interiors monthly august 2010

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ust 2010 C A R P E T F U R N I T U R E R U G S B E D S L A M I N A T E U P H O L S T E R Y V I N Y L A C C E S S O R I E S

Crystal StripesEight striking colour combinations

AU

GU

ST20

10

2010 AwardsThe winners revealed

Show GuideHarrogate Flooring Show

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Tel: 01827 831430 Fax: 01827 831431

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3

Sale clarity is needed

Andrew KiddEDITOR

Georgian Carpets’ Crystal Stripesis available in eight strikingcolour combinations. Visit us onstand A1 at the HarrogateFlooring Show.Tel: 01827 831 430www.georgiancarpetsuk.co.uk

Editor: Andrew KiddT: 01273 930 029 E: [email protected] advertising (South): Tim BodenT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] advertising (North): Jarrod BirdT: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected] and accessories advertising: Joanne MillerT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] executive: Ben WatkinsT: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] sales agent: Jane DaiT: 00 86 755 8292 5229 E: [email protected]

Published by Interiors Media LimitedUnit 11, Riverside Business Centre, Riverside House,Riverlawn Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1EPT: 01732 783 561 F: 01732 783 562E: [email protected] in England no. 6397722Printed by Headley Brothers Design by TSS DIGITAL © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236

C A R P E T F U R N I T U R E R U G S B E D S L A M I N A T E U P H O L S T E R Y V I N Y L A C C E S S O R I E S


AUGUST

2010



Which? monitored 12,793 online prices forsofas and beds from eight major retailersover a 32-week period (see page 10) andfound some retailers prices were neverhigher than the ‘sale’ price or were on sale at the lower price for far longer than the ‘non-sale’ price. For many this thoroughresearch will simply confirm what everyoneknew already.

When the DTI updated the Code ofPractice For Traders on Price Indications in2005, the hope was that it would take theopportunity to tighten up the rules ondiscounting and end the everlasting salescenario. Sadly, nothing was done other than changing the odd word or two.

The code says: ‘In any comparison withyour own previous price: (a) the previous

price should be the last price at which theproduct was available to consumers in theprevious six months [unless there has beenmore than one reduction]; (b) the productshould have been available to consumers atthat price for at least 28 consecutive days inthe previous six months; and (c) the previousprice should have applied (as above) for thatperiod at the same (DTI emphasis) outletwhere the reduced price is now beingoffered.’

But it seems few retailers of any size trulyfollow the spirit of the code, often addingcaveats such as the number of days theproduct was sold at the higher price or thenumber of stores it was sold in.

Until the government acts to sort out thecode, nothing will change and consumerswill continue to have little faith in the pricesthey see advertised when they shop forinteriors products.

This issue sees the winners of the InteriorsMonthly 2010 Awards revealed (see page 25).Congratulations to all the winners and hugethanks to all of you who voted for them.Simon Kearney, Bennet Panton Furnishingsales representative in Sleaford, Lincolnshirewon the draw for the champagne.

Which?’s findings onmultiples’ pricing methodsshould lead to a change ofthe rules governingdiscounts. But will it?

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CONTENTS


INSIDE THIS ISSUENEWS

8 Bedroom set to buck market trend

10 Which? claims stores are ‘misleading’ shoppers

12 Macmillan endorses Joynson Holland

FEATURES

25 Interiors Monthly 2010 Awards

The winners are revealed

75 Show guide

Harrogate Flooring Show

90 Carpet

Axminster reborn

96 Upholstery

2010 Red Dot award winners

102 Review: The Manchester Furniture Show

110 Review: Proposte

116 Preview: Top Drawer

118 Review: New Designers

REGULARS

3 Comment

14 New products

20 Environment

114 Trend watch

120 Entertainment

122 Final polish

NEXT ISSUE

The Bed Show preview

Wholesaler supplement

Why accessories are in vogue

C A R P E T S

F U R N I T U R E

R U G S

B E D S

L A M I N A T E

U P H O L S T E R Y

V I N Y L

A C C E S S O R I E S

Gaskell Wool RichVenetian Masquerade


C A R P E T S

F U R N I T U R E

R U G S

B E D S

L A M I N A T E

U P H O L S T E R Y

V I N Y L

A C C E S S O R I E SEkornesStressless E300

THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT

INTERIORS MONTHLY AUGUST 2010

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NEWS

8 Interiors Monthly August 2010

Modus web operandiContemporary furniture manufacturer Modus has revamped its websiteto improve functionality and ease of use. Images of all its products cannow be downloaded along with technical packs and 2D and 3D CADfiles. It has also added a blog.

Harveys exits bedroom asmarket is predicted to riseResearch firm Verdict has forecast that the bed and

bedroom sector will buck the overall market and increase

sales this year. The claim came as Harveys moved to exit the

bedroom market.

It is understood the chain views the sales densities and

repeat rates for bedroom furniture as too low and is

concentrating on upholstery and living and dining.

In a repositioning that echoes the chain’s move out of

beds a few years ago, sister chain Bensons is to take

86,000sqft of floorspace – the equivalent of 24 branches –

at the 45 Harveys stores it already has concessions in. In

many cases this is the whole of the mezzanine floor. It has

also introduced eight bedroom collections.

‘The decision to display and sell bedroom furniture

presents us with a tremendous opportunity to expand our

retail offer,’ says Paul Burgham, Bensons commercial

director. ‘In these concessions we’re now able to offer

customers a wider selection of beds, bedroom furniture and

accessories – in fact everything they need for the bedroom

under one roof.’

Verdict has forecast that the bed and bedroom market

will grow by £79.4m this year while the overall furniture

and flooring market will fall by £518.2m (3.9%).

‘Beds have held up well, even in the current economy,

due to the strong connection between quality of sleep and

the feeling of wellbeing,’ says Matt Walton, Verdict retail

analyst. However, he says competition in the lucrative beds

sector is increasing with retailers such as Dreams and

Sleepright growing their presence aggressively.

‘Bed sales have fared better, but with retailers clamouring

to take advantage of the few product areas which are still

growing, only the biggest retailers are enjoying the

benefits. The rest are finding themselves somewhat

squeezed,’ he says.

Consumers had similarexpectations of the retailexperience they wouldreceive from CarpetFoundation members andnon-member stores beforeshopping, but rated the CFexperience higher post-shopping.

Research, on behalf of theOFT, among 855 consumerswho had bought carpet in thepast year found 64% of CFmembers’ customers werevery satisfied with the waythe carpet was sold to themcompared with 47% for non-CF member customers.

CF members also scoredhigher on spontaneousrecommendations (54% v

31%) and that they would orhad used the store again(75% v 57%).

Some 32% of CF membercustomers agreed stronglythat their carpet representedgood value for money,compared with 26 for non-members’ customers.

The research found thatfew CF members toldcustomers about complainthandling procedures anddeposit protection, for fear ofgiving a negative impressionabout the quality of service.

Mike Hardiman, CF chiefexecutive says: ‘The resultsconfirm what we have longknown: CF members giveunrivalled levels of service.’

Harveys is concentrating on upholstery, living and dining

Shoppers give top marks

for service in CF stores

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NEWS


Which? claims chains misleadshoppers over ‘sale’ pricingMany large retailers are offering productsat ‘sale prices’ for months on end,according to Which?

The consumer organisation tracked12,793 online prices for sofas and bedsfrom eight major retailers over sevenmonths, and found many items wereconstantly on sale.

Bensons Beds and Sleepmasters hadproducts ‘on sale’ throughout the 32-week period. The prices fluctuated butthe beds were never available at thehigher advertised price, claims Which?.Dreams, Furniture Village and Harveys allhad beds or sofas on sale for far longerthan they were at their non-sale prices.

Another frequently used method wascomparing prices to ‘after sale’ prices.Which? highlighted Bensons offering anAshleigh divan on sale at £399 with an‘after-sale’ price of £799. After Christmas,it offered an ‘extra discount’ whenshoppers could buy the divan for £399.Eleven weeks later the bed was availableat a sale price of £399.

Which? found that The Bed Shed wasthe only chain not offering reductions forseveral weeks, reducing prices for justfour of the 32 weeks Which? followed.

Peter Vicary-Smith, Which? chief

executive says: ‘Shoppers should viewdiscounts and sales on furniture with ahealthy dose of cynicism. Until or unlessthe government tightens up theguidelines on sales promotions, we’llcontinue to run the risk of shoppersbeing led up the garden path by whatWhich? believes to be misleading “sales”and “discounts”.’

All the retailers insisted they were notmisleading consumers.

’We do not believe that we misleadconsumers on pricing. We will continueto work closely with our tradingstandards home authority to ensurecompliance,’ says Bensons.

Dreams says it does its utmost tocomply with the law and non-statutoryguidance issued by the Department forBusiness, Innovation and Skills. ‘Where apromotional price applies for longer thanthe previous higher price, we includedetails of the dates the higher priceapplied both in press advertising and onprice tickets.’

’We strive to comply with all externalcodes and guidelines by beingtransparent in the way that we describeprice comparisons on our website and instore and we cannot agree that our

pricing practices are misleading,’ saysFurniture Village.

Sleepmasters says it, ‘Always aims to beopen and transparent in all our dealingswith customers. We do take ourcompliance obligations seriously and willreview our website and seek to addressthe specific issues raised.’

DFS says that it; ‘Followed pricingguidance in these examples and do notbelieve our pricing is misleading in anyway. Our objective is to offer ourcustomers the very best value at alltimes.’

Harveys says it must respond to themarketplace and consumer demands –which may mean using previouslyunplanned ‘spot promotions’ or ‘weekend specials’. ‘Our aim is not tomislead, but to provide good value,quality products in an open andtransparent manner.’

SCS says: ’We are complying with thespecific requirements and overallintention of the government guidanceand are not misleading our customers.We have for many years maintained ahigh standard of customer care andoffered products at reasonable prices,which we will continue to do.’

Kingston University students Jessica Reynolds andSerena Wise won the top prize at the D&AD Awardsafter designing a colour wheel in response to Ikea’sbrief to ‘inspire a wave of boundless change inpeople’s homes’ to promote its catalogue.

The wheel shows all the products in Ikea’s 2011catalogue organised by colour, enabling customersto choose and match items of furniture.

‘We made several research trips to Ikea andwatched the customers,’ says Wise.

‘We heard one woman talking about “lime greenaccents” and realised customers have an immediateresponse to the colour of a product.’

Greg Quinton, D&AD education chairman says thecolour wheel challenged the conventions of the day.

‘Organising by colour and product not onlycreates an elegant navigation system but makes the product the hero. It brings fun back to thebrand,’ he says.

Winning colour wheel


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NEWS


Speedier deliveriesMarks & Spencer hopes toreduce delivery time fornon-made to orderfurniture from 28 to sevendays after the opening ofa 1.1million sqftwarehouse in Bradford. Itis the first of four plannedto replace its network ofmore than 10 warehousesacross the country. Thewarehouse, which isbeing operated byWincanton, has 134loading bays and coversan area the equivalent of12 Wembley stadiumpitches.

Joynson Holland has secured the first product endorsement

from Macmillan Cancer Support for its riser/recliner chairs.

The Willis & Gambier subsidiary has launched a scheme

whereby the charity will receive £10 for every chair sold,

with the aim of raising £1m over the next four years. It will

receive a minimum of £350,000 from the manufacturer.

POS will feature information on the charity and a holder

containing Macmillan newsletters. As well as providing care,

the charity also provides grants for cancer patients, with

about £400,000 a year being spent on riser/recliner chairs.

‘The partnership with Macmillan is a no-brainer. We

produce the type of chairs that Macmillan needs to help

their patients have good days. That’s why we’re all doing it;

to help people suffering from all kinds of mobility problems

have a better quality of life,’ says Mark Symes, Willis &

Gambier md. ‘Money will be donated from the sale of every

chair, plus we plan to donate 100 chairs across the UK to

people who need them the most. This is an exciting, long-

term collaboration that we’re all taking very seriously, and

we want to ensure we do everything possible to help

Macmillan.

‘The combination of local stockists, Joynson Holland’s

105- year history and the Macmillan endorsement, is a

wonderful package of confidence for consumers,’ he says.

In the first two weeks of the project 50% of approached

retailers have become stockists. Symes is confident this will

rise from 31 to more than 100 by September when it plans a

national consumer press advertising campaign to promote

the tie-up. This is likely to centre on Saga Magazine.

Symes says the company will also be looking to find

stockists in retirement towns, such as stores that companies

may not have targeted before due to their small size.

Joynson Holland gets firstMacmillan endorsement

Proffitts ofBolton isfor saleContemporary furniture and

flooring retailer Proffitts of

Bolton is for sale after falling

into administration.

The move is likely to see

the end of four generations

of family ownership.

Christopher Ratten, joint

administrator, says the

company came ‘under

increasing financial pressure

as a result of reduced trade,’

in recent months.

Accountants RSM Tenon

say the store will continue to

trade as a buyer is sought,

and that outstanding orders

will be fulfilled.

In 2007 the 105-year-old

company moved to a

12,000sqft store in Bolton

town centre after more than

four decades in nearby Great

Lever.

Half of the store’s 12 staff

have already been made

redundant.

The British FurnitureConfederation, the tradeassociation representing theUK furniture manufacturingindustry, has secured themembership of LordsKirkham and Harris on itsreformed All-PartyParliamentary FurnitureIndustry Group executivecommittee.

The group will provide aparliamentary forum to

discuss the issues affectingthe sector, including theeconomic recovery, smallbusiness lending, and firesafety regulations. The groupwill be chaired by the new MPfor Stevenage, StephenMcPartland.

It has examined keyindustry issues since it wasformed in 2005.

The full membership is:Stephen McPartland, Jessica

Lee, Duncan Hames, StevenBaker, Lord Harris, SimonReevell, Andrew Stephenson,Gary Streeter, Charles Walker,Lord Kirkham, AndrewMurrison, Baroness Miller,Lord Davies, Lord Hoyle, Rosie Cooper, MadeleineMoon, Tom Clarke, PaulMurphy, Julie Hilling, TomWatson, Earl of Erroll, DavidHeyes, Graham Jones andFrank Doran.

All-party group reforms


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1

NEW PRODUCTS

1 One Call Furniture’s latest brochure features its new

branding and its high gloss Alpine and Orient ranges

(pictured). After requests from retailers, the company has

added mirrors and stools to its Visualise ranges.

Tel: 08451 084 084

2 Pinpointing designs that break with convention and

inspire a new direction, Designer’s Choice captures the

IVC Group’s design team’s favourite Leoline and Avenue

products. Products featured within the collection will be

distinct, illustrating the design capability and creativity of

the IVC Group to deliver options for consumers.

Tel: 00325 665 3211

3 Cormar Carpets has introduced an in-store corner

display system designed to make a distinctive first

impression. It features a graphics panel and cassette of

the feature range together with storage hangers

underneath for three sample swatches. Retailers can

choose from a range of graphic panels featuring roomset

photography to add impact, including Berwick, Avebury

and Primo UItra.

Tel: 01204 881 234

4 & 5 Brockway Carpets has taken a major step into

new markets with its Designer Collection of eight

contemporary ranges together with the established

Vogue carpet aimed at design and fashion conscious

consumers. Carnaby (5), is an eye-catching 100% wool

loop pile with a red/blue stipple feature that captures the

essence of 1960’s swinging London. Regatta (4) is a

striking stripe design influenced by collegiate scarves, the

clean, crisp lines of New England beach houses, rowing at

Henley and the thrills of sailing on the wide open seas.

Two or three-ply yarns are used.

Tel: 01562 828 200 ��

2

3

4

5

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New VenetianStripes and Plains

Gaskell Wool RichSales:Tel: 01827 831525

Fax: 01827 831508www.gaskellwoolrich.co.uk

See us atHarrogate Flooring Show

5–7 September 2010Stand A22

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NEW PRODUCTS

6 The Sleepluxe pocket mattress range

from Komfi brings together the best

of traditional spring technology with

modern day construction by

encapsulating pocket springs in high

quality reflex foam and adding

luxurious layers such as pure new wool

and pure latex in some models.

Tel: 0800 652 4445

7 Recognising a growing public

awareness of ecological issues, Ulster

Carpets has developed the Natural

Choice eco collection. Made from

100% natural undyed wool the

collection comprises a variety of

textured designs inspired by nature

complemented with a range of plains.

Tel: 028 3833 4433

8 Hjellegjerde is launching three

swivel chairs and stools retailing at

£799, £899 and £999 in the Fjords

Comfort collection. Chairs come in six

colours: Off white, Sandel, Nature,

Brown, Red and Black, and four wood

tones: Nature, Mahogany, Espresso and

Black.

Tel: 01823 444 027

9 Artwork is a range of contemporary

rugs from Linie Design, a major

Scandinavian rug producer. With six

leading Scandinavian designers it has

created a unique rug collection

handwoven by Indian weavers using

traditional craftsmanship. Standard

and special sizes are available.

Tel: 0116 289 7142

10 Easy to clean and easy on the purse

strings, Cormar Carpets’ Apollo is

made from 100% stain resistant

Excellon polypropylene fibre and is

available in 15 bestselling plain and

flecked shades. A bleach cleanable

carpet with a five-year stain guarantee,

it is expected to retail at around £12-14

per sqm.

Tel: 01204 881 234 ��

7

10

9

8

6

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See us at the Harrogate Flooring Show Hall A Stand A12

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NEW PRODUCTS


11 12

1314

15

11 Luna is a re-edition by Nani Marquina

from the 1980s that comes from Oscar

Tusquets’ La Tierra and La Luna rugs.

Advances in photographic techniques have

allowed this exact reproduction of an image

of a moon in its waxing phase to be given

even greater definition.

Tel: 00349 3237 6465

12 Whitehead Designs offers a range of

crafted upholstery in contemporary and

classic designs. Whether the preference is for

high or low back, a two or three-seat sofa, or

an eyecatching corner arrangement, there

are a variety of designs to choose from.

Tel: 0115 972 5056

13 Plantation Rug Company’s launches at

the Harrogate Flooring Show will include

Artisan, made from 100% polypropylene,

and Tartan (pictured) made with 100% wool.

Both rugs are available from 1 September

and retailers will be able to see the whole

2010/11 collection at Harrogate.

Visit: www.plantationrug.co.uk

14 Bring a touch of French elegance into

your home with Mountrose’s hand-crafted

Provencal bedroom collection, inspired by

opulent 18th century styling. Each piece is

manufactured from a combination of solid

wood and MDF and features elegantly

tapered feet, ornate carved plinths, hand-

carvings and butterfly drop handles,

finished in an ivory cream finish.

Tel: 0161 406 6100

15 Arflex’s May armchair has an H-form

frontal shape which has taken its inspiration

from a folded sheet of paper to create the

essential elements for the seating position.

Tel: 00390 3628 53043

18np3_IMaug.qxp 2/8/10 14:09

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ENVIRONMENT


Call to cut carpet wastelandfill by 25%

Carpet manufacturers have been urged to cut the amount ofwaste sent to landfill by a quarter by 2015.

Last month’s Carpet Recycling UK conference was told theindustry should unite to set a voluntary agreement on reducinglandfill. Jane Gardner, Carpet Recycling UK manager, says whilethe cut was a ‘demanding target’ it was achievable, citingevidence of the progress made by the association’smanufacturing members towards zero post-industrial waste by 2012.

‘With several of this group predicted to meet the target bythe end of this year, rapid improvements in waste reduction areeminently possible, given access to new opportunities fordiverting waste streams, a key benefit these companies havesecured through Carpet Recycling UK membership,’ she says.

The conference was also told that the amount of carpet wastediverted from landfill jumped a fifth to 26,000tonnes comparedwith 2008/09. Gardner says rates of recycling and reuse haveheld up well despite economic conditions and cutbacks incarpet production, demonstrating the efforts of businesses toreposition and gain a competitive edge.

‘This has been matched by an increase in recycling and wasteprocessing outlets, from six in 2008 to 16 this year, with aforecast of 30 to be in place by the end of 2010, based on thecurrent rate of growth. Furthermore, as processing pointsmultiply, logistical advantages can be better exploited toachieve further efficiency savings and relative reductions in theenvironmental impact of transport,’ she says.

Gardner urged non-member companies to join theassociation so that the industry can achieve its targets.Members benefit from lower costs and ensure the associationcan reach financial sustainability.

‘Joining Carpet Recycling UK isn’t just about being altruistic;the most obvious benefit of membership is improving thecorporate responsibility profile and this in itself has a financialvalue. But companies who join also stand to benefit from directcost savings – last year the association saved its members atotal of £85,000 in landfill charges, and in tough times like thesekeeping these sorts of costs down makes good business sense,’explains Gardner.

Carpet Recycling UK will be exhibiting at the HarrogateFlooring Show in an effort to get its message across to a wideraudience.

The conference also heard a series of case studies of recentlydeveloped technologies and of strategies for recovery of carpetmaterials.

‘I think this event has built on the success of the first CarpetRecycling UK conference, which forged key partnerships anddrew inspiration from international expertise,’ says Gardner. ‘Thisyear, we’ve lifted levels of attendance and of ambition and setour sights firmly on specific targets to guide a consistent andcontinuous reduction in carpet waste going to landfill. I hopethat having seen the excellent progress that Carpet RecyclingUK and its members have made over the last two years, those who attended took away a real sense of possibility andresolve to put sustainability at the heart of the carpet industry.’

Manufacturers have five years to reachnew voluntary waste targets

Many companies will achieve the waste targets by the end of 2010

Proudly serving the market since 1987

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Come and see us at theHarrogate Flooring Show

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C A R P E T S

F U R N I T U R E

R U G S

B E D S

L A M I N A T E

U P H O L S T E R Y

V I N Y L

A C C E S S O R I E SEkornesStressless E300

THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT

025_IM_0810.qxp 2/8/10 10:55

AWARDS


EXCELLENCE PROVES TOBE A WINNING FORMULA

The winners of the Interiors Monthly Awards 2010 can finally

be revealed, and they all have something in common – a

genuine commitment to excellence, be it manufacturing

quality, product design, commerciality, customer service or

marketing support.

Many congratulations to the winners and huge thanks to

the retailers, manufacturers and suppliers who voted for the

companies you believe are the best and deserve recognition.

It was fascinating to see the variety of companies you

valued the most on the entry forms.

In tough markets where the easy option would be to cut

back on areas such as product development, service and

marketing, the winners have shown that continuing to invest

in what makes them the best is the right business decision.

Celebrate these winners and help them continue their good

work by telling customers that they are buying products from

award-winning companies.

Best Flooring Retailer 1-2 Stores – Wood You Like

Best Flooring Retailer 3+ Stores – Carpetright

Best Furniture Retailer 1-2 Stores – John Lewis At Home

Best Furniture Retailer 3+ Stores –Furniture Village

Best Online Retailer – The Big Rug Store

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer – Axminster Carpets

Best UK Furniture Manufacturer – Woodberry Brothers &

Haines

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer – Ekornes

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer – Balta Broadloom

Best Customer Service (Furniture) – Vale-Bridgecraft

Best Customer Service (Flooring) – Cormar Carpets

Best Furniture Wholesaler – Kettle Interiors

Best Flooring Wholesaler – Hadfields

Best Bed Manufacturer – Sealy UK

Best Carpet Manufacturer – Ulster Carpets

Best Bedroom Manufacturer – Willis & Gambier

Best Underlay Manufacturer – Ball & Young

Best Furniture Buying Group – AIS

Best Flooring Buying Group – SMG

Best Dining Room Manufacturer – Morris Furniture Group

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer – Lebus Upholstery

Best Rug Supplier – Rugs with Flair

Best Leather Upholstery – Natuzzi

Best Laminate Manufacturer – Quick-Step

Best Vinyl Manufacturer – IVC Group

Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer – Prestigious

Textiles

Best Living Room Manufacturer – Ercol

Best Accessory Supplier – Sunflex

Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer – Kährs (UK)

Best Furniture Website – G Plan Upholstery

Best Flooring Website – Balterio

Best Furniture Exhibition – Salone Internazionale del Mobile

Best Flooring Exhibition – Domotex

Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company – Andrew Porter

Best Finance Provider – GE Capital

Best Software Supplier (1-3 stores) – Retailsystem

Best Software Supplier (4+ stores) – Optimise Solutions

Best Business Support – Metro

Best Marketing Support – Ekornes

Cormar Carpets wonthe Best CustomerService (Flooring)award for the secondconsecutive year

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AWARDS


Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 stores)

John Lewis At Home

Best Flooring Retailer (1-2 stores)

Wood You Like

There are towns and cities across thecountry that would support a John Lewisdepartment store, but the problem isfinding the 120,000sqft of selling spaceneeded for an average branch. Onesolution is the 40,000sqft At Home store.

The first store opened last Octoberbetween Poole and Bournemouth andthe second is due to open in Croydon on16 August. This will be followed bySwindon and Tunbridge Wells in theautumn.

John Lewis At Home focuses onfurniture, furnishing accessories,electrical and home technology.Customer access terminals in the branchallow shoppers to browse the wider John

Lewis choice including fashion, beauty,nursery and order for home delivery ornext day collection at the shop.

‘We’ve learnt a lot from our Pooleopening and our research has shownthat the store has helped our businessexpand its customer base,’ says TimHarrison, John Lewis head of formatdevelopment.

‘We have also shown our ability todeliver a high level of customer service ina smaller format, which is the ultimatetest. People are using this as a John Lewisshop but also as a portal into the brand.The role shops play in the future willchange, and this shop is playing right atthe front of the John Lewis portal for us.’

For a thriving retailer, its rural location in the village of Charing,near Ashford, Kent may seem off-putting at first but the area’sexcellent transport links mean shoppers from across the countyand London can visit easily, while making a day of it in the historicvillage.

But it is not just locally that the retailer draws clients from, withcustomers from as far afield as Devon, Northern Ireland andGlasgow.

There are two main reasons for such a wide catchment area:advice and the Wood You Like website.

It takes a few hours to read all the information on the website,but it provides reassurance to potential customers who may knowlittle about wood flooring and are concerned about making anexpensive mistake.

‘The more you tell, the more you sell. People want informationand to be able to talk to someone,’ says Karin Hermans, Wood YouLike md.

‘When they realise you know what you are talking about that’swhat does it every time. You take away their worries so you canshorten the decision cycle. That’s the main thing we do – takeaway the worry about making a wrong decision.’

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AWARDS


Best Furniture Retailer (3+ stores)

Furniture VillageFurniture Village celebrates its 21stanniversary this month and since itopened its first store in Abingdon,Oxfordshire, it has grown to 40 stores,three of which opened this year.

Of these latest branches, Kingston hasseen the chain raise the bar again interms of presentation and layout. Thechain is a keen follower of makingproduct categories easily understandablesuch as the World of Leather upholstery,Wellbeing beds and Kids Zone children’sfurniture areas.

From the outset its focus has been onexcelling at customer service and in

recent years has streamlined the numberof suppliers it deals with to ensure it canoffer those service levels to customers.

‘We have all the major brands so weget better service and we are importantwith them all,’ says Peter Harrison, chiefexecutive.

The retailer is owned by its eightdirectors, headed by Harrison who co-founded the chain with David Imrie.

Furniture Village has been a keysupporter of the Furnishing IndustryTrust and donated £20,000 to theindustry charity to mark the chain’s 20thanniversary.

Despite the state of the market, it’s hardto argue that the past year hasn’t been agood one for Carpetright. Thanks to theclosure of many Allied Carpet stores, ithas further reinforced its position as themarket leader; a return of UK andRepublic of Ireland sales growth (7.9% to£425.2m in the year to 1 May, and 3.1%on a like for like basis) has seenunderlying pre-tax profits leap 64.0% to£28.2m.

While Lord Harris (pictured) hasdescribed the year as ‘challenging’Carpetright has developed salesopportunities in the house-building andinsurance sectors, while its bed operationSleepright accounted for 2% of the

sales growth.The increase

in UK saleswaspredominantlycarpet, wherethe proportionof cut length business increased relativeto the ‘pay and take’ roll stock. The vinylbusiness has also grown. Sales oflaminate and wood continued to decline,which the chain believes is a reflection ofthe benefits of vinyl and a trend back tocarpet.

Some 536 independent fitters wereindependently assessed in the last yearto ensure they are suitably qualified.

Products take up room and there areonly so many rugs you can fit in a store –one of the key advantages of retailingonline. The Big Rug Store offers 2,279rugs and runners and users can search bystyle, colour, shape, and price. Largephotographs are shown but if someonepurchases something they don’t like,there is a simple return method.

Prices shown online include VAT anddelivery to most parts of mainland UK, sothere are no surprises at the checkout.

Most orders are delivered within aweek and the company has attractedplenty of happy customers. Says one:‘Thank you for my rugs, received thismorning. They are exactly what I wanted.Your clear website makes searchingthrough the different designs very easy.One satisfied customer.’

‘I just wanted to say how absolutelythrilled I am with my new rug. It isfantastic and I am so impressed with thequality and look – it’s just lovely. Thankyou so much. I will be recommendingyou and will definitely shop with youagain –10/10,’ says another.

From left: EamonWynne, sales andoperations director;Malcolm Walker,trading and buyingdirector; PeterHarrison, chiefexecutive; JessicaAlexander, FITconsultant; CharlesKerrigan, FIT chiefexecutive and EdDuggan finance andcommercial director

Best Flooring Retailer (3+ stores)

Carpetright

Best Online Retailer

The BigRug Store

PHO

TO: V

IS M

EDIA

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AWARDS


Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Axminster Carpets

From the popular tufted Simply Naturalcollection, to the traditional patternedaxminster of Versailles axminster and thecontemporary overtone of Natural Plaid,Axminster Carpets’ diversity, quality andbeauty sets it apart.

With a carpet-making heritage datingback to 1755, the Devon town ofAxminster has been synonymous withfine carpets.

This carries on to this day as thefamily-owned Axminster Carpetscontinues to innovate and bringbeautiful creations to the home.

The first carbon neutral domesticrange in Swaledale typifies themanufacturer’s approach to breakingnew ground and with a continualproduct development cycle, AxminsterCarpets is one of Britain’s most treasuredcarpet companies, says Steve Upperton,Axminster Carpets sales director.

‘At Axminster Carpets we prideourselves on producing some of the

finest carpets currently available today,’he says. ‘Whether plain styles such as ourDevonia and Simply Natural collections,the contemporary stripe of Striata, or amore traditional creation such as PersianDynasty, each is designed and producedwith the same level of care and attentionto detail.’

The company controls the carpetproduction process from start to finish. Itsources 90% of its wool from UK flocksand at its yarn division in Buckfast, itcontrols the dyeing and spinning,producing the legendary Home Spunyarn.

‘One of the finest spinning mills inEurope, Axminster Carpets’ yarn division,puts us in the enviable position of beingone of the very few carpet manufacturersto have a fleece to floor manufacturingprocess,’ says Upperton.

The company has long pioneered theimportance of exemplary service, notonly in terms of POS, displays and

literature, but also in running its ownfleet of trucks. Currently undergoing alivery overhaul to bring the new logoand Natural British Beautiful slogan tothe roads of Britain, the fleet allows thecompany to ensure carpets reach retailerson time and in perfect condition.

‘We work hard to bring our retailersthe very best we can, not only in terms ofcarpets but also in service and support,and for these efforts to be recognised bythe readers of Interiors Monthly is afantastic reward,’ says Richard Lawrence,head of marketing.

‘At Axminster Carpets we firmly believethat our success is the result of a teameffort. Each member of the AxminsterCarpets team, whether salesrepresentative or production operative,puts their heart and soul into producingand supplying some of the finest carpetsavailable today. I would like to say thankyou from them all to the readers ofInteriors Monthly.’

Royal Axminster Versailles in Soft Cream Simply Natural Ribgrass Straw-Olive

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AWARDS


Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

WoodberryBrothers & Haines

‘Everyone at Woodberry Brothers &Haines is delighted that the readers ofInteriors Monthly have chosen us as Best

UK Furniture Manufacturer,’ says MarkWoodberry, WBH md, ‘as it shows thatthose who have bemoaned the demiseof British furniture manufacturing arevery much in the wrong.’

Woodberry is a passionate supporterof British manufacturing, arguing thatproducts should not only be designedhere, but made here. ‘More and moreretailers are realising that manufacturingthousands of miles away doesn’t havethe advantages they once thought it did,in terms of quality, service, cost andimpact on the environment.’

He says the company has always beenable to give its stockists and end users ‘anunbeatable offer – consistency in qualityof product, in design and manufacture,and customer service – which onlycomes from buying British’.

The company ensures retailers receivefull customer support on its Caxton andBath Cabinet brands, with querieshandled efficiently and issues resolvedquickly by a dedicated sales supportteam.

‘In the past many British manufacturersfell into the trap of making products,then finding people to buy them,’ saysCliff Tracey, WBH senior designer.

‘That worked a lot better when we hadan empire to export to, and a domesticmarket free from foreign competition.Times have changed and you now haveto do it the other way round – find outwhat the market wants, then create it.The fact we’re still in business, 60 yearslater, shows we’ve successfully adaptedto the new global reality. We’remanufacturers, but very design led.’

Woodberry adds: ‘By working togetherwith retailers we can help each other andthis award shows that retailers appreciatethat we are doing this as a Britishmanufacturer.’

Top: Caxton StrataAbove: Caxton NewHorizonsRight: CaxtonTennyson

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AWARDS


Best Overseas Furniture ManufacturerBest Marketing Support

Ekornes‘We are delighted that Ekornes is the firstdouble winner of an Interiors Monthlyaward. Winning in the categories of Best

Overseas Furniture Manufacturer andBest Marketing Support are excellentachievements. We take these accoladesseriously, as they are customer led andjudged on an independent basis,’ saysMike Haines, Ekornes UK md.

In the past year Ekornes has put inplace measures to improve the serviceand support offered to retailers. This hasincluded additional sales teaminteraction and greater flexibility inresponding to individual retailer’s marketrequirements. Matching product deliveryneeds has also been addressed, as well asincreasing online communications anddeveloping innovative CRM activity inthe furniture industry.

‘Historically Ekornes has a reputationfor strong marketing support which this year’s win again reflects, and it issomething year on year we will continueto develop. What is new is that thesestrengths are now being furtherdeveloped across our businessdisciplines. To win Best Overseas

Furniture Manufacturer as well, showsrecognition among customers of theincreased focus and energy we arespending in this area,’ says Haines.

‘We are now in a position to respondfaster and with greater efficiency. We canbe more adaptable in our approach tothe challenges our partners’ face. Theentire team at Ekornes has worked onthese developments, which allows bothparties to focus on the importantbusiness of growing sales.’

The company reports a stronger thanever marketing and promotional planand where others have cut back, it hasinvested further in all retailer businessbuilding activities. These have includednational and local TV support, increasedproduct promotions, more use of on andoffline consumer targeting, as well as in-

store promotions and joint retailerventures through the installation of moreStressless Studios.

‘The figures demonstrate that aStressless Studio installation is pivotal inbringing in additional business for allparties. They quickly become a generalstore focal point, as well as providing atailored and cohesive approach to sellingthe Stressless brand. From productchoice to lifestyle merchandising, tacticalpromotions and the all importantcustomer interface, the Studio is a hardworking strategic presence,’ says Haines.

Away from the high street, Ekornes hasorganised more than 60 retailer events atcounty shows and national exhibitionsincluding Ideal Home Show and GrandDesigns Live. These have proved excellentrevenue sources, as well as providingadditional brand exposure, they havealso resulted in follow-up sales.

‘Innovation and resilience are at thecore of our business and we will continue our positive stance in growingthe Stressless brand, despite acontinually changing and challengingmarket,’ adds Haines.

Above: Mike Haines, md, with some of the office support team he attributes the success to Below: Stressless Studios are being installed across the country

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AWARDS


Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

Balta Broadloom

‘Everyone at Balta is delighted that thereaders of Interiors Monthly have given usthis award for Best Overseas Flooring

Manufacturer, especially as it isrecognition for everything we have triedto achieve this year,’ says Geert VandenBossche, Balta marketing manager.

This year has seen Balta implement achange of strategy, focusing on restoringmargins to allow for investment in newproducts.

‘In 2009 products were developed toprice points that increased sales butaffected margin. This year we want tochange the product mix to improve

margins. For example, we have expandedthe upmarket polypropylene ranges andintroduced new wool collections at themedium and upper end. We are trying torefocus on what we are doing on betterend products and will continue to investin product development,’ he says.

‘We want to consolidate our position,but as market leader we have to lead themarket [in terms of productdevelopment and pricing]. We will spendmore on sampling, marketing andreposition the mix,’ says Philippe Hamers,Balta Broadloom business unit manager.

The desire to reposition the product

mix was seen at Domotex. VintageWilton, for example, has been positionedas a top end polypropylene range aimedat the traditional UK market with a morenatural colourbank, while a lighterweight was added to Classique Wilton.Based on the success of this a heavierweight has been introduced, again innatural tones. Noble Saxony is nowavailable in a 5m width while Memphis, anew loop pile in felt back, is available in4m and 5m widths and nine colours.Stainsafe Heritage Heathers, a two-plypolypropylene twist is available in two4m and 5m widths and 18 colours.

Top end VintageWilton

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AWARDS


Best Customer Service (Furniture)

Vale-Bridgecraft

‘First, I would like to thank InteriorsMonthly readers for voting us as thecompany with the Best Customer

Service (Furniture),’ says StuartChadwick, Vale-Bridgecraft md.

The company champions the cause of the independent retailer andacknowledges that customer service isconsidered a huge priority in the fight to maintain sales.

‘Our aim is to constantly deliver highstandards of design and furniture thatwill give many years of use. Our customersupport extends to nationwide consumeradvertising and regional showcentresthat attract and refer orders to bona fidestockists,’ he says.

Seven showcentres are in operationwith two more planned.

In response to retailers’ requests, Vale is launching the modern Inspirationsrange. This is designed to attract ayounger customer and also Vale-

Bridgecraft’s current customers whoprefer high quality in a morecontemporary style.

‘With the new modern ranges,independents will still benefit fromquality British furniture and outstandingcustomer service, but will be able to

widen their market appeal with a trustedbrand,’ says Chadwick.

National advertising of the new rangesbegins in September and the retailersstocking the modern ranges areexpected to benefit from showcentrereferrals immediately.

Goya (below) andMatisse (left)

comprise theInspirations range

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Vale Bridgecraft launchesInspirations Range…With the new modern ranges, independents will still benefit fromquality made British furniture and outstanding customer service but,will be able to widen their market appeal with a trusted brand.

Ensure you confirm your stock requirements in time for the nationaladvertising campaign and show centre referrals.

If you don’t want to miss out, you need to become a stockist ofGoya, now!

The best support in the business equals, the best customerservice on offer.

Model shown is the Goya3 seater settee, Loveseat,Tub chair and PouffeRegistered design

ale See our full range at:www.valebridgecraft.co.uk Tel:01422 885000

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AWARDS


Best Customer Service (Flooring)

Cormar Carpets

This is the second consecutive yearCormar Carpets has won the InteriorsMonthly Best Customer Service

(Flooring) award. It is its third customerservice award this year, having alreadybeen voted Flooring Supplier of the Yearby the Metro Group for the 11thconsecutive year, and the Flooring OneSupplier of the Year for the sixth time.

One of the success stories of the Britishcarpet industry, Cormar remainsindependently owned and today ranks asthe UK’s leading manufacturer of wooland synthetic tufted carpet. It has set aformidable industry benchmark for‘getting it right’ and with fiercecompetition from overseas, has earned areputation for service.

‘Service encompasses all aspects of thebusiness and it is one of the areas wehave always concentrated hard on. Thisyear has been tough for the flooringindustry, and as a result retailers arelooking for suppliers that they can relyon. After all, their reputation is on theline every time they place an order,’ saysDavid Cormack, Cormar Carpetsmarketing director.

‘Our service starts the minute the yarnis put on the tufting machine at HolmeMill through to when the carpet isdelivered by the Cormar driver. And itcarries right through to our people ininvoicing and after sales.’

Over the past five years Cormar hascontinuously invested in plant, people,machinery and distribution to keepcompetitive. This has included a newbacking plant extension, which increasedcapacity while reducing gasconsumption; an expanded sales team;and eight new vehicles that conform toEuro 5 specification making them thelatest in vehicle technology.

Cormar’s nationwide delivery fleet hasbecome an important part of its offer toindependent retailers, differentiating itfrom many of its competitors. More than

£2m has been invested in building thein-house fleet of 58 DAF trucks, thatdeliver direct to customers throughoutthe UK and Republic of Ireland.

By operating its own distributionnetwork, Cormar can maintain highlevels of service, providing more than90% of all cut length deliveries within 48 hours from receipt of order. It isestimated that the vehicles cover twomillion miles every year. Scheduleddeliveries are made several times a week to all major commercial centres,and at least once a week to other parts of the UK.

Cormar has won three customer service awardsthis year and more than 90% of cut length ordersare delivered within 48 hours

More than £2m has been invested in the delivery fleet

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AWARDS


Best Furniture Wholesaler

Kettle Interiors

Kettle Interiors has placed increasedemphasis on its K1 Wholesale serviceduring the past year and its efforts havenot gone unnoticed, according to SimonAinge, Kettle Interiors sales manager.

‘Since the expansion of our UKwarehouse, we have put a lot of effort into making sure our wholesale servicemeets the expectations of retailers, butstill adheres to our ethos of excellentvalue. Stock levels have been built upand we are now supplying a committedband of retailers with our ranges in justone week,’ he says.

‘As the message has spread, we areincreasingly finding retailers takingadvantage of our K1 Wholesale service,to replenish fast-selling items or toproduce enticing in-store displays. It’s agreat way to dip your toes into the waterwithout having to commit to the biggerexpenditure of container loads. In fact,with the K1 Wholesale service and K4direct supply package, we offer theperfect supply chain for smaller retailers,or for that matter, established retailerswho do not want to carry large stocklevels.’

Ainge says that retailers have access to all its new ranges through the K1 service ‘at a fraction more’ thanthe K8 and K18 packages, from £1,000 and with free delivery anywhere

in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. ‘Naturally, as the economy has

tightened the K1 service has grown inpopularity and many retailers have madethe switch from our larger direct supplypackages to the flexibility and speed ofthe K1 service. With modest signs ofrecovery and our well-stockedwarehouse meeting their needs, weexpect these retailers to keep using theservice to its full potential,’ he says.

‘And this is what K1 has for everyone –bags of potential. For retailers looking totake advantage of furniture without high

levels of commitment, K1 is ideal and forthose looking to supply customersquickly and efficiently without high stocklevels, once again K1 is just the ticket. Infact, we truly believe that any furnitureretailer would be hard pushed not to finda reason to use the K1 service.

‘Finally, we would firstly like to thankall the staff at Kettle Interiors who haveworked tirelessly to make this awardpossible and a big thank you to all thereaders of Interiors Monthly who havemade us their wholesaler of choice,’ saysAinge.

Above: CornwallbedroomLeft: BanburybedroomBelow: Rutland 22dining

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AWARDS


Best Flooring Wholesaler

Hadfields

Serving the North West of England andSouth Yorkshire and West Yorkshire since1920, Hadfields has developed a strongreputation for service over the decades,with some retailers being customers formore than 30 years. There is a strongemphasis on cut length sales of carpetand vinyl alongside wood, laminate rugsand contract sales. A key aspect is thecompany’s next day delivery service fromleading suppliers such as Armstrong,Associated Weavers, Balta, BIG, Condorand IVC.

‘Whether the retailer is in Anglesey orBarrow-in-Furness, if they place theirorder by 5pm it will be with them thenext day from our 100,000sqft pluswarehouse,’ says Dave Francis, Hadfieldscommercial director.

Hadfields employs eight retail salesrepresentatives to service its 1,2000accounts, along with six sales office andfurther warehousing staff.

‘We have a very loyal customer baseand everyone at Hadfields would like tothank everyone who supported us so wecould win the Interiors Monthly Best

Flooring Wholesaler award,’ says Francis.‘We are very proud to have won thisaward, and it will give us an incentive todeliver an even better service to ourcustomers in the coming year.’

Hadfields has beenwholesaling for 90years and employssix sales office staff

Hadfields has 1,200 accounts andhas a strong emphasis on cutlength carpet and vinyl orders

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THANK YOUto all the Interiors Monthly

readers for voting Hadfields the

Best FlooringWholesaler

HadfieldsBredbury Park Way, Bredbury

Stockport, Cheshire SK6 2TJ

T: 0161 430 1400 E: [email protected]

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AWARDS


Best Bed Manufacturer

Sealy UK

Above: SteveFreeman, Sealy UK md(centre) is promotinghealthy sleepingthrough tie-ups withBurnley FC andEngland rugby teamfly-half Olly Barkley(inset)

Left: Steve Freemansays a 7ftPosturepedic modelwill be launched

For Steve Freeman, Sealy UK md, hismain objective is very clear: ‘The aim is toconstantly innovate.’

And this approach has paid off, withsales up 10% in a bed market that thecompany estimates will have seen salesdrop by 4% this year after 2009’s 8% falland an 11% decline in 2008.

Freeman has simplified the Sealy UKrange focusing on its Posturepedicaspects. ‘We now have a focused rangewith a consistent message that is gettingthrough to consumers,’ he says.

This has seen three collections of threebeds each: Silver retailing at £649-£749,Gold retailing at £749-£899 and Platinumretailing at £899-£999.

Freeman has also repositioned thebranding to emphasise the global natureof Sealy, rather than its Cumbrianmanufacture. As part of this the companyis making greater use of the research itcarried out at its huge research centre inNorth Carolina and licensees around theglobe.

The new ranges carry theendorsement of the Orthopedic AdvisoryBoard established by Sealy in 2008. Itfocuses on developments andinnovations that help to contribute toconsumers’ orthopedic health andprovide more restful and recuperativesleep. The board helps Sealy developadvancements that offer orthopedicallycorrect support and contribute to overallorthopedic health; understand thenature of sleep and sleep problems anddesign products that meet consumers’evolving needs; and direct and overseeacademic sleep studies and research.Freeman says the endorsement gives thecompany’s Posturepedic message addedcredibility.

October sees the 60th anniversary ofSealy Posturepedic’s creation, which willbe marked with an anniversary model.October will also see the launch of a 7ftmodel for tall and large consumers.

‘We want to become a more efficientcompany, improve partnerships withretailers, and are looking at how toimprove delivery and reduce handling.We have a strong reputation for service,and we are constantly striving toimprove service. We won Sleepmasters’Supplier of the Year award this year forthe second consecutive time – it’s thefirst time anyone has won it two years ina row,’ says Freeman.

The company is also keen to stress themessage of healthy sleeping, somethingFreeman notes that no government hasever spent any money on, despite thebenefits to the nation’s health. It also hastie-ups with sportsmen and women,including fitness expert Lucy Wyndham-Read, England and Bath rugby union fly-half Olly Barkley and Zoe Gillings, thecountry’s top snowboarder, with moredue to come on board.

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AWARDS


Best Carpet Manufacturer

Ulster Carpets

Ulster Carpets, winner of the Best Carpet

Manufacturer award, continues todemonstrate its ‘can do’ attitude and adesire to provide high quality products.

An example of this is Natural Choice,Ulster Carpets’ eco collection, as thecompany responds to growing publicawareness of ecological issues.

Made from 100% natural undyed wool,the collection comprises a variety oftextured designs inspired by nature thatare complemented with a range ofplains. By blending the different colouredfleeces from various breeds, Ulster cancreate a broad colour bank of entirelynatural colours.

Composed from natural, renewableelements Natural Choice is completelyrecyclable and biodegradable at the endof its lifecycle, and therefore has aminimal effect on the environment.

Natural Choice, like all of Ulster’saxminster carpets, is manufactured in the UK giving the company several

Right: NaturalChoice ChenilleFawnBelow: NaturalChoice TapestryNaturalLeft: York WiltonPewter

advantages, says NickCoburn, Ulster Carpets md.

‘Our UK location meanswe are well placed to offera timely and efficientservice. Our advancedweaving technology andhighly skilled workforceencourages short leadtimes to satisfy customerneeds. Over 95% of ourproduct offering can beserviced immediately fromour extensivestockholdings,’ he says.

‘Our ongoinginvestment in a new retailservice centre, completedearlier this year, hasfurther enhanced ourability to offer a world-class service tosupplement our highquality products.’

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AWARDS


Best Bedroom Manufacturer

Willis & Gambier

Willis & Gambier’s furniture is ‘designedfor life’ to meet the needs and demandsof 21st century life and encompassesboth traditional and contemporarystyles. Its bedroom furniture designsallow the consumer to personalise theirhome no matter what their style.

‘Original design is at the heart of theWillis & Gambier operation, and we willcontinue to produce and strive forcutting-edge products so we caneventually become design leaders withinthe industry,’ says Mark Symes, Willis &Gambier md.

The popular vintage French boudoirtrend has been given a modern twistwith the launch of the CharlotteCollection – a carved range in unpainted,natural oak. Inspired by 18th centuryFrench Ivory designed furniture, the newCharlotte collection has stylish softcurves crafted in solid oak, which giveseach piece a fresh appeal. The solidChinese oak with oak veneers has beenfinished with a clear lacquer to ensurethe natural hue of the oak showsthrough.

Little extras within this collectioninclude hidden side-hanging rails in eachwardrobe, which slide out allowing

consumers to hang up what they’regoing to wear the next day. There arealso removable shoe rails for the ladies,and a tie hanging rail for the gentlemen.

Made from solid birch and birchveneers with solid oak detailing, the

Winchester collection has a gentlydistressed, lacquered paint finish. Theunderstated Shaker styling has beengiven a modern twist, which means it sitswithin a traditional or modern setting.

Each piece of furniture is simplydesigned and combines a paint finishand unpainted solid oak with an oiledfinish. After the gentle distressing, whichis achieved through applying severallayers of paint, each individual piece ishand-finished. Over time the furnitureages naturally to reveal small hairlinecracks which add to this collection’sunique character.

Willis & Gambier sources timber fromaround the world and has developed aselection of different finishes within eachrange to suit any type and style of room,including oak, cherry, walnut, alder, elm,hevea and birch. Each design makes themost of the wood’s colour and form,creating the perfect blend of style andtexture.

The carvedCharlotte rangein oak

Winchester hasa lacqueredpaint finish

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AWARDS


Best Underlay Manufacturer

Ball & Young

Ball & Young, maker of the brand leader Cloud 9range of underlay, would like to thank all of thereaders of Interiors Monthly who have voted itBest Underlay Manufacturer.

Proudly made in the UK, the Cloud 9 underlayrange, which includes Domestic, Contract andFlame Retardant, goes alongside Radiance whichis designed for use over underfloor heating andis especially good in hard-wearing areas.

Cloud 9 Silver Lining, Contract and SuperContract underlays, together with the FlameRetardant range and Radiance can be used instretch fit and doublestick applications.

There are also further low tog rating underlaysfor over underfloor heating, high decibel ratingunderlays for wood/laminate flooring, plusmetals and grippers to complete its extensiveportfolio.

At the Harrogate Flooring Show Ball & Youngwill launch the Olympic rubber underlay.Available in three thicknesses – 3mm, 5mm and6.5mm – it was developed for the heavy contractmarket, again ideal for stretch-fit or doublestickinstallations.

The company has also revamped itsunderlay.com website showing the full productrange, specifications and latest news. Ball & Young has a comprehensive range of underlays

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AWARDS


Best Flooring Buying Group

SMG

‘SMG The National Furnishing Group isdelighted to receive the Best Flooring

Buying Group award, especially at a timewhen every effort is being made by thegroup’s marketing team to helpindependent retailers and their suppliersto maintain market share in the currenteconomic climate,’ says Chris Moffat, SMGchief executive.

‘The group’s long standing policy ofsupporting UK based suppliers andmanufacturers is certainly paying off andthis is substantiated by the group’scontinued growth in sales through allsectors of the home furnishings industry.

‘We have no intention of deviatingfrom this proven policy and we will doeverything in our power to strengthenthe British manufacturing base which isso meaningful and important to theindependent retailer,’ he says.

Moffat says that with a membership of320 retailers, SMG is recognised as beingthe UK’s largest and most progressivecarpet and flooring buying group servingsome 380 retail outlets nationwide.

There are still vacancies forprofessional independent retailers

throughout the country and the SMGteam says it would welcome theopportunity to discuss the advantagesand benefits of group membership withany like-minded retailer seeking toprotect and expand their businesswithout losing their independence.

‘To all the readers of Interiors Monthlywho kindly voted for us, the SMG teamwould like to express their sincere thanksfor their continued support. It is verymuch appreciated,’ says Moffat.

Top left: SMG’s promotional calendar is one ofthe group’s strongest benefits ensuring extraprofitability for all members throughout the year

Top right: The SMG Magazines SMG News andSMG Stamp of Approval, feature the latest newsitems from Approved Suppliers from both thefurnishing and flooring divisions respectively

Above: SMG began its original 4-Britaincampaign 10 years ago in support of Britishmanufacturers and suppliers and has recentlyrefreshed the campaign

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Find out why SMG have been voted Best Flooring Buying Group by contactingSMG’s Director of Group Development, Tony Lavers on 0118 932 3832. Alternatively visit www.smg-group.co.uk

The Ultimate in Independent

Buying PPower

Voted ‘Best Flooring Buying Group’

SMG The National Carpet & Flooring

Group would like to thank the readers

of Interiors Monthly Magazine for voting

them ‘Best Flooring Buying Group’

Isn’t it time you joined

a winning team?

053_IM_0810 2/8/10 16:17

AWARDS


Best Dining Room Manufacturer

Morris FurnitureGroup

There are few towns in the country witha furniture store that don’t have at leastone of Morris Furniture Group’s brands: G Plan, Morris and Zone on display.

Since its inception in 1953, G Plan hasbeen one of the best known brands inthe sector, and was the first to bepromoted directly to consumers. Since1996 Morris Furniture Group has held thelicence for the brand.

The company is part-way throughintroducing a collection of New Classics,which has seen the launch of Matisse,Heritage and Gainsborough. Matisse andGainsborough feature a far higher levelof detailing than previous ranges, whileHeritage has a more contemporary style.

Some companies have reduced thespecification of ranges to reach pricepoints, but Morris has increased thespecification to improve their appeal. Forexample, the new Lakeland collection’sconsole table has three individualdrawers, rather than one large drawercarved to look like three.

In recent years designs have seenincreased use of solid timbers, such as

the Artisan collection which bringstogether the firm’s history of furnituremanufacturing with a twist of CharlesRennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s favouritearchitect and interior designer. Withstraight lines this bold design, in amixture of solid and veneered oaks, looks

at home in contemporary or traditionalsurroundings.

Zone offers contemporary veneeredfurniture for today’s lifestyle. Simpledesigns with bold details give each rangea unique look while catering for all thepieces shoppers expect.

Left: G Plan’sMatisse is partof the NewClassicscollection

Below left:

MorrisFurniture’sArtisan with aMackintoshtwist

Below right:

MorrisFurniture’sLakeland has abow front

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AWARDS

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

Lebus Upholstery

Lebus Upholsterydesigned for todays lifestyle

Tel: 01724 407 751www.lebusupholstery.co.uk

‘We are delighted to receive the InteriorsMonthly award for Best FabricUpholstery Manufacturer. It is five yearssince we became a private businessfollowing the demise of Christie-Tylerand in this period we have radicallytransformed and repositioned thebusiness,’ says Karl Walker, Lebus director.

‘Our first objective was to ensure thatwe were in a position to control allaspects of our manufacturing processfrom our 3acre facility in Scunthorpe,which allowed us to place the emphasison design, quality and customer servicewhile still maintaining our reputation forcompetitiveness – a formula whichappears to be showing rewards.’

Lebus has increasedcapacity four times in thepast year to meetdemand and is set toincrease it further from3,650 pieces a week inSeptember, testament tothe commerciality of theproduct offer and theloyalty and commitmentfrom its customer base,Walker says.

Last year proved to be the company’sbest since becoming private, both interms of profitability and growth, and2010 shows all of the indications of beingeven better.

‘We remain focused on building astrong, sustainable UK basedmanufacturing operation for the futureoffering exceptional value, quality andcustomer service,’ says Walker.

Lebus’ Leona

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AWARDS


Best Rug Supplier

Rugs With Flair

The last year has again been a successfuland innovative period for Rugs With Flair.

‘Whilst others in the industry havestruggled in recent years, Rugs with Flairhas enjoyed sustained growth to theextent that we have outgrown ourexisting sites in Oswaldtwistle andDenton,’ says Neel Shah, Rugs With Flairmd. He has been searching for the rightlocation to accommodate current andfuture business requirements and asignificant investment will be required toacquire a suitable site for the company’sneeds, including a new showroom.

‘This is a significant and exciting pointin the company’s development,’ he says.

Established in 1984, Rugs With Flair is afamily run business specialising in thedesign, import and distribution of qualityrugs. In the last five years it has emergedas the fastest growing rug importer inthe UK, supplying retail chains, largeindependent stores and other retailoutlets across the UK, Ireland andEurope.

Constantly striving to ensure thatevery one of its customers can alwaysfind products to suit their individualrequirements, it prides itself on being aone-stop shop for rugs.

‘We have everything fromheavyweight textured wools, supersoftsilky polyesters to luxurious heatsetshaggies,’ he says. ‘And the launch of thePortfolio catalogue in May brought withit many new ranges and designs,building on our already extensiveproduct range. We strive to ensure thatevery one of our loyal customers canalways find a rug to suit their individualrequirements,’ says Shah.

Rugs With Flair takes productdevelopment seriously, attending tradeand fashion shows, digesting trends andmovements in the marketplace and thentranslating this knowledge into its owndesigns.

As a result of travelling extensively to

overseas factories in search of newdevelopments and qualities 2010will see many promotional ranges.

‘These promotions are bang up tothe minute. We want to be able toreact quickly and make anynecessary changes to colour, size oreven shape. This way we know wewill satisfy the market, whilst stillcontinuing to provide excellentservice and the good value for moneyour customers expect and deserve,’he says.

Bright colours and soft shaggy piles have led the way so far this year, as seen in the success of the

Splendour and Starlet ranges.The accomplished fashion colours are

purples and greens, with blues becomingmore and more evident. All the latestfashion shades are included in thepromotional ranges such as Spider, andas the deep purple tones expand toinclude shades of mauve, these will beintroduced.

Designs range from traditional, florals, ever popular damasks, and

stripes are very much on trend, he says. ‘There are also some very retro designs

and photographic-like designs to lookout for, as well as the continuation of theUnion Flag and nautical themes.However, plain rugs continue to thrive.Some plain colours aren’t quite so plainanymore. The detail is sometimes verysubtle and this is created by variegatedpile heights or mixing yarns within thesame rug, such as Santa Cruz.’

The Portfolio Collection was introduced in May (top) while Spider, shown in lime green, is available in10 colours (above)

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AWARDS


Best Laminate Manufacturer

Quick-Step

This year sees Quick-Step celebrate its20th anniversary. The company hasgrown into an international brand,operating in 106 countries, withproduction facilities in Belgium, France,USA, Malaysia and soon in Russia.

In 1997, Quick-Step gained world famewith the introduction of the Uniclicfitting system, a ground-breaking fittingtechnique that requires no gluing,heralding a revolution in the field of hardfloor coverings. The click system hasbeen patented worldwide and has sincegone on to win a slew of internationalawards.

Over the past two decades, Quick-Stephas created many innovations including:

• The first laminate floor with V-groove;

• Laminate planks with matchingstructure so what you feel underfoot isexactly what you see in the designpattern;

• The Country range: laminate floorswith a hand-scraped effect;

• Lagune, the first laminate floorsuitable for use in damp rooms such asbathrooms;

• Scratch Guard, a technology thatmakes Quick-Step laminate floors up to10 times more scratch-resistant thanlaminate floors without the treatment;

• The Largo range: 2m long laminateplanks without pattern repeat in a singleplank, offering a natural mix of plankvariations;

• Quick-Step Parquet: compositeparquet floors with the same passion fordesign, quality and innovation. Quick-Step developed a unique system forlaying parquet floors: Uniclic Multifit;

• Vogue, Quick-Step’s latest showpiecefor which a unique edge finish, a tactilesurface structure and variations in gloss are combined to give it a look andfeel that cannot be distinguished fromreal oak.

‘These innovations have made Quick-Step into the undisputed global pioneer

in laminate floors,’ says Philiep Caryn,Quick-Step communication andsponsoring manager.

He says Quick-Step has the know-howand expertise to develop laminate floorsthat combine ease of maintenance with ahighly realistic-looking surface difficult todistinguish from real wood.

‘In addition to innovation and quality,Quick-Step is also synonymous withbeauty and design. Quick-Step is in aclass of its own. Time and again, Quick-Step manages to further perfect the lookand feel of its floors while shapingtomorrow’s trends in the process,’ saysCaryn.

Above: Vogue is Quick-Step’s top of the rangedesignRight: Lagune is suitable for use in damp roomsBelow: Country introduced a hand-scraped finish

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AWARDS


Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer

Prestigious Textiles

Product development has been at theheart of Prestigious Textiles’ success sinceTrevor Helliwell, md, founded it in 1988.From contemporary prints tosophisticated silks, sumptuous velvets todiaphanous voiles, classic jacquards tonursery appliqués, the portfolio embracesa kaleidoscopic diversity of concepts,fabrics, colourways and designs that areconstantly reappraised to ensure shiftingdemands from both stockists andconsumers continue to be anticipated.

Dedicated initially to supplying theretail sector in the UK and Republic ofIreland, the company expanded quickly.With partner businesses in the Republicof Ireland, France, Germany, South Africaand the Benelux nations, and tradingalliances operating in a further 93countries, Prestigious Textiles can claimto have a truly global presence.

Alongside its Bradford head office ithas 45,000sqft of warehousing for bulkpiece-goods and customised cut-lengths,supported by a computerised sampleand cutting distribution department toensure enquiries for cuttings, patternbook and POS support are dealt withspeedily and effectively.

In addition, the group operates twooff-site stockholding warehouses and a

sample manufacturing unit totallingsome 30,000sqft. These run alongsideStyleline Blinds UK, a subsidiary of thegroup, which serves the niche market forcustomised window blinds.

The latest collections continue itsreputation for bold designs. Intuition isthe latest launch, a collection ofnaturally-inspired prints set on whitelinen-look cotton for curtains, cushionsand accessories. Five prints createtranquillity: Spirit evokes gracefulbamboo stems silhouetted within largecircular spotlights, while Charm reflects atracery of trailing twigs and Serenitydepicts large heads of alliums, bendingas if caught in a gentle breeze. The softwatercolour stripes of Inspire andgeometric circles of Zen impart a

peaceful symmetry, and the collection iscompleted by Cloud, a plain linen-textured cotton in Natural White.

Lombok is a summer-fresh collectionof fabrics for window dressing and decoraccessories which draws upon a series ofcontemporary floral concepts. At its heartlie four dramatic printed polyesters –Java, Timor, Brunei and Penang – wherehuge flowers and flowing foliage appearto be hand-painted over a sleek andlustrous backdrop. The prints arecomplemented by a pair of linen-blendjacquards: Kuta is a matelassé featuringsimple chevrons amid a dimpled moireeffect, while classical Jacobean abstractscrollwork is given a modern-day twist inthe shimmering Sabah.

On a supple 100% cotton for curtains,cushions, throws and accessories, theImperial collection comprises six designswith an evocative Eastern twist. Thedainty sprigs of cherry blossom capturedin Emi team perfectly with Chinoise,where birds are depicted as they flitamong nodding open flowers. Thegnarled magnolia boughs of Sayuri andthe graceful poppyheads of Takaracontinue the organic theme, whilecomplementing the florals are a paintedstripe (Mika) and a geometric key (Kayo).

Top left: Intuition Top right: Lombok Above: Imperial

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AWARDS


Best Vinyl Manufacturer

IVC Group

With the rebranding now complete, theIVC Group is rolling out its new ranges tostockists and retailers across the country.

Leoline captures some of the group’smost popular and long-standing styles ina collection conceived to meet thedemands of a diverse audience. Whetheryoung couples or growing families, theLeoline collection has designs for all,from the dots of Fantasia and thechequers of Floors, through to thenatural look of Woods and Stones.

The Elite collection captures the top-performing specifications in the Leolinefamily, followed by the Privilegecollection, while the Family collectionoffers an affordable floor – there is aLeoline for all budgets.

Avenue brings flooring and the worldof fashion together in a collection ofcushioned vinyl for the style conscious.With designs that set the pace in interior style, Avenue features thesplatter art of Artesia and metal plate of Nashville, alongside the apple cratestyle of Memphis and the pebbles ofCardiff.

Packed with features such asPowerback, Compact Back and NaturalLook and Feel, the Avenue collection hasplenty of consumer appeal, and with

performance guaranteed from seven to15 years, there is a floor for all budgetstoo.

With such a diverse portfolio and afirm eye on value, Francis Debrabandere,IVC Group commercial director, says it iseasy to see why Interiors Monthly readersvoted it Best Vinyl Manufacturer, anaward he is delighted to receive.

‘We have worked hard to ensure thatthe transition from Leolan and Domo toLeoline and Avenue has been asuccessful one and this award goes toshow that we have got things right. Withour continual efforts we have become amajor player in the residential vinylsector and the recognition from thereaders of Interiors Monthly is highlysatisfying,’ he says.

‘With the new brands, completelyreworked POS, striking literature, highlevels of support and some great newproducts, we look forward to becomingan even more important part of theshopfront. We would like to take thisopportunity to thank everyone who hassupported us.’

As Avenue and Leoline hit shopfloors,IVC Group is gearing up to launch theModuleo and Itec contract floors brandsin the coming year.

Sorento from the Leoline SuperComfortzcollection

Toledo from the Leoline Luxury Trend collection

Artesia from the Avenue Café Noir collection

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AWARDS


Best Accessory Supplier

SunflexInnovation is the key to success, hasbeen the mantra of Sunflex’s Swish,Sunlover, Harrison Drape and Universalbrands for many years. Even in difficulttrading conditions the launch of newideas continues at a pace and Swishcontinues to lead the market in windowaccessories.

Embracing new materials andreflecting the latest fashion moods,tiebacks using innovative manufacturingtechniques are being launched.

Honey, in three colours, with a uniquehoneycomb style centre and Candy, infour vibrant colour mixes, are bothavailable at a rrp of £15.

A sparkling addition to the Swish polecollection is the Capella extendablecurtain pole. With its new adjustable

bracket, fully lined rings and it’s facetedglass effect finial, it truly reflects thecommitment and quality that has madeSwish the brand leader. With tradingconditions far from easy, retailers can relyon Swish to ensure there is alwayssomething new to offer customers.

Above: Swish 25/28mmextendable curtain polesLeft: Candy tiebacks

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AWARDS


Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer

Kährs (UK)

Year-on-year, oak wood flooring is aconstant in both the traditional andcontemporary home along with ‘historic’dark stains, which bring rich, ruddybrown tones or emanate an almost dark,tropical look. But, for this autumn andwinter there is a growing interest in palerstained oaks. In response, Kährs hasintroduced a range of eco-friendly oiland lacquer prefinishes throughout itsLinnea and Original ranges.

‘Contemporary grey hues and whitewashes are being keenly sought by bothdesigners and consumers, on bothtraditional one-strip boards andpatterned wood floors,’ says StinaAndersson, Kährs designer.

‘We’ve responded with our newCoastal, Artisan and Supreme ranges,which provide natural oil and mattlacquer finishes in a variety of strikingpale tones, including Pearly White,Oyster, Slate and Silver hues. New stained finishes have also beenintroduced to our existing ranges, likeClassic Nouveau Snow and Linnea Cloud,alongside darker tones and naturalfinishes,’ she says.

Kährs has also introduced the Artisancollection. Crafted from rustic grade oak,the collection includes 10 one-stripwooden floors which each have anindividual, hand-crafted surface finish.The timber’s gnarled and knottycharacter is enhanced by a spectrum ofnatural oil pre-finishes, which span deepebony to blue-tinged white, eachproviding durability and easy care.

With a wide plank design, all Artisanfloors measure 1900mm x 190mm x15mm and can be resanded at leasttwice. Bespoke finishes include smoking,brushing, stain washing, carbonising andlow sawing to create a ripple effect.

All floors feature Kährs’ gluelessWoodloc joints, for a fast, stronginstallation without gapping, and areoffered with a 30-year guarantee.

Kährs offers paler

oaks such as Oyster

(right) and Nouveau

White (below)

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AWARDS


Best Furniture Website

G Plan Upholstery

‘G Plan Upholstery is at the forefront ofconsumer communication and asincreasing numbers of our target marketare very comfortable with the Internet,we see our website as a very powerfultool,’ says Helen Frankland, G PlanUpholstery marketing manager.

She says that from its consumerresearch the company knows whatshoppers expect to see online:‘Inspirational ideas while conductingdesk research, clear information aboutthe brand and its values, clear guidanceon the model and fabric options, anddetails of where they can see models ondisplay at local stockists.’

According to Mike Daly, G Plan

Upholstery sales and marketing director:‘The latter is critical as all consumers of G Plan will visit their local store toexperience the different sitcharacteristics of models, the colour andtexture of fabrics and the numerousother attributes they can gain guidanceon from knowledgeable sales people.’

The website also contains an in-depthsofa buying guide and consumers canorder brochures and swatches. Inaddition it works as an in-storemarketing tool as shoppers can beshown what any colour looks like on any model, while offering videos on the firm’s heritage, craftsmanship and sit test information.

G Plan’s websiteprovides informationand guidance forcustomers

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AWARDS


Best Flooring Website

Balterio

For the second time in three yearsretailers have voted that Balterio take theInteriors Monthly Best Flooring Website

honours. Shunning the temptation toadd a myriad of videos and Twitter feeds,balterio.com keeps things simple whileproviding a host of information toconsumers.

Shoppers can view products bycollection, decor or finishes, or use theRoom Designer to mix and matchflooring options with furniture and wallcolour in several room styles.

Information is also provided oninstallation, including underfloorheating, and maintenance, along withquality characteristics and warrantydetails.

Product features are described in theInnovations area, such as the random V-groove and silent sound barrier. Fullinformation on accessories, such asunderlays and skirting boards, is easilyaccessible and clearly illustrated.

Consumers can browse or orderBalterio’s brochure while linking to the

company’s sustainability website whichdetails its environmental efforts.

The corporate information sectionreassures consumers that they aredealing with a large company andprovides copious amounts of informationon laminate flooring in general.

And the website is also a valuableresource for stockists, allowing them todownload product and POS images andtechnical information. They can alsodesign display stand set-ups, includingindividual planks, and order online.

Balterio’s website isa valuable tool forstockists

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• We offer choice in styles and decors• Innovative structures like the exclusive Chromezone Technology, the True to nature look,

• True matching accessories for the perfect finishing

• High-quality materials and unsurpassed craftsmanship• High Quality HDF coreboard• Long warranty conditions until 25 years

•

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AWARDS


Best Software Supplier (1-3 stores)

Retailsystem

‘It really is extremely encouraging and gratifying forRetailsystem to be awarded an Interiors Monthly awardfor the second year running because, apart from thehonour of being judged a top supplier, it also meanswe’re getting it right for our customers,’ says StephenSmith, Retailsystem, md.

‘If you want to know what our customers think aboutus, all you have to do is ask them. They’re pretty easy tospot. They are relaxed, calm and composed, I mighteven say dapper. Here are neither the shades of darkcircles under the eyes nor the clammy network ofwrinkled brows. See the fine heads of hair untroubledby grey, the youthful, unsullied faces. Not one bears thehaunted gloom of the hunted. Each has the fresh,untroubled look of those easy at heart – because theyall sleep well at night. Thanks to the support they getfrom us, there’s no troubled tossing and turning, noworries stalking the darkness and none of thosenightmares where you’re in front of your friends andcolleagues with absolutely nothing to cover your data.

‘You see, they can sleep at night because we don’t.Every second of every minute of the day and night weare protecting, processing, storing and managing data.And every second of every day someone, somewhere islooking at better ways to provide the service that makesus winners. We are constantly and consistentlyupgrading the services we offer because we listen to ourcustomers, find out what they want from us and workhard to put the features, benefits and improvementsinto operation for them. Time and again. And all free ofcharge,’ he says.

Smith explains that it’s basic retail. Find out what yourcustomers want and supply it, and keep on supplying it.Whether in the specialist technology of datamanagement and systems development or high streetretail sales, he says the winners are the ones who listento their customers, answer their questions and go out oftheir way to meet their needs.

‘We are very grateful for the honour of this award and for those who appreciate the work we put intogetting it right for our customers. We’ll keep onupgrading, improving and reviewing our softwareproducts and services to make sure that they continueto meet the needs of our customers, even as and whenthose needs change, because we’re all in a dynamicmarketplace. And we’ll do it nice and quietly. After all,our customers will be enjoying a jolly good night’ssleep,’ says Smith.

Data is managed and protected every second

IMA

GE:

MAY

A B

– F

OTO

LIA

.CO

M

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The future is here; a software solution like you’ve never seenbefore Retailsystem.com, have developed a low cost salesand accounts processing system for furniture retailers - a software solution with a difference. Generally speaking, when we think of software, the same things come to mind; complicated installationand lengthy implementation, hidden licenses andfees, renewals and updates, staff training andre-training...the list goes on.

The reality never seems to live up to the hype!

But retailsystem.com really is different- it’s onlineand, therefore, users can access the system fromany branch, warehouse or even from home. All that’s needed is a PC and internet access.

A huge reduction in paperwork is now possible

Getting started could not be easier; the set up is freeand training is free too! Just ask any of our customers.

Retailsystem.com will upload your existing data from your old system, or help you start from scratch from a paper based system. And the licence fee evenincludes all secure data storage and future upgrades.

So what about ease of use? Well, we fully understandretailers want to sell furniture, not become computerexperts; therefore the screen-by-screen process hasbeen designed to be very user-friendly – so much so, the system can be used as a tool to explain stockavailability, show photographs and retail price lists, discounts, delivery schedules, and more, to customers.

From installation, to a fully operational system in store varies from a matter of days to about a fortnight.

Stock is actively controlled to identify poor sellers

Relevant customer data can be fed into a CRM system; for example, mail shots can be targeted more effectively as customer details can be downloaded into Microsoft Excel. There’s even a ‘Textmerge’ facility that enables the you to text thousands ofcustomers at once.

Retailsystem.com hasa fully integrated accounting package, reducing the need for manual financial datainput; reports can begenerated across a number of chosenfields, such as best selling items andranges, top performingsales person and branch and complaint ratios; and customerorders are actively monitored by the system, alerting the retailer toany problems before they happen. ALL FOR LESS THAN THE COST OF YOUR DAILY COFFEE!

Customers can track their orders online

retailsystem.com-Making life easier for Independent Retailers

RETAILSYTEM.COM- BRINGING YOUROPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING TOGETHER

For more information

Tel 08712 20 64 64 Email [email protected] Web www.retailsystem.com

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AWARDS


Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company

Andrew Porter

Furniture storage and logistics specialistAndrew Porter attributes winning theBest Supply Chain/Logistics Company

award to a more focused development ofits retail logistics services, distributingbeds, cabinet and upholstery around theUK to independent and multiple retailersfor manufacturers and importers.

‘Andrew Porter has been involved infurniture logistics since the mid-1990swhen a local manufacturer came to uslooking for more effective ways ofdistributing products across the UK.Since this time we have grown in themarketplace to become one of thelargest independent providers ofspecialist furniture distribution in theindustry, bringing together home

delivery, retail logistics, storage, showtrailer and event logistics, plus manyvalue added services including pre-assembly and quality control checking,’says John Best, Andrew Porter,commercial director.

In recent years the company hasreduced the volumes in home deliveryand focused more on retail logistics,offering pay as you go storage anddelivery solutions for manufacturers andimporters that have looked to cut thecosts of running their own transportfleets or have seen volumes declinebecause of the downturn.

The company makes some 2,500deliveries every week to stores across theUK and Republic of Ireland. Now the

home delivery service is more qualitythan volume driven where customerspay a reasonable price for quality service,says Best.

‘While a lot of our competitors havecontinued to fight it out in the homedelivery market, we have sought tocapitalise on this and the changingneeds of the industry and have reallygrown the retail delivery offering to thelevels we see now,’ he says.

‘What is particularly special about theInteriors Monthly award for us is that ithas been voted for not just by ourcustomers but the retailers themselves,which tells us that our service strategy iswhat’s helping us to grow the business,’says Best.

Andrew Porter makes more than 2,500 deliveries a week

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AWARDS


Best Business Support

Metro

A vital part of the relationship betweenretailer and supplier, association orbuying group, is the support it receives.For members of the Metro buying groupthis has included being given a state ofthe art ecommerce website as part oftheir membership.

‘Carpet1st.co.uk is our ecommerceconsumer website which enables ourmembers to sell carpets, rugs, naturals,vinyl, ceramics, laminates, wood, etconline 24/7,’ says David Kipping, Metrochief executive.

In addition to the main website thereis a registered a domain for eachmember, where they host a personalisedversion of the website.

‘Not only can consumers order flooringonline, but the website features a 24-hour sample service on our full rangeof own-labelled products, in addition toinspirational images, roomsets andbuying advice. It is an impressive andprofessional flooring store online,’ saysKipping.

On entering their postcode, consumersare automatically directed to the nearestmember website, and since the productsare own-branded, it will make it difficultfor consumers to shop around, therebypreventing prices being driven down andmargins suffering, he says.

‘Sample requests can be followed upby our retailers offering measuring andestimating, installation and accessories,and importantly, inviting consumers tovisit their stores as they will be the localstore, who can service sales properly,’explains Kipping. ‘Quite simply, we seekto drive Internet enabled consumers intoour members’ stores, to developtraditional face-to-face business.’

Kipping says the website is a majorinvestment for the group, havingfunctionality and layout that comparesfavourably to the best websites in anyindustry, and yet this cutting edgetechnology is being made available to

members who have no computerskills, or the resources to build andmaintain such a complex website.

‘Carpet1st.co.uk puts them rightup there with companies who havespent small fortunes to achieve thesame result. Like it or not, theInternet is here to stay and willcontinue to increase its influence inour industry as time goes on. As agroup of retailers we cannot ignoreit – and so we are being proactive infinding how we can use it’s power toour advantage and still retain goodmargins.

Metro is now investing in searchengine optimisation with the aim ofreturning members’ websites on thefirst page of a Google search.

Consumers aredirected to theirnearest storewhich willcontact themabout fitting

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For further information on clearance ranges and regular lines please contact Paul or David:

Tel: 0161 203 6191 Fax: 0161 203 6270 E-mail: [email protected] www.ianmichael.co.uk

IMA, New Street, Miles Platting, Manchester M40 8AA

Massive stockclearance!

We have thousands of items in stock. Many at least 50% cheaper than standard

trade price.

We are looking to clear a massive quantityof end of line stock. Chairs, dining,

bedroom and occasional ranges.

As well as this huge selection of clearancelines we also stock many running lines.

Divan beds, bed frames, sofas, dining setsand much, much more all under one roof.

There is no minimum order but further discounts are available on bulk purchases.*

Goods available wholesale on a daily basisor at monthly auction. Strictly trade only.

Gain a competitive edge by contacting IMA today!

*All prices quoted on a cash & carry basis.

Clearance price £129


Linea walnut bedroom range to clear Lyon classic oak bedroom range to clear

Leather bedsteads from £109 Clearance Italian leather suites from £399

Clearance dining tables from £59



Clearance dining chairs from £20

074_IM_0810 2/8/10 16:25

C A R P E T S

F U R N I T U R E

R U G S

B E D S

L A M I N A T E

U P H O L S T E R Y

V I N Y L

A C C E S S O R I E S

Gaskell Wool RichVenetian Masquerade


Show Guide Cover 27/7/10 17:17

SHOW GUIDE - FLOOR PLANS


Har

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Flo

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Hall AAbingdon Carpets A16Associated Weavers A12 Bikaner A7 Carpet 1st A27 Central Flooring A6 Clarendon Carpets A2 Cormar Carpets A17 Demart A9 Displad A25 Distinctive Flooring A4 Gaskell Wool Rich A22 Georgian Carpets A1HBS A21 Hand Made Carpets A14 IT Integration A28 KJC A8Kersaint Cobb A13 Lifestyle Floors A5 Mr Tomkinson A23

Ossfloor A25 Plantation Rug Company A20 The Stocklists A3 Ultimate Rug Company A15 Vanhoutte Immofloor A24 Woolsafe A19

Hall MAhwazian M9 Alpaca Rugs by Inca Rugs M2Anglo Recycling Technology M3Artwood M4Asiatic Carpets M16 Asiatic Stellar Collection M24 BMK M12Ball & Young M20CFR M22Createx M23

IVC Group M25Lano Carpets M19Matthys Group M26 Merryfield Engineering M1 Mohawk M6 Morleys M21 Mercado M10 Oriental Carpets Rugs M14 Oriental Weavers M13 Ornate Carpets M28 Rhys Davies M8 Saif Carpets M11 Tapibel M17 The Stellar Collection M24 Tomorrows Flooring M5Vorverk & Co M3A Wilkies M27

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Harrogate Flooring ShowHarrogate International Centre5-7 September 2010

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Let us put you in the picture

Visit us at Stand C12 at the National Floor Show

Kingsmead Carpets 01827 831427 [email protected] www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

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SHOW GUIDE – FLOOR PLANS


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Hall CArt of Living C6 Brink & Campman C5 Carpenter C19 Ecovise C17 Edel Telenzo C25 ETF C27 Floordata.com C8 Furlong Carpets C1 Hadfields C18 Interiors Monthly C28 Kingsmead Carpets C12 Manx Carpets C15 Mastercraft Rugs C3 Masterpiece Systems C24 Mayfield Carpets C22 Mayne Computers C33Melrose Textiles C20 Networks Online C8 ORC Rugs C32 Penthouse Carpets C23 Rama Carpets C21 Regency Carpets C1 The Estimators C33 Triple King C14 Ulster Carpets C13 Victoria Carpets C11

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For a wide range of luxurious Saxonies,choose Mr TomkinsonTel: 01827 831 450Fax: 01827 831 451Email: [email protected]: www.mrtomkinson.co.uk

See us atHarrogate Flooring Show

5–7 September 2010Stand A23

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SHOW GUIDE – FLOOR PLANS


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Hall BArdex B26 Br Wood Flooring Ass B35 C & H Distribution B5 CFA B9 CFJ B9 Carpets & Flooring B20A Chesterman Marketing B21 Dickinson Moore B11 DSI B25 Dyne Carpet Tiles B13 Easylay B11 Elliotts B22 Exakt Precision Tools B10 F Ball B1 Florprotec B18 Floortrain B33 Foamfield Rubber B36 JHS B18 Karndean B19/20 Leica Geosystems B21 Licheer UK B24 Mei Li Sheng Plastic (Super Click) B16Novostrat B4 Primatech B34 Sid Bourne B35 Spotnails B29 Stainshield B22 Stairrods B14 Stanley Bostitch B37 Suffolk Hard Woods B24 Texfelt B2 Tramex B8 Underlay Plus B16 Unifloor B11Universal Mouldings B17 Wagner Electronics B26A West Riding Felts B32WLD B6

Demo AreaFITANICF

St George HotelCondor CarpetsGooch OrientalsVebe Floorcoverings

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arton thefloorS e e u s a t H a r r o g a t e - S t a n d B 3 2

Alex Kilday – Scotland: 07775 504929Peter Baldwin – NW: 07973 410688Mark Keepfer – Wales & SW: 07976 700222Gary Kendall – Home Counties N: 7802 661944John Constable – London & SE: 07836 734322Mark Borrett – South & SE: 07968 119056

John Pringle – Cumbria & NE: 07779 140781 Paul Brown – Midlands: 07973 783532

Richard Cooper – E Anglia: 07860 525245Gary Foster – Home Counties N: 07515 283872

Mark Broster – London & SE: 07766 255222Jenny Borrett – South & SE: 07969 816727

clarendoncarpetsGorsey Lane, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 1JU

Sales: 01675 433066

Reps & Agents:

©

Martin Pow – South West: 07968 119887

See you in Harrogate – STAND A2

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SHOW GUIDE


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Carpenter will show Extrastep and Ultrastep, two new heavydensity underlays. Extrastep is a 6mm thick polyurethaneunderlay, developed for the North European domestic and UKcontract markets, and conforms to IMO certification. Ultrastep isthe same heavy density polyurethane but is 9mm thick and fortop end retailers and contractors. Both can be used for stretch-fit and doublestick installations. At 180kg per cubic metre, theyare among the heaviest density carpet underlays available andare made from recycled foam and fully recyclable.

Edel Telenzo will show its latest developments including, inwool, the Alpine Collection, featuring the deep cut pileChamonix and the complementary bouclés, Lausanne andMontreaux; and the new Bakerloo multi-stripe and additionalPiccadilly colourways of Plum and Mulberry; and in synthetics,the tactile twist Verdi in high quality PA6.6 yarn. Hudson andLawrence will be 100% wool roll-only options in contemporaryearthy shades.

It will also show its latest tile collection of five ranges,including plain, flecked, two-tone and cut pile options in eitherEdelon Protect or 100% BCF polyamide.

IVC Group will use the show to display its full Leoline andAvenue collections alongside new POS and details of theforthcoming Moduleo design floor collection. ��

FAST FACTS

Harrogate Flooring Show

Harrogate International Centre

5-7 September

www.harrogateflooringshow.net

In the aislesLatest news on the show

Top: Avenue’s Cardiffvinyl

Above: Carpenterwill add to itsunderlay offer

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��

Silk Sensations is a vibrant new plain polypropylene saxony tojoin Kingsmead’s Family Friendly collection, featuring 11 plainshades including Aubergine, Claret and Black and a neutralcollection. The Artist’s palette has been refreshed with arelaunch of the Keynote Artwork range. Featuring colours fromthe Wools of New Zealand predictions for 2011/12, the rangewill be backed by a promotional campaign marking a newcollaboration between Kingsmead and Wools of New Zealand.

Other launches include Hampton Court, a low cost nylon tipsheared range and a stripe in 100% polypropylene loop pile. Amodular wall unit display featuring the Kingsmead Wool Twistcollection will make its debut, with retailers able to select fromone up to seven units which can be arranged in any patternfrom a straight line to a heptagon.

As well as the introduction of two ranges in Lano’s domesticcarpet collection, the 4m wide Pembridge Twist will see six newshades join six of its bestselling colours to refresh the collection.Revealed for the first time, Supreme Elegance is a highlytextural long pile heavyweight carpet with a two-ply, three-coloured yarn that adds depth and visual interest, backed byLano’s 10-year Stainless warranty and available in a 4m width.

The eighth gauge X-tra Twist comes in 4m and 5m widths andhas nine shades, including Tulipwood, Amber, Sapphire andHemp, which balance with the heavier weight Startwistcollection. It has a 28oz pile weight and the choice of action orfelt backings.

Lano is also reorganising its branding. Carpets backed by the10-year Stainless warranty, including ranges such as StartwistSupreme, Fairfield Supreme and Heathertwist Supreme, will betransformed into a lifestyle-driven Inspiring Collection

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SHOW GUIDE

Above: Stanley Bostitchis relaunching itsflooring tool range

Left: Edel Telenzo’sBakerloo

Below: Kingsmead’sImpact stripe


rugs • soft furni

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with full details to be revealed at the show. The 4m and 5mwoven wilton carpets will be grouped under the WiltonCollection. Niche carpets such as Wooltouch and Mayfair Velvetwill remain part of the Ultimo Collection, with new productsintroduced at the beginning of next year. The four artificial grassand landscaping products will be known as Lano Outdoor andthe impervious backed contract products for healthcare, officeand public sector use, such as Scala, will fall under theCommercial Collection.

Novostrat will demonstrate its latest underlays for wood andlaminate floors and its Graphite value underlay for carpetedfloors.

Stanley Bostitch is relaunching its flooring tool range,including a stapler which drives divergent point staples for sub-flooring, a brad nailer for trim work, and a headless pinner forparquet flooring. Also included is a choice of two pneumaticand one manual, hardwood flooring tools.

The new MFN201-E manual flooring nailer, doesn’t require anair compressor or hose and drives L-shaped flooring cleats from38mm–50mm and features a changeable ratcheting drivemode. It is supplied with a lightweight soft-faced graphitemallet, additional footplates for precise positioning and a carrycase for easy transportation.

With Wool Week coming up in October, Woolsafe is using theshow to highlight the importance of correct carpetmaintenance. ‘With Wool Week highlighting the benefits ofwool, and therefore wool carpet, we wish to make the most ofthis window of opportunity that the extra interest generates toeducate the widest audience possible about correct carpet care.We will be working with carpet mills and chemical suppliers toensure that the message is delivered in the run up to andthroughout the week,’ says Steve Bakker, Woolsafe promotionsmanager.

‘Half the battle in getting the “care for your carpet” messageacross to homeowners is for the industry to be united indelivering the benefits of correct stain treatment and periodicmaintenance.’

SHOW GUIDE

Above: Lano’s Fairfield

Below: Kingsmead’s TripleTwist Quarry

��


The Stellar collection, over 60 new machine made rug designs available from stockView the entire collection at the Harrogate Flooring Show – stand M24

Asiatic Carpets Oriental Carpet Centre, 105 Eade Road, London N4 1TJ, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8800 [email protected] www.asiatic.co.uk

Design shown Sirius SR10

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SHOW GUIDE


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Harrogate will also see a wide selection of rug launches.Asiatic Carpets will have its usual blend of market leadingranges, innovative styles and special offers, and in addition, anextensive collection of machine made carpets, something notseen at a show recently.

The Stellar collection is a range of eight different qualitiesfrom budget, via stain free shaggy through to higher end friseheatsets, with a selection of over 60 new designs all available ina choice of sizes. The Edge fine polyester tonal stripe shaggyrange will be debuted alongside 100% viscose Bellagio.

Hand Made Carpets will unveil the Supreme in hand-tuftedclassic wool; Safari an animal skin inspired wool tufted range;and the Piazza/Linear contemporary range in Indian hand-knotted wool.

Saif Carpets will introduce a host of rug designs, in a varietyof materials including leather, cotton chenille and hemp.

Ultimate Rug Company will debut several designs.Kensington is a black and aubergine hand-tufted acrylic rugthat is part of the Landmark Collection and from the Floral ArtCollection is the Retro Flower, a beige hand-woven 100% wooldesign and the 100% polyester Veronica in lime.

Right: Ultimate RugCompany’s Veronica

Below left: Saif Carpets’leather rug

Below right: Hand MadeCarpets’ Supreme in red andcoral

Bottom: Asiatic’s Capella

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CARPET


Born againAxminsterAxminster Carpets is committed to being

an environmental market leader ��

Mention Axminster and most people willmake the association with carpet, but itis also likely they will perceive AxminsterCarpets as fairly traditional and possiblyquite conservative. But, the company hasbeen undergoing something of arevolution in the past three years, as itseeks to attract a new audience.

Josh Dutfield, who became the fourthgeneration of Dutfields to head thecompany when he became md inFebruary 2008, and Steve Upperton, salesdirector, headed a strategy review withthe aim of cutting costs, reducing stocklevels, reviving the brand and investingin machinery.

Upperton is forthright about thesituation. ‘Product, brand andpresentation had become stale,’ he says.

As indicators of how things havechanged, 25% of sales this year will comefrom products that didn’t exist two yearsago and its latest display stands haveseen a major increase in sales in thestores they were trialled in.

‘There is a momentum of change, thefirm is being reborn. We’ve gone frombeing manufacturing led to market led,’he says.

A vital element of the change has beenAxminster’s rebranding as Natural BritishBeautiful, highlighting the three aspectsof the company.

Axminster has invested heavily inrecent years on the environmental aspectof its production, not least the carbonneutral Swaledale carpet and its waterrecycling plant at its Buckfast yarn mill.

It traditionally used water from theRiver Dart to wash greasy wool prior tothe spinning process as well as dyeingyarn. The waste water from themanufacturing processes would bedischarged and treated by the localwater authority.

But after a £2m investment, 85% of itswaste water – more than 2million litres aweek – is recycled without entering theeco-system, after having all thecontaminants removed. This is due to riseto 95% by the end of this month with theresidue powder used for agriculturalfertiliser. The plant takes under two and ahalf years to pay for itself.

For the past seven years it has usedwool that has fallen out around the millto make its Axfelt underlay, with recycledlorry tyres providing the backing. The600 to 900 rolls produced a week arewrapped in biodegradable bags.

Natural Plaid in Cormorant

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Classic Pandora – one of Manx Carpets best selling

ranges – recently revamped and recoloured with

10 new modern shades and also introducing an

extra weight, now available in 40, 50 & 60oz.

On show at theHarrogate Floor Show

Stand 15 Hall C

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CARPET


‘There are a lot of sceptics out there,but the impact on the environment ofproducts will become much moreimportant. There are a lot of peoplegreenwashing but there will come apoint where companies will have toprove their claims. Natural is veryimportant thing to us – wool is a naturalproduct,’ says Richard Lawrence,Axminster marketing manager.

‘We’re looking at using old carpet andrecycling it. You could use it in underlayto reduce landfill,’ adds Upperton. ‘Theenvironmental impact for example oflandfill, will have a major impact on thecarpet industry in the next few years.’

Much is made of consumers’ desire tobuy British products, but Upperton warnsthat they won’t buy anything justbecause it is British made.

‘It has to be what they want and thequality they want. We’re looking at moretufted ranges from the autumn

Axminster in numbers0.5% Level of oil in finished carpet

5 Days yarn can be produced from fleece

14-21 Days yarn is normally produced from fleece

25% Level of sales from products under two

years-old

37 Number of processes from fleece to

finished carpet, each with at least one

quality control check

85% Level of UK domestic market sales

95% Water recycled at yarn mill

500 Number of staff at Buckfast and Axminster

Princetown Modrian in Golden Globe Dartmoor Persian Dynasty in Morning Mist

Striata in Sandstone��


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CARPET


and the key thing is how do you getpeople to buy more patterned carpet?

‘There is no right or wrong way ininteriors design these days, it’s abouthaving cohesion in a room. Using ourtechnology, such as the smart kreels, tooffer a more personalised look will bemore of a thing in the coming year. Thechallenge of the carpet industry is todevelop products that fulfil the wants ofconsumers,’ he says.

And these messages will be reinforcedto consumers with an advertisingcampaign in the October, November andDecember issues of 10 home interestmagazines. The aim is to drive shoppersto its newly revamped website to requestsamples or find local stockists.

The new website features an easy tonavigate product directory forconsumers, listing carpets by plains,textures, contemporary patterns,elegance patterns and classic patterns.This organisation allows quick and easylocation of styles and helps consumersnarrow down choices to go with aparticular decor.

Axminster’s sales have been stable inthe past three years. It made a loss lastyear as it wrote-off former stock, but sofar this year it is profitable and Uppertonexpects it to remain so at the end of theyear.

‘Commercially we’ve got to a reallygood place. The target is to grow sales,’he says.

A vital part of this is the latest POSbeing rolled out to its stockist networkafter a trial at 22 stores saw sales jump bya quarter.

‘Everyone is striving to do thingsbetter and be proud of what they do. Thestaff know everything we are doing. Ifthere are no dividends, there are no payrises – we are all in this together,’ addsLawrence.

‘Everyone isstriving to dothings better andbe proud of whatthey do’

Simply Natural Stripe in City

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, pictured with Simon Dutfield, chairman, and Josh Dutfield, md, opened the

water recycling plant


For more details contact: Tel: (01675) 433 031

the

Collection

The STAINFREE BLEACH CLEANABLE Collection� 12 new ranges, all 4 & 5m wide �

� All marketed on our compact consumer friendly units �

SEE YOU INHALL A

STAND A26

095_IM_0810 2/8/10 16:59

UPHOLSTERY

��

Upholstery that makes you gasp – a

selection of the inspiring Red Dot winners

Dottingthe oohs!

Since 1955, the Design Centre Nordrhein Westfalen has beenawarding annual design prizes. Renamed the Red Dot awards in1992, it is now the largest international design award with morethan 12,000 entries across the various categories. The 2010living room and bedroom category was dominated byupholstery.

Bretz’s Kautsch combines stringent, geometric lines and anorganic shape, with the lines emanating from the centre formpadded rhombuses of different sizes that nestle snugly to thebody.

COR’s Jalis is designed for comfort, with enclosing backrestsand deep seats, inspired by the traditional way of Oriental lifeand its serenity, hospitality and relaxed communication.

The Dormette from Die Collection can be used as a sofa with or without the side arm and back, chaise


Right: Bretz’s KautschBelow right: Leolux’sSpringBelow left: Durlet’sBertus

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longue and sofabed and features removable covers.Durlet’s Bertus armchair distinguishes itself by its main design

element being the outer frame, which also serves as an armrest.It is made from a square steel tube bent at angles of 90°, whiledouble quilting seams on the cushions discreetly accentuatethe chair’s lines.

GlobeZero4’s Lotus chair is based on the silhouette of aperson sitting in the lotus position. The base in brushedstainless steel has a return swivel.

The pared down design of Intertime’s Aurea hides itsfunctionality. For example, its feature cushion can be setupright when reading and it has a swivel-out shelf. The sofaback can be turned 90° creating a chaise longue.

Joine Office for Design’s Single Sofa incorporates a kink in theseating, as designer Maarten Baptist explains: ‘If you payattention to how people use objects, you’ll notice that most


people don’t actually sit on a sofa: more often they sprawl,lounge or curl up in a corner. That’s why those huge cornerunits are so popular. But you need a lot of room for one ofthose. The Single Sofa is the answer.’

An ultra-light frame and the subtly inward-pointing sides ofLeolux’s Spring ensures it a place even in minimalist rooms,while an integrated handle on the back allows it to be easilymoved.

Garden swing seats are the inspiration for Ligne Roset’sRuche. The differing heights of the quilted upholstery and itsbeech frame and legs create a harmonious interplay ofstringent straight lines and soft curves.

Rolf Benz’s modular leather Amo has voluminous, softcushions. Its thick leather accentuates the seam details and isavailable in two seat heights with matching armchair andupholstered bench. The back is also available in fabric.

UPHOLSTERY

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UPHOLSTERY

Opposite page

Top: Die Collection’sDormettCentre left: Ligne Roset’sRucheRight: GlobeZero4’s LotusBottom: Rolf Benz’s Amo

This page

Above: COR’s JalisLeft: Joine Office forDesign’s Single SofaBelow: Intertime’s Aurea

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UPHOLSTERY


Enduring stylesAn extended design team allows Boas to offer almost 100 designs

Since its foundation in 1995, BoasFurniture Company has expanded itsproduction capacity and now has a538,000sqft facility in Shenzhen, southeast China.

The complex houses its timber plantand foam, leather, sewing and assemblyworkshops and is capable of producing320 40ft containers of upholstery amonth. This is a major increase incapacity compared with its previous322,000sqft facility which could produce120 40ft containers each month.

Boas is enjoying export success, sellingto the UK, Republic of Ireland, Italy,Spain, France and Germany, amongothers.

It has increased its design capabilityand now employs a dozen experienceddesigners.

‘Our unique design style and bold andunprecedented conception enjoys agreat reputation among our customers,’says a Boas spokesman. ‘Interpretingclassics in a modern way is one of our

strengths. One look at designs revealsthe sure sense of style which combinestimeless forms, modern elements andcolours.’

The company has an extensive productoffer of more than 90 designs, includingsofas, armchairs, corner units, sofabeds,recliners with the option of a rockingmotion and home cinema.

‘In addition to offering qualityproducts at competitive prices, we alsoadhere to that old fashioned conceptcalled customer service,’ adds thespokesman. ‘We stick to only using topquality leather and components andexcellent service, as it is the bestguarantee for stable business and goodfeedback from stockists and consumers.’

Boas offers more than 90 designs

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REVIEW


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Furniture central

For retailers seeking

something different, and

commercial, Manchester

was the place to be

Buoyant introduced several models including the Monzacompact corner unit in fabric/faux leather mix; the compactcontemporary Eden sofa combining grey and black withchrome feet; Monique a cuddlier sofa and chair with a choice ofcushions or fabrics; Temba sofa with ribbed fabric in mushroomtones and new fabrics for its sofabed models.

Morris Furniture Group once again used the show to add toits brands. G Plan introduced Matisse and Gainsborough to itsNew Classics collection, with both ranges featuring more

detailing than previous ranges. Heritage was introduced intothe bedroom.

Morris updated its Avenue bedroom collection andintroduced the Lakeland living and dining range with bow frontincluding two extending tables and three-drawer console table.

Zone launched Jazz with American walnut strip detailing,following its bestselling Cava and City dining range in a darkoak finish. From Relaxateeze was the Nina split-back sofabed,Anna and Sara single-back sofabeds and four new fabric ��

Above: Buoyant’sEden has chrome feetRight: Zone’s Jazzliving and diningrange

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REVIEW


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Right: G Plan’sGainsboroughBelow: Daneway’sJerseyBelow right: Komfi’sSleepluxe pocketmattress range

options to its four bestselling chairs and recliners. It alsointroduced the Valentino action recliner and the Colonialcollection of three club chairs in antique leather finish.

Originals UK added the Talin living and dining collection in anarts and craft style; the Neon high black gloss dining range;Hudson a compact living and dining range and Xanadu acontemporary living and dining collection in German oak withjumbo cord fabrics.

Mountrose displayed its Toulouse painted dining, kitchen and bedroom furniture collections which includes

a kitchen island unit and telephone table.Lebus showed several fabric/faux leather upholstery mixes

alongside Dixie, a large chesterfield style microfibre/fabric mixand Becky, a curved design.

AMX Design unveiled details of increasing its UK stock toallow for more models on 14-day delivery.

Helvetia, now part of IMS, made its show debut with itsflatpack foil bedroom and living and dining collection.Manufacturing in Poland for the past 20 years, Helvetia will fulfilorders from UK stock offering 14-day delivery.

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Ad

vertising feature: Furniture O

rigins


CONTACT DETAILS:

Office and showroom address:

6b Parc Nantgarw, Heol Y Gamlas, Treforest Ind Estate,

Treforest, Cardiff CF15 7QT;

T: 0845 223 4900

Barry Webb, sales director:

E: [email protected]; M: 07702 603971

Andrew Cavaciuti, Furniture Origins sales agent for South

West and Wales: E:[email protected];

M: 07500 830888

Mike Brown, Furniture Origins sales agent for Scotland/

Cumbria/North East & Yorkshire, England & Scotland:


McNally & Finlay: Contact Dermot McNally – Ireland:

E: [email protected]; T: 00353 47 81366/81360

Teresa Reaney, head of sales & marketing:

E: [email protected]; or


Alan Endersbee, area sales manager Midlands/North

West/East Anglia/Kent/Essex & Greater London:


The Manchester Furniture Show was a huge success for Furniture

Origins UK, with its collections of white painted ‘warm’ oak for dining

and bedroom ensuring everyone was busy with constant visitors to the

stand. The oak Loire range, a sister product to the Versaille range

launched so successfully at Interiors in January, was a firm favourite with

visitors. Sales for this launch prove that once again Furniture Origins has

manufactured a product that is in keeping with trends and retailers’

expectations. It was without doubt the show stopper, and sales far out-

weighed expectations.

Savanah, the white painted range, came a close second with the

launch of the dining collection. It is still a firm favourite with retailers

across the country and the dining collection is a natural progression for

this range.

The upholstery launch at Manchester received positive feedback with

retailers ordering containers of stock that will arrive in October. All prod-

ucts are designed and manufactured by its unique design team and are

exclusive to the Furniture Origins brand name.

At the show four products were launched and the extensive collec-

tion is available to view by appointment at Furniture Origins’ state of the

art showroom in South Wales.

Appointments can be made to visit with any of the contact details

Meeting high expectations

listed below or by contacting the sales office on 0845 223 4900.

Following the launch of the glassware division, e1 Origins, in January,

it was sold into many more retailers. All glassware ranges can be viewed

in the showroom.

‘I’m delighted with the excellent sales and feedback of all of the

ranges that were launched at both Manchester and Interiors in January,

thus proving again that Furniture Origins is constantly able to design,

manufacture and deliver quality product at affordable pricing and

meet our customers high expectations,’ says Steve Egan, Furniture

Origins md.

‘More product launches are expected over the next couple of

months. The future as expected looks good... as the second half of the

year combined with the better selling season and pre-VAT increase will

only help with sales for both us and our retailers.’

The Dongguan showroom will be welcoming visitors and retailers

who are already booking in advance to view our extensive ranges dur-

ing the first two weeks of September. Barry Webb, the new Furniture

Origins UK sales director will be on site during this time to greet all UK

customers. For further information on this please contact either him

direct on: 07702 603971 or 0845 223 4900 to book an appointment.

Savanah

Loire

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Komfi introduced the three-strong Sleepluxe range of foamand pocket sprung encapsulated mattresses, with a choice ofcovers including wool and latex models. Komfi Kids is a range of mattresses for the children’s market while Sleepsmart has anew cover.

Furniture Origins debuted four leather upholstery modelsand will add eight more in October. It expanded the whitepainted Savannah bedroom collection, introduced the 100% white Nordic bedroom range, the Loire oak diningcollection and the ash Colonial dining collection, while

unveiling a semi-aniline dining chair with lumbar support.Daneway increased its offer of contemporary recliners while

G&P Furniture introduced its Lyon oak range.Quitman revamped its Quitman for Kids range with a

collection by professional children’s furniture designer andretailer Madeleine Hay. New to its Expoline brand is thePaulownia Chinese sustainably grown hardwood, while Paris is aFrench style collection and Toledo features Spanish influences.

Old Charm introduced drop leaf and expanding dining tables with new upholstered chairs. Occasional furniture ��

REVIEW

Above: Pinetum’s Florence now has a choice of handlesBelow right: Corndell’s Pure home office rangeBelow left: G&P Furniture’s Lincoln was a bestseller

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was added to the Cotswold and Verve collections.Jitona made its UK debut with three flatpack veneer bedroom

ranges designed for the UK market that it will sell from the UK.From Paulus & Brown was the Edinburgh chesterfield and

modular Chester with a choice of seat depths and fixed-lookremovable covers.

Aristarchus pitched for the upper end of the market with itsArmoire solid and veneer American white oak bedroomcollection, including two, three and four-door wardrobes.

Customers can create their own bed from TCS’s Onit Bed

Collection, choosing from six toppers, pocket sprung units of1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 springs, three divans and three distinctbed units.

Pinetum showed its Pantone dining collection in Springtimegreen finish while adding the option of metal door knobs toFlorence and Pantone ranges, creating a more contemporaryand fashionable look to the more traditional versions.

Ruddiman’s Newland uses American white oak with a hand-finished glaze, solid tops, legs and skirts and dovetail jointdrawer boxes.

Above: Aristarchus’sArmoire Right: Ruddimann’sNewlandBelow: Atlantic Homesmade its show debutwith its US inspiredcollection

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Seconique introduced a host of products at the show,alongside its new 150 page brochure featuring roomsets for thefirst time. The Charisma bedroom, dining and occasional rangeis available in a white and black gloss finish, includes two andthree-door and slider wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedsidetables, bedstead sideboard, TV unit and circular tables. The PUSonya sofabed and the Brandon bistro set attracted attentionwhile the Provencale bedroom range comes in a CountryCream/Antique finish. The Hollywood bedroom, living andoccasional ranges combines walnut and black gloss.

Above: Hollywood Top: ProvencalebedroomLeft: Brandon bistrosetBelow: Charismabedroom

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Material worldWhen it comes to defining the fabric colours ofthe coming seasons, Proposte, now in its 18thedition, remains a trend-setting exhibition. Thisyear’s show saw a trend towards natural colours, acoherent range of shades inspired by the naturalworld.

Light tones start with white and then throughto creams and beiges and continuing down to thedarker and warmer hues of chestnut browns, thecolours of tree bark and undergrowth. There wasno lack of green, appearing mostly in light pasteltones, and then almost every shade of blue, fromsky blue through to the darkest sea blue. Pink-fuchsia-cyclamen appeared frequently, both as abackground colour and in various decorativemotifs. Greys were also in force, as well as black.

This year’s show was at one with nature as far as colours were concerned


Clockwise from top right: Aznar Textil’s Eclipse curtainfabric in linen and polyester coupé jacquard; Limonta’sAcquasoft has seen solvent use cut by 60%; Mariosirtori’sSelena 1 is compact, durable and medium weight 100%Trevira CS velvet with a lace effect obtained by the mostadvanced laser techniques that also make the fabric muchricher and lighter

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Clockwise from top left: Texital’s Alloro is a jacquard fabricmade in cotton, linen and viscose yarns; Fiorete’s curtainfabric in devoré made in polyamide and viscose has a silkyhand and a glossy and loose look, but very natural;Raymakers’ velvet is in 100% organic cotton from pesticidefree plantations. Available in 35 colours and a 140cm width,it is suitable for home decoration, curtains, and upholstery;Pozzi Aarturo’s Jumeirah has been developed for theoutdoor market offering colour fastness and light resistance.The range includes patterned, plain and stripes in freshtones; Texao’s Domus collection offers a play of lights andcolours due to glossy and matt yarns that are mostly naturallinen and viscose

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PROTECTION


Stain protection gives consumers reassurance and retailers profits

Capitalising on the misfortunes of others,be it spilling, scratching, burning orbreaking valuables, seems a ratherhardened occupation. But that, of course,depends on your definition of‘misfortune’.

The misfortunes of others, call it badluck, has allowed Staingard to grow,develop and emerge as one of the UK’sleading and best-known furnitureprotection providers for retailers andtheir customers.

‘Staingard has achieved this status byoffering a simple, desirable product at an affordable price, with realisablebenefits to customers and substantialprofits to the retailer,’ says Paul Aiston,Staingard director.

‘What other product in the averagefurniture store delivers a healthy grossmargin, requires minute stock-holding,virtually no floorspace, offers customersfive years’ peace of mind, and doesexactly what it says on the proverbialtin?,’ he asks.

Reassured customers can enjoy apolicy that’s backed by one of the UK’sleading insurance underwriters, UKUFortis. A fast, efficient and effective

service resolves claims with the level ofcare and professionalism that reflectswell on the original retailer as well as theStaingard brand itself.

But Aiston points out that Staingard isnot just a safety-net solution forcustomers. It’s an opportunity forretailers to enjoy extra sales and profitsfrom a product requiring minimal space,very little expertise and low investment.

‘Staingard’s ongoing business andbrand development strategy addressesthe losses in retail profit potential bycompanies missing out on Staingard’s

valuable add-on sales opportunities. Wehave made extensive improvements byrestructuring administrative proceduresand processes, enhancing accountmanagement, introducing onlineregistration, and offering comprehensiveretail training to make selling easy.

‘Premium after-sales service plus a newbespoke, flexible pricing package thatoffers realistically priced cover relative toticket prices, have also made Staingardeasy to sell, more profitable, andprovides customers with exactly whatthey want,’ says Aiston.

Don’t worry –you’re all covered

Staingardbenefitsretailers andtheircustomers

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TREND WATCH


Despite the seriousness, there weremore playful elements evident at theevent in contrast to the lingering effectsof the recession.

Kate Usher brought some humour tothe show with her Mr Meerkat andsweetshop inspired kids wallpaper in theOne Year On area, where 17 of last year’sgraduates were invited to show theirrecent work. Bringing colour and pattern

was Sarah-Jayne Guest whose eye-popping textile design range attractedthe attention of Selfridges and Elle.

Saving space was also high on theagenda, as designers battled with themodern problems of multi-generationalhabitats and redefining personal space incommunal areas. Products that foldedaway, were multi-functional and allowedusers personal space in increasingly

Trend Bible looks at the next

generation of design

This year’s design graduates enter thejobs market at a very difficult time butthe standard of work was so high at lastmonth’s New Designers show, I doubtthese students have anything to worryabout. Some will be snapped up by thebest home interior and furniture brandsas upcoming talent, others will shine asdesigners in their own right.

As a trend forecaster, it’s enlighteningto cover the shows and see the bigpicture themes starting to emerge. Thekey story this year was that designersaddressed function, not decoration,responding to a wider social and culturaltrend for simplicity and honesty indesign (and in finances, food andtechnology). Designers quite literally laidbare their materials, showing us the nutsand bolts of construction and celebratedthe art of manufacture, as shown byRosemary Anrude’s screw design.

A trend for glueless manufacturing isstarting to emerge, such as Jess Jones’folded punched sheet metal side tablesthat allow for user interaction andeliminate the need for traditionalflatpack construction methods.

Mixing different materials was also akey trend; such as leather with wood fortables and combining different types ofwood within a single piece.

Fun withfunction

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TREND WATCH


cramped homes, featured heavily. Furniture designer-maker, Eiry Rock

took inspiration from the growing kids’furniture market, and showed space-saving kids’ furniture with an adultdesign aesthetic.

Fotis Evans also produced aningenious folding bookshelf/table hybrid.

Craft was a big talking point at theshow, with designers blurring theboundaries of craft, manufacture anddesign. Chunky, knitted, felted wool wascrafted into rugs and upholstery,merging textiles and furniture.

Sustainability was the big messagecoming through from this year’sgraduates, with clever concepts from thesimple self-watering growing containersby Jack Seal at Falmouth University, tothe highly developed algae producingappliance/occasional table by JamesShaw, designed to respond to the futurefood crisis.

It is clear these designers areresponding and adapting their designsto fit with future needs without ignoringthe all important aesthetics.Joanna Feeley is Trend Bible founder

and creative director

www.trendbible.wordpress.com

New Designers awards, page 118

Far left, top:

Sarah-JayneGuest’s workattracted theattention ofSelfridges and Elle

Far left: FotisEvans’ SomersetHouse book stallsystem

Above: RosemaryAnrude’s screwdesign

Left: Kate Usher’sOh Sweetiewallpaper

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For retailers searching for

accessories, Olympia is the place

to be in the autumn

More than 700 accessory suppliers will form the TopDrawer exhibition at Olympia, London from 12-14September. Some 100 dedicated homeware companieswill be taking part, covering interior accessories,bathroom and bedroom accessories, soft furnishingsand textiles, furniture, lighting, kitchenware, frames,pictures, prints, garden and outdoor living tabletop andglassware and ceramics.

Among the exhibitors will be Skandium, Ritzenhoff,Stelton, Bribe, Grand Illusions, House Doctor, Greengate,Pip Studios, Northlight Design, L-Living, Terrace &Garden, Jan Constantine, Linum, Barbara Coupe, CakeDesign, Bronte Tweeds, Dupenny, La La Luna,Chairworks and Who Found Otto.

Finishingtouches

PREVIEW

Clockwise from top

left: White BrandAgency’s Modi;Blomus’ Pure Tastedining; Bob Crooks’First Glass vases; JanConstantine’s tapestrykits; Linum’s cushions;PIP Studios’ ChineseRose bedlinen

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florprotec®

Relay Park, Relay Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire. B77 5PR.

T: 01827 831 440 F: 01827 831 441E: [email protected] W: www.floorprotection.co.uk

florprotec®Quality Temporary Floor Protection

Florprotec® is a leading supplier of temporary floor protection products for usein the construction industry, interior fit-out trades, ship building andrefurbishment markets. In addition to floor protection products Florprotec® alsoprovide specialist protection methods for vertical surfaces such as doors,mirrors, glass, high class joinery and lift interiors to name a few. Florprotec® is amajor supplier of quality floor protection products in the UK, operating from amodern, dedicated office and warehouse premises in the Midlands.

Whatever your requirement for temporary protection Florprotec® will have a product tosuit. Florprotec® strive to provide a world class customer service along with top qualityproducts at keen prices.

Why use temporary protection?Fast track build programmes and delay penalties now see floors and finishes installedat an earlier stage within the build programme. This means finishes are exposed tofollowing trades leaving the potential for damage. Any repair or cleaning can provecostly and time consuming and can result in a delay in hand over of the premises.Florprotec® products allow for finishes to be installed, then protected, meaning the sitecan progress as planned.

What materials to use on site?By asking yourself the following questions Florprotec® can provide a suitable productfor use on your site.What finish requires protection?What traffic on site will the protection be exposed to?How long will protection be on site for?Does the protection need to be flame retardant?

FOR TEMPORARY FLOOR PROTECTIONContact florprotec next day delivery order line:

01827 831440

Going Green in 2010Florprotec have recently developed a greener option for site protection.Florprotec have recently launched a new range of T-Bord. T-Bord is a twin wall board,which offers impact protection to smooth finishes. Enviro-Bord is a recycled version ofour most popular product, T-Bord. Manufactured from 95% recycled pellet offers agreener solution for site protection.The production of corrugated plastic sheet by its very nature produces waste material,often referred to as “post industrial waste”.Using recycled protection materials such as Enviro-Bord contributes to reducing theconsumption of prime resins normally used in the manufacture of this type of product,which of course are a by-product of oil, a finite resource.Enviro-Bord Flame Retardant sheet is manufactured from over 95% of post industrialwaste and at the end of its useful life can be recycled into a myriad of differentproducts by specialist reprocessors.Enviro-Bord has full LPS1207 accreditation complying to the flame retardant standardsfor construction sites.

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More than 3,000 design graduates showed off their skills at theNew Designers exhibition, vying for the event’s top awards.

Tortie Hoare, a Furniture, Design and Craftsmanship BAgraduate at Bucks New University won the main prize, theBusiness Design Centre New Designer of the Year, for herleatherwork furniture.

The judges celebrated her ‘innovation, personal passion andan incredible sensitivity to materials which has reinvented a lostprocess from medieval times to produce an outstandingcollection of contemporary furniture.’

Now, instead of trying to find a job, she has decided topursue her leatherwork and see where it takes her. She will bespending some of her £2,000 prize money on leather for a newcollection.

’I have never had a reaction like this,’ she says. ‘I have beenshocked by the interest. With all of my furniture I have used theprocess of forming leather to dictate the piece. It was not until Icame across the French medieval process of boiled leather that Icould create solid, strong forms in an eco-friendly way.’

As well as the money, she wins £1,000 worth of legal advicefrom intellectual property lawyer Briffa, £2,000 of accounting

Classof 2010The best of graduate design was on show

at London’s Business Design Centre

Tortie Hoare (below) won the BusinessDesign Centre New Designer of the Yearwith her leatherwork collection (left)

Right: MorvenStrachan’s use ofcolour impressed thejudges

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and taxation advice from Rhodes & Rhodes and £500 of PR andmarketing advice from Articulate Communication.

Anna Jensen, a Bath Spa University, BA Textile Design forFashion and Interiors graduate, won the New DesignersHarlequin Award, winning £1,000 and a six-week paid workplacement.

The judges felt that ‘colour and pattern is very on trend; wefeel this collection drives print forward.’

Jensen had intended to do a PGCE to be a secondary schoolteacher specialising in textile design, but will reassess her futureplans as a result of the win and enjoy gaining experience withHarlequin. At Bath Spa University, she won the Minerva Awardfor best degree show exhibition.

‘It’s such an achievement, especially when surrounded bysuch amazing work from all over the country,’ says Jensen.

The New Designers Graham & Brown Award was won byCharlotte Williams, De Montfort University BA Textiles Design –Printed Textiles graduate, who won £1,500.

‘We love Charlotte’s Wonderland theme,’ said the judges. ‘Herdigital prints have a wonderful, hand-drawn, screen-printedfeel. We like the pattern-filled areas, mini-prints and geometric

coordinates to the main poppydesign.’

‘This has made me moreambitious and more confidentknowing my work has beenrecognised,’ she says. ‘It is anincredible opportunity to work with Graham & Brown in-housewith their other designers.’

The New Designers Christy Carpets Associate Prize was wonby Morven Strachan, Glasgow School of Art BA Textile Designgraduate.

The judges were particularly impressed with her colour work.‘Morven’s work encompasses all of the basic principles ofdesign, demonstrating creativity and innovation in the surfacepattern, either through the use of texture or design.’

‘I want to get my name out there – set up a website, look forfreelance work and build on opportunities to expand mycollection and develop my skills,’ says Morven. ‘I feel like I’mwalking on air – it feels so good to have other peopleappreciate your efforts.’ She has been accepted for an MAcourse at Glasgow School of Art.

Above: Charlotte Williams’Wonderland theme

Left : Anna Jensen’s winningcollection

Right: Morven Strachan

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Difficult

Medium

Easy

ACROSS 1 Thunder unit5 Pious platitudes9 Hot time in Paris12 Baltic capital13 Give merit15 Winglike parts16 Poems, often used to praisesomeone or something17 Executive of a municipality18 Child’s toy19 Pirate21 Ins and outs23 If not24 Droop, sink25 Inflammatory elevation of the skin28 The x-coordinate of a point33 Pisa place34 Exposed35 Elevator man36 Aliens, for short37 Holy war38 As a female, you could be queenor worker39 Nothing, in Nice41 Mideast gulf42 ___ de Leon44 Whipped severely46 Directing head47 Implore48 Thick fabric49 Climbing rose53 Put into a list or an inventory57 River that divides Europe from Asia58 Travels on60 Islamic chieftain61 Bog62 Juvenescent63 Word that can precede war, bioticand climax64 Touch lightly65 Commotion66 Cut of meat

DOWN 1 Alligator’s kin2 Italian resort3 Teen follower4 Dance solo5 Loose shirt6 Conscious7 Negative vote8 Stepped9 ‘The Time Machine’ race10 Lofty11 Slippery swimmers14 Clad15 Slowly, musically20 Not Axis22 Tic ___ Dough25 Wharves26 Top story27 Stroll28 Oohed and ___29 Muffin choice30 Rise to one’s feet31 From that time32 Fall bloomer34 Remain37 Coarse, dark sugar40 Small lump42 Football legend43 Breakfast choice45 Family reunion attendee (abbv)46 Releases48 Demon49 Hind part50 Melody51 Trading centre52 Civil disturbance54 ___ expert, but...55 Tubular pasta in short pieces56 The Emerald Isle59 Pair

SUDOKO CROSSWORD

Answers can be found on p122

ENTERTAINMENT


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FINAL POLISH


Reaching the peakFundraising for the Furnishing IndustryTrust is set to scale new heights, with acharity team tackling the Three Peakschallenge on 12 September.

Prima Foam colleagues Andy Corbettand Shaun Rumball, Multiyork’s ChrisRobson and FIT chief executive CharlesKerrigan, will climb Ben Nevis, ScafellPike and Snowdon in the space of 24 hours in a bid to raise £5,000. Thechallenge involves 26 miles of ascent and descent, with total travel of about475 miles.

‘The three peaks is a first for us butcould well become the start of an annualchallenge for those who enjoy outdoorendurance activities,’ says Kerrigan.

‘We’ve been training hard since Marchand personally I’ve never been fitter and

Championship beds:Sporting memorabiliafans need to makesome room in theircollections. Sealy is toproduce a range ofClarets SealyPosturepedic Bedswith a claret and blue trim after signinga sponsorship dealwith theChampionship clubBurnley, which willsee the bed firm’slogo on the shorts ofplayers such as Ross Wallace, DeanMarney and ChrisIwelumo, picturedwith Steve Freeman,Sealy md.

Entertainment answers

Easy DifficultMedium

Top salesman: Steve Hargreaves, AxminsterCarpets sales manager for the North East ofEngland, Borders, Lancashire and Dumfriescollects the firm’s Salesman of the Year awardfrom Steve Upperton, sales director after just20 months in the role.

more up for the challenge,’ says Corbett. If you’d like to sponsor the team or

actually join them in the challenge, tel: 01234 213 121.

If mountain climbing isn’t your thing,16 September sees the 70th FIT NationalGolf Championship at The Belfry. Thereare 15 prizes up for grabs and places cost£150 including the prize-giving dinner.Tickets for the dinner only cost £40.Entries are limited to 72 players and will be allocated on a first come basis. Tel: 020 7256 5954.

Manufacturers scoreWe’re not sure if it’s because they havemore time to play or they are just betterplayers, but the manufacturers’ teaminflicted a crushing defeat on theretailers at the Metro buying group’sannual golf day.

To prevent embarrassment we won’tpublish the scores, but the retailerswould have needed at least anotherthree players to have had any chance ofvictory. Time to bring back early closingWednesdays for a bit more practice?

Pink PinetumPinetum staff, stockists and suppliersraised £1,229 for Cancer Research UK’sRace for Life, including paying £1 to wearpink at work or £3 not to.

‘It was really great to see everyonegetting involved with the day, there wasa great buzz both in the office and thefactory,’ says Laura Varley, whocoordinated events.

Shaun Rumball and Andy Corbett training onSnowdon

122FP_IMaug.qxp 29/7/10 18:37

Tel: 01827 831430 Fax: 01827 831431

www.georgiancarpetsuk.co.uk

For more details visit us onStand A1 at the HarrogateFlooring Show.

Crystal Stripesin 8 striking colour combinations

INNER_IM_0810 28/7/10 16:18 Page 1

CAB INETS

24, Rosyth Road, Glasgow, G5 0YD: www.gplancabinets.co.uk

INTRODUCING NEW CLASSICCOLLECTIONS FROM G PLAN

Following a fantastic response to the NEW Matisse classic collection we

now launch the Gainsborough collection, in the warm hues of mahogany.

This stunning collection continues the launch of the G Plan Classic Collections

created from the styles of yesterday for today.

To become a G Plan Gainsborough stockist contact your sales representa-

tive or contact sales on 0141 300 7300.

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interiors monthly august 2010

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