The Stocklists - February 2017

Stocklists The

6 February 2017

with

Carpet&FlooringReview

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

Easily clean up muddy marks

Messy pets - no problem

100% bleach cleanable

AVAILABLE IN

AVAILABLE IN

FELT & ACTION

4&5 METRE

BACKING

WIDTHS

Offer Off fer yyour our customers immediate mmediate a availability vailability FR OM STOCK STOCK FROM thr ough our through UK distribution hubs

Affordable resistant Aff ffoordable sstain tain rres esistant ccarpet. arpet.

Hard wearing lookk aaft after.

H ard we aring & eeasy asy ttoo loo fteer. ft

REGENCY REGENCY

EASY SYCARE EASYCARE Sahara & Oasis

nation’ss best sellers just got contemporaryy One of the nation’ got better, betterr,, with seven seven contemporar new ne w colours in each range and all the performance performance that consumers love! love!

PREST TON PRESTON 01772 696787 FFAX AX 01772 311921

GLOUCESTER GLOUCESTER 0845 520 0800 FFAX AX 01452 222515

LONDON LONDON 01322 628707 FFAX AX 01322 698733

Ask your Furlong ng rrepresentative eeprresentative to give youu the inside track trrac acck on launches. pages the latest launc cches hes. See the contact details ls on pag ges es 10 & 11

www.regencycarefree.co.uk www w.rregencycar egenccycarrefrree.co.uk

IT’S OFFICIAL UK AND IRELAND’S FASTEST GROWING CARPET SUPPLIER

ALL RANGES NOW IN 4M AND 5M

Be Inspired

CONTACT HEAD OFFICE OR TALK TO YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Head Office: 01524 840177

email: info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com web: www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

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

TCS - Solely Committed to Serving Independent Retailers The Complete Service

The Carpet Specialists

The Carpet Specialists

SERVICE QUALITY VALUE

upholstery dining bedroom carpets

Stocklists

ISSUE 503 : 6 FEBRUARY 2017

The

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

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

Advertisers

Carpet and floorcovering review - starts on page 21

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD

A chequered future?

Page No

# ASSOCIATED WEAVERS

4,5, 41

01422 431100

40

0032 5662 8081

I ADP

Domotex is the Davos of flooring and Brexit dominates the debate

51

# AXMINSTER

Hannover hints at benefit of higher prices MARKET COMMENTARY page 37

o BALTERIO

Latest launches and reviews - pages 38-45

39

# BONDWORTH

6

# BROCKWAY

2,34,35,38

CARPETS

J CARPENTER # CARPET

FITTER OF THE YEAR

L COLUMBIA # CORMAR # CROWN

FLOORING

FLOORS

# EARTHWERKS # FELLS I F.

Ultimate LVT innovation Best of both worlds

CARPETS

NEW!

CARPETS

L RACKHAMS

Super soft roars ahead Express yourself

Buying groups make it better page 48

Soft gets tough in synthetics page 32

FlooringFactsheets

Adhesives

Buying Groups

Carpet Company Directory Carpet Trouble-shooter

Carpet Types

Avenue adds Expressions to vinyl page 21

The industry’s knowledge-bank

55 Underlay

62 Wholesaler Distribution Directory – Wool Fibre Page

60-61 Woolsafe: the carpet care guide –

ISSN 2046-7338 © Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2015. Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.

58-59 64-66

63

56,57

I STAIRRODS

CARPET

# TAPIBEL

01204 881234 0800 898 282

01977 662211 0800 3681835

01509 673974

01772 696787

07813 714498

01473 826870

01706 213131

01386 820 100

3

01422 373799

01827 831424

0115 958 3077

49

00353 61 339287

27

0151 495 3434

15

L SOLENT WHOLESALE

0208 443 3322

25

—

# QA

Strength in numbers

58

53

o POLYFLOR

01457 861141

0115 958 3077

01159 506836

I NICF

J NOVOSTRAT

01562 828200

53

—

ENGINEERING

01562 745000

01274 688 666

01538 361633

# KINGSMEAD I MERRYFIELD

0032 5667 4828

23,55

14

DESIGNFLOORING

01297 33533

+32 87 30 68 50

13

CARPETS

0121 559 6783

9

FC,10,11

I INTERFLOOR

o KARNDEAN

8

—

66

FLOORING

CARPETS

# HAMMER

29

12

I FLOORWISE

# H&V

BC

—

I FITA

# FURLONG

7

46,47

BALL

# F&X

Now nylon is ‘go anywhere’ choice Rigid core LVT to transform market Laminate revolution from Balterio page 41 page 45 page 40

51

# BEAULIEU

BRITISH WOOL

AW does it again

Contact No

Index

0161 767 1122 020 85319225

16

01243 774623

42

01623 4812220

24,26,28

01207 591176 0787 2861547

L TCS

IFC

# TELENZO

17

# THOMAS

18

01429 892555

20

01429 892555

# VICTORIA

WITTER

CARPETS

# WHITESTONE/HUGH

19

MACKAY

01422 374417

01562 749300

Classified advertising .......................................page 67 # carpets/rugs/tiles o woods/laminates/smooths I accessories/services/organisations fibres J underlay L wholesalers/distributors G adhesives

MERRYFIELD CARPET CUTTING MACHINERY British Manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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

You’ve found our Join the super soft carpet revolution and benefit from our unbeatable choices At Associated Weavers weʼve been predicting the

ever-increasing rise in demand for softer carpets for

some time. Thatʼs why weʼve invested so much

effort and technology into our yarn development to ensure that your customers have the widest possible choice of quality products.

Softness is no longer restricted to the bedroom.

Todayʼs more casual lifestyles mean that we want softness underfoot wherever we are in the home.

But durability becomes an equally important consideration when choosing a carpet for areas with

a high footfall. Our leading ranges have been designed to meet all these criteria – in any room of the home.

iSense and Invictus are the two brands that weʼve selected to spearhead the soft revolution. Both of

these brands have been enjoying above-average sales through 2016, and this trend is due to

continue. So donʼt be left holding the baby this year.

Contact us on 01422 431100, or alternatively contact your area manager for all the latest soft

options.

Look for the Buttery

Associated Weavers Sales: 01422 431100 Email: salesuk@awe.be

soft spot

The iSense way to softness

iSense is manufactured with our unique 100%

polyamide ‘bounce back’ fibre, designed to always look fresh and new. And in 2017 the collection will

look even fresher with regular enhancements

throughout the year. So if you do have a bouncing baby around the house, go for this fashionable

favourite for the perfect combination of softness

and resilience. Also, it’s so tough that we’ve given

the whole range a full twenty-year wear warranty.

Choices include the best-selling Serenity, a heavy

saxony in 16 colours, with other popular collections

including Seduction and Splendour in cost-effective

lighter weights. Newly introduced last year, we can now offer the subtle sparkle of Lurex in the Surprise collection to make the whole iSense range even more irresistible.

Even softer with Invictus We like to think of Invictus as our invincible

solution to softness, which is all down to its

unique 100% bleach-cleanable polypropylene properties. The iVinci SDO StainAway yarn from which it is manufactured is so reliable

we’ve given Invictus a full 20-year stain and

wear warranty. It has a lustrous finish with

high bulk that creates deep-down durability,

yet is super-soft to the touch. A multi width

carpet in 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 4m and 5m variants,

we can confidently claim that Invictus is the

softest polypropylene carpet available anywhere today. And tomorrow? There’ll be even more choice through 2017 with new styles

and shades to look out for. Perfect for any

baby’s bottom.

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6

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Presenting Brockway’s hot stuff for 2017 Brockway is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate its top picks for this year.

Making its debut is Solar Chilli (pictured), one of 64 vibrant colours in Brockway’s flagship Solar carpet collection and probably the best two ply 50oz yarn mix around.

Combining superb quality and exciting on-trend colours, Solar is designed to uplift and inspire, and is a great choice for a striking look.

And purchasers can also create their very own unique colour carpet with Solar Infinity, a bespoke colour matching service.

Brockway promises to match any colour provided by the customer for minimum orders of just 25 sq metres, in any weight from 40oz right up to 90ozs in the Solar 2-ply yarn, and in 4m and 5m widths.

N

Brockway’s Natural Tweed, a contemporary and sublimely soft loop pile carpet collection made from 100 per cent pure, undyed wool and woven in a striking herringbone design.

Available in eight natural tones from rich, cosy creams to light beiges and fashionable greys, this modern neutral palette gives the perfect textural interest for contemporary interior looks.

Natural Tweed is hard wearing and will look good for much longer than the average carpet.

Thanks to its undyed 3-ply wool, it has a sublime super-soft feel underfoot.

The famous softness of Brockway's award winning Rare Breeds collection is now available in a contemporary and stylish looking loop pile.

Rare Breeds Loop offers ethical and environmental vision, together with understated yet undeniable luxury.

Made from pure, undyed wool, blended to create warm, on trend, neutral shades that will enhance any room in the home, hardwearing and luxurious.

Solar, Natural Tweed and Rare Breeds Loop feature Brockway’s revolutionary Envirobac system, an eco-friendly carpet backing.

This lighter weight backing offers numerous advantages, being very flexible, super-strong and stable.

It is energy-efficient, effluent and emission-free and can be recycled at the end of its useful life.

For further information, contact Brockway on 01562 828200 or visit www.brockway.co.uk

brockway.co.uk @brockwaycarpets

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

/brockwaycarpets

7

Columbia

Flooring plc

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

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

Call US NOW!!!

020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooringplc.co.uk Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346 TRAFALGAR TRADING ESTATE, JEFFREYS ROAD, ENFIELD , MIDDLESEX, EN3 7TY.

8

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Contact UK Free phone: 0800 689 1657 sales@earthwerks.co.uk www.earthwerks.co.uk

Your personal contacts UK Sales Managers: Steve Evans +44 (0) 7935 786705 steve@oppulant.com Andy Nobes +44 (0) 7402 746944 andy.nobes@oppulant.com

WooD CLASSiC 9500 SEriES We are proud to receive the accolade of innovation Prize at Domotex 2017 for two new and very distinct products.

The new Wood Classic 9500 Series that is being debuted at both Domotex and BAU, and the new acoustic underlayment db22.

The exceptional décor of the Wood Classic 9500 Series exhibits a distinctive grain and colour nuance which can otherwise only be found in nature. The decor also features high design-synchronous embossing that is precisely coordinated with the wood grain, and further emphasising the unique textural ‘look and feel’ of a real wood floor Working in combination these properties transforms Wood Classic 9500 Series into a design concept that is so close to the real thing; we defy you to spot the difference.

The acoustic underlayment db22 is equally both innovative, and effective.

The product combines low weight, minimal thickness and high levels of impact sound insulation in a unique way to bring many advantages together and form a perfect multi-purpose solution for sound and comfort.

SE/SW London, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Kent: Gary Alp - 07989 933755 galp.flooring@gmail.com Devon/Cornwall/Somerset/Dorset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire: Martin Gorny - 07530 365125 info@millaneflooringagency.co.uk West Midlands, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire Shropshire and Staffs: Mr Paul Brewer - 07798 745181 paulbrewer21@hotmail.co.uk Essex/Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire/ Norfolk/Suffolk N/E London postcodes: Andrew Goldsmith - 07432 119220 andrew.godsmith@oppulant.com Essex, North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, North/east London.

Bedfordshire: Dave Marney - 07794 221443 d_marney@sky.com Northeast: Mr Steve Korobejko - 07702 292558 smkagencies@googlemail.com Northwest (Commercial): Matt Lightbown - 07908 064050 matt@chromaflor.co.uk

Curious? To arrange a full presentation please contact our UK team Free-phone 0800 689 1657 Email: sales@earthwerks.co.uk

Northwest (Residential): Andrew Holden - 07872 694767 drewholden@me.com

As a well established brand in high-end luxury flooring, our EarthWerks Team is committed to service the UK, from the HEART of the UK.

Scotland: James Hall - 07787 140136 jameshall195@btinternet.com

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

9

The people who care about your business NORTH WEST

SCOTLAND

ALAN CHEETHAM GTR MANCHESTER, CHESHIRE, SOT & STAFFORD M: 07966 263571 acheetham@furlongflooring.com

ALAN CAIRNIE EAST SCOTLAND

M: 07976 311434 acairnie@furlongflooring.com

MARK DOWSON MERSEYSIDE, WIRRAL & N. WALES M: 07980 786265 mdowson@furlongflooring.com

NORMAN MacFEETERS WEST SCOTLAND

M: 07970 163372 nmacfeeters@furlongflooring.com

WALES & SOUTH WEST

YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST RAY ANDREW PART LANCS, FLYDE COAST & CUMBRIA M: 07973 719801 randrew@furlongflooring.com

RICHARD LOCKEY NORTH EAST, EAST COAST

M: 07983 446969 rlockey@furlongflooring.com

JAMES DAVIES YORKSHIRE & EAST LANCS

M: 07968 828516 jdavies@furlongflooring.com

TIM BAILEY S.E. WALES & HEREFORDSHIRE

MARTYN MORRIS SOUTH YORKSHIRE

M: 07794 048414 tbailey@furlongflooring.com M: 07973 403450 mmorris@furlongflooring.com JASON BRIMBLE AVON & GLOUCESTERSHIRE M: 07794 041266 jbrimble@furlongflooring.com

BEN THOMAS MID & WEST WALES

M: 07794 048809 bthomas@furlongflooring.com

STEWART WAITHMAN DEVON & CORNWALL M: 07794 048413 swaithman@furlongflooring.com

Preston Sales tel: 01772 696787 fax: 01772 311921

Gloucester Sales tel: 0845 520 0800 fax: 01452 222515

London Sales tel: 01322 628707 fax: 01322 698733 enquiries@furlongflooring.co.uk 10

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

PETER FLETCHER HAMPSHIRE & DORSET

M: 07816 217561 peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

PAUL LOVELL NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS

MIDLANDS ADAM HILTON NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS M: 07872 964685 ahilton@furlongflooring.com

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

MIKE SHUTT BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE M: 07970 158594 mshutt@furlongflooring.com

LONDON ALAN HESLING S.W, SOUTH, S.E. LONDON, SURREY M: 07793 244619 alanhesling@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

JACK Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CONNOR SOUTH BUCKS, BERKSHIRE, WEST LONDON, SURREY (OUTSIDE M25) M: 07816 217550 JackOConnor@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

ANDY THOMPSON ESSEX, HERTFORDSHIRE

M: 07816 217565 athompson@furlongflooring.com

DARREN SPENDIFF KENT

M: 07816 217549

M: 07791 890861

paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

JOHN AIKEN EAST & WEST SUSSEX

TBC N.W, NORTH, EAST & CENTRAL LONDON

M: 07791 891024 johnaiken@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

REGENCY

Affordable stain resistant carpet. wearing & easy to look after.

EASYCARE Hard

Sahara & Oasis AVAILABLE IN

AVAILABLE IN

FELT & ACTION

4&5 METRE

BACKING

WIDTHS

Easily clean up muddy marks

Messy pets - no problem

100% bleach cleanable

Seven contemporary new colours in each range. The best-seller just got better!

Get set for 2017 with fresh new ranges At Regency Carpets we have launched one of our most ambitious ever programmes of product developments in 2017 to ensure you have the right carpets at the right price, when you need them.

Carefree bleach cleanable fibre 4 & 5 metre widths 10 year wear & stain warranty

2-ply, heavy domestic yarn Action back Smart new sampling and PoS

n. ,r itai de Br a e in t l re e k e ar ts h m e K U rp a g ca e ar kin e a W m ly d ou pr

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

11

F&X Carpe Carpets ts New UK T Telephone: elephone: 0330 1232 355 www.fxcarpets.co.uk www .ffxcarpets.co.uk Our lat latest est News

Our Agents Agents

Service and Delivery Now, with the new headquarters, another strong message has been sent to the UK carpet industry, as Angelos Vryonis, F&X Carpets, explains: “Over the past few years, F&X Carpets has successfully grown its UK business by serving its growing retail network from Belgium. It was always the plan to move operations to the UK in order to take our service provision to the next level, and I am delighted that our ambitions have now been realised.

Over 400,000 square metres of carpet is now housed at F&X Carpets’ new state-of-the-art warehouse, a facility that is ready to serve UK carpet retailers with quality products backed by first-class service.

“Our new HQ is not only home to an impressive collection of carpets, it is the central hub for F&X Carpets’ UK operation, and this facility, along with our experienced nationwide sales team will guarantee we remain at the forefront of the UK carpet industry for many years to come.”

Whether cut-length or complete roll, F&X Carpets’ new UK headquarters, located near Preston, promises to deliver orders direct to its retail partners in just 72 hours, or in some cases overnight, enabling stores to fulfil the growing demands of today’s consumer.

All this is made possible as the 42,000ft2 warehouse is not only home to some 4,000 rolls of carpet, it also houses a computer-controlled cutting table, offices and generous showroom, with each element carefully implemented to ensure retailers have immediate access to the Chinese manufacturer’s impressive soft flooring portfolio.

Cumbria Cumbria & Lancashire Lancashire Paul Hugo Hugo I 07813 714 498 Paul paulhugo79@gmail.com paulhugo79@gmail.com o Yorkshire Y orkshir e Marshall Phil Mar shall I 07903 588 851 phillipmarshall14@gmail.com phillipmarshall14@gmail.com Northumberland & Durham Roy Roy Clark I 07771 766 617 roy.clark121@gmail.com roy.clark121@gmail.com Cheshire, Manchester, Manchesterr, Merseyside Cheshire, Merseyside Wales & North W ales Matthew Matthew Bell I 07980 223 303 mattbell1@live.co.uk mattbell1@live.co.uk Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Northants, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire & Leicestershire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Mark Viner I 07860 733 816 mark.viner1@btinternet.com mark.viner1@btinternet.com

Our POS Options

Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Worcestershire, St aff ffs, s, Warwickshire, Staffs, Herefordshire, W. W. Midlands, Shropshire Shropshire Herefordshire, Wes Baulk I 07971 224 568 westleybaulk@blueyonder.co.uk westleybaulk@blueyonder.co.uk

Aevita and Himalaya double sided lecterns just £99!

Wales South Wales James Thomas I 07932 458 032 juncture2002@aol.com juncture2002@aol.com Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk & Suffolk Suffolk Norfolk Ron Fewery Fewery I 07976 244 892 Ron ronfewery@icloud.com ronfewery@icloud.com Sussex, Surrey, Surrey, K ent, West & East Sussex, Kent, London, Essex Essex London, Marsh I 07976 795821 Jon Marsh jonathandavidmarsh@hotmail.com jonathandavidmarsh@hotmail.com Z ac Mar sh I 07828 663325 Zac Marsh zzacmarsh@hotmail.co.uk acmarsh@hotmail.co.uk

Himalaya & Suretex tombolas just £99!

With stock products comprising Himalaya woolblend, Suretex stain-resistant polypropylene and Aevita recycled fibre brands, F&X Carpets sets the benchmark in product diversity, allowing retail customers to showcase style and innovation across multiple point-of-sale concepts.

Cornw all, De von, Somer set, Dor set Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset Br endon Hart Brendon 07850 130 221 b a.hart1@yahoo.com ba.hart1@yahoo.com

PLU US Himalayya, a, Aevita and Surreetex single-rrange lecterns just £49 each!

F&X Carpe Carpets ts (UK) LLtd td Unit 21-22 R Roman oman W Way ay Industrial Est Estate ate LLongridge, ongridge, Pr Preston, eston, Lanc Lancashire ashire PR2 5BB sales@fx sales@fxcarpets.co.uk carpets.co.uk I ac accounts@fxcarpets.co.uk counts@fxcarpets.co.uk

Scotland Sc otland McCracken David McCr acken I 07792 873 342 davidmccracken274@btinternet.com davidmc cracken274@btinternet.com

Channel Isles, Berkshir e, Buckinghamshir e& Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Oxf ordshire Oxfordshire Lee Palmer Palmer I 07774 101640 Lee lee.palmer2012@gmail.com lee.palmer2012@gmail.com

CALL 0330 1232 355 F FOR OR OUR LATEST LA ATES TEST PRICE LIST! LIST!

Introducing

BARBADOS BERNABEU BLACKPOOL BROOKLYN BROOKLYN S CAMBRIDGE CARNIVAL CUBA EMIRATES ENTREPRISE GARDA GARDA GARDA SUPREME HAVANNA ISTANBUL JUPITER KANSAS KANSAS MAINE MANHATTAN MANHATTAN SUPREME MERCURY NAPELS NEW IZMIR NEW IZMIR NEW JERSEY NEW YORK NORFOLK NOU CAMP OLD TRAFFORD OLYMPIC OPAL OPERA OXFORD PERFECTION PICASSO QUEENS RACHEL REGAL TWIST RIVA RODEO ROMA SAO PAOLO SATURNUS SYMPHONY SENSUALITY SENSUALITY DELUXE SILKY SILKY SUPREME TARTAN TELSTAR TENERIFE TORONTO TRINIDAD RANGE NAME

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BACKING COMPOSITION

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

North West, Midlands, Southern Ireland

North Wales, Cheshire Scotland Yorkshire, North East England East Midlands Northern Ireland South West, South Wales London, Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, South East

Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire Belgium D[äXZ

13

T 01473 826870

F 01473 827274

infouk@hammercarpetsuk.com

www.hammercarpets.com

A full range of beautiful domestic carpets in 100% Wool Superior quality for lasting good looks Mothproof protected

For more information please visit our website or give us a call

The luxury of 100% pure new Wool 4 and 5 metres wide

Please contact your Representative to ask about our domestic display options

Bespoke designs service for hospitality and marine contract carpets in 80% Wool / 20% Nylon

Scandinavian quality by design Our UK Sales Team

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Ron Fewery 07976 244892

Steve Acton 07957 836207

Derek Boyd 07940 320708

Steve Korobejko 07702 292558

Lee Palmer 07774 101640

Martin Gorny 07530 365125

London, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire

Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset

Scotland

Cheshire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Tyneside

Channel Islands

Bristol & the West Country

Stephen Binnersley 07710 618754 Midlands & South Wales

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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

NATURAL EFFECT

TWISTS - STAIN RESIST

VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING

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

Atmosphere Carlton Club Chunky Twist Dalton Dublin Heather 2016 Dublin Twist 2015 Echo Twist 2017 4&5M Fairfield Creations 2015 Fascination 4&5M Genius 4&5M Heathertwist Supreme 40 4&5M Heathertwist Elite 50 4&5M Imagination 4&5M Kaleidoscope 4&5m Kenmare Twist 4&5M Peerless Twist Supreme 4&5m Peerless Ultra 4&5M Salisbury Twist Startwist Supreme 2016 40 4&5M Startwist Elite 2016 50 4&5M

Dura-Tex Eclipse 2016 - Elite Eclipse 2016 - Genesis High Society Luxury Comfort Luxury Life Luxury Value Starlight Techno-Safe 2017 Multi Flex

TWISTS - WOOL

CARPET TILES

SAXONY / SHAG PILE Eastern Splendour 4&5M Graceful Delight 4&5m Granada 4&5M Montana Silk 4 & 5m Pearlescent 4&5M Peerless Peerless Heathers Pure Class 4&5m Saxon King 2015 Superior Oblique 4 & 5M Super Peerless Super Peerless Heathers Turkish Delight 4&5M

ULTRA SOFT FEEL NYLONS Tender Kiss Tender Touch

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

REVOLUTIONARY LVT FLOORING FROM CAVALIO Conceptline Projectline

ENGINEERED WOOD COLLECTION Oaken Options

Dimensions Plain/Heathers 40 Dimensions Plain/ Heathers 50 Dimensions Heathers Stripe 50 Dimensions Plain/Heathers 60 Discovery 4&5M Iconic Twist 40/50 4&5M Palace Twist 50/60 4&5M Premium Deluxe 40 4&5M Premium Deluxe 40 Stripes Premium Elite 50 4&5M Premium Finesse 60 4&4M The Berber Twist Collection 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Textures 4&5M Ultimate Berber Twist 4&5M Ultimate Luxury 4&5M

GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Endurance Gel 2016 Marathon Skyline Gel

Bedford Cord Canterbury Capital City Capital Plus Output Lines Output Loop Output Micro

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Brexit-Busting Price-Stabilising Winter Price Guide supplements our current issue!

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We also stock a complete selection of underlays, accessories and entrance matting.

We offer a Special Order Service on products from virtually every flooring manufacturer in existence! Express delivery service on Balterio and Krono laminate ranges.

Area Sales Executives Aaron Smith London postals NW,N,E & SE 07881 502506 THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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

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

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

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

15

Solent Wholesale Carpet Company Ltd CARPET, FLOORCOVERING & ACCESSORY WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS Telephone: 01243 774623 Fax: 01243 210105 E-mail: sales@solentwholesale.co.uk Website: www.solentwholesale.com Zola Park, Barnfield Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6UX.

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 Atlas Aura Colonial EasiCare Morton EasiCare Heartland First Impressions Freedom Lasting Luxury Options 288 Royal Victoria Simply Heathers Collection Strathmore Collection Tudor Twist Victoria Twist LANO & BAJONG Campus X-treme Forum Genius Heather Twist Elite Heather Twist Supreme Jazz Montana Montana Twist Oblique Superior Pembridge Twist Star Twist Collection 30/40/50 BALTA Atlas Big Hit Berber Trail Lothian Wool Berber Luxury Heritage Heather Highland Tweed Gala Cord - all options in stock Grand Prix Melrose Moorland Twist More Noble More Noble Soft Noble Heathers Paramount Playground Riva Twist Sarabi Saxon King Scorpio Sensit Saxony Shepherd Twist Heather Shepherd Twist BROCKWAY Avanti Cavendish Collection Dimensions Dimensions Heathers Orion/Orion Major

LUSOTUFO Celtic Horizon Mandaly Safi Sahara Sintra Boucle Superb Twist Tangier Titan & Tital Diagonal Twist Berber Unique Valencia Venus Saxony Wool Dream Wool Heaven CORMAR Apollo Apollo Plus Home Counties Heathers Home Counties Plains Living Naturals Malabar 2 fold Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Natural Berber Twist Primo Choice Super/Elite Primo Excellence Primo Plus Sensation Sensation Feeling Sensation Heathers Sensation Supreme Sensation Twist Soft Focus IVC Isafe Apex Isafe One Isafe First Presto Fusion Bingo Comfytex Atlas II Woodmark Tile Styles Ultimate Elements Classic Limestone Planet Gala Woodland Cityscape Prisma Central

IDEAL carpets Ascot/Aintree Country Heather Supreme Dublin Dublin Heathers Endurance Grass Collection Mars Motor Car Pronto vinyls Spectrum Galaxy Emotions Athena Hermes Orion entrance matting Alicante Heavy Tread Orotex - Ceylon Orotex - Magnum Orotex - Matrix MISCELLANEOUS BEST WOOL CARPETS Globe BIG CARPETS Endurance - New Colours Echo Monsoon Grace CAVALIER Celebrations Country Collection Hamlet Parish and Village CLASSIS CARPETS Amber Plains Toros Exclusive Amber MILLENNIUM WEAVERS Desire Ultra Twist PARAGON Toccarre Carpet Tiles

MOHAWK CARPETS The only distributor to offer Mohawk in the UK.

Presidential Collection - Independence - limited - Freedom (4&5M) - Splendour - limited - Super Freedom (4&5M) The X collection

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 January/February 2017.

16

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

Find us on THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Edel Telenzo News

GLORIOUS GREYS With grey the carpet colour of the moment, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made sure that many Edel Telenzo collections feature at least a shade or two of this timeless and stylish hue, working beautifully in contemporary and traditional interiors alike...

OUR SALES TEAM South London, Surrey, Middlesex -RKQ &RQVWDEOH , M FRQVWDEOH#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Yorkshire & North Lincs John Alsop , M DOVRS#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Kent, East & West Sussex 0DUN %URVWHU _ P EURVWHU#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset %UHQGRQ +DUW , E KDUW#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire, North East, Channel Islands 6DOHV 2ĆŻFH , VDOHV#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire, North London, Hampshire, Isle of Wight 1LDOO 0DUWLQ , Q PDUWLQ#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN South Wales, Bristol, Gloucs, Wiltshire $QGUHZ -HĆŞHULHV ,

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen a huge rise in the demand for grey over the last couple of years and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s QRZ ĆŹUPO\ HVWDEOLVKHG DV WKH FRORXU RI the moment,â&#x20AC;? says Mark Rooney, UK sales GLUHFWRU p:HoYH EHHQ ZRUNLQJ KDUG WR NHHS up with this major trend in home interiors and many Edel Telenzo wool carpet collections feature shades of grey. From pale, through mid and to rich, deep tones.â&#x20AC;?

In fact, collections such as the textured %ORRPVEXU\ DUH DOPRVW HQWLUHO\ GHGLFDWHG WR WKH FRORXU EDODQFHG E\ FRPSOHPHQWLQJ neutrals, revealing a sophisticated palette RI VL[ JUH\ LQĆŽXHQFHG WRQHV ,QVSLUHG E\ the array of garden squares in Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s %ORRPVEXU\ GLVWULFW WKLV WKUHH SO\ 1= ZRRO UDQJH LV HOHJDQW DQG UHĆŹQHG DQG VWDQGV as one of our most luxuriously thick carpets. &KHOVHD SLFWXUHG DERYH LQ 'ULIWZRRG DOVR

Lancs, Cumbria, Ilse of Man, Grtr Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales -RKQ 5RVWURQ , M URVWURQ#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN East Anglia, Beds, Cambs, Essex, Herts, 1RUIRON 6XĆŞRON Jonathan Hart , M KDUW#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN sees the inclusion of grey tones, joining a palette of neutrals in a smart Brussels loop. $ YHUVDWLOH FROOHFWLRQ LQ ERWK IRXU DQG ĆŹYH PHWUH ZLGWKV &KHOVHD LV PDGH IURP ZRRO LQ D UHVLOLHQW WKUHH SO\ \DUQ 0RUH VKDGHV RI JUH\ FDQ EH IRXQG WKURXJKRXW the Edel Telenzo collection in some of our most popular luxury carpet ranges.

West Midlands, Shropshire, 6WDĆŞRUGVKLUH :DUZLFNVKLUH Worcestershire Paul Brewer , S EUHZHU#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Scotland James Hall , ) M KDOO#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN

7 7 ) VDOHV#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

UK Sales Director Mark Rooney P URRQH\#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN 2ĆŻFH $GPLQLVWUDWRU Julie Watson M ZDWVRQ#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN

Northern Ireland, Ulster *DU\ 2o%R\OH , J RER\OH#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN Republic of Ireland /DUU\ :KLWH , O ZKLWH#HGHOWHOHQ]RFDUSHWV FR XN 17

Welcome to the world of

SCOTLAND

Mark Vinter

Mobile: 07775 902 376

NORTH WEST & CUMBRIA

Mark Jones

Mobile: 0782 811 9279 NORTH EAST

Becky Gibbons

Mobile: 07970 491 215 YORKSHIRE

Aldo Beritonni

Mobile: 07971 173 560

WEST MIDLANDS & GLOS.

Pete Averns

Mobile: 07734 324 356 EAST MIDLANDS

Steve Furniss

Mobile: 07773 384787

SOUTH WEST/KENT/SUSSEX

Melanie Maynard

Mobile: 07920 434 240

SOUTH WALES & BRISTOL

David May

Mobile: 07976 204 778

SOUTH EAST & LONDON

Andrew Goldsmith Mobile: 07432 119 220

NORTHERN IRELAND

Gary O'Boyle

Mobile: 07831 220 675

THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Larry White

Mobile: 0862 594 126

KEY ACCOUNTS NATIONAL

Ged Ainscow

Mobile: 07815 806 783 SALES DIRECTOR

Robbie Thomson

E: robbie@thomaswitter.com Mobile: 07712 937 747

Thomas Witter Carpets use only the finest Wool when creating Works of Art for Floors...

SALES OFFICE 01429 892567 0844 7252034

We are proud to be British!!!!

Email: sales@thomaswitter.com

www.thomaswitter.com

Tel: 01429 892555

Head Office: View Logistics, Park View Road, East Hartlepool TS25 1HT

18

Fax: 01429 892560 THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Sales Executives Joe King National Sales Manager 077746353454 Alan Stewart Area Sales Manager for Scotland 07774947562 David Rockliffe Area Sales Manager for Cumbria, Lancashire, North Wales, Merseyside, Wirral, Cheshire & Isle of Man 07771614305 Chris Lamb Area Sales Manager for North Yorkshire, North East & East Riding 07774947568 Vacant Area Sales Manager for Manchester, South, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Notts area 07884187695 Steve Gallagher Area Sales Manager for Lincs, East Anglia, Leicester & Northants 07774947564

EXCITING PRODUCT LAUNCHES FOR 2017

Mark Dearlove Area Sales Manager for West Midlands, Warwickshire, Hereford, Worcestershire, South Wales & Staffordshire 07836519153

New Tudor Twist Tudor Twist offers a superb construction due to vastly improved and superior yarns.

We are excited at the achievement of such a striking improvement in appearance. Tudor Twist oozes quality and luxury and we now want to ‘show it off’ with our new, high impact displays that are so attractive they instantly catch the eye.

Our new 1m wall unitary display and split lectern will draw customers in to see a fantastic medley of 42 colours in 4/5m widths and 40, 50, 60oz with a spectrum of colour choices from inviting soft shades and pastels through to deep rich tones and primaries. The wall display also shows six sleek loop stripes.

What could be more Distinctly Victoria than the Company’s Flagship 80/20 Wool Rich Collection.

New Lasting Luxury The Truly Unique Lasting Luxury. The ‘super soft’ first to retail Solution Dyed Nylon in the Market, yes Solution Dyed Nylon not pieced dyed, which has the advantage of being bleach cleanable as the colour goes right to the core of the yarn. Available in two weights, 65oz and 95oz with superb recovery qualities, retaining its lasting appearance. With confidence we give Lasting Luxury a lifetime warranty against pile reversal and delamination, due to our unique Loc Weave backing. Also comes with a 15 year stain and wear warranty. All in all, giving the customer ‘Luxury that Lasts’.

New Wilton Collection In the August edition of Stocklist we promised our customers a delicious surprise and we didn’t disappoint with our posh new Wilton Collection that’s available from first quarter 2017 and just so Distinctly Victoria. Our impressive Wilton Unit displayed these high quality, patterned Wiltons, 3 exclusive designs in 4m width and 1 plain in 4 colourways (16 items) in 100% New Zealand wool.

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN CARPET MANUFACTURERS VICTORIA CARPETS KIDDERMINSTER

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Barry Enever Area Sales Manager for Somerset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight 07850321862 Bradley Davies Area Sales manager for Essex, North, West London, Middlesex 07920747519 Daniel Alp Area Sales Manager for SE & SW London, Hampshire & Kent 07455780336 Derek Allnutt Area Sales Manager for East & West Sussex, Channel Islands 07900690406 Lee Wickham Area Sales Manager for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire 07713133517 Jeff Douglas Area Sales Manager for Northern Ireland 07774712353

Tel: 01562 749600 Fax: 01562 749349 sales@victoriacarpets.com www.victoriacarpets.com Worcester Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1JR 19

Tel: 01429 892555 Fax: 01429 892560 www.whitestone.co.uk www.hughmackay.co.uk sales@whitestone.co.uk Head Office: View Logistics, ParkView Road East, Hartlepool, TS25 1HT

AXMINSTER • TUFTED • HASSLE FREE Sales Executives

Tartanesque

VINCE HOLDEN (Sales Director) Head Office M 07900 262434 E vince@hughmackay.co.uk JOHN STUART Scotland M 07860 565200 E david@orchardcorporate.com GEORGE STUART Scotland M 07860 366092 E gstuart@whitestone.co.uk BECKY GIBBONS North East and Cumbria M 07970 491215 E rebann2@btinternet.com JOHN ALSOP Yorkshire M 07860 572220 E alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk JOHN ROSTRON North West /North Wales M 07973 733208 E johnrostronagencies@hotmail.com STEVE FURNISS East Midlands M 07773 384787 E furnissagencies@btinternet.com DEAN STANLEY West Midlands M 07572 758010 E dean189@btinternet.com DAVID MAY Oxordshire, Wiltshire, Hamshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Wales M 07976 204778 E mayatthelimes@talktalk.net BRENDAN HART South West M 07850 130221 E ba.hart1@yahoo.com ROBIN SAUNDERS Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambs, Nth Essex M 07968 344892 E rsagencies2004@aol.com MIKE ALP South East / South London M 07770 861441 E alp.michael@googlemail.com DAVE MARNEY North London / Home Counties M 07794 221443 E d-marney@sky.com NICK WOOD Central London M 07976 945505 E nick@essentialflooring.co.uk GARY OBOYLE Northern Ireland M 07831 220675 E goboyle@ntlworld.com LARRY WHITE Republic of Ireland M 03862 594126 E thelarwhite@hotmail.com MALCOLM HOYLE Liverpool M 07860 772608 E malcolm.hoyle@btinternet.com

THOUSANDS OF CARPET OPTIONS • HIGH STOCK LEVELS • FLEXIBLE BESPOKE SERVICE IN-HOUSE UNIQUE DESIGN • AFFORDABLE QUALITY WOOL • HASSLE FREE POLYPROPYLENE 20

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview Roaring success

Having enjoyed a high-profile introduction in late 2016, culminating in a dominating space at this year’s Domotex exhibition, Balta’s Leonis broadloom collection is now proving a popular choice amongst retailers up and down the UK thanks to its combination of caressing comfort, easy care and lasting looks.

Strong branding and eye-catching point of sale has helped Sarabi and Sarafina receive significant uptake, with retailers revelling in showing customers the latest from Europe’s largest carpet manufacturer.

Sarabi, arriving with 20-year stain and 15-year wear warranties, provides homeowners with a plush pile for additional comfort, while Sarafina looks after the pride with simple care for family spaces, this time with a 15-year stain and 10-year wear warranty.

The benefits of Leonis are certainly far-reaching, and it’s perhaps of little surprise that retailers are increasingly turning to Leonis as the headline act for their store.

Geert Vanden Bossche, Marketing Director, explains: “When Leonis was first launched, everybody at Balta was confident in its credentials but even so, the reaction to Leonis has exceeded all expectations. From day one the feedback has been one of continual praise, so we expect the Leonis roll-out to continue well into 2017 as we look to add further collections to the portfolio.”

Leonis carpets are not only luxurious and easy to clean, each quality also holds an array of appealing colourways in four and five-metre widths. Explore Sarabi and its series of on-trend greys, with Evergreen and Rose shades also on offer if a subtle injection of colour is required underfoot. Meanwhile, sister stable Sarafina is also well versed in the looks of the moment for SS17, with icy greys and shimmering silvers holding sway.

T +32 56 62 22 11

www.baltagroup.com

Express yourself

Avenue Floors adds Ultimate Expressions to its extensive cushion vinyl portfolio, a collection that perfectly demonstrates the brand’s trend-led approach with a series of washed oaks, herringbones and geometric effects.

Ultimate Expressions is a 12-strong collection with no fewer than 10 of its designs nestling in the Avenue Floors portfolio for the very first time.

Through Ultimate Expressions, Avenue Floors promises retailers the very latest in underfoot style, with flooring that is ready and waiting to wow customers greeted by the collection’s vibrant point-of-sale.

Following extensive trends research by an experienced Avenue Floors design team, two herringbones - Greta and Stuttgart - make their bow in Ultimate Expressions, presented in dark and washed oak hues respectively. The Ultimate Expressions stable is also perfect for those budding designers seeking geometric forms, with Goldie and Audrey just two of the unique designs that help to place Ultimate Expressions at the tip of the trend curve.

First introduced to retailers at this year’s Domotex exhibition, Avenue Floors is understandably proud of its latest output, as Brand Manager, Victoria Hemelaer, explains: “Without doubt, Ultimate Expressions is one of the most trend-led collections we have ever introduced at Avenue Floors. Of course, these underfoot options provide all the practical and maintenance benefits one would expect of an Avenue Floors product, but crucially they are sure to add a touch of design zing to homes as we welcome in the SS17 season.”

Ultimate Expressions arrives with a 10-year wear warranty, ensuring homeowners are adding looks and performance that will last, whether herringbone, geometric or a more orthodox oak look is order of the day.

This, coupled with exceptional practical qualities including enhanced slip resistance, acoustic insulation and easy cleanability, helps Avenue Floors to enhance its ever-growing UK reputation.

T 0800 032 3970 THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

www.avenuefloors.co.uk

21

NEWS Malabar makeover

One of Cormar Carpets longest running and bestselling ranges, Malabar Two Fold, has been relaunched with a host of new contemporary shades.

Crafted from 100% pure new wool and now in two ply yarn, the Malabar Two Fold range consists of two textures – a sophisticated ribbed style and popular weave design. The 18-strong palette of natural colours includes a stronger selection of fashionable greys and beiges such as Tungsten and Balm.

Said marketing director, David Cormack: “Malabar has been a favourite with our customers for many years, but the improvements we have made, have lifted sales once more. The combination of the improved colour bank and using the strong two-ply yarn make Malabar the natural ‘go to’ range in natural loops.”

Malabar Two Fold comes in both 4m and 5m widths and is excellent value-for-money retailing around £29/m2.

All Cormar’s loop pile, wool twist and easy clean polypropylene ranges are produced on site at its Lancashire mills and distributed in the UK and Eire via its own delivery fleet.

T 01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Favourite refreshed

Long-term UK favourite, Gala & Stripes from The Balta Group has been given a colour update for the new year with its spectrum of plain and striped carpet combinations ready to enhance UK residencies in 2017.

The loop pile Gala & Stripes, produced in 100% PP Stainsafe fibre, has been available on the UK high street for no fewer than 25 years now, demonstrating a lasting popularity that is sure to strengthen with the exciting new shades on show. Homeowners will love the design possibilities that come hand in hand with the revamped collection, trending greys and silvers teamed with vibrant blues and reds for a particularly “of the moment” feel.

Research into the UK interiors sector has taught Balta that homeowners now seek a single source for their plain and striped carpet designs, and will often look to run striped carpet upstairs, with a coordinating plain in adjoining hallways and landings. Gala & Stripes caters to this very demand with 18 colourways (eight of which are brand new) that are ready and waiting to be presented to customers.

Geert Vanden Bossche, Marketing Director, believes Gala & Stripes’ longevity is set to continue: “We are delighted to reveal a new, versatile colour bank held in Gala & Stripes, bringing this established broadloom collection into 2017 in stylish fashion. We expect the bright and bold stripes, and also coordinating plains, to receive a positive reaction, with a fabulous mix of practical qualities extending the collection’s residential appeal.”

These qualities owe much to the brand’s 100% PP Stainsafe fibre, representing a safer, trouble-free choice with its 15-year stain and 10-year wear warranties. These, coupled with a general commercial wear rating and easy cleanability, enhance Gala & Stripes’ reputation as a broadloom all-rounder now nestling nicely at the tip of the trend curve.

Gala & Stripes designs are available on both Blue Felt and Actionbac backing, and arrive in a four-metre width. The portfolio’s plain designs can also be purchased in a five-metre width, helping installers to avoid unnecessary wastage and unsightly seams.

T +32 56 62 22 11 www.baltagroup.com

The last post for Jack Rowe

Jack Rowe, a long-standing friend of the flooring trade and a writer for this magazine in the 80s and 90s, has died at his home in Halesowen, aged 95.

The Jack Rowe news column was a regular feature in The Stocklists published by Roy Spragg when the magazine was all in black and white and had endless listings of the warehouse stock positions for all the major manufacturers.

Jack worked in journalism in the Midlands for much of his life including a period on the Birmingham Evening Gazette before moving to trade magazines in the 1980s.

He was hailed as a war hero by the Royal British Legion having served in bombers for the RAF during World War II. His funeral in December in Stourbridge was marked by veterans of the Legion in full regalia while a local Scout bugler played the last post.

A real gentlemen who enjoyed the arts, dancing and playing the piano, he was married for 60 years though he lost his wife some years ago. He will be remembered with affection by many in the flooring trade.

22 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

The Safest Route to Guaranteed Success

You Can Always Trust The Yellow Bucket

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The 2017 RAG is OUT NOW! Pick up your copy today or view online at www.f-ball.co.uk Tel: 01538 361 633 • Fax: 01538 361 622 • email: mail@f-ball.co.uk • web: www.f-ball.co.uk -Ì>Ì , >`] i`` iÌ ] ii ] -Ì>vv À`à Ài] -/£Î Ç,-] 1

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.

GREAT BRITISH INNOVATION

NEWS

Treasure to measure

Early 2017 will see the launch of a striking new look for the Touchdown brand, with attractive point of sale and eye-catching graphics providing the base for a series of new additions to the portfolio.

Spearheading the introduction of the new identity will be Treasure, a fitting collection that enjoys all the credentials for which the Touchdown brand stands. Treasure combines beautiful aesthetics, super-soft touch in a lavish deep pile and high-performance to bring 14 on-trend colours in two, destined to make homes a more beautiful place to be.

Treasure Elite comes in a heavyweight 50oz twist pile, while Treasure Superior brings the luxury of a 60oz Saxony for homes looking for the ultimate in sumptuous underfoot comfort.

Not only the first collection to fall under new-look Touchdown, the style also makes full use of Lano’s Eccelena Silk super-soft yarn to bring a host of benefits, as Birger Karlsson, Sales Director UK & Ireland, explains: “The new year is a very exciting time for Lano as we look to unveil a striking new look and feel to our Touchdown concept, one we firmly believe will be a major hit with both consumer and retailer alike. The strong branding will be supported by a series of collection launches and updates, one of which is the introduction of the brand new Treasure. This collection provides the perfect mix of soft, silken touch and a palette of on-trend greys and neutrals, backed by the easy clean nature of our Eccelena 100% PP fibre.”

The healthy blend of practical qualities is unmistakable, including impressive stain resistance and simple cleaning with a diluted bleach solution. Treasure Elite and Treasure Superior arrive with stain and wear warranties, hold a heavy domestic wear rating, and can be purchased in four and five-metre widths to suit the needs of almost any residential location.

Birger concludes: “There’s never been a better time for retailers to showcase Lano’s Touchdown portfolio with its new eye-catching image and vibrant point-of-sale. Super-soft, silken carpets should entice the customer at every touch point, and that’s exactly what Touchdown, and its Treasure collection, will do in the months to come.”

T 00800 5266 5266 www.lano.com

Invincible Invista

Condor Carpets launched Stainmaster carpets at Europe’s Domotex flooring fair, bringing America’s most trusted carpet brand to a new audience of homeowners.

These luxurious cut-pile styles make the most of 100% Invista BCF solution dyed nylon 6.6 fibre for a carpet that is resilient, repellent, long-lasting and easy to clean. All carpets bearing the Stainmaster brand are tested and certified by Invista to meet its strict performance requirements for a quality carpet.

Appealing to high-end residential customers looking for soft and lasting luxury carpet, Stainmaster comes in various pile heights and various colours.

Stainmaster carpets resist most dirt, food and beverage stains, while the specially engineered nylon 6.6 fibres give an incredibly soft and luxurious feel. The fibre also retains its original appearance, resisting crushing and matting, which helps Stainmaster carpet to keep looking good for a long time.

“American homeowners have been turning to the performance of the Stainmaster brand for the last 28 years and they have come to expect a carpet that’s not only soft and luxurious, but also soil and stain resistant, hardwearing and easy to clean,” says Jo Lea Keppler, marketing communications manager, Invista. “Soon, with these new introductions from one of Holland’s leading carpet manufacturers, more people will be able to enjoy the performance of Stainmaster in soft and luxurious styles.”

T (+31) 38-4778911 www.condor-group.eu

24 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

Karndean LooseLay

NEWS

Cottoning on to haute couture

Louis de Poortere’s Haute Couture broadloom is presented in CP and CW fibres, two durable cotton blends that perfectly encapture the collection’s ‘high fashion’ ethos.

CP, a beautiful blend of cotton and polyamide, provides interiors with a subtle shimmer this SS17 season, the addition of nylon emphasising key areas of the design and helping to keep the carpet firmly on-trend. CP is available in six unique looks - Agra, Batik, Coral, Jacob, Patch and So Chic - each introducing a mix of intricate design and vibrant colour from wall to wall.

CW, meanwhile, is ideal for those seeking the lustrous addition of wool in their new cotton blend carpet. Haute Couture CW is every bit as design-led as CP, this time with three designs - the cross-hatch Karl, diamond Miuccia and chevron Giorgio, holding sway.

Worthy of their high fashion name and packed full of inspiration from North Africa, Scandinavia and beyond, Haute Couture CP and CW are produced using the Jacquard flatweave method of manufacture for output of exceptional quality, as Alan Russell, UK Sales Director, explains: “Haute Couture broadloom has created much interest since its launch, and its cotton blends are ideal if an alternative to 100% wool is sought. CP and CW blends are fitting additions to the Haute Couture stable, allowing retailers to present nine further designs to interested homeowners and designers.”

Haute Couture carpets, produced in a 2.95 metre width, are capable of withstanding castor traffic, while sound reducing and suitable for use with underfloor heating. This demonstrates just how practical a Haute Couture installation will be, extending the collection’s talents beyond a sumptuous look and feel.

Haute Couture broadloom can now be presented through an inspirational point-of-sale box, the perfect partner for retailers looking to reduce in-store footprint while at the same time offering a wealth of selling opportunity.

T 01505 615663 www.louisdepoortere.com

Infinite possibilities

Flair Rugs’ best-selling Infinite Splinter collection introduces new shading options for the SS17 design season, meeting increased demand for tonal greys in the home.

Infinite Splinter, one of Flair Rugs’ most admired collections thanks to its statement geometric design, features an adventurous abstract look created inhouse by the talented Flair Rugs design team. For 2017, the popular range has been extended, adding of-the-moment charcoal and putty tones to sit alongside the existing Ochre, Orange, Red, Teal and Teal/Green; no matter the homeowner’s colour preferences, there will be a relevant Infinite Splinter design to feature in their latest interior scheme.

Gareth Davies, Sales & Marketing Director, says: “We carry out huge amounts of research into the looks and trends of the moment, and it’s safe to say greys and silvers are currently high on the priority list for members of respected interior circles. Flair Rugs has responded to this in kind, introducing multi-tone greys to the best-selling Infinite Splinter collection, styles that we expect to perform well as we move through the spring/summer season.”

Produced in high quality polyester for a hardwearing yet exquisitely soft finish, Infinite Splinter not only presents new shades in 2017, but also a deep rich pile for extra luxury underfoot.

Infinite Splinter is available to purchase in four sizes ranging from 80cm x 150cm to a 200cm x 290cm area rug.

T 001457 850660 www.flairrugs.com

26 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

HeatWave Underlay

The only luxurious carpet underlay for underfloor heating

Ultra soft and comfortable underfoot Low tog Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dry out and crumble over time like typical rubber underlay Fire retardant for added peace of mind

Earn great rewards for purchasing HeatWave

Contact us on 0151 495 3434 or email sales@qaflooringsolutions.com to find out more and request samples

QA Flooring Solutions Ltd Unit 2 Hurricane Drive Liverpool L24 8RL

Simply Better

NEWS

Go to the dark side

As part of its focus on the latest in interior looks and trends, the design experts at QuickStep reveal the latest of-the-moment style: Dark Night comes into the home. The series ensures retailers and designers alike are kept informed of the latest trending designs to share with their colleagues and customers.

For the past few years, white and lighter shades have been all the rage, but now we’re seeing something of a backlash. Things have been turned on their head and all of a sudden, dark colours are hot stuff in the world of fashion and interior design, the mystery and luxury of black has come into its own, the colour helping to elevate spaces, both large and small, to a higher level.

The choice of flooring can help create that Dark Night look. Opt for a base that will add a little something extra right from the word go, Castello Wenge from Quick-Step an example of this at its best. Hardwood flooring adds character and temperament to a space, and for those seeking even more grandeur this design season, Quick-Step now presents the Massimo collection and its extra-long, extra-wide planks holding rustic knot and grain marks aplenty.

For the look of real wood combined with ease of maintenance, opt for an imitation wood floor. Majestic laminate not only has the realistic and luxurious look of an authentic oak floor, but also has a whole host of practical advantages, including being both wear and water resistance. Opt for a dark brown shade, which is more than ever the go-to colour for creating a warm and cosy atmosphere.

Those who are unafraid of a challenge are sure to be tempted by the Impressive collection’s Burned Planks. Fortunately, the burning process not only protects, it also results in a dark, dramatic yet altogether contemporary look that we can apply to our home spaces. www.quick-step.co.uk

Luxury of leather

Providing an eye-catching introduction to the stock portfolio of cork products at Granorte, the luxurious leather collection continues to strike a chord with consumers looking for statement floors in the home.

Enjoying a prime position on the new point-of-sale stand, the leather range beautifully illustrates how two natural products have been brought together by the Portuguese cork specialists to deliver an affordable solution in one of the most luxurious floor finishes available.

Featuring six real leather options in a range of textured effects, this collection takes the beautiful aesthetic of this natural product and combines it with the practical advantages of modern engineered cork flooring. With Uniclic for fast and glue-free installation, the entire Leather collection benefits from a moisture resistant HDF core and in-built cork underlay that improves comfort and provides better acoustic and thermal insulation.

The versatile decors on the eye-catching stand include on-trend white and grey tones, along with beige, brown and dark alternatives to ensure widespread appeal, and are available in plank format with a micro-bevel on all four edges to add definition. “Retailers looking to differentiate their product offering need look no further than the Granorte Cork Floor collection,” explains Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “Homeowners continue to look for an eye-catching floor that makes a statement and this is just what this most natural of products delivers.

T 01785 711 131 www.granorte.co.uk

28 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

3rd ENT JA RY O NU P AR EN Y2 S 01 7

WIN!

OPEN TO ALL* national institute of carpet & floorlayers

£1000 CA + TOOL SH S + iPad

Sharpen your pencil and be in with a chance of becoming CARPET FITTER OF THE YEAR 2017!

The winner will receive some great prizes including £1000 cash, a selection of tools, NICF Master Fitter membership FREE for one year PLUS the winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trophy.

1DA #EJ=H SEHH >A DAH@ =P PDA %=NNKC=PA #HKKNEJC 0DKS EJ

Mark Smurthwaite (above centre) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winner of the Carpet Fitter of the Year 2016 competition

Pre-register NOW for the 2017 competition!

3 WAYS YOU CAN ENTER:

Â&#x2039; Scan the QR code below Â&#x2039; ,N CK PK SSS JE?Å&#x2030;P@ KNC QG =NLAP #EPPAN KILAPEPEKJ NACEOPAN LDL Â&#x2039; ,N ?=HH PDA +& # KBÅ&#x2C6;?A KJ * You do NOT need to be an NICF member to enter. NICF council members and FITA instructors are excluded from entry. Previous NICF Carpet Fitter of The Year competition winners are also excluded from entering.

Applicants MUST be aged 18 or over on 31st March 2017.

Carpet Fitter of The Year 2017 Competition is kindly sponsored by

from The Stocklists

February 2017 29

NEWS Retail refurbishment

F. Ball’s Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS vinyl adhesive, a revolutionary development in temperature tolerant adhesives, has been used to install luxury vinyl tiles in a shopping park food court that is subject to temperature change and heavy footfall. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause floorcoverings to expand and contract over time, leading to tenting and gapping.

The innovative formulation of Styccobond F49 limits any movement and holds the floorcovering firmly in place. Importantly, the adhesive also delivers the instant grab associated with pressure sensitive adhesives, which, until now, hasn’t been available for temperature tolerant adhesives.

This makes the installation process quicker and easier.

J & S Flooring, of Leicester were subcontracted to install the 45m2 logoembossed flooring in the shopping park, to replace the existing damaged flooring. Firstly, the existing vinyl floor tiles were removed and Stopgap 1200 Pro smoothing underlayment was applied, to create a smooth subfloor. Stopgap 1200 is a low odour, fast setting, fast drying, two component smoothing underlayment suitable for preparing sound internal subfloors prior to the installation of new floorcoverings. It is particularly suitable for use over old adhesive residues (including bitumen and carpet tile tackifiers) and does not normally require the application of a primer.

Finally, to fit the luxury vinyl tiles, J & S Flooring used Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS vinyl adhesive.This new pressure sensitive adhesive offers instant over normal underfloor heating systems.

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

Education locations

Itec Contract Floors provides installers with a single source for all their education flooring needs, whether acoustic, decorative or safety flooring, or a combination of the three, is required for the job at hand.

Itec has long set the benchmark for versatility in its sheet vinyl portfolio, with collections such as Concept Woods and isafe becoming strong customer favourites across the UK. A string of successful installations in 2016 demonstrate the collections’ power of performance, with positive feedback often received from installer and end user alike.

Bristol’s Fusion House was a prime example of how Itec’s flexible offering can come to the aid of an education location, with the purpose-built student accommodation requiring a smart and practical choice underfoot. Silento Timber was specified to cover the site’s 457 bedrooms, this collection representing Itec acoustic flooring at its very best. Silento Timber provides excellent sound absorption - ideal to combat the threat of loud foot steps - and a series of designs that will retain their looks for time to come.

Itec’s flooring choice is equally adept at adding to school locations, GEMS Primary Academy, Twickenham, another of the site’s to benefit from the range’s far-reaching credentials. This time, a combination of acoustic and safety flooring was selected, providing sound reduction and slip resistance, and therefore a safe environment for students and staff to work in.

Adding to acoustic and safety flooring choice is Itec’s decorative sheet vinyl flooring range, Concept Woods a particular favourite that was installed at the Rykneld Community Centre, Derby. This site is run by an Enthusiasm charity that does great work for young people in the local area, and Itec were delighted to donate a beautiful oak décor to bring the site’s design in line with 2016. Concept Woods is sure to stand the test of time, its stunning oak looks arriving with a very heavy commercial wear rating and simple care and cleaning.

T 0800 032 3970 www.itecfloors.co.uk

Adhesive TLC in Aberdeen

High performance products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., were used to refurbish the flooring in the main entrance of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital in Scotland.

Stopgap P131 general purpose primer, Stopgap 300 HD smoothing underlayment and Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive were used to create a bright, welcoming environment in the 200m2 area.

The entrance floor previously featured ceramic tiles, which made it feel very cold and clinical and was considered unwelcoming and intimidating by many of the patients at the hospital. General & Technical Flooring were contracted to replace the flooring to create a more positive and child-friendly environment. Faced with an extremely tight turnaround time, the contractors first contacted their F. Ball representative for advice on the products that would help them to achieve an excellent finish in record time.

Stopgap P131 is a general purpose primer that has been designed to promote the adhesion of Stopgap smoothing underlayments and to prevent the unacceptably rapid drying of adhesives and smoothing underlayments.

When in use, the hospital entrance area is subjected to high levels of foot traffic, so contractors selected Stopgap 300 HD smoothing underlayment to ensure that the new floor could cope with the heavy demands placed upon it. Styccobond F44, a solvent free acrylic emulsion adhesive, was then used to adhere Forbo vinyl floorcoverings to the floor.

T 01583 361 633

30 February 2017

www.f-ball.co.uk

Carpet&FlooringReview

A thought provoking look at trends, issues and happenings in the industry with a subtle wool twist of course!

Wool Floor Show London Book your Free Tickets Now!

We are delighted to be hosting the second Wool Floor Show London at the Chelsea Football Club next month. We have all the leading names in the wool industry there and we are showing some stunning installations too, putting carpet under the spotlight again.

The beauty of Wool Floor Show London is that the manufacturers exhibiting are all focusing on the story of wool and its unique quality and you can see them on one floor, in one space over two days. From Alternative Flooring to Axminster Carpets, Brintons to Jacaranda, Kingsmead to Crucial Trading, Cormar to Ulster and many more. This makes it a great show to see all the people you need in one place. It’s very time efficient - being centrally situated in Chelsea, London and accessible by underground and also with parking on-site. Food and drink is also available within the exhibition hall and if you fancy a look at the football pitch - the doors will be open to allow visitors a view of the famous pitch from the terraces!

Seminars are focusing on interiors and design and of course, wool education - so please take time to check out the schedule if you are intending to visit.

In addition this year, we will have a new Wool Rug Gallery – which will feature entries from the Carpet & Rug Awards, bringing some real wow to the show.

WoolRetailer.com will be encouraging retailers to sign-up for the Take Five education programme too - which is completely free of charge. The tests are to encourage better understanding of the benefits of wool and to help retailers use them in-store.

This gives them industry accredited knowledge and access to other promotional materials through the dashboard. The unique website also provides retailers with their own page and log-in to the dashboard as well as allowing them to be located by postcode search by visiting consumers.Another benefit to retailers is that WoolRetailer.com is advertised in consumer interior publications and will be in the March issue of Homes & Antiques with the carpet supplement

Ultimately the aim of WoolRetailer.com is to bring together consumers and quality retailers. This will help to ensure that the knowledge that consumers find on-line is matched in-store by a Wool Specialist. So please take time to visit the WoolRetailer area on the British Wool and Campaign for Wool stand. when you visit the show.

Also, British Wool will promote their new campaign and will launch it at the show.

Supported by their usual point-of-sale materials and their expert knowledge The Wool Carpet & Rug Awards will be held there too - which will bring together some of the best wool carpet in the industry. Our judges are from some of the leading interiors publications so the eye for detail, style and quality is vital.

from The Stocklists

Introducing Wool Specialist… Jane Dyson of Coldbath Flooring, Harrogate

Every month, we are going to meet one of our Wool Specialist retailers from WoolRetailer.com. This month, we have chosen one of the Marks and Spencer’s voucher winners from our Draw at The Flooring Show in Harrogate 2016.

Coldbath Flooring is a very nice, independent flooring shop in Harrogate recently named the happiest place to live in the UK! They tell us that their customers usually come in to the shop with a ‘specific understanding of what they are looking for’. This of course means that the team just have to take them through the ranges to help them find the best carpet for them. Jane Dyson started at the business two years ago and had learned about wool from the owners but said that the Take Five Tests which she did online, had helped her to confirm the main benefits of choosing wool for carpet. Jane completed the five tests and is now an industry accredited Wool Specialist.

Jane said “The benefits of wool are incredibly important when talking to customers and particularly because most of them are looking for a durable, hardwearing carpet.” Wool is certainly the answer then!

Well done Jane - You are our February Wool Specialist and well done Coldbath Flooring too!

February 2017 31

Marketing insights Super soft carpets Technological advancements in synthetic yarns has created a new mainstream market sector in luxury carpets. Consumers love the sumptuous feeling underfoot, the peace of mind stain-resistant carpets and the greater choice now available.

Balta, Leonis Collection

With point-of-sale that roars and four exclusive super-soft styles that promise to take care of ‘prides’ across the country, Leonis is the latest collection portfolio from Balta Carpets.

Featuring StainSafe Sensit two-ply yarn for a carpet that is not only incredibly soft, but strong and easy to care for, bleach-cleanable Leonis gives families a carpet that comes ready to take on daily life.

“The rise in super-soft carpets has been extraordinary and due to their popularity it is clear that they should be a key feature in every store,” says Geert Vanden Bossche, Marketing Director, Balta Group. “However, most super-soft carpets have a weak link, in that they lack the reassurance of stain-resistance, but this is not so with Leonis. Benefiting from our StainSafe SENSIT fibre innovation, Leonis carpets are not only super-soft, but stain resistant too, making them a great alternative that homeowners are sure to love.”

The collection currently comprises four versatile styles, Sarafina, Simba, Sarabi, and Kesari, each available in on-trend colours and 4/5m width options. Each benefits from two-ply yarn for lasting resilience and carpets that are not only comfortable and stain-resistant, but strong too.

Cormar Carpets, Soft Focus - Starlight Grey David Cormack, Marketing Director of Cormar Carpets believes there’s been a noticeable trend for ‘soft feel’ carpets that has brought a new dimension to the market and shows no signs of waning.

Polypropylene qualities have improved significantly over the past few years which means Cormar can now achieve the tactile feel without compromising on practicality. He explains, “Our Sensation range, which was launched in 2012, went down a storm with retailers, exceeding our expectations and spawning sister ranges such as Sensation Heathers, Sensation Twist and Sensation Supreme.

“At The Flooring Show in Harrogate we added to the soft carpet mix with our super soft easy clean collection, Soft Focus. Manufactured from 100% Finesse polypropylene for a finer, softer look, it uses twofold yarn with increased filaments for the ultimate luxurious, silky feel.

“We’re proud to be an innovative British company and manufacture all our products at our two Lancashire mills. We also have our own fleet of 60 distribution vehicles to ensure a top-class delivery service to customers.”

“The rise in super-soft carpets has been extraordinary and due to their popularity it is clear that they should be a key feature in every store” 32 February 2017

Geert Vanden Bossche, Marketing Director, Balta Group

Carpet&FlooringReview

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

Kingsmead Carpets, Breathtaking - Ravine Kingsmead’s Breathtaking is a member of their clean easy portfolio.

This ground-breaking fibre has been engineered to create a soft carpet, which feels more luxurious whilst retaining all the practical living qualities of a standard polypropylene carpet. The range also includes a lifetime year stain warranty and, as with the other ranges, is made from 100% two ply Kingloc soft polypropylene.

However, it is the combination of a deep pile in a heavier twist pile weight which gives this carpet range a unique, distinctive, luxurious look and feel.

The X Concept continues to draw attention in 2017 with its amalgamation of premium carpet lines at Lano. A selection of X Concept carpets are produced using Lano’s renowned SmartStrand fibre, Beauty, Bella Donna and Freedom just some of the collections that benefit from the impressive performance that SmartStrand can bring.

Derived from corn to enhance its environmental credentials, other benefits also include added stain resistance and a longer lifespan. No other carpet portfolio can boast a 25-year wear warranty, be bleach cleanable and deliver such a super soft touch as Smartstrand from Lano.

Birger Karlsson, Sales Director UK & Ireland, explains: “Caressing and luxurious, SmartStrand is one of our headline fibre choices and with good reason. A silky softness and shiny lustre can be introduced in a range of domestic and commercial locations, an effect that is reinforced by the high

Victoria Carpets, Lasting Luxury

density of filaments in every yarn. Homeowners should be encouraged to explore the SmartStrand carpets found within X Concept if they are seeking softness that doesn’t compromise in other areas.”

Lano’s X Concept also holds beautiful options in bamboo, wool and polyamide fibres, ensuring its position as an all-encompassing high performance carpet stable is safeguarded.

First Impressions by Victoria Carpets is a classic harmony of a soft touch carpet combined with excellent performance characteristics.

First Impressions is a 100% polypropylene carpet where the subtle shades and de-lustred fibre give an instant look of refinement. Despite its soft and luxurious handle, First Impressions is a heavy weight carpet packing in 63oz/yd2 by using an extremely high stitch rate on a tenth gauge tufting machine. By packing the fibre so tightly, Victoria is able to make the pile height relatively short so that the product has exceptional resilience to go with the undoubted aesthetic beauty.

The latest launch from Victoria Carpets is Lasting Luxury, made with 100% solution dyed nylon, the range boasts 12 superb shades and is available in both 65 and 95oz qualities. Lasting Luxury not only has a soft handle but as it is solution dyed so can also be cleaned with bleach and has the resilience of nylon as an added extra. The 65oz carpet is available in 4 & 5 metre widths and the 95oz is 4 metre wide only. Quite simply it is the carpet with everything: softness, cleanability and guaranteed performance – luxury that lasts.

For more information contact:

Balta T: +32 56 62 22 11 www.baltagroup.com Cormar Carpets T: 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk Kingsmead Carpets T: 01827 831424 www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk Lano T: 0800 5266 5266 www.lano.com Victoria Carpets T: 01562 749300 www.victoriacarpets.com

Lano, Beauty - Papermoon from The Stocklists

Join the online community on:

facebook.com twitter.com

pinterest.com instagram.com

youtube.com houzz.com February 2017 33

Join us at Wool Floor Show London At Chelsea Football Club Stamford Bridge 15th and 16th March 2017 10.00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5.00pm

Design.

Commercial.

Retail.

FREE ADMISSION

Launch of New CPD

Launch of New British Wool Campaign

Awards 2017

BE PART OF THE WOOL CLUB… A NEW GENERATION OF WOOL RETAILERS

2017

This exciting award winning event for wool flooring provides a retail trade, design and contract showcase in central London. Supported by some of the wool carpet industry’s most respected manufacturer brands, it will host trade stands and inspirational design and trend showcases as well as new promotional and educational programmes to support the carpet and flooring sector.

Put it on your diary now and make this the ‘Must See’ event for your business!

ADAM ALTERNATIVE FLOORING AXMINSTER BALL & YOUNG B.I.C CARPETS BRINTONS BROCKWAY BRONTE CAVALIER CHROMATONE CORMAR C R U C I A L T R AD ING F L O C K - L I V I N G JAC A R A N DA K I N G SMEAD ROGER OAT E S S E B O U L ST E R V I C TO R I A W E ST E X WO O LSAFE

www.woolfloorshow.co.uk wfsl@campaignforwool.org #WoolFSL britishwool.org.uk #britishwool

campaignforwool.org #choosewool

NEWS

High hopes for Harrogate

The Flooring Show 2017, the UK’s largest, trade only exhibition, will be back at the Harrogate International Centre from Sunday 17th – Tuesday 19th September, and visitor Registration and the Exhibitor List are now live.

By taking two minutes to register online, you’ll save yourself time on the day, giving you longer to enjoy the fantastic show features that will be returning once again.

The Demo Zones, Trends Hub, Seminar Theatre, Wool Trends Centre and Carpet Fitter of The Year are free to all visitors and exhibitors, offering trade insights, advice and support.

“Along with our Show Features confirmed to return, we’ve had over 125 brands signed up to exhibit already!” says organiser Wendy Adams. “With trade only visitors attending The Flooring Show from all over the world, and being the UK’s largest trade only Flooring Show, can you really afford to miss it?”

There’s still plenty of time for you to register to attend online, and if you’d like to exhibit alongside leading brands, please email Suzy at suzy@theflooringshow.com www.theflooringshow.com

Vac attack on EU regs

Among the countless thousands of pieces of EU legislation that will need to be reconsidered following the UK's vote for Brexit, the energy efficiency and performance labelling of the vacuum cleaner may seem of little consequence. In reality, the sooner these regulations are amended or scrapped the better it will be for customers who have been left confused and frustrated ever since their introduction in 2014, says Justin Binks, Director of SEBO UK.

Pictured is Justin Binks, Director of SEBO UK.

While the key purposes of the label is to signal energy efficiency, manufacturers are also required to score their vacuum cleaners from A-G on key performance characteristics: dirt pick up from carpets; dirt pick up from hard floors with crevices; dust emissions based on the efficiency of the filtration system; and noise levels in decibels. Ease of use is not part of the tests but, due to the nature of the test, generally the better the pick-up, the harder the vacuum cleaner is to push.

“Unfortunately, the present labelling regulations bear very little relationship to the use of vacuum cleaners in the real word and do not help when comparing how well one machine cleans compared to another.,” says Justin. “This is especially true when comparing uprights with cylinders, as they work in different ways but are subjected to a “one size fits all' test. Naturally anyone purchasing a vacuum cleaner is likely to opt for an A rated model yet there is no guarantee that this will work the way a customer expects and may not be very effective in picking up dirt, as the floor it is used on may not correspond to the test floor. Ironically it might, in fact, be turned on for longer as it will be passed repeatedly over the same area of floor in an attempt to get it clean, consequently using more energy.”

Under the current regulations, it is very hard for manufacturers to produce a vacuum cleaner that both performs well in the real world and achieves good ratings. A post Brexit world leaves the government with the opportunity to kill the flawed EU label, says SEBO. This does not mean the idea of an energy label should be abandoned - far from it. A well-conceived energy label which is based on sensible testing on various types of hard floor and carpet, and which is not skewed towards continental-style models, must be a good thing.

T 01494 465 533 www.sebo.co.uk

Free energy a step closer

Creating energy from footfall is taking a step closer with the development of wood flooring that incorporates technology to generic electricity. The flooring may be no more expensive that conventional wood flooring say researchers.

The field of ‘kinetic’ energy generation from footsteps is dominated by UK tech company Pavegen who already have installations around the world including London’s Oxford Street and Heathrow airport using paving slabs mounted on electro-magnetic supports - but this is heavy outdoor engineering.

Now scientists at the Univesity of Wisconsin-Madison has come up with a completely new technology which can be applied to domestic flooring. Electricity is generated through cellulose nanofibers less than a millimeter thick, which are embedded into wooden flooring. Some of these nanofibers are chemically treated, and when they're brought into close contact with the untreated nanofibers through vibrations caused by footsteps on the surface of the material, they produce an electric charge.

This can then be harvested to power lighting, charge batteries, or for other household needs, and the system's energy output could be increased by building in several layers.

The nanofibers are relatively low-cost, and since they're embedded in the same wood pulp used in ordinary engineered wood flooring, the team believes the technology would be priced around the price of a regular floor and could also be applied to other types of flooring.

"Our initial test in our lab shows that it works for millions of cycles without any problem," says the university’s lead researcher Xudong Wang. "We haven't converted those numbers into years of life for a floor yet, but I think with appropriate design it can definitely outlast the floor itself."

36 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

DOMOTEX Hannover 2017 Review •

Higher prices for better products?

Hannover hints at a shift in the industry’s approach to challenging markets

MARKET COMMENTARY 2017

“This is not a time to sit on your hands and wonder what is going to happen!”

Domotex opened in the shadow of Brexit for UK importers but accepting that the only certainty was uncertainty for now, flooring companies are focusing on what they do know… how to innovate and develop products that will secure the best market share for their business, and maybe generate better margins.

“It is going to be a challenging few years ahead,” said Geert Vanden Bossche of Balta, one of Europe’s biggest flooring importers into the UK. “This year British consumers will start to feel that prices all around are going up while their wages are not. This could squeeze spending on interiors. The messages are mixed so meanwhile the stronger players that can, need to keep on investing and we have a very ambitious programme of launches,” he said.

Speaking in Hannover, Cormar’s David Cormack agrees: “This is the time when investment pays off – in both products that motivate consumers to spend, and on systems that ensure retailers can deliver the best possible service. This is not a time to sit on your hands and wonder what is going to happen.”

Many in the market perceive that the increased prices that are being forced on the sector by the weak pound and likely increases in inflation may have a positive impact. One European industry commentator said: “Consumers are not as price sensitive as you think. If they have money to spend, they want the right product first and a good price second. It is retailers who are pathologically price sensitive in case they lose a sale – now there’s an opportunity to increase margins as well as prices.”

This sentiment echoes a comment from Victoria chairman Geoff Wilding before Christmas: “Consumers have little awareness of what a carpet ‘should’ cost. It is for that reason that the price at which we can sell product is governed more by the price point of our competitors than consumer expectations.”

The consensus is that flooring companies need to be in the best possible position now to weather the storm and seek best advantage from the business that is available. Some of the major players in European flooring are flexing their financial strength to secure that position.

Innovation versus uncertainty

Some substantial product innovations that could be game changers were rolled out at Domotex with this agenda in mind by some of the biggest in the business.

Associated Weavers followed up their huge success with iSense polyamide and Invictus polypropylene in the soft sector with a new solution-dyed nylon brand Vivendi that will seek to take over from 80/20 as the top carpet for everywhere in the home.

A strong trend towards better quality polypropylene is evident everywhere. “Not as cheap as possible but as good as possible,” says David Cormack about Cormar’s new Highland Saxony. Johnny Peeters at H&V Carpets agrees: “It’s all about better engineering and getting more fibre into the carpet to ensure we are selling on performance, without any comeback.”

Wool meanwhile is moving increasingly upmarket to enjoy a position that is maybe a little less mainstream but potentially more profitable for manufacturers and retailers. Innovative design with a faster response aligned to interior trends is adding increasing value to this sector.

Rigid LVT is emerging as a new future for resilient flooring, scoring a series of benefits over conventional products, and the momentum of this development is likely to gain pace rapidly in 2017.

Direct digital printing to laminate flooring associated with the latest waterproofing technology that even makes laminate bathroom friendly has improved appearance and performance and again it’s the big guys like Unilin that can make this innovation pay off.

So while we may be unsure about the challenges that lie ahead, much of the industry is ready to rise to them – and maybe the approach of encouraging consumers to pay more for products that are actually better is a healthy way forward for us all! from The Stocklists

Follow the trends in our Domotex reports 2017

This month: Commentary, first reports and reviews pages 38 to 44.

Next month: Full trends report and more reviews!

February 2017 37

DOMOTEX 2017 review

Real life at the heart of wool British Wool

The natural life which is at the very heart of British Wool was on show at Domotex with an invitation for visitors to see for themselves using a test bench that was set up on the stand.

Two cylinders of wool with a weighted plunger for each demonstrate the difference with the 100% British Wool on the left resisting crushing much more effectively than the mixed wool blend on the right. The bounce-back of the 100% wool was also clear to see as soon as the plungers were removed.

“This is a simple demonstration of the all-important performance characteristics that wool has to offer,” says Haldi Kranich-Wood of the British Wool Marketing Board. “And as soon as you touch it, you can feel the difference. It has real life, with strength and bulk.”

“For a better demonstration you only have to go to the spinners and there the people who open the bales that come in will tell you that you have to stand well back when a bale of pure British Wool springs open,” she added.

The demonstration ties in with the increasing importance of the Wool Board’s Premium Label Partnership scheme. The Blue and Gold labels denote a minimum content of 50% and 70% British Wool respectively in the wool content of a product with the Platinum label confirming 100% British Wool in that content.

Manufacturers have to undergo a certification programme along with the spinners to qualify for a Label.

The British Wool stand was part of a major initiative by the UK Department for International Trade to provide a platform for British manufacturers to boost exports and to find new overseas partners for their business.

Meanwhile, the British Wool Marketing Board is gearing up for its own showcase event in Chelsea next month, at the heart of London’s interior design quarter.

The Wool Floor Show London opens on March 15 and 16 at the Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge, and is open to the retail trade, designers, architects and specifiers.

“And as soon as you touch it, you can feel the difference. It has real life, with strength and bulk.”

Haldi Kranich-Wood, British Wool Marketing Board (pictured above)

More than 20 companies will showcase their inspiration and innovation in leading the latest in UK floorcovering design.

T 01274 688666 38 February 2017

www.britishwool.org.uk

Carpet&FlooringReview

Benefit goes large! Beaulieu

It befits one of the world’s biggest flooring companies to go large – extra large! – to give consumers even more of a good thing.

In LVT and cushion vinyl floor collections, the designers are reflecting trends towards larger formats that make a stronger statement. “We are a big company with big ideas,” says Emmanuel Lioen. “And our customers get the benefit.”

There was certainly no shortage of Ideas and innovation in Beaulieu’s presentation in Hannover with the company introducing 2,500 new options across its portfolio at the event.

The XXL label has been attached to the BerryAlloc vinyl planks and tiles with the high performance Pure floors having a plank size up to 1.84m and 61cm square tiles alongside the traditional sizes.

But size isn’t everything! Pure vinyl floors are known for the comfort of their warm touch. They also guarantee extreme sound absorbtion – more than 50% more silent than many other vinyl floors – and are 100% waterproof.

BerryAlloc’s 4-sided DreamClick system offers one of the fastest, most stable lock systems in the LVT sector and both this and the glue-down options generally need no sub-floor preparation.

XXL is also an option in cushion vinyl floor. “This is a growing sector for us,” says Emmanuel,” and we have invested in the technology that can offer more creative options than anyone else in the market.”

“We have invested in the technology that can offer more creative options than anyone else in the market.”

Another Beaulieu big idea builds on its impressive offering in artificial grass under the Oryzon and Turfgrass brands. Responding to the current interior trends to bring the outdoors inside, Oryzon’s latest Xtinguish technology offers a superbly realistic lawn that can be laid indoors with the security of a European Bfl-S1 fire rating.

So when they say XXL they mean it! For example, Beauflor’s Skyline collection offers Giant Oak, it represents planks of 2m x 22cm and the Coney Island tile ranges is 1.2m x 60cm!

Across the cushion vinyl portfolio, Beauflor has been busy updating many of the classic collections including Impresa and Elegance and extending the highly popular Victorian tiles concept which was launched last year.

Among the new ranges launched in cushion vinyl at the show were Pietro, a 5m range with zinc and driftwood decors, Elegance and Turbo featuring beautiful new colours.

T 0032 5667 4828 www.beaulieuflooringsolutions.com

from The Stocklists

February 2017 39

DOMOTEX 2017 review Balterio builds on the best of both worlds A fusion of technologies delivered a first for laminate specialists Balterio with the launch of Grande, a water-repellent, digitally printed board where performance and appearance combine in a market leading initiative.

Balterio has been investing heavily in recent years in state-of-the-art digital printing for laminates and were able to show the incredible authenticity of this approach in their product launches last year at the Hannover event including the highly impressive Magnitude collection.

Since then, the Balterio business was acquired by the leading international flooring organisation Unilin – best known for its Quick-Step and Pergo brands in the UK – and it is the technology from the new parent that has added water repellence to the performance.

“This has been a very happy marriage for Balterio,” says marketing manager Franky Terrijn. “Adding extra performance to the market-leading design quality we already had makes Grande a very significant development in the laminates market.”

This digital printing technology moves away from the convention of printing to a paper layer which is then pressed onto the HDF board. Balterio’s advanced high definition inkjet printing goes directly onto the board.

“Adding extra performance to the market-leading design quality we already had makes Grande a very significant development in the laminates market.”

This has many performance advantages but also means pattern repeats can be extended – you can lay a 10m2 floor of the new Grande without any plank the same – and of course, digital means customization so the company can respond quickly to specialised custom contract requirements in both colour and design.

The collection also features Balterio’s first long plank at 2.05m and there are two widths at 16.7 and 24cm giving the opportunity for designs that combine both for extra interest and authenticity. The collection is offered in eight colours.

Protecting all this design is then Unilin’s HydroShield technology which makes the board’s highly water repellent for at least an hour meaning that Grande can reliably be specified even for bathrooms.

The Grande range has a urethane laquer layer which gives the laminate the fashionable matt appearance along with a soft, warm feel.

“We have had some really positive reactions at the show to this new product which has so many benefits,” says Franky. “This is a great start to 2017!”

T +32 (0)56 62 80 81

www.balterio.com Franky Terrjn

“We have had some really positive reactions at the show to this new product which has so many benefits” Franky Terrjn , Balterio

40 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

AW does it again – and now its nylon!

Associated Weavers There is no stopping the momentum of Associated Weavers to redefine the mainstream of the UK carpet market. The major launch of the new Vivendi brand at Domotex is another ‘agenda-setter’ for the sector.

A tenth-gauge solution-dyed nylon fibre which AW is calling iVivo combined with Fusionbac backing delivers a carpet range designed for anywhere in the home. This is a move that treads hard on the toes of the industry’s staple 80/20 market with a synthetic product at a comparable price to the wool competitors.

“We have given this product everything,” says Steve Elliott at AW, “and it’s aimed at those people who have stopped buying wool but want more performance than polypropylene.”

Colour fast, bleach cleanable and with a wear guarantee of 25 years, the credentials looks impressive, but apart from performance, AW also says modern buyers are looking for carpets that are brighter than wool and nylon offers that opportunity.

The Vivendi branding comes with the strapline “cool carpet for happy people” and the demographic AW is looking for here are the 30-something plus families who have gotten beyond setting up first homes and are looking for something better.

And there’s a key strategic issue for AW and retailers alike in this launch…

The company that has led the soft revolution, firstly with their iSense polyamide fibre in 2015 that was followed up so successfully last year with the highly engineered Invictus polypropylene ranges, is keen that carpet doesn’t lose out downstairs.

“Soft has been incredibly successful but a lot of that market is upstairs where cuts are smaller and floors are renewed less often,” explains Steve.

Slightly sparkling Centaurus

“We have given this product everything, and it’s aimed at those people who have stopped buying wool but want more performance than polypropylene.”

“The carpet that goes throughout the house was wool - but inexpensive synthetics and hard floors have eroded some of that value for retailers. Vivendi brings that right back with a top quality product that’s worth its price and which retailers and consumers can rely on to work well anywhere in the home.”

Viviendi is available only to retailers and launched in two ranges with a 65oz Aura and the lighter weight Vibes – both in 14 colours. There are likely to be five ranges in Vivendi by the end of the year.

Alongside this major introduction, AW’s relentless product development on iSense and Invictus is unabated with new ranges including the new Magnificus to be launched in March and described as the “softest saxony on the market”; eight new colours added to the Invictus best sellers Sirius and Orion and a new slightly blingy Centaurus (left) which has a sparkle so subtle you could use in it your lounge.

Finally, remember when AW was all about printing carpet? You’ll need a good memory that goes back 15 years or more – but they’re at it again! Look out for the launch of Harlequin (right) which shows that what goes around, may just come around!

T 01422 431100 www.associatedweavers.net

from The Stocklists

February 2017 41

DOMOTEX 2017 review

Mike Packwood

Tapibel shows its metal!

Tapibel has shown it’s mettle in Metal-X – a stunning new launch that has raised the bar in commercial flooring with designs that defy convention, achieved through unique technologies.

Tapibel set a new standard for design and flexibility when it introduced its first product portfolios from the new Myriad tufting machine at Domotex last year.

At the heart of this new approach is the remarkable individual pile delivery technology across a full 4-metre width that is allowed by the Cobble Vandewiele Myriad machine that Tapibel commissioned at its factory in Belgium in March 2016.

The approach eliminates pattern repeat, delivers amazing pile control and definition and lets designers do things previously impractical in this sector.

After the success of last year’s introductory ranges which are marketed under the Incati brand name, Tapibel are pushing the parameters further and the latest Metal-X ranges in the new Myrage collection demonstrate the potential.

Metal-X uses low-lustre yarn at the top of a multi-level construction and high lustre yarn at the bottom in fashionable silver greys to give a 3D holographic effect across seven designs and five colours.

“The response has been sensational at the show,” says UK sales manager Mile Packwood. “This style is at the forefront of contemporary design. It’s very different and it’s very modern and above all it demonstrates the flexibility we now have to create uniquely sophisticated designs.”

The final attribute of Incati is its impeccable environmental credentials. Tapibel don’t just talk about recycling, they talk about ‘re-generation’. The company has now announced that all the Myriad collection will be made from Econyl BCF yarn, a 100% regenerated and regeneratable fibre made from nylon 6 waste.

A complex depolymerisation process is carried out on waste materials including clothing, fishing nets, plastic components and old nylon carpets to recover the raw constituents of nylon 6 and re-make the fibre.

“This style is at the forefront of contemporary design. It’s very different and it’s very modern - and above all it demonstrates the flexibility we now have to create uniquely sosphisticated designs” Mile Packwood, UK Sales Manager, Tapibel

The Incati ranges are marketed in the UK through contract specialists Marlings and are available in tile and broadloom.

Tapibel have promised many more developments from the Myriad possibilities that their unique technologies now offer.

T 01623 4812220 42 February 2017

www.tapibel.be

Carpet&FlooringReview

High performance credentials F Ball

Richard Harris F Ball’s unique Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS adhesive took centre stage on the company’s smart new stand in Hannover, introducing its high performance credentials to the European market.

The adhesive’s unique ability to perform effectively in a temperature range from – 20ºC to +60ºC makes it ideal for heavily glazed areas such as lobbies and conservatories.

The water-based F49 formulation offers instant initial grab combined with pressure sensitive characteristics and ultra-high bond strength ensuring that it firmly holds vinyl sheets and tiles in place across a huge range of temperature fluctuation. “A product like F49 demonstrates this company’s continuing commitment to innovation and our ability to find reliable solutions to some of the indusry’s most challenging installation issues,” says F Ball’s Richard Harris.

F Ball’s credentials are expressed most eloquently in their Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG) which was launched in time for Domotex.

Available online and as an app, the Guide features over 6,000 up-to-date adhesive recommendations for different floorcoverings, endorsed by 200 leading international manufacturers.

T 01538 361633 www.f-ball.co.uk

Happy new year for heathers Cavalier Carpets

Pennine Heathers is a favourite among UK retailers and Cavalier Carpets has been keen to build on its strength, showing some significant developments to visitors at Domotex.

Cavalier has added to the colour range to make a collection of 17 including the latest fashionable greys and now there are three weights – a 40oz and 60oz joining the established 50oz carpet – and all in 4 and 5m.

“There are a lot of options in Pennine Heathers now,” says Cavalier’s Hans Lowe. “Because we’ve made this as a heathers-only range, we can price it a little more competitively than a collection of mixed with plains so this is a very popular product with retailers.”

Hans Lowe in Hannover

Herringbone

A key launch at Domotex was Cosmopolitan, a pin sharp 80/20 twist with British wool with lots of options in 24 colours across three weights.

The company has also added more colours to Cartouche, its flagship luxury velvet range which now offers 20 shades and options in two weights and 4 and 5m widths.

Domotex is a key opportunity for Cavalier to grow its export business and some of the latest 80/20 contract ranges made a big impact including Pinstripe and Herringbone (which carpeted the stand). Cavalier has one of Europe’s most extensive custom tufting facilities for cut pile, loop and multi gauge carpets up to 5 metres.

T 01254 268 000

from The Stocklists

Pennine Heathers

www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk February 2017 43

DOMOTEX 2017 review Expect the unexpected!

Ball & Young

Underlay experts Ball & Young are expecting an interesting year in 2017 with a high octane product development plan that will see several new products introduced during the next few months The company used the thousands of visitors who flock to Domotex as a focus group to refine the programme before launch so they are still playing their cards close to their chest. “Expect a few suprises – and some savvy new ideas,” says Ann Shaw, who can generally be relied upon for both!

Meanwhile, the company was revealing its new sample folders to help retailers discuss the extensive collection of Ball & Young’s award-winning quality underlays with consumers.

T 01536 200502

www.underlay.com

Full of Admiration Millennium Weavers

Millennium Weavers have developed an impressive portfolio since their arrival on the UK scene five years ago and 14 ranges were on show at Domotex, many of which were developed from prototypes that were first seen in Harrogate.

“We like to listen to what retailers want and develop our product portfolio intelligently, based on that feedback,” says new National Sales Manager Andrew Holden (pictured).

The latest development is Admiration – a break into polyester for Millennium Weavers which will launch in the Spring in 12 colours and two weights. “We have become known as a quality manufacturer in the synthetic sector and this product will build on that reputation,” says Andrew.

T +32 55 50 90 50

www.millenniumweavers.eu

Perfect price and performance Carpenter

Perfect Living is a new range of PU domestic underlays which made their debut at Domotex for Carpenter, filling a niche for a competitively priced underlay with greater performance.

The 100kg density products have top and bottom non-woven layers to give it extra stability and they have been launched in three thicknesses – 8mm, 9mm and 10mm.

Also on show was a smart set of trade counter sample books in a vibrant display box to help distributors show the different performance charateristics of Carpenter’s ever growing range and also to raise the company’s profile with installers.

T 01457 861141

44 February 2017

www.carpenterconsumer.co.uk

Carpet&FlooringReview

Ultimate LVT innovation Adore

Adore Floors has a history of making history with innovations in LVT but they came to Domotex with game-changing technology that is likely to make an even more substantial impact in the industry in the years ahead.

Rigid Core LVT is constructed on a single homogenous layer of virgin PVC and bamboo composite, avoiding the sandwich and adhesive construction that can reduce the performance of conventional products. The result is a product with unprecedented strength and dimensional stability that is highly resistant to impact, guaranteed to be waterproof and comes with a lifetime residential wear guarantee.

“The story has only just begun on the next generation of LVT,” says Adore’s Paul Brady (pictured left). “Rigid core is the ultimate LVT technology with incredible performance at pricing comparable to conventional products – and it’s twice as quick to fit.”

The Stocklists will feature more on this technology in forthcoming issues. www.uk.adorefloors.com

Eclectic excellence Zollanvari Zollanvari’s creativity has been recognised by the discerning judges at Domotex before and in 2016 the continuing eclecticism of the company’s products was recognised when ‘Glow’ from the Kundan Silk Collection, winner of Best Innovation and Best Liked by Domotex Visitors, was further awarded a Special Mention at the German Design Awards.

Visitors this year were able to view the full extraordinary range of Zollanvari creations – from the tribal, classical and modern designs from southern Persia to the glamorous contemporary and traditional designs of the Kundan Silk Collections made in India.

New design developments for Domotex 2017 included the Graffiti line from Gabbehs Abstract & Plain (pictured above left) which takes inspiration from ancient Gabbehs - pile rugs traditionally used as bedding characterised by an abstract design that rely on playful geometry.

Kyoto is also from the same collection (pictured right) which looks east to Japan and pushes the limits of contemporary carpet design weaving in Iran.

The inspiration for this collection stems from the finest contemporary Japanese textiles, principally used for garments, with intricate bold designs in sophisticated colour combinations and complex ikat-like patterns.

“These have been some of the most challenging designs we have presented to our nomadic weavers to execute and the results are spectacular,” says Zollanvari. The full collection will be presented in Spring 2017.

T +41 (0)44 493 28 29

www.zollanvari.com

More reviews next month plus our trend report from the show

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from The Stocklists

February 2017 45

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February 2017 47

Flower on Flooring Finding strength in numbers Flooring retailers have a number of buying groups from which to choose that, in addition to allowing them to enjoy improved purchasing options, can offer a number of additional valuable benefits.

Flooring One is the specialist carpet and floorcoverings division of Associated Independent Stores (AIS), which is the largest independent non-food buying group of its kind in the UK and Ireland.

It states that its aim is to support independent retailers and work in partnership with preferred suppliers. A comprehensive compendium of business support is offered, designed to allow members to grow their businesses and improve profitability, while remaining independent but gaining multiple benefits.

Members can improve their profitability through better buying terms, exclusive ranges, promotional prices and rebates. A comprehensive range plan and buyer guide are available via Membersnet, the 24 hour communication hub for all members.

Initiatives for 2017 include a new look Flooring One consumer website and a new bespoke ticketing system.

Greendale Carpet & Floorings warehouse

Greendale Carpet & Floorings is a member-owned cooperative which supplies carpets for its members on a nonprofit basis through its unique stockholding warehouse with 2,000 rolls in stock. Bulk buying of rolls means low prices to members.

With over 50 suppliers and more than 140 own-labelled carpet ranges all renamed to colour level and competitively priced, these include brand leaders, exclusive ranges and special offers, all ordered via its office and support facilities at Hereford.

Relabelling enables members to compete with all other suppliers and also provides local exclusivity. The group discourages internet marketing as the member in their local area is the priority.

All Greendale members belong to BIRA, the association for independent retailers, qualifying for benefits including preferential credit card rates. The group has its own website with information for members and consumers.

Greendale also runs a successful show for members to meet suppliers and states there are exclusive areas of the UK available for new members.

Flooring One hosts the Buying Group’s National Flooring Show in Solihull

Associated Carpet Group (ACG) states that its aim is to improve profitability whilst respecting the independence of its members. Formed in 1985 with 32 founder members, it has enjoyed rapid growth to include over 280 independent retailers nationwide.

Members supporting the main industry suppliers and preferred ACG suppliers are guaranteed additional margin through: preferential nett prices; direct % rebate payments from suppliers; seasonal promotions; and display subsidies.

ACG also invests in exclusive group label ranges, offering even better saving and increased protection from both Internet and home sellers. Members can receive best selling ranges exclusively rebranded and displayed on professional, class-leading point of sale at significantly reduced prices.

By working with a dedicated creative agency, ACG supports members with professional marketing in the form of bespoke websites, business rebranding, press advertising, bespoke carpet labels/tickets and in store point of sale.

48 February 2017

“Bulk buying of rolls means low prices to members. With over 50 suppliers and more than 140 own-labelled carpet ranges...”

SMG says it guarantees members will retain their complete independence and control over their businesses and states: "SMG is the group you join when you don’t want to be part of a group!"

Retailers with existing direct accounts will benefit from SMG pricing, rebates and promotions and it guarantees access to all approved suppliers' products through its head office purchasing system, SMG Orderlink. Members can therefore sell the products their customers really want with a buying price that is cheaper than the wholesale alternative.

SMG further states it can offer special deals on credit cards, energy pricing, commercial vehicles and a free business support helpline.

With over 380 UK branches, SMG says members expect it to keep pace with the changes in the industry and retail in general.

Close working partnerships with the leading manufacturers and suppliers has enabled it to "raise the bar" in member benefit delivery year after year, it concludes.

Carpet&FlooringReview

by Dennis Flower

introducing

graphite

carpet underlay

Metro offers bespoke marketing support

Metro states it is more than just a buying group helping independent retailers buy at the most competitive prices, with many members citing the ability to have own labelling as a major benefit. Members have access to a host of advertising, displays and signage that not only promote Carpet 1st - Metro’s own brand label - but also the independence of the retailer.

Few independents are exactly the same, which is why the group offers a full, bespoke marketing service created to give members assistance with whatever they are looking to achieve internally or externally - regardless of size.

As Metro has a fully equipped marketing vehicle, it is able to print and manufacture off- and on-site so project size and complexity is not an issue. Advice, labour and the time of the marketing team is completely free and the group confirms the service is just one of the many benefits of Metro Group membership.

Bond Retail Marketing (BRM) states that it prides itself on its history, experience and agility to navigate and keep pace with the ever-changing flooring marketplace.

It offers a bespoke service tailored to each retailers' individual needs, allowing them to focus on the running of their business.

Store design is one of its fortes, making sure members create the right environment for today’s discerning consumers.

BRM's Buying Function has many years of experience negotiating with all types of UK suppliers/manufacturers across all flooring product groups. Corporate image, de-branding and profit engineering are all attributes developed with individual retailers to create successful and profitable business models that will stand the test of time.

Marketing expertise is also available both in store and online via www.beautifulflooring.co.uk where consumers are directed to the BRM national retailer network.

When what you really really want is a strong selling good all-round domestic underlay which delivers a healthy margin Graphite is the way to go!.

Graphite is a fine, robust, utility underlay representing superb value for money and which is already a firm favourite with many Retailers and Distributors throughout UK and Ireland.

FULLY RECYCLABLE SIMPLE, QUICK AND EASY TO LAY DESIGNED FOR GENERAL DOMESTIC USE EXCELLENT SOUND REDUCTION PERFORMANCE LIGHTWEIGHT ROLLS EXCEED H&S EXPECTATIONS IDEAL FOR USE WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS

Graphite is part of the Novostrat range of polyethylene foam based underlays for wood, laminate and carpeted floors.

Underlays for every application - from the highest performance to utility – and to suit every budget.

For more information:

ACG BRM Flooring One Greendale Metro - Carpet 1st from The Stocklists

T 01942 825520 T 01892 549050 T 0121 683 1426 T 01432 852000 T 01204 393 539

www.acgcarpets.com www.beautifulflooring.co.uk www.flooringone.co.uk www.greendalecarpets.co.uk www.carpet1st.co.uk

tel: 00353 61-339287 www.novostrat.com info@novostrat.com February 2017 49

NEWS

Carpetright battles for growth

Condor acquires Timzo

In a further sign of consolidation in the European flooring industry, Belgian major Condor have announced the aquistion of Dutch tufter Timzo.

According to Condor’s announcment, Timzo’s Timmerman family owners sought to resolve succession issues and decided to look for a company that would be able to guarantee the company’s continuity and further expansion and identified the Condor Group.

Condor commented: “With this acquisition, the Condor Group will have the opportunity to add new activities (Extrusion and Airentangling) to the concern while simultaneously being able to expand our production capacity for the activities Tuft and Coating.

“After the acquisition, Timzo will continue to operate as an independent business unit within the Condor group and will remain to be managed by the current management. Timzo will continue to focus on the production and sales of polypropylene loop-pile floor coverings.

“Both parties are confident that this acquisition will only have positive (synergy) effects without any adverse consequences for the employees of both parties.”

It is expected that the acquisition will be finalized by the end of the Q1 2017.

Timzo has a hi-tech factory in Genemuiden in The Netherlands which has 11 state-of-the-art tufting machines. www.condor-group.eu www.timzo.nl

UK flooring retailer Carpetright has reported a slide in first-half profits in 2016 after sales fell due to “challenging” trading conditions and an “increasingly competitive market”.

But pre-Christmas trading was strong and the group is pushing ahead with the re-vamp of store formats after the project showed double-digit growth in some of the new stores.

Carpetright warned in June last year that its already difficult outlook had been “further complicated” by the Brexit vote, as well as the rise of independent rivals - and it reiterated this message in its latest announcement.

Wilf Walsh, chief executive, said: “The full impact of the UK decision to leave the EU remains unclear; consumer demand remains uneven; the market is extremely competitive and the impact of currency movements have combined to give us substantial trading headwinds.”

Carpetright said revenues in the 26 weeks to October 29 slipped 3.8 per cent to £222.3m, while pre-tax profit fell 42 per cent from £7.1m a year earlier to £4.1m. In the UK, like-for-like revenues declined 2.9 per cent compared with a gain of 3.7 per cent in the same period in 2015.

The group also pointed to the “adverse impact of the fall in sterling to euro exchange rate” which had increased costs on imported goods for resale. However, Carpetright said that it had made a “promising start to the second half,” with like-for-like sales in the six weeks to December 10 rising 2.6 per cent in the UK and 5.9 per cent in the rest of Europe.

Mr Walsh said that in response to the decline in sales, the company would accelerate its store refurbishment programme. The group has 49 stores operating under its new format and said it aimed to increase this to 150 by the end of the year - 50 per cent more than the initial target.

Carpetright also said it would expand its exclusive ranges and continue its focus on hard flooring, having recorded strong sales growth in the category.

Sad loss of David Hume

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Hume.

After nearly 30 years in the flooring industry, Dave retired at the end of March. Dave started at Gripperrods in 1987 before joining Stikatak in 1997 and then in 2008 joined the Interfloor team when Stikatak was acquired.

In that time Dave proved to be a great asset to Interfloor for his knowledge of flooring accessories and his skill in working with major accounts such as B&Q. A keen golfer, Dave loved the outdoors and was never far from a golf course.

He will be missed by all at Interfloor and leaves behind his wife Sue, sons Paul and Andy, and four grandchildren.

50 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

Hazy Days A stylish range of 30 luxury wool carpets hand made to order in Axminster

Designed and Made in Britain

For more information call: 01297 32244 Residential: sales@axminster-carpets.co.uk Commercial: custom@axminster-carpets.co.uk

www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

of

“We’re all packed up and ready to go”

“Time for me to do my magic and fit these pieces together”

from The Stocklists

“ We’re on our way to install in record time”

“All done on time, call ADP and InstallMan will be there for you”

February 2017 51

NEWS Smart Simplicity

Backed by a striking new 2017 brochure, a series of exciting new developments have been made to the Simplicity by Flair collection, cementing its position as the go-to portfolio for retailers looking for value-driven rug designs.

“Simplicity continues to offer excellent product diversity and good quality, all available at a price point that is designed to have far-reaching appeal, even to those where budget is a strong consideration in the purchasing decision,” says Gareth Davies, Sales & Marketing Director.

Two brand new collections now adorn Simplicity: Sparkle, a silky soft polyester produced in shaggy pile featuring a shimmering sparkle thread, and Verona, an on-trend hardwearing polypropylene that caters to increased demand for flatweave rugs. Dovetailing the new introductions will be updates made to exisiting collections, with Splendour and Nordic among those selected for a colour injection this year.

Handcarved, a best seller in 2016, will continue to hold sway with its new Stream, Cosmos and Shatter designs, while Brights sees no fewer than five looks added to its already vibrant stable. Florence has also experienced a revamp, adding three grey flatweaves - Anzio, Latina and Tivoli - for a trending touch, while the Element collection is

Recipe for quality

Trade-only kitchen specialist, Benchmarx, has committed to ensuring its staff are ready to answer customer queries on flooring by booking eight Academy external training days for 2017.

This continued commitment to a greater understanding of Quick-Step flooring comes on the back of some 140staff attending the external training programme throughout 2016.

“Thanks to the Academy our staff are now confident in dealing with the customer questions we receive on the installation of Quick-Step flooring, such as which underlay to use or what expansion gap is required,” explains Graham Carse, Benchmarx. “The training has also helped staff to deal with specific technical queries relating to the hugely popular Impressive and Livyn ranges. The striking wood and stone decors speak for themselves, but the water and scratch resistant qualities, along with ease of maintenance attributes make these two collections the ideal kitchen floor. This invaluable information we can now pass on to our customers in a more informed way thanks to the training.”

A member of Travis Perkins PLC and with over 170 branches around the country, Benchmarx provides kitchens and accessories to trade professionals only; giving access to top brands at competitive trade prices, backed up by comprehensive guarantees. Through the Academy for Excellence in Flooring and its training programme, the company will continue to ensure that product and technical knowledge relating to Quick-Step’s laminate, hardwood and luxury vinyl ranges answers the needs of its trade customers.

sure to grab attentions once more thanks to the new Plaid, Essence and Retro.

T 01457 850660 www.flairrugs.com

The Academy for Excellence in Flooring can provide external training programmes with content dedicated to the exact requirements of attendees. Similar courses can also be undertaken at the Academy’s state-of-the-art training facility in Manchester, also host to the QuickStep Master Installer and Foundation programmes. www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

Class act

The proven cost and time saving credentials of award-winning Altro LooselayT technology has lead to Altro XpressLay safety flooring being selected for installation in 27 new schools being built in the North East of England.

Galliford Try is building the new schools as part of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP). Galliford Try has a longstanding Supply Chain Agreement with Altro, so when it came to specifying flooring for the PSBP schools, both companies worked closely together to select a high quality, cost-effective flooring that was also quick to install.

Roy Perry, Galliford Try Contracts Manager, said: “We chose to work with Altro on the PSBP scheme due to the strength of our supply chain relationship and their array of appropriate products for the schools. We selected Altro XpressLay because it’s a cost-competitive option that would also save us installation time on all the priority school schemes in this region. In many instances we require a quick turnaround, as Galliford Try is under pressure to deliver the schools within set timescales.”

Altro XpressLay is the world's first ever adhesive-free safety flooring, and features Altro Looselay technology. Altro Looselay technology allows any subfloor moisture to escape. It has been designed to lie flat, without the need to be adhered. Altro Looselay doubled-sided, moisture-tolerant tape is used to secure the flooring in place while you weld. As there is no adhesive you get same-day welding and can walk on the floor straight away.

Altro XpressLay can be easily removed post-installation, re-used elsewhere and then recycled at the end of its life.

T 01462 489516 www.altro.co.uk

52 February 2017

Carpet&FlooringReview

53 The Stocklists from

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

THE STOCKLISTS February 53 February 20172017

NEWS SMG welcomes Mike Reed SMG’s Director of Marketing, Ben Young, will be leaving the company for pastures new after 14 years with the buying group.

Hamers joins Victoria from Balta

SMG said Ben has played a crucial part in helping the Group to continue its quest to maintain its recognised position as the leading and most progressive Buying Group within the independent retail flooring and home furnishing market.

Chris Moffat commented: “The Board of SMG,The National Furnishing Group and I would therefore, like to take this opportunity to record our sincere thanks to Ben for his immense contribution and dedication during his time with the company and we wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”

SMG board member, Mike Reed, will step into the role of Head of Group Operations on a permanent basis from 1st March 2017.

Mike has worked with the SMG team as Membership Manager on many occasions over the past few years and with that he brings a broad understanding of the independent retail sector. He also brings with him a wide range of experience from the business world where he has worked with many blue-chip companies in Project Management and design.

“I trust that you will join me in welcoming Mike to the SMG team and we look forward to working with him in his new role,” said Chris.

T 01189 32 3832 www.smg-group.co.uk

Victoria PLC has announced that Philippe Hamers will join the company as Chief Executive Officer, a new Board position, and an Executive Board Director from 20 March 2017.

Philippe, 53, has over 25 years experience in the flooring industry and headed Europe’s largest carpet manufacturing operation on at Balta Group, for the previous six and a half years. Prior to joining the Balta Group, Philippe was General Manager of the Tufted and Woven Division of Beaulieu International Group. This exposure has given him extensive experience in running very large, multi-site, multinational manufacturing and sales organisations. Core attributes include developing new business opportunities, effectively managing senior management teams, delivering cost saving and other organic growth initiatives in order to build market share. He holds a Master of Business Economics degree from the University of Antwerp and an Advanced Management degree from Vlerick Business School. Philippe is multi-national and speaks Dutch, English, French and German fluently.

Based at Victoria's UK operations, Philippe will be responsible for overseeing Group wide activities and he will work closely with both Executive Chairman, Geoff Wilding and Michael Scott, Group Finance Director.

Geoff Wilding, Executive Chairman of Victoria said: “We are delighted to have such a well-known and highly regarded industry figure enhance further our strong management team at Victoria. Philippe joins Victoria at an exciting time of its development as we continue to prosper both in the UK and Australia. His international expertise and industry contacts will prove beneficial as we execute our advanced plans to expand into the growing €5 billion European flooring market. “ “Phillippe will be involved in all aspects of the business and his experience will be invaluable as we continue to drive profit improvements across the Group whilst at the same time maintain our acquisition-led growth objectives in 2017 and beyond.”

T 01562 749300

www.victoriacarpets.com

Fuel for thought

Brexit is unlikely to have any effect on the recycling targets the EU set the UK back in 2005, says Kenburn Waste Management.

By 2020 the UK will still have to meet a landfill diversion target of 50%. which means that annual landfill tax increases will continue for the next three years as will skip costs.

In 2007 the average costs to landfill waste was £35.00 per tonne but in 2017 the average costs to landfill waste will rise to £125.00 per tonne.

Over the past ten years landfill costs have increased by a staggering 250%.

“It¹s not all doom and gloom though especially for the flooring industry with the continual growth of ‘waste to energy’ plants. Carpet and underlay waste has a high calorific value which means they burn longer as a fuel,” says Kenburn.

The “waste to energy plants” offer a lower gate fee for these waste streams meaning the cost to recycle carpet and underlay waste is now lower than sending it to landfill provided it has been compacted first using a “Kenburn Carpet Crusher”.

T 01727 844988 54 February 2017

www.kenburn.co.uk

Carpet&FlooringReview

Flooring Factsheet Adhesives

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Great British Cleaning Products

Environmentally aware for superior carpet care www.cleantecinnovation.com THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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

Biodegradable and cruelty-free from a family run business www.astonishcleaners.com 57

Flooring factsheet from Interfloor Specialist underlays – wood & laminate flooring Interfloor’s British manufactured specialist underlays for wood and laminate flooring offer some of the best noise reducing performance in the industry. The Duralay Timbermate range includes the best-selling sponge rubber brands Timbermate Excel and Silentfloor Gold, a premium underlay with an impressive 53 SONE rating, plus the hardwearing Duratex.

Tests show in-room acoustics can worsen if inferior or lightweight underlays are used with hard flooring; putting a lightweight, air filled, cellular product under wood or laminate creates an echo chamber and more noise, whether it’s generated by scraping furniture, heavy footsteps or reverberation.

While many products on the market claim to be acoustic underlays, their impact test results just don’t compare to the low noise levels of Timbermate underlays which reduce in-room noise by up to 30 per cent. Independent tests prove the Timbermate products, with their superior weight and density, significantly reduce acoustic noise levels and all have achieved low SONE ratings.

Timbermate Excel is a 3.60mm gauge high density resilient rubber underlay; while the top end Silentfloor Gold is a 4.20mm gauge high density resilient rubber underlay.

Both underlays feature Interfloor’s VapourStop membrane, which helps prevent moisture, and branded backing to help differentiate them from inferior copycat products. For installations where moisture is not an issue, Duratex is a heavy-duty 3.60mm gauge high density resilient rubber underlay that offers great performance and excellent value.

Manufactured at Interfloor’s Haslingden site, the three products in the Timbermate range are rated highly in the LEED programme. The underlays are fully recyclable at the end of their life; contain not less than three percent pre-consumer recycled material and 5 LEED points are available if used within 500 miles from the point of production. They also meet or exceed the industry standard for indoor air quality as established by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label programme.

And for the perfect finishing touch, Interfloor’s accessories include Stikatak edgings to suit all types of floor, including the 9mm Zig Zag which gives a neat transition between laminate/hard flooring and adjacent stretch carpet installation.

For further information, please visit www.interfloor.com

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

58

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Flooring factsheet Underlay In a tight market for margins, underlay for carpet and hard flooring offers retailers one of the best opportunities to add value to every sale – with good profitability, trade-up potential once benefits are understood and high customer satisfaction levels.

The Carpet Foundation and its Consumer Code of Practice approved by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) recommend that new carpet underlay is bought with every new carpet.

www.interfloor.com

Many consumers are now aware of the benefits of underlay but more needs to be done to provide information about the different types available and their suitability for different areas of the home. www.interfloor.com

Setting up in-store demonstrations so customers can walk on samples with different grades of underlay and feel the difference has shown excellent results. Some manufacturers offer point-of-sale units and foot testers.

Benefits

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

PU (polyurethane) foam This is now the market’s most popular underlay and is typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options and densities and provides great insulation – and its light weight helps handling.

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

Crumb

Sponge rubber Introduced in the 1950s, this is a more traditionally manufactured underlay available in flat or waffle patterns in a wide range of weights for different applications. It performs well for comfort and has a durable spring retention.

PU foam

Laminate underlay There’s still an opportunity to sell underlay with laminate flooring, improving the acoustic performance of the floor and helping the boards float above any imperfections in the sub-floor.

www.carpenterunderlay.co.uk

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.

www.underlay.com

Felt This traditional (but environmentally friendly) undelay is made from recycled fibres – wool, jute and synthetic – to create a firm, dense pad with excellent thermal insulation.

Still a very popular choice among contractors when stretch fitting woven carpets.

Pre-tackified underlay A self-adhesive single stick underlay in both needlefelt and PU. A removable system for heavy use when comfort is desired.

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

www.numa-online.co.uk

Crumb rubber Flat and dense, crumb rubber is good for heavy footfall – offering maximum protection but a little less comfort (and very good over stair nosings).

Underfloor heating underlay Always ask if there is underfloor heating. Most manufacturers offer specialised products. Underlay and carpet with a combined tog rating of 2.5 can be used – which means the underlay would normally have a tog rating of 1.0.

Combination

www.floorwise.co.uk

www.qaflooringsolutions.com

59

Flooring factsheet Carpet trouble-shooter

• shedding • pulled loops

Fading on Wool

Carpets made from wool can and do fade in use. The degree of fade can vary depending on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected.

Fading can be caused by exposure to ultra violet light which is found in daylight, but is accelerated when sunlight shines directly onto the carpet.

This has the effect of lightening or “Bleaching” the colour just as exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair. Wool is after all animal hair.

Protection should be given to carpets exposed to such conditions just as you would protect other furniture or fabrics.

A complaint on fading would be considered justified if it failed to meet the required shade standard when tested to the British Standard BS1006 (1990).

Soiling Soiling is usually the result of some local condition to which the carpet has been subjected to, or maintenance, or lack of maintenance programme. There is nothing we as manufacturers can do to prevent soiling in use. There are several types of soiling which are quite common:

Colour matching Carpets are produced in batches - known as creels - and usually each batch produces between 500m2 - 3000m2 in a single width, depending on the creel size. Whilst the recipe used by the dyer remains constant, and is followed to the letter, in each separate production the colour reproduction will vary from batch to batch.

However production is matched back to the original or master sample to ensure that the colour remains ‘within a commercial tolerance’.

This process if not an exact science and a commercial tolerance is subjective but nevertheless is usually the professional judgement of the head dyer based on his/her experience.

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.

Sprouting Occasionally an odd tuft or two can work its way to the surface and stand proud of the rest of the pile. This is probably due to one end of the tuft being longer than the other i.e. J shaped tuft instead of V shaped. Remedial action merely requires that the offending tufts be scissor trimmed level with the rest of the pile. They should never be pulled out.

60

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.

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.

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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

Flattening

Shedding

Flattening will occur as a result of traffic which eventually flattens the pile particularly in the main areas of use.

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’.

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.

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.

Shading

Indentations

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.

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.

Pile Reversal Like shading, this occurs when the pile or nap of the carpet changes direction and thus reflects light at different angles showing the effects of shading which can become permanent. It is also described as ‘watermarking’. This can happen to every carpet construction be it Axminster, Wilton, Tufted, Hand Woven, Persian, Chinese, Indian or even Coir Matting. Like shading it can be more apparent on plain carpet because heavy patterns can disguise the effects. It can occur quite quickly after installation. A tremendous amount of research has been carried out over many years by many institutes to determine the cause of this phenomenon but none of it has proved conclusive.

It must be remembered that it is not only the pile of the carpet that becomes indented. The underlay will also indent and the backing of the carpet may also distort into the indentation in the underlay. Some underlay’s will recover well and some less well depending upon their composition, thickness, density etc. The use of cups below furniture legs can spread the load and the net result is a larger area of less deeply indented carpet.

The ability of a carpet to recover from a heavy static load can be measured in the laboratory, using the test method described in BS 4939 and many manufacturers will have data on this aspect of carpet performance. In this test the carpet is loaded for 24 hours and the degree of recovery is measured after 1 hour and 24 hours. Since there are so many different underlay’s however, it is very rare for the recovery from a heavy static load to be evaluated on carpet and underlay.

There is no commonly known manufacturing process which can cause or cure this phenomenon and therefore it is not a manufacturing fault. For further information please check with individual manufacturers recommendations.

Often normal maintenance (vacuum cleaning with a rotating brush machine) will speed up recovery but in the case of serious indentations the use of an iron and damp cloth or a steam iron together with a blunt darning needle to carefully tease up the pile can be beneficial. Care must be take not to over wet the carpet, of course.

Pulling Loops

Samples

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

The 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.

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

The original carpet tile

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

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

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

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

Why join?

Buying groups have been a highly successful feature of the floor retailing scene in the last decade or so, giving independents the extra edge they need to compete effectively with the retail park chains.

More than 1000 retailers are now members of one of the several buying groups which operate in our sector and the numbers are slowly, but steadily growing.

• Get a list of members and call up two or three for a

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

‘real-world’ view

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

• Ensure you understand the financial arrangements,

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

While the benefits of bulk buying power are self-evident, the resistance to the buying group concept among nonmembers appears to be centred on fears of surrendering some control to a committee – and most particularly compromising long-established relationships and negotiated terms with current suppliers.

• Review all the extra benefits and services to see

The bottom line is the bottom line. A retailer selling across a broad range of products is likely to improve margins within a buying group – but you don’t need a leap of faith to join up. Ask the buying groups for answers...

flexibility to run your business the way you want

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

what you would actually use

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

• Ensure you understand any rules that may limit your

www.smg-group.co.uk Contact: Mike Symonds Tel: 0118 932 3832 info@smg-group.co.uk

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

Access professional services • Business and financial services • IT and internet support • Training and workshops • Professional bodies Some buying groups offer an excellent range of other services which may be valuable to your business. Financial services include invoice factoring, credit, loans and insurance. Some of the more sophisticated groups offering marketing packages, software systems to help you run your business operations and customised websites ready to use. Relationships with professional and training organisations can also offer discounts.

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Increase sales • Best of both worlds’ proposition • Wider ranges and exclusive products • POS, displays and merchandising support Your customers will like the proposition that you are independent but with the buying power of a group – this gives them (and you) the ‘best of both worlds’ with personal service and competitive pricing. Most groups will also offer you ‘own label’ ranges and support with pointof-sale, merchandising and displays. Central stockholding may also be on offer.

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

Network with other independents • Members-only exhibitions with preferred manufacturers • Regular meetings and supplier presentations • Regional workshops • Helpline A lot of retailers enjoy the buying group environment of being independent but not alone out there on the High Street. Groups hold regular meetings and some have their own trade shows, regional meetings and workshops to help you develop your business. The network gives you someone to call when you need advice on, for example, an unusual installation, a technical consumer complaint, legal issue or business dilemma.

www.beautifulflooring.co.uk Contact: Carl Harris Tel: 01892 549050 paul@atbrm.com

www.flooringone.co.uk Contact: Glenn Harding Tel: 0121 683 1426 glenn.harding@flooringone.co.uk THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Flooring factsheet Wool fibre Benefits of Wool Carpet

SAFE

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.

DURABLE EASYCARE

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.

Comfort

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

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.

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.

100% wool or 80/20 – 80/10/10 wool rich

britishwool.org.uk campaignforwool.org THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

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.

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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

Leeds 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Mercado Leeds 0113 3802900 sales@mercado.co.uk www.mercado.co.uk TCS “The Carpet Specialists” Morecambe 01524 840177 info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com Xylo Wood Flooring London 020 8368 8122 infouk@xyloflooring.com www.xyloflooring.com

North East Fells Carpets Leeds 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise page 66

Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk

Midlands Birch Distribution Sheffield - see Floorwise page 66 Birch Distribution Leeds - see Floorwise page 66 Birch Distribution Hull - see Floorwise page 66 Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster - see Floorwise page 66 Cornerstone Flooring Nottingham & Derby 01159 444711 sales@cornerstoneflooring.co.uk www.cornerstone flooring.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam - see Floorwise page 66 J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com

North West

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

A&A Carpets Manchester 01204 701188 sales@aandacarpets.co.uk www.aandacarpets.co.uk

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

D. M. Miller Ltd Manchester 0161 205 9949 dm.miller@btconnect.com www.dmmillerltd.spaces.lives.com

Trade Counter Carpets Leicester 0845 604 3055 tradecountercarpets@gmail.com

Fells Carpets Goole 0113 3071900 carl.cummings@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

East Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk Salesmark Ltd St Neots - see Floorwise page 66 STS Flooring Distributors Cambridge Tel: 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com

South West BL Flooring Supplies Bristol - see Floorwise page 66 BL Flooring Supplies Gloucester - see Floorwise page 66 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise page 66 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise page 66 Flooring Supplies (Wessex) Amesbury 01980 625888 orders@flooringsupplieswessex.co.uk Salesmark West Ltd Amesbury - see Floorwise page 66 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk see page 16 for details STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com

Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise page 66

Lee Floorstok Ltd Liverpool - see Floorwise page 66 Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise page 66 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise page 66 64

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Are you a Wholesaler?

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

The Stocklists South East Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise page 66 Ashmount Flooring Supplies Ltd Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooringsupplies.co.uk Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk see page 8 for details DMS Flooring Supplies Hemel Hempstead 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Milton Keynes 0845 643 5320 dmslaser@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk Littner Hampton London 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk John Palmer Carpets Fareham 01329 221933 sales@johnpalmercarpets.uk.net Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 sales@pwwflooring.com www.pwwflooring.com

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk see page 15 for details Salesmark Lancing - see Floorwise page 66 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk see page 16 for details STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0345 899 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com Trade Carpet London Wimbledon 0208 247 3891 sales@tradecarpet.com www.tradecarpet.com

Wales

Ireland Flanagan Flooring Distributors Belfast & Saintfield Co. Down Northern Ireland Tel: 028 9751 0932 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com Flanagan Flooring Distributors Willow Business Park Dublin Tel: (01) 429 7800 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Dublin - see Floorwise page 66 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast - see Floorwise page 66 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick - see Floorwise page 66 TCS “The Carpet Specialists” Co. Louth 00353 429 351 351 info@tcsthecarpetspecialists.com www.tcsthecarpetspecialists.com

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

Scotland Flanagan Flooring Distributors Glasgow Business Park Baillieston Tel: 0141 773 1122 sales@flanagan-flooring.com www.flanagan-flooring.com MCD Scotland Uddingston Glasgow 01698 808000 mcdscotland@mcd.co.uk www.mcdscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise page 66

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itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get wise about floors with our market-leading products adhesives + screeds

gripper

stair nosings

profiles

underlay

tools

national distributor network 17 Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent Tel: 020 8462 0422 Fax: 020 8462 0927 acorncarpetsacc@btconnect.com 18 Salesmark Lancing, West Sussex Tel: 01903 750522 Fax: 01903 851111 sales@salesmark-floorwise.co.uk 19 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abbot, Devon Tel: 01626 835935 sales@fitwell.co.uk 20 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth, Cornwall Tel: 01209 214344 sales@fitwell.co.uk 1 3

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1 Neil Smith Ltd 9 Cornerstone Flooring Glasgow Doncaster Tel: 0141 552 1141 Tel: 01302 835117 sales@neilsmithltd.co.uk Fax: 01302 302542 cornerstonefloor@btconnect.com 2 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Belfast 10 Birch Distribution Tel: 028 9075 3202 Sheffield Fax: 028 9075 3901 Tel: 0114 243 1230 salesbelfast@pfl.ie Fax: 0114 243 5118 n.maude@birchdistribution.co.uk 3 Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley, County Durham 11 Woodall Brothers Ltd Tel: 0191 410 7070 Shrewsbury, Shropshire Fax: 0191 410 6116 Tel: 01743 441584 sales@floorwisene.co.uk Fax: 01743 441629 sales@woodallbrothers.co.uk 4 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe, Lancashire 12 Floorwise D & J Ltd Tel: 01524 33517 Southam, Warwickshire Fax: 01524 381852 Tel: 01926 814922 sales@mcafloorwise.co.uk Fax: 01926 817899 sales@fwdj.co.uk 5 Birch Distribution Hull 13 Salesmark Ltd Tel: 01482 826654 St Neots, Cambridgeshire Fax: 01482 878693 Tel: 01480 212888 d.ostler@birchdistribution.co.uk Fax: 01480 218585 sales@salesmark.co.uk 6 Birch Distribution Leeds 14 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Tel: 0113 244 4363 Gloucester Fax: 0113 244 8665 Tel: 01452 223355 p.zanetti@birchdistribution.co.uk Fax: 01452 371284 7 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd info@blflooring.co.uk Dublin 10 15 BL Flooring Supplies Ltd Tel: 00353 (0)1 626 3913 Bristol Fax: 00353 (0)1 626 3960 Tel: 0117 955 5454 salesdublin@pfl.ie Fax: 0117 955 2626 info@blflooring.co.uk 8 Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd Limerick 16 Salesmark West Ltd Tel: 00353 (0)61 227 100 Amesbury, Wiltshire Fax: 00353 (0)61 227 000 Tel: 01980 880933 sales@pfl.ie mail@salesmark-west.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS February 2017

Stocklists Classified The

ANTI-SLIP

SITUATIONS VACANT

ǯ

Penthouse Carpets Ltd, a leading manufacturer of tufted wool carpets, is looking for a highly motivated and confident sales representative to take over Hertfordshire, Essex, North and West London.

Super Plus The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place

COMBINATION UNDERLAYS NEEDLEFELT UNDERLAYS

Reporting to the sales director, you will be field based and be responsible for all sales activities within the territory.

The successful candidate will be organised, enthusiastic, confident and must have excellent communication skills.

Previous sales experience is essential along with a good understanding of computer systems and their operation in a modern office environment.

Please respond in the first instance with your CV and covering letter to:

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

Brian Barker, HR Manager Penthouse Carpets Ltd, Buckley Carpet Mill, Buckley Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 12 9DU

FOR SALE

In an independent survey which asked 450 retailers which of the nine trade titles they actually read, our magazine came top of the pile.

Thank you!

T&E CARPET STANDS FOR SALE 12 x double sided remnant racks: £150.00 each 4 x 8 roll double sided isle racks: £250.00 each 1 x 5 metre, 4 roll single rack: £250.00 Rug stand 120 x 180 (50 rugs): £250.00 Subject to VAT

Buyer to collect, Cambridge/Herts border Contact Tony 07966 368462

Advertise here!

Call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.

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