The Stocklists - October 2014

Stocklists The

6 October 2014

with

FlooringNews

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

Open for business!

Furlong Flooring already sets industry standards for service from stock. Now we’ve gone one better following the opening of our major new Stonehouse distribution centre.

Additional investments in product development, manufacturing capacity and business technology will accelerate the growth of the Furlong Group as a major force in flooring.

Our mission is to give you the products you want, when you want them, with a comprehensive offer that ticks all the boxes.

Ask your representative how Furlong can boost your business in carpet, vinyls and wood flooring - contact details on pages 24 and 25.

Stocklists The

FIRST FOR FLOORING NEWS AND DATA

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FlooringFactsheets

Monthly ‘Stocklisters’ shown in BOLD Index

Page No 34 ALTERNATIVE FLOORING 51 ADP 74 ASSOCIATED WEAVERS 18,19 AXMINSTER 44 BONDWORTH 20 54 BRITISH WOOL BROCKWAY CARPETS LTD. 21 CAMPAIGN FOR WOOL 55 CARPENTER BC CFS CARPETS 41 22 COLUMBIA FLOORING CORMAR — DOMOTEX 50 ◆ EARTHWERKS — F&X — F.BALL 4,43 FITA 74 THE FLOORING DISPLAY COMPANY 44 FLOORWISE 16 FURLONG FLOORING FC,24,25 H&V CARPETS 23 HECKMONDWIKE 45 INTERFLOOR 39 JOHN LANHAM WATTS 26 LANO 61 KINGSMEAD 69 MANX 67 MASTERCRAFT RUGS — MATTY’S 27 NICF 70 NOVOSTRAT 50 ◆ POLYFLOR 53 RACKHAMS 28 SELECT FLOORING 71 SFE 37 SOLENT WHOLESALE CARPET 29 STAIRRODS 40,42 STS 30 T&E 75 TELENZO 31 TRADE COUNTER CARPETS 32 VIZIFLOOR 66 WESTON HAMMER 33 ABINGDON

Contact No 01274 655662 01264 335111 0121 559 6783 01422 431100 01297 32244 01562 745000 01274 688 666 01562 828200 01274 688 666 01457 861141 01527 511860 0208 443 3322 01204 881234 01275 335911 07402 746944 07976 607657 01538 361633 01159 506836 01422 231590 01509 673974 01772 696787 07813 714498 01924 413 637 01706 213131 01937 588511 0032 5665 4271 01827 831424 01827 831436 01282 694565 0121 359 2001 0115 958 3077 00353 61 339287 0161 767 2551 020 85319225 0784 364 9000 01590 677730 01243 774623 01207 591176 0845 341000 01384 892 654 01422 374417 0845 604 3055 01845 576101 0845 644 9090

Price List Data — — — — — June 2011 — Feb 2012 — — — — — — — — — — — — Nov 2010 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — May/Jun 2014 — — — — — — —

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

Adhesives

Expertise advice from F Ball

page 4

Buying Groups

Choosing the right organisation for you

pages 8

Carpet Company Directory Our line-up of the leading players

pages 12-13

Carpet Trouble-shooter

All about stains, spots and shading

pages 10-11

Carpet Types

The starter guide for picking a pile

page 5

Underlay

Understanding underlay types and selection

page 9

Wholesaler Distribution Directory National & regional guide to distributors

pages 14-16

Wool Fibre Page

A checklist of natural fibre characteristics

page 17

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

pages 6-7

UK manufactured Carpet Cutting Machines

WWW.CARPETCUTTINGMACHINES.CO.UK 2

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

ISSUE 475 : 6 OCTOBER 2014

Published by Mayville Publishing Co Ltd., 219 West Ella Road,West Ella, Hull HU10 7SD Tel: 01482 659396 Fax: 01482 659397 www.thestocklists.com Sales Director: Diane Martin. diane@mayvillepublishing.co.uk Publication Director: David Spragg Founded by Roy Spragg in 1973. ISSN 2046-7338 Š Mayville Publishing Co. Ltd. 2014. Every care is taken in compiling this magazine, but the proprietors assume no responsibility in the effects arising therefrom.

FlooringNews starts on page 35

See our first report from the show and full photo gallery on pages 47 - 49.

Harrogate is back with a buzz as the leading brands lined up with style and innovation.

Wool week showcase

A selection of the finest the fibre has to offer page 55 - 60

Gold standard

Floorwise polishes up a legend page 38

Interior insights

Rita Bancroft on the art of inspiration page 62

Day of excellence

Academy accelerates training page 36

Quirky question

Alternative Flooring answers on pattern page 51 THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

A fitting solution

Dennis Flowers looks at underlay options page 46

Sacred style

Balta’s beautiful mosque make-over page 52 3

Flooring Factsheet Adhesives

Flooring factsheet Carpet types Tip Sheared

Random Sheared

Level Loop

Multi-Level Loop

Tufted With advances in manufacturing technology, 95% of all carpet produced today is tufted.

It takes about an hour to make a roll of carpet that might take eight hours to weave.

To make tufted carpet, hundreds of yarn-threaded needles are pushed through the primary backing fabric to form loops or tufts, which may be left as is or cut.

A heavy adhesive coating is applied to hold the tufts in place and a secondary backing is usually glued on for strength and stability.

A wide variety of styles and textures can then be created using various techniques.

LOOP PILE

Berber – Berber carpets look like and are named after a handmade, bulky wool carpet made by the Berber tribes of North Africa and Asia. The loops are made from thick or bulky yarns of wool, nylon, polypropylene or a blend of these fibres to give a cushioned effect underfoot. These carpets are available in an assortment of colours and may be flecked and can be either level loop or multilevel loop.

Level loop – When all the loops are of the same height, a highly flexible and durable carpet is created which has a natural, casual appearance even when (commonly) it is made from synthetic fibres. The tight loop texture tends to hide marks so it’s a good blend between luxury and practicality.

Multi-level loop – The loops vary to two or sometimes three loop heights to create informal, random textures which are very forgiving for marks and stains and therefore very suitable for high traffic areas and busy family rooms.

BONDED Bonded carpets (sometimes called ‘fibre-bonded’ or ‘fusion bonded’) are created by firing fibres into an adhesive material – the fibres are not stitched into the backing in any way. The technique is principally used for commercial carpet tiles.

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

CUT PILE

Freize – Frieze or frisée (pronounced freesay) carpets are similar to saxony, but the yarns are more tightly twisted and should always be heat set. They have a dense, low pile surface which creates a coarse, pebbly texture.

Frieze carpets are very durable and hide footprints, dust and dirt, which makes them suitable for heavy traffic areas.

Saxony – Saxony textures are made of twisted yarns, which should be heat set. The tips remain very distinct, rather than blending together to form a very elegant finish. Saxony textures show footprints and vacuum marks so are suitable for more occasional rooms in the home. More textured variations improve the practicality of saxonies.

Twist – The popular twist carpet is the cut-pile standard. The yarn is tightly twisted and often heatset to retain this feature and the result is a versatile, textured finish that is ideal for plain colours.

Velvet – Velvet textures (sometimes called ‘velour’ or ‘plush’) all have a level surface pile of approx 5mm to 10mm height, which is then sheared to give a smooth finish. With very little twist in the yarn, the ends blend together which then further enhances the overall finish.

These carpets tend to ‘shade’ with heavy use.

Footprints show easily and the colour looks different from place to place because fibres lying in different directions reflect the light differently. A luxury for occasional rooms.

CUT AND LOOP When some of the pile is cut and other left as loop, a variety of surface textures and patterns can be created (in a variety of colours). The multi-level surface is excellent for hiding footprints and stains so cut and loop is good for high traffic areas and general purpose rooms in the home.

Shag pile – Shag pile has varied in popularity.

The pile is up to 50mm long and the texture is casual and loose but the surface can flatten easily and may lack durability.

Berber

Frieze

Velvet/Plush

Twist

Woven Woven carpet may be in a tiny minority of today’s production but still produces some of the finest carpets which are used for prestigious installations.

Axminster The pile of the carpet is inserted into the backing as it is woven and cut to length, creating U-shaped tufts to give a velvety surface. The process locks in the fibre to create a carpet of high durability and performance retention as well as a luxury feel. The process allows for intricate designs and colours to be used – although modern trends mean that the traditional patterned axminster has given way to current fashion trends for plain carpets.

Wilton Wilton woven carpets are produced in a similar way to axminsters – the principal difference being that a continuous fibre is woven all the way through. The carpet can be sheared to create a range of cut and loop textured effects. The result is a high quality carpet of unrivalled durability.

Flat weave Manufactured in the same way as wilton, flat weave is a loop pile which allows the yarn to be woven across a wider area to created a flatter, more textured effect.

5

The W WoolSafe oolSafe Or Organisation rganisation is the UK’ UK’s ’s le s leading authority for the correct care and maintenance of carpet and offers a range of services empowering retailers to build a reputation for great service and consumers to get the most out of their investment.

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WOOLSAFE approved carpet cleaning products www.prochem.co.uk

The clean carpet you expect... the service you deserve www.servicemasterclean.co.uk

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01943 850817 British Wool makes a better carpet... naturally www.britishwool.org.uk

For the best Woolsafe cleaning and maintenance products www.chemspec-europe.com THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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www.wowwarranty.com

Great British Cleaning Products

Environmentally aware for superior carpet care www.cleantecinnovation.com THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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

Biodegradable and cruelty-free from a family run business www.astonishcleaners.com 7

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

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

Why join?

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

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

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

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

‘real-world’ view

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

• Ensure you understand the financial arrangements,

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

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

• Review all the extra benefits and services to see

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

flexibility to run your business the way you want

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

what you would actually use

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

• Ensure you understand any rules that may limit your

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

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

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

8

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.

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

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

www.flooringone.co.uk Contact: Glenn Harding Tel: 0121 683 1426 glenn.harding@flooringone.co.uk THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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 2014

9

Flooring factsheet Carpet trouble-shooter

• shedding • pulled loops

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A greater level of tolerance is required on blended colours (Heathers etc). To ensure perfect colour matching it is advisable that a single width be used in any installation requiring exact colour matching.

N.B. Carpets which are laid with the pile travelling in different directions, even though they be from the same batch will appear not to match. For further information please check with the manufacturers recommendations.

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

10

Spillages - Liquids such as soft drinks, cordials or any drink which contains sugar, particularly hot drinks, is likely to leave a stain. In such instances, professional help should be sought.

Shampoo - if incorrectly applied, can leave sticky soap residues in the fibres which can result in the soiling reappearing quite rapidly.

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

In such installations, the use of a lining paper is essential as a preventative measure.

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

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

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

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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

Flattening

Shedding

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

All cut pile carpets will lose short fibre, which is created during production when spun yarn is cut for tuft formation.

These fibres fall onto the surface of the pile and appear as ‘fluff’.

All pile fabrics will flatten to greater or lesser degree dependant on the amount of traffic to which it is subjected and the construction (tuft density/pile fibre/height/weight) of the product concerned.

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

Shading

Indentations

Shading occurs because the pile of the carpet has become crushed, flattened or brushed in a different direction to the natural lie of the pile whilst in situ. This causes light reflection at differing angles resulting in the creation of light and dark patches on the carpet. This will occur on all pile fabrics but can be more noticeable on plainer carpets because the shadows created by pile pressure will not be disguised by a heavy pattern or design.

When a carpet is subjected to a heavy point load, such as under the legs of furniture, it is unreasonable to expect the carpet not to indent. Usually, the longer the load is in place, the longer will be the time for the pile to recover. In the case of very heavy loads in place for a considerable time, the recovery time can be very considerable.

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

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

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

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

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

Pulling Loops

Samples

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

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

The original carpet tile

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

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

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

Bizspoke Custom Carpets Be Tw W

0121 550 5788 01297 32244 +32 56783250

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

01562 825952

Burmatex Tu Cavalier Carpets Ltd Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

Edel Telenzo Carpets Ltd Tu Tw W sales@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

01422 374 417

01924 262525 Enterprise Weaving Co Be Ww

01562 745030

01254 268000

+32 56 62 2211

020 8800 0740

Christy Carpets Tu

019078 308777

Fells Carpets

Clarendon Carpets Tw

01675 433066

Classis Carpets Tu W Ww

0870 020 1725

Condor Carpets BV Tu

Ww cummings@btinternet.com www.fellscarpets.co.uk Fletco Taepper A/S Tu W

01977 662211

+45 96 60 3000

+31 38 4778911

+31 383 861 060

Flock-living Limited

Cormar Carpets Ltd +32 56 23 54 10

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

01204 881 234

01924 488882 Couristan Carpets Ax Tu W Ww

800 223 6186

BMK

0113 380 5333

Craigie Carpets Be

01294 558400

Bond Worth Ltd Ax

01562 745000

Creative Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

0116 284 1455

12

+32 55 335211

01282 862 736

020 7823 3040

Edel Telenzo’s Bakerloo

Domo Floorcovering Pr Tu Tw

Bronte Carpets Ltd

Blenheim Carpets Ax Be Tw W Ww

Brintons Ax Tu Tw W Ww

0844 9151000

01422 330261

Belvedere Carpets

BIC Carpets Be Tw W

01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

Dan-Floor UK W

E & WE Carpets W

Belvedere Carpets

Betap Tufting BV Tu Tw W

Tw W sales@brockway.co.uk

01737 830301

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

0800 505055

Creatuft Carpets Tu W

Mohawk’s Cherbourg Check

+32 56 35 4444

Tu Wa info@flock-living.com www.flock-living.com

+44 (0)20 8440 8777

Firth Carpets & Flooring Be Pr 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 2014

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 • Wa: Woven Axminster

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 Halbmond Teppichwerke Be Pr Tu Heckmondwike FB

0800 526696

+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

01937 588511

+32 52 499600

marinagooch@mohawkeurope.com www.mohawkinternational.com

01480 479830 01480 471304

Mr Tomkinson Tw Ww

01827 831 450

Ossfloor UK

01675 433031

+31 38 385 4477

Tisca Tiara Tu Ww

07860 911748

Trendy Tuft Designs Be Tu Tw W

01274 855080

Ulster Carpets Ax Be Tu Tw W Ww

02838 334433

United Carpets & Beds Tw W Ww

01709 732 666

Victoria Carpets Tu Tw W Ww

01562 749300

Vorwerk

08700 104484

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

07850 935301

Joseph Hamilton & Seaton W Kingsmead Carpets Tu Tw W

01827 831400 01827 831 424

Penthouse Carpets Tu Tw W

01706 341231

Phoenox Textiles Pr Tu

01484 863227

Pownall Carpets Tw W

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

+32 56 65 4300

Roger Vanden Berghe.NV Tu Ww

Le Tissage d'Arcade Ax Ww

+32 05685 4747

Ryalux Carpets Ltd Be Tu Tw W

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

Louis de Poortere W

+32 56 393 386

0845 6528811

+32 56 73 57 11

0845 652 8811

0844 5611977

Shaw Home Foundations Tu

01675 433 501

Signature Carpets Be Tu W

01422 845075

Woodward Grosvenor Ax Tu Tw W Ww

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 2014

Cormar’s Sensation Twist

0207 349 1560

Wellington Stripe from Ulster 13

Are you a Wholesaler?

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

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

Fells Carpets Goole 01977 662211

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

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

01977 662211

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Floorwise (North East) Ltd Birtley - see Floorwise p16

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

01977 662211

sales@fellscarpets.co.uk www.fellscarpets.co.uk Green Tree Distribution Stone, Staffordshire 01785 818005 kevin@greentreedistribution.co.uk Lee Floorstok Ltd Liverpool - see Floorwise p16

14

Lee Floorstok Ltd Manchester - see Floorwise p16

MCA Floorwise Ltd Morecambe see Floorwise p16 Millbrook Carpets Darwen 01254 703999 millbrookcarpets@live.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Manchester 0161 786 6800 manchester@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

Midlands Birch Distribution Sheffield - see Floorwise p16 Birch Distribution Leeds - see Floorwise p16 Birch Distribution Hull - see Floorwise p16 Cornerstone Flooring Doncaster - 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 Mattyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Woodall Brothers Ltd Shrewsbury - see Floorwise p16

East Beds Flooring Bedford 01234 341234 sales@bedsflooring.co.uk www.bedsflooring.co.uk Faithfull Floorcovering Suffolk 01473 822341 sales@faithfulls.co.uk www.faithfulls.co.uk Salesmark Ltd St Neots STS Flooring Distributors Cambridge Tel: 01954 781142 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

Are you a Wholesaler?

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

The Stocklists Wholesale Distribution Directory Carpet & Flooring Colindale 020 7127 6770 colindale@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk

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

Clifford Floors Strood 01634 285900 sales@clifford.uk.com

Rackhams London 020 8531 9225 sales@rackhamsltd.co.uk www.rackhamsltd.co.uk See page 27 for details

Culpeck Strood 01634 299000 sales@culpeck.uk.com

Salesmark Lancing - see Floorwise p16

Columbia Flooring Middlesex 020 8443 3322 sales@columbiaflooring.co.uk www.columbiaflooring.co.uk See page 23 for details

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

DMS Flooring Supplies Hemel Hempstead 0845 643 5344 dmshemel@dmsflooringsupplies.co.uk

STS Flooring Distributors Orpington/Croydon 0845 434 1000 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com

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 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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

Trade Carpet London Wimbledon 0208 247 3891 sales@tradecarpet.com www.tradecarpet.com

South West BL Flooring Supplies Bristol - see Floorwise p16 BL Flooring Supplies Gloucester - see Floorwise p16 Carpet & Flooring Bristol 0117 316 0555 bristol@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Fitwell Flooring Ltd Redruth - see Floorwise p16 Fitwell Flooring Ltd Newton Abott - see Floorwise p16 Solent Wholesale Carpet West Sussex 01243 774623 sales@solentwholesale.co.uk www.solentwholesale.co.uk See page 28 for details

STS Flooring Distributors Thame (Oxford) 01844 213555 sales@stsflooring.co.uk www.stsflooring.com

Scotland Carpet & Flooring Aberden 01224 546730 aberdeen@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Carpet & Flooring Glasgow 0141 427 8456 glasgow@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk MCD Scotland Uddingston Glasgow 01698 808000 mcdscotland@mcd.co.uk www.mcdscotland.co.uk Neil Smith Ltd Glasgow - see Floorwise p16

Wales Carpet & Flooring Cardiff 0117 316 0555 cardiff@carpetandflooring.co.uk www.carpetandflooring.co.uk Mattyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wholesale Carpets Birmingham 0121 359 2001 sales@mattys.co.uk See page 26 for details

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

15

Flooring factsheet Wool fibre Benefits of Wool Carpet

SAFE

Practical Strong and Resilient – Wool carpet will provide superior performance over many years as it can offer unique resilience and long lasting durability. The natural crimp of wool offers valuable ‘bounce-back’ so that pile compression is resisted and the effects of tracking and shading are reduced – maintaining good appearance over many years.

DURABLE EASYCARE

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

Comfort

COMFORT

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

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

Safety

The Best Carpet Wool Wool carpets have a historic reputation for quality because as a fibre it is known to withstand pressure and have excellent appearance retention properties.

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

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

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

britishwool.org.uk campaignforwool.org THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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.

17

Look for the Butterfly

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

Time for a smarter saxony Here’s a distinctive new saxony that’s getting noticed for its smart appearance, savvy colours and solid performance. StainAway Ultra is the latest addition to our StainAway collection and makes this well-trusted range a real winner in the saxony sector. It benefits from being a 44oz polypropylene carpet that has a finely textured luxurious finish.

But it’s the eye-catching colours that puts StainAway Ultra further ahead of its rivals – alongside the range of beiges, we have sophisticated on-trend greys and silvers plus an exciting off-white vanilla. StainAway Ultra is available in 2, 3, 4 and 5 metres on ActionBac with a 15 year StainAway warranty and 15 year wear guarantee.

Increased cut length sales

Multi-width gives you the retailer the option to offer the consumer the chance to save money on an Associated Weavers carpet. The availability of the majority of our carpets in 2m , 2.5m , 3m , 4m and 5m widths has been one of the reasons our cut length business has considerably increased over recent years. That added to the multitude of stylish and fashionable carpets on offer are ensuring that Associated Weavers are the retailers and consumers choice. Take a closer look at our collections in your shop.

Loyalty is at the heart of our strategy

Customer loyalty is something Associated Weavers consider to be important in their overall business plan.

Buying groups are at the centre of the AW retail network representing more than 50% of AW direct retail customers. Unlike other manufacturers Associated Weavers has always had the policy to support a smaller group of retailers giving them the comfort that their investment in us is worthwhile.

StainAway Ultra

“

”

The Saxony Of Choice This Autumn With the handle, finish and on trend colour bank. StainAway Ultra is the

saxony of choice this autumn.

Gavin Pugh National Account Sales Manager Associated Weavers

FOR ALL YOUR BESPOKE CONTRACT ENQUIRIES CONTACT BARRY CARRIGAN ON 07778 498 451 Bespoke Axminster, Axminster, for more information please visit our website, www.bondworth.co.uk Townshend Works, Puxton Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 5DF T+44(0)1562 745000 F+44(0)1562 732827

20

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

YEARS BROCKWAY is celebrating 50 glorious years of designing and producing beautiful carpets.

We’re immensely proud of our heritage of British craftsmanship, manufacturing premium quality carpets in our own factory in the traditional carpet town of Kidderminster.

Since 1964, we’ve evolved to become the success story that Brockway is today. It’s what makes us proud to put our name to our products and what continues to inspire us. Our dedicated workforce harnesses the skills of generations of carpet makers passed down through the years.

8LI VIWYPX MW PSZMRKP] LERH ½RMWLIH GEVTIXW GVIEXIH [MXL XLI PEXIWX IRZMVSRQIRXEPP] E[EVI XIGLRSPSK] ERH XLI ½RIWX VE[ QEXIVMEPW 3YV ZEPYIW SJ UYEPMX] MRRSZEXMSR ERH GYWXSQIV WIVZMGI QIER [I´VI RS[ ½VQP] focused on the future, with exciting developments underway.

We’d like to thank you for being part of our journey and supporting us through the decades.

BROCKWAY.CO.UK @brockwaycarpets

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

/brockwaycarpets 21

Columbia

Flooring plc

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

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

Call US NOW!!!

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

22

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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Representation:

Belgium D[äXZ D[äXZ J Peeters 0032 475 71 08 69 00332 51 320 543

H & V Carpets

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Suffolk, Suff olk, Norfolk Norfolk Cambridg eshire, Cambridgeshire, Be dfor df ordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckin ghamshire Buckinghamshire Richard Cooper 07860 525245

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Nor Northern Ir eland Ireland Shane O’Neill 00353 0876 491 119

London, Berkshir e e, Berkshire, Esse x, Her tfor tf ordshire dshir Hertfordshire Essex, Andrew Goldsmith 07432 119220

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East Midlands Charlotte Jarvis 074460 875070 07

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Y orkshire, Yorkshire, Nor th East En gland North England Steve Allitt 07971 952873

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Scotland James Hall 07787 140136

West, South West, South Wales Wales Adam Nicol 07785 738975

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North West, North West, Midlands, Southern Ir Ireland eland Paul Hugo (Field Sales Manager) 07813 714498

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COMPOSITION

Furlong Flooring offers first class service...

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

WALES & SOUTH WEST

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

24

SOUTH EAST

NORTH WEST

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

MIDLANDS

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

ALAN CHEETHAM M: 07966 263571 GREATER MANCHESTER

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

CHRIS ALLCOCK M: 07872 964685 NOTTS, DERBYSHIRE & LINCS

alan.cheetham@furlongflooring.co.uk

peterfletcher@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

chris.allcock@furlongflooring.co.uk

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

MARK DOWSON M: 07980 786264 MERSEYSIDE, WIRRAL & N. WALES m.dowson@furlongflooring.co.uk

PAUL LOVELL M: 07816 217549 NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & CAMBS

WESLEY GRAHAM M: 07968 324598 LEICESTER/WARWICKSHIRE

paullovell@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

wesley.graham@furlongflooring.co.uk

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

CRAIG MELLING M: 07970 269730 CUMBRIA, CHESHIRE & FYLDE COAST

IAN ROBERTSON M: 07816 217563 E & WEST SUSSEX

MIKE SHUTT M: 07970 158594 BIRMINGHAM/ STAFFORDSHIRE, SHROPSHIRE

craig.melling@furlongflooring.co.uk

ianrobertson@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

mike.shutt@furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

...exceptional performance, prices and POS!

SAHARA & OASIS Affordable, stain resistant carpet that is hard wearing and easy to look after.

A best seller for the Spring season.

Ask your rep about this offer and its eye-catching lectern.

furlong flooring

LONDON

JOHN AKIEN M: 07791 891024 S.W LONDON, SURREY (INS. M25) johnakien@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST

We are a UK market leader, proudly making carpets here in Britain.

SCOTLAND

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

COLIN RICHFORD M: 07970 163372 WEST SCOTLAND colin.richford@furlongflooring.co.uk

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

SIMON BROWN M: 07816 217550 MIDDLESEX, W. LONDON, BERKSHIRE simonbrown@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

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

RAYMOND SMITH M: 07816 217565 ESSEX

ray.andrew@furlongflooring.co.uk

raymondsmith@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

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

DARREN SPENDIFF M: 07791 890861 KENT

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

DAREN STEDMAN M: 07816 217548 N, N W & E LONDON, HERTFORDSHIRE

darrenspendiff@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

darenstedman@furlongflooringltd.co.uk

25

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 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

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

BESPOKE CARPETS

John Lanham Watts carpets would be happy to submit a price for any bespoke carpet project. We can provide a completely bespoke Axminster in terms of any design and any colour from as little as 100 sqm. We are also happy to price for any hand tufted requirement. We can help you with design work and can prepare Kibby trials for your consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consideration.

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

Please contact us at sales@jlwcarpets.com

QUALITY AGENTS REQUIRED Please note we are looking for quality agents in: Cleveland, Durham Tyne & Wear, Northumberland & Cumbria Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire & Northamptonshire Please get in touch if you believe you can sell quality products & services.

Representation Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Stephen Fletcher 07831 818989

Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire & North Wales Mike Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien 07881 451682

West Midlands, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Hereford & Worcester, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Powys Paul Brewer 07798 745181

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

Cleveland, Durham, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland & Cumbria Agent Required

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

South Wales, Avon & Gloucestershire Phil Thomas 07850 934849

Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire Tony Owen 01791 362087 Scotland Alan McGowan 077755 17684

Northern Ireland Robert Moore 028 94432005

Republic of Ireland Mr A M Dunne 00 353 872593060

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on e r o m .jlw

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at e t m si eb .co w s

W holesale Fl Contact Information Robert Weale

07976 249 443

Atherstone, Coalville, Coventry, Daventry, Hinckley, Leamington Spa, Leicester, Lichfield, Loughborough, Nuneaton, Redditch, Rugby, Tamworth, Warwick

Kris Alford

07976 423035

Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cheltenham, Dudley, Gloucester, Halesowen, Kidderminster, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield. Telford, Walsall, Wolverhampton

Kieron Moore

07775 502404

Bedford, Corby, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Kettering, Letchworth Garden City, Luton, Market Harborough, Milton Keynes, Northampton, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford

Paul O’Mahoney 07967 650456 Burton On Trent, Cannock, Derby, Melton Mowbray, Nottingham, Stafford, Swadlincote

Johnnie Taite

07715 205178

South Wales

Now Stocking Products from…

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

ng i r oo

Birmingham Trade Counter & Showroom Open 6 Days A-Week. Strictly Trade Only!

CALL 0121 359 2001

For Orders, Collections & Enquiries Monday-Friday 8.15am – 5.30pm Saturday 8am- 12am

Over 100 Popular Carpet & Vinyl ranges. ✔ From stock!

✔ Independent Wholesaler ✔ Competitive Prices HUGE stockists of affordable Roll Only ✔ Specials Carpet & Vinyl ✔ Genuine Cuts at Roll offers ✔ Extensive Trade Counter ✔ Showroom in the Heart of the Country ✔ Established over 30 years ✔ Delivering the goods Daily Carpets Vinyls Underlay Grass Accessories Tools Adhesives Door Bars Treads Stairnosings

15 Cato Street, Nechells, Birmingham B7 4TS

t. 0121 359 2001 f. 0121 359 8001 sales@mattys.co.uk

27

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 Gold Fields Hopscotch 2012 Houndstooth Tweed 4&5M Ivory Coast 2012 Lavenham 4&5M London Life 4&5M Long Melford 4&5M Moods New Sahara 4&5M Promenade Rocca Sloane Square 4&5m Vogue

Atmosphere Clyde + Stripes Dalton Dublin Heather Dublin Twist 2011 Echo Twist 4&5M Fairfield Supreme 4&5M Fascination 4&5M Grandeur 40 Heathertwist Design Heathertwist Supreme 40 4&5M Heathertwist Elite 50 4&5M Hoxton Heathers Peerless Twist Peerless Plain Pembridge 2013 4&5M Portman Sensit Supreme 4&5M Salisbury Twist Sumptuous Style 4&5M Stainbeater Select Stainfree Rugged Twist 4&5M Stainsafe Heritage Heathers Luxury Stainsafe Moorland Twist/Stripes Startwist Edition 30 4&5M Startwist Supreme 40 4&5M Startwist Elite 50 4&5M Super Peerless Twist

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 American Trend Grand Slam Peerless Peerless Heathers Salt n’ Pepper 2014 4&5M Saxon King Silken Saxony Somerset 4&5M Super Peerless Super Peerless Heathers Sweet Seduction 4&5M

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

REVOLUTIONARY LVT FLOORING FROM EARTHWERKS® & CAVALIO Conceptline Jupiter Tempo Tempo Classic (Stock) Tempo Clic Projectline (Stock)

CARPET TILES Bedford Cord Capital City Capital Plus Heuga 727

TWISTS - WOOL 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

GRAPHICS / CONTRACT GELS Arena Endurance Marathon

rac k h a m s ION INTO ACT ‘SPRING’ GUIDE 2014 ce!

PRICE er noti

Indepen dent

tors Flooring Distribu

l furth Vali d unti

NCE LE TOUR DE FRAMS!!

VISITS RACKHA

Call now for a copy of our sporting Summer Tour de France special price guide

H

RACKHAMS

THE

CHAMPIONS CHOICE!

SEE BACK COVER FOR THE REAL BARGAINS!

Sales Hotline

020 8531 9225 Email

sltd.com sales@rackham Website

ltd.com www.rackhams

Account Number:

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

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

The hottest news this month throughout the industry is the launch of ‘OAKEN OPTIONS’ a collection of engineered Rustic oaks stocked in depth at our London Headquarters. We have both narrow and wide board available in click and T&G, and naturally we offer Lacquered or Brushed & Oiled finishes.

Area Sales Executives Michael Younger London North 07881-502506

28

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 2014

Solent Wholesale Carpet Company Ltd CARPET, FLOORCOVERING & ACCESSORY WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS Telephone: 01243 774623 Fax: 01243 533636 E-mail: sales@solentwholesale.co.uk Website: www.solentwholesale.com Zola Park, Barnfield Drive, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6UX.

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

Oxford, Berks, Bucks, Beds, Hants, Middlesex & Herts. . . . . Ian Cardrick, i.cardrick@solentwholesale.co.uk, Sussex E & W, Surrey, South London & Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . John Robson, j.robson@solentwholesale.co.uk, Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucs, & I.O.W. . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Ayling, a.ayling@solentwholesale.co.uk, Accessary Sales and IT Specialist (All Areas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke Crooks, luke@solentwholesale.co.uk, VICTORIA Shimmer EasiCare - Full Collection EasiCare Morton EasiCare Heartland Imperial Velvet Natural Companions (Sisal Weave) Natural Style Collection Options 288 Royal Victoria Rustic Jewels Strathmore Collection LANO Campus X-treme Forum Grandeur Heather Twist Elite Heather Twist Design Heather Twist Supreme Lano Heather Twist Elite Pembridge Twist Portman Star Twist Collection 30/40/50 BALTA Atlas Big Hit Casablanca Desert Twist Deluxe Luxury Heritage Heather Highland Tweed Gala Cord-all options in stock Gala Edition Marrakesh Melrose Moorland Twist More Noble Riva Twist Saxon King Sensit Saxony Shepherd Twist - 2013 Colours Stainsafe Fantasy Super Wiltax Techno LUSOTUFO Celtic Horizon Mandaly Safi Sintra Boucle Superb Twist Tangier Titan & Tital Diagonal Twist Berber Unique Valencia Venus Saxony

CORMAR Apollo Apollo Plus Berwick 40/50 Home Counties 42/50 Home Counties Heathers Home Counties Plains Living Naturals Malabar Oaklands 32 Oaklands 42 Oaklands 50 Primo Choice Super/Elite Primo Excellence Primo Plus Sensation Sensation Feeling Sensation Heathers Sensation Twist BROCKWAY Amore Stripe Collection Avanti Cavendish Cresta 40/Cresta 50 Jubilee Collection Orion/Orion Major Portland DOMO Cabaret Playground Scorpio IVC Atlas - New colours Classic Limestone Comfylux Extra Expressions Fusion Isafe Apex Isafe One Isafe First Master Grip Planet Presto Rooms Supercomforts Tile Styles Titanium Ultimate Design Ultimate Oak Ultimate Minerals Ultimate Timber Victoria

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

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

We carry other products not listed above, and can also provide a swift special order service on non stock lines.

Our reps and sales office would be pleased to answer all enquiries. Our last Price List is dated September/October 2014.

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

29

A S T U N N I N G N E W A D D I T I O N TO T H E E L E G A N C E C O L L E CT I O N

ȵ ȵ ȵȐȝ Ȑȝ ȝǸȽ Ƚȃ ȃȐ ȃ Ȑ

ȹǾ ǾȨǸȽ ǾȨǸ Ƚȃ ȃȐ ȃȐ

Beautiful vinyl sheet flooring for modern

contemporary homes and semi-commercial environments, available in a wide range of wood, mineral and contempor emporary ary designs

Minimal floor preparation required and no adhesives needed Ideal for refurbishment projects and rented properties Warm and comfortable underfoot with excellent acoustic properties An easy to lay solution that saves you time and money, unroll... and its laid!

15 year warranty for domestic use and 5 years for semi contract

Contact us NOW: Orpington & Croydon Sales: 08454 341000 Cambridge Sales: 01954 781142 Watford Sales: 08454 342000 Oxford Sales: 01844 213555 @stsflooring

30

stsflooring

Order your FREE Colour brochure today National deliveries available upon request THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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 Harrow

Harrogate: good to be back!

“A big thank you to everyone who came to see us at Harrogate. It was good to be back!”, says Phil Hartley, CEO Edel Telenzo UK. The Flooring Show 2014 proved to be both exciting and productive. “It is always good to speak to people in the trade, see what’s happening to stay on top of things and of course to present what we have been up to lately. It was a good opportunity to showcase our latest 100% 3-ply New Zealand wools, Bloomsbury and Harrow, and of course the great new colours Sky, Willow and Mustard in the Tube Collection additions: Circle Line and Docklands.”

OUR SALES TEAM Greater London, Surrey, Kent, Middlesex, East & West Sussex John A Constable T: 01622 685397 M: 07836 734322 E: john@jcagencies.co.uk Yorkshire & North Lincs John Alsop T: 01904 762471 M: 07860 572220 E: alsopagencies@yahoo.co.uk Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset Brendan Hart M: 07850 130221 E: a.b.hart@btinternet.com Lincs, Leics, Northants, Notts, Derbyshire, North East Jim Osborne M: 07738 642934 E: j.osborne@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire Niall Martin M: 07866 735772 E: niall.martin@me.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 James Hall M: 07787 140136 F: 0131 343 3353 E: jameshall195@btinternet.com

Lesley Inman: well deserved retirement As many of you will have noticed, one of the trade’s most loyal servants has left the building. Lesley Inman officially retired on September 26th after a long career in the flooring industry. Lesley joined Edel Telenzo in 1978 and has been in the trade for over thirty years. All that have known her will recognise that Lesley has been a loyal, stalwart friend and colleague to all. Her drive, passion and expertise have set an extremely high standard, that we will strive hard to maintain.

A dinner was organized in Elland to mark her retirement with her family and many of her colleagues, from both the UK and the Netherlands, together with several customers and suppliers in attendance. Lesley will be greatly missed, but we of course wish her all the very best….

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

Channel Islands, Isle of Wight contact sales office T: 01422 374 417 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 Office Administrator Julie Watson T: 01422 374 417 E: j.watson@edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk 31

ÂŁ TTrade rade Coun Counter ter Carpets Carpets

30 0845 604 30 55 Years Trading

TradeCounterCarpets@gmail.com Tra deCounterCarpets@gmail.com

Your Y our ne new w source source of trade trade price ccarpets. arpets.

LLOWEST OWEST PRICESS PRICE FFASTEST FA ASTEST DELIVERY DELIVER D ELIVERY Ring us now for the lowest prices.

We stock 4000 rolls & deliver direct.

Weekdays: 8 - 6pm Weekdays: Fri: 08:00 - 19: 19:00 00 Sat: Sa t: 09:00 - 17:00 SSun: un: 10:00 - 16:00

32

0845 604 30 55

Give Giv e us a ccall! all!

Whatt have Wha have you you got got to to lose?

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

Tel: +44 0845 644 9090 local call rate

Fax:+44 0845 644 9191 info@westonhammer.com www.hammercarpets.com

NATURAL WEAVE We are pleased to announce the launch of our latest 100% Wool range; NATURAL WEAVE. This high quality woven flatweave is available in 6 co-ordinating stripe and plain options in 5.00m wide. Please contact our sales office or your local Sales Agent if you would like to order samples.

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

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

5m widths.

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

Natural Weave A unique 5m wide wool flatweave in a subtle herringbone

widths.

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

design with a stripe option.

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

two styles.

4m 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 and 5m widths.

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

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

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

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

Martin Lees Tel: 07522 740954 Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Tyneside.

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

Lee Palmer Tel: 07774 101640 Channel Islands.

Derek Boyd Tel: 07940 320708 Scotland.

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

THE STOCKLISTS October 2014

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

33

Simply soak up with a paper towel!

Gives you more time to clean up those everyday mishaps!

The Stainfree Classic Collection 20 new fashion colours to give your customer choice, multi-widths to save them money and a 3 weight ‘good, better, best’ offering guaranteed to enrich any room in their home.

Easy on the eye and easy on the pocket, Classic Décor is the perfect starting point for any home.

Without doubt this is the most popular ever quality Stainfree Twist.

An ultra-heavyweight Stainfree that is guaranteed to keep it’s good looks for longer!

www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

6 October 2014

FlooringNews

A slice of style

Great for use throughout the home and with coordinating stripes so that homeowners can add their own individual flair, the hugely successful Fairfield Creations collection from Lano Carpets has been expanded from 12 to 22 styles.

With the addition of eight plain shades and two new stripe colourways, Fairfield Creations is now an even more formidable collection for retailers looking to make the most of the trend for adding a splash of striped style in halls, landings and on stairs. In a pattern repeat of 25cm, the stripe retains the easy to install nature that has made Fairfield Creations such a success.

Thanks to plain styles in four and five-metre width options and coordinating stripes four-metre wide, the collection can be used in all areas, encouraging consumers to create striking feature rooms while achieving a highly coordinated look elsewhere in the home.

A 1/10th cut pile construction gives the fineness of yarn required for a beautiful stripe effect, while a 35oz/yd2 pile weight ensures durability and underfoot comfort in busy family homes.

As part of the Easy Care collection and made from 100% Lanoset polypropylene, Fairfield Creations comes with a 10-year stain resistant warranty, providing a fuss-free carpet that delivers the style, ease of living and value for money demanded by today’s consumer. Tom Mathys, sales director UK & Ireland, comments: “Fairfield Creations has become a successful collection for Lano Carpets retailers and we wanted to make sure that it continues to deliver an intoxicating mix of great value and stunning looks. With an expanded palette including the latest in on-trend colours we are sure that the updated collection will continue to be a successful range for retailers right across the UK.” T 00800 5266 5266

www.lano.com

Contract to colour

The trend towards colourful carpet and research showing how certain colours motivate and inspire the workforce has contributed towards a huge increase in demand for the exciting new colours to the Array range from Heckmondwike FB.

The leading commercial fibre bonded carpet manufacturer added six exciting new colours to its Array carpet tile range six months ago and has seen particularly strong demand for its Emerald and Violet colourways for public and private sector office refurbishments.

Heckmondwike FB’s Marketing Manager, Abby Chandler, explains: “The Array range has had a tremendous response since we launched the new colours this spring. Designers have been able to create some truly inspirational commercial interiors with the wide range of colours available and it is fantastic to see workplaces being totally transformed and reinvigorated. Research has shown how colour in the workplace can have an impact on productivity and these stunning new colours are taking design in carpet tiles to a whole new level.”

The six latest additions to the Array range included Copper, Marble, Peacock, Violet, Emerald and Fuchsia, which brought the number of options within the Array range to 12.

As part of Heckmondwike FB’s Creative Flooring range, Array represents the perfect opportunity for specifiers, designers and flooring contractors to create individual designs for a wide variety of commercial flooring applications. Being able to add this element of high design creates a fusion between the floor and furniture.

Like all Heckmondwike’s products, Array carpet tiles can be cut on-site without the risk of fraying and this allows individual flooring designs to be created and installed with ease.

Array carpet tiles are British-made and provide outstanding performance, as well as being backed by a 10 year limited wear warranty, which means they can be specified in complete confidence.

T 01924 406161 www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/new from The Stocklists

October 2014 35

News

First line of defence

A Mapei system of flooring products has been specified as part of a major redevelopment at IWM London. Part of the Imperial War Museums, the historic museum has been transformed to mark the centenary of the First World War; the design– created by architects Foster + Partners - improves access, circulation, as well as creating new vistas to the park outside. Mapei’s high performance cementitious flooring system, Ultratop, was chosen to complement the exhibits and provide a low maintenance floor coupled with resistance to heavy pedestrian traffic. All works were co-ordinated by IWM’s Construction Managers, Lend Lease, and Mapei systems were installed by Polished Concrete Designs for ITC Concepts Ltd.

Making a point

Retailers signed up to the Crown Floors Loyalty Club can now enjoy double points on Roseland and Dunnotar Castle, earning 80 points for every square metre sold of these two qualifying ranges.

The Crown Floors Loyalty Club (www.crownfloorsloyaltyclub.co.uk) rewards retailers with a huge range of gadgets and luxury gifts and this latest promotion on two of the brand’s freshest collections underlines its commitment to rewarding the hard work of its retailers right across the UK. “We founded the Loyalty Club so that we can say thank you to our retailers for all the effort they put in to selling carpets from the Crown Floors by Balta brand,” comments Geert Vanden Bossche, marketing director, Balta. “Introducing this promotion on two of our newest collections shows that we are serious about giving something back, offering double points on two highly attractive collections.”

Both Dunnotar Castle and Roseland are made from super soft Easy Care fibre for great daily performance and a luxurious feel, come in four and fivemetre widths and offer a spectrum of tones from sophisticated natural shades through to on-trend pastel blue and grey.

Through a dedicated website at www.crownfloorsloyaltyclub.co.uk retailers can keep an eye on their points tally, which is automatically updated every time they sell carpet from the Crown Floors collection. With gadgets from leading brands to power tools, luxury goods and weekend breaks, retailers across the UK are already enjoying their rewards and with points added everyday, news of the great rewards on offer is spreading fast.

For those not already enjoying the benefits of this fabulous incentive, registration through the website is fast and simple, so there is no reason why you can’t enjoy double points right away.The promotion runs until 31st December.

T 0800 0773301

www.crownfloors.co.uk

Image courtesy of Nigel Young Foster + Partners

The transformed IWM London includes new world-class First World War Galleries, a newly configured atrium and temporary events space over six floors displaying iconic large objects, new retail outlets and a café opening into the adjoining park. Alongside permanent exhibitions and galleries, new centenary features include Truth and Memory – the largest exhibition of British First World War art for almost 100 years and a major family exhibition, Horrible Histories.

Mapei’s flooring system was specified throughout a 5,000m2 floor area.

The specified system included Mapei Topcem rapid-drying screed, which hardens within 24 hours and dries in approx. four days, thereby reducing installation times. Mapei Primer SN, a two-component epoxy pre-filled primer, was applied to both existing and new substrates, and technologically advanced self-smoothing cementitious floor, Mapei Ultratop, was then installed. The system provides an anthracite-toned abrasion-resistant surface suited to the heavy traffic environments.

T 0121 508 6970 www.mapei.co.uk

Day of excellence

The new look Academy for Excellence in Flooring Powered by Quick-Step & Pergo has announced the introduction of one-day courses designed to help residential and commercial flooring installers deliver a more professional and knowledgeable service to their customers.

Each course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding in the specialist fields of moisture testing, site preparation, measuring and quoting, stair installation, installation of click LVTs and sanding and finishing.

“We’ve created these one day courses so that installers can improve on key skill areas they feel can help to develop the service they provide to their customers,” comments Lee Thompson, procurement and technical manager. “Focusing on key areas such as these means that installers can equip themselves with better knowledge as and when they need to, taking a staged approach to their development rather than the more intensive two or three-day courses on offer at the Academy.”

Including how to prevent and cure problems with moisture to floor sanding techniques and finishing, these courses are ideal for all skill levels, with content derived from experience gained through Master Installer and Level One courses. More details of the courses are available through the Academy website. www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

36 October 2014

FlooringNews

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Gold rush

Flying high

Holding 12 cans of this precious nectar, the new box is the latest packaging to come under a new identity, helping installers to instantly recognise the great value and unmistakable quality of Floorwise across its entire portfolio. Inside comes new look cans for the legendary F599 spray adhesive, the installer’s first choice when it comes to a whole range of fast fix needs.

Woven from 100% pure New Zealand wool, Superbirds brings two textures in the chunky loop pile of Comfort and the cutpile of velvet, each offering a deep and luxurious texture that creates a feeling of ultimate luxury that will be familiar to all those that know Louis de Poortere and instantly appealing to those that don’t.

In a striking gold, a new box from Floorwise is certainly hard to miss and if you spot one be sure to grab it, there’s magic inside in the shape of F599 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive.

With a high adhesives content, excellent bond strength, quick-drying and easy-to-use, F599 has become a firm favourite when it comes to a range of floorcovering fixes, with the glue suitable for bonding a range of floorcoverings and accessories onto a wide range of substrates, it can even bond to metal, glass and most plastics.

“Our new packaging is designed so that installers can instantly recognise the trusted Floorwise name and make the right choice when it comes to quality and value,” says Richard Bailey, managing director. “With a striking gold box and new-look cans featuring the telltale blue of our adhesives and screed category, you instantly know that F599 will work straight out of the can, delivering that reliable performance time after time.”

Louis de Poortere is famed for striking carpet that sets the bar for others to follow and in Superbirds it is once again proving that beautiful and luxurious carpet is at its heart.

As part of Louis de Poortere’s custom dye programme, from orders as little as 50 square metres Superbirds can be created in a bespoke colour allowing homeowners to realise a beautifully coordinated look to their home that is also completely exclusive.

“Louis de Poortere has a reputation for beautiful carpet that pays close attention to fine quality and for many it is a brand seen as the ultimate in stand-out style. Superbirds just goes to reinforce this reputation, deep and opulent texture combining with the very best wool for a carpet of undeniable class,” comments Alan Russell, sales manager UK. “Featured in our stunning new suitcase, the ideal tool for retailers wanting luxury brands in their portfolio, Superbirds goes to underline that Louise de Poortere knows a thing or two about inspirational carpet.”

With a total weight of 3000g/m2, Superbirds is available in a standard width of 4.57m. Both Comfort and Velvet are available in two gorgeous tonal brown shades as standard, with bespoke colours available from orders of just 10 linear metres.

T 01505 615663 www.louisdepoortere.com

Floorwise F599 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive and the entire adhesives and screeds collection is available from Floorwise distributors right across the country along with a range of underlays, nosings, gripper, profiles, tools, tapes and matting that make Floorwise one of the biggest names in floorcovering accessories.

T 01509 673974

www.floorwise.co.uk

Learning fast

A range of award-winning products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd have been used to create a high quality floor finish in renovations to classrooms at Cornwall College Camborne Campus.

Because of the tight time constraints after delays onsite, flooring contractors from Aztek Interiors selected F. Ball products exclusively to refurbish the 2400m2 area.

After removing the existing carpet and conducting a moisture measurement test throughout the building, contractors found significant levels of moisture to be present. The existing tiled floor was cleaned to remove all traces of contamination and then mechanically prepared to aid adhesion of F. Ball's ultimate waterproof surface membrane, Stopgap F77 - a two-part epoxy resin system that creates an unrivalled barrier against moisture in a one-coat application. With a working time of 30 minutes, Stopgap F77 cures in approximately three hours.

Stopgap 600 Base, a deep section base compound, was used to raise floor levels in areas where the subfloor had deteriorated to an uneven state. F. Ball's minimum preparation, maximum performance smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 1200 Pro, was used to smooth floors across the campus. With a working time of 20 minutes and a walk-on time of just 60 minutes, Stopgap 1200 Pro was ready to receive new floorcoverings in four hours. Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was used to adhere PVC backed carpet tiles to the finished subfloor. Providing a permanently tacky film, Styccobond F41 prevents carpet tiles from moving under normal traffic but enables them to be lifted and replaced easily when required, which will make maintenance of the floor across the campus easier in future.

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

38 October 2014

FlooringNews

News

Tonnes taken back

Forbo’s Back to the Floor take back scheme for installation off-cuts continues to expand as it heads towards its second birthday this autumn.

Volumes of waste flooring are rising for recycling back into new Forbo flooring products and new mixed cushioned flooring collection trials have been launched.

Reasons to recycle

As part of its Fifth Birthday celebrations, Recofloor has announced the Contractor and Distributor that have each collected the most waste vinyl flooring since the scheme’s inception in 2009 by Altro and Polyflor.

Recofloor is the UK’s award-winning national vinyl flooring recycling scheme and over the past five years has diverted increasingly large volumes of vinyl flooring from landfill - to date, well over 1,850 tonnes. Smooth offcuts and safety off-cuts are recycled back into new Polyflor and Altro flooring, with smooth uplifted vinyl recycled into other products, such as road traffic cones.

Topping their respective ‘leagues’ are Hull Flooring with 91 tonnes over five years and Nutland Carpets, Chandlers Ford, which has collected 51 tonnes.

Success for Hull Flooring, a CFA member, has mainly been achieved through working on a number of retail projects for its clients since joining the scheme. This, in conjunction with day-to-day material collected at their Hull offices, has enabled them to recycle in excess of 34 tonnes in 2011 – an impressive 11% of the total tonnages collected that year.

Encouraging greater use of their drop-off sites and efficient backhauling of material for collection by Recofloor are key factors in Nutland Carpets’ success. An IFDA member, the family-run business was a Recofloor Gold Award winner in 2013 and 2014, plus Distributor of the Year in 2013.

T 0161 355 7618 www.recofloor.org

Launched in November 2012, this successful closed-loop scheme collects and reprocesses Marmoleum, Tessera Carpet Tiles, Flotex, cushioned vinyl and smooth vinyl installation off-cuts.

New members from a wide variety of different sectors are joining the scheme. The latest being Worcestershire-based Educational Art & Craft Supplies which responded to a letter sent out to key customers outlining the benefits of participating and how they can join.

This family-run business is literally demonstrating the ‘art of recycling’ flooring off-cuts. It buys 240 rolls of Marmoleum a year for its range of linoleum and block printing products, including Essdee Scraperboard, that are supplied to education wholesalers and retailers worldwide.

Having already filled three large one-tonne Marmoleum bulk bags with offcuts in the first two months, Directors Chris (pictured above) and Stephen Yeomans are convinced that closed-loop recycling is the right way to go – and they’ll get their old off-cuts back in new supplies.

T 0161 925 8760 www.forbo-flooring.co.uk

40 October 2014

eeeSean Dawson of MD Flooring, Hull

FlooringNews

News

Chilly chic

Reflecting the interior trend for white-look wood floors, Kährs Oak Arctic combines natural style with a host of eco and performance benefits. The elegant floor has a single plank design, enhanced by a bevelled edge; a tactile brushed surface and a white matt lacquer prefinish. It is crafted from sustainable, even grained European oak and features Kährs ECO Core - a middle layer of post-industrial recycled material, which forms part of Kährs award-winning multi-layered construction. It is also offered with a 20-year guarantee.

Designer cork talk

The practical qualities of cork make it an ideal flooring material while its unique aesthetic is enjoying renewed enthusiasm from designers on the hunt for a floor surface that turns up the style.

Recycled from the waste of the wine bottle stopper industry, Granorte’s Tradition collection is cork flooring at its purest, using a decorative veneered cork surface atop a high-density agglomerated cork backing. The end results are striking, 48 completely different looks all with the familiar natural aesthetic that only cork can bring. In fact, the Tradition range is anything but traditional, taking a voyage through the incredible flexibility that cork offers as a design material.

Designed for domestic and contract installation, Kährs Oak Arctic can be laid floating on any dry, level and solid surface, such as concrete, chipboard or wood. Individual boards align and lock together, using Kährs’ glueless Woodloc joint. The joint, combined with Kährs’ construction, creates an exceptionally stable surface that’s suitable for installation over electric matt and capillary underfloor heating systems.

Kährs Oak Arctic is one of five floors from the Unity Collection; other designs include light-toned Oak Sand; mid honey-toned Oak Park; greytoned Oak Cliff and Walnut Orchard.

T 02392 453 045

42 October 2014

www.kahrs.co.uk

Available in three different tile formats – 600 x 300mm, 300 x 300mm, 600 x 450mm – Tradition benefits from the natural thermal insulation and acoustic absorption qualities of cork with 10-year residential and five-year commercial wear guarantees underlining its durability. Made entirely from a renewable natural resource that has been recycled as a by-product of another industry, Tradition is also an excellent choice for designers looking for more sustainable flooring.

“The Granorte cork flooring portfolio includes several hybrid options, but there is something irresistibly appealing about the pure cork construction of Tradition,” believes Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “We’ve innovated and experimented with the material to create different looks ranging from the timeless and familiar look of Standard to more expressive interpretations such as Expression, Canyon, Fineline, Contour, Green and Midnight.The result is a collection that will undoubtedly appeal to designers wanting something different for their interior.”

T 01785 711 131 www.granorte.co.uk

FlooringNews

Introducing 17 exciting NEW colours

to our Devonia and Simply Natural ranges for Autumn.

Simply Natural

Devonia Collection

Stunning textured carpets produced using our unique cabled yarn to produce hard wearing carpets that retain all the luxury of pure new wool.

A collection of opulently rich high-wool carpets available in an extensive range of solid colours that enhances any interior.

NEW COLOURS available now

Simply Natural Ribgrass Stipple Breccia/Eggshell 45113

made in GREAT BRITAIN

Devonia Eggshell Blue 1306/76000

To see the full range or request a free sample please visit: www.axminster-carpets.co.uk or call us: 01297 33533

www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

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44 October 2014

FlooringNews

Array The art of a new carpet The striking contemporary linear design features a choice of 12 modern colours Ŕ NBUDIJOH #SPBESJC BDDFOU DPMPVST BWBJMBCMF Ŕ .BEF JO 8FTU :PSLTIJSF

KEEP IN TOUCH

Follow us on Twitter @heckmondwikefb for all our latest product and project news. from The Stocklists

www.heckmondwike-fb.co.uk

October 2014 45

Flower on Flooring

by Dennis Flower

Discovering the solution that fits Flooring retailers have genuine opportunities to both improve their levels of customer service and increase add-on sales by recommending the most appropriate underlay to accompany their new floor options, say the industry’s suppliers.

For example, The Complete Guide to Foam Underlays from Floorwise shows homeowners the difference that good quality underlay can make to a home, says managing director Richard Bailey: “Not only in prolonging the life of their carpet, but also in making their home a more comfortable, warmer and quieter place.” Featuring all the company’s foam underlays, from its 7mm initio through to the luxurious 11mm SHD+ supreme, the presenter clearly illustrates the benefits of spending a little more.

“With a handy recommendation chart and feeler samples of each underlay, this new presenter makes the most of Floorwise’s striking new identity and cleaner labelling for its underlay collection. Capitalising on our excellent reputation for quality and value across all our underlays, retailers can now make fast reference to the right underlay and help homeowners to make an educated choice.”

Also available in the same format is The Complete Guide to Rubber & Felt Underlay.

Interfloor reports it has identified six key underlay segments based on feedback from customers and consumers.

These relate to underlays that are best for comfort, durability, sound insulation, heat insulation, underfloor heating and hard flooring. The company deploys its Tredaire and Duralay brands to cover these segments.

Interfloor markerting director Steve Woodhead says: “The Tredaire brand focuses primarily on comfort, sound and heat insulation. Duralay’s crumb rubber products are unbeatable for durability as they provide 100% recovery against indentations, and their high density sponges are ideal for underfloor heating and hard flooring.”

Tredaire’s top performers are Sensation (for comfort), Colours Red (sound insulation) and Dreamwalk (heat insulation), he continues. Duralay’s top performers are System 10 (for durability), Heatflow (underfloor heating) and Silentfloor Gold (hard flooring).

Interfloor has developed its online Underlay Selector for retailers to choose the best products which can be accessed via its website (see details below).

The more comfortable underlay The Best for Comfort Sensation

The Best for Heat Insulation Dreamwalk

46 October 2014

The Best for Sound Insulation Colours Red

The harder wearing underlay The Best for Durability System Ten

The Best for Under-floor Heating

Heatflow Carpet

Kährs states that Special Underlay and Tuplex are two of its best selling products. Special Underlay is a 2mm, three-layer high density/soft construction product with an integral moisture barrier. It is designed to reduce impact, air and drum sound by up to 25%, and features integrated tape strips.

Slightly thicker, Tuplex – a 3mm crush-proof underlay – is formed from two layers of solid polyethylene, between which flexible polystyrene granules are sandwiched. It seals out moisture and features Airflow technology, which inhibits mould growth, making it ideal for use with underfloor heating. It also reduces impact and drum sound.

Kährs country manager (UK and Ireland) Harvey Booth, says: “Our Special Underlay measures 1000mm in width and it’s available in 10m² and 30m² rolls, whilst Tuplex measures 1100mm in width and is available in 33m² rolls - plus a very popular 16.5m² consumer box.”

A combination felt rubber underlay, Ecofelt is manufactured from 100% recycled tyres and 100% recycled new carpet waste, generated from Penthouse & Mayfield carpets. It is produced using a low energy manufacturing process without the use of chemical treatments to the fibres, therefore ensuring an environmentally sustainable product with a low carbon footprint. The latex backing is extracted from the fibres and then sieved to a fine dust, which has a high calcium carbonate content and is supplied to farmers as a lime alternative.

Ecofelt is long lasting, the company states, and improves the wear and comfort of the carpet. With superior insulation properties, tog 3.2, sound reduction, 36DB (airborne and impact) and compression recovery, 94% thickness retained, along with its compliance to flame retardancy standard BS4790:1987, Ecofelt is the first choice of many of its retailers.

Through use of its innovative Traffilay product selector, QA states that retailers can quickly and easily recommend their customers to the best underlay for each application.

Traffilay starts with looking at how heavily a room is used and what it is used for, in other words its ‘traffic level’. For example, a bedroom is typically a light traffic area, but a hallway is a heavy traffic area. The customer will be able to easily relate to the traffic levels, without having to try to understand the relevance of thickness and density of the different underlays.

QA explains its underlays are grouped into three categories – Light, Medium and Heavy Traffic. It recommends that every retailer stocks an underlay for each category – for example, a FloorSure underlay for light areas, a HighLine underlay for medium areas and a SkyWalk underlay for heavy traffic areas.

The Best for Hard Flooring Silentfloor Gold

For more information: Floorwise T 01509 673974 Interfloor T 01706 213131 Kährs T 023 9245 3045

www.floorwise.co.uk www.interfloor.com www.kahrs.com

FlooringNews

Report 2014

Harrogate

The buzz is back!

Harrogate is brimming with confidence September 2014 marks a turning point for UK flooring – the time when we got our confidence back and the buzz at The Flooring Show was tangible.

Hype has exceeded hope in the last two or three years at the Harrogate event and the industry’s sentimental attachment to the annual national event was beginning to wear thin but the revival this year is nothing short of remarkable.

Martin West at Kingsmead said: “The show has made a giant leap forward.

The quality of exhibitors and visitors is very high this year and the whole event has a postive feel to it. The organisers have done a great job.”

“The show has made a giant leap forward.”

Richard Moore at the buying group ACG said: “This is a smarter show now.

It looks better, feels better and it has attracted a lot of new people and encouraged them to be optimistic.”

Almost all the big brands were back. Visitor numbers were up by 15%.

Business was brisk. And the polished performance of the show organisers to present a professional event that the industry can be proud off was self-evident.

At the heart of the revival was the work of the Campaign for Wool – most specifically Bridgette Kelly and her team – who worked with British Wool to create a stunning centrepiece to the show – the Wool Trends centre in Hall C. This initiative brought in many of the major brands that had been missing before – some for many years – and names such as Axminster, Brintons, Adam, Bronte, Brockway, Edel Telenzo and Ulster alongside loyal show leaders such as Abingdon, Cormar, Furlong, Lano, Manx and Kingsmead, etc.

The display was inspiring with a series of themed, trend leading roomsets.

The dramatic art installation presented by the Curtis Wool Group of huge suspended wool hanks by renowned designerAngela Wright added extra glamour to the occasion.

The mood of exhibitors and visitors was probably the most positive for a decade with the repeated comments that the optimistic predictions that the recession was over was finally coming true – albeit belatedly. Fashion is back in growth!

“I think it is going to be a good Autumn,” says David Cormack at Cormar.

“It has taken a long time to feel that the industry is getting over the recession but I think finally it’s happening. Independent retailers are doing better – and the they will do better still in the months ahead I think.”

“A lot more retailers have a smile on their face now, “ said Jeremy Wilson at Ulster Carpets.

The halls of Harrogate were fully booked by the time the show opened with more than 150 exhibitors. Alongside the carpert contingient was a strong showing in wood, laminates and LVT as well as underlay and accessories. Re-booking by exhibitors for 2015 was already running at exceptional rates before the show closed.

from The Stocklists

“This is a smarter show”

“A lot more retailers have a smile on their face now.”

See our review next month for full details of the trends, launches and innovations that made the Flooring Show 2014 so special, but we’ve given some snapshots of the occasion across the next two pages this month…

October 2014 47

HarrogateReview 2014

Trade exhibitors rose to the occasion with high quality stands

Many of the big brands were back

Exhibitors thought of new ways to drive sales

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than one way to make a splash!

48 October 2014

FlooringNews

Visitors flocked to The Flooring Show!

Wool was at the centre of the show in Hall C.

Live events meant there was always something happening.

Networking sessions, business insights and installer demonstrations.

Axminster is weaving for the web

from The Stocklists

October 2014 49

DOMOTEX Laying the ground for success Come to DOMOTEX and experience the latest trends and exciting new products showcased by the world’s top manufacturers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the world of floor coverings – all at one venue.

Meet your business partners and new contacts from the industry and flooring trade.

17 – 20 January 2015 Hannover ▪ Germany domotex.de

latest All the ations innov lance: at a g @ ations Innov X TE !

D OM O

The sexiest underlay you will never see

Sonic Gold Excel wood and laminate floor underlay EXCEPTIONAL SOUND REDUCTION EXCELLENT IMPACT RESISTANCE EVENS OUT UNEVEN FLOORS Part of the Novostrat range of polyethylene underlays to suit every application and pocket.

From store to floor - there’s no better solution

Sonic range Comfort range HIGH PERFORMANCE UNDERLAYS

Sector Marketing · Tel. +44 (0)1275 335 911 · info@hf-greatbritain.com

50 October 2014

TEL: 00353 61-339287 www.novostrat.com info@novostrat.com

FlooringNews

Feature: Alternative Flooring

Feature: Alternative Flooring

Feeling at home with a quirky pattern Whoever said pattern was just for walls? We have re-embraced colour and print for furnishings and now Alternative is doing the same for our floors.

Everyone loves the pattern in Alternative Flooring’s Quirky patterned runners. So it was a clever step to combine pattern and colour in a new broadloom wool carpet and ingenious to invite iconic designers to become collaborators.

Quirky B is a new carpet collection that celebrates the joy of pattern and the comfort of barefoot luxury on our floors. Great British designers Ashley Hicks and Margo Selby have created distinctive designs and following on from the success of the Quirky runners, Alternative has developed more cool carpets called Spotty, Geo and Zebo, Zip and Honeycomb.

Ashley Hicks and Margo Selby are perfect Alternative partners. Both collaborations show that wall-to-wall carpets are back in fashion. A pillar of the architecture and design world, Ashley Hicks brings gravitas to floors with his modern classics.

Chainmail Venetian by Ashley Hicks

Daisy Gloriosa by Ashley Hicks

Honeycomb Duck Egg

“I’m thrilled to present these new carpet designs. I love Alternative's fresh, approach. I love pattern, and especially on the floor. It gives instant character and vitality to a space, as well as usefully hiding marks and damage (as a father, I know about that!) I created the Chainmail design for a Campaign for Wool roomset at Somerset House, but its angular geometry would work just as well anywhere. A play on traditional hexagon grids, its interwoven chain links give a dynamic edge to a room. Daisy, inspired by wall-decoration in an old temple in Sri Lanka, has a punchy, Pop presence that will inject a touch of 60’s glamour into any room.”

Ashley Hicks “Alternative Flooring are a unique British carpet manufacturer who have a similar design philosophy to us, in that they believe creating a carpet or textile is both a craft and an art. The way they make carpets is part of a time-honoured tradition and employs the expertise of skilled craftsmen at every stage. The designs for Alternative Flooring are inspired by our woven fabrics.

‘Shuttle’ is derived from our hand-woven deflected double cloth weaves, whilst ‘Fair Isle’ takes inspiration from our silk jacquard collection. Like many of our designs the patterns are inspired by the process of weaving and the uniformed geometric shapes reflect the structured nature of the craft.”

Fair Isle Reiko by Margo Selby

Margo Selby

Margo Selby Alternative Flooring has been voted a CoolBrand for the second year running, and is the only exclusively flooring company to receive this award. Here is a modern mix of carpet, rugs and runners that is as big on natural texture as it is packed with pattern and colour. from The Stocklists

T 01264 335111 www.alternativeflooring.com October 2014 51

News

Cutting costs of cuts

All carpet retailers want to make more profit wherever they can and now they have the chance to save money on many ranges that they normally buy from a wholesaler.

TradeCounterCarpets have been trading for over 25 years in the Midlands and are now supplying retailers throughout the country.

They carry over 4000 rolls ready for despatch the same day and offer carpets from most of the major manufacturers, selling strictly to the trade only.

TradeCounterCarpets, open 7 days a week, can usually offer retailers lower prices on cut lengths compared to their normal wholesale suppliers.

As an extra benefit, for the months of October and November, TradeCounterCarpets are offering an extra 5% off all cut lengths by Abingdon carpets.

They stock many ranges from Abingdon and are offering the 5% off all their stock as well as other widths and ranges direct from Abingdon. If you normally buy any of the Abingdon ranges from a wholesaler, ring TradeCounterCarpets and you should save a tidy sum!

T 0845 6043055 See also advert on page 32

Flooring’s media frenzy

Carpet and the Carpet Foundation took centre stage with the media at Claridge’s with the 2014 Red Carpet Awards.

Such is the popularity of the Red Carpet Awards that, even after a year’s absence, 72 journalists, including representatives from all the home interest magazines and including Katrina Burroughs from The Sunday Times, packed into Claridge’s.

Commenting on the event, Rupert Anton said: “The appetite for the Red Carpet Awards shows no sign of abating. It was clear, both with the turn out and with the comments received on the night that they are welcomed by the media. “ This year there were 8 keenly contested categories for the panel of judges - the shortlist in each category amounted to £430,000 of editorial exposure. Winners included: Best Article/Feature - Good Housekeeping (June 2014); Best use of carpet in a decorating scheme - Good Homes (August 2013); Best Makeover - Your Home (February 2014) and Best wool-based work - Period Living (September 2012).

T 01562 747 359 www.carpetfoundation.com

Sacred style

Balta Broadloom is providing mosques throughout the UK with a tailored bespoke woven carpet solution that makes it possible to create striking and unique designs that are easy to maintain and cost effective.

By using three different quality constructions with a standardised colour bank, projects can select from patterns within the dedicated catalogue or create a unique design from orders of just 400 square metres depending on the quality chosen.

Using Balta Broadloom’s StainSafe yarn and face-to-face Wilton woven construction these carpets offer great performance, ease of maintenance and excellent value. In 1,320g/m2, 2,100g/m2 and 2,300g/m2 pile weights, the quality can be selected depending on the size and needs of the particular mosque, ensuring the most cost effective solution for the task at hand.

“The particular requirements of mosques means that a tailored solution is best served to provide the performance and style that these sacred buildings deserve. With designs often intricate, a woven carpet gives better clarity and offers excellent durability, while the use of StainSafe yarn ensures these carpets will always look their best,” comments Geert Vanden Bossche, marketing director, Balta Broadloom.

Standard designs provide a full catalogue of traditional mosque carpets, as well as more contemporary alternatives to accommodate a wide range of interior styles. With a full array of border and linear patterns, the collection can work within large open play layouts and will bring stunning looks and value, backed by Balta Broadloom’s excellent service levels.

Rupert Anton of the Carpet Foundation with Lindsay Nicholson, editor of Good Housekeeping and Carolyn Bailey, homes editor.

52 October 2014

Jeremy Wilson of Ulster Carpets with with Amy Curtis, editor of Good Homes

T +32 5662 2211 www.baltagroup.com

FlooringNews

NEW

DESIGN & FUNCTION. LOCKED IN Drawing from our many years of vinyl flooring experience, the Camaro Loc collection of interlocking planks and tiles in a range of authentically reproduced designs, eliminates the need for adhesion to reduce installation time. Order your free samples today, plus a copy of our new exquisite 48 page brochure online at www.polyflor.com.

POLYFLOR LTD. PO BOX 3 RADCLIFFE NEW RD WHITEFIELD MANCHESTER M45 7NR TEL: 0161 767 1122 FAX: 0161 767 1128 E-MAIL: INFO@POLYFLOR.COM WWW.POLYFLOR.COM 0161 767 2551

The British Wool column An exhibition for Wool Week Campaign for Wool Interiors Collection

ONEWOOL

ONEWOOL is a unique virtual gallery celebrating the beauty y, practicality and endless ve ersatility of real wool

WWW.ONEW WOOL.COM #one ewool

The latest exciting event from the Campaign for Wool will be Wool Collection: Interiors which will see a curated collection of over fifty wool interior and lifestyle items brought together as an exhibition which opens on 5th October at Southwark Cathedral.

Created to celebrate the fifth anniversary celebrations of HRH The Prince of Wales’ Campaign for Wool, Wool Collection: Interiors will explore the different styles of wool across a broad range of fabrics, flooring, furnishings, lifestyle and art. All of which has been selected from manufacturers and retail brands to show the wonderful story of wool in interiors.

Also at the event will be a number of workshops and talks entitled ‘Meet the Maker’ - a day on design and carpet will look at the growing interest in bolder colour and textures which is a major theme of current trends.

The Collection is the work of Bridgette Kelly of The Campaign for Wool and Arabella McNie, Curator and Stylist, who worked together on the highly successful Wool House in March 2013.

“Our ambition is to bring together a tribute to the wool industry with its abundance of design talent and amazing production skills.

Arabella McNie’s eye for detail and design adds much to the Collection and will offer a feast for the textile lover. Ultimately, it is a mere snapshot of the story that wool offers to interiors but it highlights how wool is the superior natural fibre of the future,” Bridgette Kelly said.

The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, Dean commented: “In the heart of the trading capital of the nation we join with those who trade in wool, who work with wool and those who use wool as the raw material of their creative art as we celebrate this particular gift of God, wool that wraps and warms, that comforts and consoles as we weave wool and faith together in this celebration.”

The Collection will be on display during Wool Week - 5th-12th October at the iconic Southwark Cathedral, London. It is open daily from 10am to 7pm, late night Thursday to 8pm and admission is free.

British Wool at the Cathedral British Wool carpet will play its part in the Wool Collection: Interiors - the flooring in both areas of the exhibition will be British Wool - with Glenn Shee from Kingsmead Carpets providing the stylish and contemporary backdrop for the exhibits in the covered Courtyard area.

“We are delighted to have this incredibly robust carpet for the flooring of the exhibition as we know how well it will perform.

It is a strong blend of wool from Scottish sheep breeds and this is notoriously robust and buoyant wool, perfect for taking considerable pressure,” Bridgette Kelly explained.

Launch of ONEWOOL - the online gallery for Wool Interiors

WWW.ONEWOOL.COM

54 October 2014

ONEWOOL the world’s largest and most exciting online gallery of wool products will launch to consumers this month - following its trade launch at The Flooring Show in Harrogate.

Offering easy access to consumers, retailers and editors across the world an easy way to find wool products and the manufacturers of wool products. The simple landscape of the Gallery allows visitors to choose by country, product type and manufacturer and will give carpet manufacturers and others their own page in a global activity. Each gallery page will link directly to brand websites, making it particularly easy to get in touch with the company that you choose.

Bridgette Kelly comments: “ONEWOOL is a really great platform - it is a very bold design and this brings a new dynamic to the way that wool is presented to consumers.

“The carpet and interiors side of the Campaign for Wool is driven at grass roots level by the British Wool Marketing Board and we feel that this united approach in showcasing wool, which is integral to the Campaign for Wool’s initiatives, is vital and will add immense value to all.”

FlooringNews

The new online gallery showcasing the largest collection of wool interior products

ONEWOOL is a unique virtual gallery celebrating the beauty, practicality and endless versatility of real wool

WWW.ONEWOOL.COM

#onewool

The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Westminster from Victoria Carpets Ltd.

Castle Twist from Manx

In a palette of eighteen sophisticated shades from the subtle almond hints of Clarence and the warm smooth gold of St James, to the pizazz of Westminster, a rich red, through to the elegant shades of grey with brown undertones in Kensington and Chelsea. Available in two exceptional qualities Premium and Platinum, this luxurious tufted velvet blends the durability of man-made fibres with the resilience, beauty and comfort of wool.

This enduringly popular range continues to work well due to the versatile combination of weight options. Castle Twist is hard wearing, smart looking and with the mix of 12 earthy colours it makes an easy choice.

T 01827 831436 www.manxcarpets.co.uk

T 01562 749 300 www.victoriacarpets.com

Shear Classic from Bronte

Bloomsbury & Harrow by Telenzo

Shear Classic is manufactured by Bronte on the only machine of it's kind in the UK and creates a hand tufted style product with a random,non directional finish. It is then tip sheared to produce a cut & loop effect. 100% New Zealand wool (4 ply) is used and is available in 3 pile weights. 2000g/m2 (59oz/yd), 2500g/m2 (74oz/yd) and 3000g/m2 (88oz/yd). All qualities are recommended for all domestic areas (excluding conservatory) and contract areas.

Shear Classic is available in any colour via the special dye service and in any width up to 4.65m. Pictured above is 2500 China Clay.

The array of garden squares in Bloomsbury formed the inspiration for a beautiful textured loop in 100% 3-ply New Zealand wool, showing a subtle checkered pattern. Bloomsburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister range, Harrow, is the tip sheared version of Bloomsbury.

Tip shearing the highest of the loops has resulted in a subtle stripe that gives Harrow a unique loop and velvet look and feel.

The six natural colours in which both carpets are available, are elegant and perfect for any sophisticated interior. Bloomsbury (pictured 149 Ash) and Harrow come in both 4m and 5m width.

T 01422 374417 www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

T 01282 862736 www.brontecarpets.co.uk

56 October 2014

FlooringNews

The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Lakeland Herdwick by Brockway The uniquely characteristic Lakeland Herdwick is a heavy duty carpet range of pure distinction. It is the only textured loop pile carpet to use Herdwick wool, one of Britain's hardiest and rarest breeds of hill sheep. This naturally contemporary carpet is a 100% British wool product and features 18 natural tone colourways in two original designs. Highly durable and versatile, it is available in 1m, 4m and 5m broadloom.

T 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

V&A Twist by Ryalux Made from the finest New Zealand wool,V&A Twist’s newly refreshed 70 colour palette is inspired by the Jewellery Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.This feature rich premium quality twist is Ryaguard Stain Protected, Ryaprotect Mothproof Treated, and available in any width to 5 metres.

Offered in two weights, Kings (50oz) and Queens (40oz),V&A Twist offers heavy domestic performance, with the luxurious look and feel that Ryalux is renowned for.

T 0161 762 3030 (option 1)

www.ryalux.com

Home Counties by Cormar

Quirky B by Alternative Flooring

Made from 80% pure new wool, Home Counties plains and heathers are premium quality tenth gauge carpets in two pile weights (42oz and 50oz), making them ideal for high traffic areas.

Cormar’s Home Counties plains uses bright New Zealand Wool to create 18 clean solid shades, and 12 new plain colours, promoted under the Wools of New Zealand brand. Heathers offers 14 natural heather hues in British Wool, designed to complement any interior décor scheme. Both ranges are available in 4m and 5m widths.

Colour featured is Home Counties Heathers 50oz – Nougat

Quirky B is a new patterned wool carpet collection with collaborations with British designers Ashley Hicks and Margo Selby and woven on traditional carpet looms in the UK.

T 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk from The Stocklists

Available in 3.66m wide axminster with the runners in 69cm widths, the composition is luxurious yet hardwearing 80% wool and 20% nylon with a woven jute backing. The Fair Isle runner from the Margo Selby for Alternative Flooring is an exhibit at the Campaign for Wool’s show during Wool Week.

T 01264 335111 www.alternativeflooring.com

October 2014 57

The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Boho Collection from Ulster Carpets

Oasis by Lano

Boho Collection is the epitome of style. The “vintage” designs are an ode to all things retro, reworked to create contemporary, practical axminster for the 21st century. Each of the five designs offer their own quirky personality, brought together by the soft pastel shades of the “heritage” colour palette to create a unique and stunning collection. Made from hardwearing 80% wool / 20% nylon mix, this collection has been manufactured to last as long as the iconic designs which inspired it. This combination ensures a luxurious feel which is suitable for heavy domestic wear.

In a beautiful chunky loop, Lano’s Oasis brings the natural charm of 100% wool carpet in a collection of 20 exquisite shades, including on-trend greys ranging from charcoal through to silver and delightful natural tones. Available in both four and five-metre widths, Oasis can bring the warmth, underfoot comfort and the gorgeous look of wool to homes of all sizes.

T 00800 5266 5266 www.lano.com

T 028 38334433 www.ulstercarpets.com

Padstow by Brintons

Timorous Beasties by Brintons

The brand new Padstow carpet collection is fresh, modern and flexible, with patterns from pop art in polka dots and geometrics and a palette influenced by the seaside, in soft ice-cream shades of blue, pink and spearmint, balanced by subtle greys.

Noted for their surreal and provocative textiles and wallpapers, the award winning Glaswegian design house Timorous Beasties challenge traditional conventions with their use of illustrative insects, plants, birds and butterflies, wood grain and leaves.

Making a bolder statement, one Padstow pattern, a pin dot, also comes in a shade inspired by Pantone’s colour of the year – Radiant Orchid – plus a bright yellow and green. These chic playful patterns create an uplifting mood and the variety of colours allow the designs to work in any room of the house.

T 0800 505055 www.brintons.net

Inspired by popular Timorous Beasties designs, the Brintons collection is a mixture of large scale elegant designs - from the dense use of solid geometric texture and floral shapes of Linen Damask to the gentle meandering sprawl of the Ruskin Butterfly, with its delicate organic background texture.

T 0800 505055 www.brintons.net

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58 October 2014

T 0 www.

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The Campaign for Wool - a showcase of quality

Urban Collection by Thomas Witter

Gemini by Cavalier

Urban Collection is a stunning collection of 3-Ply 100% British Wool loop pile carpets that combine 3 stripes, 6 plains and 8 two- tone co-ordinates. Urban Collection is a quite magnificent ‘hi-style’ floor covering in vibrant colours that make it a great choice for use all around the home. With the plains available in 4m +5m widths and the stripes and co-ordinates available in 1m, 4m & 5m widths, this truly contemporary product can add an elegant touch throughout the home. This product is guaranteed mothproofed for 10 years.

As the colour names, taken from famous twins in Greek mythology suggest ‘Gemini’ is an inseparable match of tone & texture, flair & quality. As part of Cavalier Carpets ‘Couture Collection’, Gemini uses the finest wool blend yarns in a unique synthesis of velvet and twist, which work in harmony to create a carpet that is far from plain.

T 01429 892537 www.thomaswitter.com

A dozen carefully selected, subtle hue combinations will offer something uniquely different to the discerning homemaker with an eye for style.

T 01254 268 000 www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

The Tartan Collection by Hugh Mackay

Atlas by Balta

Whether it’s a chic apartment overlooking the Shard or a country retreat a tartan never looks out of place. The Tartan Collection by Hugh Mackay Carpets is a stunning range of 30 traditional and contemporary tartan designs, from the wonderfully muted tones of Ben Lawers to the vibrant scarlet of Royal Stuart there is a design to complement all colour schemes.

Six designs are made from 100% Natural, undyed British Wool and the remaining 24 are 80% British Wool, woven in superior quality 8 row Axminster, this range is available in 4.00m width.

For many the epitome of wool carpet, this delightful 100% wool Berber loop brings that unmistakable natural look and feel, with Balta Broadloom’s excellent value and superb quality. Atlas comes in eight natural tones ranging from warm cream through to pale grey, each with the telltale flecks of a true Berber quality.

Using British Wool for a premium appearance, appearance retention and durability, this is for homes wanting the look and feel of wool, but that also have a keen eye on cost. Available in four and five-metre widths and with a pile weight of 1,000g/m2.

T 01429 892555 www.hughmackay.com

T +32 5662 2211 www.baltagroup.com

from The Stocklists

October 2014 59

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Royal Borough by Axminster

Esprit Accents from Penthouse

Royal Borough is the latest 100% wool woven carpet from Axminster Carpets which expands their portfolio of beautiful, British, natural wool carpets, showcasing its passion for both innovative weaving techniques and striking modern designs.

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.

Royal Borough is made from carefully sourced British sheep wool and woven in Axminster, Devon. The Royal Borough Wilton range features three different types of yarn in a variety of designs and colourways, showcasing wool’s versatility in design and manufacturing. Shown above is Windsor in Itschner Light Grey.

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

T 01297 630630 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk 60 October 2014

FlooringNews

Just create Create stunning and perfectly matched feature spaces. Developed IURP WKH EHVW VHOOLQJ )DLUรฐHOG )DLUรฐHOG &UHDWLRQV IURP WKH (DV\ Care Collection by Lano Carpets combines four stripe designs ZLWK HLJKW PDWFKLQJ SODLQ FDUSHWV (DV\ WR LQVWDOO WKDQNV WR D FP VWULSH UHSHDW DQG ZLWK D \HDU VWDLQ UHVLVWDQFH ZDUUDQW\ )DLUรฐHOG Creations brings worry-free style to the home.

00800 5266 5266 marketing@lano.com www.lano.com

Marketing insights Standing out in home interiors Examining the importance of inspiring consumers and connecting with them, and how the home interest magazines play a part in this, along with retailers, manufacturers and trade associations.

Home interiors still accounts as one of the largest retail sectors in the UK, our love for our homes and appetite for home decoration spans all media whether it’s TV, magazines or online. With so much information available to consumers, how do flooring brands get attention and what influence does the home interiors media have?

Despite the economic downturn, home interior and women’s magazines have continued to perform well. Time Inc. is one of the largest global publishing groups with over 50% market share in the UK, with titles ranging from Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Country Homes and Interiors and Living Etc. Each title has its own identity and consumer in mind but they all share one online presence which is House to Home website.

Giles Kime, Executive Editor at Homes & Gardens has seen audiences change drastically, he explains: “consumers will affiliate themselves to one magazine which they trust to research and edit what is out there and provide that all important endorsement, but inevitably consumers continue their research online.

With broader online access, consumers can be more adventurous because the quality and access to images is excellent. At IPC we conduct research into consumer behaviour and believe that magazine brands will play an even more vital role in helping consumers edit the vast choice on offer before they go online. House to home continues that process online.”

Giles shared his thoughts on interior trends at the National Flooring Show last month and believes that there is a “real return to quality carpets and pattern. Painted floorboards look great in a photo-shoot, but are really hard to maintain in everyday life. As well as providing design inspiration on how to mix different flooring, we offer advice from

manufacturers and trade associations such as the Campaign for Wool, so it’s important for manufacturers to have their own identity.”

This view is shared by Carolyn Bailey, Homes and Gardens Editor at Good Housekeeping magazine. With a circulation of over 400k readers in the UK alone, GH is the most popular woman’s magazine in this country.

Good Housekeeping is part of the Hearst Group, the world largest publisher of monthly magazines with titles ranging from Country Living, House Beautiful, Elle Decoration to Harpers Bazaar and Cosmopolitan.

Good Housekeeping occupies a unique position as it covers beauty, fashion and lifestyle. Whilst it is up to magazines to provide inspiration and advice on how to put things together, Carolyn is very clear on how brands can engage consumer interest, “companies need to invest in good photography, even if it’s a fabulous design, if the photography isn’t there it will have less chance of getting featured as it will be relying on magazines doing their own shoot which we do around 3-4 times a year.

Being a woman’s magazine rather than limited to interiors gives us a broader perspective. Linking our interiors expertise to fashion results in a successful mix – the June edition is a great example and was awarded Best Article in the Carpet Foundations, Red Carpet Awards in August.” Not surprisingly Good Housekeeping has its own dedicated website team working alongside the editorial team, “the great thing about web is that flooring features can be linked using web trails – we link anything from videos, mood boards to expert advice, providing an

“The great thing about web is that flooring features can be linked using web trails – we link anything from videos, mood boards to expert advice, providing an enriching experience for our readers”

62 October 2014

ht Grey from Windsor in Itschner Lig ts Axminster Carpe

enriching experience for our readers.”

Trade Associations such as the Carpet Foundation fulfil an important role as they are a one stop so are the first call when doing a flooring feature.

When asked what she is looking for, Carolyn comments “always something new, both carpet and hard flooring manufacturers need to do something different to get attention and create a wow factor. There is interest in patterns but also texture. Imitation wood floors have got a lot better technically and are no longer the poor partner to wood. Good Housekeeping appeals to a broad age range and it’s important to keep our reader in mind, so we offer a cross section of choice.”

The days when manufactures could rely on big budget advertising to create awareness are gone. Consumers are more engaged and consequently more accessible. There is an information overload, so it’s understandable that magazines and trade associations continue to add value.

FlooringNews

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

Josh Dutfield, Commercial Director at Axminster Carpets shares his thoughts, “the media plays an important role in influencing flooring trends within the domestic market as it creates significant consumer pull for influences in interiors. We know there is a very close link between the fashion industry in terms of colours, textures and styles which cross over into the interiors sector.

Our research clearly shows that people tend not to buy carpets in isolation when they are considering new décor at home.

The carpet choice will often be part of a wider interior change – and is driven by the plethora of lifestyle influences that consumers draw on when making their decision.

An example of this in recent years is the move away from traditional beige carpets the current trend for grey tones and geometric patterns which has emerged can be tracked back to the catwalk designers who influence more than just fashion.”

Art Select Otono LM15 and Fiore LM16 from Karndean Designflooring

from The Stocklists

There is no doubt that having your product included in a glossy interiors magazine goes some way to influencing consumer choice.

Encouragingly, the need for investing in new products is something the flooring industry as a whole recognises. Significant innovation has occurred in hard flooring, but Scott Cochrane, Retail Sales Director at Karndean Designflooring doesn’t underestimate the role of retailers. “The media does play a role in influencing flooring trends in today’s digital media age where information and opinions are available at the click of a button. The difficulty for retailers and consumers alike is separating the trends from the fads. For example, there’s been a trend of late for natural and monochrome designs in the home which have been closely linked to fashion and the desire for clean, natural living. In order to capitalise and convert trends into actual sales, retailers need to think tactically on how they can incorporate the latest trends into their own marketing activities to successfully engage their customers. Incentives can be a good idea but they need to have substance behind them.

There needs to be more on offer for retailers and their customers than a free gift or discount. Retailers and customers expect more and look to the latest product Timorous Beasties innovations. So, it comes Yellow Ruskin Butterfly from Brint down to product design, ons selling what’s unique about your product range, and why retailers and customers should select your back this up then they are much more willing brand over a competitor. Equally, to show your products. The inclusion of a engaging point of sale stands can product that has been selected by an editor also play a big part in influencing of a quality publication is an endorsement on retailers and consumers.” your product in itself which then gives the Brintons has worked with the consumer the confidence in your product. A home interiors press for many great example of this is the new Timorous years, Andrew Wilcock, Group Beasties range by Brintons, which was Marketing Manager sees this as recently presented to all of the key home an integral part of the service interest editors and also has high quality the marketing team provide, room set photography. This has resulted in a “home interest editors are great response from the trade press and a always looking for something huge amount of coverage in the consumer new and exciting to show in titles. Being a manufacturer is not just about their publications. If you have making products that sell well, it is also about the ability to talk to them about representing the brand and making sure that new products and give them the everything you do supports that brand and use of quality photography to its identity. Part of this process is creating a continued on the next page...

October 2014 63

Marketing insights Standing out in home interiors continued... continued from previous page... brand that consumers like and want, in the case of Brintons a prestigious brand that consumers aspire to. If you don’t have brand awareness with the consumers then they won’t walk into a retailer and ask to see your products.”

While a piece of editorial may draw the consumer’s attention to a particular product, there are a number of factors which influence customer choice, such as lifestyle, area in the home and price. Many of our stockists also carry out their own local

New product development is vital, and Brintons recognise that carpet is not a stand alone item. Success lies in linking new products into what is going on in the wider market.

When a consumer is buying a new carpet it is normally part of a wider update of a room or house, the consumer will be looking at options for flooring, wall coverings, fabrics and furniture. If your products don’t complement these other aspects of interiors then you won’t be part of their thought process.

When investing in new products, creating awareness with the media and consumers is the first Wellington Stripe Reed from step, retailers need to Ulster Carpets’ Open Spaces collection be confident too. This is something that Jeremy Wilson Sales Director at Ulster regards as key, “there is no doubt that having advertising and promotions, which we your product included in a glossy interiors support by providing first class photography magazine goes some way to influencing or completed artwork. Ultimately, consumers consumer choice. The recent trend for stripes make the final purchasing decision with the is one example, this has been written about retailer so we do not underestimate the extensively and we have seen excellent sales importance of the relationship with our of our Open Spaces Wellington Stripe range.

Ulster stockists.”

Similarly Ulster’s new Monaco, Panama and As well as regular updates from their sales Capri ranges respond to the growing and marketing team, Karndean Designflooring popularity of cool greys. At Ulster, we know keep their retailers updated through a that the consumer makes their purchasing dedicated online portal where they can decision with the retailer and so having a download adverts and signage, digital video brand which our retailers are proud to content and the latest lifestyle imagery, Scott promote is key, alongside good customer Cochrane believes manufacturers have a big service and product quality. responsibility to play in supporting their 64 October 2014

retailers in promoting their product range and brand, “it’s important for both brand consistency and customer relations. We have a national PR and marketing strategy to support our entire retail base and many of our retailers are proactive in coming to us with opportunities to reach their customers.”

Shaun Lewis, Sales Director at Brockway understands the challenges faced by retailers better than anyone, “yes, its important to have recognised brands, but it’s essential that manufacturers don’t limit brand building with consumers. They must also differentiate their products with the trade. The flooring industry is dominated by independents, but compared to other retail environments buying a carpet can be like going back in time. To succeed retailers need to sell themselves to the consumer and we are seeing increased evidence of that. It’s essential we provide retailers with outstanding POS as well as excellent product and support, we need to ensure that consumers have easy access to information to make their purchasing decision easier.”

Clearly, both channels need to work in harmony to achieve the best results.

Manufacturers need to raise brand awareness directly by targeting consumer audiences via print media, online lifestyle websites, social media and marketing activity.

Axminster Carpets has seen that using its national brand awareness to target consumers through these channels the resulting benefits will also be felt by retailers – who can range from a local to a national brand with varying levels of resources to run a brand campaign through national media.

“Axminster Carpets is such an iconic British brand that we promote the values associated with our brand to encourage consumers to make it their brand of choice so they are assured of the product they are getting. This

“Yes, its important to have recognised brands, but it’s essential that manufacturers don’t limit brand building with consumers. They must also differentiate their products with the trade”.

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is particularly important where the sector has been affected by lower quality, imported products that may not perform over time to consumers’ expectations” comments Josh Dutfield.

With so many brands competing for a voice, trade associations can be the impartial voice that the interiors press and consumers refer to, so are instrumental in a purchasing decision. They can provide a voice for the industry - high profile campaigns such as the Campaign for Wool helps to raise the profile and promote the benefits of the raw material of carpets to a much wider audience than manufacturers or retailers could on their own. Equally, the Carpet Foundation’s extensive relationships with the interiors media is invaluable in allowing its seven member companies to supply carpets for photo-shoots, samples for product features and expert carpet advice for editorials. All of this helps to build brand awareness and retailer support amongst the c450 strong independent retail members. Rupert Anton of the Carpet Foundation aims to be the one stop service, “the Carpet Foundation is an unbiased association providing expert advice to the press, consumers and retailers, so to hold the ‘Quality Mark’ is a strong selling point and a mark of assurance.”

lee Sweetplum from Brockway’s Jubi

range

The flooring industry is dominated by independents, but compared to other retail environments buying a carpet can be like going back in time. To succeed retailers need to sell themselves to the consumer and we are seeing increased evidence of that.

Last month, The Campaign for Wool worked in conjunction with British Wool to launch the Wool Interiors Hub to the National Flooring Show, inviting Giles Kime, Executive Editor for Homes & Gardens to share IPC’s consumer research. Bridgette Kelly of The Campaign for Wool explains the strategy, “bringing the home interiors press, manufacturers and retailers together can only benefit our industry. The campaign has been successful in engaging consumer interest but we need to ensure that this is followed through.” This month, The Campaign for Wool Interiors Collection will be launched as part of the fifth

anniversary celebrations of HRH The Prince of Wales’ Campaign for Wool. The Collection will be on display during Wool Week 5-12 October at the iconic Southwark Cathedral, London.

See The Stocklists Wool Week feature on pages 55 to 60..

For more information contact: Axminster Carpets T: 01297 32244 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk Brintons T: 0800 505055 www.brintons.co.uk

Brockway T: 01562 828200 www.brockway.co.uk

Campaign for Wool E: info@campaignforwool.org www.campaignforwool.org Carpet Foundation T: 01562 755568 www.carpetfoundation.com Karndean Designflooring T: 01386 820100 www.karndean.com Ulster T: 028 3833 4433 www.ulstercarpets.com

from The Stocklists

October 2014 65

Feature: Vizifloor

Retailers roll up for the ‘screen-age’ lectern “The enthusiasm is overwhelming,” said Marc Stephenson of Vizifloor after the flooring visualisation tool for retailers got its first public unveiling at The Flooring Show, Harrogate.

Promoted as the ‘screen age lectern’, the Vizifloor system is set to transform retail POS in the flooring sector with easy in-store technology to allow retailers to show all their ranges instantly in a range of roomsets and, most importantly, in the customer’s own rooms.

Due to be launched in 2015, a pilot system was shown to selected retailers and manufactuers at the Solihull buying group show in May and since then more than ten major manufacturers and hundreds of retailers have shown interest, even before the marketing for the system has started.

“Harrogate was the first time we were able to show the system to everyone in the industry and we have been totally delighted by the reaction,” says Marc. “It’s sounding like a ‘must-have’ marketing tool even before it is launched.”

Vizifloor attracted a lot of attention at Harrogate

“When you see the system, you know this is the way carpets will be sold in the future,”said Harrogate visitor Gareth Parry of Highgate Carpets. “Most people find it difficult to visualise what a new floor might look like and this works really well to get beyond that issue.

I’m very impressed.”

A tweet during the show from Gaskin Carpets simply said: “The future is Vizifloor!”

Vizifloor is an industry wide initiative to provide a platform to show manufacturers products in roomsets and home photos on ipads, showroom screens, PCs, laptops and smartphones. Its purpose it to overcome the sales obstacle of customers who comment: “I can’t imagine what this sample would really look like in my lounge.” It helps them make decisions about colours, patterns, stripe direction and encourages them to be more courageous in selecting higher value products.

Since the pilot system went live this Summer, the developers have been adding functions – most notably the ability to show complex stairs carpets – and a new website has been launched to explain the process at www.vizifloor.com Vizifloor is being launched by Mayville Publishing, the company that brings you The Stocklists magazine every month, working with Visualise-It – a leading image technology company.

“We’re receiving strong commitment from the industry to go ahead with this project,” says David Spragg of The Stocklists, “ and this is before we have started our detailed discussions with manufacturers. Everybody wants to be part of the launch group.”

A new feature has been added to show stripes on stairs

The new website at www.vizifloor.com has a video demonstration and full details of how to register for the system

T 01845 576101 www.vizifloor.com

“When you see the system, you know this is the way carpets will be sold in the future” 66 October 2014

FlooringNews

Natural Shades just got better!

Exciting new colours, with a colour matching cut pile Natural Plain Twist.

An unrivalled choice for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market.

Please speak to your local representative for further information or scan the QR code to be taken to our website. from The Stocklists

October 2014 67

Readers’ Survey

The rep report Retailers rate their reps as good - but not doing better

36% say rep quality is falling.

Reps are getting a good report from retailers with 68% of our survey respondents saying that suppliers’ salesmen really understand their business – but there’s a strong feeling that standards are falling.

90% of reps have good product knowledge

Only 26% felt the quality of reps was improving across the industry leaving 36% who feared the opposite. “To make our trade more profitable for everybody we have to become more professional. Coming in for a cup of tea and a chat doesn’t generate sales and in this economic climate we need salesman not reps,” said a Midlands retailer.

Overall, reps scored well in our survey with retailers saying 9 out of 10 had good product knowledge and only 32% agreed with our suggestion that many reps would rather talk about football than flooring. “The right rep makes all the difference. When our old rep came back to the area, our busines with his firm quadrupulled,” said another Midlands reader.

“There is no substitute for experience.”

But some are a little more cynical. “In general, I feel the quality and service reps give is very good. However there seems to be a small number of reps who only call to visit when they have stands to sell to us,” said a Northern respondent. “Some reps are exemplary while others are a waste of a company car,” says one respondent in the North while a Scottish retailer said: “There are some reps who can spoil your day just by calling in!”

Most retailers, 70%, said they saw their reps often enough although many respondents felt that territories had been stretched by some suppliers, to the detriment of the freqency and duration of sales calls. 47% reckon to spend about half an hour with a rep – with 26% indulging in an hour’s session and 27% in more of a hurry with visits of 20 minutes or less.

We asked what makes a good rep and the top attribute was product knowledge with 44%. Showing that people like doing business with people they like, the next strongest attribute was a friendly personality – out-scoring business awareness and negotiating authority.

“We need salesmen not reps”

“Continuity of representation is very valuable”

70% see their reps often enough

47% spend half an hour with each rep 65% say there should be more women reps

The Stocklists polled 1173 retailers throughout the UK during August 2014. Replies and comments are recorded anonymously.

Many thanks to all those who took part.

And the point of a rep is still by far (43%) to show you new products and sampling. The discussion of pricing was cited by only 25% and complaints and queries by 18%. Two thirds of respondents think that there should be more female reps – which means a third don’t!

The increasing use of technology was mentioned by some – and not favourably! A South East reader commented: “Representatives seem to get more hassled by company tracking technology to see where they are and for how long – and then they have to read a sales script from an iPad!”

“Quality and “A few reps are service is very good” excellent, the rest are mediocre”

“Some reps can spoil your day just by calling in!”

The looms live on!

From their successful weaving this summer, the first weaving for seven years, The Living Looms Project has 400 linear metres of 27" wide worsted Axminster carpet in the Sun King design, available for sale in the UK.

The price of a 40 linear metre roll is £4000 + VAT. Weaving will continue until November and the workshop will re-open in the Spring.

T 01295 721630 www.thelivinglooms.com

68 October 2014

FlooringNews

Kingsmead Carpets Relay Park, Relay Drive Tamworth, B77 5PR. UK

Incorporating

Tel: +44 1827 831424 Fax: +44 1827 831425 info@kingsmead-sales.co.uk www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

Grandeur leads the way in innovation.

A fabulous 3-ply Polypropylene product consisting of three mono colours blended together to create a contrast effect.

Feel the softness underfoot with our latest product from the Everlon Clean Easy range.

from The Stocklists

October 2014 69

News

Loc is key to smart instalation

Polyflor has announced the launch of its exciting new product range â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Camaro Loc. Launched under the highly regarded Camaro LVT brand, the Camaro Loc collection features a range of interlocking planks and tiles that eliminate the need for adhesion due to their unique locking system, significantly reducing installation time.

Influenced by todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home interior trends the collection of 15 popular wood and stone designs create a collection that is both practical and beautiful for a wide range of internal spaces in the home including kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.

Developed to meet the highest technical specification of its type, Camaro Loc is guaranteed for 10 years against normal wear and tear in the recommended environments. To further enhance the authenticity of the Camaro Loc collection, each of the wood and stone designs features beautifully recreated surface embosses and a micro bevel effect on all four sides of the planks and tiles, adding a subtle depth and detailing to the overall appearance of the floor once laid. Featuring a 4.0mm gauge and a 0.3mm wear layer, Camaro Loc is appropriate for use in heavy domestic as well as light commercial areas. To support the correct installation methods for interlocking vinyl flooring like Camaro Loc, Polyflor has also developed Vinyl Loc Underlay.

Installed beneath Camaro Loc, Vinyl Loc Underlay is designed to prevent planks becoming damaged due to uneven subfloors, to act as a shock-absorber when walked upon and reduce impact noise by 19dB. Polyflor provide an extensive marketing support package for its customers and have invested heavily in a suite of inspirational photography showcasing Camaro Loc in a variety of different locations and interior styles. Retailers and contractors looking to promote Camaro Loc to their customers can order a number of sales support items from Polyflor including a 48 page brochure, shadecards and a retail display sample. Tom Rollo, Marketing Manager at Polyflor comments â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It was essential that Camaro Loc is supported with the sort of package our customers would expect from a range launched under the respected Camaro brand.

T 0161 767 1111

www.polyflor.com

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

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Dan Evans

F i tter Master Fi

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FlooringNews

News

News

Now you see it...

Just because you can’t see underlay, doesn’t mean that it isn’t there doing its job! That’s the message from Carpenter – one of the UK’s largest producers of PU underlay.

Said Helen Rowberry, national sales manager for Carpenter underlay: “There are a number of benefits of using PU underlay, one being its excellent acoustic properties - particularly important in multi-level buildings such as apartments, hotels, office blocks and even aboard ships.

Underlay can help to significantly reduce noise levels while also being an excellent heat insulator and offering flame retardancy benefits. It is also extremely lightweight, from a fitter’s point of view, making it incredibly easy to carry and install.

“Whether users are looking for luxury or a hardwearing option, we have worked hard over the years to develop a wide range of products suitable for all applications.”

Carpenter’s highly specialist Extrastep underlay is designed for the marine market. This is a 6mm thick and 180kg/m3 density product that has an IMO and heavy contract rating suitable for the toughest contract locations.

Also for commercial use, Prostep is an 8mm 180kg/m3 density and has been designed to be the ultimate in heavy rated contract underlay, developed to compete with even the best crumb rubber products.

Magic Supreme is an 11mm 85kg/m3 underlay designed to meet homeowners increased demand for top quality products at exceptional value for money, along with Midas 12 – a 12mm version which was developed for ‘modern living.’

Said Helen: “When it comes to carpet, it is far better to buy a slightly less expensive carpet and install on quality underlay than the other way round.

A good underlay can significantly prolong the life of a carpet while adding extra comfort underfoot for a luxurious feel, heat insulation and sound absorption. Our products have the added benefit of being made from recyclable foam and are fully recyclable at the end of their life.”

The company produces 14 ranges of PU underlay for the domestic, commercial and marine markets.

T 01457 861141 www.carpenter.ltd.uk

Quality Displays for Carpets & Rugs Rug Baskets

Heavy Duty Barrows

Select Flooring

Pattern Book Stands

Carpet & Vinyl Roll Stands

Rug Display Stands

Rollmasters

All products powder coated

Ring for a colour catalogue on 0784 364 9000 or email nsmith1962@aol.com from The Stocklists

October 2014 71

News

Strictly Duralay!

The 13th series of the highly successful Strictly Come Dancing is about to launch with Duralay’s Silentfloor Gold underlay being used to support the dance floor.

The hit BBC One show, which first appeared in 2004, began on 27th September with 15 new celebrities vying to win the coveted Grand Final in December.

Silentfloor Gold is Duralay’s premium hard flooring underlay, 4.2mm thick with a gold vapourstop barrier. Its incredible 710kg/m3 density makes it effective at reducing reflected noise by up to 30%.

So whether your speciality is the Viennese Waltz or the Paso Doble, Duralay Silentfloor Gold is the best option for your floor. Gary Cowley, Interfloor sales director, said, “We’re obviously delighted that Duralay has been chosen for this highly prestigious show…but we don’t want to make a song and dance out of it!”

T 01706 213131 www.interfloor.com

Sticky solution

Under-floor heating is a common problem within the flooring industry as many trims available need to be screwed down.

This poses a risk of damaging the heating pipes.

Stairrods UK has solved this problem with the introduction of the Euro Cover which is a stick down product and when used in conjunction with the new Dim Strip converts into a lino edge and can overcome height differences of up to 6mm.

The Euro Cover Dim Strip is suitable for flooring such as stone, ceramics, LVT (stickdown), Vinyl and lino flooring.

The Dim Strip is available in 5 sizes 2mm – 6mm in 1 mm increments, fitting could not be simpler. Stick down the Dim Strip insuring all surfaces are clean and then simply stick down the Euro Cover onto the ramp produced by the Dim Strip. The Dim Strip produces a step-less transition between the differing floor surfaces.

T 01207 591176 www.stairrods.co.uk

Heritage hosts conference The WoolSafe Organisation is now busy preparing to host its third WoolSafe Educational Conference, an event that promises to deliver a fantastic mixture of presentations and workshops tutored by the industry’s finest while offering a unique networking opportunity.

The conference takes place in the historic heart of the British carpet industry, at the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster, on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October. With specialist training courses before and exciting guided tours of Brintons Carpets and the Museum of Carpet afterwards, there is the potential for a stimulating two days of learning for professionals from all sectors of the industry.

Stakeholders to be represented at this year’s event include cleaning product manufacturers, carpet and rug cleaners, carpet manufacturers and suppliers, carpet inspectors and insurance claim handlers; not to mention top industry tutors, chemists, textile scientists, environmental impact evaluators and marketing gurus.

“After the great success of our previous Educational Conferences, we are looking forward to making the third one even bigger and better at a fantastic setting and with a great range of learning opportunities,” explains Dr Agnes Zsednai, managing director, The WoolSafe Organisation.

“There is no other body organising an event that brings together all the different stakeholders within the carpet industry under one roof.”

Shaping up to be a very special and unique event, held in a stunning refurbished mill building that preserves the rich heritage of British carpet making, the WoolSafe Educational Conference is open to WoolSafe members and licensees, industry partners, friends and associates.

T 01943 850 817 www.woolsafeacademy.org

72 October 2014

FlooringNews

The Stocklists Readers’ Xmas Offer

Ho, ho, oh no!

The Merry Mats are back!

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! davidspragg@thestocklists.com telephone 01482 659396 (inc. credit card sales) fax 01845 576109 from The Stocklists

October 2014 73

74 October 2014

FlooringNews

Stocklists Classified The

News

SITUATIONS VACANT

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

WANTED

WHOLESALERS AND MANUFACTURERS BULK CLEARANCE STOCKS REQUIRED Half rolls carpet/full rolls carpet, short A’s, remnants.

Anything considered.

Contact Mr L. Grant Telephone: 01622 750693 Mobile: 07803 050941 Email: lesliejgrant@icloud.com

DISPLAY

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

Thank you!

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 2014 75

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