys.co.uk

Flooring Supplies (Wessex) Amesbury 01980 625888 orders@flooringsupplieswessex.co.uk

STS Flooring Distributors Watford 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.co.uk

R & M Wholesale Bristol 01179 531222 Tiverton 01884 258266 sales@rmwholesale.co.uk

Trade Counter Carpets Leicester 0845 604 3055 tradecountercarpets@gmail.com Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise page 72

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise page 72

Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury - see Floorwise page 72 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk see page 17 for details

Choice Flooring Manchester - see Floorwise page 72 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise page 72 Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk

70

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

Are you a Wholesaler?

If you’re not listed here, please call Diane Martin on 01482 659396. It’s free!

South East

Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise page 72 Ashmount Flooring Supplies Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooringsupplies.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 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Milton Keynes 0845 643 5320 dmslaser@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Flooring Storage UK Potters Bar 01707 245999 sales@flooringstorage.com www.flooringstorage.com Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk Littner Hampton London 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk

Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 sales@pwwflooring.com www.pwwflooring.com Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk see page 16 for details Salesmark Lancing - see Floorwise page 72 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk see page 17 for details STS Flooring Distributors Basildon 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.co.uk STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.co.uk Trade Carpet London Wimbledon 0208 247 3891 sales@tradecarpet.com www.tradecarpet.com

Wales

Matty’s Wholesale Carpets Birmingham 01675 433072 sales@mattys.co.uk Selected Rugs & Matting Cardiff 0844 8360650 customerservices@selectedrugs.co.uk www.selectedrugs.co.uk

Scotland

Flanagan Flooring Distributors Glasgow Business Park Baillieston Tel: 0141 773 1122 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com MCD Scotland Uddingston Glasgow 01698 808000 mcdscotland@mcd.co.uk www.mcdscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise page 72

Ireland

Flanagan Flooring Distributors Belfast & Saintfield Co. Down Northern Ireland Tel: 028 9751 0932 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com Flanagan Flooring Distributors Willow Business Park Dublin Tel: (01) 429 7800 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin - see Floorwise page 72 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast - see Floorwise page 72 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick - see Floorwise page 72 TCS “The Carpet Specialists” Co. Louth 00353 429 351 351 info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

John Palmer Carpets Fareham 01329 221933 sales@johnpalmercarpets.uk.net

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

71

wiseup to floorwise quality&value guaranteed

gripper

underlay

stair nosings

profiles

adhesives + screeds

tools

national distributor network

3

2 4

6 9 10 5 11

7 8

headoffice:

12 13 15 16 17 21

20

14 18 19

ng

Floorwise Group Ltd. Floorwise House, 22 High Street, Kegworth, Derby, DE74 2DA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1509 673974 Fax: +44 (0)1509 674841

ma tti

es tap

ls too

s file pr o

er ipp gr

17 Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 01980 880933 mail@salesmark-west.co.uk 18 Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927 acorncarpetsacc@btconnect.com 19 Salesmark Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111 sales@salesmark-floorwise.co.uk 20 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 sales@fitwell.co.uk 21 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 sales@fitwell.co.uk 1

ad he +s sive cr ee s ds lam ina tes

72

n pv osin c s gs kir + tin g

un de rla y

1 Neil Smith Ltd 9 Choice Flooring Ltd Glasgow Trafford Park, Manchester Tel: 0141 552 1141 Tel: 0161 872 8003 sales@neilsmithltd.co.uk choice_flooring@yahoo.com 2 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 10 Cornerstone Flooring Belfast Doncaster Tel: 028 9075 3202 Tel: 01302 835117 Fax: 028 9075 3901 Fax: 01302 302542 salesbelfast@pfl.ie cornerstonefloor@btconnect.com 3 Floorwise (North East) Ltd 11 Birch Distribution Birtley, County Durham Sheffield, S9 5PH Tel: 0191 410 7070 Tel: 0114 243 1230 Fax: 0191 410 6116 Fax: 0114 243 5118 sales@floorwisene.co.uk n.maude@birchdistribution.co.uk 4 MCA Floorwise Ltd 12 Woodall Brothers Ltd Morecambe, Lancashire Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tel: 01524 33517 Tel: 01743 441584 Fax: 01524 381852 Fax: 01743 441629 sales@mcafloorwise.co.uk sales@woodallbrothers.co.uk 5 Birch Distribution 13 Floorwise D & J Ltd Hull, HU7 0XD Southam, Warwickshire Tel: 01482 826654 Tel: 01926 814922 Fax: 01482 878693 Fax: 01926 817899 d.ostler@birchdistribution.co.uk sales@fwdj.co.uk 6 Birch Distribution 14 Salesmark Ltd Leeds, LS10 1AG St Neots, Cambridgeshire Tel: 0113 244 4363 Tel: 01480 212888 Fax: 0113 244 8665 Fax: 01480 218585 l.sigsworth@birchdistribution.co.uk sales@salesmark.co.uk 7 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 15 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Dublin 12 Gloucester Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Tel: 01452 223355 Fax: 00353 (0)1 460 4669 Fax: 01452 371284 salesdublin@pfl.ie info@blflooring.co.uk 8 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 16 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Limerick Bristol Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 Tel: 0117 955 5454 Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 Fax: 0117 955 2626 sales@pfl.ie info@blflooring.co.uk

THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;STOCKLISTS June 2019

Flooring factsheet Buying Groups Pick the right one 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.

Associated Carpet Group www.acgcarpets.com Contact: Richard Moore Tel: 01942 825520 richard@acgcarpets.com

• 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

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.

• Review all the extra benefits and services to see

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...

flexibility to run your business the way you want

www.beautifulflooring.co.uk Contact: Carl Harris Tel: 01892 549050 charris31@sky.com

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

www.flooringone.co.uk Mandy Powell Tel: 0121 683 1426 mandy.powell@flooringone.co.uk

Key benefits Increase margins • Group purchases to get beneficial rates • Rebates • Exclusive higher-margin products • Special promotions

ne of the key reasons to join a buying group is to O 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.

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

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.greendalecarpets.co.uk Contact: Rob Harding Tel: 01432 852000 Fax: 01432 852005 rharding@greendalecarpets.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

73

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.

CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Tel: 0115 950 6836 Email: info@fita.co.uk www.fita.co.uk

74

N

LO

C AT

IO N AD D

ED

Vinyl

Sheet Vinyl Installation — Commercial — Basic/Intermediate Sheet Vinyl Installation — Commercial — Advanced Sheet Vinyl Installation — Domestic Sheet Vinyl — Wetrooms Installation — Advanced

Linoleum

Linoleum Installation — Basic Linoleum Installation — Intermediate

Resilient

Resilient/LVT Fitting — Basic Resilient/LVT Fitting — Intermediate Resilient/LVT Fitting — Advanced

Wood

Laminate and Floating Wood Fitting — Basic Wood Fitting — Intermediate Wood Fitting — Advanced Wood Sanding and Finishing

Subfloors

Subfloor Preparation — Commercial Subfloor Preparation — Domestic

Supplementary

Cost-Effective Estimating and Planning — Commercial Profitable Measuring and Quoting — Domestic Moisture — Preventing Floor Failures

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

FITA is a joint venture by CFA and NICF

KIRKCA LDY

W

PROFESSIONAL FLOORING TRAINING

NE

Carpet

Carpet Fitting — Basic Carpet Fitting — Intermediate Carpet Fitting — Advanced NEW! Carpet — Borders NEW! Natural Floorcoverings

D DE

TRAINING COURSES — 1 TO 4 DAYS

LOCATION A D EW Now you can tr LOUGHB ain at OROUG H or

CARPET WORKSHOPS — ALL 1 DAY DURATION Carpet

NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW!

Bullnose and Double Bullnose Joins (including Repairs) Stairs (including Open Plan) Stretching Techniques (including Power Stretching)

THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

StocklistsClassified The

SITUATIONS VACANT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE Exciting Sales Opportunity West Yorkshire/Part Lancashire Earnings £50,000 + Cormar Carpets is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of tufted carpets, supplying stylish, quality carpets to the retail, contract and wholesale trade throughout the UK. We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual with the ability to realise the full potential of this established territory.

Knowledge of the carpet trade is not essential, however previous sales experience is required as applicants must be able to demonstrate a proven successful sales record.

The ideal candidate would live on territory, although not essential.

As a consequence, we will accept applications from those who live in close proximity to the territory shown.

An above average salary and benefits package is available for the successful applicant, including basic salary plus commission on sales, company car and pension scheme.

Previous applicants may apply.

Please send your CV and hand written covering letter summarising your relevant skills and experience for the attention of Carla Grant, HR Manager, Cormar Carpets, Brookhouse Mill, Greenmount, Bury, BL8 4HR. Close date for applications: Wednesday 12th June

Territory Sales Manager North West England Alternative Flooring is a multi-award winning brand that people are excited by. So what makes us different? We are an innovative bunch, our products are inspired and we are passionate about providing a great customer experience.

We like to challenge people’s perceptions of flooring.

We are not a boring flooring company.

Great customer service to our valued retail base is key to our business objectives.

We are now looking for an experienced sales professional based in the North West who will be part of the dynamic ‘Alternative’ retail team.

The position will involve maintaining an existing territory, whilst seeing growth in line with company objectives. The successful candidate will have an enthusiastic character, be self-motivated and have excellent communication skills.

Experience in sales and territory management in a customer facing role, knowledge of Excel, Outlook and CRM applications, and full UK driving license are required.

Benefits include: • Competitive Salary – Uncapped commission scheme • Company Car – Pension Scheme – Healthcare, Company Phone – iPad Excited by this opportunity, to apply please send your CV and a covering letter to: By email. martinstevens@alternativeflooring.co.uk By post. Martin Stevens, Sales Director, Alternative Flooring, 4 Stephenson Close, East Portway, Andover, Hampshire. SP10 3RU

FOR SALE

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 you!

Super Plus

Advertise here!

Call Diane Martin on 01482 659396 THE STOCKLISTS June 2019

The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place COMBINATION UNDERLAYS NEEDLEFELT UNDERLAYS 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

75