Stocklists The
7 November 2011
with
FlooringNews
BRITAIN’S No. 1 FLOORCOVERING MAGAZINE FOR THE RETAIL AND CONTRACT MARKET
Stocklists The
Published by Mayville Publishing Co Ltd 219 West Ella Road, West Ella, Hull HU10 7SD Tel: 01482 659396 Fax: 01482 659397 www.thestocklists.com Sales Director: Diane Martin. diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk Publication Director: David Spragg. Founded by Roy Spragg in 1973.
FIRST FOR FlOORInG nEwS AnD DATA
7 nOVEMBER 2011
UK manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines
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FlooringNews starts on page 33
Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD Page No
Index
Colour supplement
Part 2 of our review on the latest launches pages 38-45
Carpet’s colur guru reveals future trends on pattern and design page 38-39
Sharp vinyl
Wool’s arty party
Dennis Flower looks at classy cuts page 56-57
natural fibre goes ‘gallery’ with london’s finest page 55
ADORE.................................................................._
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020 8805 8620
July 2011
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BONDWORTH ..........................................20
01562 745000
June 2011
BRITISH WOOL .......................................55 01274 688 666 BROCKWAY CARPETS LTD.
Tredaire claim market leader crown page 36
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nov 2010
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Adhesives Buying Groups
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01243 774623 Sep/Oct 2011
TAT
WESTON HAMMER .............................32
4 underlay
Carpet Company Directory
14-15 wool Fibre Page
Carpet trouble-shooter
12-13 woolsafe: the carpet care guide
Carpet Types
CARPET .....................................................35
T & E DISPLAY GROUP ....................41
8-9 wholesaler Distribution Directory
10 16-18
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July 2011
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Classified advertising........................................ page 63
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carpets/rugs/tiles woods/laminates/smooths accessories/services/organisations fibres underlay wholesalers/distributors adhesives
ISSN 2046-7338 © Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2011 Issue: 440 Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.
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CARPET
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Who’s PU?
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Recycling ideas
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Flooring Factsheet Adhesives
4
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Flooring factsheet Carpet types TUFTED
WOVEN
With advances in manufacturing technology, 95% of all carpet produced today is tufted. It takes about an hour to make a roll of carpet that might take eight hours to weave. To make tufted carpet, hundreds of yarn-threaded needles are pushed through the primary backing fabric to form loops or tufts, which may be left as is or cut. A heavy adhesive coating is applied to hold the tufts in place and a secondary backing is usually glued on for strength and stability. A wide variety of styles and textures can then be created using various techniques.
Woven carpet may be in a tiny minority of today’s production but still produces some of the finest carpets which are used for prestigious installations. Axminster • The pile of the carpet is inserted into the backing as it is woven and cut to length, creating U-shaped tufts to give a velvety surface. The process locks in the fibre to create a carpet of high durability and performance retention as well as a luxury feel. The process allows for intricate designs and colours to be used – although modern trends mean that the traditional patterned axminster has given way to current fashion trends for plain carpets.
LOOP PILE Berber • Berber carpets look like and are named after a handmade, bulky wool carpet made by the Berber tribes of North Africa and Asia. The loops are made from thick or bulky yarns of wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blend of these fibres to give a cushioned effect underfoot. These carpets are available in an assortment of colours and may be flecked and can be either level loop or multilevel loop.
Wilton • Wilton woven carpets are produced in a similar way to axminsters – the principal difference being that a continuous fibre is woven all the way through. The carpet can be sheared to create a range of cut and loop textured effects. The result is a high quality carpet of unrivalled durability.
Level loop • When all the loops are of the same height, a highly flexible and durable carpet is created which has a natural, casual appearance even when (commonly) it is made from synthetic fibres. The tight loop texture tends to hide marks so it’s a good blend between luxury and practicality.
Flat weave • Manufactured in the same way as wilton, flat weave is a loop pile which allows the yarn to be woven across a wider area to created a flatter, more textured effect.
Multi-level loop • The loops vary to two or sometimes three loop heights to create informal, random textures which are very forgiving for marks and stains and therefore very suitable for high traffic areas and busy family rooms.
ends blend together which then further enhances the overall finish. These carpets tend to ‘shade’ with heavy use. Footprints show easily and the colour looks different from place to place because fibres lying in different directions reflect the light differently. A luxury for occasional rooms.
CUT PILE Freize • Frieze (pronounced free-say) carpets are similar to saxony, but the yarns are more tightly twisted and should always be heat set. They have a dense, low pile surface which creates a coarse, pebbly texture. Frieze carpets are very durable and hide footprints, dust and dirt, which makes them suitable for heavy traffic areas.
CUT AND LOOP When some of the pile is cut and other left as loop, a variety of surface textures and patterns can be created (in a variety of colours). The multi-level surface is excellent for hiding footprints and stains so cut and loop is good for high traffic areas and general purpose rooms in the home.
Saxony • Saxony textures are made of twisted yarns, which should be heat set. The tips remain very distinct, rather than blending together to form a very elegant finish. Saxony textures show footprints and vacuum marks so are suitable for more occasional rooms in the home. More textured variations improve the practicality of saxonies.
Shag pile • Shag pile has varied in popularity. The pile is up to 50mm long and the texture is casual and loose but the surface flattens easily and lacks durability.
Twist • The popular twist carpet is the cut-pile standard. The yarn is tightly twisted and often heatset to retain this feature and the result is a versatile, textured finish that is ideal for plain colours.
BONDED Bonded carpets (sometimes called ‘fibre-bonded’ or ‘fusion bonded’) are created by firing fibres into an adhesive material – the fibres are not stitched into the backing in any way. The technique is principally used for commercial carpet tiles.
Velvet • Velvet textures (sometimes called ‘velour’ or ‘plush’) all have a level surface pile of approx 5mm to 10mm height, which is then sheared to give a smooth finish. With very little twist in the yarn, the
Tip Sheared
Level Loop
Random Sheared
Multi-Level Loop
V
Saxony
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Sha
Velvet/Plush
Frieze
Twist
Berber
S Shag
5
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.
6
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 November 2011
maintenance • cleaning • spot removal • protection • inspection
General Rules for Spot Removal
WOOLSAFE Approved Carpet Cleaning Products www.prochem.co.uk
Treatments 1.
Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues
2.
Vacuum clean
3.
Cold water
Home of the Legendary Cleaning Product - Carpet Power www.ozkleen.co.uk
• Soak up liquids with white kitchen roll, tissues, toilet roll or clean cloth
4.
Warm water
• Scoop up or scrape off solids
5.
• Try to identify unknown spots prior to treatment – if unsure, use solvent first
WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
6.
WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains
7.
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
8.
Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron
9.
Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)
Life inspired cleaning innovations www.bissell.com
10. Nail varnish remover or acetone 11. White spirit or turpentine substitute 12. Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)
• When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation
14. Rub gently with coarse sand paper
• Always thoroughly rinse out water-based spotters with clean water
15. WOOLSAFE-approved disinfectant or deodorizer
• Dry the spot, if possible, with a hair dryer
16. Rust remover
13. Rub with a coin
17. Carpet re-colouring kit
The Clean Carpet you Expect... the Service you Deserve www.servicemasterclean.co.uk
(Treatments used by professional carpet cleaners)
More Difficult Spots Spot or stain
Easy Spots
Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd
Artificially coloured drinks 3
6
Bleach
3
17
C/heating radiator fluid
5
6
Coffee
4
6
16
Spot or stain
Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd
Blood
5
6
Felt-tip pen
7 or 11 12
Burn/scorch marks
13
14
Furniture polish
7
Butter
7
5
Glue/adhesive (plastic base)10
11
Candle wax
8
7
6
5
Chewing gum
9
5
15
6
5 15
3
Ink (fountain)
3
Ink (ballpoint pen)
12
5
7
6
Lipstick
7
Cola
3
5
6
Milk
4
Cream
7
5
Nail varnish
10
Egg
5
6
Paint (oil)
11
Rust
16
Soot
2
Tar (asphalt)
7
Urine (fresh stain)
3
5
Urine (old stain)
6
15
7
5
Fruit juice
3
5
Gravy and sauces
5
6
Herbal tea
3
6
Metal polish
5
Mustard
5
6
Oil and grease
7
5
Paint (emulsion)
3
5
Shoe polish
7
5
Tea
3
5
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
6
5
5
Chocolate/cocoa
Floor wax
Environmentally Aware for Superior Carpet Care www.envirodri.com
Vomit
5
6
Red wine
1
6
15
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.
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Flooring factsheet Buying Groups Why join? Metro Group www.carpet1st.co.uk Contact: David Kipping Tel: 01204 393539 dek@carpet1st.co.uk
Buying groups have been a highly successful feature of the floor retailing scene in the last decade or so, giving independents the extra edge they need to compete effectively with the retail park chains. More than 1000 retailers are now members of one of the several buying groups which operate in our sector and the numbers are slowly, but steadily growing.
www.smg-group.co.uk Contact: David Lewis Tel: 0118 932 3832 info@smg-group.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...
Associated Carpet Group www.smartercarpets.co.uk Contact: Richard Moore Tel: 01942 825520 rjmoore65@googlemail.com rmoore@smartercarpets.com
www.beautifulflooring.co.uk Contact: Paul Phillips Tel: 01892 549050 paul@atbrm.com
Pick the right one How to decide whether to join a buying group – and which one…
of the committee
•
Get a list of members and call up two or three for a ‘real-world’ view
• Establish your territorial exclusivity – where’s the next nearest member of each buying group
• Ensure you understand the financial arrangements, any fees that would relate to your membership, how the bills are paid and whether your fees are refundable if it doesn’t work out. Ask the buying group for a consultation to estimate your potential savings
• Review all the extra benefits and services to see what you would actually use
www.greendalecarpets.co.uk Contact: Rob Harding Tel: 01432 852000 Fax: 01432 852005 rharding@greendalecarpets.co.uk
8
Increase margins • Group purchases to get beneficial rates • Rebates • Exclusive higher-margin products • Special promotions One of the key reasons to join a buying group is to benefit from the discounts they negotiate as a bulk buyer from manufacturers. The way discounts and rebates are passed on to members varies between groups so make sure it’s absolutely clear how this will be done. You’ll need to work out how this compares with discounts you have already negotiated locally with preferred suppliers. Increase sales
• ‘Best of both worlds’ proposition • Wider ranges and exclusive products • POS, displays and merchandising support
Your customers will like the proposition that you are independent but with the buying power of a group – this gives them (and you) the ‘best of both worlds’ with personal service and competitive pricing. Most groups will also offer you ‘own label’ ranges and support with point-of-sale, merchandising and displays. Central stockholding may also be on offer. Access professional services
• Evaluate all buying groups as they all work differently • Talk to the main marketing contact and/or a member
www.flooringone.co.uk Contact: Glenn Harding Tel: 0121 683 1426 glenn.harding@flooringone.co.uk
Key benefits
• Check out the product ranges offered including the own-label options and the UK/European mix
• Ensure you understand any rules that may limit your
• Business services • Financial services • IT and internet support • Training and workshops • Professional bodies
Some buying groups offer an excellent range of other services which may be valuable to your business. Financial services include invoice factoring, credit, loans and insurance. Some of the more sophisticated groups offering marketing packages, software systems to help you run your business operations and customised websites ready to use. Relationships with professional and training organisations can also offer discounts. Network with other independents
• Members-only exhibitions with preferred manufacturers
• Regular meetings • Regional workshops • Supplier presentations • Helpline
A lot of retailers enjoy the buying group environment of being independent but not alone out there on the High Street. Groups hold regular meetings and some have their own trade shows, regional meetings and workshops to help you develop your business. The network gives you someone to call when you need advice on, for example, an unusual installation, a technical consumer complaint, legal issue or business dilemma.
flexibility to run your business the way you want
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Flooring factsheet Underlay In a tight market for margins, underlay for carpet and laminate flooring offers retailers one of the best opportunities to add value to every sale – with good profitability, trade-up potential once benefits are understood and high satisfaction levels with customers.
www.floorwise.co.uk
But 50% of carpet is still sold without new underlay! Retailers should create an assumption that new underlay is always required, the only decision is which type. It’s also a good target-setter for sales staff. Setting up in-store demonstrations so customers can walk on samples with different grades of underlay and feel the difference has shown excellent results – some manufacturers offer point-of-sale units.
www.numa-online.co.uk
Benefits
Types
Good underlay will... • Improve underfoot comfort • Increase appearance retention, reducing flattening • Absorb the pressure of foot traffic and reduce wear • Improve thermal insulation and warmth • Increase sound insulation • Smooth out sub-floor imperfections • Last the lifetime of the carpet
Sponge rubber The market’s most popular underlay is available in flat or waffle patterns in a wide range of weights for different applications. It performs well for comfort and has a durable spring retention. PU (polyurethane) foam PU foam is a relative newcomer to the market, typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options – and its light weight helps handling. The product can be re-cycled again after use. Crumb rubber Flat and dense, crumb rubber is good for heavy footfall - offering maximum protection but a little less comfort (and very good over stair nosings). Laminate underlay There’s still an opportunity to sell underlay with laminate flooring, improving the acoustic performance of the floor and helping the boards float above any imperfections in the sub-surface. Combination A rubber crumb base with a felt top layer offers a good combination of protection, durability and comfort. It also allows carpet with seaming to bed into the top felt. Underfloor heating underlay Always ask if there is underfloor heating. Most manufacturers offer specialised products. Underlay and carpet with a combined tog rating up to 2.5 can be used – which means the underlay would normally have a tog rating of 1.0. Felt This traditional (but environmentally friendly) underlay is made from recycled fibres – wool, jute and synthetic – to create a firm, dense pad with excellent thermal insulation. Still a very popular choice among contractors when stretch fitting woven carpets. Pre-tackified underlay A self-adhesive single stick underlay in both needlefelt and PU. A removable system for heavy use when comfort is desired.
Poor or old underlay will...
• Feel hard and unwelcoming • Reduce carpet life • Cause wrinkling and premature wear spots • Cause carpet fibres to break down more quickly • Not meet British Standards How thick? A maximum of 12mm is recommended (working with gripper will be difficult thereafter) but rooms with heavy traffic will need a thinner, denser pad. The combination of thickness and density is all important as a thick underlay with low density may not perform well. Typically, the thicker the underlay, the better quality it will need to be – 11mm is often used for luxury installations with 9mm and 7mm the common domestic thickness.
Sponge rubber
Combination
Crumb
PU foam
www.carpenter.limited.uk
www.interfloor.com
www.interfloor.com
Specialists in pre-tacked underlays, soft fibre boards & Roberts Tools. www.estillon.co.uk
www.underlay.com
10
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Flooring factsheet Wool fibre THE BEST CARPET WOOL Wool carpets have a historic reputation for quality because as a fibre it is known to withstand pressure and have excellent appearance retention properties. The best wool for carpet production is ‘strong’ wool and this is grown on sheep breeds found in Britain and New Zealand. Most carpets will contain both British Wool and New Zealand Wool because British Wool is more bulky and resilient and offers texture and unique heathery shades to carpet, whilst New Zealand wool is softer and whiter and particularly good for plain, lighter shaded ranges. Combining the two within a blend for carpet yarn gives manufacturers the perfect qualities for carpet. 100% wool or 80/20 – 80/10/10 wool rich Wool has yet to be matched by any man-made fibre; it has superior strength and does not need other fibres to improve its performance. However manufacturers choose to use synthetic fibres within the yarn blend for a number of reasons. These include fibre flexibility, dyeing, heat setting, stain resistance, durability and cost. These wool rich compositions offer industry standard carpets which will perform well in the home. THE BENEFITS OF WOOL CARPET Practical Strong and Resilient – Wool carpet will provide superior performance over many years as it can offer unique resilience and long lasting durability. The natural crimp of wool offers valuable ‘bounce-back’ so that pile compression is resisted and the effects of tracking and shading are reduced – maintaining good appearance over many years. Easy care – Wool is a natural fibre that has an inbuilt resistance to soiling due to its natural oils and its outer surface of microscopic scales and as a result additional anti-soil treatments are not necessary. Simply vacuuming the carpet will keep it looking good and whilst wool initially repels spills, prompt and complete blotting with white paper towels or an absorbent cloth is advised and will address many household spillages.
SAFE
DURABLE
Comfort Soft and warm – Wool carpet adds luxurious underfoot comfort and warmth to the home and acts as an insulator improving heat retention and energy efficiency. Peace and Quiet – Wool carpet absorbs sound and cushions the home against echo and room to room noise transfer. Safety Fire Retardant – Wool is naturally fire resistant, has a slow ignition rate and tests show that it is self extinguishing within seconds. It meets many safety regulations without additional treatments and is favoured in contract locations for this reason. Fall Friendly – Carpet cushions and so provides a softer floor which protects against serious injury in falls by the very young or the elderly. Internal Environment Indoor Environment – As a natural ‘smart’ fibre with a complex physical and chemical structure, wool helps to create a balanced atmosphere in the home. It breathes and absorbs humidity in the air, releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry and helps improve air quality by absorbing airborne toxins in indoor air. Anti–allergy – The minute scales on the fibre’s surface will hold fine dust until vacuumed which helps to reduce floating particulate in the atmosphere. Wool does not give off harmful emissions or promote the growth of bacteria and wool is not a food source for dust mites. Eco/Environmental natural and Sustainable – Grown on sheep, which graze freely, wool is both 100% natural and fully sustainable. As shearing is a necessary part of animal husbandry this means that every year there is a fresh supply of wool available for the carpet manufacturing industry. Energy Efficient – Wool is energy efficient in the home and also in carpet production. Biodegradable – Wool fibre is biodegradable in soil and will produce nitrogen, sulphur, carbon dioxide and water which are all plant nutrients. Environmentally Assessed – Wool is an environmentally responsible fibre that has been measured in terms of its ecological impact. A Life Cycle Analysis study carried out by Leeds University to ISO 14040 standard for British Wool concludes that it compares favourably when measured against man-made fibres.
EASY-CARE
COMFORT
British Wool The Planet Friendly Fibre for Carpet aboutwool.com THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
11
Flooring factsheet Carpet trouble-shooter COLOUR MATCHING
SPROUTING
Carpets are produced in batches - known as creels - and usually each batch produces between 500m2 - 3000m2 in a single width, depending on the creel size. whilst the recipe used by the dyer remains constant, and is followed to the letter, in each separate production the colour reproduction will vary from batch to batch. However production is matched back to the original or master sample to ensure that the colour remains ‘within a commercial tolerance’.
Occasionally an odd tuft or two can work its way to the surface and stand proud of the rest of the pile. This is probably due to one end of the tuft being longer than the other i.e. J shaped tuft instead of V shaped. Remedial action merely requires that the offending tufts be scissor trimmed level with the rest of the pile. They should never be pulled out.
This process if not an exact science and a commercial tolerance is subjective but nevertheless is usually the professional judgement of the head dyer based on his/her experience.
Shading occurs because the pile of the carpet has become crushed, flattened or brushed in a different direction to the natural lie of the pile whilst in situ. This causes light reflection at differing angles resulting in the creation of light and dark patches on the carpet. This will occur on all pile fabrics but can be more noticeable on plainer carpets because the shadows created by pile pressure will not be disguised by a heavy pattern or design.
A greater level of tolerance is required on blended colours (Heathers etc). To ensure perfect colour matching it is advisable that a single width be used in any installation requiring exact colour matching. n.B. Carpets which are laid with the pile travelling in different directions, even though they be from the same batch will appear not to match. For further information please check with the manufacturers recommendations.
SAMPLES The samples held by individual retailers may not be from the same batch as current production and therefore should be used as a guide and not an exact colour match.
SHEDDING The original carpet tile
All cut pile carpets will lose short fibre, which is created during production when spun yarn is cut for tuft formation. These fibres fall onto the surface of the pile and appear as ‘fluff’. The effect varies with yarn type and may be removed without detrimental effect upon the carpet by vacuum cleaning. This excess fibre is only a small fraction of the total fibre contained in the carpet.
PULLED LOOPS
This information is given by responsible manufacturers to help you help your customer to make an informed choice.
12
• shedding • pulled loops
Pulled loops occur only in looped pile carpet where one or more loops in the continuous pile is pulled through the primary backing of the carpet. This is usually due to some local condition, possibly some sharp object which has caught in a loop in situ and has resulted in a pull. Pulled loops are easily dealt with by trimming the offending end level with the rest of the pile.They should not be left as this could result in further loops being pulled and developing into a ladder.
SHADING
STATIC Carpets do not produce static but like other household fabrics and objects have the capacity to store it. Static is caused by the build up of static electricity upon personnel in a dry environment and is discharged when a person makes contact with an object which can conduct electricity (i.e. door handle or filing cabinets, etc). The static charges will vary in intensity depending upon the individual, air humidity and the contact materials. Static is more usually associated with synthetic materials as they do not retain moisture very well but it can and does occur with wool in very dry room conditions. Preventative measures include the introduction of moisture into the room or in situ carpet treatment.
FADING ON WOOL Carpets made from wool can and do fade in use. The degree of fade can vary depending on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected. Fading can be caused by exposure to ultra violet light which is found in daylight, but is accelerated when sunlight shines directly onto the carpet. This has the effect of lightening or “Bleaching” the colour just as exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair. wool is after all animal hair. Protection should be given to carpets exposed to such conditions just as you would protect other furniture or fabrics. A complaint on fading would be considered justified if it failed to meet the required shade standard when tested to the British Standard BS1006 (1990).
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
• sprouting • shading • static • fading • pile reversal • shedding • flattening • soiling
PILE REVERSAL
FLATTENING
(SEE SHADInG)
Flattening will occur as a result of traffic which eventually flattens the pile particularly in the main areas of use. All pile fabrics will flatten to greater or lesser degree dependant on the amount of traffic to which it is subjected and the construction (tuft density/pile fibre/height/weight) of the product concerned.
like shading, this occurs when the pile or nap of the carpet changes direction and thus reflects light at different angles showing the effects of shading which can become permanent. It is also described as ‘watermarking’. This can happen to every carpet construction be it Axminster, wilton, Tufted, Hand woven, Persian, Chinese, Indian or even Coir Matting. like shading it can be more apparent on plain carpet because heavy patterns can disguise the effects. It can occur quite quickly after installation. A tremendous amount of research has been carried out over many years by many institutes to determine the cause of this phenomenon but none of it has proved conclusive. There is no commonly known manufacturing process which can cause or cure this phenomenon and therefore it is not a manufacturing fault. For further information please check with individual manufacturers recommendations.
INDENTATIONS when a carpet is subjected to a heavy point load, such as under the legs of furniture, it is unreasonable to expect the carpet not to indent. usually, the longer the load is in place, the longer will be the time for the pile to recover. In the case of very heavy loads in place for a considerable time, the recovery time can be very considerable. It must be remembered that it is not only the pile of the carpet that becomes indented. the underlay will also indent and the backing of the carpet may also distort into the indentation in the underlay. Some underlay’s will recover well and some less well depending upon their composition, thickness, density etc. The use of cups below furniture legs can spread the load and the net result is a larger area of less deeply indented carpet. The ability of a carpet to recover from a heavy static load can be measured in the laboratory, using the test method described in BS 4939 and many manufacturers will have data on this aspect of carpet performance. In this test the carpet is loaded for 24 hours and the degree of recovery is measured after 1 hour and 24 hours. Since there are so many different underlay’s however, it is very rare for the recovery from a heavy static load to be evaluated on carpet and underlay. Often normal maintenance (vacuum cleaning with a rotating brush machine) will speed up recovery but in the case of serious indentations the use of an iron and damp cloth or a steam iron together with a blunt darning needle to carefully tease up the pile can be beneficial. Care must be take not to over wet the carpet, of course.
SOILING Soiling is usually the result of some local condition to which the carpet has been subjected to, or maintenance, or lack of maintenance programme. There is nothing we as manufacturers can do to prevent soiling in use. There are several types of soiling which are quite common:
Spillages - liquids such as soft drinks, cordials or
any drink which contains sugar, particularly hot drinks, is likely to leave a stain. In such instances, professional help should be sought.
Shampoo - if incorrectly applied, can leave
sticky soap residues in the fibres which can result in the soiling reappearing quite rapidly.
Dust - which is carried on draughts can soil carpets in various ways, apart from the obvious soiled edges, at gaping skirting boards for instance, dark lines appearing on surface might suggest airborne dust vacuum-drawn through poorly fitted floorboards. Sometimes the shape of floorboards can be seen quite clearly. Air borne dust sometimes shows itself as spots on the carpet, this is due to the air carried on a draught under the carpet escaping through minute holes both in the underlay and the carpet, leaving dust deposited on the pile much like a filter action. In such installations, the use of a lining paper is essential as a preventative measure. It is the responsibility of the retailer to advise the consumer when the carpet is measured of any poorly fitting doors, skirtings, or floorboards and the consumers responsibility to ensure any remedial work to seal draughts, is carried out before the carpet is fitted, if a resulting complaint is to be avoided.
INSTALLATIONS Telephone national Institute of Carpet Fitters (nICF) for further information – 0115 958 3077.
This information is given by responsible manufacturers to help you help your customer to make an informed choice.
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
13
The Stocklists Carpet Company Directory Abingdon Flooring Adam Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W Ww
01562 829966
Alternative Flooring
01264 335111
Associated Weavers Tw Tu Avena Carpets Ltd Tu Ww Axwoven Carpets Ltd Ax Be Axminster Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tw
Bronte Carpets Ltd 0121 550 5788 01297 32244
Balta Industries NV Tu Tw W Ww
+32 56 62 2211
Beaulieu International Group Be Pr Tu Tw +32 56 67 66 11
Belvedere Carpets Belvedere Carpets
BIC Carpets Be Tw W Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww BMK Bond Worth Ltd Ax Brintons Ax Tu Tw W Ww
Edel Telenzo’s Bakerloo
14
01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk
01422 330261
+32 56783250
Betap Tufting BV Tu Tw W
Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk
020 8800 0740
Be Tu Tw W office@brontecarpets.co.uk www.brontecarpets.co.uk
01294 558400
Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W
Brockway Carpets Ltd
01422 431100
Bajong Carpets NV Tu Tw W
Tu W sales@belvederecarpets.co.uk www.belvederecarpets.co.uk
Craigie Carpets Be
01274 655694
01282 862 736
Creatuft Carpets Tu W
0116 284 1455 +32 56 35 4444
Custom Carpet Company Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww
01737 830301
Dan-Floor UK W
01454 858014
Domo International Be Pr Tu Tw W
+32 92 41 4511
Burmatex Tu
01924 262525
Drury Lane Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W
01254 296829
Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww
01254 268000
E & WE Carpets W
01562 825952
Christy Carpets Tu Clarendon Carpets Tw Classis Carpets Tu W Ww Condor Carpets BV Tu
019078 308777 01675 433066 0870 020 1725 +31 38 4778911
Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd Tu Tw W sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Enterprise Weaving Co Be Ww
01422 374 417
01562 745030
+31 383 861 060
Contemporary Life & Textiles +32 56 23 54 10
Be Tw sales@contemporarylife.co.uk www.contemporarylife.co.uk
01254 296829
Ww cummings@btinternet.com www.fellscarpets.co.uk
01924 488882 020 7823 3040
Cormar Carpets Ltd
0113 380 5333
Tu Tw W info@cormarcarpets.co.uk www.cormarcarpets.co.uk
01562 745000
Couristan Carpets Ax Tu W Ww
Fells Carpets
Fetcham Furnishings Ltd Tw 01204 881 234
Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W
01977 662211
020 8944 6220 +45 96 60 3000
800 223 6186
0800 505055
Mohawk’s Cherbourg Check
Brockway’s Vogue
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
If you would like to be included in this section or upgrade your listing, please contact Diane Martin on +44 (0)1482 659396 or email diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk
Every time you see a web or email address in The Stocklists, you can click straight to it from our online edition at www.thestocklists.com
KEY TO CODES: Be: Bespoke • Pr: Printed • Tu: Tufted • Tw: Twist • W: Wool • Ww: Woven Wilton
Louis de Poortere W Lusotufo Tu
Furlong Flooring Tw W enquiries@furlongcentral.co.uk www.furlongflooring.co.uk
01772 696 787
Gaskell Wool Rich Tu Tw W
01827 831525
Gaskell Mackay Carpets Ltd Ax Tu Tw W Georgian Carpets Tu Tw W Godfrey Hirst (GB) Ltd Tu Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu Heckmondwike FB ITC Be Pr Tw
+32 56 393 386
01429 892525 01827 831430
01388 664101
01924 410544 0032 51 424 411
01562 754 382
The Sultana Carpet Co Ax
01299 822300
Mayfield Carpets Tu Tw W
01706 639 866
The Wilton Carpet Co Ax W Ww
0845 296 8850
Thomas Witter UK Ltd Tu Tw
0870 1128318
MID NL Be
+31 38 851 8700
Timzo Tufting Industry BV Tu +31 38 385 4477 Tisca Tiara Tu Ww
Mohawk Europe marinagooch@mohawkeurope.com www.mohawkinternational.com
01480 479830 01480 471304
01675 433031
Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W
01706 341231
Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu Pownall Carpets Tw W
01827 831 424
Lano NV Ax Pr Tu Tw W Ww marketing@lano.be www.lano.com Le Tissage d'Arcade Ax Ww Lecaflor Ltd Ax Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww Leigh Spinners Ltd Tw
+32 56 65 4300
+32 05685 4747 0800 78 33 712 01942 673232
+32 52 499600 01562 701456
Ossfloor UK
01827 831400
Tasibel NV Tw
Master Weaver W Ww
John Evans Ltd Ax Tu Tw W
Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W
01623 481 221
The Grosvenor Wilton Co W Ww
Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww
0161 368 2563
Tapibel NV Pr Tu Tw
01827 831 434
John Lanham Watts Carpets Ax Tw Ww 01937 588511
Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W
07976 607657
Manx Carpets Tw W
0800 526696 +49 037 421 420
TAT Carpet
Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww
01827 831 450
Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W
01274 855080
Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww
02838 334433
United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww
01709 732 666
Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww
01562 749300
Vorwerk
08700 104484
01484 863227
Westex Carpets Tu
01274 861334
0845 6528811
Weston Hammer W
+32 56 73 57 11
Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W
0845 652 8811
Sans Frontieres Ltd Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww
0844 5611977
Shaw Home Foundations Tu
+41 71 791 0111
01675 433 501
Whitestone Weavers Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww Wilkies Carpets Tw Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww Wool Classics Tu Ww
0845 644 9090 01429 892555 0113 307 9955 0800 526696 0207 349 1560
Woven Carpets of Kidderminster W 01299 827477
Tollgate stand
Bronte’s stand
Cormar’s Berwick
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
15
Are you a Wholesaler? If you’re not listed here, please call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.
The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory National Fells Carpets Goole 01977 662211 sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk
North East 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 p18 Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
North West A&A Carpets Manchester 01204 701188 sales@aandacarpets.co.uk www.aandacarpets.co.uk D. M. Miller Ltd Manchester 0161 205 9949 dm.miller@btconnect.com www.dmmillerltd.spaces.lives.com
Fells Carpets Goole
Midlands
East
01977 662211
Carpet & Flooring Birmingham 0121 421 9131 birmingham@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk
sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Kellars Ltd Stockport 0161 443 0970 sales@kellars.co.uk Lee Floorstok Ltd liverpool - see Floorwise p18 Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise p18 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise p18 Mytton Flooring norwich - see Floorwise p18 Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk
DMS Flooring Supplies northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@ dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam- see Floorwise p18 J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com RPS Flooring Mansfield woodhouse - see Floorwise p18
Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk
STS Flooring Distributors watford
Carpet & Flooring Manchester 0161 786 6800 manchester@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
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
Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
08454 342000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 31 for details
Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise p18
Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge Tel: 01954 781142 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 31 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
South East Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise p18 AFS Middlesex 020 8805 8620 info@afsenfield.co.uk See page 19 for details Ashmount Flooring Supplies Ltd Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooring.co.uk continued overleaf....
16
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Are you a Wholesaler? If you’re not listed here, please call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.
The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk
Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk
Carpet & Flooring Bow 020 8525 5691 bow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk
Carpet & Flooring Camberley 01276 672100 camberley@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
Littner Hampton london 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk
Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com
Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 pwwflooring@fastnet.co.uk www.pwwflooring.co.uk
Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk See page 22 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.u Faithfulls Service Centre Kent 01322 285001 Faithfulls Service Centre walthamstow 0208 498 3040 sales.walthamstow@faithfulls.co.uk
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Rackhams london 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk See page 29 for details
Wessex Flooring Amesbury - see Floorwise p18
C. K. Davie Ltd Aberdeen - see Floorwise p18
Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
C. K. Davie Ltd Dundee - see Floorwise p18
South West Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise p18 Fitwell Flooring Ltd newton Abott - see Floorwise p18 Solent Wholesale Carpet west Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 30 for details
Salesmark lancing, - see Floorwise p18
STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 01844 213555 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 31 for details
Solent Wholesale Carpet west Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 30 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 31 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk
Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
Scotland
Headlam Scotland north lanarkshire 01698 831 000 sales@headlamscotland.co.uk www.headlamscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise p18
Wales Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Roma Flooring neath - see Floorwise p18 Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com
Ireland Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin - see Floorwise p18 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast - see Floorwise p18 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd limerick - see Floorwise p18
Carpet & Flooring Glasgow 0141 427 8456 glasgow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
17
floorwise National Network of Floorwise Distributors Acorn Carpet Accessories 16 Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927
Neil Smith Ltd 3 Glasgow Tel: 0141 552 1141 Fax: 0141 552 0623
C. K. Davie Ltd 1 Aberdeen Tel: 01224 820077 Fax: 01224 822344
Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 4 Belfast Tel: 028 9075 3202 Fax: 028 9075 3901
C. K. Davie Ltd 2 Dundee Tel: 01382 226533 Fax: 01382 226544 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 20 Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 Fax: 01209 261112 Fitwell Flooring Ltd 19 Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 Fax: 01626 834334 Floorwise D & J Ltd 13 Southam, Warks Tel: 01926 814922 Fax: 01926 817899 Floorwise (North East) 5 Ltd Birtley, County Durham Tel: 0191 410 7070 Fax: 0191 410 6116 Lee Floorstok Ltd 8 Liverpool Tel: 0151 708 7420 Fax: 0151 708 7241 Lee Floorstok Ltd 7 Manchester Tel: 0161 231 8080 Fax: 0161 231 8787 MCA Floorwise Ltd 6 Morecambe, Lancashire Tel: 01524 33517 Fax: 01524 381852 Mytton Flooring 14 Norwich, Norfolk Tel: 01603 624387 Fax: 01603 612888
Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 9 Dublin 10 Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Fax: 00353 (0)1 626 3960 LoCall: 1850 445 746 (ROI)
1 2 3
Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd 10 Limerick Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 LoCall: 1850 445 745 (ROI) Roma Flooring 15 Neath, West Glamorgan Tel: 01639 633001 Fax: 01639 646116 RPS Flooring 11 Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire Tel: 01623 624198 Fax: 01623 620931
4
7 10
8
9
11 12
Salesmark 17 Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111 Wessex Flooring 18 Amesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 01980 625888 Fax: 01980 676969 Woodall Brothers Ltd 12 Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tel: 01743 441584 Fax: 01743 441629
5
6
13
15
18 19
14
16 17
20
HEAD OFFICE Floorwise Group limited, Floorwise House, 22 High Street, Kegworth, Derby DE74 2DA, uK. Tel: 0044 (0)1509 673974 Fax: 0044 (0)1509 674841
Award-Winning Flooring Accessories
GRIPPER
unDERlAY
ADHESIVES & SCREEDS
PROFIlES
www.floorwise.co.uk • www.carpetunderlay.net www.floorwise.co.uk • www.carpetunderlay.net www.signaturewoodfloors.com • www.siennawoodfloors.com www.signaturewoodfloors.com • www.siennawoodfloors.com 18
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
UNDERLAYS
CARPETS NATURAL/LOOPS NOMAD
50/50 Nat Loop Roll Size Full Roll EQ* Description
SAXONY DEVOTION NOBLESQUE SUMPTUOUS SENSATIONAL
30oz PP Saxony 45oz PP Saxony 55oz Saxony 58oz Saxony
80/20 WOOL TWIST NEW KILDARE BELMONT TWIST BELMONT SUPREME
50/50 30oz Twist 80/20 40oz 80/20 50oz
PP TWIST VIVA TWIST SALT N PEPPER
PP Twist PP Twist
LOOP PILE AND CORD PINCH FELT PINCH FOAM ROCKY HB ROCKY FB TITAN CORD
Needle Punch Cord Needle Punch Loop Pile Cord Loop Pile Cord Loop Pile Gel Back
CORMAR STOCKED APOLLO BERWICK 40 BERWICK 50 FOREST HILLS SUPER FOREST HILLS ELITE HOME COUNTIES HOME COUNTIES MALABAR NATURAL BERBER SUPER NATURAL BERBER ELITE NATURAL BERBER DELUXE NEW OAKLANDS NEW OAKLANDS NEW OAKLANDS PRIMO PLUS PRIMO ULTRA PRIMO TWEED PRIMO SAXONY WEST COUNTRY 50
Excellon Twist 80/10/10 40 oz Twist 80/10/10 50 oz Twist 50/40/10 32oz Twist 50/40/10 42oz Twist 42 oz Twist 50 oz Twist 100% Natural 80/10/10 35 oz Twist 80/10/10 45 oz Twist 80/10/10 55 oz Twist 80/10/10 32 oz Twist 80/10/10 42 oz Twist 80/10/10 50 oz Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Twist Excellon Saxony 80/10/10 50 oz Twist
CORMAR CARPETS AVEBURY LINDISFARNE TOWN AND COUNTRY WEST COUNTRY 60
3/5 DAYS DELIVERY 100% Pure New Wool 100% Pure New Wool 80/10/10 60 oz Twist 80/10/10 60 oz Twist
BRANDED TOP END RUBBER SPONGE RANGE ELITE 11 m2 129lb Textured Rubber Underlay MAJESTIC 11 m2 135lb Waffle Rubber Underlay COLOURS RED 11 m2 135lb Waffle Rubber Underlay WILLOW GREEN 15 m2 90lb Waffle Rubber Underlay CRUSADER SUPREME 15 m2 100lb Waffle Rubber Underlay SUPREME LIGHT 11 m2 101lb Waffle Rubber Underlay UNBRANDED TREDAIRE SPONGE RUBBER AFS CLASSIC GOLD 15 m2 95 lb Rubber Underlay AFS SUPER GOLD 15 m2 80lb Rubber Underlay AFS STANDARD GOLD 15 m2 60lb Rubber Underlay GRAPHITE 15 m2 Light Weight PE WOOD FLOOR UNDERLAYS BOARDWALK (Timbermate) 15 m2 3.75mm ALL IN ONE 10 m2 3mm COMFORT SILVER 15 m2 2.5mm
23dB Moisture Barrier 20dB Self Adhesive Strip 18dB PE Foam + Foil
TREDAIRE PU UNDERLAYS ALPHA 15 m2 OMEGA 15 m2 BRIO 15 m2 ZEST 15 m2 SOFTWALK 15 m2 DREAMWALK 15 m2 CONTRACT 9 15 m2 SENSATION 15 m2
Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Tredaire PU Contract PU Contract PU
8mm 10mm 8mm 10mm 9 mm 11 mm 9 mm 11 mm
DURALAY CONTRACT UNDERLAYS TREADMORE 11 m2 8.0mm SYSTEM 10 11 m2 10mm DURAFIT 650 15 m2 6.5mm DURAFIT 500 15 m2 5.0mm DEFENDER 15 m2 100lb HEATFLOW CARPET 15 m2 6.0mm HEATFLOW WOOD 15 m2 2.75mm TECHNICS 5 15 m2 5.0mm
Crumb Crumb single stick under 40m2 Double stick crumb Double stick crumb Flat sponge 0.80 TOG 0.75 TOG sponge carpet 0.35 TOG sponge laminate U/L Double stick sponge
FELT UNDERLAYS FELT 28 FELT 42 KENSINGTON DELUXE
Wool/jute felt 8mm Contract wool/jute felt 11mm Felt crumb rubber
15 m2 28oz 15 m2 42oz 11 m2 74oz
AFS Unit 4 Baird Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 1SJ Tel: 020 8805 8620 Fax: 020 8805 6840 Email: info@afsenfield.co.uk
PLUS A VAST RANGE OF ACCESSORIES AND TOOLS FOR CARPETS AND LAMINATES Contact our sales office or your area representative for prices on any of the above ranges. We also offer a fast service on non stock items. Phone our showroom manager for prices and samples. Our latest price list is dated July 2011. REP DETAILS: Ashley Best Nick Hart Karl Goult Zac Marsh Steve Feher
Tel: 07976 916752 Tel: 07771 967609 Tel: 07957 685428 Tel: 07828 663325 Tel: 07771 616018
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Surrey , Hampshire, South London Essex, East London North London, West London, North West London, Middlesex, Herts. Kent, South East London Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire 19
20
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
21
The Leading Country Wide Carpet & Flooring Suppliers We can supply you with virtually any make of carpet and flooring at GUARANTEED maker’s list price....... Delivered direct to business premises FREE OF CHARGE. For a Speedy and Efficient Service
CALL US NOW!!! 020 8443 3322 Columbia Flooring plc
Trade Show Rooms Available • Specialist advice and terms available on contract enquiries • TRAFALGAR TRADING ESTATE JEFFREYS ROAD ENFIELD MIDDLESEX EN3 7TY
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Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346 Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Tel: 01422 374417 or 01422 371226 Fax: 01422 377452 Email: sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Edel Telenzo Carpets, 2- 4 Southgate, Elland, West Yorkshire, HX5 0BW.
WHAT’S GOT OUR X FACTOR?
Piccadilly
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
We’re well into the season of TV contests as Strictly and X Factor fans go head to head. This got us thinking about what’s topping the list of favourites with consumers and specifiers at the moment as far as our products are concerned.
Yorkshire & North Lincs John Alsop T: 01904 762471 M: 07860 572220 E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk
With buyers all focused on price but wanting good quality and durability too, it’s not surprising to see that our striped ranges, particularly the multi-stripe Piccadilly and our narrow twocolour stripe, Mainline, are doing especially well. Both qualities are of course from the Tube Collection, which has topped our chart ever since it was launched three years ago. After all, it’s got all the right ingredients: a hardwearing fine gauge loop in 100% three ply Pure New Wool – fully Scotchgarded - with a pile weight of 1130 g/m2 and a tog rating of 1.15. Four and five metre width options are available in all designs, but we’ve now added a one metre width option for Piccadilly and Bakerloo multi-stripes, ideal for stairs, halls and landings, which is flying out of the factory! (Please ask your agent or contact Head Office for overstickers and sales leaflets if you have not yet received them.)
Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset Brendan Hart M: 07850 130221 E: a.b.hart@btinternet.com Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire Jim Osborne M: 07738 642934 E: jim.osborne@sky.com Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire Niall Martin M: 07866 735772 E: niallmartin@msn.com
Mainline
We fully expect our brand new two-ply Barbican pair, a co-ordinating two-tone in six colourways and a multi-stripe (swatches are winging their way into stores right now), to join the ranks of our stars very shortly!
Barbican two-tone and stripe range
Chelsea
The other contenders in our wool programmes are the lovely Chelsea, our new three-ply low level loop, just proving that quality in the form of good looks, colours and durability will sell even in a tough market; and the excellent value, hard-wearing 50-50 mix Greenwich and Windsor co-ordinates.
South Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire Andrew Jefferies M: 07831 457102 E: adj.agencies@btinternet.com Lancashire, Cumbria & Isle of Man John Rostron M: 07973 733208 E: johnrostron@aol.com East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Suffolk Jonathan Hart T: 01621 817992 M: 07889 264466 E: jonathanhart66@hotmail.co.uk West Midlands, South Wales (Wholesalers) Paul Brewer T: 0121 4277117 M: 07798 745181 E: paulbrewer1@hotmail.co.uk Greater Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales Philip Hambleton T: 01925 740050 M: 07966 397676 E: carpetphil@aol.com North East Rebecca Gibbons M: 07970 491215 E: rebann2@btinternet.com
In Gelbacs, for the contract market, the top spot without a doubt currently belongs to Aquarius, our lovely cut pile polypropylene aimed at the care home/retirement home market, followed by Olympus an 80% polyprop 20% polyamide mix and Hercules, which is 66%pp-34%pa. Both are available in four metre width and finding real success in offices, schools etc.
Scotland Tim Tindal T: 01436 671421 M: 07836 705620 E: ttcarpetagencies@aol.com Channel Islands, Isle of Wight John Eastlake T: 01323 896141 M: 07885 398858 E: john_eastlake@hotmail.co.uk Northern Ireland Gary O’Boyle M: 07831 220675 E: goboyle@ntlworld.com
YOUR HEAD OFFICE TEAM CONTACTS Olympus
Aquarius THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Who will be our Christmas winner? We’ll reveal all in January!
Operations Manager: Lesley Inman M: 07703 337989 E: l.inman@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk
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We all try harder. We k Scotland
GEORGE WISELY M: 07967 148665 SCOTTISH SALES DIRECTOR george.wisely@furlongflooring.co.uk
COLIN RICHFORD M: 07970 163372 WEST SCOTLAND colin.richford@furlongflooring.co.uk
ALAN CAIRNIE M: 07976 311434 EAST SCOTLAND alan.cairnie@furlongflooring.co.uk
North West
GEOFF ABERNETHY M: 07970 229717 CUMBRIA, CHESHIRE & FYLDE COAST geoff.abernethy@furlongflooring.co.uk
ALAN CHEETHAM M: 07966 263571 GREATER MANCHESTER alan.cheetham@furlongflooring.co.uk
BOB CHRISTIE M: 07980 786264 MERSEYSIDE, WIRRAL & N. WALES bob.christie@furlongflooring.co.uk
Wales & South West
BEN THOMAS M: 07794 048809 MID & WEST WALES bthomas@furlongflooring.com
JASON BRIMBLE M: 07794 041266 AVON & GLOUCESTERSHIRE jbrimble@furlongflooring.com
TIM BAILEY M: 07794 048414 S.E. WALES & HEREFORDSHIRE tbailey@furlongflooring.com
STEWART WAITHMAN M: 07794 048413 DEVON & CORNWALL swaithman@furlongflooring.com
Wood Floor Specialist
JOHN POWERS M: 07792 477312 SALES MANAGER BEDS, BERKS, BUCKS, HAMPSHIRE, MIDDLESEX, NORTHANTS, OXON, W&S LONDON, SURREY, DORSET johnpowers@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
RICHARD RICHMAN M: 07791 891044 AREA SALES MANAGER NORFOLK, SUFFOLK, CAMBS, N&E LONDON, ESSEX, KENT, SUSSEX & HERTS richardrichman@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
The Regency range of stain-resistant carpets ticks all the boxes:
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quality choice availability service price THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
know you have a choice!
CAREFREE Carpets are distributed by
Yorkshire & North East
DES BEST M: 07968 828516 NORTH EAST/EAST COAST des.best@furlongflooring.co.uk
RAY ANDREW M: 07973 719801 EAST LANCS/W.YORKS ray.andrew@furlongflooring.co.uk
REG SYKES M: 07973 403450 SOUTH YORKSHIRE reg.sykes@furlongflooring.co.uk
Midlands
CHRIS ALLCOCK M: 07872 964685 NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS chris.allcock@furlongflooring.co.uk
MIKE SHUTT M: 07970 158594 BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE mike.shutt@furlongflooring.co.uk
MARTYN REA M: 07968 324598 LEICESTER/WARWICKSHIRE martyn.rea@furlongflooring.co.uk
London
JOHN AKIEN M: 07791 891024 S.W LONDON, SURREY (INS. M25) johnakien@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
IAN COLLACOTT M: 07816 217550 MIDDLESEX, W. LONDON, BERKSHIRE iancollacott@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
DARREN SPENDIFF M: 07791 890861 KENT darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
RAYMOND SMITH M: 07816 217565 ESSEX raymondsmith@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
DAREN STEDMAN M: 07816 217548 N, N W & E LONDON, HERTFORDSHIRE darenstedman@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
South East
PAUL LOVELL M: 07816 217549 NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
IAN ROBERTSON M: 07816 217563 E & WEST SUSSEX ianrobertson@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
TONY CONWAY M: 07791 891025 BEDS, NORTHANTS, OXON & BUCKS tonyconway@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
Seeing is believing
Central contacts
Customers can buy with confidence when they see the Carefree cleanability in action with the new video units for your existing Regency POS systems. See our range selection in next month’s issue...
London Sales tel: 01322 628707 fax: 01322 698733
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Preston Sales tel: 01772 696787 fax: 01772 311921
PETER FLETCHER M: 07816 217561 HAMPSHIRE, DORSET & SURREY (OUTSIDE M25) peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk
Newport Sales tel: 01633 283959 fax: 01633 275454
Email: enquiries@furlongflooring.co.uk
www.regencycarefree.co.uk 25
Kingsmead Carpets Relay Park, Relay Drive Tamworth, B77 5PR. UK Tel: +44 1827 831424 Fax: +44 1827 831425 info@kingsmead-sales.co.uk www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk
SALES EXECUTIVES AND CONTACT DETAILS
WOLLTEC IS THE NEW CARPET FIBRE THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. If you have not seen it yet, contact your local sales executive.
Glenn Baker - 07791 890441 (South West England) glenn.baker@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Stewart Gillion - 07976 749552 (East Anglia & Kent) stewart.gillion@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Paul Bartle - 07980 737339 (West Midlands & South Wales) paul.bartle@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
David Guscott - 07773 048574 (London within M25) david.guscott@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Clint Carver- 07970 888916 (North West England) clint.carver@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Bill Robertson - 07980 737278 (Scotland & Northern Ireland) bill.robertson@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Colin Fielder - 07971 968517 (South Coast & Home Counties) colin.fielder@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Mark Watkinson - 07980 737283 (North East England) mark.watkinson@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
Adrian Garner - 07947 524633 (East Midlands) adrian.garner@kingsmead-sales.co.uk
WOLLTEC RANGES
Artwork
FREMANTLE • SIROCCO • ZEPHYR .
WOOL TWIST RANGES ARTWORK • ARGYLL • AYRSHIRE • BORDER TWIST • GRAMPIAN • HOMESTYLE • LOTHIAN • NEW VITRONIC • TRIPLE TWIST BERBER • TRIPLE TWIST HEATHER • VITRONIC TRADITIONS • VITRONIC BERBER.
LUXURY SAXONY RANGES BRECON • CHEVIOT • CHEVIOT SUPREME • MALVERN • PENNINE • RIDGEWAY • SILK SENSATION • SILK SUPREME • SNOWDONIA.
OTHER PRODUCTS HIGHLANDS • LOWLANDS • MADRAS • PALOMA • ENJOYMENT • HOMEMAKER.
RECENTLY DISCONTINUED IMPACT • IMPACT STRIPE. 26
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Tel: +44 (0) 1562 754382 Fax: +44 (0) 1562 861 074 Sales: sales@masterweaver.co.uk Info: info@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
Merlin Range Our Axminster Merlin range features 10 vibrant and light colours and is made out of 80% New Wool and 20% Nylon, ideal for commercial as well as domestic markets. • Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1187 g/m2 • 3.66m • 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 November 2011
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THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
“Autumn is here, and like all of the seasons it has its own individual appeal. Every one of Rackhams products also has its own individual appeal, but for the whole year round!”
GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS
Arena Endurance Sapphire Scala Senator Sentinel
NATURAL EFFECT
Agadir Ancona Autumn Sunset Cashmere 4&5M Country Treasure 4&5M Challenger Berber Delft 4&5M Gold Fields Hopscotch 2012 Houndstooth Tweed Ivory Coast 2012 London Life 4&5M Marrakesh Natures Writing Promenade Rustic Treasure San Salvador 4&5M Shetland/Shetland Design 4&5M Town & Country Tweed Woolweave 4&5M
SAXONY / SHAG PILE
Chamonix Cleopatra Eminence Half Century New Century Nobility Supreme Elegance Tennessee
CORD, NEEDLEPUNCH & ENTRANCE MATTING
Bedford Gel Bolero Explorer Hippo Mat Gala Magnum Mat Magnus Mat Scorpio Supacord
TWISTS - STAIN RESIST
VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING
Balmoral Chislehurst Clyde Desert Twist Deluxe 4&5m Dublin Twist 2011 Easy Heathers Fairfield Supreme 4&5M Heathertwist Supreme 4&5m Helmsley Moorland Twist Mystery Twist Pembridge Twist Rhapsody Salt ‘n’ Pepa Startwist / Startwist Supreme 4&5M
Blackjack Casino Royale Chequers Eclipse Medley Mojo Puregrip XL Suregrip XL Thunderball
TWISTS - WOOL Citation Twist Discovery 4&5M Eden Twist 30/40/50 4&5M Iconic Twist 40/50 4&5M Paramount 30/40 4&5M Rosemount Twist 4&5M Super Sixty 4&5M The Berber Twist Collection 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Textures 4&5M Ultimate Berber Twist 4&5M Ultimate Twist 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Luxury 4&5M
VELOUR / VELVET Designers Dream Urban Life
WILTON The Arabica & Ceylon Wilton Collection 4&5M Parallel Lines Renaissance Ultimate Wilton Oakland
CARPET TILES Bedford Cord Capital Plus Heuga 727 Magnesium Neutron Positron Proton Quark
Call now to receive a copy of our latest Autumn 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.
Stop preSS – CHeCK oUt oUr NeW CoSI-Step pU UNDerLAY! – Stop preSS All the quality you expect from rackhams, all the style you expect from rackhams, and just check out the price! Area Sales Executives Ian Pullinger London N, EC & E postals, Essex & Middx (within M25) 07881-502506 Simon Brenner London SE & SW postals, Kent, Surrey & Sussex 07881-502507
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Mark Euesden London W & NW postals, South Middx, Western Surrey, Berks & Bucks 07875-714269 James White Herts, Beds, Essex (west of M11) & North West Middx 07881-502508
Paul Henson Essex (Outside M25), Cambs & Suffolk 07837-295379 Antony Stapleton Sales Director 07881-502505/020-8498-2845
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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 Berber Stripe Castillion Celtic Heathers Crown Twist Duchess Elite EasiCare - Full Collection Gaelic Heathers Imperial Velvet Kelso Natural Accents Natural Companions (Sisal, Chenille, Ridge) Regal Twist Rustic Jewels Tudor Twist Coll Tudor Manor LANO Bolero - New Colours Campus X-treme Chiselhurst Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist - New Colours Sentinel Startwist Coll Wilton Naturals BALTA Berga Colorado Springs Desert Twist Deluxe Diva Fiesta Fusion Happy Days High Flyers Gala Cord-all options in stock Moorland Twist Nobility Rosemount Shetland Shepherd Twist Stainsafe Favourite Super Wiltax Techno Twisty LUSOTUFO Celtic Horizon Mandaly Tangier Titan Diagonal Unique
CORMAR Apollo Berwick 40/50 Home Counties 42/50 Malabar Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Primo Plus - New Colours West Country BROCKWAY Amore Stripe Collection Avanti Cavendish Craftsman Elite Cresta 40/Cresta 50 Orion/Orion Major Radnor 30/Radnor 40 DOMO Absolute Luxury Auvergne Cabaret Festival Twist Heather Twist Mountain Peaks Legacy Playground Portofino Scorpio
mobile: 07973 406329 mobile: 07973 898453 mobile: 07973 406799 mobile: 07966 664379
BEAULIEU carpets Adventure Twist Athena Dublin Durham Twist Explorer Endurance Fashion/Gallery Grass Collection Heavy Tread Mars Motor Car Pronto Selections Sweet Homes Yucatan vinyls Arte Del Ceramic Celtic Stone - New Colours Chess Comfort Grip Jazz Sherwood Oak Studio Sonata Texalino Supreme Urban laminates Essentials (previously Casa) Cottage IVC Comfylux Extra Expressions Fantasy Fusion Master Grip Planet Precious Metals Presto Ultimate Oak Victoria
ITC Belgravia Concerto Consul Heritage Collection Kreta Palace
MOHAWK CARPETS Century Collection - Century - Half Century Presidential Collection - Independence - Liberty - Freedom (4&5M) - Splendor
TAPIBEL Cachet Melody Nevada Reeds Sysoltex Homested/Aran/Crofter Toscana
MISCELLANEOUS CAVALIER Country Collection Hamlet Parish and Village LEIGH SPINNERS Atlas Velour THOMAS WITTER Innovations C&H Homestyle LVT - planks and tiles PARAGON Toccarre Carpet Tiles
News Flash...
PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTION NOW IN STOCK
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 November/December 2011. 30
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
DID YOU KNOW? STS Flooring Distributors Ltd stock a large range of carpets and carpet tiles via our 5 depots ORPINGTON • CROYDON • WATFORD • CAMBRIDGE • OXFORD (THAME) 08454 341000 08454 342000 01954 781142 01844 213555
NEXT DAY DELIVERY STS GOLDLINE STOCK CARPETS Abbey Twist 30/40 Aston Twist Bernwood Twist Bernwood Supreme Bernwood Heather Supreme Blenheim Twist 40 Blenheim Twist 50 Cherwell Cord Chislehurst Fairfield Supreme Gladiator Supreme Harrier Felt Harrier Gel Harrier Supreme Gel Heathdale Medicare Multicare Classic New Valley Twist Orinoco Opus Twist Ravensbury Twist 32/40/50 Scala Serenity Supersava Elite BALTA STOCK CARPETS Gala Cord New Shepherd Twist EDEL TELENZO Fleur Hercules Lawrence Lima Puma
PRICE GUIDE DATE JULY 2011 LANO STOCK CARPETS Bolero Chislehurst Fairfield Supreme Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist Sapphire Scala Startwist Startwist Supreme CORMAR STOCK CARPETS Apollo Berwick 40/50 Forest Hills Malabar Textures Natural Berber Twist New Oaklands 32/42/50 Primo Delight Primo Plus Primo Tweeds Primo Ultra Town & Country BEAULIEU INTERNATIONAL Bellini Dublin Elite Ranger FIBRE BONDED Ecocord Supacord
CARPET STOCK TILES Ascot Beckenham Cheltenham Clipper II Croydon Croydon Stripe Heuga 727 Keston Latour Saturn Selsdon STOCK UNDERLAYS Blue Heaven Cirrus Cloud Nine Contract Cloud Nine Super Contract Cosi 8mm & 10mm Cumulus Durafit 500 Durafit 650 Goldtred Collection Heatflow Collection Nimbus Willow Green Roma Silver Lining STS Express 8mm Tredaire Elite Treadmore
STS Area Managers Regional Manager Rachel Sherwood 07801 762724 Area Manager Dave Lowman 07500 847758 Area Manager - Retail Phaedra Duncan 07738 329714 North/East London, Berkshire, Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middlesex, Northants, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
Steve Osman 07919 128401 Essex, Cambs, Suffolk, Norfolk
Paul Jones 07801 762719 Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol & Birmingham
Paul Jeffery 07717 218024 South/East London, Kent, E Sussex
Sales Area Managers Dana Baldock 07801 762725 South/East London, Kent, E Sussex, Part Essex
Mirka Mihulcova 07500 847566 South/West London, W Sussex, Berks, Hants, Surrey
Vicky Langley 07962 646847 Surrey, W Sussex, Hants, Berks, South/West London
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Weston Hammer UK 16/17 Byford Court Hadleigh IP7 6RD Tel: +44 (0)845 644 9090 Fax:+44 (0)845 644 9191 info@westonhammer.com www.weston-carpets.co.uk
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our latest display stand showing all our collection on one compact unit. If you are interested in having one of our free stands please contact our Sales Office or your local Sales Agent. 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 widths. Tunis A heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Queen Tweed A fine heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Denver A stylish heavy domestic tonal loop pile in 100% Wool, available in 4m and 5m widths. Oklahoma A heavy domestic berber loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths.
Supreme Stripe A heavy domestic tonal stripe in 100% Wool loop pile. Supreme Boucle Our best selling level loop 100% Wool product available in 12 up to the minute colours in both 4m and 5m widths.
Imperial Boucle A heavy domestic loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths.
Las Vegas A chunky luxurious loop pile in 100% Wool available in 4m and 5m widths. Royal Velour A luxurious velour in 80% Wool/20% Nylon in 5m wide. Sisal Boucle and Sisal Berber Natural fibre textured loop pile ranges in two styles. The Stone Fibre Collection Our unique flat woven quality in many fashion styles and colours available in 4m and 5m widths. Orlando A chunky loop quality with a thick latex backing for a luxurious feel.
Bespoke Design carpet from Hammer Carpets You may not have heard of them but Hammer Carpets in Denmark are the worlds largest manufacturer of Colortec bespoke design carpets in the world. Colortec is a state of the art tufting machine that uses computer controlled technology to manufacture any design in a maximum of 8 colours. This tried and tested manufacturing method is up to 10 times faster than Axminster and exactly replicates the appearance, unlike a printed design carpet. If you would like more details of this type of carpet and to find out how competitive and easy to use it can be then please call your Sales Agent or our Sales office who will be happy to help.
OUR UK SALES TEAM Mr Ron Fewery Tel: 07976 244892 London, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire. Mr Steve Acton Tel: 07957 836207 Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset. Mrs Jac Hayman Tel: 07815 785801 Contract Sales East Anglia. Mr Gary Foster Tel: 07515 283872 East Anglia, Northamptonshire.
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Mr John Hinchliffe Tel: 07774 990359 North Wales, Cumbria, Manchester, Liverpool. Mr Derek Boyd Tel: 07940 320708 Scotland. Mr Lee Palmer Tel: 07774 101640 Channel Islands. Mr Jonathan Gorman Tel: 07815 121660 Northern Ireland.
Mr Mark Garbett Tel: 07840 664757 Bristol & the West Country. Mr Steve Fletcher Tel: 07831 818989 Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Tyneside. Mr Keith Stevens Tel: 07710 160166 Midlands & South Wales.
Please visit our website at www.weston-carpets.co.uk for online cutting requests and more information on our products, or telephone 0845 644 9090 (local rate) to speak to one of our telephone sales team
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
7 November 2011
FlooringNews A lotta bottle Built-in stain resistance and a fibre made entirely from recycled plastic bottles sets True Winner from Mohawk as a carpet destined to appeal to a wide audience. Part of Mohawk’s EverStrand collection, True Winner is available in 21 desirable shades, ranging from creams through to on-trend bolds such as Napa Valley, Red Delicious and Black Sable. The luxuriously deep cut pile of the carpet brings high levels of underfoot comfort and a feeling of opulence not generally expected from carpets good for the environment. Simple to live with thanks to a 10-year stain resistance warranty and an easy to clean nature, True Winner, along with the other carpets within the collection, is helping to make EverStrand a popular choice with both retailers and homeowners. “Homeowners now want a ‘green’ option but are often worried that it will require more maintenance or carry a significant price premium,” says Howard Lindsay, vice president UK, Ireland and South Africa. “With EverStrand we are dispelling this myth and proving that being green can be easy and not cost the earth.” Every year, Mohawk recycles around three billion plastic bottles to create EverStrand, making it the world’s largest recycler of plastic bottles. Unusually for 100% post consumer recycled materials, these plastic bottles actually lead to a higher-grade fibre than many other virgin P.E.T fibres, providing the carpet excellent colour clarity and durability. True Winner is available in 3.66 and 4.57m widths and can be displayed on Mohawk’s EverStrandTM tombola, or as part of the popular back-toback EverStrand and SmartStrand environmental carpets display. T 01480 479830 www.mohawkinternational.com
Topical island Transcending the confines of conventional carpet thinking, the Esprit Home Islands collection from Vorwerk Carpets is capturing the imagination of designers and homeowners across the land. With the striking display concept now available from Vorwerk Carpets, retailers can benefit from the heightened interest created through this new way of thinking. Standing as an island in the store, the innovative POS unit captures the iconic brand of Esprit with a striking white unit and familiar red graphics. With in-built AV, the unit captures the creativity and exploratory freedom gifted by the Home Islands collection. Once consumers have been captivated by the concept and chosen their texture and colour, the stand allows them to withdraw their box of choice and simply take away. “Esprit Home Islands is a real opportunity for quality independent retailers to gain profile and reputation through the adoption of a well known consumer brand,” explains Ian Hammond, sales director UK, Vorwerk Carpets. “The POS unit has been carefully developed to uphold the values of the brand while also communicating the concept and creative possibilities behind Home Islands. Retailers will also gain through the unique ‘carry home’ boxes that truly make carpet an impulse consumer purchase.” Working as a focal point within any floor space, the Esprit Home Islands POS unit was previewed at both the Harrogate Flooring Show and 100% Design to widespread acclaim and will be backed by the efficient service levels of one of Europe’s most innovative carpet manufacturers. T 020 7096 5090 www.vorwerk.com from The Stocklists
November 2011 33
News
Black magic Brockway Carpets was chosen by one of the UK's hottest young furniture designers to help create an exclusive 'Salon' exhibition as part of the recent London Design Festival. Lee Broom, whose work has regularly featured in the national press, picked 'Black Magic' from Brockway's Jubilee range to enhance the dramatic, intimate and surreal environment he created in his Shoreditch studio to showcase his Salon collection of 1930's-inspired furniture. The high quality wool-rich carpet - in deepest black with delicate white flecks - perfectly offset Lee's collection of chairs, sofas and footstools with their soft silhouettes and contrasting stud detailing. "The Brockway carpet was brilliant," said Lee. "We chose it because we wanted to have something that reflected the mood of the space. Event carpets are often quite thin and cheap-looking, but we needed something that was ultra-luxurious but durable at the same time. "The carpet laid really well, and the subtle flecking meant it didn't show the dirt and we didn't have to keep vacuuming it. Best of all, it felt really fabulous to walk on - soft and luxurious to the feet, which was all part of the experience I wanted to create." The Lee Broom Salon generated much positive press coverage during the London Design Festival, along with many appreciative comments from visitors to the showroom. Brockway's Jubilee range was launched earlier this year as the flagship of its Classic Collection of traditional quality carpets. Featuring over 40 colourways, it is available in Diamond, Gold and Silver weights to enhance any room in the home. T 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk
Axminster aspires Proving that the quality of British manufacturing is still very much in demand, Axminster Carpets is listed in the Telegraph 1000, the Daily Telegraph’s celebration of the 1,000 companies that have weathered the economic storm and which are set to be the foundation of the UK's recovery. As the only carpet manufacturer listed, Axminster Carpets has proved that remaining true to its philosophy of quality in times of economic downturn has led to continued success and a stronger foundation for sustained growth.
Broad appeal Broadloom carpets are becoming all the rage again, says Domo Floorcoverings as it reports on the latest interior fashion trends. Domo Floorcoverings keeps a close eye on the latest trends so that it can bring the latest on-trend carpets to the home. Continuing its dominance of the market, broadloom carpet continues to be the most important floor covering in the United Kingdom, while in other Western countries, broadloom carpet has been replaced by laminate. However, the tides are changing once again and consumers are looking towards carpet once again, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia. This comes as little surprise to Domo Floorcoverings; after all broadloom carpet is so versatile and can fit into every room in the home: “More than ever, the floor is determining the style of your home,” says Mathieu Steenland, product and marketing director for Domo Floorcoverings. “Carpet can be seamlessly combined with furniture and soft furnishings in the home, it has a sensitivity that is hard to find in other floor coverings. Available in modern colours, patterns and textures, carpet gives your interior an extra boost of style, warmth and comfort.” T +32 55 335252
www.baltagroup.com
“Our listing in the Telegraph 1000 proves that delivering consumers value is far more important than delivering products at the lowest possible price,” says Steve Upperton, sales director, Axminster Carpets. “At Axminster we have always been proud of our undeniable quality and timeless style and this is appreciated by consumers who recognise that our carpets represent excellent value and remain a true and rewarding investment for their home.” The research behind the Telegraph 1000, compiled with the help of NESTA, the innovation agency, identified fast growing companies, with business information specialist Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), verifying the information. The listing focuses on companies with sales of up to £500 million, with the aim of finding businesses across the UK that are growing, generating jobs and setting the foundation for future economic growth. Roger Hodson, UK managing director at D&B said: “D&B is proud to be contributing to The Telegraph’s initiative of identifying firms that are not just surviving, but thriving in the current economic climate. “It is often too easy to concentrate on the negatives – increased business failures, reduced profits, weakened financial strength, lengthened payment terms – and forget that many companies in the UK have faced up to the challenges, and with nimble and brave thinking have put their businesses in a great position to seize the opportunities that exist out there.” Axminster Carpets is one of those companies. T 01297 630650
34 November 2011
www.axminstercarpets.co.uk
FlooringNews
Advertising feature
Tredaire rolls out on top! Interfloor’s flagship brand, already the number one underlay brand in the UK, now also becomes the biggest selling brand for PU. Tredaire has become the biggest selling PU brand in the UK. The Tredaire brand, which was born in 1956, has been number one in sponge rubber for a number of years and only commenced PU production in 2000.
Tredaire Sensation
Tredaire Dreamwalk
“Our growth in the last two years has been phenomenal”, says Interfloor sales director Gary Cowley.” We’ve had a remarkable response from the trade, and with growth rates at over 60%, we’re delighted to see Tredaire as the number one. This means that Tredaire is now the market leader in both the PU and sponge rubber sectors. I would like to thank all of our Tredaire retailers and distributors for their support in making this happen. However it’s a very competitive market so it’s vital that we continue improving our products and service.” Interfloor manufacture 35 PU underlays, more than any other UK manufacturer. These include three very successful ranges: Dreamwalk, Softwalk and Cosywalk, high density (110 kg/m3) with thicknesses from 7 to 11mm; Sensation, Contract 9 and Contract 7, ultra high density (145 kg/m3) with thicknesses also from 7 to 11mm; and Zest and Brio, medium density (98 kg/m3) with thicknesses at 10mm and 8mm respectively. Over the last year Interfloor have expanded the range into ultra high density products, double stick underlays for contract applications (Contract 9 and Contract 7) and will soon be announcing a new range of flame retardant PU underlays.
Tredaire Softwalk
“We’ve had a remarkable response from the trade, and with growth rates at over 60%, we’re delighted to see Tredaire as the number one.” Tredaire in-store marketing support 36 November 2011
FlooringNews
Tredaire’s new advertising campaign
Gary Cowley emphasises the benefits that Tredaire brings to retailers, “We believe there are three significant advantages for retailers in stocking Tredaire PU underlays. Firstly, performance. Our products are up to 10% denser than other leading brands, so you get more for your money. While some manufacturers have cut back on Gary Cowley their product densities, we Interfloor sales director haven’t. Our products are colour coded for ease of identification, and to add perceived value for the consumer. We also use the best backings, such as Textron, to provide extra strength and structural integrity. Secondly, sales and marketing support. We believe that we give our customers the best sampling service in the market and our experienced territory managers help our retailers to sell the products through. Unlike many manufacturers we have access to our customers’ purchasing information so we can help them understand what’s selling and what the sales trends are. We regularly discuss this with customers and advise them on the right mix of products to suit their needs. Finally, Tredaire has the highest consumer brand awareness for underlay so the products can be sold with confidence. Millions of
from The Stocklists
“By working with the Tredaire brand retailers can maximise their sales and profits. In the current economic climate that has to be good for business.” households have bought Tredaire underlays for over half a century. The brand has a fantastic heritage and this gives the retailer a helping hand when they are selling the benefits of underlay to their customers.” Interfloor continues to invest in marketing tools that help the retailer to sell and up-sell underlay. The Company produces over 200,000 samples per year for point of sale use in store. Their Profit Ability programme is well established in over 500 stores and it incorporates an underlay foot tester stand, so that the consumer can feel the benefits of underlay, plus consumer leaflets, samples, hanging boards and posters. “We monitor the stores that use it and they sell about 10 -15% more than stores that don’t. The foot tester stand enables the consumer to feel the difference that a new underlay makes. By working with the Tredaire brand retailers can maximise their sales and profits. In the current economic climate that has to be good for business,” says Cowley.
November 2011 37
Harrogate Flooring Show report - part 2 Last month our review of the Harrogate Flooring Show focussed on the market and economic issues. In our second instalment, David Spragg looks at colour and design trends in the sector which were demonstrated at the event.
Colour calms down and carries on The carousel of colour, design and creativity that comes together at a major trade event provides one of the most interesting and inspiring aspects of attending the Harrogate Flooring Show. The trends that will influence buyer behaviour for the year ahead are alongside one another, jockeying for attention. It is not surprising that the design palette is a little subdued at present in these darker days of consumer confidence but the interiors industry has responded intelligently with more sophisticated shades of colour, more considered design. Birger Karlsson at Lano called it ‘sensible design’ as the company launched its first graphic range. Carpet design guru Joanna Ramsden of Wools of New Zealand, pictured below, called it ‘more discerning’. “Cheap throwaway design has gone,” says Joanna. Interior design-inspired consumers are now demanding a more discerning style and colour offer from the market place.
“e direction that colour and design is going in right now can be summed up as natural, simple, crafted and considered” “The direction that colour and design is going in right now can be summed up as natural, simple, crafted and considered – with the reassurance of longevity, heritage and tradition,” she says. The subtlety implied by this approach can be seen across the current range of new offering from manufacturers. But subtlety doesn’t mean boring – if anything, the trends are more interesting and effective. For example, somewhat suprisingly, pattern is all around – but nothing brash, loud or ultra-modern that was designed to “cheer us up” out of the recession two or three years ago. Now we’re in it for the long haul, the patterns are smaller, lower contrast, more sophisiticated. Small graphic patterns are doing well and stripes continue their strong performance but offers from companies like Edel Telenzo, Mr Tomkinson and Lano show that they are getter smarter with complimentary plains and discrete two-tones. Big patterns too are gaining ground but in more muted natural colours. Some stunning examples were on show at Harrogate – most noticeably the sophisticated new Wallace collection from Fells Carpets and the ultra-natural ranges from Ecovise. Leaf and floral designs are especially popular and plaids seem to be enjoying more attention. continued on the following page
Read our second review of the launches and initiatives from exhibitors at Harrogate - starts on page 40 38 November 2011
FlooringNews
from The Stocklists
November 2011 39
Show report continued from the previous page “Pattern is back with a vengeance,” says Joanna, “so much so that it is easy to be overwhelmed. As well as new graphic inspired patterns, time honoured classics are back in fashion and can create an equally sleek, contemporary look.” Colour has calmed down a little with manufacturers trying less to buck the security of the beige trend with vibrant colour but trying more to make a statement about more acceptable shades. “Just because you are in a beige market doesn’t mean you can’t have new and interesting colours,” says Steve Elliott of Associated Weavers. Joanna Ramsden hosted a colour trends seminar at the Harrogate event which gave an exceptional insignt into what’s happening in interiors and their impact on floorcovering. “Nature is dominating the colour palette,” she says. “The natural art of layering shades and matching tone-on-tone – in particular light-on-light and dark-on-dark – is prevalent.” “Shades of grey, shades of beige and new soft warm naturals are the mainstay of the pallete. The combined shade of greige is definitely the new neutral shade” she says. “The leaning towards warm or cool tonality depends on the influence of grey or pink in the dye.” “In keeping with the ‘simple is better’ mood, our colour choices are dominated by what feels clean and natural,” said Joanna, highlighting aqua blues and olive greens as examples. Other key colour trends highlighted included: • Two mainstream colour trends are greens – especially olives, emerald and leafy greens – and blues in the lighter and modern tones of denim, wedgewood and aqua blues.
“Just because you are in a beige market doesn’t mean you can’t have interesting colours”
• Shades of white – the cooler whites and chalky tones combined with warmer, creamier hues. • Shades of black – ink, damson, claret, evergreen and chocolate are popular for a chic monochromatic look – accented with splashes of colour. • Soft powders and pastels – taken from skintones and make-up palettes for lipsticks, blushers and eye shadows. • Feel-good colours – there are some strong examples ‘energising’ colours like burnt orange, golds, cinnamon, purples and vibrant pink.
Manx Like many of its carpets, the product portfolio at Manx is 80% wool and the company strengthened the range of wool carpets with major developments. Castle Twist Essence, is a highly competitive British Wool 80/20 in 16 neutral shades and two weights (40 and 50 oz) which had an excellent response at the show. Meanwhile, Metropolitan, a top-end 2-ply 80/20 with New Zealand wool has been re-coloured with eight new tones. But in a sign of the times, the most popular newcomer was a 50/50 wool blend. Belgrave Berber is an attractive range in two designs – Strata and Loom. “We have had a terrific response to this,” said Graham Harris of Manx. “Two years ago we may not have made a product like this but at the moment you have to cater for all budgets.” T 01827 831434 www.manxcarpets.co.uk
More company reports on pages 42 - 45 40 November 2011
FlooringNews
from The Stocklists
November 2011 41
Show report Bronte Bronte Carpets has built a strong reputation for its commitment to quality and colour and used the show to step up its colour range from 40 to 60 options across all of its seven all wool and twist ranges. “We have been researching the market carefully, looking at interiors trends in order to modernise our palette,” said Bronte’s Andrew Broughton. Of course, if you don’t like any of the colours, the company offers custom dying to order at any width. An extra incentive to visit Bronte was the launch of the superb 50oz velvet Villette which goes beyond tenth gauge to load up the stitches on the length making a very dense, even finish – and uniquely available in any colour. T 01282 862736 www.brontecarpets.co.uk
Cavalio Cavalio promised to raise their profile in the LVT market and they used their first appearance at Harrogate to great effect with one of the event’s most sophisticated stand presentations they can really sell well. “We have the simple ambition to offer the market more of what it wants and offer exemplary levels of service to retialers,” says MD John Wakefield. “There is some dissatisfaction with the status quo in this market. By getting the service right, we are confident we will win out.” From its launch three years ago, Cavalio aims to build market share and develop a network of 500 “discerning” retailers. “We have created a product range which gets consumer attention,” says John and the company’s Conceptline product range, aimed at domestic and light commercial, meets this target. T 01782 569840 www.cavaliofloors.com
F&X Carpets The modest debut of F&X Carpets at Harrogate may well be remembered as a milestone as the company has ambitions to become a major force in UK flooring – and has the resources to do it. As part of the huge Hangzhou Fuxing Group. “This is a major operation intentionally which has recognised the potential of the European market,” says UK agent Gordon Hugo. F&X already covers most of the bases with wool and polypropylene collections and even an axminster. A range of ‘soft-touch’ polyester carpet made from recycled bottles is another key strength. Mix in a specialised product made with yak wool and F&X starts looking like one to watch as it goes for UK market share in the year ahead. T 07976 607657 www.fuxingcn.com
“ere is some dissatisfaction with the status quo in this market. By getting the service right, we are confident we will win out.” 42 November 2011
FlooringNews
Fells Fells Carpets made a major impact with one of the busiest stands at the show with the patterns of their Wallace designer collection – unveiled at Harrogate and due to roll out to the UK market in January. “We have a lot of excited people around now,” says Carl Cummings of Fells pictured right. “This is a unique offering for retailers who want to inspire their customers.” This is high fashion flooring of exceptional quality influenced by Ian Wallace, a leading carpet designer with a 30-year track record who now has an exclusive agreement with Fells. Eight ranges in four designs and two colourways give a huge range of options and these are presented in a distinctive and innovative POS display that incorporates video and colour swatches for customers. A dedicated website at www.wallacedesigns.co.uk gives consumers chance to review the full range. T 01977 662211 www.fellscarpets.co.uk
Triple King Times have been tough for point-of-sale specialist Triple King this year but a move to a new location in Bradford and a streamlined production process have given the business a boost and the future is looking more positive. “We have a lot of ideas to move forward,” said Ian Peers pictured left with son Daren (far left). “There is a lot of innovation in the market and we are producing new designs that make the most effective use of the increasingly limited available space in carpet showrooms.” In addition to retail hardware, Triple King are also continuing to build their merchandising operation which offers a full retail service to manufacturers. T 01274 270656 www.triple-king.co.uk
Melrose Melrose attracted a lot of interest across their expanding portfolio of products and found this year’s event the ideal opportunity to welcome their new sales team as well as a fantastic platform for the launch of their latest ranges in machine-woven rugs. They were delighted with the positive reaction from retailers, particularly in response to The Homemaker Rug Collection - a diverse range of textures in plains and patterns. The collection generated a lot of attention by means of exclusive designs and new colours developed specifically in line with UK market trends. With the introduction of new brands and the launch of their eagerly awaited website, the company is committed to offering customers exciting new products and exceptional service to enable them to grow their businesses in a highly competitive and challenging market. T 01274 491277 www.melrosetextile.co.uk
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November 2011 43
News Show report Merryfield Merryfield launched their new website www.carpetcuttingmachines.co.uk at Harrogate to underline the commitment of this Yorkshirebased engineering company to their specialist flooring division – established over 35 years ago. The website shows the company’s full range of carpet cutting machines and new for 2011 is the Gnat range of 2m roll cutting stations for vinyl, carpet entrance matting or heavy duty safety flooring. The company’s Wasp range of carpet cutters has become an accepted standard for the flooring industry, handling rolls up to 5m with a number of advanced features for fast, accurate cutting with easy handling and backed up by a nationwide rapid response service. T 01422 373799 www.carpetcuttingmachines.co.uk
Mayfield Mayfield has come up with a colourful alternative to its best selling beige range Quartz. The new Prism range offers 10 colours including terracotta, greens, greys and pink in a good quality 80/20 carpet in 40 and 50 oz weights. “Our aim is to provide colour at a realistic price,” says Paul Speakman of Mayfield. “We are hoping that retailers will stock Prism alongside Quartz so that consumers can decide if they’d like a little more colour in their life.” The company takes colour research very seriously and maintains a continuously monitored colour league table of swatches at its factory in Rochdale near Manchester so that it can identify trends early and respond quickly. T 01706 639866 www.mayfieldcarpets.co.uk
Strong support for Harrogate 2012 Next year’s show is already 70% sold see page 62
Woolsafe This year’s Flooring Show proved a particularly special one for The WoolSafe Organisation as it celebrated two decades of raising standards of maintenance within the carpet industry. Unveiling a brand new look to its stand, WoolSafe used the threeday event to promote its unique position in the industry, linking together carpet cleaners, inspectors, carpet manufacturers, retailers and the cleaning chemical producers. WoolSafe launched their new website at www.woolsafe.org that features an updated Members Only section. Visitors can also view or download WoolSafe publications including WoolSafe News, the organisation’s update on its activities and developments. “The Harrogate Flooring Show is a great opportunity for us to engage with retailers on a face to face level,” commented Steve Bakker, marketing and promotions manager. “In this our twentieth year of supporting the industry and improving standards for the care and maintenance of carpet, it was great to still find members and non-members enthusiastic about WoolSafe and its services.” T 01943 850817
www.woolsafe.org
Agnes Zsednai is pictured with Paul Bakker of Woolsafe 44 November 2011
FlooringNews
Crown Floors Crown have caused quite a stir in the industry since their launch in May as the UK’s newest carpet brand and Harrogate was the first opportunity to many retailers to talk to the company and see the high quality wall stands that are such as feature of the company’s high profile. “We started a new brand from scratch for the UK as a long term commitment and we have had a terrific response from retailers,” said Geert Vanden Bossche of Crown’s parent Belgian company Balta. “In fact it has all happened more quickly than we thought.” The first 10 ranges have been rolled out with extensive merchandising and Crown is targeting 500 UK retailers initially. Geert also revealed plans for a loyalty scheme starting in January. “We want a close partnership with our retailers,” he said. T 0800 077 33 01 www.crownfloors.co.uk
Carpet & Flooring Carpet & Flooring is looking like one of the most professional players in the marketplace since they decided to re-brand and consolidate their flooring operations into a new all-powerful entity. Backed by the mighty £2.6 billion turnover building business SIG plc, they have the resources to do things properly – and at Harrogate they demonstrated just how. The launch of their stunning store-in-store display for retailers offers one of the smartest and most fully integrated selling systems in the market – across 22 carpet ranges in total; but right though to wood, underlay and accessories. “The approach clean and modern and gives the consumer clear, easy options to make their purchase decision,” said C&F’s John Stringer. An overhaul of the CFS contract brand is also underway with a fresh modern look and the launch of nine new ranges alongside the current portfolio of 10. A new incentive scheme – the Red Carpet Club – completes the buzz of the new business that is going on around the Redditch based business which has eight locations across the UK. T 01527 511860 www.carpetandflooring.co.uk
Flooring Guild The Flooring Guild is following up its completion of a highly successful pilot scheme in the UK with the national launch of its accredited apprenticeship programme which is open to retailers, contractors and self-employed fitters. 100 people are expected to go through the 12week programme this year and this number will double in the following year. Margaret King, director of the Guild said: “We have been hearing from our members for some time that there is a need for a real qualification for the flooring industry and now we’re proud to be able to deliver it.” The programme is supported by Construction Skills, City & Guilds and the Construction Awards Alliance and is fully funded by Government for 16-18 year-olds – substantial funding is also available to those aged 19-24. A rare ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted last month has set the seal on the Guild’s achievement in setting up the scheme. T 0845 308 1400 www.flooring-guild.co.uk
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November 2011 45
News
News feature
The Profit Promoters
Associated Carpet Group
The UK’s fastest growing buying group is keen to tell you what they’re not. “We’re not a business, we are not a wholesaler and we’re not a warehouse,” says Richard Moore of ACG. “Above all, we’re not out to interfere with your trade – only to enhance it.” The Associated Carpet Group is a non-profit making organisation working like a true cooperative for its members. ACG negotiate competitive prices and rebate schemes with manufacturers and suppliers. The price benefits and annual rebates are delivered directly to the retailer without the buying group handling the money and taking its own margin to run its operation. The ACG ‘head office’ in Wigan is funded by an annual subscription. “Our members deal direct with manufacturers and suppliers and we don’t get in the way,” says Richard. “Our job is to make sure they have the best possible relationship with optimal trading terms and keep 100% of the rebates.” The ‘No Interference, Guaranteed’ slogan they use at ACG is a response to the biggest single obstacle that arises when retailers consider joining a buying group – will they take over my business or upset my dealings with my favourite suppliers? The hands-off approach scores highly. ACG has more than 250 stores on its membership list and is still growing with an average of two new members per month. Their list of preferred suppliers includes all the leading carpet, underlay and flooring suppliers in the UK. “There has never been a better time to think about working with a buying group,” says Richard. “Costs are going through the roof. ACG is not a cost. It will make you money.” How much money depends on the profile of a retailers trading and ACG have developed a set of business analysis models to help potential members work out what they would save by joining.
from The Stocklists
“There has never been a better time to think about working with a buying group” In addition to the increased profits, ACG also offer a rich mix of membership benefits including their own label ranges called the Smart Choice brand. About 75% of the members run the own label which offer improved net pricing from preferred suppliers and the protection of own label against price comparison and sales lost online. Smart Choice has had a major boost over the last year with attractively re-designed POS, merchandising and promotions. In addition, ACG offers members a marketing toolkit to help drive their sales. This includes ready-made advertising and direct mail campaigns, business advice and a professional website service. “With margins under pressure, now is the time to talk,” says Richard.” There is nothing to lose – except an opportunity if you don’t!”
T 01942 825520
www.smartercarpets.com
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News
Delight full Cormar Carpets has added to its successful Easy Clean collection with the launch of Primo Delight. Hardwearing and low maintenance, the heavyweight 50oz range is made from 100% stain resistant Excellon polypropylene fibre and is available in a choice of 12 bestselling, non-fade, heather shades including on-trend Violet, Raven and Steel. In line with other members of Cormar’s Easy Clean family, Primo Delight is bleach cleanable and comes with a 10 year stain warranty. Retailing at around £22 per sq metre, it offers value-for-money for a heavy weight carpet designed for families setting up home or on a restricted budget. “Easy-clean carpets are a popular area of the market and the addition of Primo Delight to our ‘family’ of easy-clean carpets offers even more choice of finishes and colours for our customers while providing excellent value-for-money,” said David Cormack, marketing director of Cormar Carpets. “With its stain resistant qualities and non-fade colours, this range is perfect to cope with hectic family lives and our confidence in the range is reflected in the full 10 year warranty.” To highlight the range of stain resistant warranties offered on Cormar’s Easy Clean collection qualities, a range of point of sale and leaflets has been produced to work with all types of Cormar displays. The retail launch of this POS programme started over the summer and is due to be completed by the end of September. Cormar’s website has also been updated to include a new Easy Clean page and online warranty registration. T 01204 881234
www.cormarcarpets.co.uk
Lively luxury
Fresher air
The luscious shaggy pile and striking on-trend colours of Bayswater from Crown Floors make it a real head turner for consumers looking for the latest in fashion-focused carpet for their home.
As it works to deliver contractors and specifiers floorcoverings that have a positive impact on interior environments, Itec Contract Floors has announced that its compact backing cushion floor products have received Indoor Air Quality conformity (IAQ).
With colours such as the vibrant Royal Orchid and Paradise Bay, striking Imperial Black and the neutral of White Swan and Antique Grey, Bayswater is perfect for homeowners that want to make a statement with their carpet, with the shaggy texture contributing to an opulence not common place. Despite all this luxury, Bayswater is easy to care for and can be cleaned with bleach and has a 10-year stain resistance warranty. One of the few carpets to be suitable for use in bathrooms, Bayswater’s 100% polypropylene construction and 1050gr/m2 pile weight also means the carpet can be used in busy areas of the home such as dining rooms and living spaces. It is available in a four-metre width. “Bayswater is a range designed to stand out from the crowd,’ comments James Caldwell, sales co-ordinator, Crown Floors. “In the Crown Floors line up the collection offers one of the strongest and most vivid palettes and while for many homes, shocking pinks and sea blues may be a little too much, there is always a portion of the public that will want to make a statement and this range will be perfect for those. Of course, we’ve also kept neutral tones as well as an up-to-the-minute grey, for those that are less adventurous but have fallen in love with the texture.” T 0800 0773301 48 November 2011
Part of parent IVC Group’s ISO9001 Quality Management System and independently verified by EN Notified Laboratories, the IAQ conformity includes both French and German legislations, the latter regarded by the industry as the most stringent of all. Itec has also paid particular attention to its popular Atom, Concept and Penta ranges which have qualified for Scientific Certification Systems’ FloorScore Indoor Air Quality for school classroom and private offices. “Indoor air quality is an important factor in a floor’s impact on the interior environment,” says product manager Ortwin Top, “reducing VOC emissions has helped us to ensure that Itec floors have a more positive and beneficial impact on the interior environment. “We are determined that Itec floors become regarded for impeccable environmental credentials, as well as excellent performance and value, and these certifications are steps towards products that deliver better indoor environments and lower environmental impact. “Furthermore, IVC is the first, and currently the only, manufacturer of heterogeneous cushion vinyl to receive the wellrenowned Ü-Mark Label for both TVOC as well as SVOC, and therefore setting itself apart from the competition in respect to reducing potentially harmful emissions”. Under the French Émissions Dans L’air Intérieur legislation, compact back floors from Itec are classified as an A+ rating while compact and expanded backed products – Atom, Concept, Silento, Penta and Itec Design – conform to the German AgBB specification and meet DIBT regulations. T 00 32 5665 3211
www.ivcgroup.com
www.crownfloors.co.uk
FlooringNews
from The Stocklists
November 2011 49
News
Best sellers For fitters and installers wanting to make sure they can offer homeowners the latest in popular wood, laminate, vinyl, cork and bamboo floors, UK Flooring Direct’s ‘Best Sellers’ functionality is just the ticket. Listing the most popular floors available through the national online retailer, ‘Best Sellers’ is a quick and easy way for fitters to instantly identify the most popular floors in real time. Constantly updated with every order placed and instantly accessed every time a product category is clicked, the technology also provides an excellent overview of national and emerging trends. “Fitters are often called in to recommend floors and with Best Sellers this becomes easy, what’s more with constant updates it is also simple to see what is becoming popular, just keep an eye to see what’s moving up the list,” says Josh Ashby, product manager, UK Flooring Direct. “Giving your customers some tips on emerging trends will certainly help to bolster your reputation as an expert.” As one of the country’s fastest growing retailers, with national coverage and a diverse product offering through its website www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk, UK Flooring Direct can provide an excellent overview of popular styles and emerging trends for the home. T 0845 287 5623
www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk
Daily express Cormar Carpets has boosted the number of its Express Collect centres, throughout England and Scotland, following the successful launch of the service earlier this year. It means a large majority of retailers are now within a 30 minute drive of one of Cormar’s 10 Express Collect centres where they can arrange next day pick up of orders placed by 12.30 pm. The 10 locations are: Central London – Greenford; M25 South – Crawley; M25 North –Luton; Reading; Bristol; Cambridge; Solihull; Leeds; Bury and Motherwell. Said Craig Marshall, Cormar’s logistics manager: “The launch of Express Collect has been a great success. We often deliver orders within 48 hours but this service adds another dimension, in most occasions, allowing retailers and contractors a next day service. “There is obviously a demand for this free service - whether it’s customers that need an early start or retailers and contractors working outside their locality - which is why we have expanded the number of centres. Also more centres means less travelling so it saves on fuel which is a big plus!” Express Collect operates from Monday to Friday and can be arranged through Cormar’s sales office or their new online B2B web portal. T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk
Shining example Earlier this year, Lano Carpets put into operation one of the largest solar panel farms in Western Europe, harnessing enough energy at full capacity to power 2,000 homes. Installed on the manufacturer’s main 12-hectare production site in Belgium, when running at full capacity the solar farm allows Lano Carpets to supply energy back to the main grid. As part of Lano’s commitment to minimising emissions and adopting good environmental practice, as identified in the manufacturer’s pioneering Green Signature, the installation helps the company to remain on course for an overall emissions reduction of 60% by 2012. “The solar farm represents a significant step forward in achieving our target to become a more sustainable carpet manufacturer,” comments Birger Karlsson, UK and Ireland sales manager. “We have also made significant steps forward in waste reduction and now have completely abandoned the use of deep groundwater, instead using industrial water from a purifying plant that sources surface water.” With development towards a more sustainable footprint, Lano Carpets is also evaluating the environmental impact of its products through life cycle analysis. Conducted by an independent third party, the LCA helps Lano to identify impacts at every stage of a product’s life from cradle to grave and allows Lano Carpets to identify opportunities for improvement. Lano Carpets is also working closely with the industry, including being a founding member of the Optimum pilot carpet tile recycling programme, with the aim to provide workable and sustainable solutions to recycling. T 00800 5266 5266 www.lano.com 50 November 2011
FlooringNews
Thanks for visiting us at Harrogate - you made it special for us‌ Now let’s make a cutting machine specially for you
from The Stocklists
November 2011 51
News
Champagne success The Harrogate Flooring Show proved to be the perfect setting for F. Ball’s 125th anniversary celebrations, marked by a champagne reception open to all exhibitors and visitors in the Royal Hall. The reception allowed the Chairman, Geoffrey Ball, Managing Director, James Igoe, and many F. Ball employees to celebrate the company’s continuing success with industry colleagues, friends and customers. F. Ball’s Marketing Manager, Richard Harris, explains: “The strong attendance at Harrogate demonstrated the growing interest and continuing demand within the flooring industry. The turn out at the drinks reception on Monday evening for the company’s anniversary was phenomenal. It provided a great opportunity to say thank you to members of the industry for all the custom, loyalty and support we have, and continue to, receive.” Demonstrating the company’s commitment to combining experience and innovation to produce cutting-edge products for the flooring industry, the Harrogate Flooring Show played host to the launch of F. Ball’s new innovative rapid drying smoothing underlayment, Stopgap Fast-Track 30. Due to use of the latest binder technology, Stopgap Fast-Track 30 has a genuine working time of 10 – 15 minutes and an early walk on time of just 30 minutes. It allows textile and resilient floorcoverings to be installed over absorbent subfloors after only 45 minutes, enabling flooring contractors to successfully complete flooring installations quicker than ever before. Richard Harris concludes: “We return to the Harrogate Flooring Show year after year due to it’s strong attendance and continuing success. Exhibiting at Harrogate allows us to speak to all members of the industry, including flooring contractors, wholesalers and floorcovering manufacturers, and introduce our latest product developments. The response to Stopgap Fast-track 30 was fantastic. We are already looking forward to next year’s show.” T 01538 361 633
www.f-ball.co.uk
Different Domotex The desire to be different, to express one’s individuality at many levels is one of the big contemporary trends. This trend is particularly evident in interior design. Dr. Andreas Gruchow, member of the Board at Deutsche Messe AG, explains: “People pursue the aim of self-realization by creating their own individual style, and this is especially evident within their own homes. That is why we are calling the central theme of DOMOTEX 2012 Customized Living.” The international floor covering sector will gather from 14 to 17 January 2012 to showcase design trends in carpets, home textiles, resilient floor coverings, parquet and laminates in an exciting display that embodies this keynote theme. “Carpets and floor coverings offer almost unlimited design opportunities,” says Gruchow. “Today, customers not only have a wide choice of materials, colours and designs – they can also find more companies offering customized products. The customer has a greater say in colour and design now, and this leads to the creation of unique flooring that matches the personal lifestyle and tastes of the client.” www.domotex.de
Ryaluxury wool Ryalux has become the latest manufacturer to sign up to become part of the unique Laneve Collection from Wools of New Zealand. They join Brockway and Ulster in producing the first ever fully traceable carpets back to source. Mariana, a 60oz Saxony in 12 standard colours and available in any custom colour up to 7m wide joins Akaroa, a twist pile from Brockway and Auckland & Queenstown, loop piles in six colours each from Ulster to form the Laneve Collection. Made from 100 per cent ethically produced wool, the carpets are the most sustainable and environmentally friendly on the market and the wool used is fully traceable back to identifiable farmers at source. What is more, the farmers concerned adhere to strict codes of practice covering animal welfare, land management, farming practices, social responsibility and environmental standards, all of which are independently authenticated. Each carpet sold comes with a unique trace code enabling the consumer to trace its origins back to the farm where the wool was grown and follow its progress from farm to the factory floor. Wools of New Zealand has targeted an initial distribution of 250 independent retail outlets who will become Premier Partners. Carl Quail, Ryalux Sales Director said: “At Ryalux we are always looking for tangible and visible points of differentiation in the market place to offer our retail partners. There is no doubt that provenance and authenticity are key for today’s consumer and the Laneve Collection ticks all the boxes for the environmentally conscious carpet buyer..” T 0161 762 3030 www.ryalux.com
52 November 2011
FlooringNews
from The Stocklists
November 2011 53
News
Sound idea Polyflor has strengthened its acoustic vinyl offering by launching new Acoustix Gallery fx PUR and Acoustix Forest fx PUR designed to tackle noise transfer. By delivering an impact sound reduction of 19dB - comfortably exceeding the 17dB outlined in the UK Building Regulations - and offering a fresh choice of authentic, decorative wood and micro-granite designs, Polyflor’s new Acoustix ranges are well placed to meet the needs of the modern construction industry. “These new Polyflor Acoustix ranges replace our successful Gallery FX Acoustic and Forest FX Acoustic ranges and offer some fantastic new designs,” explains Simon James, Polyflor’s marketing manager. “Acoustics are an integral part of the building specification and these improved ranges deliver the necessary performance and enhanced aesthetic benefits to meet, and exceed, project requirements.” Mercury and Vermont Maple are amongst the 12 new designs featured in the Acoustix Gallery fx collection of 14 wood and micro-granite effects. With a 0.5mm wearlayer and R10 slip rating, the range is specifically aimed at residential markets such as aged-care, social housing and student accommodation but is also suitable for heavily trafficked areas in schools, hospitals and offices. Comprising eight highly popular wood effects, four of which are from Polyflor’s new look Forest fx range, Acoustix Forest fx offers a 0.65mm wearlayer and has been developed for use in very heavy commercial areas including schools, universities, hospitals and retail areas. T 0161 767 1111 www.polyflor.com
Raise your profile Available from Floorwise distributors across the country, the Max, Classic, Woodfloor and Flexiblepvc ranges deliver contractors and retailers high performance and exceptional value profiles straight out of the box. Joined by the Stair Nosings & Trims collection, as well as the PVC Skirtings range, the profiles collection covers virtually every conceivable requirement, from heavy-duty commercial applications in the Max collection to beautifully matched profiles for wood and laminate floor coverings. In stock and ready for quick delivery, each range is made to the highest standards and packaged to ensure safe transit to site and a perfect finish. “Floorwise profiles are famous for their quality,” says Richard Bailey, managing director, Floorwise. “Thanks to precision manufacturing and the best quality materials our collection offers some of the most durable finishes around and represent excellent value. Packaged to ensure they reach you in perfect condition, each collection features a wide number of profiles suitable to finish every type of floorcovering.” Alongside traditional fixing methods, Floorwise also offers the super-fast Stick & Go heavy duty self-adhesive fixing helping to speed up installation for wood and resilient floors. The profiles are available in either 0.9 or 2.7m lengths and once installed, the protective film can be removed for an immaculate scratchfree end result. Floorwise’s Profiles collection, Stair Nosings and Trims and PVC Skirtings are illustrated in three separate catalogues available from your local Floorwise distributor. Sample cards and sample boxes are also available upon request. T 01509 673974
www.floorwise.co.uk
Tisca Tiara appoints Tisca Tiara have appointed Jack Thompson to look after their interests in the UK following the retirement last month of their long-time representative Alan Jones-Bratt. Alan commented: “I know you will join me in wishing Jack every success, and I am sure he will receive the same excellent co-operation you have given me. Naturally it will take time for Jack to settle into his new appointment, so he will appreciate your help in this respect. Should you have any problems then you may still contact myself as I have agreed to assist Jack as he requires, until the end of this year.” Jack is based in Kent and can be contacted on 07860 911748 or jack.thomson@btinternet.com
54 November 2011
FlooringNews
The British Wool column Campaign for Wool hosts industry gathering in London A gathering of the carpet industry in London during September gave key members of the industry an opportunity to see the Wool Modern exhibition in Pall Mall and also attend a presentation on the Campaign for Wool. The aim was to show the industry the breadth and diversity of the Campaign and build a platform of promotion for wool carpets at retail level which had Campaign for Wool support. “Certainly the response to Wool Modern, which was a flagship event this year, was expected,” Bridgette Kelly of the BWMB commented. “Wool Modern contained statement pieces from some of the world’s leading designers and is very much about showing how wool is endorsed by some of the best names in the textile world. However, as it was an exhibition it aimed to be ‘out of the ordinary’ and I think in all honesty, the pieces may have seemed somewhat bizarre or even irrelevant to most of the carpet industry! Wool Modern – A Campaign for Wool event held in September. “I think they would have liked more carpet in there - the curator’s choice of art-style rugs simply did not work for our hardened carpet professionals! And to be fair I take their point but it is important to see a bigger picture because this level of attention helps keep wool in the focus of the consumer and retailers and magazines are persuaded on trend by this type of activity. “Of course, the reality is that British Wool is still used mainly in carpet and we want the carpet industry to try and maximise the marketing potential of this far reaching promotion for their own industry and business.” Both the Carpet Foundation represented by Andrew Stanbridge and SMG represented by Chris Moffatt spoke in support of the Campaign for Wool and Ian Hartley, CEO of the BWMB was keen to point out that the Campaign was well paced to support the consumer wool message particularly as wool prices were higher. Of the key topics - POS for wool became a major discussion - many felt that strong, simple messaging was needed for showrooms. Other areas covered were the potential for more profile in magazines. “There was some really good, valuable feedback and we appreciate the time and effort our industry partners took to be there. It was fantastic that business people, who, in normal circumstances do not work together, sat down and shared their opinions in an open way. It is that holistic approach that will make a difference,” Bridgette Kelly said.
The rise of wool Price and the higher value of wool clearly was a key topic of discussion at the Q&A part of the event. “No question - wool is the best for carpet,” was the response from most attendees but they clearly felt that the price-point was increasingly difficult. As raw materials costs have soared over the last eighteen months and with no sign of relent, they voiced their concerns Wool is still the best fibre for carpet in terms of lasting appearance. about the way it is impacting on future product development. The price increase of wool is of course caused by more than Tim Booth of the BWMB. one factor - less wool in the world, more demand for wool - particularly from China and greater promotion of wool have all culminated in the price trend that is presenting now. Importantly, the group discussed that all natural fibres have risen dramatically including cotton and silk and synthetics are heading upwards too. “These influences will be felt across other sectors too - it is not an issue that affects just wool and carpet,” Tim Booth of the BWMB said. “Wool is still the superior fibre for carpets when compared to anything manmade. It is highly durable and retains its appearance longer than synthetic options that may on face value appear to look very good indeed. Consumers may choose on price but we should remember that price is about more than what you pay on the day - it is about the return of the product in performance and appearance over a sustained period of time and intensive use. Wool has shown itself to have long lasting appearance. As an industry we have to ensure that wool’s star qualities are fully understood.”
Let’s focus on wool... The result on all of this discussion created a positive interest for more discussion and input. Focus groups led by the Carpet Foundation and the British Wool Marketing Board will meet to discuss the way forward for carpet retail promotion under the Campaign for Wool. So watch this space!
from The Stocklists
November 2011 55
Flower on Flooring News News The vinyl score The industry’s suppliers are maintaining interest in vinyl flooring by the inventive use of technology and through the updating of designs to match and encourage consumer demand. The combination of adaptability and wide choice of design has ensured that vinyl flooring has remained popular with consumers, resulting in this option being considered for use in additional rooms of the house beside the kitchen and bathroom. “The beauty of vinyl is that it really allows you to fine tune decors,” says Caroline Wille, product manager of Avenue, part of the IVC group, “and with our Ultimate Oak collection we have taken this to new heights. Taking one of the most popular vinyl decors – yes oak is still big news in the UK – we have played with subtle nuances rather than dramatic shifts to create a range that encompasses mid-shades, through to darker chocolate tones, greys and washes. “The idea is to put together a collection that capitalises on the popularity of oak but with the variety to balance with a wide range of interiors from loft apartment right through to country cottage,” she continues. “Yet despite these serious interpretations, we mustn’t forget that vinyl has a lighter side too and the splash finish of Artesia and sparkle of Dublin also make a great statement in the home.” Wendy Hearn, Cavalio Floors marketing manager, agrees that traditional oaks are still the most popular designs in the LVT market, reflected in her company’s best selling designs, including the Vittara range North American Oak and Cottage Oak and from the Terreni range, Wild Oak, American Oak and Antique Oak. “There has been innovation in different colours over the last few years and they have attracted attention, but the traditional colours still outsell everything else,” she says.
Calais 535 from Avenue’s Ultimate Oak Collection
Cavalio’s Terreni in Antique Oak
“There is a trend towards larger planks and textured wear surfaces with realistic wood grains which give a lovely ‘established’ feel to a floor. In tile form we find the best colours are neutral limestones and sandstones.” Cavalio has witnessed a sales trend towards grey, resulting in the taking of “substantial orders” on its new Conceptline Grey Ash, which was introduced at the Harrogate show. Forbo Flooring reports it has reinvigorated its vinyl range to create a new streamlined Novilon collection, featuring one new and five revitalised sub-ranges, all with distinctive characteristics. These include the introduction of additional rustic woods, matching the trend towards aged materials, along with up-scaled tile effects which are ideally suited to open plan living. Exotic woods also add an opulent note for a touch of glamour during tough economic times. This season in particular, the company has seen metals brought to life on the catwalk with futuristic, shimmering hues adding real drama. Forbo Flooring states that within its Novilon collection rich, distressed metal effects and modern subtle tones have been interpreted to produce a stylish take on this adventurous trend. Karndean Designflooring reports that its Van Gogh collection is designed to capture the look of real timber in a variety of colours and designs, from traditional rustic to cool contemporary. Distinctive grain details and a subtle texture in large plank formats create a style
“ere has been innovation in different colours over the last few years and they have attracted attention, but the traditional colours still outsell everything else,” 56 November 2011
FlooringNews
by Dennis Flower The Laguna collection, with a top layer of 0.3mm, now includes six exclusive stone designs. These range from Silver Slate and Dark Slate, through the attractive Travertine to the trendy Navajo Mocca and Desert Travertine, in a format of 600 x 312mm. The Bacana collection, with a top layer of 0.55 mm and suitable for commercial use, now includes 10 stone and fantasy designs in the 914 x 473mm format. The collection includes trendy white designs, such as Iceland, original metal designs like Heavy Metal, Silver Fiber and Manhattan Design, alongside the concrete and grey colour schemes of Calma Ferrum, Art Concrete and Navajo Rock. The range is rounded off with noble wood designs in tile format, including the dark brown, Havanna. The 16 designs using Connect technology are now being presented under the labels of Laguna stars and Bacana stars, with samples provided in 40 x 40cm format sample cards. These are presented in a high quality sample display and with Windmöller Flooring’s new presentation concept, accompanied by quality brochures. Forbo’s Patina Menz
intended to work in any home. With 10 new additions added to the range, Van Gogh incorporates 22 different features across a varied selection of colours and tones. “Providing breadth of choice, Van Gogh allows our retail partners to guide consumers through the bespoke design process with a finish to suit every look,” says the company. French Oak and Classic Oak offer mid timber tones that have broad appeal, while White Washed Oak and Ebony offer a striking contrast of pale white wood and dark black wood respectively for a more dramatic look.
Beauflor vinyl floor coverings are designed to connect the beauty of natural materials, such as wood and stone, to the warm and comfortable feel of vinyl. It has also recently made its floorcoverings resistant to harmful bacteria by applying a revolutionary antibacterial top layer to its designs. The company has been awarded some of the most respected international certificates, confirming its compliance with the strictest norms in VOC emissions, which can seriously affect the indoor climate in houses. Beauflor accordingly states that its products now rank among the absolute safest and healthiest floorcoverings available in today’s marketplace. Windmoller slate with glueless Connect technology
Windmöller Flooring says it is the first to present 16 stone and fantasy designs with the glueless Connect technology, adding to its 24 attractive wood design options. Karndean’s Van Gogh in White-Washed Oak
For more information about featured products: Avenue T +32 56 653 211 www.ivcgroup.com Cavalio T 01782 569840 www.cavaliofloors.com Forbo T 01592 647222 www.forbo-flooring.co.uk Karndean Designflooring T 01386 820100 www.karndean.co.uk Windmöller T +49 (0) 5231-60 22 5-0 ww.windmoeller-flooring.de
from The Stocklists
November 2011 57
Survey
Recycling risks and rewards Who will pay to do the ‘right thing’? Carpet recycling is a hot topic with strong debate among our readers between those who say customers are ready to pay more for a responsible service and others who fear that any add-on costs can lose them a sale in this fragile market. Retailers were ambitious about diverting carpet from landfill. 60% said that more than half of all the material should be diverted within five years and 11% wanted virtually all carpet to be handled this way. Currently just 10% of the 420,000 tonnes of annual carpet waste is diverted from landfill. Over 70% of respondents said they usually charged for carpet removal, 24% never charged – and many respondents made the point that some customers simply refused to be charged.
69% charge for carpet disposal 71% support an agreed industry charge 87% say manufacturers don’t promote recyclability
Retailers reckon that two-thirds of consumers are prepared to pay, and when asked what a fair price was, the top response was £20 per room at 44%, £10 was favoured by 30% and higher prices did less well.
75% say the economy has made people less green
In practice, rates vary considerably across the industry. About half charge for disposal by the room and half specify per metre. The average room rate our retailers told us was around £30 – £40 but with many retailers charging half that. The top figure we saw was up to £100 for a large room.
55% say recyclability does help sell a carpet
£1.50 per metre was the typical calculation on space though many retailers were asking for twice that. Another popular option that came out in the survey is to charge households a labour charge of £1 or £1.50 per metre to take up the carpet and then pass on the local authority disposal charge at cost. We asked retailers what was their average monthly cost of carpet disposal and these figures were more consistent with about £200 per month being the typical amount although there was some survey respondents who were paying £10,000 - £15,000 per year. 72% said they expected local authority disposal charges to go up a lot in the near future and one retailer added: “We pay rates for three premises and get nothing in return. If we want to dispose of carpets or tubes we incur even more costs. Why can't councils help us if we are trying to help them by recycling and make it free - or they collect from us?” Perhaps not surprisingly, therefore, our question as to whether the industry should agree a standard charge got a responding vote of approval by 71% of retailers. 65% said they were concerned they could lose business if competitors didn’t charge. But there were strong voices against a fixed charge – saying it couldn’t work. Industry efforts to increase awareness and raise the profile of recycling still have a long way to go, it would seem. 87% said manufacturers were not clear in promoting the recyclability of their products and less than half our respondents were aware of the Carpet Recycling UK initiative to reduce landfill. The vast majority, 73% had no idea where their nearest carpet recycling centre was. The carpet disposal debate inevitably centres on costs rather than the moral and environmental issues. Only 32% of retailers said that recyclability helped them sell a carpet and three-quarters agreed with the suggestion that the current economic woes had put environmental issues on the back burner.
Our customers are happy to pay a premium for recycling
58 November 2011
“The industry talks a lot about recycling and does nothing.”
The Stocklists polled 1020 retailers throughout the UK during October 2011. Replies and comments are recorded anonymously. Many thanks to all those who took part.
One retailer said: “Customers like to appear interested but when you add a disposal cost all of a sudden "the right thing" is far less important. The vast majority of people know that recycling is good but money talks louder.” Another described the charges as a “barrier” to sales. A retailer who doesn’t recycle commented: “If we were to charge customers and offer recycling, would we see our less scrupulous competitors taking money from customers and them fly-tipping the results?” He also flagged the issue of negative customer reaction to old and new carpets sharing a vehicle. More emphasis on recycling new carpet cut-off waste was suggested by another respondent – and the cardboard tubes – while another retailer said tubes should be plastic and re-used. But an interesting alternative view was put by a West Yorkshire retailer: “We are one of the first companies to use recycling in Leeds and at first we thought it was a lot of hard work for little thanks. But now we find that customers ask for us to recycle as their friends or relatives have told them that we do actually recycle old carpets and they don’t mind paying a premium for that service.” But some are more suspicious. “Recycling is a myth,” said one. “There is plenty of room for landfill if needed, incinerators are better. The only thing that's viable are aluminium cans. It's all a government conspiracy, and time will prove me right.” Our readers took time to make many other comments and suggestions and we have compiled these – anonymously – to give to industry environmental organisations.
“Recycling is a myth”
“Disposal costs can be a barrier to sales” FlooringNews
You can create a carpet website for your business in
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£390 + £90/year. 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. The Floorsites package from The Stocklists offers: G
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* 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 573241.
NO OBLIGATION ‘TEST DRIVE’...
We set up your site free-of-charge for a month. If you don’t like it, you don’t pay. There’s nothing to lose! from The Stocklists
November 2011 59
News
The greater good
Top textile talent
The furnishing industry’s two charities - the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM) and the Furnishing Industry Trust (FIT) – are to merge. The legal documents were signed in Furniture Makers’ Hall yesterday. As Hugh Garforth-Bles, Master of the Livery Company, put it “The merger makes huge financial sense and will produce a stronger single benevolent organisation supporting people across the industry in times of need but which will also support the training of individuals by means of student bursaries.” The new charity will be administered by a “board” of eight Trustees drawn initially equally from the two previous organisations though it is anticipated that this “tribal” identity will quickly disappear. Edward Tadros, the last chairman of the FIT, will be the first chairman of the new Trustees.
FIT 4k purpose A bed maker, an upholsterer and a carpet fitter are among the people to have been helped by the Furnishing Industry Trust (FIT) in its latest round of grant awards. With the tough economic climate still hitting jobs and working hours, the industry’s only dedicated charity continues to receive applications for help from those hit hardest by the economic downturn.
Pictured l to r: Eve Finlayson, Tracey Bidwell, Celia Birtwell, Paul Vowles and Richard Meager GoodWeave UK hosted a presentation at Decorex International with special guest Celia Birtwell to award prizes to the winner and runner up of the 2011 GoodWeave Student Rug Design Competition. The award presentation saw design students Tracey Bidwell and Eve Finlayson receive prizes from competition judge Celia Birtwell, GoodWeave’s UK Executive Director Samantha Towle and competition sponsors and judges Richard Meager from Jacaranda Carpets and Paul Vowles from WovenGround. The annual GoodWeave Student Rug Design Competition was introduced to encourage young designers to learn about the world of commercial rug production and in doing so create an open dialogue about ethical manufacturing. Competition winner Tracey Bidwell, a final year student studying Textiles and Surface Design at Cleveland College of Art and Design, designed a rug influenced by the structure of nature and the colours and styles of the 1950’s, citing the Festival of Britain as one of her inspirations. GoodWeave is an international organisation that seeks to end exploitative child labour in the rug industry of South Asia and fund education and rehabilitation for thousands of rescued children. www.goodweave.org.uk
Among those to benefit from the total of £4,700 approved in one-off grants at the charity’s latest Grants and Welfare Committee meeting was Mr C from Plymouth, who worked as a bed maker for over 20 years before being made redundant in 2009. He used his redundancy money to help fund a business to provide a living for him and his partner, but unfortunately it was closed down earlier this year. Mr C found himself suffering from depression, surviving on Job Seekers Allowance and living in a homeless hostel. FIT granted Mr C £400 to cover the advance rent on a new flat to help him get back on his feet, as well a brand new John Lewis single duvet for his new home. Upholsterer Mr M, in his forties, similarly lost his job, his relationship and his home, resulting in clinical stress. He would very much like to work again, but being homeless has made finding a job very difficult. FIT offered him a grant of £500 to cover the deposit on a flat, as well as a single duvet for his new home. With the help of FIT, Mr M is now feeling much more positive about the future. Mr O, a carpet fitter from Ryedale, was also forced to live in a hostel following the recent loss of his mother who had been of great support to him. He was finally offered a housing association flat and FIT eased the transition with a grant of £200 for essential household items as well as a John Lewis duvet for his new home. Mr F from Cumbria had his working hours cut earlier this year. On top of this, his partner suffers from depression and is signed off work sick, meaning the couple are now facing serious financial difficulties. In his forties, Mr F has worked as a driver for a furniture company for many years. Thanks to a FIT grant of £600, Mr F was able to cover the cost of essential vehicle repairs so that he could continue working. Said FIT’s chief executive, Charles Kerrigan: “The current climate has plunged many people and their families into a state of financial crisis. For many, charities like ours are their only avenue of help.” The committee also awarded grants to a variety of other applicants, providing help with everything from damp proofing, respite breaks and travel costs to a new electric cooker. www.fi-trust.co.uk
60 November 2011
FlooringNews
from The Stocklists
November 2011 61
News
Show selling strongly for 2012 The widely acclaimed success of September’s flooring show in Harrogate has prompted exhibitors to re-book in unprecedented numbers for next year’s event - 70% of the floor space is already sold. “Given the very difficult trading times that we are in at present I am absolutely thrilled with the support that has been forthcoming,” said organiser David Wildman. Main players who have already committed for next year include Abingdon, Associated Weavers, Ball and Young, Bronte Carpets, Cavalio, Cormar Georgian, Hadfields, Mohawk, F Ball, Fells Carpets, Lifestyle, Mastercraft Rugs, Manx, Melrose Textiles and many many more. September’s event saw a small increase in visitors. “The show was a tremendous success this year with exceptional levels of quality all round,” said Peter Kimmins of Georgian Carpets who has already re-booked for 2012. Harrogate Flooring Show has added new features in each of the last two years but they organisers are keen to develop further. “We’re very keen to hear from anyone who has ideas about how we can make the event even more relevant and valuable,” said David Wildman. T 01423 779967 www.harrogateflooringshow.net
Brintons cuts in Kidderminster
High Street lows
Following its rescue from the brink, Brintons has announced that 10% of its UK staff will be made redundant and the company’s office in Kidderminster town centre will finally close.
Carpetright continued their seemingly endless sequence of profit warnings with an announcement that profits in the last quarter were down 5.2%.
Brintons will be asking for voluntary redundancies to help meet its target to reduce headcount by more than 70 - the company employs 1,700 worldwide of which 700 are based in the UK.
However even these results were ahead of City expectations and Carpetright shares rose 7% on the news as the retailer continues its £4m cost-cutting programme - the number of outlets was reduced by 11% during the quarter.
Managing director Don Coates, said: "We deeply regret the loss of any jobs but these steps are necessary to reduce our costs in light of worsening economic conditions and return the company to profitability. To compete effectively in the global market, we need to change the way we do business – we need to deliver more with less.” American private equity investors Carlyle bought the business out of administration in the Summer and are promising £20m of funding to put the flagship brand back on its feet. The move saved the majority of jobs at the manufacturer but a period of streamlining was thought to be inevitable. He added: “With the recent investment from Carlyle, we have the opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business, which has seen the impact of the unprecedented challenges facing carpet manufacturers during the downturn.” T 0800 505055 www,brintons.net
62 November 2011
Flooring franchise specialists United Carpets saw sales fall marginally over the last six months saying consumers are increasingly cautious with their money. A drop in sales of 0.6% in the 25 weeks to September 22 was actually slightly ahead of the company’s performance for the same period last year and the company says its performance “compares favourably” with the rest of the sector. United’s chief executive Paul Eyre said: “Given the ongoing economic uncertainty across the UK and with the austerity measures now resulting in job cuts throughout the public sector, consumers have continued to spend their money cautiously.” Around 80 per cent of United’s stores operate under a franchised structure and the group is in the process of reducing the number of corporate or non-franchised stores.
FlooringNews
Stocklists Classified The
SITUATIONS VACANT
UNDER RUGS
SALES REPRESENTATIVE Sales Representative required by high quality Carpet Manufacturer to cover North East and Cumbria. This includes Northumberland, Durham, Tyne and Wear and Teeside. The role is likely to suit either an experienced Sales Representative from within the flooring industry or a dynamic Sales Person from within the flooring retail sector. Either of whom should be able to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of customer relationship management together with practical experience of updating point of sale. A competitive remuneration package including a company pension will be offered to the right candidate. In the first instance please forward your CV to careers@adamcarpets.com or in writing to Eamonn Prescott, Sales Director, Adam Carpets Ltd, Greenhill Works, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster DY10 2SH.
Tel 01562 822247.
Southern Area Sales Manager Carpet Underlay
FOXISuper Plus The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place COMBINATION UNDERLAYS NEEDLEFELT UNDERLAYS For orders and further information, please ring P&R Ratcliffe (Underlays) Ltd. Burnley, Lancashire BB10 3BH Tel: 01282 421026, Fax: 01282 412321 www.foxirugtamer.co.uk
FOR SALE
Carpenter is the world's largest polyurethane underlay manufacturer. It has a state of the art UK manufacturing plant that was commissioned in September 2006 in Glossop, Derbyshire. Since then, the company has had successful growth year on year in an increasingly competitive industry. An opportunity has arisen for a Southern Sales Manager supporting a network of the UK's leading wholesalers. The successful candidate will have knowledge of the flooring industry and be able to communicate at all levels. They will also have a proven track record of sales success in this marketplace and have the commercial ability to help build Carpenter into the UK’s leading underlay supplier. Competitive salary based on experience, achievement and qualification. Car allowance + benefits package Please apply in writing to Mr Jim Bolton, Divisional HR Manager with your CV and covering letter to: Carpenter Ltd, Dinting Lodge Industrial Estate, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 6LE, or by e mail to jim.bolton@carpenter.com For telephone enquiries please ring
01457 861141
Advertise here!
Call Diane Martin on 01482 659396
and ask for Jim Bolton or Helen Rowberry (National Sales Manager) Closing date for applications 30th November 2011
THE STOCKLISTS November 2011
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