Floors Magazine

Floors magazine and Floorinsite.com - delivering daily news on products, design and innovation. Covering every corner of the flooring industry for Contractors, Retailers and Specifiers - Visit today!

[floorinsite]

Flooring Preferred Supplier

Scope

Reference

PRO2526-08

Description

Inspire Education Group are currently out to tender for the provision of Flooring.

Suppliers that would like to take part in this tender process are invited to “Express Interest” upon which they will be given access to the full tender documentation delivery through this e-tendering system. When the tender documents have been made available involved suppliers will receive notification via email and the tender documents can be accessed from the “My Tenders” area of this website and selecting the “View Details” button of this project. Please allow sufficient time to make your return as late returns will not be permitted.

Any questions relating to this tender should be made via correspondence on the website and can be addressed to the main contact as shown in the details above.

Total value (estimated)

£0 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

13 July 2026 to 12 July 2029

Possible extension to 12 July 2031

5 years

Description of possible extension:

With an option to extend for a further period or periods up to a total of two years in one-year increments

Main procurement category

Works

CPV classifications

45430000 – Floor and wall covering work

SubmissionSubmission

Tender submission deadline

16 June 2026, 11:59pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/inspireeducationgroup/aspx/Home

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

13 July 2026

Award criteriaAward criteria

NameTypeWeightingCustomer RequirementsQuality70%PricePrice30%

Other informationOther information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

ProcedureProcedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Contracting authorityContracting authority

Inspire Education Group

UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10005077

Park Crescent

Peterborough

PE1 4DZ

United Kingdom

Contact name: Natalie Shipp

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.ieg.ac.uk

Region: UKH11 – Peterborough

Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)

Source: Contracts Finder licensed under the Open Government Licence v.1.0.

[floorinsite]

Supply and Installation of Carpets and Vinyl Flooring

Scope

Reference

DN814167

Description

Supply and Installation of Carpets and Vinyl Flooring within the West Lancashire Borough Council

Total value (estimated)

£600,000 excluding VAT

£720,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029

Possible extension to 31 July 2031

5 years

Description of possible extension:

There is 1 x 24 month extension available

Main procurement category

Goods

CPV classifications

44100000 – Construction materials and associated items

45432000 – Floor-laying and covering, wall-covering and wall-papering work

Contract locations

UK – United Kingdom

ParticipationParticipation

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation

Within the tender documents

Technical ability conditions of participation

Within the tender documents

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

SubmissionSubmission

Enquiry deadline

25 June 2026, 4:00pm

Tender submission deadline

1 July 2026, 4:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b676adae-bd3f-f111-813c-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

20 July 2026

Award criteriaAward criteria

NameDescriptionTypeWeightingPrice50% of weighting is on pricePrice50.00%Method statement / quality50% weighting is on quality / method statementQuality50.00%

Other informationOther information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

ProcedureProcedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice

The Council have a long standing service we have provided successfully therefore deemed it unnecessary for any additional market engagement as we know are requirements and what is working well doe us.

Contracting authorityContracting authority

West Lancashire Borough Council

Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGNW-2815-DRQZ

52 Derby Street

Ormskirk

L39 2SA

United Kingdom

Contact name: Debbie Ramsden

Telephone: +44 1695

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.westlancs.gov.uk/

Region: UKD47 – Chorley and West Lancashire

Organisation type: Public authority – sub-central government

Source: Contracts Finder licensed under the Open Government Licence v.1.0.

[floorinsite]

Refurbishment to Tamworth Road, Long Eaton

Scope

Reference

33.124 (A)

Description

Reside With Progress (RWP) are seeking an experienced Contractor to complete refurbishment works on one of their properties 253 Tamworth Road, Long Eaton. RWP intend to source a compliant Contractor to take on the adaptation and refurbishment works to the existing domestic property. The Contractor will need to be fully compliant with all Health and Safety regulations and any other industry requirements. In summary, the works include the following: 

• Associated plumbing and M&E services alteration. 

• Alterations to floorplan layout. 

• Associated decoration and new floor finishes throughout the property. 

• General building works. 

• Demolition of garage. 

• Associated external works. 

Bidders should refer to the Specification for further details of Progress Housing Group’s requirements and the Services that the successful Bidder will be required to provide under the Contract. All contractors MUST visit site prior to submitting a tender. 

Please register your interest to visit by emailing [email protected]. An opening date will be posted on the portal in due course. Only this date and time will be made available for internal inspection. It is an open house and no appointment is necessary. Failure to visit site and report in with RWP will result in your tender being invalid. 

The anticipated Contract is a one – off project, the estimated contract duration will be for a period of 20 weeks starting approximately 17/08/26 and completed by 08/01/27 (subject to the rights of termination contained in the Contract). 

Tender documents to be reviewed and submitted via www.procontract.due-north.com

Total value (estimated)

£270,000 excluding VAT

£323,999.99 including VAT

Below the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

17 August 2026 to 8 January 2027

4 months, 23 days

Main procurement category

Works

CPV classifications

45453100 – Refurbishment work

ParticipationParticipation

Conditions of participation

Bidders to review and complete the tender documentation via www.procontract.due-north.com

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

SubmissionSubmission

Enquiry deadline

29 June 2026, 2:00pm

Tender submission deadline

29 June 2026, 2:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Tender information and documents to be reviewed and submitted via www.procontract.due-north.com

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Award criteriaAward criteria

NameDescriptionType70% CostCost 70%Cost30% Technical & Quality30% Technical & QualityQuality

Weighting description

– 30% technical and quality;

– 70% cost.

ProcedureProcedure

Procedure type

Below threshold – open competition

Contracting authorityContracting authority

Progress Housing Group

Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGG-8412-VRPY

Sumner House

Leyland

PR25 2LW

United Kingdom

Contact name: Danni Evans

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.progressgroup.org.uk

Region: UKD45 – Mid Lancashire

Organisation type: Public authority – sub-central government

Source: Contracts Finder licensed under the Open Government Licence v.1.0.

[floorinsite]

Bjelin marks 10 years as Woodura production grows

Bjelin is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of growth, innovation and international expansion. In the last year, the company has experienced a 40% increase in Woodura flooring growth, confirming the company’s strategic direction and market demand for durable, resource‑efficient flooring solutions.

Since its launch in Sweden 2016, the company has expanded beyond its home market and established offices globally, building a strong international presence. Incorporating technologies developed by sister company Välinge Innovation – the inventor of click flooring – the company continues to build on a strong foundation of innovation and technical expertise.

In the last year, the company has restructured to focus on veneer and its more resource efficient Woodura products, strengthening the focus on the global commercial sector. “This strategic decision has proven right, as shown by the strong growth in Woodura production, and we will continue to build on this momentum,” says Bjelin’s CEO, Fredrik Alfredsson.

As Bjelin enters its next decade, the focus remains on scaling Woodura production while strengthening its global footprint and operational capabilities. “Veneer allows us to take control of our own development,” says Fredrik Alfredsson. “It enables better use of raw material, greater design freedom and stronger margins, while reducing our dependency on fluctuating log quality. That is where we see our long‑term growth.”

Woodura® technology, developed by Välinge Innovation, makes it possible to create hardened wood floors by compressing a thin veneer layer with a strong, moisture-resistant core. This approach maximises the yield from each tree while delivering floors with high durability and consistent quality.

With production in Sweden and Croatia and sales across multiple markets, Bjelin enters its second decade with a sharpened focus and a clear roadmap for continued growth.

Bjelin looks forward to sharing more news as the company grows its business. 

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Floorinsite Visits Flanders Flooring Days 2026

The Floorinsite team recently returned from a visit to the internationally recognised Flanders Flooring Days 2026, and once again, the event proved exactly why it has become one of the most important dates in the European flooring calendar.

Representing Floorinsite, the UK flooring media platform covering breaking news, product launches, business updates and industry insight, the visit provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with many of the leading manufacturers, suppliers and innovators helping shape the future of the flooring sector. 

Held across Kortrijk Xpo and a network of impressive showroom locations throughout Belgium, Flanders Flooring Days continues to grow year on year, bringing together more than 100 international flooring brands and visitors from over 75 countries. The event combines exhibitions, showroom experiences, networking and product innovation in a way that genuinely feels different to a traditional trade show. 

For the Floorinsite team, one of the highlights was the opportunity to spend valuable time catching up with many long-standing industry contacts, including Alternative Flooring, Unilin and the globally recognised Quick-Step brand, alongside COREtec, FN Neuhofer and many other leading names from across the flooring industry.

There was a clear feeling throughout the event that the flooring sector remains incredibly forward-thinking despite ongoing market challenges. Sustainability, circular manufacturing, innovation in LVT and laminate, smarter showroom experiences and improved customer engagement were all major talking points throughout the week. 

COREtec once again delivered a standout showroom experience, offering visitors an early look at upcoming collections and demonstrating how technology, display systems and merchandising continue to evolve within the luxury vinyl flooring market. 

Alongside the business side of the event, one of the biggest positives was the atmosphere itself. Flanders Flooring Days has quickly established itself as an event built around relationships, collaboration and genuine conversations. Unlike many larger exhibitions, the showroom format allows visitors to spend quality time with brands and manufacturers, creating a much more relaxed and productive environment.

David and Melanie from Floorinsite commented:

“It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and catch up with companies across the industry. The event continues to grow, and there was a real buzz around innovation, sustainability and new product development. Events like Flanders Flooring Days are hugely important for bringing the industry together and giving businesses the chance to properly connect.”

As one of the UK flooring industry’s leading digital media platforms, Floorinsite continues to support manufacturers, distributors, retailers and suppliers through daily industry news, digital marketing, PR and advertising opportunities across the flooring sector. 

For more information, visit Floorinsite

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Anniversary edition of Flanders Flooring Days unites the international flooring industry

Rich content, inspiring seminars and a strong sense of community at the fifth edition

From 18 to 21 May 2026, the international flooring sector gathered once again in and around Kortrijk for the fifth edition of Flanders Flooring Days. Against a challenging market backdrop for the construction and interior design sectors, the event proved more than ever to be an important meeting place for professionals in hard and soft flooring and interior finishes from 71 countries.

“Flanders Flooring Days is a high-quality networking event. It connects you directly with the right people,” reflects Lut Dolphen, Benelux sales manager at Barlinek. “Our expectations have been more than met.”

Over a hundred brands showcased their innovations on the exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo and in participating showrooms across the region. National and international visitors discovered new collections, materials and applications in a unique combination of exhibition experience and showroom visits. “Flanders Flooring Days is a fixture on our trade fair calendar,” says Bart Nietsch, international sales manager at RINOS. “We connect with international clients here that no other trade fair brings to the table.” Rene Verhoek, sales manager at Robusta, confirms: “Flanders Flooring Days attracts visitors who are focused and specifically looking for hard and soft flooring. This type of client makes the trade fair a real asset for us.”

Inspiration, knowledge sharing and circularity take centre stage

In addition to product innovation and networking, the programme was very well received. One of the programme highlights was Living Lab Carpet. During various sessions, visitors discovered how companies, researchers and partners are collaborating on the future of circular carpets and extending the service life of floor coverings. The seminar ‘Our brains love wood’ also attracted a great deal of interest. Katja De Vos (Fedustria) shared inspiring insights from neuroscientific research into the impact of material choices on well-being and the way interiors are perceived.

“Flanders Flooring Days demonstrates that, despite challenging times, our sector remains committed to innovation, collaboration and international connections,” say the organisers. “The high turnout and positive feedback confirm the strength of this unique concept.”

Werner Verweyen, managing director at Tapibel, agrees: “The major added value for us is that this event primarily attracts a highly professional audience. We came to present our innovations and test them against the market, and we achieved exactly that.”

[floorinsite]

Get Ready for Any Floor with floorwise FloorPly

FloorPly is the new Diamond Mark Certified flooring grade plywood from floorwise.

If you’re looking for a premium quality flooring grade plywood that’s fully compliant with BS 8203, you now have more options thanks to FloorPly from floorwise. Independently tested by TFT Woodexperts to achieve the prestigious Diamond Mark certification, FloorPly is ready to deliver a strong and stable substrate on which to install a wide range of floor coverings and is ideal for use with other products across the floorwise range such as our screeds and installation tools.

Made from responsibly sourced tropical hardwood, FloorPly is free from core gaps and overlaps and features a high-quality face veneer for a plywood that’s reliable every time it’s laid. What’s more, it’s available in three thicknesses and two plan sizes for a versatile solution that’s ready for residential and commercial installations alike.

Andrew Gill, product manager, floorwise, says, “We’re keen to ensure that every product we introduce is relevant, reliable, and supports our commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality solutions for flooring professionals. Introducing FloorPly, a product that complements our existing range and responded to fitter enquiries, was simply a natural progression.

“We worked with TFT Woodexperts to achieve the prestigious Diamond Mark for FloorPly so that installers can be sure they have a product that will provide consistent quality and excellent resistance to warping and movement for a solid substrate and the start of a fantastic floor.”

Fully compliant with the CFA Guidance Note on flooring grade plywood, FloorPly lets installers realise the unmistakable quality and value of floorwise in flooring-grade plywood for every job. FloorPly is now available from your local floorwise distributor. 

For further information on these and other great flooring products contact Floorwise on 01509 673974, visit www.floorwise.co.uk or email [email protected]

[floorinsite]

Anniversary edition of Flanders Flooring Days kicked off

The flooring industry is gathering in Kortrijk until 21 May Today in Kortrijk, the proverbial starting gun has been fired for Flanders Flooring Days. For the fifth time, everyone in the world of hard and soft flooring is gathering. As with every edition, there are a few new features too. For instance, the organisers are responding to the growing demand for complete solutions for interior finishing, and for the first time, all showroom participants will also be present on the exhibition floor.

From 18 to 21 May, Flanders will once again be the international hub for the flooring industry. With a rich history in textiles, Kortrijk is a fitting location for the trade fair for hard and soft flooring, textile floor coverings and finishing materials. “What started out as an initiative to showcase the innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit of our Belgian and international flooring manufacturers has, in just five years, developed into a unique platform where quality, craftsmanship and connection take centre stage,” explains Jan Dossche, CEO of COREtec and president of Flanders Flooring Days, with pride. “Every year the number of participating companies is growing, as do the international reach and the added value for both participants and visitors.”

All exhibitors on the floor

With over a hundred brands, Flanders Flooring Days is once again pulling out all the stops in 2026 with an impressive list of participants. As always, you can visit some of the industry’s pioneers in their own showrooms. This year there are eighteen of them, all within a 40-minute radius of the exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo. With the handy free shuttle service, of course. What’s new is that these partners will also be presenting a carefully selected part of their collection at their own stand at Kortrijk Xpo. So even those who haven’t managed to book a slot to visit the showroom will get a taste of what’s on offer on the exhibition floor.

Focus on knowledge

In addition to the participants’ inspiring and innovative collections, Flanders Flooring Days is once again hosting a seminar programme this year. A key focus will be Living Lab Carpet, an initiative that brings together the entire carpet value chain to address the challenge of end-of-life carpets. Lessons learned will be shared across various sessions, with a focus on circularity in practice. What is possible? Which processes and production methods will shape the future of the carpet industry? You’ll find out at Kortrijk Xpo.

More on materials, with the seminar ‘Our brains love wood’. Katja Devos examines the research conducted by Prof. Dr Steven Laureys and Dr Steven Scholte into the impact of material choices on human well-being, in collaboration with the neuroscience research institute Neurensics. This research shows that our brain reacts more strongly and positively to interiors where wood plays a prominent role. We look forward to seeing what insights you take away to help you design pleasant and sustainable living environments.

An exceptional event

“Flanders Flooring Days offers an exceptional opportunity to discover the latest trends and technologies in our sector, straight from the source,” concludes Jan Dossche. “This format is close to the heart of our companies: in their own showrooms, at their own pace, with space for genuine conversations and lasting relationships. This fifth edition confirms that our approach works, and that there is a bright future in a collaboration that connects and strengthens the flooring sector worldwide.”

Find the full list of participants, the programme and all practical information at www.flandersflooringdays.com.

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Grosvenor Flooring & Merchi.ai Named Finalist in the National AI Awards 2026

Independent flooring retailer recognised for end-to-end AI ecosystem driving 976% online revenue growth — with a single full-time employee

London, UK — 30 April 2026: Grosvenor Flooring, an independent Cheshire-based flooring retailer, and Merchi.ai, the AI technology partner behind the company’s transformation, today announce they have been named a finalist in the AI SME Business of the Year category at the National AI Awards 2026, with the winners being announced online on June 9th and the celebrations being hosted on June 10th at The AI Summit London, the UK’s premier gathering for AI professionals and innovators.

The joint entry, titled “Omnichannel AI Revolution: How Grosvenor Flooring & Merchi.ai Digitised Inventory, Automated Sales, and Launched the 24/7 Smart Showroom,” recognises a multimodal AI deployment spanning product cataloguing automation, generative AI imagery, AI-written SEO and AEO content, customer-facing visualisation tools, an automated sample-tracking system, a Gen AI WhatsApp sales assistant, and a 24/7 unstaffed Smart Showroom. Grosvenor Flooring is the only independent flooring retailer to be shortlisted in the category, alongside Available Car, Brdge and Entopy.

The National AI Awards recognise the individuals, teams and organisations driving meaningful progress in artificial intelligence across the UK, spanning innovation, leadership and real-world application. It’s also an event which brings together leaders from across business, technology and investment at a time when AI adoption is scaling rapidly across the UK.

Being named a finalist places Grosvenor Flooring & Merchi.ai among a select group of organisations recognised for delivering AI in live environments, where performance, accountability and measurable outcomes are under increasing scrutiny.

A “digital ceiling” broken by an end-to-end AI ecosystem

Before the initiative, Grosvenor Flooring faced what the team describe as the SME digital ceiling. The company had a backlog of more than 1,000 products invisible online, growth capped by physical showroom hours, and a website serving as a static brochure rather than an interactive sales tool. Working with Merchi.ai, the company built a holistic, multimodal AI strategy across three operational layers:

Layer 1: The digital shelf. AI agents replaced manual data entry, generating SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) optimised descriptions, titles and specifications for over 1,000 Amtico products at scale. Generative AI created unique lifestyle imagery for products previously displaying “Coming Soon” placeholders. AI-written copy and FAQ content was deployed across 150+ category pages, with optimised rich snippets sitewide. Automated synchronisation jobs push the optimised inventory to the Google Merchant Centre every morning.

Layer 2: The customer experience. A Gen AI room visualiser on every product page lets customers upload a photograph of their own room and preview flooring installed digitally in seconds. A Gen AI mood-board matcher within the Grosvenor+ trade and design programme converts an inspiration image into matched product suggestions across the company’s full range. An automated QR-code sample system prints stickers linking each sample directly back to its product detail page, removing friction from the path between handling a sample and placing the order.

Layer 3: Business model transformation. The company launched a 24/7 unstaffed Smart Showroom, an access-controlled physical store where customers request a single-use access code through the website and let themselves in via secure smart-lock outside conventional opening hours. Supporting it is a Gen AI WhatsApp sales assistant that handles customer enquiries round the clock. Together they expanded the customer service window from 45 hours per week to a full 168 — a 270% uplift in availability.

Headline outcomes

976% increase in online revenue year-on-year, contributing to a total revenue uplift of approximately 50%.

One full-time employee operates the entire business — the showroom, online fulfilment and customer service — with the AI ecosystem performing the work of digital marketing, data entry, content production and frontline sales teams combined.

Negligible increase in marketing spend: growth has been driven by the organic performance of AI-generated content rather than paid acquisition.

60x productivity gain in product cataloguing — from approximately 45 minutes per SKU to around 45 seconds per product.

270% expansion in customer service availability — from 45 hours per week to 168.

3-day build cycle for the Grosvenor+ trade and design platform, including loyalty tiers and project management tools, using AI code editor Cursor — described internally as the company’s “speed-to-innovation” capability.

Adam Williams, Founder of Grosvenor Flooring, said:

“We’re a small independent retailer in a category historically defined by Saturday-afternoon showroom visits. The reality is that most of our customers now buy online, and the technology has to meet them where they actually are. Building this AI ecosystem with Merchi was the most direct way we could find to scale the business without scaling the overhead. The numbers — 976% online revenue growth with no increase in headcount, a 1,000-product backlog cleared in a fraction of the time it would once have taken, the showroom open round the clock — aren’t the result of any single tool. They’re the result of treating AI as something that runs through the whole business, not just bolted onto a corner of it.”

Ross Williams of Merchi.ai said:

“Being named finalists at the National AI Awards alongside some of the UK’s biggest household names is a massive achievement, but for us, the real victory is seeing the ‘Grosvenor x Merchi’ model in action. Achieving a 976% revenue surge with a team of one isn’t just a business win; it’s a total reimagining of what an SME can be. We’ve moved beyond simple automation into true agentic commerce, and this nomination proves that agility and AI-first thinking can level the playing field against even the largest competitors.”

The collaboration is also a family one: Adam and Ross Williams are brothers — a partnership that allowed for an unusually direct iteration cycle between founder and AI specialist, and informed the depth of the integration recognised in the awards entry.

Fergus Bruce, CEO of The National AI Awards, said:

“We are pleased to recognise Grosvenor Flooring & Merchi.ai as a finalist in the National AI Awards 2026. The shortlist of finalists reflects the strength of work happening across the UK to move AI from ambition into practical impact. The diversity of entries and applications of AI have been fascinating and we expect this to only continue into 2027. This year’s finalists represent an impressively high standard of innovation, leadership and execution, and we look forward to announcing the winners and celebrating the overall achievements of the industry in June.”

For more information, visit thenationalaiawards.com.

[floorinsite]

Recofloor announces winners of its 2026 sustainability awards

Flooring recovery scheme celebrates the businesses and people turning waste vinyl flooring into a resource, as members collect 563 tonnes in 2025.

Bristol, UK | Immediate release – Recofloor has announced the winners of its 2026 Recofloor Awards, recognising flooring contractors, distributors and individuals who are helping the sector keep materials in use for longer, and build recycling into everyday practice

The awards, run by the UK-wide vinyl flooring take-back scheme founded by Altro and Polyflor, celebrate the ‘how’ as much as the ‘how much’: the routines that prevent contamination, efforts to keep teams aligned on sustainable action, and the small operational tweaks that make waste prevention feel normal rather than exceptional.

In 2025, Recofloor members collected 563 tonnes of material for recycling (a 6% increase on 2024), and the scheme also facilitated the movement of 21 tonnes for reuse. Together, these figures point to a shift already under way in the supply chain: circular approaches that bring down waste and, increasingly, strengthen bids and help flooring businesses to win work in a competitive market.

A Recofloor award is a great milestone: reflecting consistent effort over time and giving businesses a credible story to share with customers, project partners and their own teams.

This year, Recofloor received 15 entries across categories, with all entries judged by the Recofloor team alongside representatives from Altro and Polyflor. 

“We’re delighted with the brilliant entries we’ve received this year, which really demonstrate the depth of sustainability commitment across our members, and the sector at large” comments Carla Eslava, Recofloor Project Manager. 

2026 award winners

Contractor of the Year: Fineweave Carpets Ltd

Fineweave, led by Managing Director Lee Withers, has been named the 2026 Contractor of the Year. Having been a prolific collector since joining Recofloor in 2017, Fineweave has returned more than 80 tonnes overall and 17.76 tonnes in 2025. The firm, established in 1968, works across the new homes sector with a team of 44 specialist sub-contractors installing vinyl and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).

In its entry, Fineweave describes Recofloor as “a major focus in tenders”, noting that house builders scrutinise recycling initiatives and that “this can be the difference between winning or losing a contract”. Its practice of hands-on checking of material to maintain compliance, high installation standards and its wider efforts to recycle across its operations make it a worthy recipient of the award.

Distributor of the Year: Nutland Carpet Accessories Ltd (Chandlers Ford)

A family-run distributor and long-standing scheme member since 2009, Nutland has collected 139 tonnes to date, including 10.18 tonnes in 2025. The business frames its drop-off points as practical customer service: providing bins that save local contractors time, promoting the scheme through newsletters and social media, and monitoring containers daily to keep material dry and suitable for recycling.

Recofloor Champion: Ed Murison, Veitchi Flooring Ltd

Contracts Manager Ed Murison is recognised for driving engagement across Veitchi’s Aberdeen and Glasgow divisions, combining day-to-day controls (regular checks, locked bins and team education) with wider reuse initiatives. His efforts include donating surplus materials to community partners (including Gray’s School of Art) to keep usable materials in circulation before recycling.

Best Newcomer: Donnelly Watson Flooring Limited

Donnelly Watson has built a team-led approach to sustainable action: from staff induction and daily checks to clear internal communications. The business also points to customer-facing benefits, including promoting the partnership online and adding “your old flooring will be uplifted and recycled” to relevant quotations, reporting that customers are often impressed by the effort.

In addition to its sustainability efforts through Recofloor, Donnelly Watson is working with a local company to recycle its plastic, aluminium, steel and film waste, bringing its commercial waste down even further. 

Greatest Improver Awards

Recofloor also named the top three members with the biggest year-on-year increase in collection tonnages in 2025:

Hicks Flooring Ltd (1st place)

Meadee Flooring Ltd (2nd place)

Floorscope Ltd (3rd place)

A full list of award winners – including the members receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for hitting designated tonnage targets – will be published on the Recofloor website.

Visit recofloor.org for more information

[floorinsite]

Impervia Flooring: The Smart Choice for Reducing Slip Risk

Our first thought when choosing flooring is usually aesthetics, but safety is just as important. Slips and falls are among the most common causes of accidents, especially in areas where floors can get wet. Whether it is a busy café, a shop entrance on a rainy day, or even your kitchen at home, moisture can quickly turn a floor into a hazard.

Impervia flooring has been designed with performance and safety in mind as a practical solution for reducing slip risks.

Why is slip resistance important? Wet floors are part of everyday life. People walk in with wet shoes, drinks get knocked over, and cleaning routines leave surfaces damp. In commercial environments, these situations happen constantly, and the risk of slips is ever-present. This can lead to injuries, disruption and potential liability.

It can pose a serious risk at home as well, particularly to children, older adults and anyone with reduced mobility. Homeowners are also prioritising slip-resistant flooring to keep the family safe.

Built-in grip you can rely on Impervia flooring is designed with a unique textured surface that provides grip underfoot, helping to maintain traction, even when the floor is wet. So rather than feeling slick or slippery, the surface offers a more secure footing. It is a simple idea, but it makes a big difference in day-to-day use.

You have a floor that feels safer to walk on, whether you are dealing with spills, splashes or rainy weather being tracked indoors.

Tested for real-world safety It is easy for manufacturers to claim their flooring is slip-resistant, but Impervia backs up those claims with proper testing. It has been assessed using the BS 7976-2 pendulum test, a recognised UK standard for measuring slip resistance.

The results show that Impervia achieves a low slip potential in both dry and wet conditions, meeting the UK Slip Resistance Group’s guidelines.

In simple terms, it performs well where it matters most – the real world, where floors are not always dry!

Waterproof design adds another layer of protection Impervia flooring is also fully waterproof, which plays a big role in how it performs over time. Wood or traditional laminate floors can absorb moisture, leading to swelling, warping, or a more slippery surface. Impervia avoids these issues thanks to its rigid core construction.

Any splashes and spills on your Impervia floor stay on the surface, making them easier to clean up quickly and reducing the chance of lingering moisture creating a hazard. It also means the flooring keeps its shape and performance in areas where water is regularly present.

Suitable for a wide range of spaces Because of its safety features, Impervia flooring works well in many different environments. You will often see it used in:

● Restaurants and cafés where spills are common ● Retail spaces with constant foot traffic ● Healthcare settings where stability and hygiene are essential ● Residential developments, particularly in shared entrances and kitchens

In all of these settings, the ability to maintain grip in wet conditions is paramount. Impervia provides that consistency, helping to create safer spaces for everyone.

Long-lasting performance without extra maintenance Many slip-resistant floors have coatings that can wear away over time, becoming less effective.

Impervia’s slip-resistant properties are built into the surface, not applied as a temporary layer. It continues to perform well even in high-traffic areas, without the need for ongoing treatments.

For property owners and managers, this keeps maintenance simple without compromising safety as the floor ages.

Style and safety in one package We’re not just concerned with safety and performance – Impervia flooring is also designed to look good. It comes in a range of finishes that replicate natural wood and stone, making it easy to achieve a modern, high-end look.

You can have a floor that enhances the space visually while also making it safer to use.

Choosing Impervia

Impervia flooring offers a well-rounded solution for anyone concerned about slip risks in wet conditions. The textured surface, proven slip resistance, waterproof design and long-term durability are built to handle the challenges of everyday life.

For commercial spaces and homes alike, it provides peace of mind along with a stylish finish.

https://www.thesolidwoodflooringcompany.com/luxury-rigid-floors

[floorinsite]

The Art of Creating Joyful Space

This year, Alternative Flooring is championing joy in a big way. In a world that can feel a little flat and filtered, it’s no surprise that ‘joyspanning’ is set to take over our interiors. Turning up the volume with colour, character and texture underfoot, the British flooring brand is going bigger and bolder than ever before. 

Joyspanning is the art of layering feel-good design from the floor up. Not to be left as an afterthought, the right choice of flooring can completely change how a space looks and feels. Texture, tone and pattern instantly shift the mood and bring a sense of personality into every corner of the home.

From bold and beautiful candy stripe patterns to subtle statements of colour and unexpected accents, there’s plenty of joy to be found in Alternative Flooring’s collections. The best part is that there are no rules on how adventurous homeowners can make it. Pattern clash, layering or oversized, creating a home that is anything but ordinary, starts with the floor.

Elevated Nostalgia

Stripes are here to stay. Reimagined for modern living, the Wool Candy collection celebrates the joy of linear design with fresh colour combinations using 100% wool fibre. In playful shades of Floss, Apple, Toffee and Sorbet, offering rich tones of red, green, tan and mustard, Wool Candy stripes range from refined pencil lines in Cane, confident colour blocking with Lollipop and a fun fusion of the two in Pinwheel.

Adding a little fun and energy, stripes playfully dance across a room, offering movement and direction that instantly lifts an interior. Introduce them along the length of the room to elongate, or turn them sideways to make the space feel more expansive. Best of all, stripes complement a host of interior styles, so don’t be afraid to mix with bold block colours, cosy textures and contrasting patterns to create a layered look that feels vibrant and effortlessly put together.  

Changing Spaces

Inviting more joy into your home doesn’t mean completely changing every room. Instead, focus on introducing ways to play with colour and texture.

Rugs are one of the simplest ways to transform a space; from defining different zones, introducing a pop of colour and texture, protecting the flooring underneath or simply adding warmth and depth. Practicalities aside, opt for a rug that brightens up your day every time you see it. If you can’t quite find the design that complements your space, why not create your own?  

With Alternative Flooring’s ‘Make Me A Rug’, you can customise a rug or runner to your exact specifications. Simply choose your size, carpet style and border, then watch your design come to life with the digital visualiser. It’s the perfect way to add charm, character and a touch of joyful creativity to any room.

Joyful Patterns

It’s a common misconception that carpets ought to be quiet, nice, neutral colours to let the rest of the room do the talking. If you’re someone whose wellbeing and creativity are propelled by being surrounded by bold colours and fun patterns, then – simply put – it’s time to wave goodbye to minimalism.

Stripes aside, there’s a myriad of patterns, colours, and textures you can weave into your home to embrace your joyspanning era. Think bold florals and grown-up spots, soft pastel shades, and plush, textured carpets that delight the senses – inviting you to see, touch, and truly feel the comfort of your space.

[floorinsite]

New product categories and strong sector content for Flanders Flooring Days 2026

More brands, Living Lab Carpet and inspiring talks enrich the programme From 18 to 21 May 2026, Flanders will once again become the international meeting point for the flooring industry. During Flanders Flooring Days, more than one hundred brands will present their latest collections and innovations, both on the central exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo (BE) and in participating showrooms within a 40-minute radius of the venue. For this fifth edition, the event further expands its offering with new product categories, additional participants and a strengthened programme focusing on circularity and material experience.

In a short time, Flanders Flooring Days has grown into a key meeting point for professionals in hard and soft flooring, textile floor coverings and finishing materials. Decision-makers and buyers from more than 75 countries come to discover new products, gain inspiration and build valuable connections in a unique, refined and welcoming setting.

An expanded product offering To better reflect the evolving market, Flanders Flooring Days is further expanding its product scope. In addition to flooring solutions, the event will also be welcoming ceramic tiles, wall and ceiling panels, steel materials and display systems. With this expansion, the organisers respond to the growing demand for integrated solutions for interior finishing.

The exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo will also take on an even more central role within the concept. From this edition onwards, showroom participants will present a carefully curated part of their collection at their own stand at the fair, inviting visitors to discover the full range in the showrooms on location. A free shuttle service connects the exhibition with the showrooms and vice versa.

Living Lab Carpet: rethinking end-of-life solutions together Sustainability remains a key theme at Flanders Flooring Days. During the 2026 edition, the event will also host the closing event of Living Lab Carpet, an initiative that brings together the entire carpet value chain to address the challenge of carpets at the end of their life cycle. Over the past years, partners within the Living Lab have explored concrete ways to extend the lifespan of carpets. The focus lies on repair, reuse and remanufacturing as alternatives to waste. During the closing event, visitors will discover practical solutions and innovative approaches that are already applicable in the sector today. Through interactive discussions and a Q&A session with the partners involved, professionals will exchange insights and jointly explore the next steps towards a more circular flooring industry.

Living Lab Carpet is supported by VLAIO and Vlaanderen Circulair (Flanders Circular). Fedustria talk: ‘Why our brain loves wood’ Alongside product innovation and sustainability, Flanders Flooring Days also highlights the sensory and emotional experience of materials. In collaboration with Fedustria, the programme features an inspiring talk by Katja De Vos. Her lecture explores Our Brain Loves Wood, a study on the relationship between humans and materials by Prof. Dr. Steven Laureys and Dr. Steven Scholte of the neuroscientific research institute Neurensics. The research shows that our brain responds more strongly and positively to interiors in which wood plays a prominent role. For designers, specifiers and manufacturers, the session offers valuable insights into how material choices contribute to a pleasant and sustainable living environment.

A new format for Flanders Flooring Night Flanders Flooring Days also introduces a new approach to networking. Flanders Flooring Night will take on a renewed concept and be transformed into a stylish evening event on Wednesday night at the central exhibition floor in Kortrijk Xpo. Participants and invited guests will have the opportunity to connect in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, with Belgian delicacies adding a culinary touch to the evening.

Plan your visit to Flanders Flooring Days From 18 to 21 May 2026, Flanders will once again become the beating heart of the international flooring industry. Visit the central exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo to discover the latest innovations from more than one hundred brands and continue your journey of inspiration in the showrooms of participating companies across the region.

Register via www.flandersflooringdays.com There you can also find the full list of participants, the programme and all practical information.

[floorinsite]

Find the Start of Fantastic Floors at The Flooring Show South

floorwise will be exhibiting alongside independent distributors, Salesmark and Salesmark West, at The Flooring Show South, Sandown Park, 15-16 April. 

The first ever The Flooring Show South, Sandown Park, 15-16 April, will be the place to find the start of fantastic floors thanks to floorwise. Joining its independent distributors in the south of England, Salesmark and Salesmark West, floorwise will show just why its leading range of installation and finishing products lead the way in quality and value.

The show will be one of the first opportunities to see the brand’s new Lumiere premium retail friendly underlay range. Made using a hand-sorted blend of pre-consumer recycled PU foam and memory foam to give the best of both materials, Lumiere is free from hard lumps and comes with an entirely different feel, making this unmistakably premium underlay stand out from the crowd. It is available in three classic thicknesses and is supported by high quality A3 sampling for retailers and installers, as well as floorwise’s unique A4 sample cards that add extra versatility to presentation options.

floorwise will also be previewing PowerFORCE, a new recycled PU underlay designed specifically for contract installations. The first underlay to use a MHD+ (mega high density) 210kg/m3 construction, PowerFORCE has been independently tested for use as a Class 33 Heavy Contract Use underlay. It is a serious alternative for the traditional crumb- rubber underlays which are heavier and more cumbersome to move and is compatible with both double-stick and stretch-fit installations. Powerforce will be available in 6.5mm and 8mm thicknesses.

Andrew Gill, product manager, floorwise, says, “We’re delighted to be joining Salesmark and Salesmark West at the first ever The Flooring Show South with some fabulous new products. As you will see with Lumiere and Powerforce, we’re committed to developing products that ensure our network of independent distributors can deliver our famous quality and value with solutions for every project.”

Of course, no show appearance would be complete without some stylish and durable finishing products. Visitors will be able to see new light and dark bronze finishes in Max Reflections, ensuring the collection remains the profile range for installations looking to add a fantastic finishing touch. These new finishes will join other market-leading flooring accessories on display on Stand C32, showing just why floorwise is the start of fantastic floors.

For further information on these and other great flooring products covering underlays, screeds, adhesives, gripper, profiles, tapes and more contact Floorwise on 01509 673974, visit www.floorwise.co.uk or email [email protected]

[floorinsite]

New water-free flooring system addresses contractor challenges

Saint-Gobain Weber has launched a new bag and bottle system to help flooring contractors meet the needs of complex sites while streamlining the application process.

The weberfloor bag and bottle 4000 system has been developed to provide a practical solution for both residential and commercial projects where water supply is limited or inconsistent. 

An entirely water-free solution, the two-part system contains a bagged powder and protein-free polymer liquid solution which, when combined, forms a moisture tolerant, smoothing and levelling compound.

Both components are pre-measured to ensure the correct ratios are always used, creating a consistent and speedy mix every time and simplifying the process for application teams. Once applied, it can receive foot traffic in just two hours and all common final floor coverings after eight hours.

James Mead, R&D director at Saint-Gobain Weber, said:

“In construction we see a range of challenging site conditions where a lack of water supply can cause logistical issues and costly delays to the project. High-rise buildings or a sprawling new build site with limited infrastructure are just a couple of examples of projects that often have little to no water supply. This leads to a complicated, lengthy application for contractors or, if there is water, varying degrees of quality which affects the integrity of the finished floor, causing problems later down the line. 

“By removing the reliance on water supplies, our new weberfloor bag and bottle 4000 system not only helps to minimise these challenges but also aids speed of application and opens up more project opportunities for flooring contractors.

“The system builds on years of experience and insight gained through Weber’s existing tried-and-tested ranges, providing the same quality and performance associated with our products but with the added flexibility of being able to be used on an even wider variety of applications.

“Our customer feedback remains constant on the high quality, premium products that are part of the Weber ranges and we’re delighted to add another new solution to our flooring portfolio.”

The weberfloor bag and bottle 4000 can be hand-applied to depths of 3-10mm to prepare or pre-smooth concrete substrates, as well as sand/cement and anhydrite screeds to provide a strong finish. It can also be used in spaces with up to 98% relative humidity. The product can also be used as part of Weber floor systems provide damp proof membrane or acoustic solutions. 

As with all Weber solutions, the new system is supported by the company’s dedicated flooring team, offering onsite technical support, specification advice and hands-on training.

Weber has also developed a new training module for the bag and bottle system, which can be delivered at customer premises, helping contractors to maximise performance and efficiency on live projects.

The company has recently restructured and invested more resource into their R&D team as they continue to focus on innovative new products for their customers to drive future growth and meet industry demands for ease of use, sustainable products and ways to address the construction skills shortages. 

For more information on the new weberfloor bag and bottle visit the Weber website. 

[floorinsite]

Join us at The Flooring Show South

Readers of Floorinsite are invited to attend the launch of The Flooring Show South, taking place 15–16 April 2026 at Sandown Park, Surrey, with a complimentary visitor pass.

Building on the long-standing success of The Flooring Show in Harrogate, the new southern edition has been created to make it easier for flooring professionals across the South of England to connect with suppliers, discover new products, and stay up to date with the latest developments in the sector.

The two-day trade event will bring together more than 200 leading flooring brands, showcasing the latest collections and innovations across carpet, wood flooring, LVT, underlay, tools, adhesives, and accessories. For retailers, contractors, and installers, it provides an efficient opportunity to compare products, meet manufacturers face-to-face, and explore new business opportunities.

The launch is supported by six founding partners — Elements & Textures Inspirations, F. Ball & Co, Furlong Flooring, J2 Flooring, Kellars, and Likewise Floors — alongside a strong exhibitor line-up that includes brands such as Abingdon, Balta, Brampton Chase, Coretec, Cormar Carpet Company, Headlam Brands, Karndean, Lecol, Tarkett, V4 Floors, Westex Carpets and many more. Visitors will also be invited to attend a drinks reception at 5pm on Wednesday 15 April at the Parade Ring Networking Bar, located in the upper foyer next to the exhibition hall. With views overlooking the parade ring, the reception offers a relaxed setting for flooring professionals to meet suppliers, exchange ideas, and strengthen industry connections.

With face-to-face interaction remaining vital to the flooring trade, The Flooring Show South offers a valuable opportunity to explore products first-hand and build relationships within the industry.

Floorinsite readers can register now to claim their free visitor pass and secure their place at this new addition to the UK flooring trade calendar, using the link below https://eventdata.uk/VisitorFOC/TheFlooringShowSouth2026.aspx?TrackingCode=Fl oorinsite

[floorinsite]

Why you can’t afford flooring to be an after thought

Between April 2025 and June 2025 only 7,000 housing applications were granted planning permission, which is the lowest three-month figure since 1979. This process is only likely to become more strained; a recent report from the Royal Town Planning Institute shows two-thirds of public planning teams already lack the capacity to meet demand and 20% of planners say they intend to leave the profession by 2028. Given these longer timelines, developers, architects and contractors will be looking for ways to speed up the project process. One area with room for improvement is flooring, which is often overlooked, but provides an opportunity to achieve significant cost savings, as well as design improvements and a reduced environmental impact.

No patience for laitance The screeding stage is an essential part of the floor-laying process in commercial and residential projects, and traditionally, this will be a sand and cement-based version. Some screeds available on the market generate laitance, which is a build-up of fine particles on the surface of fresh screed that has a milky appearance. It is caused by an upward movement of water and causes the surface to be fragile, so it is important to be removed, or it can cause issues with drying and adhesion. Architects and their contractor partners don’t need to stick to the same screed they’ve always chosen, which often lack qualities to suit their needs. For example, there are anhydrite-based screeds formulated from a by-product called calcium sulphate that don’t produce any laitance after they are poured, thereby removing the stage of sanding laitance and subsequently cutting costs by 66% compared to other anhydrite-based screeds, according to findings from LKAB Minerals’ pilot tests. Although it is important screeds are still sanded to create a bond with the final floor finish. However, that still leaves overall savings, which can be especially significant for an office block or apartment building where there is a lot of floor space to factor in.

Flaw-free floors When it comes to floor space, JPMorgan’s proposed 3 million-square-feet-plus office in Canary Wharf would take the lead, and is more than double the floor-space of London’s Shard tower. The potential saving from a laitance-free screed across such an expansive area would inevitably be substantial, but it also raises another important early-stage consideration for flooring. Different screeds can impact design because of their aspect ratio; those with a greater aspect ratio mean fewer joints are needed to prevent the screed from cracking. Therefore, architects who opt for the screeds with greater aspect ratios will have the option to build bigger bays and benefit from a design boost that comes with expansive unobstructed floor space.

Those design and efficiency considerations should be fundamental, but construction projects aren’t all about looks and money. Research released this summer by the Property Research Trust shows developers increasingly going above and beyond the basic environmental requirements through voluntary commitments such as BREEAM.

Selecting a sustainable screed It is difficult for project stakeholders to reduce their environmental impact for floor screeds on the market that are cementitious, and the cement production process contributes to 8% of global CO2 emissions. The alternative anhydrite-based versions can carry 88% fewer carbon emissions than cementitious versions, helping project stakeholders meet their environmental commitments. Those obligations are becoming more stringent in the UK, with the Future Homes Standard mandating that new residential buildings must produce 75% fewer carbon emissions buildings constructed under the previous set of regulations. To support with the transition to lower-carbon homes, underfloor heating systems are increasingly preferred because these can run at lower temperatures than conventional radiators without reducing warmth for occupants. In these scenarios, it is important that project stakeholders choose a screed that has high thermal conductivity so those efficiency gains aren’t lost, which would undermine the sustainability benefits of underfloor heating while driving up energy bills for the occupants. In addition to conductivity properties of the screed, project stakeholders should look for options that can be poured thinly without any compromise to performance. For example, a screed that can be laid at 35 millimetres instead of 75 millimetres means the occupants will be saved from paying to heat 40 millimetres of flooring unnecessarily. That could equate to around £450 a year of savings from the typical household energy bill in the UK, according to LKAB Minerals’ tests for an innovative type of anhydrite-based screed.

Floors fit for the future The construction industry is under pressure from planning restrictions, while being expected to deliver high quality projects cost effectively, quickly, and in a way that is sustainable. Navigating those issues is often a complex challenge. But, when it comes to flooring, a simple decision to select the right screed brings a range of efficiency, design and environmental advantages that brings about outsized benefits.

By Ben Bland, Commercial Manager, LKAB Minerals