The Stocklists - March 2011 by David Spragg

Stocklists The

7 March 2011

with

FlooringNews

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

Stocklists The

Published by Mayville Publishing Co Ltd 219 West Ella Road, West Ella, Hull HU10 7SD 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.

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

7 MARCH 2011

Advertisers

FlooringNews starts on page 35 Flooring’s fashion show

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD

Debut performance for flooring at the NEC interiors event - pages 49-54

Index

Dennis Flower reports an an outbreak of style and choice in the tile sector page 58

ABINGDON ................................................40,43

01274 655662

— —

AFS

Feb 2011

.................................................................19

020 8805 8620

ASSOCIATED WEAVERS ..................—

01422 431100

—

BONDWORTH ........................................20

01562 745000

1.9.2010

BRITISH WOOL ....................................56

01274 688 666

—

BROCKWAY CARPETS LTD.

.......21

01562 828200

Mar 2010 —

BRONTE

.....................................................22

01282 862736

CARPENTER ............................................41

01457 861141

—

CAVALIER ........................................................42

01254 268000

—

COLUMBIA FLOORING

...................23

0208 443 3322

—

LIFE...............................—

01254 296829

—

FLOORS......................................46,47 0800 077 3301

—

CROWN DYNE

‘Home’ of flooring is filling up already page 36

CARPET TILES ..................................—

0161 877 8877

EDEL TELENZO......................................24

01422 374417

—

FITA ...................................................................62

01159 506836

—

FLOORTRAIN ................................................—

01709 780505

—

FLOORWISE

01509 673974

—

01772 696787

Nov 2010

GASKELL WOOL

Abingdon launch StainFree with a lifetime guarantee page 43

“An axminster carpet is the painting, not the canvas - the foreground, not the background.” Voice - page 60

RICH...............................25

01827 831525

—

01827 831430

— —

Buying Groups

01423 779967 01706 213131

—

KINGSMEAD...................................................39

01827 831424

—

LITTNER HAMPTON..........................—

0208 520 8474

—

MAYFIELD CARPETS .........................—

01706 639 866

—

MANX...............................................................45

01827 831434

—

MERRYFIELD

01422 373799

—

GROUP ...............................3,38

MOHAWK ..................................................29

01480 479830

—

NICF...............................................................62

0115 958 3077

—

PENTHOUSE.............................................—

01706 341 231

—

RACKHAMS..............................................30

020 85319225 Mar/Apr 2011

RYALUX............................................................57

0845 652 8811

SOLENT WHOLESALE CARPET

01243 774623 Mar/Apr 2011

....31

01207 591176

—

STS FLOORING DISTRIBUTORS......32

0845 341000

Feb 2011

T & E DISPLAY GROUP .................IFC

0121 585 7600

TRIPLE

01274 582056

—

0845 644 9090

—

KING...................................................3

WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION.......6

WOOLS

4 Pattern book page 8-9 Underlay 14-15 Wholesaler Distribution Directory

Carpet trouble-shooter

12-13 Wool fibre page 5 Woolsafe: the carpet care guide

—

10 16-18 11 6-7

—

STAIRRODS UK LIMITED...............61

Carpet Company Directory Carpet types

FLOORING SHOW ..........36

INTERFLOOR.................................................37

WESTON HAMMER ...........................33

FlooringFactsheets

—

GEORGIAN.....................................................28 HARROGATE

Adhesives

.............................................18

FURLONG FLOORING ...................26,27

Easy life!

Price List Date

0800 862 0251

CONTEMPORARY

Full ahead for Harrogate

Contact No

ACCU-CUT....................................................BC

A tile story

Page No

OF NEW ZEALAND ..................54

—

01943 850817

—

01943 603888

—

Classified advertising........................................ pages 63 carpets/rugs/tiles woods/laminates/smooths accessories/services/organisations fibres underlay wholesalers/distributors adhesives

ISSN 0950-5024 © Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2011 Issue: 432 Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.

UK manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines

WWW.CARPETCUTTINGMACHINES.CO.UK

Flooring Factsheet Adhesives

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Flooring factsheet Carpet types TUFTED

WOVEN

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 PILE Freize • Frieze (pronounced free-say) 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.

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.

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.

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 flattens easily and lacks durability.

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.

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.

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

Tip Sheared

Level Loop

Random Sheared

Multi-Level Loop

Saxony

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Sha

Velvet/Plush

Frieze

Twist

Berber

S Shag

Flooring factsheet Carpet care guide from WOOLSAFE Housekeeping Tips for Carpets and Rugs Entrance or walk-off mats The use of entrance mats at all outside entrances to the house is highly recommended, as they will significantly reduce the rate at which the carpet will soil. They should be of adequate size to allow street dirt to be removed from shoe soles and must be cleaned regularly themselves.

Services for Retailers Customer carpet care HELPLINE If you have trouble dealing with customer queries like “How do I get red wine stains out of my carpet?” Just give them our HELPLINE 01943 850 817 and we’ll give them the correct advice. Simple. Certified Operator Network For experienced, specialist wool carpet cleaners you can trust visit: www.woolsafe.org/find/aregistered-carpet-cleaner. WOOLSAFE Registered Inspectors Solve disputes with customers with our independent carpet complaint Investigators. Just visit: www.woolsafe.org/find/a-registered-carpetinspector and call your nearest inspector. WOOLSAFE Approved Products Have confidence in the cleaning product you recommend, use the WOOLSAFE Approved Products Directory it contains only safe and effective carpet cleaning products. For spot removers visit: www.woolsafe.org/spotremovers Carpet Care Leaflets We offer to help you develop custom carpet care literature and we also offer generic carpet care leaflets designed to be given away with each cut of carpet. Correct carpet maintenance should start from day one. Web pages and Links We offer to help you develop custom carpet care pages for your website or you can link to our website’s carpet care pages for up-to-date and accurate advice. Contact us by email, telephone or post to: The WOOLSAFE Organisation 49 Boroughgate, Otley, LS29 8NR Tel: 01943 850817 E-mail: office@woolsafe.org or visit www.woolsafe.org The WOOLSAFE Organisation – promoting quality carpet and rug care since 1991.

Regular Maintenance Regular cleaning will extend the life of a carpet and maintain its appearance. Vacuum clean regularly and thoroughly, which removes gritty dirt that can damage the fibres. Deal with spillages as soon as possible, preferably the moment they occur. Beware of products claiming to be safe on all fibres, including wool. It might be true, but if it does not have the WOOLSAFE Mark, it is not endorsed by most carpet manufacturers! Never use any detergents such as dishwashing liquids, soaps or other cleaners recommended for general household use. Although they may clean the carpet satisfactorily they will almost certainly cause problems such as rapid re-soiling, colour bleeding or other damage to the pile or backing of the carpet. Use only WOOLSAFE approved products WOOLSAFE-approved carpet care products have been independently and scientifically tested and are safe and effective for cleaning and maintaining all types of carpets and rugs.

The Green WOOLSAFE Mark identifies those products that not only are the most suitable for wool and other quality carpets, but also have the right environmental characteristics.

Periodic Cleaning When the carpet or rug reaches a stage where it could do with a really good clean, you can either do the job yourself, or you can call in a specialist carpet cleaning company. If you are considering cleaning the carpet or rug yourself make sure to use only WOOLSAFE approved products. Look for the WOOLSAFE Mark on the bottle or package. It is best to engage the services of a professional carpet & upholstery cleaning company. To get a really expert job done entrust the work to a WOOLSAFE accredited carpet cleaning company. These companies are fully trained, have been in business for a considerable length of time, are members of one or more recognised professional trade associations related to the cleaning industry and have a reputation for top quality service. And they use only WOOLSAFE-approved cleaning agents on your wool carpets and rugs!

If you have a problem with a carpet or rug that requires an independent inspector, a network of carpet complaint investigators, trained and registered by The WOOLSAFE Organisation is available throughout the UK and Ireland. WOOLSAFE Registered Inspectors have extensive experience in investigating the causes for carpet complaints based on their practical involvement with carpets and rugs over many years. They are fully qualified to investigate carpet and rug complaints on-site on behalf of carpet manufacturers, retailers, cleaning companies and carpet owners. They can carry out or commission tests where required, and will provide comprehensive reports. To contact an inspector in your area call 01943 462127, email: inspector@woolsafe.org, or visit: www.woolsafe.org / Private Householder / Registered Inspectors

WOOLSAFE The Retailer's single source solution for carpet care advice and services. THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

maintenance • cleaning • spot removal • protection • inspection

General Rules for Spot Removal

WOOLSAFE Approved Carpet Cleaning Products www.prochem.co.uk

Treatments 1.

Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues

Vacuum clean

Cold water

Home of the Legendary Cleaning Product - Carpet Power www.ozkleen.co.uk

• Soak up liquids with white kitchen roll, tissues, toilet roll or clean cloth

Warm water

• Scoop up or scrape off solids

• Try to identify unknown spots prior to treatment – if unsure, use solvent first

WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)

WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains

WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains

• Always work from the edge of the spot inwards • BLOT, do NOT rub • Use small quantities of spot remover at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small, soft brush or sponge • Take care with applying solvents to bitumen-backed carpet tiles

Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron

Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)

Life inspired cleaning innovations www.bissell.com

10. Nail varnish remover or acetone 11. White spirit or turpentine substitute 12. Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

• When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation

14. Rub gently with coarse sand paper

• Always thoroughly rinse out water-based spotters with clean water

15. WOOLSAFE-approved disinfectant or deodorizer

• Dry the spot, if possible, with a hair dryer

16. Rust remover

13. Rub with a coin

17. Carpet re-colouring kit

The Clean Carpet you Expect... the Service you Deserve www.servicemasterclean.co.uk

(Treatments used by professional carpet cleaners)

More Difficult Spots Spot or stain

Easy Spots

Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd

Artificially coloured drinks 3

Bleach

C/heating radiator fluid

Coffee

Spot or stain

Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd

Blood

Felt-tip pen

7 or 11 12

Burn/scorch marks

Furniture polish

Butter

Glue/adhesive (plastic base)10

Candle wax

Chewing gum

5 15

Ink (fountain)

Ink (ballpoint pen)

Lipstick

Cola

Milk

Cream

Nail varnish

Egg

Paint (oil)

Rust

Soot

Tar (asphalt)

Urine (fresh stain)

Urine (old stain)

Fruit juice

Gravy and sauces

Herbal tea

Metal polish

Mustard

Oil and grease

Paint (emulsion)

Shoe polish

Tea

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Chocolate/cocoa

Floor wax

Environmentally Aware for Superior Carpet Care www.envirodri.com

Vomit

Red wine

These may require repeated attempts with stronger spot removers. Some stains you may find impossible to remove completely in which case the assistance of a professional carpet cleaner is required.

Vacuum Cleaners the Choice of Cleaning Professionals www.sebo.co.uk

British Wool makes a Better Carpet... Naturally www.britishwool.org.uk

This information is provided with the support of WOOLSAFE members for the benefit of all carpet retailers and fitters.

Flooring factsheet Buying Groups Why join? www.flooringone.co.uk Contact: Glenn Harding Tel: 0121 683 1426 glenn.harding@flooringone.co.uk

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

Buying groups have been a highly successful feature of the floor retailing scene in the last decade or so, giving independents the extra edge they need to compete effectively with the retail park chains. More than 1000 retailers are now members of one of the several buying groups which operate in our sector and the numbers are slowly, but steadily growing. While the benefits of bulk buying power are self-evident, the resistance to the buying group concept among nonmembers appears to be centred on fears of surrendering some control to a committee – and most particularly compromising long-established relationships and negotiated terms with current suppliers. The bottom line is the bottom line. A retailer selling across a broad range of products is likely to improve margins within a buying group – but you don’t need a leap of faith to join up. Ask the buying groups for answers...

Metro Group www.carpet1st.co.uk Contact: David Kipping Tel: 01204 393539 dek@carpet1st.co.uk

www.smg-group.co.uk Contact: David Lewis Tel: 0118 932 3832 info@smg-group.co.uk

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

of the committee

•

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

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

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

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

www.beautifulflooring.co.uk Contact: Paul Phillips Tel: 01892 549050 paul@atbrm.com

Increase margins • Group purchases to get beneficial rates • Rebates • Exclusive higher-margin products • Special promotions One of the key reasons to join a buying group is to benefit from the discounts they negotiate as a bulk buyer from manufacturers. The way discounts and rebates are passed on to members varies between groups so make sure it’s absolutely clear how this will be done. You’ll need to work out how this compares with discounts you have already negotiated locally with preferred suppliers. 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 point-of-sale, merchandising and displays. Central stockholding may also be on offer. Access professional services

• Evaluate all buying groups as they all work differently • Talk to the main marketing contact and/or a member

Associated Carpet Group www.smartercarpets.co.uk Contact: Richard Moore Tel: 01942 825520 rjmoore65@googlemail.com rmoore@smartercarpets.com

Key benefits

• 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

• Business services • 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. Network with other independents

• Members-only exhibitions with preferred manufacturers

• Regular meetings • Regional workshops • Supplier presentations • 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.

flexibility to run your business the way you want

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Featured buying group this month: Bond Retail Marketing

“Bond Retail Marketing, not just a buying group...” Although a negotiating and buying function is a major part of it’s business, BRM offers its retailers a varied menu of services to choose from.

• Department Design and Installation • Range Planning and Maintenance • GP% Return and Business Planning • Retailers own Brand Design and Ranges • Group Collective Rebates no Individual Targets “Not Standing Still...”

“Small is Beautiful...” BRM retailers are given geographical protection and as such the number of retailers is carefully monitored to enable the BRM team to give a high level of service. “We have worked with Bond Retail Marketing for over eight years now and have always found them to be a most valued asset to the success of our carpet and flooring business.” Web based trading, advertising and product searches are vital to a modern retail industry. BRM created www.beautifulflooring.co.uk for its retailers to put them on the map. Each retailer has its own on-line store within the main site, making www.beautifulflooring.co.uk a unique visual opportunity.

Robert Bianchi Director Aright Bianchi -Macclesfield

For the full story please contact PAUL PHILLIPS - Managing Director TEL: 01892 549 050 THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

EMAIL: paul@atbrm.com 9

Flooring factsheet Underlay In a tight market for margins, underlay for carpet and laminate 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 satisfaction levels with customers.

www.floorwise.co.uk

But 50% of carpet is still sold without new underlay! Retailers should create an assumption that new underlay is always required, the only decision is which type. It’s also a good target-setter for sales staff. 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.

www.numa-online.co.uk

Benefits

Types

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

Sponge rubber The market’s most popular underlay is 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. PU (polyurethane) foam PU foam is a relative newcomer to the market, typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options – and its light weight helps handling. The product can be re-cycled again after use. 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-surface. 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 up to 2.5 can be used – which means the underlay would normally have a tog rating of 1.0. Felt This traditional (but environmentally friendly) underlay 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.

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.carpenter.limited.uk

www.interfloor.com

Specialists in pre-tacked underlays, soft fibre boards & Roberts Tools. www.estillon.co.uk

www.underlay.com

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Flooring factsheet Wool fibre THE BEST CARPET WOOL Wool carpets have a historic reputation for quality because as a fibre it is known to withstand pressure and have excellent appearance retention properties. The best wool for carpet production is ‘strong’ wool and this is grown on sheep breeds found in Britain and New Zealand. Most carpets will contain both British Wool and New Zealand Wool because British Wool is more bulky and resilient and offers texture and unique heathery shades to carpet, whilst New Zealand wool is softer and whiter and particularly good for plain, lighter shaded ranges. Combining the two within a blend for carpet yarn gives manufacturers the perfect qualities for carpet. 100% wool or 80/20 – 80/10/10 wool rich Wool has yet to be matched by any man-made fibre; it has superior strength and does not need other fibres to improve its performance. However manufacturers choose to use synthetic fibres within the yarn blend for a number of reasons. These include fibre flexibility, dyeing, heat setting, stain resistance, durability and cost. These wool rich compositions offer industry standard carpets which will perform well in the home. THE BENEFITS OF WOOL CARPET Practical Strong and Resilient – Wool carpet will provide superior performance over many years as it can offer unique resilience and long lasting durability. The natural crimp of wool offers valuable ‘bounce-back’ so that pile compression is resisted and the effects of tracking and shading are reduced – maintaining good appearance over many years. Easy care – Wool is a natural fibre that has an inbuilt resistance to soiling due to its natural oils and its outer surface of microscopic scales and as a result additional anti-soil treatments are not necessary. Simply vacuuming the carpet will keep it looking good and whilst wool initially repels spills, prompt and complete blotting with white paper towels or an absorbent cloth is advised and will address many household spillages.

SAFE

DURABLE

Comfort Soft and Warm – Wool carpet adds luxurious underfoot comfort and warmth to the home and acts as an insulator improving heat retention and energy efficiency. Peace and Quiet – Wool carpet absorbs sound and cushions the home against echo and room to room noise transfer. Safety Fire Retardant – Wool is naturally fire resistant, has a slow ignition rate and tests show that it is self extinguishing within seconds. It meets many safety regulations without additional treatments and is favoured in contract locations for this reason. Fall Friendly – Carpet cushions and so provides a softer floor which protects against serious injury in falls by the very young or the elderly. Internal Environment Indoor Environment – As a natural ‘smart’ fibre with a complex physical and chemical structure, wool helps to create a balanced atmosphere in the home. It breathes and absorbs humidity in the air, releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry and helps improve air quality by absorbing airborne toxins in indoor air. Anti–allergy – The minute scales on the fibre’s surface will hold fine dust until vacuumed which helps to reduce floating particulate in the atmosphere. Wool does not give off harmful emissions or promote the growth of bacteria and wool is not a food source for dust mites. Eco/Environmental Natural and Sustainable – Grown on sheep, which graze freely, wool is both 100% natural and fully sustainable. As shearing is a necessary part of animal husbandry this means that every year there is a fresh supply of wool available for the carpet manufacturing industry. Energy Efficient – Wool is energy efficient in the home and also in carpet production. Biodegradable – Wool fibre is biodegradable in soil and will produce nitrogen, sulphur, carbon dioxide and water which are all plant nutrients. Environmentally Assessed – Wool is an environmentally responsible fibre that has been measured in terms of its ecological impact. A Life Cycle Analysis study carried out by Leeds University to ISO 14040 standard for British Wool concludes that it compares favourably when measured against man-made fibres.

EASY-CARE

COMFORT

British Wool The Planet Friendly Fibre for Carpet aboutwool.com THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Flooring factsheet Carpet trouble-shooter COLOUR MATCHING

SPROUTING

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’.

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.

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.

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.

A greater level of tolerance is required on blended colours (Heathers etc). To ensure perfect colour matching it is advisable that a single width be used in any installation requiring exact colour matching. N.B. Carpets which are laid with the pile travelling in different directions, even though they be from the same batch will appear not to match. For further information please check with the manufacturers recommendations.

SAMPLES 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.

SHEDDING The original carpet tile

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.

PULLED LOOPS

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

• shedding • pulled loops

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

SHADING

STATIC Carpets do not produce static but like other household fabrics and objects have the capacity to store it. Static is caused by the build up of static electricity upon personnel in a dry environment and is discharged when a person makes contact with an object which can conduct electricity (i.e. door handle or filing cabinets, etc). The static charges will vary in intensity depending upon the individual, air humidity and the contact materials. Static is more usually associated with synthetic materials as they do not retain moisture very well but it can and does occur with wool in very dry room conditions. Preventative measures include the introduction of moisture into the room or in situ carpet treatment.

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).

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

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

PILE REVERSAL

FLATTENING

(SEE SHADING)

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.

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

INDENTATIONS When a carpet is subjected to a heavy point load, such as under the legs of furniture, it is unreasonable to expect the carpet not to indent. Usually, the longer the load is in place, the longer will be the time for the pile to recover. In the case of very heavy loads in place for a considerable time, the recovery time can be very considerable. It must be remembered that it is not only the pile of the carpet that becomes indented. the underlay will also indent and the backing of the carpet may also distort into the indentation in the underlay. Some underlay’s will recover well and some less well depending upon their composition, thickness, density etc. The use of cups below furniture legs can spread the load and the net result is a larger area of less deeply indented carpet. The ability of a carpet to recover from a heavy static load can be measured in the laboratory, using the test method described in BS 4939 and many manufacturers will have data on this aspect of carpet performance. In this test the carpet is loaded for 24 hours and the degree of recovery is measured after 1 hour and 24 hours. Since there are so many different underlay’s however, it is very rare for the recovery from a heavy static load to be evaluated on carpet and underlay. Often normal maintenance (vacuum cleaning with a rotating brush machine) will speed up recovery but in the case of serious indentations the use of an iron and damp cloth or a steam iron together with a blunt darning needle to carefully tease up the pile can be beneficial. Care must be take not to over wet the carpet, of course.

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.

Shampoo - if incorrectly applied, can leave

sticky soap residues in the fibres which can result in the soiling reappearing quite rapidly.

Dust - which is carried on draughts can soil carpets in various ways, apart from the obvious soiled edges, at gaping skirting boards for instance, dark lines appearing on surface might suggest airborne dust vacuum-drawn through poorly fitted floorboards. Sometimes the shape of floorboards can be seen quite clearly. Air borne dust sometimes shows itself as spots on the carpet, this is due to the air carried on a draught under the carpet escaping through minute holes both in the underlay and the carpet, leaving dust deposited on the pile much like a filter action. In such installations, the use of a lining paper is essential as a preventative measure. It is the responsibility of the retailer to advise the consumer when the carpet is measured of any poorly fitting doors, skirtings, or floorboards and the consumers responsibility to ensure any remedial work to seal draughts, is carried out before the carpet is fitted, if a resulting complaint is to be avoided.

INSTALLATIONS 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.

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

The Stocklists Carpet Company Directory Abingdon Flooring Adam Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W Ww Associated Weavers Tw Tu Avena Carpets Ltd Tu Ww Axwoven Carpets Ltd Ax Be Axminster Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tw Bajong Carpets NV Tu Tw W Balta Industries NV Tu Tw W Ww

01274 655694 01562 829966 01422 431100

0121 550 5788 01297 32244 +32 56783250 +32 56 62 2211

Belvedere Carpets

BIC Carpets Be Tw W Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W

020 8800 0740

+31 383 861 060 +32 56 23 54 10 01924 488882

Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww

020 7823 3040

BMK

0113 380 5333

Bond Worth Ltd Ax Brintons Ax Tu Tw W Ww

Edel Telenzo’s Rembrandt

01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

01562 745000 0800 505055

800 223 6186

Craigie Carpets Be

01294 558400

Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W Creatuft Carpets Tu W

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

01282 862 736

0116 284 1455 +32 56 35 4444

Custom Carpet Company Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01737 830301

Dan-Floor UK W

01454 858014

Burmatex Tu

01924 262525

Domo International Be Pr Tu Tw W

Cadogan Carpet Co W

01562 733610

Drury Lane Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

01254 296829

Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01254 268000

E & WE Carpets W

01562 825952

Christy Carpets Tu

Belvedere Carpets

Betap Tufting BV Tu Tw W

Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk

01422 330261

Beaulieu International Group Be Pr Tu Tw +32 56 67 66 11

Tu W sales@belvederecarpets.co.uk www.belvederecarpets.co.uk

Brockway Carpets Ltd

Couristan Carpets Ax Tu W Ww

Clarendon Carpets Tw Classis Carpets Tu W Ww Condor Carpets BV Tu

+32 92 41 4511

019078 308777 01675 433066 0870 020 1725 +31 38 4778911

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

Contemporary Life & Textiles Be Tw sales@contemporarylife.co.uk www.contemporarylife.co.uk

01254 296829

Ww cummings@btinternet.com www.fellscarpets.co.uk Fetcham Furnishings Ltd Tw

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

Mohawk’s Cherbourg Check

Fells Carpets

01204 881 234

Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W

01977 662211

020 8944 6220 +45 96 60 3000

Brockway’s Vogue

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

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

Every time you see a web or email address in The Stocklists, you can click straight to it from our online edition at www.thestocklists.com

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

Leigh Spinners Ltd Tw Louis de Poortere W

Furlong Flooring Tw W enquiries@furlongcentral.co.uk www.furlongflooring.co.uk

01772 696 787

01827 831525

Gaskell Mackay Carpets Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

Godfrey Hirst (GB) Ltd Tu Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu Heckmondwike FB ITC Be Pr Tw

01429 892525

Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W

Lusotufo Tu

Lecaflor Ltd Ax Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

01706 639 866

MID NL Be

+31 38 851 8700

01924 410544 0032 51 424 411

0161 368 2563 01827 831400 01827 831 424

+32 56 65 4300

+32 05685 4747 0800 78 33 712

+32 52 499600

The Alternative Flooring Co

01264 335111

The Grosvenor Wilton Co W Ww

01562 701456

The Sultana Carpet Co Ax

01299 822300

The Wilton Carpet Co Ax W Ww

0845 296 8850

Thomas Witter UK Ltd Tu Tw

0870 1128318

Tisca Tiara Tu Ww

Mohawk Europe +49 037 421 420

Tasibel NV Tw

Timzo Tufting Industry BV Tu +31 38 385 4477

0800 526696

Lano NV

Le Tissage d'Arcade Ax Ww

01827 831 434

Mayfield Carpets Tu Tw W

marinagooch@mohawkeurope.com www.mohawkinternational.com Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww

01480 479830 01480 471304

01827 831 450

+41 71 791 0111

Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W

01274 855080

Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

02838 334433

Ossfloor UK

01675 433031

United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww

Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 341231

Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww

01562 749300

Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu

01484 863227

Vorwerk

08700 104484

Pownall Carpets Tw W

0845 6528811

Westex Carpets Tu

01274 861334

Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww

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

01388 664101

01827 831430

John Lanham Watts Carpets Ax Tw Ww 01937 588511 John Evans Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

+32 56 393 386

Manx Carpets Tw W

Gaskell Wool Rich Tu Tw W

Georgian Carpets Tu Tw W

01942 673232

+32 56 73 57 11

Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0845 652 8811

Sans Frontieres Ltd Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

0844 5611977

Weston Hammer W Whitestone Weavers Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww Wilkies Carpets Tw

Shaw Home Foundations Tu

01675 433 501

Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww

Tapibel NV Pr Tu Tw

01623 481 221

Wool Classics Tu Ww

01709 732 666

0845 644 9090 01429 892555 0113 307 9955 0800 526696 0207 349 1560 Tollgate stand

Bronte’s stand

Cormar’s Berwick

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Are you a Wholesaler? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not listed here, please call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory National Fells Carpets Goole 01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

North East

Fells Carpets Goole

Midlands

East

01977 662211

Carpet & Flooring Birmingham 0121 421 9131 birmingham@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

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

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk John Evans Ltd Manchester 0161 368 2563 Fax: 0161 368 3039 Mobile: 07850 935301

Carpet & Flooring Gateshead 0844 824 3121 gateshead@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Kellars Ltd Stockport 0161 443 0970 sales@kellars.co.uk

Fells Carpets Goole

Lee Floorstok Ltd Liverpool - see Floorwise p18

01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise p18 Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

North West A&A Carpets Manchester 01204 701188 sales@aandacarpets.co.uk www.aandacarpets.co.uk D. M. Miller Ltd Manchester 0161 205 9949 dm.miller@btconnect.com www.dmmillerltd.spaces.lives.com

Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise p18 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise p18 Mytton Flooring Norwich - see Floorwise p18 Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Manchester 0161 786 6800 manchester@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

DMS Flooring Supplies Northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@ dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam- see Floorwise p18 J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com RPS Flooring Mansfield Woodhouse - see Floorwise p18 STS Flooring Distributors Watford 08454 342000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 32 for details

Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise p18

Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge Tel: 01954 781142 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 31 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

South East Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise p18 AFS Middlesex 020 8805 8620 info@afsenfield.co.uk See page 19 for details Ashmount Flooring Supplies Ltd Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooring.co.uk continued overleaf....

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Are you a Wholesaler? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not listed here, please call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk

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

Carpet & Flooring Bow 020 8525 5691 bow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 pwwflooring@fastnet.co.uk www.pwwflooring.co.uk

Carpet & Flooring Camberley 01276 672100 camberley@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk See page 22 for details

Faithfulls Service Centre Kent 01322 285001 Faithfulls Service Centre Walthamstow 0208 498 3040 sales.walthamstow@faithfulls.co.uk Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise p18 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise p18

Headlam Scotland North Lanarkshire 01698 831 000 sales@headlamscotland.co.uk www.headlamscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise p18

Wales Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 966 798l bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk See page 29 for details

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 30 for details

Salesmark Lancing, - see Floorwise p18

STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 01844 213555 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 31 for details

Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk

Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 DMS Flooring Supplies sales@solentwholesale.co.uk Hemel Hempstead www.solentwholesale.co.uk 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk See page 30 for details DMS Flooring Supplies Milton Keynes 0845 643 5320 dmslaser@dmsflooringsupplies.co.u

South West

STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0845 434 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 31 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wessex Flooring Amesbury - see Floorwise p18 Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

Scotland

Roma Flooring Neath - see Floorwise p18

Ireland Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin - see Floorwise p18 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast - see Floorwise p18 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick - See Floorwise p18

Carpet & Flooring Glasgow 0141 427 8456 glasgow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk C. K. Davie Ltd Aberdeen - see Floorwise p18 C. K. Davie Ltd Dundee - see Floorwise p18

floorwise National Network of Floorwise Distributors Acorn Carpet Accessories 16 Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927

Neil Smith Ltd 3 Glasgow Tel: 0141 552 1141 Fax: 0141 552 0623

C. K. Davie Ltd 1 Aberdeen Tel: 01224 820077 Fax: 01224 822344

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 4 Belfast, Northern Ireland Tel: 028 9075 3202 Fax: 028 9075 3901

C. K. Davie Ltd 2 Dundee Tel: 01382 226533 Fax: 01382 226544 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 20 Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 Fax: 01209 21162 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 19 Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 Fax: 01626 834334 Floorwise D & J Ltd 13 Southam, Warks Tel: 01926 814922 Fax: 01926 817899 Floorwise (North East) 5 Ltd Birtley, County Durham Tel: 0191 410 7070 Fax: 0191 410 6116 Lee Floorstok Ltd 8 Liverpool Tel: 0151 708 7420 Fax: 0151 708 7241 Lee Floorstok Ltd 7 Manchester Tel: 0161 231 8080 Fax: 0161 231 8787 MCA Floorwise Ltd 6 Morecambe, Lancashire Tel: 01524 33517 Fax: 01524 381852 Mytton Flooring 14 Norwich, Norfolk Tel: 01603 624387 Fax: 01603 612888

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 9 Dublin 12, ROI Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Fax: 00353 (0)1 626 3960 LoCall: 1850 445 746 (ROI)

1 2 3

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 10 Limerick Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 LoCall: 1850 445 745 (ROI) Roma Flooring 15 Neath, West Glamorgan Tel: 01639 633001 Fax: 01639 646116 RPS Flooring 11 Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire Tel: 01623 624198 Fax: 01623 620931

7 10

11 12

Salesmark 17 Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111 Wessex Flooring 18 Amesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 01980 625888 Fax: 01980 676969 Woodall Brothers Ltd 12 Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tel: 01743 441584 Fax: 01743 441629

18 19

16 17

HEAD OFFICE Floorwise Group Limited, Floorwise House, 22 High Street, Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DA, UK. Tel: 0044 (0)1509 673974 Fax: 0044 (0)1509 674841

Award-Winning Flooring Accessories

GRIPPER

UNDERLAY

ADHESIVES & SCREEDS

PROFILES

www.floorwise.co.uk • www.carpetunderlay.net www.floorwise.co.uk • www.carpetunderlay.net www.signaturewoodfloors.com • www.siennawoodfloors.com www.signaturewoodfloors.com • www.siennawoodfloors.com 18

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

UNDERLAYS

CARPETS NATURAL/LOOPS HIGH FLYER NOMAD

Tex Loop 50/50 Nat Loop

SAXONY STAINFREE ROMANCE NOBLE SAXONY STAINFREE FLAIR SENSATIONAL

35oz PP Saxony 40oz Saxony 50oz PP Saxony 58oz Saxony

80/20 WOOL TWIST BELMONT TWIST BELMONT SUPREME

80/20 40oz 80/20 50oz

PP TWIST VIVA TWIST SALT N PEPPER

PP Twist PP Twist

LOOP PILE AND CORD PINCH FELT PINCH FOAM ROCKY HB ROCKY FB DIMENSIONS TITAN CORD GALA CORD FB GALA CORD HB

Needle Punch Cord Needle Punch Loop Pile Cord Loop Pile Cord Loop Pile Stripe/Wave Loop Pile Gel Back Loop Pile Cord Loop Pile Cord

CORMAR STOCKED APOLLO BERWICK 40 BERWICK 50 BUCHANAN HOME COUNTIES HOME COUNTIES MALABAR NATURAL BERBER SUPER NATURAL BERBER ELITE NATURAL BERBER DELUXE NEW OAKLANDS NEW OAKLANDS NEW OAKLANDS PRIMO PLUS PRIMO ULTRA PRIMO TWEED PRIMO SAXONY WEST COUNTRY 50

Excellon Twist 80/10/10 40 oz Twist 80/10/10 50 oz Twist 80/10/10 40 oz Twist 42 oz Twist 50 oz Twist 100% Natural 80/10/10 35 oz Twist 80/10/10 45 oz Twist 80/10/10 55 oz Twist 80/10/10 32 oz Twist 80/10/10 42 oz Twist 80/10/10 50 oz Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Saxony 80/10/10 50 oz Twist

CORMAR CARPETS AVEBURY LINDISFARNE TOWN AND COUNTRY WEST COUNTRY 60

3/5 DAYS DELIVERY 100% Pure New Wool 100% Pure New Wool 80/10/10 60 oz Twist 80/10/10 60 oz Twist

Roll Size Full Roll EQ* Description BRANDED TOP END RUBBER SPONGE RANGE ELITE 11 m2 129lb Textured Rubber Underlay MAJESTIC 11 m2 135lb Waffle Rubber Underlay COLOURS RED 11 m2 135lb Waffle Rubber Underlay WILLOW GREEN 15 m2 90lb Waffle Rubber Underlay CRUSADER SUPREME 15 m2 100lb Waffle Rubber Underlay SUPREME LIGHT 11 m2 101lb Waffle Rubber Underlay UNBRANDED TREDAIRE SPONGE RUBBER AFS CLASSIC GOLD 15 m2 95 lb Rubber Underlay AFS SUPER GOLD 15 m2 80lb Rubber Underlay AFS STANDARD GOLD 15 m2 60lb Rubber Underlay GRAPHITE 15 m2 Light Weight PE WOOD FLOOR UNDERLAYS BOARDWALK (Timbermate) 15 m2 3.75mm ALL IN ONE 10 m2 3mm COMFORT SILVER 15 m2 2.5mm

23dB Moisture Barrier 20dB Self Adhesive Strip 18dB PE Foam + Foil

TREDAIRE PU UNDERLAYS ALPHA 15 m2 OMEGA 15 m2 BRIO 15 m2 ZEST 15 m2 SOFTWALK 15 m2 DREAMWALK 15 m2 CONTRACT 9 15 m2

Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Contract PU

8mm 10mm 8mm 10mm 9 mm 11 mm 9 mm

DURALAY CONTRACT UNDERLAYS TREADMORE 11 m2 8.0mm SYSTEM 10 11 m2 10mm DURAFIT 650 15 m2 6.5mm DURAFIT 500 15 m2 5.0mm DEFENDER 15 m2 100lb HEATFLOW CARPET 15 m2 6.0mm HEATFLOW WOOD 15 m2 2.75mm TECHNICS 5 15 m2 5.0mm FELT UNDERLAYS FELT 28 FELT 42 KENSINGTON DELUXE

15 m2 28oz 15 m2 42oz 11 m2 74oz

Crumb Crumb single stick under 40m2 Double stick crumb Double stick crumb Flat sponge 0.80 TOG 0.75 TOG sponge carpet 0.35 TOG sponge laminate U/L Double stick sponge

Wool/jute felt 8mm Contract wool/jute felt 11mm Felt crumb rubber

AFS Unit 4 Baird Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 1SJ Tel: 020 8805 8620 Fax: 020 8805 6840 Email: info@afsenfield.co.uk

PLUS A VAST RANGE OF ACCESSORIES AND TOOLS FOR CARPETS AND LAMINATES Contact our sales office or your area representative for prices on any of the above ranges. We also offer a fast service on non stock items. Phone our showroom manager for prices and samples. Our latest price list is dated Feb 2011.

REP DETAILS: Ashley Best Nick Hart Karl Goult

Tel: 07976 916752 Tel: 07771 967609 Tel: 07957 685428

Zac Marsh

Tel: 07828 663325

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Surrey , Hampshire, South London Essex, East London North London, West London, North West London, Middlesex, Herts., Beds., and Bucks. Kent, South East London 19

99% STOCKED Townshend Works, Puxton Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5DF. Sales: 01562 745000 Fax: 01562 732827 New trade price list effective 1st September 2010

BOND WORTH

V.I.P. CLUB Call us today for a personal service that reaches beyond your expectations...

Berkeley Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 3.66m & 4.57m Range comprises 8 Designs Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order 4.57m wide Tashkent 4-9076 Mid March

• Buy one Axminster cut at your standard terms, when you place another within 8 weeks we give you an EXTRA 10% off!

• We guarantee our delivery dates. If we

Variations Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 3.66m Range comprises 12 Designs - All Stock Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order

Precious Gems Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 3.66m Range comprises 5 Designs - All Stock Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order

Wensleydale Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 3.66m Range comprises 8 Designs - All Stock Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order

Cornell & Stanford Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 4.00m Range comprises 5 Colourways in 2 Designs - All Stock Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order CORNELL 4-9301 & STANFORD 4-9300 DISCONTINUED

New Afghan Axminster

miss it by 7 days then you get 5% off the invoice value of the order!

• Access to the Managing Director and Sales Director 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

• Have a complaint? We guarantee to contact your customer with 24 hours.We will inspect all complaints regardless of age.

• Order 16 linear meters or more in one cut we give you roll price!

• Exclusive first access to new ranges. • Bi-Monthly News Letter. • Real Time Updates via Facebook & Twitter.

• Dedicated Sales Line. • Special Roll Offers. • ABOVE ALL ITS FREE TO JOIN! TELEPHONE 01562 745000 NOW FOR YOUR INFORMATION PACK

80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 3.66m Range comprises 5 Designs - All Stock Stocked items Delivery 14 Days from Order

Romanesque Berber Axminster 80% Wool / 20% Nylon available 4.00m

NEW UPDATED WEBSITE! Check out our new updated website at:

www.bondworth.co.uk

RANGE TO BE DISCONTINUED - PLEASE REFER TO WORKS 20

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

REGATTA – 01 RAVEN BLACK TOP TO BOTTOM CONCERTO – 04 TEMPO TRUFFLE PORTOBELLO – 01 CHARCOAL AURELIA – 06 RYE

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Tel:01282 862736 Fax:01282 868307 Email: office@brontecarpets.co.uk Web: www.brontecarpets.co.uk

Bankfield Mill Greenfield Rd, Colne Lancs. BB8 9PD

28 years of custom made carpets 100% Wool Saxonies

All available in any colour, any width up to 12m Boulsworth Moorland Lowood Pendle Ferndene

1/8 th gauge 1/8 th gauge 1/8 th gauge 1/10 th gauge 1/8 th gauge

42 45 55 60 68

oz oz oz oz oz

Super Ferndene Patrick Emily Charlotte

1/8 th gauge 1/10 th gauge 1/10 th gauge 1/10 th gauge

78 70 85 96

oz oz oz oz

100% Wool Shag Pile

All available in any colour, any width up to 12m Haworth Thornton

1/4 gauge 1/4 gauge

58 oz 62 oz

Wycoller Withens

1/4 gauge 1/4 gauge

96 oz 120 oz

80% Wool / 20% Nylon Classic Twist Available in any colour, any width up to 12m

Standard 1400 Contract 1700

1/8 th gauge 1/10 th gauge

41 oz 50 oz

Super 2000 Deluxe 2400

1/10 th gauge 1/10 th gauge

59 oz 70 oz

Sales and bespoke enquiries: 01282 862736

any colour, any width

Sales Agents James Hall Area: Scotland. Mobile: 07787 140136, Fax: 0131 343 3353 E-mail: jameshall195@btinternet.com

Keith Leslie Area: Northern & Southern Ireland Mobile: 07860 873838, Fax: 02894 468005 Aldo Berettoni Area: Yorkshire/North East/Humberside Mobile: 07971 173560, Fax: 01484 666703 E-mail: aldo@berettoni.freeserve.co.uk

John Rostron Area: North West/Cumbria/North Wales Mobile: 07973 733208, Fax: 01254 876548 E-mail: johnrostron@aol.com

Ian Millward Area: East Midlands/Notts/Staffs/Lincs/Derbyshire/Cambs/ Norfolk/Suffolk Mobile: 07939 319385, Fax: 0121 430 3682 E-mail: ian.millward2@virginmedia.com

Mark Garbett Area: South West England Mobile: 07840 664757, Tel: 01752 696377 E-mail: mgarbett11@aol.com

Steve Acton Area: South East/South London Mobile: 07957 836207, Fax: 01323 872415 E-mail: actonsta@aol.com

Niall Martin Area: Central London/Oxon/Berks/Bucks/Essex Mobile: 07866 735772, Fax: 01628 541497 E-mail: niallmartin@msn.com

James Thomas Area: West Midlands (west of M1) & South Wales Mobile 07932 458032, Tel/Fax: 01656 784514 E-mail: juncture2002@aol.com

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

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 Columbia Flooring plc

Trade Show Rooms Available • Specialist advice and terms available on contract enquiries • TRAFALGAR TRADING ESTATE JEFFREYS ROAD ENFIELD MIDDLESEX EN3 7TY

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346 Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon 23

Tel: 01422 374417 or 01422 371226 Fax: 01422 377452 Email: sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Edel Telenzo Carpets, 2- 4 Southgate, Elland, West Yorkshire, HX5 0BW.

CHELSEA GOES TO THE OPERA!

OUR SALES TEAM

We know that our lovely new Chelsea quality is at the cutting edge of fashion underfoot and we make no apology for talking about this fabulous carpet once more. But it’s good to know we’re not alone in our opinion!

Greater London as far as N. Circular on north side of Thames and as far as M25 on south side, Surrey, Middlesex, Sussex, Kent John A Constable T: 01622 685397 M: 07836 734322 E: john@jcagencies.co.uk

Last month, Chelsea was especially chosen to grace the catwalks of London Fashion Week. We were delighted to respond positively to providing a length in ash colourway for the Autumn/Winter 2011 show of British menswear fashion house E.Tautz, which took place in the magnificent setting of Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House.

Yorkshire & North Lincs John Alsop T: 01904 762471 M: 07860 572220 E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk

DESIGN WHICH LASTS E. Tautz is the ready to wear offshoot of Savile Row bespoke tailor Norton & Sons, these days headed by Scottish-born designer Patrick Grant. The name has an illustrious history, dating back to 1867. Beginning life as a breeches maker, Edward Tautz developed into an innovative sports, military tailor, patronised by 19th century European royalty and aristocracy and much favoured by Winston Churchill. The firm was known for its innovations (which it fiercely protected!) such as waterproof tweeds and rainproof coverts. In 1886 he successfully proved in court his invention of the original Knickerbocker Breeches, forerunner of today’s plus 2's. In the 20th century the House of Tautz expanded its civilian tailoring business and famously developed the Tautz Lapel, a double breasted lapel with a subtle rounded tip and lower almost horizontal gorge, a distinctive cut taken up by Hollywood stars including David Niven and Cary Grant. In 1960, Anthony J Drexel Biddle, described by Esquire Magazine in 1960 as America's best dressed man, preferred Tautz, as did others on America’s best dressed list at the time.

Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire Jim Osborne M: 07738 642934 E: jim.osborne@sky.com

Now E. Tautz creative director Patrick Grant is using the illustrious name and heritage to revive the art of dressing well and reintroducing wearable, classic but fun tailoring to men’s wardrobes by blending playful public school references and 1930s themes. The other key concerns for Grant are production and longevity; Tautz only uses the very finest natural materials, crafted by hand in the UK. The goal is to create clothes which will still sit proudly in wardrobes one hundred years from now, reflecting the longevity of the brand itself. CHELSEA HITS THE MARKET PLACE Chelsea is a carpet after Mr Grant’s heart, we think – a dense, textured low level looppile made from 100% three ply wool in eight irresistible colours of the moment – sea salt, driftwood, ash, graphite, cream, sand, mud and cork. With full Scotchgarding and fully tested to confirm above par credentials for being insect and rot proof; and light, wet and shampoo fast. As we predicted, Chelsea is starting to pick up repeat business now that the range’s swatches and A4 cards are getting out into the market place. Proof if proof be needed that beautiful colours, great looks, demonstrable quality and certified durability will always sell, even in tough times (and will keep your feet warm in winter!).

Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset Brendan Hart M: 07850 130221 E: a.b.hart@btinternet.com

Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire Niall Martin M: 07866 735772 E: niallmartin@msn.com South Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire Andrew Jefferies M: 07831 457102 E: adj.agencies@btinternet.com Lancashire, Cumbria & Isle of Man John Rostron M: 07973 733208 E: johnrostron@aol.com East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Suffolk Jonathan Hart T: 01621 817992 M: 07889 264466 E: jonathanhart66@hotmail.co.uk West Midlands, South Wales (Wholesalers) Paul Brewer T: 0121 4277117 M: 07798 745181 E: paulbrewer@fsmail.net Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales Philip Hambleton T: 01925 740050 M: 07966 397676 E: carpetphil@aol.com North East Rebecca Gibbons M: 07970 491215 E: rebann2@btinternet.com Scotland Tim Tindal T: 01436 671421 M: 07836 705620 E: ttcarpetagencies@aol.com Channel Islands, Isle of Wight John Eastlake T: 01323 896141 M: 07885 398858 E: john-eastlake@hotmail.co.uk Northern Ireland Gary O’Boyle M: 07831 220675 E: goboyle@ntlworld.com

YOUR HEAD OFFICE TEAM CONTACTS Operations Manager: Lesley Inman M: 07703 337989 E: l.inman@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

SALES OFFICE TEL:

01827 831525 SALES OFFICE FAX:

01827 831508 All prices are nett of VAT. Valid from1st of January 2011.

GASKELL WOOLRICH Relay Park, Relay Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire B77 5PR. Accounts Tel: 01827 831 456 Fax: 01827 831 508

Rusticana Country

Rusticana Original - the original, and still the best.

Our Contacts GENERAL MANAGER Mike Dobson 07977 165738

Products Apokria – Width 4 & 5m 100% Wool, 6-ply yarn Loop Pile. Natural Jute Backing. English Plain Velvet – Width 4 & 5m 90% Wool, 10% Polyester. Synthetic Textile Backing. Neapolitan – Width 1, 4 & 5m 100% Wool Stripe. Synthetic Textile Backing. Regatta Plus – Width 4 & 5m Regatta Supreme – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 10% Polypropylene. 10% Polyester, Tenth Gauge Twist. Natural Jute Backing. Rusticana Country – Width 4 & 5m 100% Wool. Synthetic Textile Backing.

Summer Breeze Plus – Width 4 & 5m Summer Breeze Deluxe – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 10% Polypropylene, 10% Polyester Twist. Synthetic Backing. Summer Festival Plus – Width 4 & 5m Summer Festival Supreme – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 20% Synthetic. Natural Jute Backing. Summer Garden Plus – Width 4 & 5m Summer Garden Supreme – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 20% Nylon. Natural Jute Backing. Summer Garden Heathers Plus – Width 4 & 5m Summer Garden Heathers Supreme – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 20% Synthetic. Natural Jute Backing.

Rusticana Essence – Width 4 & 5m Venetian Plains – Width 4 & 5m 100% Wool. 3-ply, Loop Pile. Natural Jute Backing. 100% Wool. 3-ply yarn Loop Pile. Synthetic Textile Backing. Rusticana Heritage – Width 4 & 5m 80% Wool, 10% Nylon, 10% Polyester Twist. Venetian Stripes – Width 4m Natural Jute Backing. 100% Wool. 3-ply yarn Loop Pile. Synthetic Textile Backing. Rusticana Original – Width 4 & 5m 100% Wools of New Zealand Loop Berber. Zodiac – Width 4m Natural Jute Backing. 100% Wool, 2-ply yarn Loop Pile. Natural Jute Backing. THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

AREA SALES MANAGERS Andrew Livingstone 07816 272209 Scotland Rob Holmes 07816 315640 North East and Lincolnshire Gary Prophet 07976 429322 North West and North Wales Mark Hunt 07774 260391 Midlands, Mid & South Wales Stuart Harvey 07976 434870 Home Counties and West London Dave Marney 07976 953228 East Anglia, North & East London Iain Tait 07976 953229 South East and South London Steve Haesler 07774 123191 South West and Channel Islands SALES AGENT Jeff Douglas 07774 712353 Northern Ireland

CAREFREE - the stunning new collection Contact your local representative

Best-selling products at every price point As a UK manufacturer and distributor, Furlong’s objective is simply to offer its customers the best of all worlds in terms of price, service and quality – a partnership that retailers can rely on and a comprehensive product range that consumers will respond to. Furlong’s wholly-owned manufacturing company, Regency Carpets, is one of the UK’s top three tufters with a modern plant located in Bangor, Northern Ireland. A long-term programme of substantial investment has created a major production facility for both 4m and 5m wide carpet and the new backing plant commissioned last year is now fully on line. As a result, the company can produce hundreds of thousands of square metres of carpet every week, covering all the key sectors – stain resistant polypropylene, wool twist, wool natural and many others. Being in control of its manufacturing means Furlong can control the cost base and the quality to provide a range of products that is competitive at each of the price points. Manufacturing also means they can manage stock more closely and respond to changes in demand so that the right carpet is always ready for dispatch.

Furlong’s nationwide distribution network operates across three depots – London, Preston and Newport – using a dedicated fleet to carry rolls and cut lengths to our customers usually within 24 hours. Furlong’s product development team has created a portfolio of products matched to the diverse needs of different customer groups, rooms styles and performance requirements. Regency’s stain-resistant ranges use their own ‘Carefree’ fibre which is bleach cleanable and offered with a warranty for absolute confidence. New ranges are introduced several times a year to keep the offering fresh and interesting and respond to consumer trends and colour shifts.

the aim is simply to offer customers the best of all worlds in terms of price, service and quality Furlong have paid particular attention to the presentation of their product range to consumers with market-leading point-of-sale systems incorporating the latest video technology. Furlong believes in working in partnership with their customers to provide products and services that ticks all the boxes.

Investing in quality and service

Extensive tufting expertise 26

Effective service systems

Large group stock-holding

Fast delivery fleet THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

All the products shown are available in the CAREFREE Collection Here are the people who try harder London & Home Counties JOHN AKIEN M: 07791 891024 S.W LONDON, SURREY (INS. M25) jonakien@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

GEOFF ABERNETHY M: 07970 229717 CUMBRIA, POTTERIES, CHESHIRE & FYLDE COAST geoff.abernethy@furlongflooring.co.uk

IAN COLLACOTT M: 07816 217550 MIDDLESEX, W. LONDON, BERKSHIRE iancollacott@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

ALAN CHEETHAM M: 07966 263571 GREATER MANCHESTER alan.cheetham@furlongflooring.co.uk

DARREN SPENDIFF M: 07791 890861 KENT darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

BOB CHRISTIE M: 07980 786264 MERSEYSIDE, WIRRAL & N. WALES bob.christie@furlongflooring.co.uk

RAYMOND SMITH M: 07816 217565 ESSEX raymondsmith@furlongflooringltd.co.uk REG HOWSON M: 07816 217548 N, N W & E LONDON, HERTFORDSHIRE reghowson@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

South East

Seeing is believing Customers can buy with confidence when they see the Carefree cleanability in action with the new video units for your existing Regency POS systems.

IAN ROBERTSON M: 07816 217563 E & WEST SUSSEX ianrobertson@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

REG SYKES M: 07973 403450 SOUTH YORKSHIRE reg.sykes@furlongflooring.co.uk

TONY CONWAY M: 07791 891025 BEDS, NORTHANTS, OXON & BUCKS tonyconway@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

Wales & South West

PETER FLETCHER M: 07816 217561 HAMPSHIRE, DORSET & SURREY (OUTSIDE M25) peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

BEN THOMAS M: 07794 048809 S./MID & W. WALES bthomas@furlongflooring.com

Midlands

JASON BRIMBLE M: 07794 041266 AVON & GLOUCESTERSHIRE jbrimble@furlongflooring.com TIM BAILEY M: 07794 048414 S.E. WALES & HEREFORDSHIRE tbailey@furlongflooring.com STEWART WAITHMAN M: 07794 048413 DEVON & CORNWALL swaithman@furlongflooring.com

MARTYN REA M: 07968 324598 LEICESTER/WARWICKSHIRE/LINCS martyn.rea@furlongflooring.co.uk

Wood Floor Specialists

Scotland

JOHN POWERS M: 07792 477312 SALES MANAGER BEDS, NORTHANTS, OXON, BUCKS, MIDDLESEX, W&S LONDON, BERKS, SURRY johnpowers@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

GEORGE WISELY M: 07967 148665 SCOTTISH SALES george.wisely@furlongflooring.co.uk COLIN RICHFORD M: 07970 163372 WEST SCOTLAND colin.richford@furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

DES BEST M: 07968 828516 NORTH EAST des.best@furlongflooring.co.uk RAY ANDREW M: 07973 719801 EAST LANCS/W.YORKS ray.andrew@furlongflooring.co.uk

MIKE SHUTT M: 07970 158594 BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE mike.shutt@furlongflooring.co.uk

quality choice availability service price

Yorkshire & North East

PAUL LOVELL M: 07816 217549 NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

PAUL HARRIS M: 07980 786265 NOTTS & DERBYSHIRE paul.harris@furlongflooring.co.uk

The Regency range of stain-resistant carpets ticks all the boxes:

North West

ALAN CAIRNIE M: 07976 311434 EAST SCOTLAND alan.cairnie@furlongflooring.co.uk

London Sales tel: 01322 628707 fax: 01322 698733

RICHARD RICHMAN M: 07791 891044 AREA SALES MANAGER NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, CAMBS, N&E LONDON, ESSEX, KENT, SUSSEX & HERTS richardrichman@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

Preston Sales tel: 01772 696787 fax: 01772 311921

Newport Sales tel: 01633 283959 fax: 01633 275454

Email: enquiries@furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

“Our Winter Price guide has hit the streets! It’s all about solidarity, and hard work! You’ll be amazed by our new products, and thrilled by our regular features! And more importantly you will learn more about the enigma that is ‘Ralph the Rackhams Ram!’”

CUT & LOOP PILE

CORD & NEEDLEPUNCH

Revival Kreta Everglades

Gala Rackcord Scorpio Supacord

GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Arena Sapphire Scala Senator Sentinel Statesman

NATURAL EFFECT Agadir Ancona Autumn Sunset Country Treasure 4&5M Challenger Berber Craftwork Berber 4&5M Delft 4&5M Harvester Hopscotch Ivory Coast London Life 4&5M Marrakesh Natures Writing Ohio Rustic Treasure San Salvador 4&5M Town & Country Tweed Woolweave 4&5M

SAXONY / SHAG PILE Big Softie Chamonix Cleopatra Eminence Half Century New Century Nobility Splendour Supreme Elegance Tennessee

TWISTS - STAINFREE Balmoral Chislehurst Clyde Easy Heathers Easy Twist Fairfield Supreme 4&5M Heathertwist / Heathertwist Supreme Mystery Twist Pembridge Twist Portman Rhapsody Stainfree Salt ‘n’ Pepa Stainsafe Touch 4&5M Startwist/Startwist Supreme (2010 colours) 4&5M Stanford Summer Skies

VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING Arte Della Ceramica Blackjack Casino Royale Chequers Eclipse Medley Mojo Suregrip XL Thunderball

CARPET TILES Capital Plus Electron Magnesium Neutron Oxygen Positron Proton Quark Titanium

TWISTS - WOOL Eden Twist 30/40/50 4&5M Iconic Twist 40/50 4&5M Paramount 30/40 4&5M Super Sixty 4&5M The Berber Twist Collection 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Textures 4&5M Ultimate Berber Twist 4&5M Ultimate Twist 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Tweed Ultimate Luxury 4&5M

VELOUR / VELVET

CALL NOW TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE LATEST PRICE GUIDE!

Designers Dream Le Touquet 4&5M Urban Life

WILTON The Arabica & Ceylon Wilton Collection 4&5M Parallel Lines Renaissance Ultimate Wilton Oakland

We also stock Ball & Young Underlays, Accessories, Entrance Matting and offer a Special Order Service on products from virtually every flooring manufacturer in existence! 48 hour Delivery Service on all Balterio Laminate Ranges.

Stop preSS...2011 will be the year of quality, with austerity still the keyword, and trading conditions still tough, so ‘value’ will be the name of the game! We are launching a comprehensive collection of high quality products in wool and wool mixtures, taking the quality of our products to new heights, whilst offering the very best in prices, and marketing support. Beautiful floorcoverings, beautiful samples, beautiful salespeople and beautiful publications! Bring it on!!!....Stop preSS

Area Sales Executives Ian Pullinger London N, EC & E postals, Essex & Middx (within M25) 07881-502506 Simon Brenner London SE & SW postals, Kent, Surrey & Sussex 07881-502507

Mark Euesden London W & NW postals, South Middx, Western Surrey, Berks & Bucks 07875-714269 James White Herts, Beds, Essex (west of M11) & North West Middx 07881-502508

Paul Henson Essex (Outside M25), Cambs & Suffolk 07837-295379 Antony Stapleton Sales Director 07881-502505/020-8498-2845

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Solent Wholesale Carpet Company Ltd CARPET, FLOORCOVERING & ACCESSORY WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS Telephone: 01243 774623 Fax: 01243 533636 E-mail: sales@solentwholesale.co.uk Website: www.solentwholesale.com Zola Park, Barnfield Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6UX. Oxford, Berks, Bucks, Beds, Hants, Middlesex & Herts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Cardrick Tel: 01235 535070, mobile 07973 406329 Sussex E & W, Surrey, South London & Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Robson Tel: 01323 504798, mobile: 07973 898453 Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucs, & I.O.W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Ayling Tel: 01202 683257, mobile 07973 406799 Accessary Sales and IT Specialist (All Areas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke Crooks luke@solentwholesale.co.uk, mobile 07966 664379 VICTORIA Baronet Berber Stripe Castillion Celtic Heathers Crown Twist Duchess Elite EasiCare (Twist, Tweed + Saxony) Gaelic Heathers Imperial Velvet Kelso Natural Accents Natural Companions (Sisal, Chenille, Ridge) Regal Twist Rustic Jewels Tudor Twist Coll Tudor Manor LANO Bolero Campus X-treme Chiselhurst Havana Heathertwist Coll Pembridge Twist - new colours Rustic Berber Rustic Sensations Scala Scala Tonals Sentinel Startwist Coll Twilight Coll Wilton Naturals Xtra Twist BALTA Berga Colorado Springs Desert Twist Desert Twist Deluxe Diva Fiesta Fusion Happy Days High Flyers Gala Cord-all options in stock Moorland Twist Nobility Rosemount Shetland Loop Shepherd Twist Stainsafe Comfort Stainsafe Favourite Stainsafe Olympic Super Wiltax Techno Twisty LUSOTUFO Celtic Horizon Mandaly Tangier Titan Diagonal Unique

CORMAR Apollo Berwick 40/50 Buchanan Home Counties 42/50 Malabar Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Primo Plus West Country BROCKWAY Amore Cavendish Craftsman Elite Cresta 40/Cresta 50 Montrose Orion/Orion Major DOMO Absolute Luxury Alpina Auvergne Festival Twist Heather Twist Merino Metropolitan Mountain Peaks Legacy Ocean Breeze Planet Playground Portofino Scorpio Traditionals Weavers Twist ITC Belgravia Check Concerto Consul Heritage Collection Jaguar - new colours Kreta Palace Stainblock Berber Stainblock Heathers Stainblock Tweed

QUICKSTEP Solent Wholesale now a Quickstep stockist. We now have in stock the Quickstep 700 range and can order all other ranges with a very short lead time.

TAPIBEL Cachet Melody Nevada Reeds Sysoltex Homested/Aran/Crofter Toscana BEAULIEU INTERNATIONAL Adventure Twist Arte Del Ceramic Athena Celtic Stone Vinyl Comfort Grip Vinyl Dublin Durham Twist Fashion/Gallery Flair Vinyl Grass Collection Heavy Tread I-Twist Isis/Mentu Mars Motor Car Natural Life Pronto Selections Sherwood Oak Vinyl Studio Vinyl Sonata Vinyl Sweet Homes Texalino Sup Vinyl Urban Vinyl laminates Essentials (previously Casa) Cottage - new range BAJONG Home Twist Supreme Montana Montana Twist Sahara IVC Expressions Fantasy Fusion Master Grip Planet Presto Victoria MISCELLANEOUS CAVALIER Country Collection Hamlet Parish and Village LEIGH SPINNERS Atlas Velour THOMAS WITTER Innovations C&H - Now in Stock Homestyle LVT - planks and tiles PARAGON Toccarre Carpet Tiles MOHAWK CARPETS Century Half Century

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 March/April 2011.

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

DID YOU KNOW? STS Flooring Distributors Ltd stock a large range of carpets and carpet tiles via our 5 depots ORPINGTON • CROYDON • WATFORD • CAMBRIDGE • OXFORD (THAME) 08454 341000 08454 342000 01954 781142 01844 213555

NEXT DAY DELIVERY STS GOLDLINE STOCK CARPETS Abbey Twist 30/40 Aston Twist Bernwood Twist Bernwood Supreme Bernwood Forest Bernwood Heather Bernwood Heather Supreme Blenheim Twist 40 Blenheim Twist 50 Cherwell Cord Chislehurst Fairfield Supreme Gladiator Supreme Harrier Felt Harrier Gel Heathdale Magnum Gel Medicare Multicare Classic New Valley Twist Orinoco Opus Twist Ravensbury Twist 32/40/50 Ruskin Twist Scala Supersava Elite BALTA STOCK CARPETS New Shepherd Twist Gala Cord

PRICE LIST DATE FEBRUARY 2011 LANO STOCK CARPETS Bolero Chislehurst Fairfield Supreme Havanna Heather Twist Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist Sapphire Scala Startwist Startwist Supreme

CARPET STOCK TILES Ascot Beckenham Cheltenham Clipper Croydon Croydon Stripe Keston Latour Saturn Selsdon

CORMAR STOCK CARPETS Apollo Berwick 40/50 Malabar Textures Natural Berber Twist New Oaklands 32/42/50 Primo Plus Primo Tweeds Primo Ultra Town & Country Forest Hills

STOCK UNDERLAYS Goldtred Collection Cirrus Cumulus Nimbus Silver Lining Cloud Nine Contract Cloud Nine Super Contract Durafit 500 Durafit 650 Cosi 8mm & 10mm Heatflow Collection Roma Blue Heaven Willow Green Tredaire Elite Treadmore

BEAULIEU INTERNATIONAL Bellini Dublin Elite Mercator EDEL TELENZO Fleur Hercules Orinoco Puma

STS Area Managers Essex, Cambs, Suffolk, Norfolk

Sales Area Managers Dana Baldock 07801 762725

Paul Jones 07801 762719

South/East London, Kent, E Sussex, Part Essex

Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol & Birmingham

Mirka Mihulcova 07500 847566

Paul Jeffery 07717 218024

South/West London, W Sussex, Berks, Hants, Surrey

South/East London, Kent, E Sussex

Vicky Langley 07962 646847

Regional Manager Rachel Sherwood 07801 762724 Sales Merchandiser Dave Lowman 07500 847758

Steve Osman 07919 128401

North/East London, Berkshire, Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middlesex, Northants, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire

Surrey, W Sussex, Hants, Berks, South/West London

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Weston Hammer UK 16/17 Byford Court Hadleigh IP7 6RD Tel: +44 (0)845 644 9090 Fax:+44 (0)845 644 9191 info@westonhammer.com www.weston-carpets.co.uk

We are pleased to announce the launch of two new prestige ranges along with a revamp of our highly successful STONE FIBRE COLLECTION. NEW NATURAL LINES: 100% Wool with a luxurious deep pile in fashion shades. 4m & 5m wide. NEW COLOURS JACS: The much loved designer range in 100% Wool with new shades and now in 5m wide. STONE FIBRE COLLECTION IN 5m WIDE : This very successful designer flatweave collection is being updated and is available in 4m and 5m. Complex designs and inset rugs can be made in one continuous production, avoiding the need for joins and mitres.

Tunis A heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Queen Tweed A fine heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Denver A stylish heavy domestic tonal loop pile in 100% Wool, available in 4m and 5m widths. Oklahoma A heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths.

Supreme Stripe A heavy domestic tonal stripe in 100% Wool loop pile. Supreme Boucle Our best selling level loop 100% Wool product available in 12 up to the minute colours in both 4m and 5m widths.

Imperial Boucle A heavy domestic loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Las Vegas A chunky luxurious loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths.

Royal Velour A luxurious velour in 80% Wool/20% Nylon in 5m wide.

Sisal Boucle and Sisal Berber Natural fibre textured loop pile ranges in two styles.

The Stone Fibre Collection Our unique flat woven quality in many fashion styles and colours. Orlando A chunky loop quality with a thick latex backing for a luxurious feel.

Bespoke Design carpet from Hammer Carpets You may not have heard of them but Hammer Carpets in Denmark are the worlds largest manufacturer of Colortec bespoke design carpets in the world. Colortec is a state of the art tufting machine that uses computer controlled technology to manufacture any design in a maximum of 8 colours. This tried and tested manufacturing method is up to 10 times faster than Axminster and exactly replicates the appearance, unlike a printed design carpet. If you would like more details of this type of carpet and to find out how competitive and easy to use it can be then please call your Sales Agent or our Sales office who will be happy to help.

OUR UK SALES TEAM Mr Ron Fewery Tel: 07976 244892 London, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire. Mr Steve Acton Tel: 07957 836207 Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset. Mrs Jac Hayman Tel: 07815 785801 Contract Sales East Anglia. Mr Gary Foster Tel: 07515 283872 East Anglia, Northamptonshire.

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Mr Steve Green Tel: 07590 369522 North Wales, Cumbria, Manchester, Liverpool. Mr Derek Boyd Tel: 07940 320708 Scotland. Mr Lee Palmer Tel: 07774 101640 Channel Islands. Mr Jonathan Gorman Tel: 07815 121660 Northern Ireland.

Mr Mark Garbett Tel: 07840 664757 Bristol & the West Country. Mr Steve Fletcher Tel: 07831 818989 Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Tyneside. Mr Keith Stevens Tel: 07710 160166 Midlands & South Wales.

Please visit our website at www.weston-carpets.co.uk for online cutting requests and more information on our products, or telephone 0845 644 9090 (local rate) to speak to one of our telephone sales team

‘Instant’ websites for flooring people who don’t really like the internet! Maybe you’re not too keen on the net but know you should have a decent website. Flooring stores don’t generally need anything too complex – most of the time, visitors are just trying to find out your phone number, your opening hours or where they can park! Or they’re just checking if you look professional. The Floorsites package from The Stocklists offers:

7 ready-made pages of flooring industry content covering the key sectors of carpets, vinyls, laminates, etc.

Instant online editing - if you can type, you can customise these pages yourself anytime to add latest offers and news… or leave them as they are – we put all your contact information in there anyhow.

Choose photos from our library to make your site unique – or upload your own images.

Link to Google Maps – let visitors find you quickly and see where to park

Auto-email form to let customers contact you direct

It costs £390 for the set-up and the first year - and £90 per year thereafter (exc. VAT). Check out our dummy site at www.thestocklists.com/floorsites or contact David Spragg at davidspragg@thestocklists.com or call 01845 573241.

NO OBLIGATION ‘TEST DRIVE’...

We set up your site free-of-charge for a month. If you don’t like it, you don’t pay. There’s nothing to lose!

7 March 2011

FlooringNews Flooring’s Fashion Show

A 6-page report on the debut of flooring at the design interiors show at the NEC starts on page 49

Beautiful Brintons Brintons carpets is celebrating after its Laura Ashley woven Axminster collection scooped the Gold Award in the Best Carpet Range category at the prestigious House Beautiful Awards. House Beautiful is a popular consumer magazine with 152,000 monthly readers inspirational ideas on home improvements and décor and its annual awards showcase the very best products for the home. The collection has been designed to bring romance into the interior space. It features 15 dreamy romantic florals and distinctive striped runner products that can be used to make a stand alone striking design statement or in conjunction with co-ordinating fabrics and wallpapers from the Laura Ashley home interiors range to convey subtle sophistication. House Beautiful editor, Julia Goodwin, was part of the judging panel for the awards. She said: "The classic, timeless quality of the Brintons brand was given a contemporary twist in this clever partnership with High Street favourite Laura Ashley. The designs in the collection are easy to use and live with, and introducing stylish patterns in muted shades catches the mood in interiors." Dawn Mallett, Brintons Communications Manager, said: "We're thrilled to have won this award from such a prestigious interiors title like House Beautiful and this recognition illustrates what a stunning and versatile collection we have developed with Laura Ashley.” T 0800 505055

www.brintons.net

Pure floor A collection that delivers unadulterated style, Pure is the latest cushion floor to come from innovator Avenue. Slick metallic and pearl creations throw caution to the wind and present fashion as the cue, while concrete, wood and stone inspired decors entice with urban influence and slabs of on-trend grey. Pure is a youthful collection benefitting from the ease of cleaning offered by PU Superguard technology and the acoustic benefits of Thermoback to provide homes with a fresh and practical floor for modern living. “Pure is all about using the floor as a reflection of self-style,” says Caroline Wille, product manager Avenue. “Vitality and youth are the key to this range that express a cool urban vibe, while not forgetting that modern living doesn’t leave as much time for domestic chores.” Backed by a seven year guarantee and featuring a 0.25mm wear layer, Pure is available in two, three and four-metre widths. The Natural Feel surface enhances appearance and the floor is suitable for use with underfloor heating. Pure can also contribute to a quieter home, reducing sound by up to 18dB. T +32 5665 3211

from The Stocklists

www.ivcgroup.com

March 2011 35

News feature

Full ahead for Harrogate Harrogate is set to establish its status as the “essential event’ for the flooring trade as bookings for exhibition space are already exceeding last year’s levels with more than six months to go. Event organisers have already signed up 105 exhibitors – nearly double the number that had committed this time last year. Leading companies include Abingdon, Associated Weavers, F Ball, Cormar, Furlong, IVC, Karndean, Kingsmead, Lano and Mohawk who have all re-booked from last year – and in many cases have increased the size of their stand space. A host of new companies have come on board to further strengthen the show’s attraction to visitors and these include Bronte Carpets, Coba Europe, Janser Tools, Mapei, Roger Fell, Tremco, V4 Wood Flooring and Whitestone Weavers. “There is only one show for the busy Autumn period and the very high level of interest in stand bookings confirms that this is an essential event for the trade,” says organiser David Wildman. “Although trade is very difficult at present, we are reassured that the industry is looking ahead and planning to sustain and build their businesses – and are deciding that Harrogate is the right place to do it.”

“the very high level of interest in stand bookings confirms that this is an essential event for the trade” The strong build-up to the Harrogate Flooring Show follows the success in 2010 when the event was re-launched under independent ownership led by David Wildman – the previous Harrogate organisers having amalgamated their event with the showcase interiors show which took place in Birmingham in January. Last year the show saw increased visitor numbers and was described as “phenomenal” by Neil Valentine of Furlong Flooring among a host of accolades from exhibitors. Ann Shaw at Ball & Young commented: “The Harrogate show delivered in every way with a first class atmosphere.” Richard Harris at F Ball described Harrogate as the “natural home of flooring”. He added: “Harrogate is a real networking event which attracts a great mix of retailers, contractors, manufacturers and distributors.” The international flavour of the exhibition will be extended this year with a strong showing from European players and new participants from China, Turkey, India and South Africa. “Traditionally a main result of the show was to promote British products to the UK market and this still remains the largest part of the offering to visitors,” says David. “However it is encouraging to see quality overseas companies joining the show, reflecting the way the total marketplace in flooring is developing.” Organisers have been building new features into the 2011 event and expect to extend the seminar programme into the Sunday – the highly successful first day of the show. There will also be a three day program of demonstrations from a purpose-built presentation area in Hall B.

www.harrogateflooringshow.net 36 March 2011

“Harrogate is a real networking event which attracts a great mix of retailers, contractors, manufacturers and distributors.”

The event has also launched a new website which is more interactive and aims to give a real flavour of what to expect at the event and how to get the most out of visiting. A new brochure (pictured top right) is also available for potential exhibitors.

For stand/show details, contact Wendy or David on 01423 779967 FlooringNews

38 March 2011

FlooringNews

News

Brockway’s ‘Wool Impressions’ carpet was showcased across most of the floor of the Wools of New Zeland stand at Domotex.

Impressive Impressions Brockway Carpets, in collaboration with Wools of New Zealand and Danish yarn supplier Danspin has produced a one-off fully traceable carpet which was showcased at January's Domotex show in Hannover, Germany. The new carpet was produced using Wools of New Zealand Laneve wool, which is traceable back to identifiable farmers who meet a comprehensive range of environmental, social responsibility and animal welfare standards. The bespoke ‘Wool Impressions’ carpet showcases Brockway's long tradition of innovation and collaboration with pioneering and market-leading suppliers. The luxurious tufted level loop carpet is made of a 3-ply yarn comprising three single yarns of different colours to create a subtle, stippled pastel effect synonymous with the Wool Impressions concept inspired by Monet and his Impressionist contemporaries. The concept, developed at Wools of New Zealand's Centre of Excellence in Ilkley, is reliant upon the blending of pure and evocative colours, made possible by the uniquely clean and white Laneve wool fibre. "The success of our Designer Collection, launched last year, has reinforced our view that consumers are increasingly looking for environmentally-friendly, sustainably produced carpets featuring natural materials, and are willing to search out products that meet their eco-criteria," said Charles Annable, Brockway's managing director. "We're delighted by the reception the carpet has received and look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with Wools of New Zealand." T 01562 828200

Fast trackers The country’s fourth fastest growing retailer, UK Flooring Direct has opened the doors on a 3,000ft2 consumer and trade showroom at its new Coventry headquarters and warehousing facility. With 150 products across wood, laminate, vinyl and bamboo in stock and ready for immediate delivery or collection, the showroom complements the online retailer’s impressive Internet presence that has seen sales reach £5.97m in 2009-2010. Now ranking in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100, UK Flooring Direct will use the showroom for both consumer facing and trade activities. “The new showroom is a natural extension of our Internet presence and we hope that it will become an important venue for homeowners, installers, builders and contractors in the Midlands region,” says managing director, Jason Ashby. “With around 150 different floors in stock ready for immediate collection, as well as a full and comprehensive range of fitting and installation accessories, I am certain that homeowners will appreciate its immediacy and that the trade will welcome its fresh approach to service and supply”. The showroom is open Monday to Friday from 7am - 5pm and on Saturday from 8am - 2pm. T 0845 287 5623

www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

www.brockway.co.uk

Crown is newest UK carpet brand Now there’s another major royal occasion in April - the launch of Crown Floors as the UK’s newest carpet brand. And while we won’t get a bank holiday to celebrate for this one, the event is likely to have a substantial impact as the company rolls out 10 new ranges. Based in Rochdale, the company will have two British Wool ranges and a stain-resistant polypropylene portfolio including shaggies and a bedroom range: “These will be quality, mainstream ranges which are specifically designed to sell well in the UK market,” said sales director James Caldwell. “Our display units are eye catching, practical to use and compact but show all colours and styles in an orderly way with a unique feeler sample and hangers of all colours below,” said James. “We at Crown Floors have worked on every range in detail to offer both you and your customers value for money with the peace of mind that comes from a quality brand, with all orders being supplied directly to your store from our central warehouse in the UK.” Crown has a sales team of ten talking to retailers in the UK and offering an attractive range of point-of-sale and merchandising to support the ranges. The roll-out of promotional material and product is expected to start at the end of April. T 0800 0773 301

www.crownfloors.co.uk

Now you can sell StainFree carpets with the total confidence of a LIFETIME GUARANTEE against all household food and drinks stains. See www.stainfreeforlife.com and turn to page 43 of this magazine...

40 March 2011

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

March 2011 41

News feature

Easy life for StainFree retailers Multi-widths and a lifetime guarantee! That’s the major new launch from Abingdon who has announced a market leading ‘StainFree for life’ scheme that offers ultimate confidence for consumers. The company that created the StainFree concept more than twenty years ago has now re-invented the proposition with the promise that carpets will remain free from food and drink spills and staining for their entire lifetime - or be replaced. “This is a major new initiative that sets a benchmark in the industry,” says Abingdon’s Martin Peace. “It is a real retailer-friendly idea. We are giving the retailer something he can sell with total confidence, a major extra benefit free of charge which consumers will respond to strongly. After that, the retailer doesn’t need to get involved.” Retailers offer consumers a written lifetime guarantee certificate that is then registered with Abingdon - online or by mail. There is a freephone help line and any carpet claims will be assessed and then cleaned by a network of professional operators. If they can’t be cleaned they will be replaced. The initiative extends across the full 40 ranges of Abingdon’s bleachcleanable, polypropylene carpets. A huge campaign of point-of-sale promotion and publicity will be supporting the new offer and Abingdon’s sales team are already at large this month with window stickers, hangers and wall panel inserts with the ‘StainFree for life’ message. The new move is an extension of the existing guarantee schemes which Abingdon has operated since 1997 when a 5-year guarantee was offered, followed by a 10-year scheme a little later.

“We are giving the retailer something he can sell with total confidence.” “In practice, we realised how few claims we were getting because of the performance of our carpets is so reliable - so it was not a too difficult decision to extend the guarantee for life,” says Martin. “Lots of people have pale beige carpet now so it is more important than ever.” “We are confident in making this offer because we are the only company in the UK that extrudes our own yarn right from the polymer chips. We can control the quality all the way through the processes and, as a result of our total vertical integration for 2-ply polypropylene yarn, we can achieve consistency and quality every time - an advantage that gives our retailers that extra bit of confidence in our products,” he added. The initiative also gives Abingdon a rare opportunity in the flooring sector to get to know its own residential consumers better, providing a chance to raise their brand awareness and encourage repeat sales. T 01274 655694 www.stainfreeforlife.com

from The Stocklists

March 2011 43

News

Tread softly Making homes quieter and more comfortable underfoot, Comfylux Xtra is the new name for Leoline’s textile-backed collection. Thanks to its Luxatex® textile backing, Comfylux Xtra is supremely comfortable underfoot; while an array of decors encompassing wood, tile, mosaic and plain styles enhanced with Natural Look and Feel technology ensure the cushion flooring’s widespread appeal. Yet comfort, style and acoustic performance are not the only advantages to Comfylux Xtra, an R10 slip-resistance rating makes the floor safer underfoot and SuperGuard makes it easier to maintain. Available in two, three and four-metre widths, the floor can be used everywhere from bathroom to dining room. “Comfylux Xtra is a great all rounder,” says Caroline Wille, product manager Leoline. “Ideal for retailers wanting to boost their cushion floor offering, or for those looking to take their first steps with Leoline, the floor features popular designs, backed with the performance qualities and value to make it an irresistible option for consumers.” Comfylux Xtra is available from mainline distributors and comes fully supported by a dedicated point-of-sale unit. T +32 5665 3211

www.ivcgroup.com

Light work Novostrat are reporting satisfied customers with their new Combat range of underlays. Mr Read, a new user of Combat told the company: “Once you have worked with this product, I can’t see why anyone would choose to use anything else - it is so light to move around the room, so easy to cut to length and to shape, so efficient in it’s moisture control layer overlap, and then so comfortable underfoot at the end.” Novostrat itself claims to have an underlay for every application and the new Combat and Combat Plus underlays are just the latest for ‘general purpose’ use or for use with underfloor heating systems. Novostrat’s flagship underlay ‘Sonic Gold Excel’ will reduce noise penetration by up to 22dB whilst their ‘Comfort’ underlay will meet most budget constraints yet still provide excellent performance. Novostrat is still a relative newcomer to the markets in UK and Ireland, but through high profile marketing and a well considered development of their product range, Novostrat is now a ‘first option’ provider of underlays for wood and laminate floors - not forgetting of course their ‘Graphite’ ‘Value’ underlay for carpeted floors. T 00353 61-339287

44 March 2011

www.novostrat.com

Summit’s up at Cormar A Cormar Carpets employee has completed the climb of his life, trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity. The company sponsored Area Salesman Dennis Johnson who covers the Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire territory and a team of 10 others from a rotary club in Northampton. And in recognition of the company’s support, Dennis planted a Cormar flag at the peak! The group raised over £4,000 which will be split between the Warwickshire and Northants Air Ambulance and the Rotary Polio Plus Campaign. Out of the team on expedition, Dennis was one of eight that managed to scale the 5,895 metres to the top of Africa’s highest mountain. “Without a doubt it was the hardest thing I have ever done. But with the combined support of friends, relatives, Cormar customers and the organisation itself, I was able to complete this mammoth journey,” said Dennis. The Warwickshire and Northants Air Ambulance provides emergency medical services for the area and the Rotary Polio Plus Campaign is an international Rotary Club campaign to eradicate polio worldwide. T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

FlooringNews

carpet with a twist

T 01827 831434 F 01827 831435 sales@manxcarpets.co.uk

New Ashworth (Pearl) offers the ultimate carpet for any home. A beautiful and fashionable colour palette of 21 solid colour shades to compliment any interior decor. Made from 80% British wool and 20% anti static nylon. New Ashworth is available in two qualities - super (40oz per sq yard) and extra super (50oz per sq yard) in both four and five metre wide - representing good value for money in today's ever competitive market.

For more range information, visit www.manxcarpets.co.uk from The Stocklists

March 2011 45

News

Dazzling Star Dazzling from afar, Silver Star from the Design Lacquer collection by Artwood is great ‘look-at-me’ flooring, perfect for high-end interior retailers looking to inspire consumers with unique creations for their home. Joining a whole complement of RAL metallic and colour finishes within gloss, as well as modern and aged finishes, Silver Star captures the essence of Artwood, but as co-founder and sales & marketing director Louay Azoo explains, the concept is far more than about shouting ‘look at me’. “Silver Star makes a great talking point in-store, but is a floor really only for the very brave and we completely understand this. Alongside finishes such as gloss white and black, Silver Star typifies Artwood’s ethos of stretching the boundaries of finishing possibilities, yet we also cater for the less extrovert home owner with a full portfolio of more subtle effects. In fact, Artwood has something for everyone and I do mean that quite literally.” With a comprehensive range on offer, Artwood allows retailers to fine tune display and sampling options to suit their customer base. Retailers can take advantage of unique display walls, individual planks, or beautiful leather sample boxes that can hold up to 60 samples. All Artwood floors use high quality engineered oak boards and are backed by a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty. T 0845 519 2726

Ulster springs into colour Ulster Carpets has announced that they are extending their Country House Beaumont and Anatolia ranges with the addition of seven new colourways. Country House Beaumont; a versatile, stylish and sophisticated plaid design will be enhanced with four new colourways that will be added to the existing collection. New colours are Chalk Downs, Balmoral Red, Turtle Dove and Brindle. Also launching in Spring 2011 are three new colourways in Ulster’s classical Anatolia range - Isis, Luxor and Delta. Each new colourway in the Anatolia range will be available in a medallion, scroll and runner design. All of the new products being added to Ulster’s Country House Beaumont and Anatolia ranges will be 80% wool 20% nylon woven Axminster and will be available in 4.57m (15'), 3.66m (12'), 2.74m (9'), 1.83m (6') and 0.91m (3') colourmatching widths. The Anatolia runners will be 0.69m (27") wide. T 028 38334433

www.ulstercarpets.com

www.artwood-floors.com

Peak FITness from supporters The Furnishing Industry Trust (FIT) announced the winners of the 2010 FIT Supporter of the Year awards at the NEC interiors show in January. The team at Manchester Furniture Show (MFS) and Rupert Anton, chairman of The Carpet Foundation, named, respectively, FIT’s Corporate and Individual Supporter of the Year, recognising the hard work and outstanding service both have given in support of the industry’s only dedicated charity. Edward Tadros and chairman of FIT’s benefit committee, Penelope Williams, also presented the charity’s first ever student bursaries to Cristiana Lonescu (BA Contemporary Furniture Design) and Harry Owen (BSc Product Design) in recognition of their outstanding work. Both will be awarded scholarships to study for a furnishing qualification at Bucks New University.

Charles Kerrigan (left) and Edward Tadros present Theresa Raymond of The Manchester Furniture Show with the FIT Corporate Supporter of The Year Award,

Penelope Williams (left) and Edward Tadros (right) present the new FIT student bursary awards to Harry Owen and Christiana Lonescu.

Committed supporters of FIT, the organisers of the Manchester furniture show, Laraine Janes and new FIT trustee Theresa Raymond were behind the creation and sponsorship of the Women in Furnishing awards (WIF) and many other fundraising initiatives in 2010. Rupert Anton has organised the Kidderminster Golf day for the past three years, raising a total of £24,000 for FIT. Said Charles Kerrigan: “Our charity survives thanks to people like Rupert and the team at MFS. We are extremely grateful for their efforts this year – a difficult year for the industry but one where our key supporters pulled out all the stops for our beneficiaries. It is for this reason that we feel they deserve to be recognised.” The new bursaries scheme, announced last summer, ring-fenced an annual sum of £12,000 for MA bursaries, and funding for help with BA students in their final year. www.fi-trust.co.uk 48 March 2011

FlooringNews

Flooring’s fashion show Debut performance for flooring at NEC event The flooring industry tip-toed onto the stage of the UK’s hit interiors show alongside a huge supporting cast of designer furnishing - and the debut attracted sustained applause. The interiors show at Birmingham’s NEC has never had a dedicated flooring section before and promised a new audience of interior designers, major stores buyers and contract specifiers. “We didn’t know what to expect but we are very pleased,” said Neil Valentine of Furlong Flooring. “It is a modern show which looks great and has a good atmosphere. This is a totally different audience for us and the interest in our Carefree range has been terrific.” Martin Peace of Distinctive Flooring/Abingdon said he would be looking for more space at the show next year. “This has been a real success for us with a noticeable increase in Southern visitors and specialists such as breweries, garden centres, student accommodation and people we wouldn’t normally see.” Flooring shared hall 2 with the ‘Modern’ section of furnishing and was surround by start-of-the-art living, designer sofas, trendy table sets and the latest LED lighting. With no real boundaries between sections, the mix was exciting and interesting - creating a creative and challenging environment for the flooring exhibitors. The show’s ‘thinking room’ rest and refreshment areas were also very stylish and added to the ‘designer’ feel of the event. Interiors attracted more than 26,000 - a small increase on last year - and show director Phil Hunter commented: ”We are extremely pleased with the show’s results. The event has been tremendously beneficial for our exhibitors and we received lots of positive feedback. “ Continued on page 51

interiors show designers use strong colours and bold shapes to characterise the NEC environment as a creative space. The flooring sector of Hall 2 mingled with the ‘modern’ sector in the same building to place flooring amongst the newest furnishing concepts and alongside the latest lighting.

Pictured above left is the split with flooring on the left of the aisle and furniture on the right of Hall 2 and shown above is the ‘thinking space’ rest and refresh area. Pictured left is the entrance to hall 2 with trendy tables and sofas - the flooring stands are seen in the background.

from The Stocklists

March 2011 49

Alpaca Rugs Alpaca Rugs are well known for their range of ultra-soft rugs from the alpaca wool and the distinctive range of designs they are offered in. At the interiors show they were also adding something new - a collection of hand-tooled New Zealand lambskin and leather rugs which are made to order on a six-week turn-round. The highly individual rugs are the creation of a talented Romanian designer who is skilled at the combination of fleece and leather to make multi-texture effects. Each run also has a full leather backing which adds to the feel of uncompromising quality about these products. T 01482 631072

www.alpaca-rugs.co.uk

Bondworth Bondworth Carpets presented themselves with the elegance that has become the company’s hallmark. Framed on the wall were a series of top quality traditional axminsters but forming the backdrop on the stand floor and walls was a beautifully contemporary custom axminster in black and greys - a design created for the Royal Hotel in Cardiff. While Bondworth are 70% residential, the hotel sector is increasingly important to the company. Martin Oakes, m.d. said: “2010 was a good year with growth in residential and leisure. The hotel sector like the things we are doing and they are looking for more contemporary Axminster designers in the UK which is what we are good at.”

Brockway Brockway Carpets found interiors a good platform to promote their up-market Designer Collection which the company has been steadily building since the successful launch of Vogue only two years ago. “Life is very interesting at Brockway at the moment,” said Tony Bradley. “We are attracting a lot of interest from the industry and we have had excellent coverage in the consumer press which has helped enormously.” The highly aspirational Designer Collection has nine fashionconscious ranges to coordinate across impactful stripes and luxury plains. The Brockway stand at interiors demonstrated the approach with a Vogue Opulence stripe in the centre, flanked by a Morello plain. T 01562 824737

T 01562 745000

50 March 2011

www.brockway.co.uk

www.bondworth.co.uk

FlooringNews

Flooring’s fashion show

continued

“The addition of the flooring section proved to be a success, presenting the latest designs from both established companies and emerging brands to the whole of interiors industry,” added Phil. Several floor companies rose to the occasion with some exceptional stand designs from leaders like Cavalio, Crucial Trading, Furlong Flooring and Moduleo. In all, 60 flooring-related companies made the journey to Birmingham - less than originally hoped but a strong contingent which had lots to say to the interiors sector. However, many felt the flooring section at interiors will need greater ‘critical’ mass’ with more main players to establish itself with floor buyers as an essential event in the future. “This show is ideal for us,” says Michael Turner at Crucial Trading. “I think there is a massive benefit being attached to the furniture show. It’s a high-quality, designer environment.” Mike Britten at Cavalio was confident interiors was a success. “This has to be the future. The time of year is right to show new products and we have been very pleased by the quality of visitors.” Khush Khan at V4 Woodflooring commented: “We have had a very good mix of people and we have been very pleased with the attendance we have seen from the Midlands and the South of England.” The geographical mix was commented on by many exhibitors as the ability to tempt Southern buyers further North has always been an issue for the industry. However, London-based buyers still seem reluctant to venture beyond the M25 (or beyond their own office if the poor performance of past London shows is anything to go by) but South East, South West and Midlands buyers were well represented. Most exhibitors were very satisified with the level of enquiries - perhaps only the rug-sellers finding the audience a little less likely to buy. A common comment was the number of single project interior designers whose ‘project’ was, in fact, their own house! Prospects for the event next year seem good if the support of existing exhibitors can attract more players into the event but competition for budget in a tight market will be a factor. From a position where the flooring industry wasn’t sure if it could afford a show at all, it now has three contenders to choose from: a new NEC exhibition, a resurgent Harrogate and a strengthening buying group event in Solihull.

Regency Carefree Regency Carpets continues to build huge momentum behind the launch of the Carefree range and the interiors show provided a platform to extend the reach of their campaign to a wider audience. Their presentation was enhanced with a dramatic new island stand which showed the benefits of Carefree from every angle. “We have had phenomenal interest in Carefree,” said Neil Valentine of Regency distributor Furlong Flooring. Not one to rest on its laurels, the company came to the show with lots of new features including a sumptuous new saxony to bring the Carefree collection up to 12 ranges and they announced that all ranges would now be available in 5m width. The video lecterns continue to be very popular and visitors also saw the new wall units, to be available next month, which have a more accessible design and incorporate a high quality lectern section with stepped samples with taped edges. T 01772 696787

from The Stocklists

www.regencycarefree.co.uk

March 2011 51

Cavalio Cavalio has all the passion and flair you'd expect from a creative Italian flooring company - except that despite their Latin name and 'exceptionally stylish' marketing tagline, they're actually a UK company manufacturing up-market LVT in Staffordshire. “We’re here to raise awareness of our brand a little more,” says Mike Britten. “We have only been operating for two or three years so we are still fairly new and need to promote our name.” Cavalio's product range is impressive with highly attractive wood and stone decors in ranges such as Clic and Terrini and 14 super-realistic wood effects in Vittara and ceramic effects in Ceramica. Also intriguing is the Artigo rubber collection (this one is from Milan, by the way!) which has a highly contemporary feel in 7 designs and 89 colours. T 01782 569840

www.cavaliofloors.com

Contemporary Life Contemporary Life is one of the 'fashionistas' of the flooring business and made the most of their newest product Solar which was launched at the interiors show under their Tollgate Bespoke brand. Solar has impeccable credentials - a 54oz carpet manufactured using 4-fold yarn 'rope velvet' technology from Laneve - the Wools of New Zealand top quality mark of fully traceable fibre. “This is an incredible carpet with a very thick tuft with a very flat finish but with a lot of texture,” says Steve Evans. Solar will be ready for the UK market in April/May this year. The offer is ultimately flexible - any width from 0.5m to 15m with a made-to-plan option to avoid waste on T and L-shaped installations - and any colour, in addition to the 15 standard colours which will also be offered. T 01254 296829

www.contemporarylife.co.uk

Carpet & Flooring Readers will be familiar with the “Vanguard” brand name for residential carpets and their “CFS” brand is a well respected product group within the contract market. High service levels and a broad product offer, is gaining Carpet & Flooring market share. Continued expansion has meant that new depots have recently opened in Glasgow, Gateshead and Bow in London. A new Bristol depot has just moved to double it’s capacity and in total there are now seven regional depots. The company is a part of SIG PLC, the construction materials group, backing the growth of the business. Carpet & Flooring has re-branded to give a clean and understandable offer to its customers, “ The interiors show has given us the opportunity to show the face of our new branding as many contractors and retailers still don’t know about us” says John Stringer (Group Marketing Manager). “We have improved all our systems and our service is becoming second to none. We now have highly coordinated distribution and we're ready for new business”. Carpet & Flooring were exhibiting all new POS displays and their new Vanguard ranges. T 01527 511860

52 March 2011

www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

FlooringNews

Distinctive Flooring Distinctive Flooring were proudly showing their latest product as the UK distributor of the Super-Click loose-lay luxury vinyl product which has made such an impact since it was first launched at Harrogate last year. “This is going to be a big success for us,” said Martin Peace of Distinctive Flooring, part of the Abingdon stable. “Everyone reacts so well to the product and it has instant appeal.

Crucial Trading Crucial Trading were feeling very at home at the NEC at the heart of a design-led interiors environment and built a stunning stand to emphasise their uncompromising commitment to quality and style. The distinctive style of their natural products was well received at the show and they demonstrated the elaborate breadth of their wool textures as well as other cleverly woven fibres such as seagrass, coir, jute and sisal. “We wanted to present creative, high-end floorcoverings in a top quality environment,” says Michael Turner of Crucial. “The interiors show is ideal for us as we are surrounded by leading interiors companies from furniture to lighting. Collectively we attracted a high caliber of visitors.” T 01562 743 747

www.crucial-trading.com

Martin is pictured with a prototype of the new point-of-sale unit which is just being finalised as the Super-Click product is about to be released to the UK market. The product is the ultimate fitter-friendly LVT - you don't even need to bend down as most sections can be nudged into position with a well judged toe-kick and the floor can be laid over existing carpet, tiles and vinyl. T 01274 655 694

www.distinctiveflooring.co.uk

Novostrat Novostrat is going into Combat in the fight for market share in a competitive market. Combat is their new polyethylene acoustic underlay for wooden floors and is especially suitable for underfloor heating - a sector that is performing strongly at present. Michael Hanrahan said “Polyethylene is especially good for noise reduction but as it is not a good thermal insulator, the product is perfect for installations with underfloor heating and this is a growing sector at present.” Michael Hanrahan and Tonino Taibi of Novostrat are pictured (right and left) with customer Mr Sajjad Akhtar Khan (centre) of SA Carpets & Flooring.

The 3mm product offers noise reduction of 19dB and is extremely lightweight. There is an LDPE film layer for vapour control and a 'Combat Plus' product is offered with a double layer. T 00353 (0) 61 339287

from The Stocklists

www.novostrat-insulation.com March 2011 53

IVC moduleo IVC Group unleashed the full force of its moduleo Design Floors concept at the NEC, featuring stunning collections such as Spirit and Global - a new generation in luxury flooring. Retailers visiting the show were the first to see moduleo’s true in-store impact, with the full unveiling of the unique shop-in-shop concept that brings high style to the shop floor. With three options available, the shop-in-shop display presents the collections in the best possible light, using distinct branding and modern looks. “The moduleo Design Floors concept is really something unique for the retailer, presenting the very best luxury vinyl products in a fresh and dynamic way,” says Christ Taveirne, product manager. “Every element essential in brand development has been given the high-end treatment, from brochures to the website and the stunning shop-in-shop concept.” T +32 5665 3211

www.ivcgroup.com

Unnatural Flooring Unnatural Flooring are fairly selective about where they exhibit but can always count on a lot of attention for their unique product range - woven vinyl flooring which has the look, feel and texture of a natural sisal-type product but with the unnatural vinyl qualities of high-traffic wear, cleanability and water resistance. “We have seen a lot of people who we haven't seen before and who didn't know we exisited,” said Barnaby Green. “It's a very interesting audience for us.” The Devon-based company has carved a unique niche for a product which has the performance characteristics that allow it to be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, gyms, conservatories and offices - all environments where a less 'unnatural' product would be under pressure. T 0844 4142166

www.unnaturalflooring.com

Plantation Rugs The Plantation Rug Company’s Art Gallery inspired stand showcased the new 2011 collection of rugs as pieces of art and attracted many new and existing retailers to the stand. The ‘star of the show’ was a 5m x 3m London Skyline rug that is already coveted by interior junkies across the globe, with sales as far as Malaysia. Other pieces included the LOVE rug, one hundred percent pure wool with tattooed, coloured letters reading LOVE. Managing Director, John Clark said: “The show has given us a great platform to launch our new collection and has introduced us to new retailers and interior designers that I’m looking forward to working with over the next year. The light and spacious environment was a great place to meet new contacts and talk ‘shop’.” T 0161 430 8700

V4 V4 has a reputation for quality woodflooring and unveiled a point-of-sale unit like no other which underlines their uncompromising approach to doing thing well! The substantial wall unit has sliding units at eye level to show case the decors and a set of wide drawers below for customers to take out samples to handle the planks. “This unit is very special and we won't be able to offer it to everyone - it represents a substantial investment,” said Khush Khan. “But we have had a great reaction to the unit. It has achieved its objective which is to impress!.” he said. The unit will be targeted at V4's bespoke Eiger Collection, a range of 21mm engineered wood planks in Oak, Walnut and Teak in a variety of finishes. T 01276 488099 54 March 2011

www.v4woodflooring.co.uk

www.plantationrug.co.uk

The Wool Benefits Series from Wools of New News Zealand

Natural Impressions Wools of New Zealand have registered the mark “Wool Impressions” for creative yarn styling directions utilising the finest New Zealand wools. New Zealand wool and more specifically Laneve™ branded wool harmonises perfectly with the Wool Impressions™ yarn design concepts. The jewel-like intensity of the bright dots, flecks and brush strokes of colours implemented by Monet and his contemporaries defines colour as being the key component and subject of the composition rather than an adjunct of naturalism.

Launched at Domotex in January, Wool Impressions™ was the theme for Wools of New Zealand’s Wool Pavilion stand. Now based in Hall 5, the stand co-hosted eight Wools of New Zealand partners. This venture has proved a great success for all parties concerned and feedback postDomotex strengthens plans for a bigger co-partner stand next year. The outer walls of the Wool Pavilion were reminiscent of the ‘Orangerie’ in Paris where some of Monet’s works are displayed on vast curved walls, creating an all-encompassing colour experience. The stand carpet was designed to synthesize into the graphics. The yarn for the carpet, styled by Wools of New Zealand, is the first Wool Impressions™ product to be launched, and merged beautifully into Monet’s waterlily panels. It also illustrated the naturally integrated supply chain identified by the Laneve™ programme.

New Zealand wool is ideally suited to the Giverny palette due to its unique whiteness and infinite dyeing potential. Natural Beauty, a key benefit of New Zealand wool, underlines why the pure, lustrous white fibre makes it the natural choice for dyeing all the shades in the colour spectrum. The enormously successful Monet exhibition in Paris is influencing stylists and designers worldwide and can take credit for the stunning shades we are seeing – the natural tonic to counter the climatic and economic conditions affecting our lives.

The beautifully lustrous ‘watercolour’ yarn consists of 3 single yarns in soft pastels (coloured from the ‘Giverny’ palette) plied together. With wool supplied from Mark Shadbolt’s farm on the Banks Peninsula region of New Zealand, the yarn was spun and dyed by Danspin, and tufted into a beautiful loop pile construction by Brockway Carpets. As well as launching the 2012 colour forecast, Wools of New Zealand also presented a bespoke palette targeting fashion trends currently in the marketplace. The palette called ‘Giverny’, inspired by Claude Monet’s garden, presents 42 evocative and pure colours as seen through the eyes of the artist. The collection has been created to inspire new and contemporary yarn design as well as key styling trends. from The Stocklists

The Giverny palette and the Wools of New Zealand 2012 palette are available from Wools of New Zealand in both pom box and fan card formats. For further information refer to www.woolsnz.com or contact Joanna Ramsden on 01943 603888. March 2011 55

The British Wool column Wool trends continue to grow The impact of high level promotion from the Campaign for Wool is clearly having an effect as the all important coverage from consumer publications continues to increase. Wool product from blankets and throws to clothing and knit kits and of course carpets and rugs can all be found more prominently featured within their pages. Style trends are also now showing a big increase in soft interior furnishings and wool carpet for flooring is benefiting from that trend. “I do think that the heightened awareness of wool following on from the promotions last year has helped to create strong positioning of wool in these magazines. The consumer pick-up of trends is largely through these publications and so the on-going effect is wool on the floor has increased appeal,” said Bridgette Kelly of the British Wool Marketing Board. “We will continue to underpin that interest with strong promotions for wool this year and I hope retailers will also do their bit to promote British Wool.” The BWMB produce a variety of different publications that are useful to retailers and anyone wishing to make use of the about wool for carpets brochure should contact: marketing@britishwool.org.uk. Additional information can be found at the British Wool website - aboutwool.com.

About Wool brochure from British Wool.

Brintons collection scoops House Beautiful Award The Laura Ashley Collection - one of the most popular collections by Brintons - has won the Gold Award in the Best Carpet Range category at the prestigious House Beautiful Awards. House Beautiful is a popular consumer magazine with 152,000 readers all buying the magazine to seek inspirational ideas for their home improvements and decor. The House Beautiful Awards recognises excellent interior product from a broad spectrum but the Laura Ashley Collection stole the show in the Best Carpet Range category. The collection - designed to marry the unique style made famous by the Tatton from the Laura Ashley Laura Ashley brand, offers timeless Collection by Brintons. romance to the interior space. Featuring fifteen dreamy and romantic florals and distinctive striped runners, it is a mix and match portfolio that can be effective with one or more of the designs. It has been particularly popular for those consumers looking to create the Laura Ashley look as the designs can be used in conjunction with the brand’s home interiors range. Julia Goodwin, House Beautiful editor was part of the judging panel for the awards, she commented,,“The designs in this collection are easy to use and live with and introducing stylish patterns in muted shades caught the mood in interiors.” Dawn Mallet, Communications Manager at Brintons said, “We are thrilled to have won this award from such a prestigious title as House Beautiful. We feel this recognises the stunning versatility of the Laura Ashley Collection and by adding six new items, it remains perfectly on trend.”

56 March 2011

Ulster Carpets brings oriental design to the home with Blossom Delicate florals are also part of the Ulster offering; this season they have introduced Blossom - a patterned carpet with a delicate oriental floral design, showing the revival of soft pattern which introduces excellent floor level design in to Blossom – a new range in British the home. Wool from Ulster Carpets. Ulster’s design team have used a palette of eight colours in a subtle array of plain and heather yarns and used neutral backdrops with accent tones of cherry red, powder blue and earthy shades of bronze and fig. The greys/mink shades - ‘incense’ and ‘zen’ - provide a more modern feel and lend themselves perfectly to the contemporary setting. However, if a more oriental feel is desired, this can be created with the reds and golds of ‘lacquer ‘and ‘sungold’. Composed of 80% British Wool and 20% nylon, it is available in five colour matching widths – 4.75m, 3.66m, 2.74, 1.83m, and 0.91m.

FlooringNews

Simply Ryalux is a straightforward collection of good quality, affordable and dependable carpets. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re perfect for a first home or any room that simply needs a smart, reliable and comfortable floor covering. Available in Twist, Velvet, Loop and Texture options, all at one simple price. For more information, please go to www.ryalux.com from The Stocklists

March 2011 57

Flower on Flooring News News The tile story Further emphasising the wealth of choice provided by the flooring sector, the subject of carpet tiles is another that has seen extensive development in recent years. The once humble carpet tile has experienced a considerable change to its image as manufacturers have increased their efforts to expand the formerly limited choice. The carpet tile has always been recognised for providing long lived flooring solutions, with the ability to change individual tiles providing a rapid and inexpensive solution for damaged or worn areas. The example of Burmatex, and several other manufacturers, shows how this image has altered. The company has recently added new colours to its fibre bonded (FB) collection and continues to produce all ranges at its Yorkshire site. Its design and production teams have combined trend-led new colours with classic FB shades, the company states, creating a comprehensive collection that has been designed to suit all tastes and interiors. Burmatex adds trend-led colours to its ranges

Heckmondwike - cost effective, high-performance flooring

“Carpet tiles can also be used to create an interesting and designinspired floor. The example which springs to mind is Milton Keynes Academy; they needed a high-performance flooring option that would look great in years to come. The academy opted for Supacord carpet tiles, so they could replace individual tiles if the need occurred, without the cost of replacing the entire floor.” Vorwerk Carpets has launched its Esprit home island collection, combining its TEXtiles patented non-slip backing with playful interior design. Its latest collection is designed to allow the creation of individual floorscapes in geometric or isolated patterns. The company states that a unique array of combinations and applications is possible with Esprit's Colour Splash, Selected Nature and Modern Poetry. While Colour Splash is described as 'fun', using fuchsia and pink with natural off-white and a variety of structures, Select Nature is designed to be warm, using deep green shades and a delicate structure. Modern Poetry provides a vintage effect, with subtle contrasts in shading structure and materials. An Esprit-branded display is also available to retailers, showing three eight-tile boxes to emphasise the depth of choice on offer.

Vorwerk creates ‘floorscapes’ with Esprit

Classic ranges such as Academy and Cordiale have been brought up-to-date, with 17 new colours in the broad-ribbed range and 16 in the narrow ribbed range. Innovative, design-led structure bonded collections such as Lateral, Zip and Code have been invigorated with five directional new colours. Burmatex further explains how it analysed colour trends to combine cohesion with future thinking. New colours include pinks, indigos and purples, as well as greens and aquas. Ranges can be used individually in the traditional way or combined, the company states, to create distinctive, contemporary installations both with FB and structure bonded (SB) collections, along with other Burmatex ranges. Abby Chandler, Heckmondwike FB marketing manager, says: “We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the use of carpet tiles over the last five years as the life-cycle of carpet tiles proves more cost effective. It is recommended that carpet tiles are adhered to the floor with tackifier which allows individual tiles to be easily replaced. In high traffic areas with heavy wear and tear or staining, tiles can easily be switched without disrupting or affecting the sub floor.

58 March 2011

News

by Dennis Flower InterfaceFlor’s Dream Time and Totem

Readers’ Survey

What price? Can consumers cope with planned price increases? Floor prices are going up – dramatically in the case of carpet – as wool and other raw material prices surge and some manufacturers warn of double-digit increases during 2011.

• How much of a price hike can the market bear? • Should prices have gone up more last year? • Is wool going to be unaffordable except at the higher end?

Lynne Gawthorpe, InterfaceFlor’s regional director of marketing UK & Ireland, states that specifiers and end-users are considering modular flooring as an alternative to traditional carpet, enjoying the flexibility and creativity that carpet tiles offer, along with sustainability benefits. “As carpet tiles help to minimise waste in installation over more traditional carpet, this type of flooring is naturally attractive to those looking to source sustainable products. So for customers who want the ultimate in looks and style, but are aware of the environmental impact of their choices, modular flooring is becoming an increasingly popular choice. “Traditionally, modular flooring has been most popular in the commercial sector. However, due to significant advances in the industry – in terms of colour range, design and variations in pile height, for example - this type of flooring also offers considerable benefits to the domestic market. What’s more, due to their design, many of the InterfaceFlor ranges can be fitted randomly, which makes maintenance so much easier as individual tiles can be replaced as and when needed.” David Scowcroft, of Dyne Carpet Tile Co, reminds us that carpet tiles were invented in 1950 by the Van Heugten family in Holland. The first examples were made mainly from pig hair. "Things have come a long way since then with the biggest sellers now being the loop pile tufteds," he states. "There are also needlepunch and cut pile tufted. There has also, in the past, been tiles made of woven Wilton and Axminster carpet. "The patterning of carpet tiles is limited by the registration of one tile to another, so invariably these are of stripes or random lay designs. Carpet tiles come into their own on commercial projects, where logistics dictate that boxes are easier to manipulate on site than two or four metre rolls." When under floor access is important, tiles can be laid on a tackifier adhesive and lifted or replaced without damage, he concludes.

For more information about featured products: Burmatex • www.burmatex.co.uk • 01924 262 525 Heckmondwike • www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk • 01924 410544 Vorwek • www.vorwerk.com • 020 7096 5090 InterfaceFlor • www.interfaceflor.eu • 08705 304030

from The Stocklists

• How much impact does price have on your profits? • How long can it go on like this? As rising prices encounter falling consumer confidence, tell us how it feels to be on the front line and how manufacturers’ pricing policy could be changed to help your business.

The online survey takes less than four minutes and it’s anonymous and doesn’t need any form filling. Please help us inform the industry. Visit www.thestocklists.com and click on the survey banner to take part.

Flooring Forum Join our panel The Forum is the platform for retailers to respond to trade issues and inform the industry about the problems and opportunities they face on the High Street. You can join our online survey panel and you’ll be invited every two months to contribute your views - it’s anonymous so you can say exactly what you think. To join the panel, visit www.thestocklists.com and click on the Online sign-up button.

March 2011 59

Feature

Voice of the Trade Mark Oakes Managing Director of Bondworth Carpets

“

How price sensitive is high quality residential carpet now? There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey...Ruskin. Has the recession made you a ‘smarter’ company? Any company with over 150 years of history carries an awful amount of ‘baggage’ and change is always painful. The recession forced us to reassess our operations, staffing, service and position in the market. Looking back over the past two years it has been very tough, rather like going through open heart surgery; the operation was necessary with the outcome doubtful. Happily we survived, and are now reaping the benefits. Is pattern really making a comeback? I want to think so; certainly the wallpaper industry has created a buzz over the last few years with both bold pattern and colour. Sadly in some respects and largely due to sampling costs the carpet industry has been slow to capitalise. Despite this and the much vaunted return of colour I still see endless vistas of beige carpet in retail outlets and trade shows. How are consumer’s tastes changing for traditional Axminster designs? Brintons, Axminster Carpets of Devon and Ulster make some stunning contemporary themed axminsters which appeal to a defined market sector. We tried this unsuccessfully back in 2005 with Tonals and Country Collection. Bond Worth’s heritage is firmly planted in multi-coloured heavily patterned spool axminster and we are proud of it. The recent launch of the ‘Pastimes’ range has served to reinforce this view with designs from our back catalogue re-coloured and has proved immensely successful.

“An axminster carpet is the painting, not the canvas - the foreground, not the background. Interior designers need to see carpet as art, not just an extension to a neutral colour scheme.” 60 March 2011

What’s the next big thing – in terms of design, colour or texture? Personally I think the appreciation of patterned axminster along with the myriad of colour and design it affords is something that develops and matures with time. A good design has a layered depth; that takes effort and an investment in time to fully appreciate. An axminster carpet is the painting, not the canvas - the focal point, not the background. I look at some of the carpet designs created during the 1960’s and see massive potential. Bold colour combined with abstract design. Interior designers need to see carpet as art not just an extension of a neutral colour scheme. How has your VIP club concept worked out? It has been a great success and full credit should go to Eamonn Prescott our Sales Director for formulating the idea. The VIP club rewards the loyalty of our retailers, acknowledging their support for Bond Worth after what has frankly been a tough two years. The VIP club has also been responsible for a renaissance within the company, focusing efforts on customers and customer service. What’s your forecast for contract demand in the next two years or so? Growth in the contract sector will I believe be driven by export sales. The pound is competitive and high quality axminster has a natural appeal in the growing economies of the Far East and India. In all your time in the trade, what has most surprised you? Difficult one this...Having worked outside the trade in other industries, I am constantly surprised by the warmth and friendliness of people in the carpet trade. From workers on the shop floor, through office staff, representatives and agents to retailers and buyers, everyone operates with a degree of care, friendliness and consideration that just can’t be found in other industries. Sentimentalism you may shout but anyone coming from outside the trade will know where I’m coming from!

“

How big an impact are high wool prices having on the industry? Wool prices have been historically low but recent demand from China has undoubtedly been the largest single cause of recent price hikes. The ability of the market to increase production will take time and prices will undoubtedly rise further. The price hikes are affecting volume producers, companies for the large part operating in an already tough market. There is a real danger that speculators will move into the market and drive prices up over the next 18 months.

And most disappointed you? Not so much disappointed as saddened by two trends. First, the decline of carpet manufacturing in my hometown of Kidderminster; once crammed with carpet companies, each one full of character and larger than life personalities. Secondly, the lack of opportunities for young people to enter the industry and receive training whether in manufacturing, retail or expert fitting. Skills are lost in the lifetime of one generation and the clock is ticking.

FlooringNews

News

Moving at the double Carpet and Flooring, one of the UK’s largest flooring distributors, has announced that their Bristol branch is moving to St Annes and doubling in size after 25 years at their old premises. This move means Carpet and Flooring can supply even more efficiently with a new and improved ‘Load n go’ trade counter service. Within the new facilities there is a Gradus Centre of Excellence providing full service for nosing and accessories. Carpet and Flooring Bristol have an excellent 24 hour delivery service to the following areas: Bristol, South Wales, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Berkshire and South Devon. Managing Director Paul Gordon (pictured right with Branch Manager Colin Elstone) said: “We are extremely excited about moving to new premises and giving our customers an even better service”. T 0117 316 0555 www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Recycling papers Calling all business entrepreneurs who see carpet waste as a valuable resource - Carpet Recycling UK, the industry-backed association for recycling and reusing waste carpet, has issued a call for papers for potential speakers to address its two-day annual conference on July 5 and 6. Its second annual conference at Birmingham’s Institute of Engineering and Technology will focus on Design for Recycling and includes an Entrepreneurs Event, which aims to share knowledge and latest technological developments with delegates. Open to both members and non-members, interested speakers are asked to submit an abstract of no more than 500 words on their chosen topic by April 30th. Synopses should be sent to Jane Gardner of recycling specialists Axion Consulting, which manages the scheme jane@carpetrecyclinguk.com. CRUK Co-ordinator Jane Gardner comments: “The Entrepreneur Events is aimed at encouraging recyclers and businesses to look at carpet recyclate as a valuable raw material and resource that can be given a second life in new applications, such as ‘green’ roofs, equestrian surface mixtures or land reclamation. T 0161 440 8325 www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

from The Stocklists

Obituary: Mark O’Brien Mark O’ Brien, salesman for Cormar Carpets for the Central London Area passed away on the 2 December 2010, at the young age of 34. He had worked for Cormar Carpets for only a relatively short time, after joining from Abingdon Carpets. During his time working for both companies in London and Essex, Mark made a great many friends, both with his work colleagues and customers, through his friendly manner and positive approach to life. Through his style of selling he became very successful and was certainly destined for a strong career. A service for Mark held at Basildon Crematorium on the 4 January 2011, was attended by over two hundred of his friends, colleagues and customers. He leaves behind his partner of 15 years, Anita and their son Max aged 8. Mark was a larger than life character whose charm, enthusiasm, big heart, drive and success will be remembered by all those who knew him.

Obituary: Paul Fox It is with regret that Bond Worth has lost a valued employee, when Mr. Paul Fox died suddenly just before Christmas aged 62. Paul had been Bond Worth’s representative on the North West area for eight years, having previously worked for Goodacre and Woodward Grovesnor. Paul was an axminster man through and through and had made many friends amongst the retailers in that area. Paul was also part of the team that saw the National Floor Show return to Harrogate after a long absence. He will be missed by the team at Bond Worth, as well as his loyal customers. Paul’s wife Brenda, wishes to thank all the retailers who have written and sent cards upon hearing of Paul’s passing.

March 2011 61

Sharpen up your fitting skills with fita Are you working in the flooring industry but need further skills to widen your client base? Or perhaps you are a new beginner in flooring and need training to go one step further? If so, then why not contact FITA, the Flooring Industry Training Association. Co-founded by the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF), FITA has courses to suit not only real beginners just getting started in the industry but upskilling courses aimed towards seasoned professionals too!

BOO K EA RLY TO

AVO ID D ISAP POIN TME NT

FITA has a fully equipped training centre at Loughborough in Leicestershire. Our wide range of courses are presented by experienced instructors with specialist knowledge of the flooring industry. All course content can be used as evidence towards an NVQ in Floorcoverings.

Visit www.fita.co.uk for details of all FITA training courses available along with our booking form which is available for download. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION ON:

0115 950 6836 or visit www.fita.co.uk

FITA - kindly sponsored by

Fita Training Centre Loughborough Unit 10, Windmill Road Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 1RA.

62 March 2011

FlooringNews

Stocklists Classified The

UNDER RUGS

SITUATIONS VACANT

AREA SALES REPRESENTATIVE An opportunity has arisen for the right person to join our field sales team in the key North West area of England, comprising; North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire. Candidates should ideally reside centrally to this territory or within easy access of major road links and be of sound credentials in regards previous employment. If you have the ability to both develop more business from existing accounts and develop support from new contacts within this territory and would like to be part of the ongoing success and development of our sales operations, then please apply by forwarding your CV either by post or e-mail detailing previous employment history along with a covering letter to;

FOXISuper Plus The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place

Steve Glover U.K. Sales Manager

COMBINATION UNDERLAYS NEEDLEFELT UNDERLAYS

BROCKWAY CARPETS LTD. KIDDERMINSTER TRADING ESTATE, SPENNELLS VALLEY ROAD, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCS. DY10 1XS EMAIL S.GLOVER@BROCKWAY.CO.UK

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

Closing date for application March 21st 2011.

FOR SALE

ATTENTION CARPET SUPPLIERS Turn those remnants into cash! New and reconditioned carpet/rug whipping, fringing and taping machines available for immediate delivery. For further details contact

DAVID ALMOND LTD. davidalmondltd@btconnect.com Union Works, Bacup Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancs. BB4 7LN Tel. 01706 214817 Fax. 01706 214819

THE STOCKLISTS March 2011

Advertise here! Call Diane Martin on 01482 659396 67