The Stocklists October 2013

Stocklists The

7 October 2013

with

FlooringNews

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

We’re not just a pretty face!

Coming soon, the launch of a guaranteed best seller that will end the Summer sales drought. Camel is just one of the on-trend colours for this must-have collection.

Sampling is almost ready so ask your Furlong representative now for a sneak preview.

Ask your Furlong Flooring representative to see this range right now - see pages 22-23 for contact information.

Merry Mats!

The Stocklists Readers’ Xmas Offer

Don’t let anyone leave your store without a festive mat and fill your stocking with a little extra revenue this Christmas from The Stocklists.

£2.99 each.

Retail at £6 to £10.

• 100% nylon.

• Machine washable.

• 0.4m x 0.6m • Sold in packs of 12 for £29.90 + VAT • 3 of each design per pack Order now! david spragg@thestocklists.com telephone 01482 659396 (inc. credit card sales) fax 01845 576109 2

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Stocklists The

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

ISSUE 463: 7 OCTOBER 2013

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

Advertisers

FlooringNews starts on page 33

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD

Kingsmead leads natural fibre focus page 50

ABINGDON

ANBO

Campaign for Wool showcase page 67-72

Brockway’s super new POS page 38

01562 745000

BRITISH WOOL

66

BROCKWAY

20 BC

01562 828200

CARPENTER COLUMBIA

21

0208 443 3322

CYBERGOLD

61

01494 761814

EARTHWERKS

—

new pages

CARPETS LTD.

FLOORING

2014

F.BALL FITA

Clouds with silver lining

Welcome end to summer sales drought page 63

FURLONG H&V

FLOORING

INTERFLOOR

A real buzz about business but more manufacturers needed to support the show pages 45-46 Full reports on the latest launches pages 47-62

KINGSMEAD

MASTER

WEAVERS

MATTY’S

new page

Carpet Company Directory Carpet trouble-shooter

12-13 Wool Fibre Page

10-11 Woolsafe: the carpet care guide

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

14-16

8

6-7

4,39

01538 361633

16

01509 673974

22,23 —

07402 746944

01159 506836 01772 696787

07813 714498

01706 213131

24

01937 588511

53

01827 831436

01827 831424 01562 754382

MOHAWK

27

01480 479830

NICF

74

57

01422 373799

0115 958 3077

63

00353 61 339287

POLYFLOR

—

0161 767 2551

RACKHAMS

28

67

RYALUX

41

55

SOLENT WHOLESALE

5 Wholesaler Distribution Directory

01204 881234

0121 359 2001

SMG

Buying Groups

01457 861141

26

9

01274 688 666

+44 1275 335 911

25

ONEWOOL

4 Underlay

01297 33533

73

49,50

MANX

NOVOSTRAT

Adhesives

—

37

JOHN LANHAM WATTS

MERRYFIELD

FlooringFactsheets

35,65

74

FLOORWISE

Quality exceeds quantity at Harrogate

01675 433075

17

DOMOTEX

Popular Expona re-launch

by Polyflor page 36

02380 333971

BONDWORTH

CORMAR

Designed re-doubled

51

01422 431100

AXMINSTER

Badgering for business

01274 655662

18,19

ASSOCIATED WEAVERS

Fun with flooring

Contact No

54

43,47

ADORE

The wonder of OneWool Dennis Flower reports on trendy tile styles for consumer self-design page 64

Page No

Index

Hamish heralds wool revival

STAINSHIELD STS

CARPET

FLOORING DISTRIBUTORS

TELENZO WESTON

29 59

30 31

HAMMER

32

—

020 85319225

0161 762 3030

0118 932 3832 01243 774623

01372 841467 0845 341000

01422 374417

0845 644 9090

Classified advertising...........................................page 75 carpets/rugs/tiles woods/laminates/smooths accessories/services/organisations fibres underlay wholesalers/distributors adhesives

UK manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines

WWW.CARPETCUTTINGMACHINES.CO.UK THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

3

SL Front OCTOBER 2013_Layout 1 19/09/2013 06:52 Page 4

Flooring Factsheet Adhesives

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

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

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 ‘real-world’ view

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

• Ensure you understand the financial arrangements,

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

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

• Review all the extra benefits and services to see

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

flexibility to run your business the way you want

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

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

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.

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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

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

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

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

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

5

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

Services for Retailers Customer carpet care HELPLINE If you have trouble dealing with customer queries like “How do I get red wine stains out of my carpet?”

Just give them our HELPLINE 01943 850 817 and we’ll give them the correct advice. Simple.

Certified Operator Network For experienced, specialist wool carpet cleaners you can trust visit: www.woolsafe.org/find/aregistered-carpet-cleaner.

WOOLSAFE Registered Inspectors Solve disputes with customers with our independent carpet complaint Investigators. Just visit: www.woolsafe.org/find/a-registered-carpetinspector and call your nearest inspector.

WOOLSAFE Approved Products Have confidence in the cleaning product you recommend, use the WOOLSAFE Approved Products Directory it contains only safe and effective carpet cleaning products. For spot removers visit: www.woolsafe.org/spotremovers Carpet Care Leaflets We offer to help you develop custom carpet care literature and we also offer generic carpet care leaflets designed to be given away with each cut of carpet. Correct carpet maintenance should start from day one.

Web pages and Links We offer to help you develop custom carpet care pages for your website or you can link to our website’s carpet care pages for up-to-date and accurate advice.

Contact us by email, telephone or post to: The WOOLSAFE Organisation 49 Boroughgate, Otley, LS29 8NR Tel: 01943 850817 E-mail: office@woolsafe.org or visit www.woolsafe.org The WOOLSAFE Organisation – promoting quality carpet and rug care since 1991.

Europe – North America - Australia

6

Regular Maintenance Regular cleaning will extend the life of a carpet and maintain its appearance. Vacuum clean regularly and thoroughly, which removes gritty dirt that can damage the fibres.

Deal with spillages as soon as possible, preferably the moment they occur.

Beware of products claiming to be safe on all fibres, including wool. It might be true, but if it does not have the WOOLSAFE Mark, it is not endorsed by most carpet manufacturers!

Never use any detergents such as dishwashing liquids, soaps or other cleaners recommended for general household use. Although they may clean the carpet satisfactorily they will almost certainly cause problems such as rapid re-soiling, colour bleeding or other damage to the pile or backing of the carpet.

Use only WOOLSAFE approved products WOOLSAFE-approved carpet care products have been independently and scientifically tested and are safe and effective for cleaning and maintaining all types of carpets and rugs.

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

Periodic Cleaning When the carpet or rug reaches a stage where it could do with a really good clean, you can either do the job yourself, or you can call in a specialist carpet cleaning company.

If you are considering cleaning the carpet or rug yourself make sure to use only WOOLSAFE approved products. Look for the WOOLSAFE Mark on the bottle or package.

It is best to engage the services of a professional carpet & upholstery cleaning company. To get a really expert job done entrust the work to a WOOLSAFE accredited carpet cleaning company.

These companies are fully trained, have been in business for a considerable length of time, are members of one or more recognised professional trade associations related to the cleaning industry and have a reputation for top quality service. And they use only WOOLSAFE-approved cleaning agents on your wool carpets and rugs!

If you have a problem with a carpet or rug that requires an independent inspector, a network of carpet complaint investigators, trained and registered

by The WOOLSAFE Organisation is available throughout the UK and Ireland.

WOOLSAFE Registered Inspectors have extensive experience in investigating the causes for carpet complaints based on their practical involvement with carpets and rugs over many years.

They are fully qualified to investigate carpet and rug complaints on-site on behalf of carpet manufacturers, retailers, cleaning companies and carpet owners. They can carry out or commission tests where required, and will provide comprehensive reports.

To contact an inspector in your area call 01943 462127, email: inspector@woolsafe.org, or visit: www.woolsafe.org / Private Householder / Registered Inspectors

WOOLSAFE The Retailer's single source solution for carpet care advice and services.

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

maintenance • cleaning • spot removal • protection • inspection

General Rules for Spot Removal

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

Treatments 1.

Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues

2.

Vacuum clean

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

3.

Cold water

4.

Warm water

• Scoop up or scrape off solids

5.

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

WOOLSAFE-approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)

6.

WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for water-based stains

7.

WOOLSAFE-approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains

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

Life inspired cleaning innovations www.bissell.com

8.

Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron

9.

Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)

10. Nail varnish remover or acetone

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

11. White spirit or turpentine substitute 12. Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

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

14. Rub gently with coarse sand paper

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

15. WOOLSAFE-approved disinfectant or deodorizer

13. Rub with a coin

16. Rust remover

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

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

Environmentally Aware for Superior Carpet Care www.cleantecinnovation.com

More Difficult Spots Easy Spots

Spot or stain

Try 1st

Try 2nd Try 3rd

Artificially coloured drinks

3

6

Bleach

3

17

C/heating radiator fluid

5

6

Coffee

4

6

Spot or stain

Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd

Blood

5

6

Felt-tip pen

7 or 11 12

Burn/scorch marks

13

14

Furniture polish

7

Butter

7

5

Glue/adhesive (plastic base) 10

Candle wax

8

7

Chewing gum

9

3

Ink (fountain)

3

Ink (ballpoint pen)

12 7

Chocolate/cocoa

5

7

6

Lipstick

Cola

3

5

6

Milk

4

Cream

7

5

Nail varnish

10

Egg

5

6

Paint (oil)

11

5

Rust

16

Floor wax Fruit juice

7 3

5

Gravy and sauces

5

6

Herbal tea

3

6

Metal polish

5

Mustard

5

6

Oil and grease

7

5

Paint (emulsion)

3

5

Shoe polish

7

5

Tea

3

5

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

6

Soot

2

Tar (asphalt)

7

16 5

5 11 6

5

5

15

6

5 15

Urine (fresh stain)

3

5

Urine (old stain)

6

15

Vomit

5

6

Red wine

1

6

15

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

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

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

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

7

Flooring factsheet Wool fibre THE BEST CARPET WOOL Wool carpets have a historic reputation for quality because as a fibre it is known to withstand pressure and have excellent appearance retention properties. The best wool for carpet production is ‘strong’ wool and this is grown on sheep breeds found in Britain and New Zealand. Most carpets will contain both British Wool and New Zealand Wool because British Wool is more bulky and resilient and offers texture and unique heathery shades to carpet, whilst New Zealand wool is softer and whiter and particularly good for plain, lighter shaded ranges. Combining the two within a blend for carpet yarn gives manufacturers the perfect qualities for carpet.

100% wool or 80/20 – 80/10/10 wool rich Wool has yet to be matched by any man-made fibre; it has superior strength and does not need other fibres to improve its performance.

However manufacturers choose to use synthetic fibres within the yarn blend for a number of reasons. These include fibre flexibility, dyeing, heat setting, stain resistance, durability and cost. These wool rich compositions offer industry standard carpets which will perform well in the home.

THE BENEFITS OF WOOL CARPET Practical Strong and Resilient – Wool carpet will provide superior performance over many years as it can offer unique resilience and long lasting durability.

The natural crimp of wool offers valuable ‘bounce-back’ so that pile compression is resisted and the effects of tracking and shading are reduced – maintaining good appearance over many years.

Easy care – Wool is a natural fibre that has an inbuilt resistance to soiling due to its natural oils and its outer surface of microscopic scales and as a result additional anti-soil treatments are not necessary. Simply vacuuming the carpet will keep it looking good and whilst wool initially repels spills, prompt and complete blotting with white paper towels or an absorbent cloth is advised and will address many household spillages.

SAFE

DURABLE

Comfort Soft and Warm – Wool carpet adds luxurious underfoot comfort and warmth to the home and acts as an insulator improving heat retention and energy efficiency.

Peace and Quiet – Wool carpet absorbs sound and cushions the home against echo and room to room noise transfer.

Safety Fire Retardant – Wool is naturally fire resistant, has a slow ignition rate and tests show that it is self extinguishing within seconds. It meets many safety regulations without additional treatments and is favoured in contract locations for this reason.

Fall Friendly – Carpet cushions and so provides a softer floor which protects against serious injury in falls by the very young or the elderly.

Internal Environment Indoor Environment – As a natural ‘smart’ fibre with a complex physical and chemical structure, wool helps to create a balanced atmosphere in the home. It breathes and absorbs humidity in the air, releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry and helps improve air quality by absorbing airborne toxins in indoor air.

Anti–allergy – The minute scales on the fibre’s surface will hold fine dust until vacuumed which helps to reduce floating particulate in the atmosphere. Wool does not give off harmful emissions or promote the growth of bacteria and wool is not a food source for dust mites.

Eco/Environmental Natural and Sustainable – Grown on sheep, which graze freely, wool is both 100% natural and fully sustainable. As shearing is a necessary part of animal husbandry this means that every year there is a fresh supply of wool available for the carpet manufacturing industry.

Energy Efficient – Wool is energy efficient in the home and also in carpet production.

Biodegradable – Wool fibre is biodegradable in soil and will produce nitrogen, sulphur, carbon dioxide and water which are all plant nutrients.

Environmentally Assessed – Wool is an environmentally responsible fibre that has been measured in terms of its ecological impact. A Life Cycle Analysis study carried out by Leeds University to ISO 14040 standard for British Wool concludes that it compares favourably when measured against man-made fibres.

EASY-CARE

COMFORT

British Wool The Planet Friendly Fibre for Carpet aboutwool.com 8

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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

www.floorwise.co.uk

But 50% of carpet is still sold without new underlay!

Retailers should create an assumption that new underlay is always required, the only decision is which type. It’s also a good target-setter for sales staff.

Setting up in-store demonstrations so customers can walk on samples with different grades of underlay and feel the difference has shown excellent results – some manufacturers offer point-of-sale units. www.numa-online.co.uk

Benefits

Types

Good underlay will...

• Improve underfoot comfort • Increase appearance retention, reducing flattening • Absorb the pressure of foot traffic and reduce wear • Improve thermal insulation and warmth • Increase sound insulation • Smooth out sub-floor imperfections • Last the lifetime of the carpet

Sponge rubber The market’s most popular underlay is available in flat or waffle patterns in a wide range of weights for different applications. It performs well for comfort and has a durable spring retention.

PU (polyurethane) foam PU foam is a relative newcomer to the market, typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options and densities – and its light weight helps handling. The product can be re-cycled again after use.

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

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

Combination A rubber crumb base with a felt top layer offers a good combination of protection, durability and comfort. It also allows carpet with seaming to bed into the top felt.

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

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

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

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

Poor or old underlay will...

• Feel hard and unwelcoming • Reduce carpet life • Cause wrinkling and premature wear spots • Cause carpet fibres to break down more quickly • Not meet British Standards How thick?

A maximum of 12mm is recommended (working with gripper will be difficult thereafter) but rooms with heavy traffic will need a thinner, denser pad. The combination of thickness and density is all important as a thick underlay with low density may not perform well. Typically, the thicker the underlay, the better quality it will need to be – 11mm is often used for luxury installations with 9mm and 7mm the common domestic thickness.

Sponge rubber

Combination

Crumb

PU foam

www.carpenter.limited.uk

www.interfloor.com

www.interfloor.com

www.underlay.com

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

9

Flooring factsheet Carpet trouble-shooter 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.

SAMPLES

The samples held by individual retailers may not be from the same batch as current production and therefore should be used as a guide and not an exact colour match.

SHEDDING

The original carpet tile

All cut pile carpets will lose short fibre, which is created during production when spun yarn is cut for tuft formation. These fibres fall onto the surface of the pile and appear as ‘fluff’.

The effect varies with yarn type and may be removed without detrimental effect upon the carpet by vacuum cleaning.This excess fibre is only a small fraction of the total fibre contained in the carpet.

PULLED LOOPS

This information is given by responsible manufacturers to help you help your customer to make

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.

• shedding • pulled loops

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.

SHADING

Shading occurs because the pile of the carpet has become crushed, flattened or brushed in a different direction to the natural lie of the pile whilst in situ.

This causes light reflection at differing angles resulting in the creation of light and dark patches on the carpet.This will occur on all pile fabrics but can be more noticeable on plainer carpets because the shadows created by pile pressure will not be disguised by a heavy pattern or design.

STATIC

Carpets do not produce static but like other household fabrics and objects have the capacity to store it. Static is caused by the build up of static electricity upon personnel in a dry environment and is discharged when a person makes contact with an object which can conduct electricity (i.e. door handle or filing cabinets, etc).

The static charges will vary in intensity depending upon the individual, air humidity and the contact materials. Static is more usually associated with synthetic materials as they do not retain moisture very well but it can and does occur with wool in very dry room conditions.

Preventative measures include the introduction of moisture into the room or in situ carpet treatment.

FADING ON WOOL

Carpets made from wool can and do fade in use.

The degree of fade can vary depending on the colour chosen and the local conditions to which the carpet is subjected.

Fading can be caused by exposure to ultra violet light which is found in daylight, but is accelerated when sunlight shines directly onto the carpet. This has the effect of lightening or “Bleaching” the colour just as exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair. Wool is after all animal hair.

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

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

an informed choice.

10

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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

PILE REVERSAL (SEE SHADING)

Like shading, this occurs when the pile or nap of the carpet changes direction and thus reflects light at different angles showing the effects of shading which can become permanent. It is also described as ‘watermarking’. This can happen to every carpet construction be it Axminster, Wilton, Tufted, Hand Woven, Persian, Chinese, Indian or even Coir Matting. Like shading it can be more apparent on plain carpet because heavy patterns can disguise the effects. It can occur quite quickly after installation.

A tremendous amount of research has been carried out over many years by many institutes to determine the cause of this phenomenon but none of it has proved conclusive. There is no commonly known manufacturing process which can cause or cure this phenomenon and therefore it is not a manufacturing fault. For further information please check with individual manufacturers recommendations.

INDENTATIONS

When a carpet is subjected to a heavy point load, such as under the legs of furniture, it is unreasonable to expect the carpet not to indent.

Usually, the longer the load is in place, the longer will be the time for the pile to recover. In the case of very heavy loads in place for a considerable time, the recovery time can be very considerable.

It must be remembered that it is not only the pile of the carpet that becomes indented. the underlay will also indent and the backing of the carpet may also distort into the indentation in the underlay.

Some underlay’s will recover well and some less well depending upon their composition, thickness, density etc.

The use of cups below furniture legs can spread the load and the net result is a larger area of less deeply indented carpet.

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

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

FLATTENING

Flattening will occur as a result of traffic which eventually flattens the pile particularly in the main areas of use. All pile fabrics will flatten to greater or lesser degree dependant on the amount of traffic to which it is subjected and the construction (tuft density/pile fibre/height/weight) of the product concerned.

SOILING

Soiling is usually the result of some local condition to which the carpet has been subjected to, or maintenance, or lack of maintenance programme.

There is nothing we as manufacturers can do to prevent soiling in use. There are several types of soiling which are quite common:

Spillages - Liquids such as soft drinks, cordials or

any drink which contains sugar, particularly hot drinks, is likely to leave a stain. In such instances, professional help should be sought.

Shampoo - if incorrectly applied, can leave

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

Dust

- which is carried on draughts can soil carpets in various ways, apart from the obvious soiled edges, at gaping skirting boards for instance, dark lines appearing on surface might suggest airborne dust vacuum-drawn through poorly fitted floorboards. Sometimes the shape of floorboards can be seen quite clearly. Air borne dust sometimes shows itself as spots on the carpet, this is due to the air carried on a draught under the carpet escaping through minute holes both in the underlay and the carpet, leaving dust deposited on the pile much like a filter action. In such installations, the use of a lining paper is essential as a preventative measure.

It is the responsibility of the retailer to advise the consumer when the carpet is measured of any poorly fitting doors, skirtings, or floorboards and the consumers responsibility to ensure any remedial work to seal draughts, is carried out before the carpet is fitted, if a resulting complaint is to be avoided.

INSTALLATIONS

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

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

11

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

01274 655694 01562 829966 01264 335111

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

Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W

020 8800 0740

Burmatex Tu

01924 262525

Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd

Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01254 268000

Christy Carpets Tu

019078 308777

Clarendon Carpets Tw

01675 433066

Classis Carpets Tu W Ww

0870 020 1725

+31 38 4778911

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

01204 881 234

Enterprise Weaving Co Be Ww

800 223 6186

0113 380 5333

Craigie Carpets Be

01294 558400

Bond Worth Ltd Ax

01562 745000

Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0116 284 1455

Creatuft Carpets Tu W

Mohawk’s Cherbourg Check

+32 56 35 4444

01422 374 417

01562 745030

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

Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W

01977 662211

020 8944 6220

+45 96 60 3000

Firth Carpets & Flooring Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

Couristan Carpets Ax Tu W Ww

BMK

12

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

Fetcham Furnishings Ltd Tw

020 7823 3040

Edel Telenzo’s Bakerloo

+32 55 335211

01562 825952

Cormar Carpets Ltd

0800 505055

Domo Floorcovering Pr Tu Tw

E & WE Carpets W

Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww

Brintons Ax Tu Tw W Ww

0844 9151000

01282 862 736

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

+31 383 861 060

01924 488882

Dan-Floor UK W

01254 296829

Condor Carpets BV Tu

+32 56 23 54 10

01737 830301

Drury Lane Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

Bronte Carpets Ltd

Belvedere Carpets

BIC Carpets Be Tw W

01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

01422 330261

Belvedere Carpets

Betap Tufting BV Tu Tw W

Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk

01422 431100

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

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

Brockway Carpets Ltd

Custom Carpet Company Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01484 721529

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

01772 696 787

Brockway’s Vogue

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

If you would like to be included in this section or upgrade your listing, please contact Diane Martin on +44 (0)1482 659396 or email diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk

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

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

Gaskell Wool Rich Tu Tw W

01827 831525

Master Weaver W Ww

01562 754 382

Tasibel NV Tw

Gaskell Mackay Carpets Ltd Ax Tu Tw W

01429 892525

Mayfield Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 639 866

The Grosvenor Wilton Co W Ww

01562 701456

Georgian Carpets Tu Tw W

01827 831430

MID NL Be

The Sultana Carpet Co Ax

01299 822300

The Wilton Carpet Co Ax W Ww

0845 296 8850

Thomas Witter UK Ltd Tu Tw

0870 1128318

Godfrey Hirst (GB) Ltd Tu

0800 526696

Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu Heckmondwike FB

+31 38 851 8700

Modulyss Be Tu Tw Pr

+32 52 457211

+49 037 421 420 01924 410544

Timzo Tufting Industry BV Tu

Mohawk Europe

ITC Be Pr Tw Tu

0032 51 424 411

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

marinagooch@mohawkeurope.com www.mohawkinternational.com

01480 479830 01480 471304

01937 588511

Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W

01827 831400 01827 831 424

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

+32 56 65 4300

Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W

01274 855080

01675 433031

Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

02838 334433

Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 341231

United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww

01709 732 666

Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu

01484 863227

Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww

01562 749300

Pownall Carpets Tw W

0845 6528811

Vorwerk

08700 104484

Westex Carpets Tu

01274 861334

Weston Hammer W

0845 644 9090

Whitestone Weavers Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

01429 892555

Wilkies Carpets Tw

0113 307 9955

Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww

Lecaflor Ltd Ax Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

0800 78 33 712

Sans Frontieres Ltd Be Pr Tu Tw W Ww

Leigh Spinners Ltd Tw

01942 673232 +32 56 393 386

07860 911748

Ossfloor UK

+32 05685 4747

Louis de Poortere W

Tisca Tiara Tu Ww

01827 831 450

Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

Le Tissage d'Arcade Ax Ww

+31 38 385 4477

Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww 07850 935301

Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W

+32 52 499600

+32 56 73 57 11

0845 652 8811

0844 5611977

Shaw Home Foundations Tu

01675 433 501

Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww

Signature Carpets Be Tu W

01422 845075

0800 526696

Lusotufo Tu

01388 664101

TAT Carpet

07976 607657

Wool Classics Tu Ww

Manx Carpets Tw W

01827 831 434

Tapibel NV Pr Tu Tw

01623 481 221

Woven Carpets of Kidderminster W 01299 827477

Bronte’s Cream Shagpile

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Cormar’s Living Naturals

0207 349 1560

Wellington Stripe from Ulster

13

Are you a Wholesaler?

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

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory National Mercado Leeds 0113 3802900 sales@mercado.co.uk www.mercado.co.uk

Fells Carpets Goole 01977 662211

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

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

01977 662211

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise p16 Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

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

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

Midlands

East

Birch Distribution Sheffield - see Floorwise p16

Fells Carpets Goole

Birch Distribution Hull - see Floorwise p16

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

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster - see Floorwise p16

01977 662211

Green Tree Distribution Stone, Staffordshire 01785 818005 kevin@greentreedistribution.co.uk Lee Floorstok Ltd Liverpool - see Floorwise p16 Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise p16 MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe - see Floorwise p16 Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Manchester 0161 786 6800 manchester@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

Birch Distribution Leeds - see Floorwise p16

Carpet & Flooring Birmingham 0121 421 9131 birmingham@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Northampton 0845 643 5601 dmsnorthampton@ dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Floorwise D & J Ltd Southam - see Floorwise p16 Green Tree Distribution Stone, Staffordshire 01785 818005 kevin@greentreedistribution.co.uk J J Wholesale & Distribution Ltd Birmingham 0121 765 4994 jjwholesale@gmx.com Matty’s Wholesale Carpets Birmingham 0121 359 2001 sales@mattys.co.uk See page 26 for details STS Flooring Distributors Watford 08454 342000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com see page 29 for details

Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk Salesmark Ltd St Neots STS Flooring Distributors Ltd Cambridge Tel: 01954 781142 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 30 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@ carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

South East Acorn Carpet Accessories Bromley, Kent - see Floorwise p16

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

Ashmount Flooring Supplies Ltd Tottenham 0208 808 2158 sales@ashmountflooring.co.uk www.ashmountflooring.co.uk

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

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

Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise p16 14

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Are you a Wholesaler?

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

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory Carpet & Flooring Bow 020 8525 5691 bow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Camberley 01276 672100 camberley@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk See page 21 for details DMS Flooring Supplies Hemel Hempstead 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk DMS Flooring Supplies Milton Keynes 0845 643 5320 dmslaser@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk Faithfulls Service Centre Kent 01322 285001 Faithfulls Service Centre Walthamstow 0208 498 3040 sales.walthamstow@faithfulls.co.uk Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Kent Flooring Supplies Ltd Chatham 01634 668668 sales@kentflooring.co.uk www.kentflooring.co.uk Littner Hampton London 020 8520 8474 littnerhampton@aol.com www.littnerhamptoncarpets.co.uk Potts & Ward, Woodcocks Ltd Brighton 01273 557211 pwwflooring@fastnet.co.uk www.pwwflooring.co.uk Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk See page 28 for details Salesmark Lancing - see Floorwise p16 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 29 for details STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0845 434 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 30 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

South West BL Flooring Supplies Bristol - see Floorwise p16 BL Flooring Supplies Gloucester - see Floorwise p16

Headlam Scotland North Lanarkshire 01698 831 000 sales@headlamscotland.co.uk www.headlamscotland.co.uk

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

MCD Scotland Uddington Glasgow 01698 808000 mcdscotland@mcd.co.uk www.mcdscotland.co.uk

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise p16

Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise p16

Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise p16

Wales

Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 29 for details STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 01844 213555 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com See page 30 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

Scotland Carpet & Flooring Glasgow 0141 427 8456 glasgow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Matty’s Wholesale Carpets Birmingham 0121 359 2001 sales@mattys.co.uk See page 26 for details Vanguard Carpets Redditch 0845 601 1189 customerservices.redditch@carpet andflooring.co.uk www.vanguardcarpets.co.uk Wood Floor Sales Redditch 01527 511888 help.redditch@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.woodfloorsales.com

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

15

Bond Worth Fiori Meadow axminster 4-5201 classic scroll intertwined intertwined with richly detailed modern accents manufactured with 80% pure new wool 20% nylon available 4.00m wide.

From our our Fiori axminster Collection Collection full portfolio available to view online at www.bondworth.co.uk Townshend Works, Puxton Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5DF T+44(0)1562 745000 F+44(0)1562 732827

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

17

Look for the Buttery

The Calder Wool Collection Winning with Wool The natural choice for today’s customer When it’s wool they want, you need all the options to secure that valuable sales opportunity. Our Calder Wool collection has everything your customers could ask for, across all qualities, weights and price points - giving you the chance to make that extra margin. From the flagship refinement

of Park Lane to the affordable luxury of Lonsdale, with the softness of Cashmere Berber, the designs of Glenweave and the subtle colours of High Point Twist.

Associated Weavers has the wool story with the happiest ending. Calder Wool from Associated Weavers is the perfect wool package.

Associated Weavers Sales: 01422 431100 Email: sales@associatedweavers.co.uk

Now the Calder Wool collection helps your customer save more money with our new Multi-Width option

The Calder Wool Collection

Park Lane in 50oz Elegance and 40oz Classic - a luxury 1/8 gauge carpet in 21 colours Lonsdale - a competitive 80/20 carpet in 10 carefully selected colours

High Point Twist - the latest on-trend colours in a smart 80/20 wool twist

Cashmere Berber - an 80/20 with added cashmere for quality and super softness Glenweave - fashionable natural patterns in 80% synthetic with 10% wool, 10% natural hair

BEAUTIFUL

WOOL

Park Lane

“

Wool - Naturally the best

”

When looking for wool carpets in today’s market look no further than Calder Wool.

We have prices to fit every pocket and colours that work in all areas of the home.

Stephen Kaye Sales Manager Associated Weavers

20

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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

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

CALL US NOW!!!

020 8443 3322 Columbia Flooring plc

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Tel: 0208 443 3322 Fax: 0208 805 2346

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

Wales & South West

The most colourful launch of 2013

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

A stunning new luxury carpet with engineering excellence for the finest finish, 20 superb colours, dazzling performance and ground-breaking 3D POS graphics - see page 45 for details!

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

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

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

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

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

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

ray.andrew@furlongflooring.co.uk

ALAN CHEETHAM M: 07966 263571 GREATER MANCHESTER

Yorkshire & North East

alan.cheetham@furlongflooring.co.uk

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

22

North West

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

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

CHRIS ALLCOCK M: 07872 964685 NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS

Midlands

chris.allcock@furlongflooring.co.uk

Scotland WESLEY GRAHAM M: 07968 324598 LEICESTER/WARWICKSHIRE

COLIN RICHFORD M: 07970 163372 WEST SCOTLAND

wesley.graham@furlongflooring.co.uk

colin.richford@furlongflooring.co.uk

MIKE SHUTT M: 07970 158594 BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE

ALAN CAIRNIE M: 07976 311434 EAST SCOTLAND

mike.shutt@furlongflooring.co.uk

alan.cairnie@furlongflooring.co.uk

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

London

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

RAYMOND SMITH M: 07816 217565 ESSEX

peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

South East

raymondsmith@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

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

DARREN SPENDIFF M: 07791 890861 KENT

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

tonyconway@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

johnakien@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

PAUL LOVELL M: 07816 217549 NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS

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

paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

iancollacott@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Seeing is believing...

Find your rep here and ask him to show you Opulence right now!

23

An R-Griffith Company

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

John Lanham Watts Current Ranges

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

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

10 Row Axminster 10 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster 9 Row Axminster 7 Row Axminster 8 Row Axminster Rolls Only Velvet 100+ Colours Chunky Wool Loop Quality 80/20 Twist

Goodacre Current Ranges

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

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

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

BESPOKE CARPETS

John Lanham Watts carpets would be happy to submit a price for any bespoke carpet project. We can provide a completely bespoke Axminster in terms of any design and any colour from as little as 100 sqm. We are also happy to price for any hand tufted requirement. We can help you with design work and can prepare Kibby trials for your consumer’s consideration.

We also have stock of Moortown Contract Rated Axminster (pictured above) for where timing and budgets are constrained.

Please contact us at sales@jlwcarpets.com

Contract Agent Required John Lanham Watts Carpets Ltd are seeking an agent to cover the London based contract market. We need an agent already calling on designers and specifiers with particular emphasis on the hospitality market who would like to add Axminster to their offering. Please email sales@jlwcarpets.com with your details and we will be in touch.

Retail Sales Agents Required We have an unexpected vacancy in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Northamptonshire. Also we would recruit a suitable Scottish agent. Please email sales@jlwcarpets.com with your details and we will be in touch.

Representation

Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Mr S Fletcher 07831 818989

Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire and North Wales Mr A Powell 07540 112998

West Midlands, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Hereford & Worcester, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Powys Mr S Campbell 07921 439419

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

South Wales, Avon & Gloucestershire Mr P Thomas 07850 934849

Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Northamptonshire Agent Required

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

Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire Mr J Hart 07889 264466 Scotland Agent Required

Northern Ireland Mr Matt Mckillen 07732 263678

Republic of Ireland Mr A M Dunne 00 353 872593060

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Se

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on e r o m .jlw

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at e t m si eb .co w s

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

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

Wilton Sandhurst

Modern carpets manufactured using traditional values

Sandhurst Range The Wilton Sandhurst range is woven with 24 beautiful and modern colours. This plain twist is a great choice for both domestic and commercial markets.

• Wilton Hardtwist Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1458 g/m2 • 4m • Extra Heavy Wear

Contrast Range A cut and loop range weighing in at 47oz comes in 6 modern and exclusive colours. Unique contrast pattern provides this Wilton range with a vibrant and strong presence.

• Wilton Cut & Loop Pile • 100% New Wool, 1594 g/m2 • 4m • Extra Heavy Wear/Heavy Commercial

Honeycomb Range This cut and loop range features in 6 natural and warm colours. Made out of 100% new wool, the bee hive type of texture our Honeycomb range adds additional warmth.

• Wilton Cut &Loop Pile • 100% New Wool, 1187 g/m2 • 4m • Heavy Wear/Medium Commercial

Chequers Range A loop range weighing in at 35 oz and comes in 6 colours with a unique chequers board like pattern.

100% new wool ensures high quality texture feel.

Wilton Contrast

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

Marble Planet Range This range is made of 80% new wool and 20% nylon and is ideal for commercial and heavy domestic use. It features 8 strong and passionate colours.

• Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Seascape Surf Range Our Wilton Seascape Surf range features 6 colours and is made out of 100% New Wool, ideal for commercial as well as domestic markets.

• Wilton Cut Pile • 100% New Wool, 1246 g/m2 • 4m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

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

Axminster Contrast

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

Baroque Pindot Range The traditional pindot pattern makes this range ideal for hotel rooms and receptions.Weighing in at 40oz our Baroque Pindot range, this Axminster range has 10 strong commercial colours.

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

Trellis Range The range features 8 soft and natural colours which makes it extremely pleasant and warm. Made in 80% New Wool and 20% Nylon for the commercial market.

• Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Tartan Range MasterWeaver AxminsterTartan range features 6 modern and vibrant colours, combining traditional Tartan design with modern and vibrant colours.

• Axminster Cut Pile • 80% New Wool, 20% Nylon, 1255 g/m2 • 3.66m • Very HeavyWear/Medium Commercial

Axminster Marble Planet

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

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THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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Don’t be a sheep!

Maintain your independence!

For a traditional service, a familiar face and products you can trust, flock to Rackhams!

NATURAL EFFECT

TWISTS - STAIN RESIST

VINYL / SMOOTH FLOORING

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

Atmosphere Clyde + Stripes Dalton (Rolls only) Dublin Heather Dublin Twist 2011 Echo Twist 4&5M Fairfield Supreme 4&5M Grandeur 40 Heathertwist Design Heathertwist Supreme 4&5m Moorland Twist Pembridge 2013 Portman Rhapsody Stainfree Rugged Twist 4&5M Startwist Edition 30 4&5M Startwist Supreme 40 4&5M Startwist Elite 50 4&5M

Black Jack XL Casino Royale Champion Eclipse 2012 - Part I Eclipse 2012 - Part II Mambo No.1 Mojo 2012 Starlight Supergrip II Thunderball Valu Grip+

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

Bedford Cord Capital Plus Heuga 727 Magnesium

TWISTS - WOOL

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

CARPET TILES

Discovery 4&5M Eden Twist 40/50 4&5M Iconic Twist 40/50 4&5M Inspire Twist 30/40 Palace Twist 50/60 4&5M Paramount 30/40 4&5M The Berber Twist Collection 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Textures 4&5M Ultimate Berber Twist 4&5M Ultimate Twist 40/50 4&5M Ultimate Luxury 4&5M

VELOUR / VELVET

Call now for a copy of our Autumn special price guide!

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

Designers Dream

GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Arena Endurance Marathon

The definition of ‘Peerless’…… ‘Being such as to have no match; incomparable’ If that is for ‘Peerless’, what would they make of ‘Super Peerless! Check out Rackhams fantastic new ‘soft feel’ Saxony, It’s grey, it’s beige, it’s silver, it’s soft, it’s…. superb! Our phones are red hot with enquires and orders for this new product, so grab a piece of the action! Call your contact at Rackhams now!

Area Sales Executives Michael Younger London North 07881-502506

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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 THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

29

NEXT DAY DELIVERY

WWW.STSFLOORING.CO.UK

NEW PRICE GUIDE SEPTEMBER 2013

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

Did You Know?

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

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

Grandeur 40 Heather Twist Design Heather Twist Supreme Pembridge Twist Portman Scala Scala Solutions Startwist Elite

Edel Telenzo Hercules Lawrence Lima Puma

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

Balta Stock Carpets Gala Cord Stainsafe Shepherd Twist Marrakesh

Beauleu International Dublin Elite Dublin Heathers Ranger

Lano Stock Carpets Bolero Fairfield Creation Fairfield Supreme

Fibre Bonded Ecocord Supacord

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

REGIONAL MANAGER NORTHERN Rachel Sherwood 07801 762724

AREA MANAGERS NORTHERN

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

AREA MANAGERS SOUTHERN

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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER WALL CLADDING Dave Thompson 07801 762723

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

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

Luxurious, stylish, soft and silky...

OUR SALES TEAM

Just out, from Edel Telenzo Carpets are two exciting new ranges made from the timeless, unrivalled nylon 6:6 fibre.

Whilst wool is and will remain at our product ‘core’, the Group has, through it’s state of the art, vertical manufacturing plant in Holland, created 2 stunning ranges, introducing a new ‘step process’ in yarn preparation resulting in a unique, soft handle, giving the 2 additions that compliment and extend the already established, highly regarded Edel Telenzo portfolio.

Pamina is a luxury, soft touch Saxony in 13 wide ranging contemporary colours, that offer a host of opportunities to create exciting traditional, or ‘edgy’ interiors.

Sampling is about to be distributed so call your area representative for more information and samples.

Casablanca

Casablanca made using the same new yarn process, is the second new range to be introduced in 6:6 nylon. A shorter pile, resulting in a pin point twist/velour surface finish with an intriguing shadow pin stripe, giving in combination with the very ‘in vogue’ colour palette, another option to do something different and to make a statement in the home or in a commercial leisure environment. Call you area representative for more information and sampling.

Burford Bridge – quality shines through!

Launched at the end of 2012, Burford Brdge has seen steady sales growth this year, resulting in it now becoming a ‘star’ performer within the Edel Telenzo portfolio.

There are no compromises…the best quality wool, 100%, carefully selected colours that seem to have hit the mark, ¼ gauge ‘chunky’ look and Scotchgarded™.

Luvanto 8

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

Available in 4 & 5 metre widths, with unrivalled warranties from Telenzo against pilling, shading and moth proofed, it is quite simply, ‘best in class’.

Greater London as far as N. Circular on north side of Thames and as far as M25 on south side, Surrey, Middlesex, Sussex, Kent John A Constable T: 01622 685397 M: 07836 734322 E: john@jcagencies.co.uk Yorkshire, North Lincs, Greater Manchester, Cheshire & North Wales John Alsop T: 01904 762471 M: 07860 572220 E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset Brendan Hart M: 07850 130221 E: a.b.hart@btinternet.com Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire, North East Jim Osborne M: 07738 642934 E: j.osborne@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire Niall Martin M: 07866 735772 E: niallmartin@msn.com South Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire Andrew Jefferies M: 07831 457102 E: adj.agencies@btinternet.com Lancashire, Cumbria & Isle of Man, Gtr Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales John Rostron M: 07973 733208 E: johnrostron@aol.com East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Suffolk Jonathan Hart T: 01621 817992 M: 07889 264466 E: jonathanhart66@hotmail.co.uk West Midlands Paul Brewer T: 0121 4277117 M: 07798 745181 E: paulbrewer21@hotmail.com Scotland Tim Tindal T: 01436 671421 M: 07836 705620 E: ttcarpetagencies@aol.com Channel Islands, Isle of Wight John Eastlake T: 01323 896141 M: 07885 398858 E: john_eastlake@hotmail.co.uk Northern Ireland, Ulster & Leinster Gary O’Boyle M: 07831 220675 E: goboyle@ntlworld.com Republic of Ireland, Munster & Connaught Larry White M: 00353862594126 E: thelarwhite@hotmail.com

YOUR HEAD OFFICE TEAM CONTACTS Chief Executive Phil Hartley M: 07711 407820 E: p.hartley@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Operations Manager: Lesley Inman M: 07703 337989 E: l.inman@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk 31

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

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

BESPOKE DESIGN CARPET FROM HAMMER CARPETS You may not have heard of them but Hammer Carpets in Denmark are the largest manufacturer of Colortec bespoke design carpets in the world.

Colortec is a state of the art tufting machine that uses computer controlled technology to manufacture any design in a maximum of 8 colours.

This tried and tested manufacturing method is up to 10 times faster than Axminster and exactly replicates the appearance, unlike a printed design carpet.

If you would like more details of this type of carpet and to find out how competitive and easy to use it can be then please call your Sales Agent or our Sales office who will be happy to help.

Below: Colortec bespoke carpets used in the cabins and suites onboard Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2.

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

Natural Lines Super luxurious 100% Wool loop pile available in 4m and 5m

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

widths.

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

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

widths.

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

in 4m and 5m widths.

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

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

two styles.

and 5m widths.

The Stone Fibre Collection Our unique flat woven quality in many

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

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

and 5m widths.

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

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

OUR UK SALES TEAM Mr Ron Fewery Tel: 07976 244892 London, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire.

Mr Steve Acton Tel: 07957 836207 Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset.

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

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Mr Martin Lees Tel: 07522 740954 North Wales, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Tyneside.

Mr Derek Boyd Tel: 07940 320708 Scotland.

Mr Lee Palmer Tel: 07774 101640 Channel Islands.

Mr Jonathan Gorman Tel: 07815 121660 Northern Ireland.

Mr Mark Garbett Tel: 07840 664757 Bristol & the West Country.

Mr Keith Stevens Tel: 07710 160166 Midlands & South Wales.

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2013

7 October 2013

FlooringNews Vinyl vogue with value

IVC Group has announced an update to one of its most popular collections of cushion vinyl flooring rolling out across the UK this autumn.

With over 5000 sample books rolling out to distributors across the country, this updated collection includes some of the Belgian manufacturer’s most popular decors given a fresh lease of life thanks to brand new colourways. Designs such as Rocky and Everest tile-look, Jakarta and Vita wood-look and the mosaic of Maroc are brought bang up-to-date in colourways sure to appeal to consumers looking for the latest styles for their home.

“At IVC Group we not only specialise in delivering powerful brands to market, but also in providing retailers with the very best value ranges designed to provide a competitive cushion flooring collection for consumers less concerned about the added value of branded flooring,” comments Francis Debrabandere, commercial director, IVC Group. “This latest refresh keeps us inline with some of the key emerging trends and ensures that the volume-focused collection remains relevant to today’s buyer.”

Suitable for general domestic use, achieving Class 22 and with R10-rated slip resistance, this top selling product is sure to spark the imagination of consumers looking for value above all else.

T 0800 032 3970

www.ivcgroup.com

Free form with flair

Vorwerk Carpets is teaming up with Flair Rugs to distribute Scale Living, the exciting collection of free form individual carpet tiles that can be chosen and combined in endless ways so users can create a truly unique floor covering.

As one of the UK’s leading distributors of rugs, Flair Rugs is dedicated to sourcing the best and most innovative rug designs and will now be placed to offer retailers nationwide access to the Scale Living collection.

“Scale Living is such an innovative concept that it requires a specialised approach to floorcovering distribution to optimise market penetration,” comments Ian Hammond, UK sales director, Vorwerk Carpets. “Our partnership with one of the UK’s leading rug distributors ensures that interior retailers of all stature can benefit from the unique opportunity presented by this cutting edge interior design solution.”

The Scale Living collection from Vorwerk features a choice of three tile shapes in a wide variety of colours that can be put together to create completely unique shapes and patterns to suit the space and décor as required.

Featuring a specially coated backing the tiles can easily be securely adhered to most smooth floors such as laminate or stone, yet should the need arise they can simply be peeled off and repositioned making them a hugely flexible and creative option for homeowners.

“We at Flair are excited to be launching Scale Living into the UK and Ireland,” comments Geoff Eden, Sales & Marketing Manager, Scale Living.

“This is a truly inventive product allowing bespoke creations for the individual. It’s rare for a genuinely innovative product to appear.”

T 01457 850650

from The Stocklists

www.flairrugs.com October 2013 33

News

Direct to Grand Designs

UK Flooring Direct will be exhibiting for the very first time at the ever-popular Grand Designs Live show at the NEC in Birmingham this October.

Situated at stand L220 in the Grand Interiors section, UK Flooring Direct will be unveiling its new products and brands to 60,000 expected visitors, many of whom will be undertaking or planning a major project for their home in the next 12 months.

“Grand Designs Live is the must-visit exhibition for thousands of homeowners looking to carry out major renovation work on existing houses or even undertake self-build projects, so we are very much looking forward to showing visitors the kind of interior they can create with our ranges of laminate, wood, LVT and cork floors,” comments Josh Ashby, Commercial Director, UK Flooring Direct. “Our stand will encourage these people to come and feel the beautiful textures of our floors for themselves and we will have our experienced team on hand to help make those important purchasing decisions.”

Treading carefully

T&R Floor Covering Distributors has introduced Tarkett’s Safetred Universal and Safetred Spectrum to its vinyl range. Made in the UK, Safetred features an easy-care Safety Clean PUR reinforcement, which incorporates extra slip resistant granules. It is available from extensive T&R stock, for standard two-day delivery or next day, by request.

The brand new Spectra collection of luxury vinyl tiles is expected to be one of the major draws thanks to its incredibly realistic surface structures and impeccable performance benefits, while the new value-focused Home Choice collection will please those searching for laminate, engineered and solid oak styles.

Each Safetred range provides a variety of tough, durable heterogeneous surfaces, with a R10 slip rating and 2.0mm gauge. Both sheet and tile formats are available and all designs provide easy installation and maintenance.

“The exhibition will allow us to display samples of many of our most popular floors, as well brand new options and more unusual designs,” says Josh.

Alongside Safetred, T&R also offers a range of vinyl accessories, including welding cables, floor trims, PVC skirtings, stair nosings and adhesives.

Safetred Universal is offered in 16 fresh-toned shades, whilst Safetred Spectrum includes 20 colour options, complemented by coloured chips and silicon carbide particles.

All Safetred products are manufactured in the UK and feature a recycled product backing. They also meet the requirements of new manufacturing standard, EN13845 and have a BRE A+ rating.

T 0115 925 7711

www.trflooring.com

T 0844 327 0000 www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

Arena performance

T&R Floor Covering Distributors has introduced Polyflor’s new safety vinyl sheet flooring collection – Polysafe Arena PUR – to its stockholding. The new collection includes 12 distinct designs, which each reflect current surface trends whilst offering sustainable wet slip resistance. All products are available from extensive T&R stock, either for standard two-day delivery or next day, by request.

High performance Polysafe Arena PUR is developed for easy installation in both residential and social housing applications, as well as heavy commercial - such as education, healthcare, office and leisure - where there is a risk of spillage. Design styles include authentic reproductions of natural stone, concrete, textile and linear concepts, with the colour palette truly reflecting the natural and outdoor materials being represented. Clear aluminium oxide particles are incorporated both on the surface and through the performance layer to provide increased traction, thus generating sustainable wet slip resistance, whilst an exclusive Polysafe PUR reinforcement provides easy maintenance and optimum appearance levels.

Conforming to European Safety Flooring Standard EN 13845 and meeting the stringent requirements of the 50,000 cycles abrasion test to ensure durability, Arena is classified as low slip potential, achieving 36+ on the Pendulum Wet Test, with a surface roughness of 20 microns +. It is also fully compliant with HSE Guidelines and UK Slip Resistance Group Guidelines (2011). The product contains recycled material and is 100% recyclable through the industry led Recofloor Vinyl Take Back Scheme.

T 0115 925 7711 www.trflooring.com 34 October 2013

FlooringNews

News

Design re-doubled

Expona, Polyflor’s well known Luxury Vinyl Tile brand synonymous with high design and quality, has been dramatically re-launched. With a 20 year history and global sales of over 35 million square metres, Expona is widely regarded and respected across the world. In the most exciting development in LVT for quite some time, the new Expona offer is formed of two design focussed collections across two specifications.

Expona Design PUR incorporates a 3.0mm gauge and 0.7mm wear layer, where as Expona Commercial PUR features a 2.5mm gauge and a 0.55mm wear layer.

Mirroring the beauty of natural materials, each product has been developed alongside a team of global designers. Meticulously aligning the collections to today’s material trends, the extensive range of colours, materials and surface textures meet the demands of heavy commercial environments.

Form and design are the heart of the inspiration for Expona and the design options within the combined range of 83 colours are further enhanced with the availability of a collection of creative inlay accessories to emphasise or accentuate the natural floor design. For the ultimate bespoke experience architects and designers can work with the Polyflor Design Team to produce showcase patterns within the overall floor scheme. There is virtually no limit to the shapes and patterns that can be created with the help of the design service.

The development of Expona Design PUR and Expona Commercial PUR represents the next phase in the evolution of Polyflor’s LVT offer.

“Considerable research, development and investment has been made in the new Expona collections and the design possibilities are beautifully presented in a 120 page brochure and comprehensive new presenter,” comments Tom Rollo, Polyflor’s Marketing Manager. The ranges are set out in a logical sequence in these support tools, offering a measured approach to the specification process whilst leaving scope for interpretation and imagination.

T 0161 767 1111 www.polyflor.com

Ulster’s top export accolade

Ulster Carpets have been awarded “UK Exporter of the Year” at the 3rd annual PWC Private Business Awards at London’s Guildhall in September. The glittering event was hosted by BBC World presenter, Naga Munchetty with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne as guest speaker. Over 700 UK wide companies were nominated for an award with candidates being whittled down to just five in each category.

Export accounts for 70% of Ulster Carpets’ total sales with prestigious customers including the Burj Arab, Dubai, George V Paris and the Ritz Carlton,Toronto. Judges recognised not only success in terms of sales figures, but also the high quality of their offering due to the unique capabilities offered by Ulster Carpets’ Psylo technology. The announcement was well timed as it came as Ulster Carpets concluded their annual sales conference in Denmark at Danfloor HQ (one of Ulster’s subsiduaries). Contract Sales Director, Elaine Patterson commented that the UK Exporter of the Year accolade was a “massive achievement for all the staff ” and rewards significant focus on the growing Middle Eastern market and continued success in more established markets such as the US and Europe.

Kevin MacAllister, partner and private sector leader with PwC in Northern Ireland, said: “Ulster Carpets is an example to companies throughout the UK of how innovation and market focus can help create a global, internationally competitive business. This is a great win for the company, its management and workforce.”

Above l to r: Naga Munchetty, BBC; Charlie Hoffman, HSBC; Hannah Rogers, Field Designer Ulster Carpets, Matthew Weaver, Designer, Ulster Carpets; Jacques-Emmanuel Blanchet, T 028 3833 4433 www.ulstercarpets.com HSBC, and Ruby Parmar, PwC.

Fitting end to theft

The very rare theft of a fully-fitted carpet along with its underlay has landed a Suffolk man in prison for a year.

Axminster by appointment Axminster Carpets has announced it has retained its Royal Warrant of Appointment for service, quality and excellence in carpet making and supply.

A Royal Warrant of Appointment is a mark of recognition of those who have supplied goods or services to the Households of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales.

Josh Dutfield, managing director, Axminster Carpets said: “Axminster Carpets has a long history of supplying high quality, luxurious carpets to the Royal Household and we are proud that this will continue as the company moves forward.

“As part of our long term commitment to Axminster Carpets’ Royal Warrant of Appointment, the company is investing further in our customer service team, ensuring delivery of the highest standards of response from knowledgeable people who are passionate about the Axminster brand.

We’re also developing new innovative designs and exciting product ranges to be unveiled later this year.”

There are around 800 Royal Warrant holders, representing a cross-section of trade and industry ranging from traditional craftspeople to global multinationals operating at the cutting edge of technology.

Regardless of size or specialisation, Royal Warrant holders are united by their commitment to the highest standards of service, quality and excellence.

T 01297 32244

www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

DNA matching was used to catch Shaine Preston who stole the carpet from a neighbour’s conservatory and laid it on his own floor just five doors away. The goods were worth over £700 and the thief was jailed last month after Ipswich Crown Court considered a string of other offences.

36 October 2013

FlooringNews

Famous for bringing pure comfort, warmth and luxury to the home, Tredaire underlays are designed to offer outstanding levels of performance ensuring every carpet looks fabulous and gives that ‘new carpet’ feeling for longer.

That’s why Tredaire is the UK’s biggest selling underlay brand – the market leader!

01706 238 810 from The Stocklists

interfloor.com

@interfloor1 October 2013 37

News

Floor to ceiling

Bespoke contract flooring specialist Gaskell Mackay has been involved in a unique refurbishment of the largest independent luxury hotel in the North East.

Durham’s historic Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club has 80 bedrooms and a number of function rooms. The brief was to supply carpet to a precise specification for the corridors, lift lobbies and stairs in designated areas of the building - total 530m2 of the finest quality 80/20 Axminster.

The most intricate element of the project was incorporating inset panels woven into the Axminster design to mirror the positioning of the roof panels in the corridors.

The design concept was developed at Gaskell Mackay’s head office in Hartlepool by the company’s Head Designer, Gary Juniper; samples were supplied; and a comprehensive site survey was undertaken to ensure the Gaskell’s team had the precise measurements required to determine the size and positioning of the panels with absolute accuracy.

A virtual installation was also deployed to give all parties the opportunity to see the finished design in-situ prior to fitting.

Says Ramside Estates Ltd Hotel Director, Helen Roseberry: “For me it was about getting exactly what was required, in a top quality spec, in the soonest possible time, within budget. We’ve worked with Hugh Mackay - as it was then known - on a number of projects over the years and knew we could count on their craft and commitment to make it happen - however complex the design criteria. They didn’t disappoint and everyone involved in the project was impressed with their process and, ultimately, the finished product.”

T 01429 892525 www.gaskell.co.uk

Making a stand

Brockway Carpets has unveiled its sharp new retail display offering for existing and new retailers alike, purpose designed to showcase latest ranges.

The book you can put down

Heckmondwike FB has released a new catalogue containing its popular ranges of fibre bonded carpet and tiles, plus exciting new innovations added to its collection.

Heckmondwike's range of entrance and transition areas has been enhanced with the addition of the popular indigo colour to every range, reflecting the latest design trends. Blue Moon and Blue Berry colours have also been added to the Vanquisher range, as well as Blue, Willow, Purple and Scarlett to the Bespoke Diamond range, offering an even greater choice for specifiers and end users. The entrance and transition area carpet is widely specified by schools and commercial environments, with nine ranges available and a wide choice of colours.

New colours have also been added to the Montage range, including Granite, Slate and Plum accents to complement contemporary colour choices. The updated Montage range is opening up unique design opportunities for specifiers and building designers who are taking advantage of the fact that Heckmondwike FB’s striking carpet ranges can be cut on site and will not ravel or fray.

The new catalogue also includes Heckmondwike's new range of specialist carpets, tiles and mats which provide versatile flooring solutions for both education and commercial environments. Bespoke carpet designs, loose lay mats and Expo mats, provide a range of solutions for creating flexible and multifunctional spaces.

Abby Chandler, Marketing Manager of Heckmondwike FB, said: “We regularly update our ranges to help specifiers make the most of current design trends and we hope that our new catalogue will inspire them to explore new design opportunities. The catalogue offers contractors and specifiers a quick and easy guide to help them choose the right carpet, from our popular ranges through to latest innovations.”

T 01924 406161 www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk

The newly created retail display units come in four or five exclusive collections and include Florian with Orion, Jubilee with Jubilee Stripe, Cavendish with Lakeland Herdwick/ Lakeland Twist, Solar plain colours and Vogue with co-ordinating Solar plain colours.

Delivering greater presence in store, Brockway’s sophisticated new wall units showcase the maximum range of colours in each range.

“Offering a consumer friendly solution for our retailers was our top priority,” commented Steve Glover, UK sales manager of Brockway Carpets. “Retailers can either opt for all five or a collection of four units, depending on the ranges they want to present to customers in store. Availability is limited and on a first come, first serve basis so retailers need to get in touch to register their interest to avoid any disappointment.”

The units are 2.30m x 0.75m x 0.50m.

T 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk 38 October 2013

FlooringNews

News

Intense elegance

Gambling on experience

Ambassador marble effect cork flooring from Granorte’s Vinylcork collection makes for a bold and dramatic design statement with the warmth and underfoot feel that cork is famous for.

With a seductive dark appeal, the intense colour of Ambassador coupled with a gently marbled effect gives a rich and elegant look to interiors. Thanks to the innovative construction of the Vinylcork boards, designed to harness and deliver the advantageous properties of cork to vinyl flooring, Ambassador is not only highly practical, but helps to improve comfort levels too.

Featuring recycled content cork, a two-mm luxury vinyl surface and moisture-resistant fibreboard core, the multi-layer construction provides effective heat insulation and simultaneously absorbs sound.

Ambassador flooring is also as easy to look after as a normal LVT floor, wearing incredibly well due to a microceramic layer built into the luxury vinyl surface that will ensure hardwearing performance for years to come.

Fitting is also a fast and straightforward process thanks to the no fuss Uniclic installation system.

“Those bold enough to opt for a dark style such as Ambassador will reap the benefits of a floor with incredibly impressive visual impact and performance to match,” comments Paulo Rocha, product manager at Granorte.

The WoolSafe Organisation supported the Experience trade show in America for the second time this year.

“The American market is very important for us”, explains Dr Agnes Zsednai, WoolSafe MD, “about half of our chemical licensees are based there and we have WoolSafe approved Service Providers in every state.

The Experience Convention and Trade Show was launched in Florida this April to take the place of the discontinued Connections Conference. As we are in cooperation with some of the trade associations organising this new event, we immediately wanted to show our support by booking a stand. I was also offered the opportunity to talk about WoolSafe in a seminar.”

T 01785 711 131 www.granorte.co.uk

T 01943 850 817

This time WoolSafe’s participation has progressed even further. In addition to the trade stand, where North America director, Ruth Travis explained the benefits of this unique certification programme; interested parties were also able to learn even more about it straight after the Convention. Dr Zsednai and WoolSafe founder and chairman, Mr Paul Bakker delivered a full WoolSafe training course hosted by The Experience. Extra interest will have been generated in the programme by carpet owners and facility managers downloading the award winning WoolSafe Carpet Stain Cleaning app on their i-phones.

The app guides through the user the essential steps in successful spot removal, and taps into WoolSafe’s worldwide database to list approved products and registered Service Providers local to the user.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for us to hold a training course for professionals gathered from different parts of America; and a great way for them to learn straight from the people who developed this programme,” concludes Dr Zsednai. www.woolsafe.org

Carpet of Flowers goes back to roots

Hugh Mackay Carpets is supporting Durham Cathedral’s ongoing refurbishment programme in honour of the contract flooring brand’s close ties to the City where it manufactured for over a century.

Part of Whitestone Weavers since 2006, the Durham-born business is now based in Hartlepool but has never forgotten its heritage. Playing homage to its past, they recently re-introduced The Durham Cathedral line as part of the Hugh Mackay offering with four ranges themed to reflect its namesake - Bede, Cuthbert, Benedict and Aidan - the luxury woven Axminster collection comprises 18 options designed for domestic interiors and contemporary commercial areas.

“At one time, and for a long time, Hugh Mackay was the largest single employer in Durham,” said Whitestone Weavers’ Managing Director, Steve Byrne. “We wanted to show our support because we will always be indebted to the City for building such a prestigious brand that we’re proud to live-on under the Whitestone umbrella. Hugh Mackay and Durham are synonymous and the Cathedral is an important monument that signifies such a lot to the local community.

This is our way of giving something back - not least to the company’s former staff who worked so hard to make it the success it still is today.”

Whitestone Weavers, under the Hugh Mackay brand, sponsored the ‘Carpet of Flowers’ at a Flower Festival held at Durham Cathedral, all proceeds will be put towards the Cathedral’s refurbishment project, Open Treasure.

T 01429 892525 www.gaskell.co.uk

40 October 2013

Aiden Damask in Graphite

FlooringNews

Feature: Ryalux - Ultimate Collection

Any Colour, Any Style, Any Size Ryalux, one of the UK’s leading quality carpet manufacturers, offers a simple and affordable way for you to help your customers to tailor-make their own individual carpet, with their Ultimate Collection.

“Consumers are more interested in, and have a better understanding of interior design than ever before,” explains Darren Longden, Ryalux’s Commercial Director.

“Whilst some are happy to select from a standard colour palette, an increasing number want the colour to be just right, and want it in the carpet style of their choice. Our Ultimate Collection allows them to have this, and in a way that is easy to understand. Never again will our customers lose an order because they cannot offer the right colour, in the right style.”

The Ultimate Collection is a selection of twist, velvet, saxony, and shag pile carpet styles, available in a choice of different weights.

All are available in any width up to 7 metres, and in any colour using their bespoke colour matching service.

With Ryalux’s Ultimate Collection, your customers can have their ideal carpet style, in their ideal colour, in any width up to 7 metres in three easy steps.

Step 1, style

Choose a carpet style from a wide selection of twist, velvet, saxony and shagpile qualities.

Using Ryalux’s bespoke colour matching service couldn’t be simpler. Just send a sample, whether it be a piece of fabric, a paint chart, wallpaper, or a carpet sample, anything at all, and they will use their extensive colour expertise to match it, and will send you (or directly to your customer if you wish), free of charge within 5 days, a beautifully presented yarn pom, to show your customer how their ideal carpet will look.

“Consumers are more interested in, and have a better understanding of interior design than ever before”

Step 2, colour

Choose a colour either from the exclusively designed colour palette, or design your own colour using the bespoke colour matching service.

Whichever is chosen, the price is the same.

Step 3, order

Place your order Simply provide the sizes required. This can be any length and any width up to 7 metres, and there is no minimum order quantity.* *surcharge applies for orders under 10m2.

All carpets are custom made in the UK, using the finest New Zealand wool, and orders are despatched within 3 weeks.

The Ultimate Collection is presented on both a wall unit, and in a swatch book.

For more information about the Ultimate Collection, please contact your local Ryalux representative, or contact their sales office on 0161 762 3030 (option 1) or visit the Ryalux website to at www.ryalux.com . from The Stocklists

October 2013 41

News

Livyn is easy with learning Flooring installers are already benefitting from the experience and knowledge gained from new Livyn Foundation and Master Installer courses at the QuickStep Academy. Since the announcement of the new Livyn luxury vinyl addition to the Quick Step family, installers have been flocking to sign up for the course that offers a new benchmark of excellence in luxury vinyl floor fitting.

Not only has Quick Step set the bar of excellence in product design and quality, it has designed the Livyn Installer course to equip fitters of its Livyn luxury vinyl floors with essential knowledge and practical experience to ensure floors are correctly installed. The benefits of this scheme are numerous; but the two key outcomes are trained floor fitters happy and secure in their skills and ability, along with a qualification that promotes the very best service being offered to consumers with the installation of Livyn.

Quick-Step’s dedication and confidence in the quality training offered at the Academy is reflected with Livyn Master Installers authorised to issue a two-year warranty for all workmanship. Backed up by a 20-year product guarantee, the unique combination gives the consumer complete confidence in selecting Livyn luxury vinyl floors and Livyn Master Installers for their home.

There are two courses available specialising in fitting Livyn from the Quick-Step Academy: initially the one-day Foundation Installer course is aimed at teaching all of the fundamental basics required to those completely new to installing LVT floor covering. For those wishing to build on existing experience, the two-day Master Installer course includes rich content covering absolutely all details needed for vinyl installation in any roomset. www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

Finest felt underlay re-launched Axminster Carpets has re-launched its premium combination underlay product Axfelt with a new brand image and with a superior specification designed to offer consumers a ‘best in market’ product.

The production of the new Axfelt product is being established with a new plant at the company’s Axminster head office factory and is good news for the current work force as the company looks to underpin its long term future and prospects.

The product is the result of extensive and rigorous trials over the last few months to manufacture an industry-leading underlay which promotes longevity of carpets, provides protection for floors and delivers a superior experience in touch and texture for consumers. The thickness of the product has remained exactly the same as the previous product, however the roll has been shortened to make it lighter and easier to carry.

Smooth operator

Stopgap 1100 Gypsum smoothing underlayment has been used to achieve a luxurious floor finish for a beautiful family home, set in rural Leicestershire. The new, high performance product is specially formulated for use over calcium sulphate screeds, and was specified for the ground floor refurbishment of the kitchen, breakfast room and utility room areas in the property.

In addition to the outstanding performance attributes Axfelt is also manufactured using recycled materials including old carpets and rubber tyres – designed to make a contribution to the reduction of the amount of carpet currently disposed of in landfill in the UK. The triple layer Axfelt underlay comprises a hard wearing top layer which is made from waste 100% wool, a middle layer from waste wool and nylon carpet and edge trimmings, and a base layer which is manufactured using rubber granules from recycled lorry and car tyres. The finished underlay provides a tog rating of 2.2 for a high level of warmth and comfort.

T 01297 33533 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

To begin the installation, contractors at Welland Flooring Ltd., cleaned and suitably prepared the 130m² anhydrite surface, before applying two coats of F. Ball’s Stopgap P121 primer. The use of the acrylic primer is recommended when using Stopgap 1100 Gypsum, as it helps to promote the adhesion of the smoothing underlayment to the calcium sulphate surface, and prevents the product drying too rapidly, which can cause cracks and imperfections in the finished surface.

Stopgap 1100 Gypsum was then applied over the primed surface at a thickness of 3mm. The formulation of the new underlayment is calcium sulphate based to ensure compatibility with this type of subfloor screed, and provided a smooth and level surface prior to the installation of the final Amtico floorcovering.

As well as providing a specialist solution for the levelling of suitably prepared calcium sulphate screeds, Stopgap 1100 can also be used over a wide range of other surfaces, including Stopgap waterproof surface membranes, concrete and sand/cement screeds.

T 01583 361 633 42 October 2013

North East’s nifty 50 The North East Flooring Association has something to celebrate with its 50th anniversary dinner in Newcastle next month.

The golden occasion takes place on Wednesday, November 6, at the Vermont Hotel, Castle Garth, High Level Bridge, and features comedy and prizes.

For information and tickets, contact Mike Parker on 0191 548 0303 or 07887 886278.

www.f-ball.co.uk

FlooringNews

adore style 10 contemporary wood designs 5 stylish tile designs 2mm thick 0.3mm wear layer 15 year warranty Suitable for all rooms Nano-silver anti-microbial surface Micro ceramic PU surface

Call 01675 433 075 to arrange an appointment with your adore representative

News

Tiles square up to recycling Increasing the reuse or recycling of the estimated 58 million individual carpet tiles uplifted each year in the UK is a key focus for Carpet Recycling UK as it strives to divert more material from landfill and to help organisations achieve zero to landfill targets.

In 2011, an estimated 750,000 carpet tiles were reused or recycled, representing a diversion rate of just 1.4%. However, the sector is expanding with 15 CRUK member organisations comprising five reuse organisations and 10 recycling or fuel flock specialists able to tackle this 64,000 tonnes waste stream.

Projects for carpet tile recycling and reuse include Desso’s nationwide collection and recycling Take Back programme and Greenstream Recycling’s national re-use/recycling collection for local social benefit.

“Raising awareness within these sectors is crucial for us in finding useful second lives for carpet tiles and diverting a readily-recyclable resource from landfill. Having made a great start, there is still much more we can do,” comments Laurance Bird, Director of Carpet Recycling UK, the industry’s body for carpet recycling and reuse.

Flooring manufacturer Desso, a CRUK core funder, provides nationwide collection and recycling facilities via its Take Back programme, which accepts used tiles from any source, except PVC-backed tiles. Established in 2008, this recycling initiative aims to ensure zero goes to landfill by turning old tiles into new flooring products or using them in other recycling initiatives. “Creating a second life for carpet tiles for low-income families/individuals in the UK provides the FM sector with a set of unique quantified social outputs that any other ‘waste option’ can’t beat,” says Managing Director Ellen Petts.

In the first six months of this year, Greenstream diverted 37,600m² tonnes of carpet tiles from landfill via their South Wales site and recently-launched new branch within London’s Wandsworth Prison.

T 0161 440 8325

www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

£2m underlay expansion Interfloor has commenced work on a warehouse extension at its underlay manufacturing centre in Haslingden, Lancashire.

The 10,000 square feet extension is due to open in the autumn and will accommodate the planned growth in scrap polyurethane foam which is recycled to manufacture Tredaire PU foam underlay.

Phil Reeder, Interfloor chairman said, “This is another stage in the long term development of our PU underlay capacity. We have invested over £2m in new production equipment and added over 60 jobs in Haslingden so that we can sustain and enhance our position as a UK and European market leader in underlay.”

T 01706 213131 www.interfloor.com

No empty promises!

Remember this? Only last month we featured the new yarn warehouse at Abingdon which was just being finished - see left.

Abingdon don’t let the grass grow under their feet and barely let the paint dry under their brush before it’s full - see right! - 65,000 ft2 of space for finished yarn to provide a huge buffer to meet production demand without delays.

“We’re a company that likes to get things done,” said Martin Peace (pictured far left with Robert Dight). “Now we’re ready for anything!”

T 01274 655662 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk 44 October 2013

FlooringNews

HarrogateReport Quality exceeds quantity at Harrogate Important things still happen at Harrogate. Wool staged a comeback. Shades of grey was even sexier. LVT got more stick and less click. Wood got easier.

Rugs got older. Social media was unstoppable.

An upturn in August trading gave Harrogate a happier tone than may have been the case had the Flooring Show been held a month earlier after the sales desert that was July.

While there is no doubt that the absence of many manufacturers has taken the edge off the visitor experience (see Comment), those that did exhibit are some of the most commercial and competitive companies and enjoyed the opportunity presented by missing competitors to the full - including one who sold 900 rolls in the first two days of the show.

The Flooring Show attracted just under 120 exhibiting brands from 12 countries, occupying around 3,000 m2 floor space in four halls. Some 2,300 trade visitors from 17 countries attended the event, including approximately 1,300 flooring retailers and distributors – broadly similar to the previous year’s footfall.

Event Director Wendy Adams commented: “Although not an increase on the 2013 figures, many exhibitors said the overall visitor quality had improved, and real business was certainly being done all around the floor.”

Event organiser Paul Stott said: “We took over a failing event in the depths of the recession, but a sustained programme of investment, strong management and new content – plus some long overdue economic optimism – have stabilised things. With the support of an important group of loyal exhibitors, who all want the show to continue, we’re confident we now have a great platform to rebuild the show to a size and stature appropriate to this important industry.”

All the major exhibitors praised the quality of the visitors. David Hudson of Rawson Carpets told the organisers: “Thanks for a good show – there were no timewasters – everyone there were serious buyers.”

See overleaf for our report on this year’s show highlights...

Comment Has the flooring industry finally got the show it doesn’t deserve?!

The UK’s only dedicated flooring exhibition which is open to all has reached an unhappy Catch 22 conundrum. Some manufacturers are reluctant to support an event that less visitors attend because not enough manufacturers support it!

The Flooring Show at Harrogate has been impressively redefined by the new organisers Wendy Adams and Paul Stott into a sophisticated showcase event with the kind of smart features and sharp presentation of which any industry would be proud.

The seminar programme is more switched on and geared to helping retailers do better business than any similar event I have ever been to. The show branding is more stylish. The show marketing is tech-savvy and state of the art. In short, the whole thing is now highly professional and relevant.

The major manufacturers that did attend were beyond happy. One sold 900 rolls in the first two days. Furlong said business was “fantastic”, Abingdon were ecstatic, H&V said visitor quality was very high and Cormar can’t understand why anyone would want to miss out – “it’s essential to visit to stay tuned in to what’s happening,” said David Cormack. Kingsmead used the occasion to launch their Highland Fleece range and wouldn’t have missed Harrogate for the world.

But sadly many UK manufacturers choose to miss out because they fear the visitor numbers are declining and therefore their return on investment on exhibitions is not justified. Which is, of course, an unavoidable truth unless the industry as a whole recognises that exhibitions are an ideal opportunity to capitalize on the improvement in the economy that appears to be underway by reinforcing relationships and meeting new customers.

The politics of the flooring industry has a poor record of collaboration for the greater good. But Harrogate is a superb opportunity to vote with your feet – as a manufacturer or a retailer – to build the confidence the sector so badly needs. Build it – and they will come!

Product reviews start on page 47-63.

Next month: Harrogate trends and product reviews part 2.

from The Stocklists

October 2013 45

Show Report 2013 Highlights of The Flooring Show 2013, Harrogate The wool revival?

After a couple of years in the doldrums when fluctuating prices arrested product development, wool is back on the agenda. The talk of the show was Kingsmead’s high profile promotion of their new Highland Fleece, a ‘proper’ 80/20 with impeccable credentials (see Review) and the companies investment in a flagship launch shows how interest in natural fibre is recovering.

Abingdon’s Wilton Royal brand launched its beautiful Anniversary Twist and a new all-wool lectern with over 80 options and Cavalier showed their innovation with their clever Veltwist – an 80/20 crossover with velvet and twist texturing. Manx combines wool 50/50 with recycled PET in their clever new EcoDesign. With recolouring across wool ranges also in abundance, there is new confidence for the fibre.

British Wool have renewed their vows to the carpet industry to support the sector more strongly than may have been the case in the past and are putting themselves about in the industry to hear what people really want.

A less charitable continental manufacturer of synthetics commented at Harrogate: “Every day a wool customer dies and a new wool customer is not born” - but that is to ignore the British love affair with wool which can be re-kindled at any moment.

Shades of grey Talking of love affairs, shades of grey is undoubtedly the season’s best seller and not just in WH Smith. Manx mentioned that their core wool product Castle Twist now sells more in grey that in beige and almost every supplier says the same. This is not just greige – i.e. stony tints of beige. The strong trend is lots of shades of grey from dark to light, including the increasingly popular silvers.

The trend goes well beyond carpet with LVT and laminates boosting their colourways with grey and increasingly point-of-sale and branding designs are taking up the theme.

More stick, less click LVT is more competitive than ever. Earthwerks made their debut at Harrogate as a quality global player who are keen to get a share of the UK market while Karndean came back into the event at the eleventh hour to get a piece of the action. Highly competitive companies like Adore and Abingdon’s Dinstinctive Flooring just go from strength to strength.

But for most of the major players, the clamour around click technology has died down a little – partly because too many competing technologies were confusing the market – and dry-back and loose-lay products are increasingly coming to the fore.

Wood gets easier A real wood floor remains a dream for some consumers but a nightmare for many retailers.

Never mind the margins, it’s difficult and awkward and heavy, isn’t it?

There’s an increasing play for this business in the market and Harrogate saw some smart new offers from Kersaint Cobb, Green Tree Distribution and relative newcomer Emperor Flooring from Anbo to take the pain out of selling wood floors.

Rugs get older?

Well not really, but Louis De Poortere seem to think that just because their used-look Vintage collection was such a runaway success last year, there might be more mileage in rugs that are positively threadbare – a style they call “super-used”. Reaction at the show says they are absolutely right – but you wonder just how far this trend can go unless they start selling moths by the square metre!

Tweets in store Twitter has the love/hate Marmite flavour about it but this year marked the stage when it clearly isn’t going to go away – even for the flooring industry! Social media seminars were very well attended and lots of visitors and exhibitors were busy tweeting and re-tweeting their experiences. Before you dismiss it all as teenage, F Ball announced they have well over 1,000 installers following them on Twitter and have just launched a smart real-time tech support service by tweet which is likely to be a big hit.

46 October 2013

FlooringNews

Harrogate Review 2013

Easier LVT for retailers Adore Floors

A perfect product partnership has been developed between LVT specialist Adore Floors and the self-adhesive underlay experts InstaFloor to make retailers’ life a lot easier.

Adore’s competitive but highly capable dry-back LVT Adore Style range is sold through the UK’s Home Foundations distributor. It can be installed conventionally but is also sold alongside the InstaLay acoustic underlay product which has a unique peel and stick system which can reduce installation times by 50% with excellent cost savings.

“This is the perfect LVT offering for retailers and we are seeing strong growth in this approach,” says Adore’s Paul Brady. “We have invested a lot in making a great product greater to create LVT an at entry-level price which the retailer can sell with confidence because of top performance characteristics and easy installation.” The Adore Style range comprises 10 wood décor planks and five tiles selected for their proven popularity.

The range has contract-level performance with a 0.3mm wear layer on 2mm vinyl incorporating Adore’s patented nano-silver anti-microbial technology. A 15-year warranty completes the ring of confidence.

The InstaLay underlay is made from high quality recycled type rubber which has excellent comfort and acoustic performance. The rubber composition is highly stable and does not degrade over time. There are two options for high-and low grab adhesive to give maximum versatility depending on the sub-floor.

“W e have invested a lot in making a great product greater to create LV T an at entry-level price which the retailer can sell with confidence.”

Paul Brady, Adore

Strength to strength Adore Floors is one of the industry’s recent success stories – growing its worldwide business from £50m to £100m over the last five years, with more scope for future expansion.

The Adore Touch range is seen as one of the best locking LVT products on the market with Uniclic technology that can be fitted without the need for an expansion gap and the company continues to develop different products for various sectors.

In 2014, Adore will be turning its attentions to the commercial market in the UK and Europe with a 3mm range with a 0.55mm wear layer and a contract heavyweight product on 6mm vinyl.

A sheet vinyl range for the healthcare sector is ready to roll out and a new loose-lay product with a specialized backing is about to launch. The Domotex event in Hannover next January will showcase many of these innovations.

“We are taking the lead in development in the LVT sector,” says Paul, “and we have the technology, quality and capacity to keep up the momentum.” www.adorefloors.com

from The Stocklists

October 2013 47

Review 2013

Are you being served?

Green Tree

Green Tree Distribution is taking the pressure off retailers when selling wood and laminates with a smart new initiative they call the ‘white glove service’. You sell the flooring and that’s the last hassle you get with it as Green Tree hold the stock and deliver direct to your customer – keeping in contact with them to schedule timed deliveries not just to the door, but right to their floor.

“We’ve invested heavily in new systems and vehicles to provide a really smart, cost-effective delivery service,” says Kevin Lapthorn. “Anyone can deliver – but not everyone can offer a real delivery service that suits the retailer and his customer. This is good margin business for the retailer, especially if we can ensure there is no damage, no costly returns and a happy customer,” he said.

Green Tree are specialists in Krono floors and also stock leading laminate brands such as Balterio as well as engineered wood, solid wood s and underlays.

T 01785 818005 www.greentreedistribution.co.uk

Stripes with a lotta bottle Manx Carpets

Manx has a lot of bottle when it comes to product development these days with two of its latest ranges relying on recycling drinks containers to boost the environment credentials of its fibre.

EcoStyle is a set of five zig-zag stripes in 4m and 5 coordinating plains in 4 and 5m which are made from 90% recycled polyester (PET) and 10% wool to create a robust extra heavy domestic carpet. “This product gives polypropylene stripes a run for their money,” says Graham Harris. “It’s a great carpet with a good story to tell.”

A sister range is a 50/50 two-tone wool loop in seven colours called EcoDesign which Manx will be introducing in the next few weeks and again the synthetic 50% is recycled PET. But Manx still has a top quality wool position which they have underlined with the launch of Sensuous Touch, a soft deep Saxony in ten colours and three weights, the top one being one of the heaviest in the market.

T 01827 831434 www.manxcarpets.co.uk

Team talk in underlay Novostrat

Novostrat's Tony Taibi paid tribute to the team that has supported the successful growth of the business. "You have to have top performance, well-priced products in the competitive underlay market but it's the quality of the service and our relationship with customers that makes the difference," he said. The back office team of Maggie Bresson, Marie McLouglin and Marie Gallagher together with production manager Eamonn Connaghan make it all happen.

"We micro manage every order big and small," says Maggie Bresson. "We are really serious about our follow-through with customers to make sure they know what's going on every step of the way. Wer’e really serious about service and we love getting it right!"

Novostrat has had a strong year with premium ranges such as the top Sonic Gold products for wood and laminate floors selling well. The company manufactures polyethylene underlays which offer exceptional sound reduction and impact resistance and help installations over uneven floors.

T 0035 361 339287 www.novostrat-insulation.com

48 October 2013

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

October 2013 49

Review 2013

We’ll take the high road Kingsmead Carpets

“How can we get retailers talking about wool carpets again.”

That was the question that the Kingsmead team was asking itself six months ago. Highland Fleece was the answer.

In a major launch at Harrogate which was truly the talk of the show, Kingsmead unveiled a first class carpet with impeccable credentials. The 80/20 cut pile range is the first mainstream product to carry British Wool’s Platinum endorsement – the mark of accredited pure 100% British top quality wool.

In this case, British means Scottish. The Kingsmead company has its roots North of the border, founded in Ayrshire more than 50 years ago, but it was the appeal of the rugged, robust fleece of hardy Highland sheep that also helped form the idea.

And just as the authenticity of the wool is monitored by the British Wool Marketing Board experts, the production of it is monitored by EnCo – an environmental authority that audits the environmental impact of the scouring process.

“More than half of what we sell at Kingsmead is wool carpet but people had stopped talking about it and we wanted wool carpet to be sexy again,” says Kingsmead’s Martin West. “So if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well and we examined every aspect of our approach to ensure this was a product with a great story for the retailer to tell.”

Apart from the sales story, this is a classy product with the ‘proper’ feel of wool, a 50oz pile with a fine finish and a thoughtful on-trend colour palette that has added another accreditation to its long list – the designer endorsement of SBID, the Society of British and International Designers.

“The range has had a tremendous response from retailers and many have already signed up for the stylish new stands,” says Martin.

T 01827 831424 www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

“W e examined every aspect of our approach to ensure this was a product with a great story for the retailer to tell.”

Martin West, Kingsmead - pictured left with the stylish new lectern

Kingsmead’s Clean Easy collection has been completed with an entry level option called Peerless, a 2-ply salt and pepper twist in eight modern colours.

50 October 2013

FlooringNews

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02380 334177

Home H ome o of f Empe Emperor ror Flooring Flooring

Vintage Style at your finger tips Emperor Elite is quite clearly the top of its class. This truly unique range offers the best in quality and design; incorporating one of the widest and longest boards in the industry at 400mm in width and 4m in length. Our Elite range is the only solution for the truly discerning customer.

Distressed Scream Oak

Trade Only

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Once logged in Using your unique username and Password

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Simply log into Anbo Server to see current stocks and arriving stock levels.

Select the product your customer is inquiring about and reserve the stock - we will then contact you to confirm.

Then relax, Let Anbo take care of it, weather its delivery to you or your customer.

www.anbointernational.com www w.an .anbointerna ati t onal.com

Review 2013

Sign of diversion ahead Carpet Recycling UK

A shiny new award was on show on the CRUK stand – the Resource Revolution Award for Landfill Diversion strategy. “We were delighted with that achievement,” says Matthew Charlton. “It is not so much the award itself but the recognition of the importance of recycling in our industry that was such a boost.”

The flooring industry produces over 400,000 tonnes of waste each year and CRUK is campaigning to ensure 25% of that does not go into landfill by 2015. The current figure is 21.4% so their hard work is paying off.

“We’ve had high levels of interest in the campaign and the amount of knowledge in the industry – and awareness about landfill issues - has been building consistently,” said Matthew.

CRUK hosted two well-attended seminars at Harrogate about the opportunities for retailers to enhance their business through recycling carpet and carpet off-cuts.

T 0161 440 8325

www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

A Startwist is born Lano Carpets

Lano celebrated their 20th anniversary with the launch of Startwist Elite the latest premium addition to the collection featuring the current Edition and Supreme qualities. Visitors seeking the latest in carpet innovation were impressed by both the relaunched Startwist collection, featuring an improved two-ply Lanoset polypropylene fibre construction, and the newly revamped Pembridge polypropylene twist carpet. Retailers hunting out the latest in sustainable products were also delighted with the 100% recycled content of the innovative and attractive new Perlana collection.

From the market leaders in alternative environmental fibres, with Mohawk now exclusively distributed by Lano, Everstrand and SmartStrand proved to be very popular amongst visitors. These recycled and renewable material carpets display rich and silky soft textures and a plush appearance, yet conceal incredibly strong stain protection and high resistance to crushing for a long lasting performance.

"We introduced our updated designs and were very happy with the feedback received from clients, which was extremely positive all-round,” comments Tom Mathys, Area Sales Director for UK & Ireland, Lano.

T 00800 5266 5266 www.lano.com

Loyal subjects of the Crown Crown Floors

For the third year running, Crown Floors returned to the halls of Harrogate to impress and delight visitors with its on-trend carpet creations and the benefits and rewards offered through the Crown Floors Loyalty Club.

Retailers at the show discovered the delightful brand new Penrose and Roseland collections available from October. Featuring in 22 x 18’’ books, both new ranges offer sumptuous styles along with the normal high quality and outstanding performance from Crown Floors; peace of mind is assured with a 15 year wear and stain warranty on both ranges.

For a luxurious look and feel the satin soft yarn construction of Penrose is available in 13 plain and three stripe styles of highly desired natural and grey tones. Roseland brings an exciting new style to the fore with rich, earthly shades in a two-ply heather twist construction giving a unique exaggerated two-tone effect. Shown for the first time on its dedicated lectern unit, the timeless colour palette of new Dunnottar Castle with shades such as the grey of English Cloud and warm Gold Dust, perfectly capturing the essence of the latest moods in interior design.

T 0800 077 33 01 www.crownfloors.co.uk

52 October 2013

FlooringNews

from The Stocklists

October 2013 53

Review 2013

Roll up, roll up Abingdon Carpets

September is a smart month to launch roll ranges and Abingdon’s enthusiasm to give retailers the right options was on show in style at Harrogate. “We’ve had a fantastic reaction to our new roll ranges this year,” said Martin Peace. “We’ve worked hard to develop the products that retailers can really sell strongly in a tight market.”

A trio of roll ranges were revealed at the show. The first was a typically savvy piece of range extension by Abingdon, a new lighter weight in the hugely popular Ultimate Saxony collection. The existing three weights which extend from 50oz to the most sumptuous 90oz have been joined by a new 30oz option called ‘Regal’ specifically designed as an affordable option for bedrooms while the heavy stuff is sold into the downstairs rooms. The 5 best colours make up the more limited colour palette and a 4m only width helps keep the cost down. “We’ve had a fantastic reception for this product,” says Martin.

The two other ranges rolling up are Stainfree Encore in six lighter, cool colours and Stainfree Appeal, a sharp plain in five new contemporary colours.

Pictured above with the latest roll ranges are Steve Jones and Jane Ashton.

For the cut-length collections, Abingdon has been busy finalizing the point-of-sale with tidy new wall displays for the flagship Stainfree ranges Emperor, Ultra, Innovations and Reflections as well as the wool collections under the Wilton Royal brand.

Royal anniversary The wool carpets at Abingdon under the company’s Wilton Royal brand are celebrating an anniversary as is the vogue in Royal circles at the moment. Anniversary Twist actually celebrates Abingdon’s tenth birthday this year and to make the occasion extra special, this 80/20 range has been given an imposing 36’ lectern to display its 12 smart and subtley different colours.

Alongside Anniversary, Wilton Royal has also rolled its entire collection of more than 80 wool products into a tombola that is bursting with textures, contemporary tones and a super selection of options.

“W e’ve worked hard to develop the products that retailers can really sell strongly in a tight market.”

Martin Peace, Abingdon

Contract backing Britain Abingdon thinks UK retailers might appreciate a bit more commercial business and have launched an important new collection to help them compete in this sector. “This gives independents an opportunity to get into this business with a competitive offer,” says Martin Peace. “You can’t buy a range of products like this from any other British manufacturer and the continental alternatives are more expensive.

The Stainfree Contract Collection comprises a full range of impervious gel backed carpets with tweeds, berbers, heathers and a stripe in strong contract colours – ideal for residential homes, communal areas in apartments and the hospital sector.

T 01274 655662 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

54 October 2013

FlooringNews

Review 2013

Furlong’s wow factor Regency Carpets and Furlong Flooring

One word summed up the Harrogate show. “Fantastic,” said Neil Valentine of Furlong Flooring (pictured right) whose Regency brand of Carefree Carpets took centre stage at the event with a modern high-tech stand that had doubled in size since last year. “We wanted to make a real impact and the wow factor worked for us. I feel very confident about the trade,” he added.

It was a showcase event for the latest Carefree carpet, Opulence – a 60oz deep pile range using 2-ply yarn which has been enthusiastically received by retailers. There are 20 colours in the range including a set of bold, on-trend options and the range is presented on Regency’s remarkable lectern with 3D graphics and advanced image change displays which show how stains disappear as consumers walk past.

At the other end of the scale, Regency’s felt-backed heathered twist Fairway was also a huge success following its launch at Harrogate in 10 popular colours. “It’s had the ‘sold-out’ sign on it since the first day,” said Neil. “So I’m going to need to talk to production!”

T 01772 696787 www.regencycarefree.co.uk

Solving problems, tweeting solutions F Ball

Problem solving is F Ball’s core business and the company’s relentless product development and attention to service sets the standard in the sector for adhesives and floor preparation.

Harrogate was full of their recent innovations.

Stopgap 1200 Pro is one of the latest – a maximum performance smoothing underlayment that can be used over adhesive residues to save time and money. With a 60 minute setting time, it’s ready to take a new floor in four hours. It already has a big fan club among fitters! “This is one of the best product launches we have had in 20 years,” says F Ball’s Richard Harris. “It’s so versatile and such a time-saver that everyone has seen the benefits right away.”

The two waterproof surface membranes offer two different approaches to moisture management. F77 which is a one-coat epoxy resin system that can be used quickly on absorbent concrete and cement floors up to a very damp relative humidity. F78 does a similar job but with a 2-coat water-based formula where a more user-friendly, solvent-free approach is required. F Ball’s new robust exterior repair product Stopgap 460 Exterior Repair was also on show.

Neat tweeting F Ball supports 14,000 technical support calls a year with a team of four skilled staff – a commitment to customer service that is unrivalled. Now, the company has launched its Twitter tech support service to help installers on site at tricky jobs.

“We can’t solve every problem in 140 characters but we can do a lot to help,” says Richard Harris. “It allows us to almost be with the contractor, looking over his shoulder while he’s working so that we can offer the advice he needs, when he needs it.”

T 01538 361633 www.f-ball.co.uk 56 October 2013

FlooringNews

all who Thank you tond at the visited our staShow Flooring in Harrogate

from The Stocklists

October 2013 57

Review 2013

Emperor rules UK Anbo

Anbo International has arrived in the UK retail market in some style with its Emperor Flooring solution with solid and engineered woods in 72 options with a service package to match.

Anbo is a family-owned business formed six years ago by the Shanghai Haochen Timber Group and has access to one of the world’s biggest wood manufacturing business in China. Their UK base in Southampton has substantial stockholding – Anbo is already the UK’s third largest importer of solid wood flooring and hardwood products.

Global goes local Earthwerks

A smart new brand in the UK LVT market, Earthwerks is going to be one to watch as it has the ranges and resources to become a major force in flooring here. With a 75-year-old family owned American company as parent and business in 45 countries, plus 250 stock lines in Europe, this is no flash in the pan – Earthwerks are here to stay and to develop their UK position.

“This is a unique opportunity for retailers to get into wood flooring,” says Steve Evans for Anbo. “Not only is the range so extensive, there is a sophisticated service that delivers direct to consumers on behalf of the retailer. All the wood is responsibly sourced and accredited and the quality is superb.” Products are available traditional tongue and groove as well as an award-winning drop-lock system that “almost fits itself!”

Ton van de Ven (pictured above) has been brought in to take on the UK for Earthwerks. “We’re a global brand but we work locally to ensure our customers get exactly what they want. We are all about quality and and all about service and that means investment in stock.” He has launched with key ranges in the dryback, click and loose-lay segments with stockholding in Birmingham. The company promises no internet selling or market saturation and intends to base its business on close relationships with retailers.

A smart starter is the ultra-wide Tempo range 10 matt designs specifically for the UK market with elm and walnut adding to the popular oaks, available as dry-back and click.

T + 32 87 30 68 50 www.earthwerks.co.uk

T 02380 334177 www.emperorflooring.co.uk

Cormar’s 14th first

Cormar Carpets has continued its run of industry accolades by winning the Metro Group ‘Flooring Supplier of the Year’ for the 14th consecutive year – a feat that no other supplier has ever achieved.

The award was announced at the annual Floor Show in Harrogate and was accepted by marketing director, David Cormack.

Said David: “Cormar has traded with Metro for over 30 years, so it is great to see that the relationship continues to flourish. We’re delighted to have won it 14 times on the trot!”

The Metro Group is one of the UK’s five principal buying groups, with over 150 independent retail members across the UK. Metro own label Cormar ranges under the ‘Carpet First’ brand, with many of the collections featuring within its top 20 best selllers.

Cormar produces all its carpet ranges from its two production sites near Bury in Lancashire.

It also has its own fleet of 50 distribution vehicles to ensure a top class delivery service to customers, as well as its own team of 23 sales representatives throughout Britain and Ireland.

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

T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

58 October 2013

FlooringNews

New deal for Ideal Beaulieu Flooring Solutions

Beaulieu’s business is well developed with UK distributers but now retailers are going to see a smart new look to the Ideal residential ranges with a new brand identity and eye-catching in-store displays complementing the traditional carpet pattern books. “This is a first for us,” says marketing manager Bart de Bruycker. “We have invested in a new approach to give the Ideal products more exposure and we have had a very good response in Harrogate and the sales team is really excited about its potential.” The new Ideal display units will be available from all major distributors.

The marketing initiative has re-styled the Ideal brand name into a trendy new design under the banner ‘Ideal for Floors’ and the new products have been organized into two collections, each with their own lecterns.

“Ideal for Families” has Charisma, a heavy heather Saxony, and Embrace, an attractive plains range – both in 4 and 5m and 12 colours. “Ideal for Landings” has the Moods range developing the fashionable stripes concept to a new level with stiking colours and designs balanced by subtle natural shades.

T +32 9338 1211 www.beaulieuflooringsolutions.com

Pictured above left is Beaulieu’s Bart de Bruycker with the Ideal for Landings lectern and on the right is the Ideal for Families lectern with show visitors Beverley Ridsdale and Sara Abbott of Profile Patterns Limted.

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Home & Safe with Stainshield from The Stocklists

Home & Safe

A professionally applied treatment at very advantageous prices.

Approx. costing of 29p per square metre for carpets (15p for fabrics & soft furnishings) StainShield Limited

P.O. Box 336, Oxshott, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 2DB Tel: +44(0)1372 841467 Fax: +44(0)1372 841467 Email: james@stain-shield.ltd.uk

October 2013 59

Review 2013

Slightly sheepish about carpets British Wool

British Wool are slightly sheepish about their involvement with the industry in recent years.

“We are reconnecting with the carpet industry and asking them how we can help to boost their business,” says Tim Booth, a long-time British Wool expert but newly appointed Marketing Manager of the marketing board.

“Carpets are the biggest user of wool in the UK and we need to make sure that everything we do is meaningful to support this important industry. We are listening and we are open for business,” he said.

The Marketing Board is conscious that the very volatile wool price fluctuations in recent years has held back some product development in wool but is looking forward to a period of stability in the price of natural fibres while accepting that is a global market, driven by global supply and demand factors.

New technology and communications programmes are also being designed to help retailers sell wool benefits and trade consumers up to higher margin products.

T 01274 688666 www.britishwool.org.uk

A new twist on velvet Cavalier

Veltwist is a major new initiative for Cavalier with a distinctive appearance that has unique appeal and a production process so complex that it is unlikely to be copied.

The carpet is a 45oz 2-ply 80/20 with high twist interwoven with velvet to create a remarkable texture and an on-trend design which Cavlier has created in 12 carefully selected colourways.

“This is different enough to be different, but not so different that it is niche,” explains Hans Lowe. “We have a high level of interest and it is a great product to get customers talking.” Sampling will be available in November.

Meanwhile, Cavalier says it intends to be “more proactive about colour trends,” and has started by adding new colours along the fashionable grey spectrum to top ranges: Country Collection, Lupo, Cartouche and the Shepherds Collection.

Another new launch at Harrogate was Strata, Cavalier’s first loop pile stripe from stock. The 100% wool carpet comes in six colours including some striking, bold options.

T 01254 268 000

www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

Laying down the standard Quickstep

Visitors to Harrogate learned the latest about the new Livyn Foundation and Master Installer courses setting a benchmark of excellence in luxury vinyl floor fitting available now at the Quick-Step Academy.

The knowledgeable Quick-Step Academy staff were on hand to explain the detailed course structure and content of the new Livyn Foundation and Master Installer courses and the huge benefits to be reaped on completion. Building on the Quick-Step Academy philosophy of excellent service and workmanship, the new Livyn courses are delivered from highly experienced professionals to equip fitters with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for fitting vinyl flooring in everyday situations.

For those new to floor fitting, the one day Foundation level course offers a thorough grounding in the essential elements of vinyl floor fitting from subfloor preparation to floor maintenance. After six months of practical on-site industry experience, installers are then eligible to go on to the intensive Master Installer course, an industry mark of excellence that allows fitters to issue a two-year warranty for all Quick-Step Livyn workmanship.

T 0161 877 6955 www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

60 October 2013

FlooringNews

The new Sensation Cormar Carpets

Sensation lived up to its name when it was launched last year.

“People were really positive about the handle of it,” says David Cormack of Cormar. “It was totally different, something between wool and polypropylene, and we got an unusual number of comments about how much people loved it.”

Cormar aren’t inclined to quit when they are ahead and retailers were asking for more so Sensation has become a collection with a lighter weight option, Feeling, added in January, plus a Sensation Heathers range launched in June, and now the latest Sensation Twist.

The Twist is a tightly wound, lower, denser twist in Cormar’s Luxelle polypropylene which has been launched in 16 colours including the now trendy greys and a new, unusual snow white.

Elsewhere on Cormar’s busy stand was the hugely popular Primo Ultra – the company’s flagship heavyweight tenth-gauge twist with a new section of grey colourways.

T 01204 881234

from The Stocklists

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

October 2013 61

Review 2013

Partners for profit Associated Carpets Group

The ACG buying group promotes itself as your ‘partners for profit’ which sums up their smart, savvy approach to supporting retailers and improving your margins.

“It’s simple. Retailers who talk to us just want to know what they get back for their money. We can demonstrate a tangible return,” says ACG’s Richard Moore. “The big difference is that we run a low cost operation based on a subscription so the retailer gets all the benefit from the supplier of the discounts we negotiate.”

A member Richard Creaser of Scarborough Flooring happened to be on the stand when we visited. “They don’t take over your life,” he said. “They give us a lot of support and the rebates are great – and the suppliers seem to rate them.”

ACG is also distinguished by the quality and impact of its Smart Choice own brand merchandising – an increasingly important factor for retailers threatened by internet competition and market saturation of core products. The launch of a highly sophisticated website with more than 100 ranges online encourages consumers to request sampling which is routed though ACG’s retail members.

T 01942 825520

www.smartercarpets.com

At the double H&V Carpets

It is only the third year at Harrogate for H&V Carpets but already the company has doubled the size of its stand and is making an increasing impact on the UK market with its straightforward approach to selling competitive carpet.

The star of their show was a new weight in their portfolio, a super 80oz deep saxony called Symphony which is available in eight colours. “We have found exactly the right yarn for this product and the carpet has had a very good reaction from retailers,” said Johnny Peeters of H&V. A lighter weight 40ox saxony Faro has also been launched in five colours.

H&V’s best selling Garda range has a new twist with Garda Supreme, a 50oz carpet with a speckled, three-tone design that makes it a versatile choice.

T 07813 714498

Keep taking the tablets Cormar Carpets

Visitors to this year’s Floor Show in Harrogate again had even more reason to visit the Cormar stand – the company was offering customers the chance to win an iPad Mini a day!

In addition to showcasing its new ranges – Sensation Heathers and Sensation Twist – Cormar wanted to support the show itself with an added incentive to attend.

Said marketing director David Cormack: “Last year we had such a great response to our iPad promotion that we thought it would be a great idea to do a similar promotion using Apple’s new Mini iPad. A mail shot was sent out over the summer to encourage retailers to visit the Cormar stand at the show and on the day they had to complete a form to enter the prize draw.”

The winners were Rodney Gowans of Gowans Flooring, Castle Douglas; Teresa Bennett of Carpetwise, Stratford upon Avon; and Paul Telfer of Tony Roberts Carpets, Whitehaven.

T 01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk Katie Bott is pictured above with Cormar’s David Judge collecting the prize on behalf of her manager Paul Telfer.

62 October 2013

FlooringNews

Business News

News

Clouds have silver lining

The Autumn chill has cheered up flooring retailers with official confirmation of a rebound in sales at the end of August following the July heatwave which had manufacturers and store owners sweating in more ways than one as sales dried up.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that non-food sales were up 2.1% and its director general Helen Dickenson commented: “Overall, these are very encouraging figures, which maintain the sense that a consumer-led recovery is tentatively taking shape.”

Retail analyst David McCorquodale of KPMG singled out flooring as a key success story within the statistics: “After suffering from some of the worst sales on record last year, furniture and flooring sales have rebounded.

“It’s a positive sign that consumers feel confident enough about the future to make large scale, non-essential investments in their homes.

Whether or not these investments are being powered by finance or consumers dipping into their savings remains to be seen - a debt or savings-fuelled spending bubble, of course, would not be sustainable in the long term.”

Most retailers won’t care where the money’s coming from at the moment provided the run up to Christmas helps re-build their own bank balance and will take heart from the BRC report.

The BRC’s Helen Dickeenson added: “Taken hand in hand with a recent upturn in consumer confidence, the signs are that many of us are feeling a little more positive about the economic outlook and responding well to good deals and new autumn collections alike.”

OFT slams misleading sales

Carpetright led the list of retailers rapped by the Office of Fair Trading for misleading consumers on the sale prices. On average it was found that 95% of sales promoting a lower price were not genuine across the furniture and flooring sector.

Many flooring retailers greeted the news with delight as the practice has been a long-standing source of complaint among independents for distorting competition on the high street.

During its inquiries, the OFT said it found systematic examples of inflated "reference pricing" - where a retailer claims the price "was" £500, for example, and is "now" £300 – and that in some cases, the stores under investigation had not sold a single product at the previous higher price.

"Reference pricing can mislead consumers into thinking the item they have bought is of higher value and quality," said Gaucho Rasmussen of the OFT. It also puts consumers under pressure to buy immediately, he said. "This means they do not get the chance to search the market for the real best deals," said Mr Rasmussen.

The OFT has ordered the six to stop the practice of misleading pricing. If they continue the habit, the OFT has the power to fine them up to 30% of their relevant turnover.

The law on sales pricing says that price comparisons should be reasonable in terms of time and that previous prices used as reference prices should be genuine. The test of reasonableness is that an item should have been offered at the higher price for as long as it is at the sale price, but as this is only a recommendation and other ‘rules’ are less clear, opportunities to mislead are readily available.

The six cited by the OFT were Carpetright, DFS, Dreams, SCS, Furniture Village and Harveys/Bensons for Beds.

Carpetright said it would co-operate fully with the OFT, but insisted there was no suggestion that it had broken competition law.

from The Stocklists

tel: 00353 61-339287 www w.novostrat-insulation.com info@novostrat.com October 2013 63

Flower on Flooring

by Dennis Flower

The fun side of flooring In addition to its practicality, the use of the carpet tile concept can encourage creativity and individualism, say the industry¹s suppliers.

The first to refer to this is Geert Vanden Bossche, Balta Group marketing director: “The Stain Block Home Tiles collection is a great way for retailers to offer consumers a practical and fun alternative to wall-to-wall carpet. Ideally presented on a small footprint display that showcases the four designs and wide-ranging colour palette, Stain Block Home Tiles really let homeowners experiment with interior design.”

Vorwerk’s Scale Living offers fun and style

Balta’s Stain Block Home Tiles lets consumers experiment

Suitable for use in a wide range of areas, thanks to bleach cleanable polypropylene and an impervious back, the tiles offer “virtually limitless creativity, whether mixing textures or adding splashes of pop colour,” Mr Vanden Bossche continues. “This flexibility undoubtedly appeals to a new generation of flooring buyer, one that wants to create a statement with their floor, but that also appreciates the semi-permanency that loose lay carpet tiles can offer. If you want a new look, simply lift, move and replace. A really fun way to engage with the floor.”

The benefits of random lay, batchless carpet tiles, such as the Tessera Mix range, are extolled by Julie Dempster, Forbo Flooring Systems marketing manager, arising from its investment in CMC Infinity tufting machinery and providing high performance, durable products at economical pile weight. “Individual tiles can be laid in any direction, and because there are no rules for the fitter to follow, an installation can be completed rapidly. Futhermore, as almost every last off-cut can be used around the perimeter, there¹s very little installation waste,” she says.

Due to the batchless nature of Mix, there is no need to keep tiles as single boxes can be purchased if needed in the future. Installations can also be easily extended or altered, without concern over pile direction or colour matching.

Forbo has refreshed Tessera Mix with eight new contemporary colourways, including black and charcoal Obsidian, teal Glacier, rich

Forbo has refreshed its Tessera Mix tiles with on-trend colours

64 October 2013

jewel hues of Ruby, Amethyst and Jade, and the natural earthy shades of Sahara, Husk and Stone.

Ian Hammond, Vorwerk Carpets sales director, is another to explain how carpet tiles deliver elements of fun and exploration to domestic flooring applications: “Our Scale Living collection adopts a modular approach in the same fashion as carpet tiles, but uses different interlocking shapes Bloom, Mesh and Cut to create dynamic structures that make the floor a central part of the interior design.

Owners can change layouts with mood, or with practical need.

Designed by architect and designer Hadi Teherani and inspired by the Scale commercial concept, colours are grouped in Colorscale and Greyscale. The former delivers intense purple and coral, while Greyscale contains neutral tones as well as leather and metal.

“Scale Living is all about expression. The perfect addition atop most smooth flooring surfaces, Scale Living is a great way to bring creativity to the home,” Mr Hammond concludes.

Abby Chandler, Heckmondwike FB marketing manager, says creativity has led to carpet tiles becoming more popular, especially in large, open plan areas through the use of zoning. “The use of vibrant accent colours is helping to open up exciting design opportunities with fibre bonded carpet to create separate zoned areas. This has been achieved by combining carpet designs such as the Array range, which boast contemporary flashes of colour with complementary colours, for example from the Broadrib range, to create a stunning effect.

Carpet tiles, such as Array, have given interior designers and flooring contractors the scope to be able to create impressive spaces through flooring, whilst reducing the need for partitions in buildings.

“Another growing trend is using a variety of patterns, textures and even custom cut shapes to add visual interest. The robust qualities of our fibre bonded carpet has helped us to meet these demands,” says Ms Chandler.

Heuga states that the ‘green trend’ continues to grow, extending from the commercial market to become accepted by consumers. This translates into fair, natural and recycled materials, environmentally responsible production and the use of natural colours and structures like bark-like textures and natural stone, cork, or wood imitations.

Recently launched by Heuga, Smart Sense fits this trend, being produced in a sustainable way. Featuring a design of harmonious and modern lines, this carpet tile collection has been created using the special microtuft process, using up to 50% less yarn than conventional carpet, without sacrificing performance. Being produced from 60% recycled content and its random design (reducing cutting waste to a minimum) are adding further to the sustainability of the product, the company explains.

For more information: Balta T +32 5662 2211 Forbo T 0800 0935846 Vorwerk T 020 7096 5090

www.baltagroup.com www.forbo-flooring.co.uk www.vorwerk-carpets.com

FlooringNews

The British Wool column Win a green sheep for your shop – take part in British Wool’s OneWool nominations!

British Wool and the Campaign for Wool joined forces at Harrogate to promote OneWool. This special interiors promotion encourages manufacturers, retailers, designers, editors and consumers to nominate their OneWool product of choice to celebrate during the Wool Week in the UK this October (14th to 20th) and carpet retailers can win a fabulous green sheep to display in their store if their nomination is selected by the BWMB. This new promotion follows on from the success of Wool House – the major interiors and lifestyle showcase that was held in March 2013 at Somerset House – where the Campaign for Wool and over 17,000 visitors to the event, saw a huge wealth of amazing products from wool interior businesses across the world brought together in one place at the same time.

“The Campaign was keen to see how we can bring even more wool products together by launching a social media and retail showroom promotion. OneWool is all about getting more people involved in the Campaign,” Bridgette Kelly of the Campaign for Wool said.

Tim Booth, marketing manager at the BWMB said: “We really want British Wool retailers to involve themselves in Wool Week and OneWool is a very simple entry point. Simply choose a wool range that you like and identify it as your OneWool product during Wool Week and afterwards too.”

OneWool materials are available for download on the Campaign for Wool website.

The Flooring Show stand

Nominations for the British Wool carpet retailer OneWool promotion to win a green sheep, should be sent to marketing@britishwool.org.uk – naming the carpet range, your reason for choosing it and your contact details. Please send your One Wool nomination before 1st November 2013.

Kingsmead launch first British Wool Platinum certificated carpet range – Glen Shee

Kingsmead Carpets has launched a new environmentally friendly wool carpet range and put quality at the top of its agenda with this superb addition to their product offering. Glen Shee – which is also manufactured in the UK, is an 80/20 wool twist made of the most robust wool in the UK.

Working closely with their upstream wool supply chain, Kingsmead set out to create a range that uses British Wool with specific characteristics of robust strength which gives long term good appearance. They chose to use wool from sheep breeds in Scotland and have now produced their own yarn – Highland Fleece.

Glen Shee Burnt Orange It is the first carpet range to achieve the traceability requirements of the British Wool Marketing Board’s Platinum Certification which verifies the origin and journey of the wool and confirms that the wool is sourced from Scotland and made from 100% Scottish fleece wool naturally, this will help sheep farmers north of the Borders.

Martin West, Managing Director of Kingsmead Carpets commented that the company were keen to have a strong profile for this range: “We wanted British Wool to be a major part of our product story as we manufacture in the UK. The Scottish countryside provides a rigorous test for its local breeds of sheep which have evolved to withstand everything nature asks them to endure. The resultant wool is the most hard-wearing and resilient of all wools ideally suited to the production of a carpet that will endure and retain its appearance for year after year.”

Additionally, the Highland Fleece wool has undergone rigorous tests to achieve its ENco certificate – the environmental certificate on wool scouring (wool cleaning) - ensuring that it is an eco-friendly fibre. Glen Shee is available in 20 shades and in both 4 and 5 metre widths. The thoughtful on trend colour palette has received endorsement from SBID Society of British and International Design.

66 October 2013

FlooringNews

Be Part of the Campaign for Wool’s new Interactive Promotion for Interiors Join the Campaign for Wool in celebrating the beauty, practicality and endless versatility of real wool within interiors by participating in this new, promotion. We want to build a virtual ONEWOOL gallery of the very best items in the wool interiors industry today and then we will choose and curate a real ONEWOOL gallery!

About ONEWOOL… OneWool is a unique promotion designed to build the profile of great interior wool products and their unique story. Rugs, carpets, fabrics, furnishings or art can be nominated in the OneWool promotion.

An Invitation…

The Campaign wants to bring the many wool stories, skills and successes of our industry to the world – let’s work together and put wool interiors on the map!

Get Involved…

Simply choose one wool product, item or range and nominate it as your chosen OneWool product.

Use the ONEWOOL template…

Put a picture of your chosen wool product and your reason for choosing it on the downloadable templates at www.campaignforwool.org

Let us know…

Email it to us at onewool@campaignforwool.org

Add social media…

Post it yourself on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and use our hashtag - #onewool – The OneWool digital icon is also available to download at www.campaignforwool.org.

Pass it on…

Distribute your OneWool nomination to your business and customer network and show your support of the Campaign for Wool during Wool Week on 14th–20th October and afterwards.

Nominate your product before 1st October and win one of twenty Hotel Chocolat luxury gifts!

#onewool

from The Stocklists

October 2013 67

The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

F&X Carpets

Renaissance Classics by Brintons

The Himalaya Collection from F&X Carpets offers a fine carpet alongside a strong environmental story which is increasingly important to consumers. The fibre is 80% wool combined with 20% recycled polyester (PET), typically recovered from waste drinks bottles which produces a top quality textile fibre when it is re-processed in F&X’s own factory.

As a design-led company Brintons’ archive is a unique reference tool and point of true inspiration to clients and their highly skilled design team that clearly distinguishes them from their competitors. Renaissance Classics creates scene-setting floors in top quality 80% wool and 20% nylon woven axminster. Full of romantic scrolls and delicate ‘palmette’ motifs, our Renaissance range of 11 designs with 5 complementary runners is inspired by the golden age of Persian art and literature.

The Himalaya Collection is available in 4m width and also in three weight options - 30, 40, 50 oz.

T 07976 607657 (Gordon Hugo) www.fxcarpet.com

T 01562 748000 www.brintons.co.uk

Esprit Accents from Penthouse

Glen Shee from Kingsmead

This deep pile luxury carpet made of finest British Wool offers 12 plain delicate shades in its Esprit range, complemented by 12 tasteful pastel heathers in the Esprit Accents range.

Rugged Scottish wool is at the heart of this new range from Kingsmead. Glen Shee is made with the company’s specially developed Highland Fleece to become the first UK range to achieve the traceability requirements of the British Wool Marketing Board’s Platinum Certification.

The contemporary palette of 20 colours has been endorsed by the SBID Society of British and International Design and the carpet is available in 4m & 5m widths.

T 01827 831424 www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

Manufactured with 1/10th Gauge fine construction, this 75oz sumptuous carpet comprises of 80% wool, 10% nylon and 10% polyester and is suitable for extra heavy domestic use.

Available in 4.00 & 5.00m Widths.

T 01706 341231 www.penthousecarpets.co.uk

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The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

La Dolce Vita by Adam Adam Carpets are delighted to celebrate Wool Week 2013 by launching a stunning new overtuft range called ‘La Dolce Vita’.

This new scroll design is made with the finest two-ply yarn, which means it is as durable as it is beautiful. The range is available in ten colours reflecting a mix of the classical and contemporary. As it is also manufactured using their unique ‘overtuft’ process, it offers incredible value for money with its ‘woven quality, tufted price’ benefits.

T 01562 829966

www.adamcarpets.co.uk

Simply Natural Stripe in Vogue from Axminster The Axminster Carpets’ Simply Natural Stripe carpet in Vogue colourway is designed to reflect the trend towards neutrals with a colour twist.

Manufactured from 100% pure new wool and using 6-ply yarn and Cable-Tec technology, unique to Axminster Carpets, the high quality pile is soft under foot but has extra heavy domestic classification.

Available in six colourways and 1m, 4m and 5m widths.

T 01297 630650

www.axminstercarpets.co.uk

Avebury by Cormar

Mayfair from Edel Telenzo

Made from 100% pure new wool in a quality three ply yarn with a level loop pile surface, Avebury Plains & Stripes range (pictured here in Trowbridge Mead) is suitable for extra heavy domestic use on stairs or throughout the home.

Mayfair has been recently launched as a sister product to the hugely successful Chelsea range, it is a premium 100% wool, 3 ply structure loop product, available in the most fashionable and desirable colours required at the moment, in the residential & interior design markets.

Twelve contemporary plain shades are available in four and five metre widths and all can be teamed together with the five neutral stripe designs to accommodate the trend for a streamlined look in the home.

T 01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

from The Stocklists

The random, subtle texture is a step beyond the standard structure loops that are commonly very geometric or linear and as such, has been received by their customers extremely enthusiastically.

T 01422 374417 www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

October 2013 69

It is positioned at the top end of the Edel Telenzo wool offer and

The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Veltwist by Cavalier

Oasis from Lano

As the colour names, taken from famous twins in Greek Mythology suggest, ‘Veltwist’ is an inseparable match of colour and texture, flair and quality.

As one of the high-end lifestyle carpet ranges in the Lano residential portfolio, the three-ply Oasis from the Ultimo collection is created from 100% pure New Zealand wool in a 2,330g/sqm pile weight bringing sumptuous softness and warmth to the home.

Using the finest wool blends in a unique synthesis of velvet and twist yarns which work in harmony to create a carpet that is far from plain. A dozen carefully selected, subtle hue combinations will offer something a little bit different to to the homemaker with an eye for style.

T 01254 268 000 www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

Featuring premium construction and quality fibres, the berber loop pile of Oasis offers gentle texture in a delicate palette of natural hues from Sahara to Moonbeam.

T 0032 5665 4000 www.lano.be

Wool House Somerset House was the stunning venue for the ‘Wool House’ event in March this year as part of the Campaign for Wool’s 2013 programme. Brintons’ produced this unique runner on their High Definition looms at Kidderminster.

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The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Timorous Beasties rugs by Brintons Noted for their beautiful, provocative and intricate designs, Timorous Beasties’ identity works in perfect synergy with what Brintons’ brand new High Definition Weave Technology can achieve, allowing Brintons to weave in photo realistic quality, in up to 32 colours.

Mayfair Velvet and Mayfair Velvet Supreme from Lano

This collaboration of 12 wool rich woven rugs (80/20) is the ideal marriage of innovative design and exceptional quality, launching with 5 stunning designs in a variety of colourways.

Constructed from the finest natural quality fibres, the pure 100% New Zealand wool of Mayfair Velvet and Mayfair Velvet Supreme create exceptionally warm and soft carpets for the home. Being hardwearing and easy to maintain, the luxurious saxony carpets offer long lasting stylish appeal in a range of 16 earth-inspired shades. Both are available in four and five metre widths in 2,550g/sqm and 3,080g/sqm pile weights respectively for ultimate comfort underfoot.

T 01562 748000 www.rugs-by-brintons.co.uk

T 0032 5665 4000 www.lano.be

New Ashworth by Manx

Durham Chic from Whitestone Weavers

New Ashworth is a beautiful wool rich twist consisting of 80% British Wool and 20% nylon construction, which gives it extra strength and helps keep it looking better for longer. New Ashworth is available in 40oz & 50oz weights in both 4 & 5m widths, with 23 colours to choose from popular neutral hues such as Cardamon to very vibrant shades of Aubergine and Satin for today's growing demand for strong colours.

For added peace of mind Manx can itec treat all wool carpets to safe guard those little spills or accidents.

Continuing their commitment to wool, Hugh Mackay have launched a 3-ply 100% British wool loop pile range Durham Chic Loop. With 14 shades incorporating both the natural and fashion end of the spectrum, this quality product will enhance any room in the home. Sales Director Vince Holden has been very encouraged by initial sales since the launch and firmly believes that Chic will be a great addition to the Hugh Mackay stable.

The range will shortly be augmented by a matching stripe, which will further add to the product’s appeal.

T 01429 892 555 www.whitestone.co.uk

T 01827 831434 www.manxcarpets.co.uk from The Stocklists

October 2013 71

The Wool Workshop - selling benefits Wool carpets are close to the heart of the UK consumer but with prices rising and increasing competition from synthetic fibres, wool has to work a little harder to justify premium pricing. Here’s our ‘Wool Workshop’ - a selling aid to help to trade consumers up to premium products by selling the benefits of natural fibre.

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.

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 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.

DURABLE

SAFETY Fire Retardant – Wool is naturally fire resistant, has a slow ignition rate and tests show that it is self extinguishing within seconds. It meets many safety regulations without additional treatments and is favoured in contract locations for this reason.

Fall Friendly – Carpet cushions and so provides a softer floor which protects against serious injury in falls by the very young or the elderly.

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT Indoor Environment – As a natural ‘smart’ fibre with a complex physical and chemical structure, wool helps to create a balanced atmosphere in the home. It breathes and absorbs humidity in the air, releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry and helps improve air quality by absorbing airborne toxins in indoor air.

Anti–allergy – The minute scales on the fibre’s surface will hold fine dust until vacuumed which helps to reduce floating particulate in the atmosphere. Wool does not give off harmful emissions or promote the growth of bacteria and wool is not a food source for dust mites.

EASY-CARE

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.

THE BEST CARPET WOOL

COMFORT

Wool carpets have a historic reputation for quality because as a fibre it is known to withstand pressure and have excellent appearance retention properties. The best wool for carpet production is ‘strong’ wool and this is grown on sheep breeds found in Britain and New Zealand. Most carpets will contain both British Wool and New Zealand Wool because British Wool is more bulky and resilient and offers texture and unique heathery shades to carpet, whilst New Zealand wool is softer and whiter and particularly good for plain, lighter shaded ranges. Combining the two within a blend for carpet yarn gives manufacturers the perfect qualities for carpet.

100% wool or 80/20 – 80/10/10 wool rich Wool has yet to be matched by any man-made fibre; it has superior strength and does not need other fibres to improve its performance. However manufacturers choose to use synthetic fibres within the yarn blend for a number of reasons. These include fibre flexibility, dyeing, heat setting, stain resistance, durability and cost. These wool rich compositions offer industry standard carpets which will perform well in the home.

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FlooringNews

Domotex Hannover 2014

ce: vations at a glan no in st te la e th ll A MOTE X! Innovations@DO

An i on innovation for 2014

Next January’s Domotex event – the world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings – will be geared more strongly than ever to the latest flooring industry trends.

A special highlight will consist of the new “Innovations@DOMOTEX” initiative, designed to put novel products at center stage. “The new format represents a targeted investment in the quality of the event,” commented Dr. Jochen Köckler, of Domotex.

He added that advance publicity for the show would consist of focusing extra attention on the latest mega-trends in the carpet and floor coverings industry. “We have taken this step because a prime motivation of our visitors at Domotex is to engage with creative products and ideas which will help shape the future of the places and spaces we live in. We’re looking forward to an exciting Domotex 2014, a show that will further consolidate its position as the world’s leading event for its sector,” said Jochen.

“Only at Domotex can visitors explore and discover all the latest innovations with such convenience and ease.”

Innovations with a capital “I” Innovations@DOMOTEX will put the spotlight on product innovations in the fitted carpets, resilient floor coverings, parquet and laminate flooring and modern hand-made carpets product categories. The initiative will be spearheaded by special display zones – the “Innovations@DOMOTEX Areas” – in halls 6, 9 and 17. These special zones are designed to give visitors looking for fresh ideas and inspiration an initial overview of the latest innovations. From there, they can head straight to the exhibition stands to find out more about the flooring innovations that have caught their eye.

Jochen added: “Only at Domotex can visitors explore and discover all the latest innovations with such convenience and ease.” For this reason the new format would, he said, remain a defining feature of Domotex over the coming years.

Established special displays such as Souk Deluxe in Hall 17, with its focus on modern luxury carpets and rugs, will be closely aligned with the new innovation format. Similarly, the Innovations@DOMOTEX Area in Hall 9 will be integrated into the Wood Flooring Summit showcase for the parquet and laminate flooring sector.

Domotex 2014 runs from 11 to 14 January in Hannover, Germany.

The whole world of carpets and floor coverings under one roof Visit DOMOTEX and see the latest trends and products of suppliers from all over the world.

Take advantage of this opportunity to discover fascinating highlights and meet up with business partners from industry, trade and the skilled trades.

The World of Flooring

Sector Marketing · Tel. +44 1275 335 911 · info@hf-greatbritain.com

T 01275 335 911 www.domotex.de

domotex.de from The Stocklists

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74 October 2013

FlooringNews

Stocklists Classified The

SITUATIONS VACANT

Designer Contracts

www.designercontracts.com Email: recruitment@designercontracts.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Crucial Trading, a highly successful business and market leader in floorcoverings, are seeking to recruit a Business Development Manager.

N.E. London The territory covers North and East London along with Essex.

You must have a proven track record and be able to meet the challenge of not only achieving but exceeding sales targets, while managing the territory as if it were your own business, making decisions relating to the identification and development of key accounts, customer profitability, merchandising and future product development. Experience in design and colour led home furnishings would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will receive an excellent salary and bonus package, together with car, private health care and company pension.

Please send a detailed CV and covering letter to Mr P Durnan, National Sales Manager, Crucial Trading, 21 Lisle Avenue, Kidderminster, DY11 7DE detailing current salary package.

Or e-mail: Peter.Durnan@crucial-trading.com

Market Leading suppliers of floor covering to the House Building Industry.

We require Fitters for

Domestic • Carpet • Amtico/Karndean Flooring • Contract Commercial Area •

• Vinyl • Laminate • Cap and Cove

Also Curtain Fitters We are looking for good quality fitters for most of our 11 Regional Warehouses nationwide working on a sub-contract basis.

•

Must have own van. Plenty of work available.

London & the South East South West including Devon & Cornwall South Midlands East Midlands Scotland

South Wales South Coast West Midlands North West Thames Valley Yorkshire/Lincolnshire

Interested?

Please ring 01246 599693 for details of your closest regional office and to arrange a local meeting.

Strictly no recruitment agencies or consultancies.

AGENTS REQUIRED

Simply Rugs have been supplying Carpet and Furniture Retailers throughout the UK for 21 years.

We require successful agents to promote our HEATSET and WOOL RUGS in the following areas: The South West, Central Southern England,, Mid/North Wales and North West.

We offer high rates of commission.

For more info, please contact Nick Clinch on 01264 352218 or email simply.rugs@btconnect.com

UNDER RUGS

FOXISuper Plus The Rug Tamer! Keeps Rugs In Their Place COMBINATION UNDERLAYS NEEDLEFELT UNDERLAYS For orders and further information, please ring P&R Ratcliffe (Underlays) Ltd. Burnley, Lancashire BB10 3BH Tel: 01282 421026, Fax: 01282 412321 www.foxirugtamer.co.uk

Advertise here!

Classified adverts really work in the UK’s best read retail and contract flooring publication.

Call Diane Martin on 01482 659396.

from The Stocklists

October 2013 75