The Stocklilsts - May 2013 by David Spragg

Stocklists The

6 May 2013

with

FlooringNews

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

visit us at the buying group show in Solihull to see for yourself and read about the ‘Opportunity of Opulence’ on page 46

The

Stocklists

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

Advertisers

FlooringFactsheets

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD Page No

Contact No

ABINGDON

01274 655694

—

AVENUE

+32 5665 3211

—

ADAM

—

Index

CARPETS

Price List Date

—

01562 82 9966

BGNFS

—

BONDWORTH

01562 745000

52,65

01274 688 666

—

01562 828200

Feb 2012

01282 862736

—

BRITISH WOOL BROCKWAY

CARPETS LTD.

BRONTË CAMPAIGN

FOR WOOL

—

01457 861141

—

COLUMBIA

0208 443 3322

—

CORMAR

—

01204 881234

—

EARTHWERKS

07402 746944

—

F. BALL

01538 361633

—

FITA

01159 506836

—

FLOORWISE

01509 673974

—

22,23

01772 696787

Nov 2010

FLOORING

GEORGIAN GREENDALE INTERFLOOR LANO

Buying Groups Choosing the right organisation for you

Our line-up of the leading players

—

01827 831430

—

Carpet Trouble-shooter

49,51

01432 852000

—

All about stains, spots and shading

01706 213131

—

00800 5266 5266

—

01937 588511

—

KINGSMEAD

01827 831424

—

MANX

01827 831436

—

Carpet Types

01562 754382

—

The starter guide for picking a pile

MERRYFIELD

—

01422 373799

—

MOHAWK

01480 479830

—

NICF

0115 958 3077

—

NOVOSTRAT

00353 61 339287

—

WEAVERS

RACKHAMS

020 85319225

—

Underlay

SENSA

01675 433501

—

Understanding underlay types and selection

SOLENT WHOLESALE CARPET

01243 774623

May/June 2013

STS FLOORING DISTRIBUTORS

0845 341000

Jan 2013

TELENZO

01422 374417

—

THE

FLOORING SHOW

01423 779967

—

& E DISPLAY GROUP

0121 585 7600

—

Wholesaler Distribution Directory

0845 644 9090

—

National & regional guide to distributors

WESTON

HAMMER

pages 8

Carpet Company Directory

JOHN LANHAM WATTS

MASTER

page 4

—

FURLONG

Expertise advice from F Ball

June 2011

CARPENTER

FLOORING

Adhesives

pages 12-13

pages 10-11

page 5

page 9

pages 14-16

Classified advertising............................................................................page 66, 67 carpets/rugs/tiles woods/laminates/smooths fibres underlay accessories/services/organisations wholesalers/distributors adhesives

Woolsafe: the carpet care guide How to protect and clean wool carpets

pages 6-7

UK manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines

WWW.CARPETCUTTINGMACHINES.CO.UK 2

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

ISSUE 458: 6 MAY 2013 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. ISSN 2046-7338 © Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2013. Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.

FlooringNews starts on page 33

Showtime in Solihull Manufacturers line up their latest launches for key buying groups events - preview page 53-61

Axminster’s retail revival Rescue focuses on residential page 40

Laughing at underlay Spot the red flecks in Cloud 9 page 42

Knot wood Dennis Flower looks at the latest non-wood vinyl decors page 62

Brintons is backing Britain New investment in Kidderminster page 40 Gem of a launch Regency’s new jewel in their crown page 46

Voice of the Trade “Consumers go to independent retailers for advice, not to be shown 20 different twist ranges!” - Shaun Lewis,Victoria page 66

15 May 2013 See pages 53-60News THE BUYING GROUP SHOW THAT BRINGS TOGETHER MORE MANUFACTURERS THAN ANY OTHER UK EVENT THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Flooring Factsheet Adhesives

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. 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

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.

Tip Sheared

Level Loop

Velvet/Plush

Frieze

Random Sheared

Multi-Level Loop

Twist

Berber

Saxony

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Sha

Shag S

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. Europe – North America - Australia

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 May 2013

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

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

Cold water

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

Life inspired cleaning innovations www.bissell.com

Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron

Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)

10. Nail varnish remover or acetone

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

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

13. Rub with a coin

16. Rust remover

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

17. Carpet re-colouring kit (Treatments used by professional carpet cleaners)

Environmentally Aware for Superior Carpet Care www.envirodri.com

More Difficult Spots Easy Spots

Spot or stain

Try 1st

Try 2nd Try 3rd

Artificially coloured drinks

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

Ink (fountain)

Ink (ballpoint pen)

12 7

Chocolate/cocoa

Lipstick

Cola

Milk

Cream

Nail varnish

Egg

Paint (oil)

Rust

Floor wax Fruit juice

7 3

Gravy and sauces

Herbal tea

Metal polish

Mustard

Oil and grease

Paint (emulsion)

Shoe polish

Tea

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Soot

Tar (asphalt)

16 5

5 11 6

5 15

Urine (fresh stain)

Urine (old stain)

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

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.

www.flooringone.co.uk Contact: Glenn Harding Tel: 0121 683 1426 glenn.harding@flooringone.co.uk

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...

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

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

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

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

• Get a list of members and call up two or three for a ‘real-world’ view www.smg-group.co.uk Contact: Mike Symonds Tel: 0118 932 3832 info@smg-group.co.uk

• 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

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

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

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

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

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

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 densities – 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

www.underlay.com

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

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

• 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).

an informed choice.

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

• 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 May 2013

The Stocklists Carpet Company Directory Abingdon Flooring Adam Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W Ww Alternative Flooring 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 Tu Tw W Ww

01274 655694 01562 829966 01264 335111

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

Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W

020 8800 0740

Burmatex Tu

01924 262525

Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd

Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01254 268000

Christy Carpets Tu

019078 308777

Clarendon Carpets Tw

01675 433066

Classis Carpets Tu W Ww

0870 020 1725

+31 38 4778911

Tu Tw W info@cormarcarpets.co.uk www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

01204 881 234

Enterprise Weaving Co Be Ww

800 223 6186

0113 380 5333

Craigie Carpets Be

01294 558400

Bond Worth Ltd Ax

01562 745000

Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0116 284 1455

Creatuft Carpets Tu W

Mohawk’s Cherbourg Check

+32 56 35 4444

01422 374 417

01562 745030

Fells Carpets Ww cummings@btinternet.com www.fellscarpets.co.uk

01977 662211

Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W

020 8944 6220

+45 96 60 3000

Firth Carpets & Flooring Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

Couristan Carpets Ax Tu W Ww

BMK

Tu Tw W sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

Fetcham Furnishings Ltd Tw

020 7823 3040

Edel Telenzo’s Bakerloo

+32 55 335211

01562 825952

Cormar Carpets Ltd

0800 505055

Domo Floorcovering Pr Tu Tw

E & WE Carpets W

Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww

Brintons Ax Tu Tw W Ww

0844 9151000

01282 862 736

Be Tu Tw W office@brontecarpets.co.uk www.brontecarpets.co.uk

+31 383 861 060

01924 488882

Dan-Floor UK W

01254 296829

Condor Carpets BV Tu

+32 56 23 54 10

01737 830301

Drury Lane Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

Bronte Carpets Ltd

Belvedere Carpets

BIC Carpets Be Tw W

01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

01422 330261

Belvedere Carpets

Betap Tufting BV Tu Tw W

Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk

01422 431100

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

Custom Carpet Company Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01484 721529

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

01772 696 787

Brockway’s Vogue

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

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

Gaskell Wool Rich Tu Tw W

01827 831525

Master Weaver W Ww

01562 754 382

Tasibel NV Tw

Gaskell Mackay Carpets Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

01429 892525

Mayfield Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 639 866

The Grosvenor Wilton Co W Ww

01562 701456

Georgian Carpets Tu Tw W

01827 831430

MID NL Be

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

Godfrey Hirst (GB) Ltd Tu

0800 526696

Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu Heckmondwike FB

+49 037 421 420

0032 51 424 411

John Evans Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

marinagooch@mohawkeurope.com www.mohawkinternational.com

01480 479830 01480 471304

01937 588511

01827 831400 01827 831 424

Lano NV +32 56 65 4300

Tisca Tiara Tu Ww

07860 911748

Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W

01274 855080

01827 831 450

Ossfloor UK

01675 433031

Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

02838 334433

Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 341231

United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww

01709 732 666

Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu

01484 863227

Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww

01562 749300

Pownall Carpets Tw W

0845 6528811

Vorwerk

08700 104484

Westex Carpets Tu

01274 861334

Weston Hammer W

0845 644 9090

Whitestone Weavers Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01429 892555

Wilkies Carpets Tw

0113 307 9955

Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww

+32 05685 4747

Lecaflor Ltd Ax Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

0800 78 33 712

Sans Frontieres Ltd Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

Leigh Spinners Ltd Tw

01942 673232 +32 56 393 386

+31 38 385 4477

Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww

Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

Louis de Poortere W

Timzo Tufting Industry BV Tu

07850 935301

Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W

Le Tissage d'Arcade Ax Ww

+32 52 457211

Mohawk Europe

John Lanham Watts Carpets Ax Tw Ww

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

Modulyss Be Tu Tw Pr

01924 410544

ITC Be Pr Tw Tu

Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W

+31 38 851 8700

+32 52 499600

Shaw Home Foundations Tu

+32 56 73 57 11

0845 652 8811

0844 5611977

01675 433 501

Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww

Signature Carpets Be Tu W

01422 845075

0800 526696

Lusotufo Tu

01388 664101

TAT Carpet

07976 607657

Wool Classics Tu Ww

Manx Carpets Tw W

01827 831 434

Tapibel NV Pr Tu Tw

01623 481 221

Woven Carpets of Kidderminster W 01299 827477

Bronte’s Cream Shagpile

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Cormar’s Berwick

0207 349 1560

Wellington Stripe from Ulster

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 Mercado Leeds 0113 3802900 sales@mercado.co.uk www.mercado.co.uk

Fells Carpets Goole 01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

North East Carpet & Flooring Gateshead 0191 482 7373 gateshead@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Fells Carpets Goole

01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise p16 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 Fells Carpets Goole

01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Green Tree Distribution Stone, Staffordshire 01785 818005 kevin@greentreedistribution.co.uk Lee Floorstok Ltd Liverpool - see Floorwise p16 Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise p16 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise p16 Mytton Flooring Norwich - see Floorwise p16 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

Midlands

East

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

DMS Flooring Supplies Northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@ dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk

Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam - see Floorwise p16

STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge Tel: 01954 781142 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 29 for details

Green Tree Distribution Stone, Staffordshire 01785 818005 kevin@greentreedistribution.co.uk J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com RPS Flooring Mansfield Woodhouse - see Floorwise p16 STS Flooring Distributors Watford 08454 342000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 29 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 p16

South East Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise p16 Ashmount Flooring Supplies Ltd Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooring.co.uk Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

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

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory Carpet & Flooring Bow 020 8525 5691 bow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Camberley 01276 672100 camberley@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk See page 21 for details DMS Flooring Supplies Hemel Hempstead 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Milton Keynes 0845 643 5320 dmslaser@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk 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

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk Littner Hampton London 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 pwwflooring@fastnet.co.uk www.pwwflooring.co.uk Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk See page 27 for details

South West

Wales

Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise p16

Roma Flooring Neath - see Floorwise p16

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise p16

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

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 28 for details

Salesmark Lancing - see Floorwise p16

STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 01844 213555 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 29 for details

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 28 for details

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

STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0845 434 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 29 for details

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

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

Scotland

Wessex Flooring Amesbury - see Floorwise p16 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

Ireland Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin - see Floorwise p16 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast - see Floorwise p16 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick - see Floorwise p16

Carpet & Flooring Glasgow 0141 427 8456 glasgow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Headlam Scotland North Lanarkshire 01698 831 000 sales@headlamscotland.co.uk www.headlamscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise p16

floorwise National Network of Floorwise Distributors Acorn Carpet Accessories 14 Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 18 Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 Fax: 01209 211162 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 17 Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 Fax: 01626 834334

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 2 Belfast Tel: 028 9075 3202 Fax: 028 9075 3901 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 7 Dublin 10 Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Fax: 00353 (0)1 626 3960 LoCall: 1850 445 746 (ROI)

Floorwise D & J Ltd 11 Southam, Warks Tel: 01926 814922 Fax: 01926 817899

Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 8 Limerick Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 LoCall: 1850 445 745 (ROI)

Floorwise (North East) Ltd 3 Birtley, County Durham Tel: 0191 410 7070 Fax: 0191 410 6116

Roma Flooring 13 Neath, West Glamorgan Tel: 01639 633001 Fax: 01639 646116

Lee Floorstok Ltd 6 Liverpool Tel: 0151 708 7420 Fax: 0151 708 7241

RPS Flooring 9 Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire Tel: 01623 624198 Fax: 01623 620931

Lee Floorstok Ltd 5 Manchester Tel: 0161 231 8080 Fax: 0161 231 8787 MCA Floorwise Ltd 4 Morecambe, Lancashire Tel: 01524 33517 Fax: 01524 381852 Mytton Flooring 12 Norwich, Norfolk Tel: 01603 624387 Fax: 01603 612888 Neil Smith Ltd 1 Glasgow Tel: 0141 552 1141 Fax: 0141 552 0623

5 8

9 10

Salesmark 15 Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111

Wessex Flooring 16 Amesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 01980 625888 Fax: 01980 676969 Woodall Brothers Ltd 10 Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tel: 01743 441584 Fax: 01743 441629

16 17

14 15

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.floorwise.co.uk •• www.carpetunderlay.net www.carpetunderlay.net www.signaturewoodfloors.com www.signaturewoodfloors.com •• www.siennawoodfloors.com www.siennawoodfloors.com 16

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Regional Wholesalersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Directory Your local service guide - see pages 14-16

Wholesalers: To list your wholesale business for a nominal monthly charge, telephone 01482 659396 or email diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll send you all the details.

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

The Leading Country Wide Carpet & Flooring Suppliers We can supply you with virtually any make of carpet and flooring at GUARANTEED makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

www.columbiaflooringplc.co.uk TRAFALGAR TRADING ESTATE JEFFREYS ROAD ENFIELD MIDDLESEX EN3 7TY

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon 21

Wales & South West

The most colourful launch of 2013

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

A stunning new luxury carpet with engineering excellence for the finest finish, 20 superb colours, dazzling performance and ground-breaking 3D POS graphics - see page 45 for details! STEWART WAITHMAN M: 07794 048413 DEVON & CORNWALL swaithman@furlongflooring.com

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

TIM BAILEY M: 07794 048414 S.E. WALES & HEREFORDSHIRE tbailey@furlongflooring.com

Preston Sales tel: 01772 696787 fax: 01772 311921 Newport Sales tel: 01633 283959 fax: 01633 275454 London Sales tel: 01322 628707 fax: 01322 698733 enquiries@furlongflooring.co.uk

RAY ANDREW M: 07973 719801 EAST LANCS/W.YORKS

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

ray.andrew@furlongflooring.co.uk

Yorkshire & North East

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

CRAIG MELLING M: 07970 269730 CUMBRIA, CHESHIRE & FYLDE COAST craig.melling@furlongflooring.co.uk

North West ALBERT BARKSHIRE & WOOFTERSHIRE albert@furlongflooring.co.uk

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

DES BEST M: 07968 828516 NORTH EAST/EAST COAST des.best@furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

CHRIS ALLCOCK M: 07872 964685 NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS

Midlands

chris.allcock@furlongflooring.co.uk

Scotland MARTYN REA M: 07968 324598 LEICESTER/WARWICKSHIRE

COLIN RICHFORD M: 07970 163372 WEST SCOTLAND

martyn.rea@furlongflooring.co.uk

colin.richford@furlongflooring.co.uk

MIKE SHUTT M: 07970 158594 BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE

ALAN CAIRNIE M: 07976 311434 EAST SCOTLAND

mike.shutt@furlongflooring.co.uk

alan.cairnie@furlongflooring.co.uk

DAREN STEDMAN M: 07816 217548 N, N W & E LONDON, HERTFORDSHIRE darenstedman@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

London

PETER FLETCHER M: 07816 217561 HAMPSHIRE, DORSET & SURREY (OUTSIDE M25)

RAYMOND SMITH M: 07816 217565 ESSEX

peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

South East

raymondsmith@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

TONY CONWAY M: 07791 891025 BEDS, NORTHANTS, OXON & BUCKS

DARREN SPENDIFF M: 07791 890861 KENT

JOHN AKIEN M: 07791 891024 S.W LONDON, SURREY (INS. M25)

tonyconway@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

johnakien@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

PAUL LOVELL M: 07816 217549 NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS

IAN COLLACOTT M: 07816 217550 MIDDLESEX, W. LONDON, BERKSHIRE

paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

iancollacott@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

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

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Seeing is believing... Find your rep here and ask him to show you Opulence right now!

An R-Griffith Company

John Lanham Watts Carpets Ltd

Wool Loft House, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby. LS22 7DN Email: sales@jlwcarpets.com Web: www.jlwcarpets.com Tel: 01937 588511 Fax: 01937 588557

John Lanham Watts Current Ranges Castle Howard Richmond Court Kirkham Abbey Bayton House Bedale Duchy Duncombe Park Raby Park Moortown Harrogate Velvet Wool Loft Velvet Wool Loft Weave Wool Loft Designer

4m 4m 4m 4m 4m 4m 3.66m 3.66m 3.66m 4m 4m & 5m 4m & 5m 4m & 5m

10 Row Axminster 10 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 7 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster Rolls Only Velvet 100+ Colours

Lakeland Tones Lakeland Charm Lakeland Heathers Naturally Herdwick Royal Coniston Royal Cumberland Royal Kendal

3.66m 3.66m 3.66m 3.66m 3.66m 3.66m 3.66m

8.5 Row Axminster 8.5 Row Axminster 8.5 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 7 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster 9.5 Row Axminster

Chunky Wool Loop Quality 80/20 Twist

Goodacre Current Ranges

BESPOKE CARPETS

John Lanham Watts carpets would be happy to submit a price for any bespoke carpet project. We can provide a completely bespoke Axminster in terms of any design and any colour from as little as 100 sqm. We are also happy to price for any hand tufted requirement. We can help you with design work and can prepare Kibby trials for your consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consideration. We also have stock of Moortown Contract Rated Axminster (pictured above) for where timing and budgets are constrained. Please contact us at sales@jlwcarpets.com

REWARD VOUCHERS We are very happy to announce that we are reviving our popular voucher reward scheme for 6 months from the 1st March. Every time you sell any JLW or Goodacre Carpet cut you will earn 50p per sqm in a Love2reward voucher.These vouchers can be spent at most high street stores and can also be redeemed as M&S vouchers.The retailers include River Island,Toys R Us, Argos, H Samuel, BHS, Iceland, Wilkinson, Matalan, Halfords, Boots and over 70 others. Recipients can also swap their card funds for many more gift cards and vouchers, such as John Lewis, and M&S at Love2choose.co.uk. See the sales office or your JLW agent for details. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out!

Representation Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Mr S Fletcher 07831 818989

Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire and North Wales Mr A Powell 07540 112998 West Midlands, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Hereford & Worcester, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Powys Mr S Campbell 07921 439419

Cleveland, Durham, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland & Cumbria Mr R Conway 07967 721529

Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Northamptonshire Peter Lawrence 07802 422810

South Wales, Avon & Gloucestershire Mr P Thomas 07850 934849

Kent, West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey Tony Cook 07860 205377

Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire Mr A Owen 07971 362087

Contract Sales Mr Gary Kendall 07802 661944

Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire Mr J Hart 07889 264466

Northern Ireland Mr Matt Mckillen 07732 263678 Republic of Ireland Mr A M Dunne 00 353 872593060

et p r ca

r ou

on e r o m .jlw

at e t m si eb .co w s

Tel: +44 (0) 1562 754382 Fax: +44 (0) 1562 861 074 Sales: sales@masterweaver.co.uk Info: info@masterweaver.co.uk www.masterweaver.co.uk

Introducing the UK’s newest weaver, now open in Kidderminster with high levels of stock for rapid delivery. Wilton Sandhurst

Modern carpets manufactured using traditional values

Sandhurst Range The Wilton Sandhurst range is woven with 24 beautiful and modern colours. This plain twist is a great choice for both domestic and commercial markets. • Wilton Hardtwist Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1458 g/m2 • 4m • Extra Heavy Wear

Contrast Range A cut and loop range weighing in at 47oz comes in 6 modern and exclusive colours. Unique contrast pattern provides this Wilton range with a vibrant and strong presence. • Wilton Cut & Loop Pile • 100% New Wool, 1594 g/m2 • 4m • Extra Heavy Wear/Heavy Commercial

Honeycomb Range This cut and loop range features in 6 natural and warm colours. Made out of 100% new wool, the bee hive type of texture our Honeycomb range adds additional warmth. • Wilton Cut &Loop Pile • 100% New Wool, 1187 g/m2 • 4m • Heavy Wear/Medium Commercial

Chequers Range A loop range weighing in at 35 oz and comes in 6 colours with a unique chequers board like pattern. 100% new wool ensures high quality texture feel.

Wilton Contrast

• Wilton Loop Pile • 100% New Wool, 1187 g/m2 • 4m • Extra Heavy Wear

Marble Planet Range This range is made of 80% new wool and 20% nylon and is ideal for commercial and heavy domestic use. It features 8 strong and passionate colours. • Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Seascape Surf Range Our Wilton Seascape Surf range features 6 colours and is made out of 100% New Wool, ideal for commercial as well as domestic markets. • Wilton Cut Pile • 100% New Wool, 1246 g/m2 • 4m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Baroque Cameo Range With the 10 strong commercial colours, the medallion pattern in combination with pindots makes this range ideal for ballrooms, function rooms and public areas.

Axminster Contrast

• Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1356 g/m2 • 3.66m • Extra Heavy Wear/Heavy Commercial

Baroque Pindot Range The traditional pindot pattern makes this range ideal for hotel rooms and receptions.Weighing in at 40oz our Baroque Pindot range, this Axminster range has 10 strong commercial colours. • Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1356 g/m2 • 3.66m • Extra Heavy Wear/Heavy Commercial

Trellis Range The range features 8 soft and natural colours which makes it extremely pleasant and warm. Made in 80% New Wool and 20% Nylon for the commercial market. • Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Tartan Range MasterWeaver AxminsterTartan range features 6 modern and vibrant colours, combining traditional Tartan design with modern and vibrant colours. • Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Axminster Marble Planet

MasterWeaver LTD. Stourport Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DYl17QL. England THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Don’t be a sheep! Maintain your independence! For a traditional service, a familiar face and products you can trust, flock to Rackhams! NATURAL EFFECT

TWISTS - STAIN RESIST

Ancona Cashmere 4&5M Country Treasure 4&5M Challenger Berber Gold Fields Hopscotch 2012 Houndstooth Tweed 4&5M Ivory Coast 2012 Lavenham 4&5M London Life 4&5M Long Melford 4&5M New Sahara 4&5M Promenade Rocca San Salvador 4&5M Silver State Sloane Square 4&5m

Atmosphere Briar Twist Clyde 2013 Clyde & Stripes Dublin Heather Dublin Twist 2011 Fairfield Supreme 4&5M Grandeur 40 Heathertwist Design Heathertwist Supreme 4&5m Moorland Twist Pembridge Twist Portman Rhapsody Salt ‘n’ Pepa Stainfree Rugged Twist 4&5M Stain-Tex Twist 4M Startwist / Startwist Supreme 4&5M

SAXONY / SHAG PILE Endeavour Grand Slam Half Century New Century Peerless Saxon King Silken Saxony Somerset 4&5M ‘Stay at Home’ Saxony Super Peerless Sweet Seduction 4&5M

WILTON Parallel Lines GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Arena Endurance VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING Casino Royale Champion Eclipse 2012 - Part I Eclipse 2012 - Part II Mojo 2012 Supergrip II Thunderball Valu Grip+

TWISTS - WOOL

CORD, NEEDLEPUNCH & ENTRANCE MATTING Bedford Gel Bolero Explorer Hippo Mat Gala Grand Square Linea Magnum Mat Magnus Mat Scorpio 2013 Supacord

Citation Twist Discovery 4&5M Eden Twist 40/50 4&5M Iconic Twist 40/50 4&5M Inspire Twist 30/40 Palace Twist 50/60 4&5M Paramount 30/40 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 Luxury 4&5M

CARPET TILES Bedford Cord Capital Plus Heuga 727 Magnesium Neutron Positron Proton Quark Call now to receive a copy of our latest special price guide!

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.

VELOUR / VELVET Designers Dream

PALATIAL! That’s our latest masterpiece! Palace Twist is available in a 50oz (Blenheim) and 60oz (Buckingham) qualities and it is an amazing bit of carpet. Our unique double shearing facility means the finish is the finest you have ever seen , and our hand-picked colours will suit any installation, and any need. Whilst we’ve been bleating on about the benefits of ‘Perlana’ yarn (and there are many!), there is no substitute for ultimate quality and this is a truly classic piece of floorcovering!

Area Sales Executives Michael Younger London North 07881-502506

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

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

Paul Henson Essex (Outside M25) Cambs, Suffolk, Herts (East of A1) 07837-295379

Phil Wheeler London SE Postals, Kent, Surrey (East of A24) & Sussex 07881-502507

Anthony Stapleton Sales Director 07881-502505 / 020-8498-2845

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.

CHECK STOCK, PLACE ORDERS AND MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT 24/7 ALL THROUGH OUR WEBSITE

Oxford, Berks, Bucks, Beds, Hants, Middlesex & Herts. . . . . Ian Cardrick, i.cardrick@solentwholesale.co.uk, Sussex E & W, Surrey, South London & Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . John Robson, j.robson@solentwholesale.co.uk, Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucs, & I.O.W. . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Ayling, a.ayling@solentwholesale.co.uk, Accessary Sales and IT Specialist (All Areas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke Crooks, luke@solentwholesale.co.uk, VICTORIA Castillion Celtic Heathers Crown Twist EasiCare - Full Collection Gaelic Heathers Imperial Velvet Natural Companions (Sisal, Chenille, Ridge) Natural Style Collection Options 288 Regal Twist Rustic Jewels LANO Bolero Campus X-treme Chiselhurst Fortuna Grandeur Heather Twist Design Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist Sentinel Startwist Coll BALTA Casablanca Desert Twist Deluxe Fiesta High Flyers Highland Tweed Gala Cord-all options in stock Gala Edition Marrakesh Moorland Twist Nobility Rosemount Saxon King Shetland Shepherd Twist - 2013 Colours Stainsafe Favourite Super Wiltax Techno Tilehurst Twisty LUSOTUFO Celtic Horizon Mandaly Pavillion Velvet Safi Sintra Boucle Tangier Titan & Tital Diagonal Twist Berber Unique Valencia Venus Saxony

CORMAR Apollo Berwick 40/50 Home Counties 42/50 Living Naturals Malabar Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Primo Choice Primo Plus Sensation Sensation Feeling BROCKWAY Amore Stripe Collection Avanti Cavendish Cresta 40/Cresta 50 Jubilee Collection Orion/Orion Major Portland DOMO Briar Twist Cabaret Festival Twist Heather Twist Playground Saffron Saxony Scorpio IVC Classic Limestone Comfylux Extra Expressions Fantasy - New colours Fusion Isafe Apex Isafe One Master Grip Planet Precious Metals Presto Tile Styles Ultimate Design Ultimate Oak Ultimate Minerals Victoria ITC Belgravia Concerto Heritage Collection Palace TAPIBEL Cachet Melody Reeds Sysoltex Homested/Aran/Crofter

mobile: 07973 406329 mobile: 07973 898453 mobile: 07973 406799 mobile: 07966 664379

IDEAL carpets Athena Dublin Dublin Heathers Explorer Endurance Fashion/Gallery Grass Collection Heavy Tread Mars Motor Car Pronto Sweet Homes Yucatan vinyls Celtic Stone - New Colours Chess Comfort Grip Flexifloor Grandioso Jazz Magnum Sherwood Oak Studio entrance matting Alicante Heavy Tread Orotex - Ceylon Orotex - Matrix laminates Essentials (previously Casa) Cottage MOHAWK CARPETS Century Collection - Century - Half Century Freedom Gel Presidential Collection - Independence - Liberty - Freedom (4&5M) - Splendor Super Freedom MISCELLANEOUS BEST WOOL CARPETS Globe CAVALIER Celebrations Country Collection Hamlet Parish and Village C&H Homestyle LVT - planks and tiles LEIGH SPINNERS Atlas Velour THOMAS WITTER Innovations 50oz & 60oz PARAGON Toccarre Carpet Tiles

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 2013. 28

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

NEXT DAY DELIVERY

WWW.STSFLOORING.CO.UK

NEW PRICE GUIDE APRIL 2013

08454 341000 • ORPINGTON • CROYDON • WATFORD • CAMBRIDGE • OXFORD (THAME) • 08454 342000

Did You Know?

STS Flooring Distributors Ltd stock a large range of carpets and carpet tiles via our 5 depots.

STS Goldline Stock Carpets Abbey Twist 30/40 Aston Twist Bernwood Design Bernwood Twist Bernwood Supreme Bernwood Heather Supreme Blenheim Twist 40 Blenheim Twist 50 Cherwell Cord Classic Berber Twist Fairfield Creation Fairfield Supreme Harrier Supreme Gel Orinoco II Ravensbury Twist 32/40/50 Scala Serenity Supersava Elite Supersava Heathers Supersava Stripe Valley Berber Twist Valley Classic Twist

Lano Stock Carpets Bolero Fairfield Creation Fairfield Supreme Grandeur 40 Heather Twist Design Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist Portman Scala Scala Solutions Startwist Startwist Supreme

Edel Telenzo Hercules Lawrence Lima Puma

Cormar Stock Carpets Apollo Berwick 40/50 Forest Hills Living Naturals Malabar Textures Natural Berber Twist Oaklands 32/42/50 Primo Choice Primo Delight Primo Plus Primo Tweeds Primo Ultra Sensational Original Sensation New Feeling Town & Country

Balta Stock Carpets Gala Cord Stainsafe Shepherd Twist Marrakesh

Beauleu International Dublin Elite Dublin Heathers Ranger

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Fibre Bonded Ecocord Supacord Carpet Stock Tiles Alpha Line Ascot Beckenham Cheltenham Collection Clipper II Croydon Croydon Impact Heuga 727 (Interface) Keston Lafitte (Gradus) Latour (Gradus) Saturn Series Collection (Interface) Stock Underlays Blue Heaven Cirrus Cloud Nine Contract Cloud Nine Super Contract Cosi 8mm & 10mm Cumulus Durafit 500 Durafit 650 Xpress 8mm &10mm Goldtred Collection Heatflow Collection Nimbus Willow Green Roma Silver Lining Tredaire Elite Treadmore

REGIONAL MANAGER NORTHERN Rachel Sherwood 07801 762724

REGIONAL MANAGER SOUTHERN Dana Baldock 07801 762725

AREA MANAGERS NORTHERN Dave Lowman 07500 847758 North/East London, Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middlesex, Northants, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire Phaedra Duncan 07738 329714 Berkshire, Oxfordshire Steve Osman 07919 128401 Essex, Cambs, Suffolk, Norfolk

AREA MANAGERS SOUTHERN Mirka Mihulcova 07500 847566 South/West London, W Sussex, Berks, Hants, Surrey Vicky Langley 07962 646847 Surrey, W Sussex, Hants, South/West London Paul Jeffery 07717 218024 South/East London, Kent, E Sussex

Tel: 01422 374417 or 01422 371226 Fax: 01422 377452 Email: sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Unit B7 Warhurst Road, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, W. Yorkshire HX5 9DF

HIGH HOPES FOR OUR NEW QUALITIES AND COLOURS It’s show time this month – and we’re very much looking forward to the Buying Group National Flooring event on 14-15 May. We hope to welcome lots of you there. We think our new stand presentation will really help us stand out from the crowd. And of course we have high hopes for our exciting new Mayfair in Iron qualities, Mayfair, a lovely textured Brussels Bouclé highlow looppile in seven new shades; and the bold multi-striped Hammersmith in three colour combinations. We feature both of these here in new photos from Holland. We think the new colourways in our other Tube Collection qualities – Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Mainline are also likely to fly, as they’re such appealing shades. Hammersmith

Hammersmith in Westbourne Park

Mainline

OUR SALES TEAM 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 Yorkshire & North Lincs John Alsop T: 01904 762471 M: 07860 572220 E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset Brendan Hart M: 07850 130221 E: a.b.hart@btinternet.com Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire, North East Jim Osborne M: 07738 642934 E: j.osborne@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk 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 Paul Brewer T: 0121 4277117 M: 07798 745181 E: paulbrewer1@hotmail.co.uk Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales Philip Hambleton T: 01925 740050 M: 07966 397676 E: carpetphil@aol.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

Spring Fever

Agency Changes

We have a couple of special deals on at the moment Nature Wool and selected colours of Burford Bridge are both on offer currently for just £9.99 per sq m (rolls only).

Chief Executive Phil Hartley M: 07711 407820 E: p.hartley@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

Jim Osborne has recently added the north east to his territory and is on a mission to get to know all our customers in the area as soon as possible. So if you’re in the north-east, expect a call from Jim if you haven’t already had one.

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

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Tel: +44 (0)845 644 9090 local call rate

Fax:+44 (0)845 644 9191 info@westonhammer.com www.hammercarpets.com

BESPOKE DESIGN CARPET FROM HAMMER CARPETS You may not have heard of them but Hammer Carpets in Denmark are the 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. Below: Colortec bespoke carpets used in the cabins and suites onboard Cunardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship Queen Mary 2.

Jacs Designer tonal loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Natural Lines Super luxurious 100% Wool loop pile available in 4m and 5m

Supreme Boucle Our best selling level loop 100% Wool product available in

widths.

Las Vegas A chunky luxurious loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m

Queen Tweed A fine heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available

widths.

12 up to the minute colours in both 4m and 5m widths.

in 4m and 5m widths.

Sisal Boucle and Sisal Berber Natural fibre textured loop pile ranges in

Denver A stylish heavy domestic tonal loop pile in 100% Wool, available in 4m

two styles.

and 5m widths.

The Stone Fibre Collection Our unique flat woven quality in many

Oklahoma A heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m

fashion styles and colours available in 4m and 5m widths.

and 5m widths.

Orlando A chunky loop quality with a thick latex backing for a luxurious feel.

Supreme Stripe A heavy domestic tonal stripe in 100% Wool loop pile.

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. Mr Gary Foster Tel: 07515 283872 East Anglia, Northamptonshire.

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

Mr Martin Lees Tel: 07522 740954 North Wales, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Tyneside. 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 Keith Stevens Tel: 07710 160166 Midlands & South Wales.

Please visit our website at www.hammercarpets.com 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

retailers respond to industry issues

Fitter famine?

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.

How big is the skills gap? Can you find the right kind of fitters? Is there enough training? Flooring Forum - Join our panel

Latest research says the industry is short of more than 1,700 fitters, despite a big push on training and an increasing focus on apprenticeships. Is there still a problem in our industry in finding people to do the quality installations you need? What needs to happen to improve the situation? Are you prepared to get involved in apprenticeship schemes? Let us know how the installation industry could improve to help you do better business.

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.

Inform the industry and take the survey...

Fill out a form for five minutes and we’ll have a good-looking flooring industry website online for you within 5 days*. Then you can update it, add to it or ignore it for ever! Flooring stores don’t generally need anything too fancy – 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.

You can create a carpet website for your business in

5 minutes.

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

We’ll have it online for you within

5 days.

If you don’t like it, it will cost you

nothing.

If you do like it, it will cost you

£390 + £90/year.

* The site takes a bit longer to set up if you already have a website or address. A Floorsite from The Stocklists costs £390 for the set-up and the first year – and £90 per year thereafter (exc. VAT). Check out what your site would look like at www.thestocklists.com/floorsites or contact David Spragg at davidspragg@thestocklists.com or call 01845 576101.

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! 32

THE STOCKLISTS May 2013

6 May 2013

FlooringNews

Maker’s dozen

Dramatic recovery

The latest offering from the ever-popular StainSafe collection by Balta Broadloom, A Dozen Stripes, is set to appeal to homeowners up and down the country looking for modern carpet designs to revitalise interiors.

Visitors to the Interiors LDN event (19-21 May) will have the chance to see the brand new Re/cover green resilient flooring collection by Vorwerk and view its high-grade ecological elastomeric construction up close.

The collection consists of three designs in four vibrant colourways: Baseline; a plain cut pile twist, Dreamliner; a heather cut pile twist and the loop and tip sheared Oneliner, making it a range defined by choice and variety with a style to suit all rooms. Crafted from 100% StainSafe polypropylene and with a comfortable Texflor felt backing, this on-trend collection possesses lasting good looks thanks to its easy to clean properties and hardwearing nature. Bleach cleanable, A Dozen Stripes carpets are suitable for even the busiest of homes and will provide ultimate peace of mind even in areas prone to spills and stains with fiveyear wear and StainSafe® warranties. “Striped carpets have always been a popular choice for areas such as stairs and hallways, but we are now noticing a trend for using these type of linear patterns in larger rooms too,” comments Geert Vanden Bossche, marketing director, Balta. “A Dozen Stripes allows retailers to tap into this increasing demand by offering homeowners eye-catching striped designs in a variety of different finishes. It’s great value, stylish and incredibly practical. “With many more developments up our sleeves, retailers can be sure that we will continue to provide them with up-to-date and on-trend stain resistant carpets that have widespread consumer appeal,” he said. T +32 56 62 22 11 www.baltagroup.com

from The Stocklists

Set to take the design and specification markets by storm, the organic polyurethane Re/Cover green floors are produced from almost 90% regenerative raw materials, including extracted castor and rapeseed oil, in order to offer exceptional environmental benefits as well as the durability demanded by high-impact commercial locations. Available in two-metre width, Re/Cover green floors achieve best-in-class low life-cycle costs and meet LEED requirements. A further collaboration between Vorwerk and internationally recognised architect Hadi Teherani, this cutting-edge collection consists of 30 stunning designs that draw inspiration from everything around us, from the natural environment right through to the digital world. Created to coordinate with Vorwerk’s Scale Living moveable carpet tiles as well as the Scale and FreeScale ranges, a particular highlight of the Re/Cover green collection is the shimmering-effect ‘Sparkling Colours’ floors that are inspired by the way light dances across water at sundown. Vorwerk will also be unveiling its recently redeveloped woven broadloom collection of contemporary contracted-rated carpet, Nandou, at Interiors LDN. Featuring a robust loop pile carpet construction, the Nandou collection consists of five new product variations spanning a total of 46 colours for complete flexibility. Abstract design patterns and high-tech printing methods combine to create stunning coverings for any floor and there are two-frame, three-frame and jacquard weave options, as well the monochrome Uni and sleek Design Gloss ranges. T 020 7096 5090

www.vorwerk-carpet.com

Stand W31 May 2013 33

News News

Oak exclusives The brand new Aqua Woods collection of luxury vinyl from leading online retailer UK Flooring Direct is steadily rising in popularity thanks to a combination of incredibly realistic designs and unbeatable performance qualities. With many designs achieving outstanding ratings through the UK Flooring Direct independent customer rating system, the Aqua Woods collection is certainly capturing the imagination of homeowners up and down the country. Available in nine ontrend colourways, including the calming pale White Oak right through to the rich tones of Double Smoked Oak and Midnight Oak, one of the major reasons for this luxury vinyl collection’s popularity is its sheer choice and variety. “Created by our specialist in-house design team, each Aqua Woods floor is completely exclusive to us,” comments Josh Ashby, product manager, UK Flooring Direct. “With high quality and authentic surface finishes as well as a wealth of practical benefits, such as moisture resistance and a simple ‘click’ installation system, it’s no wonder that the collection is really taking off. Many of our customers are choosing Aqua Woods for areas prone to spillages and wetness such as bathrooms and kitchens, but we are also seeing these floors used in other areas of the home too, from living rooms through to hallways.” Offering fantastic value without compromising on quality, Aqua Woods floors feature a protective wear layer suitable for heavy domestic use. With bevelled edges on all four sides for ultimate authenticity, it is clear that these stunning planks are setting the benchmark high for luxury vinyl click flooring. The Aqua Woods range is available exclusively through UK Flooring Direct. T 0844 327 0000

www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

Put a cork in it Showcasing the finest in eco-friendly design and containing an impressive 93% pre-consumer recycled content, the Tradition collection of cork floors by Granorte is the go-to collection for retailers looking to provide discerning shoppers with green and stylish products for the home. Repurposing the cork waste left over from the wine stopper manufacturing industry, Tradition floors are available in either a solid or veneered constructions in a total of 36 stunning decors. With a whole variety of colourful designs available, from the striated Expression to multi-faceted Canyon and contemporary grey Champagner Weis, there is bound to be a floor to capture the imagination and to suit all design tastes. With a wealth of practical benefits, such as increased underfoot comfort, heat insulation and sound absorption, cork floors are becoming increasingly popular among savvy consumers looking for high performing materials. Great value too, this range is ideal for retailers looking to diversify their product portfolio. “The demand for eco-friendly flooring products continues to increase, and we are seeing a rising number of customers who want to know about the origins of the materials that they purchase for their homes,” comments Paulo Rocha, product manager, Granorte. “The Tradition collection allows homeowners to relax in the knowledge that their flooring has been harvested from a sustainable and natural source, has been created using formaldehyde-free manufacturing methods and, crucially, means no compromise on style.” T 01785 711 131

www.granorte.co.uk

Thinking of joining a buying group? We can help you decide.... Read our Buying Groups Factsheet on page 8 for information about the benefits of joining a buying group and how to choose the right one for you.

34 May 2013

FlooringNews

Kingsmead Carpets Relay Park, Relay Drive Tamworth, B77 5PR. UK Tel: +44 1827 831424 sales@kingsmead-sales.co.uk www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk from The Stocklists

May 2013 35

News

Chic choices Inspired by cutting-edge interior design, the brand new Ultimate Design cushion flooring collection by Avenue Floors is set to add a chic and contemporary feel to on-trend homes. Comprising a diverse array of 20 modern styles that include stone, tile and wood look decors, Ultimate Design will appeal to a wide range of tastes. Those preferring the dramatic tones of dark grey and midnight will be naturally drawn towards floors such as Barcelona D in jet black and the clean lines of Morgane tiles in grey, while those with earthy and neutral design tastes will be more than satisfied with the subtle stripes of Marloes in brown and the authentic wood appearance of Noblesse. Providing exceptional practical benefits such as durability and ease of maintenance as well as ensuring lasting good looks thanks to a dirt-repellent PU lacquer finish, Ultimate Design is suitable for heavy domestic use and is capable of standing up to the demands of even the busiest of homes. Available in two, three or four metre widths, it is the ideal range for rooms both large and small. “Ultimate Design is the latest offering from the extensive Avenue collection and it is something that we are very excited about,” comments Victoria Hemelaer, product manager, Avenue. “Inspired by the latest interior fashions, the collection will allow retailers to offer customers pioneering styles combined with the superb value that our floors are famous for.” Ultimate Design floors are supplied with a 10-year guarantee and also come with a dedicated and eye-catching point of sale unit. T 0800 032 3970

www.avenuefloors.co.uk

Close to the edge The sumptuous Alderley Edge carpet from Crown Floors is renowned for its plush texture and array of sophisticated colours, and now retailers can take advantage of the range’s natural appeal by rewarding themselves with the generous double points promotion that is now available to Crown Floors Loyalty Club members. A tufted 3/16” cut pile with a weight of 1,350g/m2 and a beautifully shaggy appearance, Alderley Edge sets the benchmark high in terms of superior texture and exceptional underfoot comfort. Crafted from 100% easy to clean polypropylene, this carpet is simple to keep looking good, making it a very popular choice with busy homes looking for opulent styles with a practical touch. Available in a choice of nine elegant shades on the large Crown Floors POS wall unit, including rich cream Princess Gown and iridescent dark silver Gothic Stone, Alderley Edge also comes in two brand new icy blue and pink colours that are only available on the smaller lectern unit to ensure there is a carpet to suit all interior schemes. “Alderley edge is an exceptionally popular design for all areas of the home, especially bedrooms and living rooms thanks to its lavish look and supreme comfort, and now retailers can take advantage of its popularity through current promotion with the Crown Floors Loyalty Club,” comments James Caldwell, UK sales coordinator, Crown Floors. “The double points offer is also available on another popular range, Reigate Fort, so retailers will be able to claim twice as many points, which they can then redeem against a wealth of products from designer sunglasses to the latest gadgets.” T 0800 0773301 www.crownfloorsloyaltyclub.co.uk

Web tools from Roberts QEP UK have launched the new Roberts website www.robertsuk.co.uk, packed with helpful product information on the Roberts range of flooring installation tools, adhesives & accessories. The new user friendly website gives customers detailed, technical information and close-up photographs of all the quality Roberts products. There is also a company history from Roberts being founded by Roy Roberts back in 1938, through to the present day where Roberts is now integrated into the QEP UK operation and will be fully managed from their UK offices and distribution centre in Lytham St Annes. Responsible for inventing and improving many of the most common flooring tools that are in use today such as smooth-edge carpet gripper and hot melt carpet seaming tape, Roberts continue to introduce innovative, new products that address the new challenges of today's professional. The Robert Range has undergone a complete overhaul with the introduction of a comprehensive range of aluminium profiles, adhesives and carpet gripper, complementing the world renowned range of flooring tools and accessories for the professional installer. T 01253 789180 36 May 2013

www.robertsuk.co.uk

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 37

News

Smart display strand The new Ultimate SmartStrand display unit by Mohawk is taking retailers by storm thanks to its ability to entice shoppers with its incredible choice and variety. Comprising an array of styles all crafted from the beautifully soft and durable SmartStrand fibre, which is partly made from corn, the Ultimate SmartStrand POS unit is designed to meet a wide range of design tastes with carpets to suit many different homes. Featuring stunning textured carpets such as Cascade Forest and Dramatic Flair in sophisticated shades of taupe, cream and grey, as well as a seemingly endless choice of standard SmartStrand colours and qualities, one of the main draws of the Ultimate SmartStrand stand is the luxurious appeal of one of the newest additions to the range – SmartStrand Silk. Delivering never-felt-before softness, SmartStrand Silk carpets provide unrivalled underfoot comfort and are ideal for creating opulent living and bedroom spaces. “The Ultimate SmartStrand collection is so extensive, it is only natural that it is housed on a suitably stunning display stand,” comments Howard Lindsay of Mohhawk. “With the whole host of SmartStrand styles available to view and feel upon the unit, including the latest supersoft incarnation, SmartStrand Silk, the POS unit allows retailers to demonstrate the diverse nature of the collection to shoppers and inspire them with the many possibilities available.” T 01282 606992 www.mohawkinternational.com

Building the business Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest supplier of floorcoverings to the new build sector, has appointed three new members of staff to service its expanding business needs.

Louise Gay

Simon Lovett

Ann Moore

The company has appointed Louise Gay as assistant health, safety and HR manager, joining the established team at the company’s head office. Also joining the company are Simon Lovett and Ann Moore. Simon will help develop the recently opened Thames Medway region as sales manager and brings with him 17 years’ worth of industry knowledge. Ann’s role as contracts manager is based in the north- west where she will assist in this expanding region.

Said MD, Peter Kelsey: “Over the past 12 months, the company has seen considerable growth and it’s been essential to recruit new members to the team to continue providing the very best customer service and look after our new customers.” Prior to joining the business Louise worked for a world class manufacturer and supplier of surface finishing solutions based in the south-east. Ann previously worked within the energy saving market, where her skills as a sales support manager will allow her to drive the Designer Contracts business forward in her new role as contracts manager. Simon began his career in the industry in 1996 and has worked his way up the ladder from being a warehouseman at a leading carpet supplier to his new position as sales manager at Designer Contracts. T 01246 854577 www.designercontracts.com

Cork’s got it covered Leading cork manufacturer Granorte has invested in a hard-hitting consumer PR campaign in order to support its retailers and to increase awareness of its extensive product collections amongst homeowners up and down the country. “PR is an incredibly important aspect of any business strategy, and we view it as a way of generating genuine excitement about our products and real selling leads,” comments Paulo Rocha, product manager, Granorte. “As a result of cultivating relationships with key media in the home interest sector, both nationally, regionally and online, we have managed to secure fantastic coverage which has led to our to retailers experiencing high volumes of enquiries from members of the public who want to find out more about us and the floors that we offer.” Working in conjunction with interiors PR agency Select First, most recently Granorte floors have featured in widely read national consumer interior titles such as Country Homes & Interiors, Homes & Gardens, Good Homes, Real Homes, Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms and Your Home, as well as regional lifestyle titles including Living North and Index Magazine. In 2012, the brand was featured in the Sunday Times Home supplement, and has also been referenced in the Independent’s sister newspaper, i. T 01785 711 131 38 May 2013

www.granorte.co.uk

FlooringNews

Business News

Retail is key to Axminster revival Axminster has a “passion to succeed” says managing director Josh Dutfield after the company re-opened for business on April 8 and now he’s starting a campaign to ask retailers to get behind the company to secure its revival. A focus on the residential market and a drive to create new products that will win back younger consumers to the brand are promised in the re-launch of the company which was rescued from administration. A consortium led by local business people and backed by Centric Commercial Finance Ltd has bought the business for an undisclosed sum. The deal secures 100 jobs but 300 employees have had to be made redundant as the company scales back its manufacturing operations and the company’s yarn production facility at Buckfast remains closed.

“This fantastic brand and company will go on making world-class product. We march forward with pride and with a passion to succeed”

Managing director Josh Dutfield said he was "happy and excited" about the deal to rescue the business. "It's been a very difficult and tricky few weeks. But, overall, I'm delighted at where we are, and very much looking forward to the future. I would like to thank our customers, suppliers and employees who have been behind the efforts to save the business throughout this difficult period.” Most of the management team remains in place. Sales director Steve Upperton, however, has left but said he was “proud to have worked for such a great company” and wished them well. Faced with tough trading in export and contract markets, Axminster will rejuvenate its focus on residential carpets, capitalising on its brand values and “Britishness” but making sure that they are re-aligned to appear to a younger generation of buyers. “The new company will see a restructure of the business which will focus on its retail network and the consumer/domestic side of the business. We will safe guard the future of this well respected heritage brand with a new, focused approach on our core markets and the values of premium quality product and exceptional service,” said the company. “Axminster will continue to design, develop and produce Axminster carpets in East Devon and will work closely with other British manufacturers in order to provide a more efficient and effective supply chain solution which will be structured to meet the needs of today’s marketplace demands.” “This fantastic brand and company will go on making world-class product here in Axminster; we march forward with pride and with a passion to succeed,” said Josh. “We will be starting a campaign to regenerate the brand and to encourage on-going support for the future success of the business.” T 01297 33533 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

Brintons is backing Britain Brintons Carpets has demonstrated its commitment to UK manufacturing by selecting its Kidderminster plant for the next phase of expansion of its High Definition Weave technology. Don Coates, Brintons MD, commented: “Our brand reputation is built on design innovation, product excellence, technical expertise and customer focus; it’s essential we continue to invest in all of these areas to ensure our future success.” High Definition Weave is a pioneering technology developed by Brintons to weave carpets and rugs in up to 32 colours, giving customers unrivalled design definition and colour choice. Brintons manufactures in the UK, Portugal and India, and having made the decision to sell its Chinese operation last year, it will focus on existing plants. Brintons employs over 500 people in the UK across its Kidderminster and Telford sites and this latest investment will create new jobs in both locations. “Investing in the UK will bring a real boost to not only the local economy, but also to British carpet making as a whole.” said the company. Following the closure of Axminster’s yarn operation in Buckfast, Brintons plans to expand its spinning facility in Telford, increasing processing capacity by over a third to support the companys sales growth plans. Coates comments, "We have a very clear view of how we deliver value for our customers; our mission is to make the world a more beautiful place, which we have been doing for over 200 years. We have a fantastic employee ethos with tremendous commitment to the business and the Brintons brand; we will go the extra mile to help our customers achieve their goals.” Brintons is also committed to Investing in people and has announced the launch of the Brintons Apprenticeship programme. Brintons will be recruiting around 8 engineering apprentices between the Telford and Kidderminster sites. Coates explains, “Our customers are incredibly discerning, so we work hard to stay one step ahead. We have just filed our company accounts that report a significant turnaround, so we are in a strong position to invest in our people, products and our unrivalled technology. This is good news for our business and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of the management team and of all our employees, and of the support from our customers. Of course there is still a lot of work to do, but I am confident that we will be successful in our goal of continued business growth.” Following the rescue of Brintons out of administration by US private equity firm Carlyle Group at the end of 2011, Brintons says it has a strong owner backing management and is able to fund growth through investment and acquisition. T 0800 505055 www.brintons.net 40 May 2013

FlooringNews

News

Laughing at underlay

Recycling success Recofloor, the UK’s vinyl flooring take-back scheme, celebrated the environmental commitment of its recycling champions at its annual Awards Event at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in March. Flooring companies, contractors and distributors, who recycled 450 tonnes through the scheme in 2012, collected trophies and certificates in nine major award categories plus Gold and Silver groupings from guest speaker and Sky Sports presenter Gary Newbon.

Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief have partnered for a second year with leading UK carpet underlay manufacturer, Ball & Young, to recycle the PU Foam Red Noses. Red Noses bought during the campaign in March will be collected from Sainsbury’s supermarkets nationwide and taken to its factory in Corby, Northamptonshire to be washed and prepared for recycling. They will start a new life as part of Ball & Young’s awardwinning Cloud 9 range of underlays. It takes a day to turn them into underlay and the red flecks from the Red Noses can be easily spotted throughout the underlay.

Praising the sustained efforts of Recofloor’s 470 registered collectors, Project Manager Jane Gardner, said: “Communication across the entire flooring supply chain has been crucial to the scheme’s success and continues to drive these remarkable achievements, which represent a big step forward for the sector as a whole.” Since its 2009 inception by flooring manufacturers Altro and Polyflor, Recofloor has collected 1,259 tonnes of smooth offcuts, smooth uplifted vinyl and safety offcuts for recycling back into products, such as new flooring - an equivalent saving of 1,007,200 kg – or 1,007 tonnes - of CO2. This total volume equals nearly 420,000m² or enough to cover 58 football pitches. This year’s collection target is 600 tonnes.

Katherine How, Sainsbury’s Comic Relief Partnership Manager, said: “The success of Red Nose Day shows our customers want to help transform lives across the UK and Africa. We also know they care about the environment so we’re making it really easy for them to recycle the Red Noses. It’s good news for the environment and it’s helping Comic Relief supporters make an even bigger lasting impact.” Ann Shaw, Sales Director at Ball & Young, said: “The Noses will be processed in our state of the art factory where they will be chipped, bonded and rejuvenated to attain the quality necessary for our carpet underlay. The enthusiasm from customers and employees has been tremendous and we’re pleased to continue our work with Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s.” Red Nose Day supporters can bring their Red Noses to Sainsbury’s supermarkets nationwide where they are being collected until the 31st March 2013. Putting all waste to positive use, as well as finding opportunities to re-use it, is a key part of Sainsbury’s work around environmental sustainability and is one of its targets to achieve by 2020 as set out in its industry-leading 20x20 Sustainability Plan.

The Recofloor Awards are comprised principally from last year’s results, but they also recognise those collectors who have made significant contributions to the scheme in various ways.

T 01536 200502

T 0161 355 7618

www.underlay.com

Gary Newbon commented: “As someone who feels very strongly about recycling, I was thrilled to be invited to present these awards for such a worthwhile scheme. It’s a great success story!” www.recofloor.org

Advancing the cause Designer Contracts, the UK’s leading supplier of floor coverings to the new-build sector, has been named as one of the official flooring contractors for the charity, Advance. A charitable organisation which works across 42 local authority areas in England, Advance owns and manages more than 1,500 properties. It also provides accommodation for 2,500 people with a learning disability or mental health condition. Said Designer Contracts md, Peter Kelsey: “We are delighted to be one of the official flooring contractors to Advance. We will be providing a selection of floorcoverings to cater to the requirements and demands of each property within the network.” Over the past two years, Designer Contracts has expanded considerably. As well as Advance, the company works with The Anchor Trust, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for the over 55’s with retirement properties at over 1,000 locations across the country. It also works with the Home Group, which places over 120,000 people per year into a home. Said Peter: “We have a vast selection of products to suit every market: from the home building sector that requires luxury floorcoverings such as Amtico, to social housing charities looking for a range of practical, hardwearing options. We carry large stocks, which means our customers receive products within an extremely short lead time.” Designer Contracts has fully staffed offices and warehousing in 12 regions across the UK. As well as flooring, the company supplies curtain, blind, furniture and lighting packs to the new-build industry and has a full show-home interior design service. T 01246 854 577 42 May 2013

www.designercontracts.com

FlooringNews

News

Know and grow The Master Installer programme at the Quick-Step Academy has cemented the training centre’s reputation as the number one destination for installers looking to expand their skillset and reap the rewards that come with being accredited by one of the largest flooring manufacturers in the world. Providing exceptional value for money, the intensive three-day Master Installer course has proved a worthwhile investment for many fitters, with numerous trainees reporting a direct increase in sales after completing the programme. Designed for professionals with at least two year’s experience of wood and laminate flooring installations, the course builds upon existing knowledge of evaluations, screeds and adhesives as well as the technicalities of more intricate fittings. “The Master Installer course is incredibly comprehensive, and for its entire duration fitters undergo a series of installation challenges before being assessed on the final day,” comments Darren Robinson, training and development manager, Quick-Step Academy. “But crucially, unlike many other schemes, we do not just hand our trainees a certificate after completion before showing them the door for good. Instead, we actively work to promote their skills and workmanship to consumers through a variety of channels to ensure that the course is worth their time and effort.” All Master Installers will have their details on the ‘find an installer’ section of the main consumer Quick-Step website at www.quick-step.co.uk, which receives thousands of visits per month, and retailers will have access to specialist point of sale and marketing support if they offer the Master Installer service. “Thanks to our dedicated marketing efforts, consumers are now very aware that they simply will not get the same benefits if they do not use an approved Master Installer. The two year manufacturer’s guarantee that supports all Quick-Step Master installations is a serious attraction in these austere times, so we encourage fitters to find out just how we can help their business.” www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

Install awards

Need to screed?

F. Ball and Co. Ltd., is launching a new ‘Project of the Month’ initiative for members of its Loyalty card scheme.

The Pro Screed collection of self-levelling screeds from Floorwise is for fitters and contractors looking for top-performing and great value smoothing compounds.

The opportunity, which encourages flooring contractors to showcase their completed flooring installations using F. Ball’s range of high performance products, via the website www.f-ballrewards.co.uk, offers members the chance to win prizes and some of the most interesting projects may potentially be published as case studies in well-respected trade magazines. From flooring in healthcare or education services, to luxury leisure facilities, this is a chance for fellow flooring contractors to share their work and be in with a chance to win a prize of a £50 Argos voucher. The ‘Project of the Month’ may also be awarded for a flooring installation, where contractors have successfully overcome a particular problem, such moisture or subfloor contamination, by using F. Ball products. To enter the Project of the Month, contractors simply complete an online form on the F. Ball Rewards website, providing some general information about their project. There is also the option to upload photographs to support their entry. It is hoped that the additional feedback obtained from the installations put forward will help offer additional support to the wider flooring community, as well as providing F. Ball’s technical team with useful information to continue developing innovative subfloor preparation materials to bring to the flooring market. The loyalty card scheme is already approaching 2,500 members, who regularly enjoy 2.5% cashback on F. Ball purchases. Richard Harris, Marketing Manager at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., comments: “The ‘Project of the Month’ initiative for our Loyalty Card members is a perfect way to highlight the wonderful flooring installations that are taking place, as well as supporting contractors who are using F. Ball products.” T 01583 361 633

www.f-ball.co.uk

Meeting all subfloor preparation needs, the Pro Screed range consists of products designed to give a complete preparation solution that ensures the best possible results for the task at hand. The collection includes the popular and versatile synthetic latex F5000 Extra Smoothing Compound that is suitable for many different substrates including those with bitumen adhesive residue remaining. Supplied in 23kg bags that provide 5m2 of coverage at 3mm thickness, F5000 Extra has a quick walk-on drying time of around 90 minutes under normal conditions, making it a great choice for time sensitive projects. The water-based Floorwise F5001 Water Mix Smoothing Compound is another great value solution. Suitable for the levelling and smoothing of uneven substrates, it can be used over a variety of existing subfloors including concrete and cement as well as ceramic tiles to alleviate the need for uplifting. F5001 can be applied in thicknesses from 1.5mm up to 10mm and can be poured or pumped over the surface, making it ideal for both large and small installations. With a walk-on drying time of around 2 hours under normal conditions and giving off only a very low odour, this screed is a popular choice for contractors and comes in 25kg sacks. “The Floorwise Pro Screed collection has become known for its winning combination of value and performance, and is a very popular range for fitters and contractors that seek out high quality smoothing compounds that deliver time and time again,” comments Richard Bailey, managing director, Floorwise. T 01509 673974 www.floorwise.co.uk

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FlooringNews

News If you thought Furlong Flooring had been a little quiet lately, get ready for them to make some noise. The Regency Carpets brand has been building up for the spectacular launch of Opulence, a breakthrough product that will be a pace-setter in 2013.

The opportunity of Opulence

Opulence is a deep 60oz luxury carpet that oozes comfort from its resilient 2-ply polypropylene yarn. The secret to its success is the density at 42m fibre filaments per square metre and engineering excellence that Regency have been developing create a fine triple-sheared pinpoint finish.

Seeing is believing

“There had been some discussion in the market that Furlong had gone a little bit quiet and when that happens, the people who know us well, know we must be up to something big. This is it!,” said Neil Valentine.

POS innovation has taken an exciting new turn with the presentation of Opulence using a highly specialised technology to create unique 3D images and a videolike effect on the product lecterns - without the need for videos or electricity.

“The product is absolutely superb – I don’t think we’ve ever ticked as many boxes for the retailer in a product launch as we have with Opulence,” he said. “And combined with the quality and superb colour bank of the new range, we’ve launched a revolutionary point-of-sale presentation with advanced 3D and image phase technology that will attract attention and consumers will notice that there’s something very different in the stores now.”

“We have worked hard with our designers to get this just right,” says Neil. “Consumers have never seen anything like this in a flooring retail store before and it will stop them dead in their tracks.”

The market for “affordable luxury” has been performing strongly over the last year and a number of product introductions have sought to capitalize on this trend. Opulence aims to be the latest and greatest and outsell all competitors’ products with its range of benefits. Available in 4 and 5m, Opulence in available in vast range of 20 UV lightfast colours with strong, indulgent tones alongside popular neutrals. And of course, the Carefree credentials are all there – resistance to the toughest stains and bleach cleanable, all backed up by a 10-year wear and stain warranty to reinforce consumer confidence. As the polypropylene sector has become more sophisticated, the Regency ranges have been segmented across three brands: the entry-level Regency EasyCare, mainstream CareFree and the luxury CareFree Prestige where Opulence takes pride of place alongside current best-sellers Satisfaction and Elegance. The new range gets its debut showing at the Solihull buying group event in May and sampling and stands are rolling out to retailers right now. For those that can’t wait that long, visit pages 22 and 23 to find the local rep who can show you the next big thing in consumer carpet appeal!

Two technologies have been applied. The 3D approach is sometimes seen on high-end DVD cases and creates a holographic effect which is used to great effect by Regency Carpets to present the diamond crystal that is the leading brand image of Opulence.

T 01772 316155 www.regencycarefree.co.uk The second trick is advanced image phase printing to give a sequence of images depending on the angle of viewing. This transforms a printed panel into a video-like presentation - “now you see it, now you don’t.”. This effect is ideal to show how Carefree carpets can make stains disappear and consumers can see this performance in action simply by walking past the display.

46 May 2013

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 47

News

Peter Anton It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death on April 10th of Peter Anton. Peter was the grandson of George Anton, one of the founders of Victoria Carpets, and the Anton name is today synonymous with Victoria. He leaves his beloved wife Jane and son Rupert, together with daughter-in-law Louise and grandchildren Edward and Henry. Peter worked at Victoria throughout his career, latterly as Sales Director. The funeral and memorial service took place at the end of April.

Wool bond Whitestone Weavers has acquired Thomas Witter Ltd in a deal which will take The Group’s turnover to in excess of an estimated £34m. Thomas Witter carpets are to continue being manufactured in Yorkshire but the distribution side is moving to Whitestone’s newly built distribution centre in the North East. The longstanding British brand will reign supreme as a Whitestoneowned subsidiary sitting alongside Hugh MacKay, Gaskell MacKay, Carpet Line Direct, View Logistics and Whitestone Weavers. “There’s a natural fit with Whitestone so when the opportunity arose it made strategic sense to go for it,” said Whitestone Weavers’ Managing Director, Steve Byrne. “As another wool house with a proud home grown heritage and strong British wool standing there are parallels between the two businesses that should make the transition easier. We look forward to seeing how our ranges can complement each other to offer an even broader selection of wool blend performance products.” The Whitestone Group currently employs 95 people at its Hartlepool headquarters. Key sales and operational staff from Thomas Witter will be invited to stay within the business. T 01429 892518

www.whitestone.co.uk

Interfloor consolidates Interfloor has announced it is entering into a consultation process regarding the proposed re-organisation of their Dumfries operations including the closure of the Heathhall manufacturing site. The company plans to retain their accessory manufacturing and distribution activities in Dumfries, and to consolidate all of their PU underlay manufacturing at its primary manufacturing centre at the head office in Haslingden, Lancashire. Phil Reeder, Interfloor Chairman, commented: “These changes have been caused by rising site overhead, raw material and logistics costs, which are critical given that our customer base is concentrated in the Midlands and South. By concentrating our PU production and inventory in one location we plan to improve the service we offer to our customers.” 48 May 2013

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 49

50 May 2013

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 51

The British Wool column Media success with Wool House

Fox Linton Room

Results count in marketing and promotions just as much as in any other area of business and as the doors closed on Wool House at the end of March – the Campaign for Wool’s largest promotion to date - the results of the media programme which supported the 17 room exhibition were eagerly anticipated. The Nationals – that is the daily and weekly papers - are always fickle. The world’s best story can be pushed off the page by an unexpected event; fortunately Wool House did not suffer from that scenario. It achieved 31 pieces of national print including The Sunday Telegraph, The Financial Times, The Times, The International Herald Tribune and The Evening Standard. It was featured in 27 printed consumer publications and there were 148 online features.

Wool House makes an entrance

In total the event achieved nearly £1.5million of printed space as calculated on advertising values, which is how these things are evaluated. However, it is the tone of the content that makes the difference in reality. News Arabella McN ie Room is more than a measure of space; it is also naturally about the words. m Kit Kemp Roo However, it is clear that the writers were inspired by Wool House and so the comments were really impressive. “Wool is the new cool fibre, honest, robust, luxurious and versatile” The Evening Standard wrote, “Wool House - Full of design inspiration, most notably the mix of colour pattern and texture” – Easy Living. “A feast for the eyes,” comments Good Housekeeping.

Influencing sales with social media

The importance of all this in the grand scheme of things and particularly on the way people decide on what they buy – is less easy to monitor and evaluate. Wool carpet and rugs are both a practical and design led purchase. Inspiring, informing and educating a consumer starts long before they reach the retail store. Part of Wool House was a dedicated resource room that was filled with brochures and samples, most of which ran out – another element was an informative iPad based educational wool magazine. Browsing is the beginning of most consumer choices – and yet remains truly undervalued because it is hard to define and evaluate. But today, browsing is perhaps the most important of all incentive sales mechanisms because of the way people take their news and communications in such a constant way. The media feed to a consumer in the home or on the move has increased so dramatically in the last few years and increasingly people are collating style and values through community networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Social Media offers minute by minute lifeblood to the promotion of your event, story, product. It is quite needy requiring continuous and structured snippets of news but strategic social media will result in a tribal type of following that keeps your activity in the limelight. In Yorkshire, ‘Brand Yorkshire’ followers regularly infiltrate the social media channels for an hour every day; it is planned activity that adds strength and impact to their messages. 52 May 2013

New Age networking spreads the Wool word

Results on Wool House show that there were 4 million Facebook and Twitter impressions and 2.4 million had used the designated hashtag, which is how they link across the community networks. This shows that these people are positively choosing to engage and support the activity by spreading the word to others in their own networks and beyond. This contagious ripple means that this network is filled with marketing messages that will be browsed by someone sat in their home or coffee shop because it will come in via their community.

It is the new era of networking and creates empowered endorsement and it works. “I cannot count the number of people who came to Wool House as a result of Twitter or Facebook postings, they were following it and then decided to come and see for themselves, some people came from Cornwall, a lady came from Germany for the day and another flew in from Sweden – just to see it,” Bridgette Kelly of The Campaign for Wool said. Long after the event closes this community will post content and maintain new connections all developed during this activity and like all communities loyalty to their chosen subjects and themes is very evident. “More than 520,000 Twitter accounts were reached through this hashtag activity – all of which flagged up wool and that is brilliant for the industry,” she said.

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 53

SHOWTIME IN SOLIHULL Solihull becomes the capital of carpets and the focus of flooring in May as an unprecedented number of manufacturers and suppliers gather to show what’s hot in the industry at the start of the new buying season. The BGNFS - The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show on May 15 - continues to grow in stature since its launch three years ago and is now seen as a ‘must visit’ event for many retailers who are members of buying groups. ACG, BRM, Metro and SMG and members of other affiliated groups will be very welcome - providing they register at www.bgnfs.co.uk Richard Moore of Associated Carpet Group spoke for the consortium: “I would encourage members to take a good look at BGNFS. After attending the event last year I came away feeling very impressed with such an excellent venue and a well organised show centrally located in the UK. It was also important to me that the show attracted over 60 leading brands exhibiting exclusively to Independent Buying Group members. “I passionately believe that the Industry is a much poorer place without trade shows, which is why we all need to take responsibility and support the BGNFS in order that we can all be proud of what the show represents. It is important therefore to support the suppliers who are exhibiting at the event this year. This show is dedicated and focussed on independent retailers resulting in a more productive and intimate atmosphere to those both visiting and exhibiting. “After talking to both members and directors who attended last year I have received nothing but positive comments. The retailers I have spoken to, all reported that they found the day of particular interest and a genuine benefit to their business. I have no doubt by attending the show it will help us all make more informed decisions with regards to suppliers, products and displays and generally will help us to evaluate our business for the future,” said Richard.

The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show May 15, 2013 Cranmore Park Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LF www.bgnfs.co.uk 54 May 2013

FlooringNews

Preview: Showtime in Solihull The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show May 15, 2013

Adam Carpets Adam Carpets presence at the buying group show this year will all be about firsts! • First glimpse of two brand new ranges due to launch in the Summer • First look at brand new POS corner units and lecterns • First chance to see brand new innovative Sales Aid which highlights the benefits of quality wool carpets • First view of brand new redesigned wall units • First show outing for new range, Artistry • First look at brand new in store display of Roller Banners and Stairs • First chance to see the Fine Worcester colour schemes designed by Farrow & Ball With all these firsts, don’t forget to make Adam Carpets your first point of call. 01562 829966

www.adamcarpets.com

Carpet Recycling UK Responsible disposal alternatives for post-consumer and clean installation carpet waste will be a key focus for Carpet Recycling UK at the show. Visitors to CRUK’s stand can learn more about how an expansion in clean installation waste take-back schemes and the development of more than 30 outlets processing carpet waste for new uses offer many advantages for retailers. “Retailers who take positive steps towards sustainable disposal of waste carpet, such as participation in take-back schemes for clean installation offcuts, can benefit from enhanced customer perceptions and reduced waste collections,” says CRUK co-ordinator Jane Gardner. “Not only are they enhancing their green credentials in helping to divert carpet and underlay waste from landfill, but they differentiate their business from competitors. This is an added selling point with increasingly ecoconscious consumers,” she continues. Increased take-back schemes across the UK has led to a rise in production of non-woven products, such as underlay and mattress pads, from reprocessed post-manufacture waste and clean installation off-cuts. CRUK’s promotion of new uses for carpet waste is helping to divert more of the UK’s annual 400,000 tonnes of carpet waste from landfill with a 21.4% diversion rate – or 85,000 tonnes - achieved in 2012. Its target is 25% diversion from landfill by 2015. T 0161 440 8325

www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

Kingsmead Carpets Kingsmead will use their stand in Solihull to feature their Artwork Special Edition. Ten fantastic new stripes which co-ordinate with 22 plain shades in the Artwork range. Everlon Clean Easy will feature on branded lecterns with four existing ranges along with a new surprise. Kaleidoscope is a competitively priced and artistically coloured loop pile stripe in 100% wool. T 01827 831424 www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

from The Stocklists

May 2013 55

Preview: Showtime in Solihull The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show May 15, 2013

Brockway Carpets Brockway Carpets unveils its latest new product launch featuring the brand’s most sophisticated collection of stylish natural hues. Made from 100% pure new British wool, Dakota is a range of premium, textured loop pile carpets available in six distinctive natural shades, making it the ideal choice for almost any location in the home. The totally natural colour range includes Stone Cable, Wheat Cable, Linen Cable, Pebble Cable, Cream Cable and Hessian Cable. The unique strength of this deluxe carpet range comes from its rugged cable texture effect and superior 3-ply yarn. Part of the Classic Collection, Brockway’s Dakota is available in standard 4m and 5m widths. “Our Dakota range really shows simplicity is the ultimate sophisitication,” commented Charles Annable, managing director of Brockway Carpets. “We recognise there is a real appetite for textured loop pile carpets at the moment from retailers and homeowners alike. Brockway is supporting the Dakota launch with samples available to new and existing retailers. T 01562 828200

www.brockway.co.uk

Interfloor

Lano Carpets An array of stunning carpet styles from the Premium Easy Care and Wilton collections by Lano Carpets will be on show in Solihull as well as the popular Ultimo collection. Offering superb performance benefits and great value, these ontrend designs will entice retailers looking to expand their product offering. Displayed on elegant and practical lectern units with large sample sizes that encourage shoppers to touch and feel the sumptuous textures for themselves, the Premium Easy Care Collection is renowned for its stain-free technology and stylish designs. Backed by 7-year wear and 10-year stain warranties, these carpets are bleach-cleanable and are the perfect choice for consumers that demand both practicality and lasting good looks.

Interfloor has reported on the emergence of a number of market niches for underlay. This has been driven by the changing needs of consumers and by the growing number of buying group members who are recognising the opportunity that this presents.

Included in this collection is the brand new Grandeur carpet, made from ecofriendly 100% Perlana fibre that is innovatively made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Offering the luxurious indulgence of wool carpet with an incredibly realistic wool-like texture and warm to the touch, Grandeur also provides the benefits of stain-resistant fibre and is available in 14 rich and warm tones in 4m and 5m widths.

Steve Woodhead, Interfloor’s marketing director explains, “There is growing demand in a number of niche markets for underlay. I define these as premium comfort, high tog, low tog and noise reduction. Our premium products have been designed to address these niches. “

Another valuable addition to the Easy Care range is Heathertwist Supreme, which is created from 100% Lanoset polypropylene. Providing a clean cut pile finish with a 40oz pile weight, this carpet ensures high levels of underfoot comfort and is available in 14 sophisticated heathered colours in both four and five-metre widths. Retailers will also be impressed with the popular patterned Heathertwist Design; offering all the same benefits as Heathertwist Supreme, this range is available in 10 matching colours with a tweed effect in four-metre width. T 00800 5266 5266 56 May 2013

“For example, Tredaire Dreamwalk and Sensation are ideal for premium comfort and high tog needs; Duralay Heatflow is perfect for the low tog requirements of underfloor heating; and Duralay Timbermate Excel is the leading noise reduction underlay for wood and laminate floors.” T 01706 213131 www.interfloor.com

www.lano.com

FlooringNews

Whitestone Weavers Whitestone Weavers will be showcasing several new initiatives helping to better support its retailers at The Buying Groups National Flooring Show. These include the introduction of coordinate stripes in 4m, 5m and 1m widths in selected ranges; new product launches; and refreshed, fashion-led colour banks in some of it’s best-sellers. The long established wool house has also taken the unprecedented step of developing more polypropylene product with a strong ‘hassle free’ proposition for customers seeking a good quality carpet with minimal care requirements. “A high wool content is an affordable luxury but it’s not always a practical option for customers with small children or pets, for example,” said Whitestone Weavers’ Managing Director, Steve Byrne. “We’ve worked hard to champion wool - and will of course continue to do so - but acknowledge that it’s in the retailers' interests for us to provide a man-made alternative that appeals to certain lifestyles. Our ‘Hassle Free’ polyprop line is intended to be just that and has been very well received - so much so that we’re looking to introduce additional colour lines and more new ranges in the ‘Hassle Free’ family, later this year,” said Steve. T 01429 892 555 www.whitestone.co.uk

Furlong Flooring A star of the show in Solihull is likely to be the eagerly awaited new launch from Regency carpets. Opulence has been added to the company’s Prestige brand and arrives with a market-leading set of credentials and powerful POS innovations. “We think visitors to the show are going to be seriously impressed with what we have achieved with Opulence and I can’t wait to show them this real winner,” said Neil Valentine of Regency distributor Furlong Flooring. Opulence demonstrates the company’s commitment to technology both in product development anf promotion. The carpet is a deep 60oz luxury range which has been triple sheared for a smart high definition finish. Available in 20 colours and with the CareFree performance benefits of cleanability - plus a 10 year warranty - it’s set to be a major success. And to make sure consumers don’t miss it, Opulence is presented on an innovative lectern featuring 3D and image phase graphics to create a dynamic, moving display as buyers walk up to the display. T 01772 696787 www.regencycarefree.co.uk

Vorwerk Visitors will be able to view the striking patterns and designs that make up the trend-inspiring Fascination Collection by Vorwerk Carpets. Consisting of a multitude of broadloom carpet styles as well as bespoke rugs and moveable carpet tiles, the Fascination Collection has received worldwide acclaim since its launch to the residential market last year. With a total of 417 variations, this range will appeal to retailers looking to offer the ultimate in diversity to customers who demand only the most vivid and high-impact carpet styles for their homes. Four distinct collections, Universal Gloss, Balanced Pureness, Private Treasures and Design Unlimited have been carefully considered in order to appeal to varied design tastes and to provide a high-impact look to transform all decoration schemes. Particular highlights include the shaggy Flow carpet, with its undulating texture combining with exposed mesh backing, and the vibrant Modena Design Jardin that makes all fusty floral carpets retreat into the shade with its contemporary graphic flower design that is screen printed to ensure exceptional colour clarity. T 020 7096 5090

www.vorwerkcarpets.co.uk

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Preview: Showtime in Solihull The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show May 15, 2013

Mohawk Carpets The latest high quality options from Mohawk Carpets, including a selection of EverStrand roll ranges that represent superb value will be on show in Solihull. Discovery, Endeavour, Shooting Star, Canyon and Grand Canyon, five styles of EverStrand carpet, are now available as rolls to enable retailers to keep costs down while still providing homeowners with high-performing carpet styles. All feature a hardwearing 2-ply construction and come with lifetime stain protection and 10 year wear and texture warranties for ultimate peace of mind. With varying pile lengths, textures and in a diverse colour palette to ensure great variety, this EverStrand roll range will cater for all design preferences. Discovery has a shaggy feel with a springy, soft pile, with the other four ranges providing a more uniform texture for a sophisticated look. “Making EverStrand available in rolls represents our commitment to offering members of buying groups high quality and stylish ranges at a very effective price point,” comments Howard Lindsay, of Mohawk. T 01480 479830

www.mohawkinternational.com

Victoria Carpets The show will give Victoria Carpets the opportunity to speak to retailers about exciting new product launches planned for 2013 as well as other new product development plans. Victoria will proudly be showing both Radiance and Natural Style amongst their other core ranges. This February saw Victoria Carpets introduce a new loop range into their product portfolio called Natural Style. Containing 8 on trend tones, from natural creams to hints of taupe, grey and lilac, and across 2 designs [Trend and Fashion] Natural Style offers 16 options and is perfect for any style of home or interior. Mark Rooney, National Sales Manager comments; ‘We are looking forward to seeing all buying group members as well as some prospective new ones. This opportunity enables us to discuss and present our plans going forward.’ T 01562 749300

www.victoriacarpets.com

Cavalier Carpets Cavalier Carpets stand at the show will display their collection of wool rich and 10 year warranty stain resistant ranges. They will also be introducing a sister product ‘Lupo’, with a striped version called ‘Strata’ with the same sophisticated ‘Brussels Weave’ look which offers superb value for money. Made using 100% wool yarn in 6 high fashion colourways Also on show will be the latest addition to the stylish new POS collection, a Design ‘a’ Drum Tombola to match the highly successful ‘Slim Line’ wall units and lecterns. T 02920 888 223

58 May 2013

www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

FlooringNews

Preview: Showtime in Solihull The Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show May 15, 2013

Cormar Carpets Cormar Carpets will showcase its flagship heavyweight, polypropylene twist Primo Ultra - at this year’s show. Part of the Primo Easy Clean family, samples of the newly re-coloured range will be on display. Containing eight of the most popular plain and heather colours, in a fine tenth gauge finish, this dense pile carpet has enjoyed great success following increased popularity of heavyweight stain resistant twists. Also on display will be Cormar’s recent addition to the winning Sensation range – New Feeling. According to David Cormack: “The popularity of the original Sensation shows no sign of diminishing and the introduction of a lighter weight enabling our customers to sell at another price point, has lifted sales even further.” Featured on the stand will be all of Cormar’s display units including lecterns, wall units and the new ‘sales station’. This unit gives retailers the opportunity to promote all the Easy Clean or wool ranges on one free standing unit, which takes up no more than one square metre of floor space. T 01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Flock Living Flock Living is keen to talk to potential stockists at the Show. Their 12 ranges, six tufted and six woven, demonstrate that colour, style and design have a role in carpet. Leading edge, innovative design, combines with an ‘on trend’ colour palette and sustainability to produce a collection that is distinctive, beautiful and completely natural All are made out of 100% ethically produced Wools of New Zealand Laneve™ wool and 3 ply yarn. The wool is fully traceable back to identifiable farmers at source while the 3 ply yarn enhances the durability and longevity of the carpet so wear performance is excellent as is borne out by their suitability for commercial use. Contemporary designs, with intelligent use of colour, combine with cutting edge manufacturing skills to produce a portfolio that is visually striking and different and a carpet for the consumer that is individual, elegant and hard wearing. “Come and see us and add a new string to your bow,” says the company. T 0208 440 8777

60 May 2013

www.flock-living.com

Visit www.bgnfs.co.uk to register and for full details of exhibitors, opening times and location maps of the venue. The BGNFS event is open to buying group members only.

FlooringNews

Solihull strong on quality

Once again Solihull becomes the showcase for members of Flooring One/AIS buying group this month with the event that has become an essential opportunity to see the new season range launches and POS display innovation from over 60 key manufacturers and suppliers.

Cranmore Park is the venue – next to the headquarters of the AIS retail buying organisation of which Flooring One is part. The building has a sophisticated, purpose-built exhibition centre across 30,000 square feet which has attracted great acclaim for its quality environment and professionalism. Flooring One’s long-established event for its own members and suppliers opens there on Tuesday, May 14th. “Manufacturers have always been strong supporters of this event but this year I believe the show will again reach new heights,” says Flooring One head Glenn Harding, ”In 2012, I commented on the number of suppliers that are now exhibiting with specially built stands to present their latest products in a highly professional, stimulating and exciting way. This year even more suppliers have sent in design plans for such stands and the quality is superb!” he said. The list of exhibitors includes all the main industry players such as Abingdon, Amtico,

from The Stocklists

Associated Weavers, Brockway, Cormar, Interfloor, Mohawk, Pergo, Regency, Ryalux, Edel Telenzo, Ulster, Victoria, leading UK rug distributors and many more. We are also delighted to confirm that Axminster carpets will be exhibiting. At the show Flooring One presents their ‘own label’ ranges and new initiatives to re-energise their members with the scale and mix of the full collection and marketing available to them. “This year our range reflects certain key trends such as an increase in polypropylene carpets, strong colours in wool twists particularly 2 ply,” says Glenn. “We are also launching new look POS and ticketing for members and a new single lectern for Flooring One ranges.” “Each year we seem to make progress and I am very excited about this year’s show on 14 May. It is a wonderful opportunity to speak with members about the new initiatives and show them the collection in its full glory!”

“Manufacturers have always been strong supporters of this event but this year I believe the show will again reach new heights” says Flooring One head Glenn Harding (above). Flooring One Show is on Tuesday, May 14th (members only). There will be a full report in next month’s The Stocklists.

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Flower on Flooring News News Seeing the non-wood for the trees While wood effect has dominated sales of luxury vinyl tiles for some time, the growing number of alternative designs is also generating increased interest.

Cavalio’s Grey Slate makes a stunning statement

Cavalio specialise in stylish design in woods and natural stone

The ability of LVT to combine stylish appearance with ease of maintenance has seen companies such as Cavalio explore options other than wood effects. Its offering now includes a wide variety of natural stone designs such as sandstone, limestone, travertine, slate and concrete, in a selection of tile sizes. "Many customers love the freedom of adapting and personalising their chosen floor, through use of inlay accessories and precision cutting," the company states. "At Cavalio we offer both bespoke and standard inlay accessories that are harmonised to balance with the textures and grains of the tiles across all three collections: Conceptline, Projectline and Lightline."

share from its carpet and real stone and wood counterparts. For both commercial and residential environments, end users are looking for ways to personalise their space – either to create stand-out effects in the case of the former or to enhance the way they live in the case of the latter - and designflooring is one way to achieve a unique effect." The ability for LVT to effectively replicate other surfaces can be combined with features such as tramline borders, design edging and creative laying patterns to create a floor that meets the needs of the customer and makes a style statement in its own right, he continues. continued overleaf

The company also offers a water-jet cutting service to enhance design flexibility and bring even the most intricate of design floor ideas to life. "Creating a unique and eye catching floor has never been easier," it states. Wineo, which combines the Wintex and Windmöller Flooring brands, finds that its Bacana Stars range, incorporating the patented Windmöller Connect technology for adhesive-free installation, rates among the most successful flooring ranges for contract installations. It includes trendy stone finishes, authentic grooving and large tile formats (914 x 473 mm) while combining the advantages of an elastic, 'quiet' floor covering that is warm to the feet with the visually attractive look and feel of stone. The 5mm floors additionally include a number of other benefits that have contributed to their popularity, says the company. "They can be laid easily, silently, cleanly and at speed with minimal effort and can bear loads immediately after installation. With a 0.55mm wear layer (wear class 33/42) they are extremely durable," says Wineo. Paul Barratt, Karndean Designflooring UK managing director, says: “The vinyl market continues to go from strength to strength, taking 62 May 2013

Wineo’s Bacana Stars range has adhesive-free Connect technology

FlooringNews

Karndeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Opus range is a smart large format tile

from The Stocklists

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by Dennis Flower continued from page 62 The ability for LVT to effectively replicate other surfaces can be combined with features such as tramline borders, design edging and creative laying patterns to create a floor that meets the needs of the customer and makes a style statement in its own right, he continues. “There’s particular interest from leisure facilities such as pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as homeowners, in ‘less than perfect’ flooring finishes. As such, we believe that distressed timber effect floors and highly detailed stone looks are set to be key looks for the year ahead,” says Mr Barratt. Victoria’s San Marco in sophisticated limestone

Eathwerks has launched Salsa with a chic decorative paint effect

The five launches include Tempo, Tempo Classic, Tempo Clic, Jupiter Loose Lay and Salsa, the company's most recent innovation. The company describes Salsa as bringing to the home the true essence of 'flooring inspired by natural design'. It recreates the decorative drag paint effect, so popular with interior designers, and breathing new life to aspirational flooring, says Earthwerks. New trends arrive with each season, says Forbo, but flooring is a timeless design that promises a long lifespan. Its own ranges therefore focus on classic looks that offer the foundation for making smaller interior changes to shadow trends and new colour palettes. "There is great demand for high quality, durable flooring inspired by natural materials and this is a key trend that is expressed in all of our luxury vinyl tile collections," the company states. Its popular Novilon collection features granite and slate effect tiles that combine the tactile character of natural stone with quiet warmth underfoot. It has also introduced a range of metallic tiles in roasted copper, aluminium and steel for a more contemporary look. Its Allura collection is offered for commercial applications as a versatile range of high performance floor covering options and featuring stone and abstract designs.

Victoria Luxury Flooring says the current economy has driven design savvy customers to seek functional, stylish and affordable flooring which offers longevity. This has increased sales of the company’s ‘easy to live with’ Mode products, with customers enjoying high quality aesthetics in alternative stone and slate flooring designs, replicating the natural without any drawbacks. The Mode range additionally includes a patented tongue and groove technology and is quick and easy to install, requiring no adhesive and minimal sub floor preparation. Available in large tile formats, it offers classic and contemporary options, from the neutral, clean lines of San Marco Limestone to the earthy, rustic appeal of Sienna Slate. The Mode range is one of several LVT ranges available through VLF's network of authorised dealers.

David Bigland, Moduleo UK and Eire managing director, says: “The increasing popularity of contemporary open-plan living has led to an increase in demand for Moduleo’s chic European styles. Lighter colours of wood, stone and concrete are particularly in vogue, as they create a light and airy feel in any room. “In line with this, we have also noticed a high demand for our wider planks and larger tiles, as this trend can also help to accentuate space in the home.” Part of European manufacturer IVC Group, the company employs a team of dedicated designers to create cuttingedge styles across its range of eco-friendly flooring products. Moduleo finds that its most popular non-wood LVT styles include Concrete and Sicilian Slate. “LVT flooring allows consumers to choose any variety of colours and finishes. The European trend for cool-coloured flooring and unusual woods has clearly migrated to the UK market and this is something we expect will continue,” says Mr Bigland.

Earthwerks, a Swiff-Train of America company, is a new UK brand in the luxury vinyl flooring sector and has considerable activity planned for the year ahead. This will include the launch of five classic, contemporary and differentiated LVT ranges to the UK market. "Every product is designed to give you For more information: the feel of its natural counterpart, and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then with our help natural Cavalio T 0845 345 5404 living has never been more complimented," it states. Wineo T +49 (0)52 31-6022 5-0 Earthwerks T 07935 786705 VLF T 01562 749300 Karndean T 01386 761249

64 May 2013

www.cavaliofloors.com www.wineo.de www.earthwerks.com www.victoriacarpets.com www.karndean.co.uk

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

May 2013 65

“

Voice of the Trade Shaun Lewis

Sales Director, Victoria Carpets

And what makes the difference between surviving and thriving? Thriving gives you more profit to work with, surviving doesn’t!

Has the recession been healthy for the industry to force improvements in its marketing and efficiency? Recessions are always healthy, as we all become complacent. They bring us back down to earth and make us work harder.

Do you think the flooring industry has reached the bottom of the recession yet? I’m not sure whether any industry has reached the bottom recession-wise. The key thing is what the individual companies do about it! We intend to succeed, it’s quite simple.

“I genuinely believe that consumers go to Independent Retailers for advice, not to be shown 20 different twist ranges all at the same price points!”

66 May 2013

What is the greatest threat to future prosperity in our sector? The threat that we don’t change. As manufacturers we need to keep updating our products, machinery and displays but so also do our retailers - they need to change as well. Well displayed products, tidy stores, limited ranges are all key to the professional retailer today.

I genuinely believe that consumers go to Independent Retailers for advice, not to be shown 20 different twist ranges all at the same price points!

Will more change in the next 10 years than have changed in the last 10? I would think the next 10 years will bring even more dramatic change that we have seen in the last 10 years. Probably change in the number of trading manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Definitely more change in the way we communicate and hopefully in the way we sell to the consumer, display-wise.

“

For manufacturers, what is the secret of surviving in this tough climate? We have to control our costs and make them work harder for us. We must ensure that our stocks are also under control and, more importantly, have the stocks that our customers want to buy. We must continue on the path of self-improvement in all areas of our business, which will give our retailers the service levels they deserve.

Are the best days of the carpet business behind us? Of course the best days of the industry are not behind us – that’s a normal thought process for humans – living in the past. Good times will still be there to look forward to! What’s your product focus for the next two years? As we always do, Victoria will continue to develop and introduce new products into our portfolio. Without giving too much away, we intend to improve all of the product areas in which we currently trade, as well as keeping an open mind on new yarn innovations.

How do you see the future of wool vs quality synthetic? Synthetics will, of course, continue to grow but you can never write wool off. The clever part of manufacturing is to be aware of changes in the consumers buying selection process and be ready for them. What’s the best thing about the carpet trade? The retailers and the camaraderie. I’ve made some good personal friends.

FlooringNews

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