In March 2020, the world as we knew it completely changed. Here at Heckmondwike FB, following government advice on COVID-19, our market-leading Supacord carpet tiles range has been transformed to emphasise safe social distancing in schools, colleges, universities and commercial working environments as they gradually adapt to new safety measures.
Understandably, there are times when mistakes will be made and the safety message may need to be reinforced. That is why at Heckmondwike FB, we’ve used our Fusion technology to laser engrave arrows for directional walkways and messaging to subtly remind students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how carpet tiles help with social distancing and wayfinding and why you should install them over other flooring solutions.
Easy Installation
The original government advice stated that a safe social distance was two meters, however, this was soon updated to one meter, demonstrating that while these particular measures are imperative right now, they’re not necessarily permanent. Thankfully, our carpet tiles are easy to set and can be quickly removed and replaced should they need to be.
Durability
Our social distancing carpet tiles are made from our renowned Supacord range, which has been used in classrooms for over forty years and considered the number one carpet solution for schools, colleges and universities. The tiles are designed to not ravel or fray and are durable enough to withstand areas with heavy footfall.
Reduced Risk of Accidents
Unlike social distancing loose-lay mats or hazard tape – which can sometimes cause accidents – social distancing tiles reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls that could occur. Carpet tiles also provide a safer solution to hard flooring for the same reasons and can protect against breakage if valuable items are dropped.
Design
Safety is the most important factor to consider when choosing to install social distancing carpet tiles, but that doesn’t mean the design should be forgotten about. Our carpet tiles come in Steel Grey, Blue and Green, giving learning environments and companies the option to choose either a popular, modern and subtle colour, or a more striking, bold colour that will stand out in a range of spaces.
A Gentle Reminder
With our Fusion technology, we’re able to laser engrave arrows into our carpet tiles as a gentle reminder to students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures, and (as we understand the rules can sometimes be hard to remember) to reinforce what those measures actually are!
Heckmondwike’s Social Distancing Carpet Tiles are now available to purchase, however, due to the current situation, we are unable to provide samples of the product. For more information or to purchase your carpet tiles, please call us directly on 01924 406 161 or email: sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
When it comes to the world of commercial carpets, there are a host of manufacturing methods that can be used to create a final product.
One such method is fibre-bonding, which Heckmondwike uses to manufacture its carpets for the commercial sector. It’s a process that has stood the test of time and produces carpets and carpet tiles that are extremely durable and versatile.
As such, the process is perfect for a wide variety of heavy-duty sectors such as education and apartment complexes.
The reputation of fibre-bonded carpets is just that, with the company’s Supacord range being the most obvious example of a product that can withstand any hard-wearing environment.
Despite all this, fibre-bonded carpets can sometimes be seen as unexciting, especially in more luxurious projects, such as modern office developments.
However, this is far from the truth, with Heckmondwike’s products going some way to dispelling the myths surrounding fibre-bonded carpets.
Fibre-bonded processes can be used to create linear patterns in the carpet, allowing for designs to be created at ease.
The most obvious examples of such designs can be found in Heckmondwike’s creative range.
Array, the company’s most popular design-led product, with its striking markings has provided a high-end finish to projects right across the country. The pattern delivers a creative touch that can rival any other, whilst still providing all the benefits traditionally associated with fibre-bonded manufacturing.
Heckmondwike also manufactures the Odyssey range, which has pushed the boundaries of fibre-bonded carpet tile production. With vertical and diagonal patterns, Odyssey offers a finish no other fibre-bonded product can.
If installations require a subtle design, Montage and Night Sky are ideal. Both have a dot pattern running throughout and come in a shot of colours that match popular corporate schemes.
So, when it comes to fibre-bonded carpets, don’t get sucked into the stereotype that they all just serve one purpose – being durable. Heckmondwike’s products deliver a creative finish, perfect for any installation.
For many, summer, and in particular, the school holidays, present the chance to unwind for a week or two and maybe even to take a well earned holiday, whether it’s a staycation in the UK or somewhere farther afield.
However, the opposite is true for Heckmondwike, as when it comes to summer, operations are gearing up for one of the most active times of the year.
As education is Heckmondwike’s largest sector, summer is the busiest period for the company. As schools break up for the six weeks holidays, it is the ideal opportunity for schools, colleges and universities to replace their carpet.
That means all equipment in the company’s manufacturing facility, alongside its production staff, are working around the clock, seven days a week to ensure customers, whether it’s architects, flooring contracts, facilities managers, main contractors or schools, receive the carpet in time for installation over the summer break.
Just like clockwork, the process takes place every year, and 2019 was no exception. Orders for summer installations in the education sector started early in the year and lasted right through to when students and staff returned to their classrooms at the start of September.
Once again, Supacord, which for over 40 years has been the smart choice for the education sector, was the company’s most popular product, with thousands of square meters being manufactured and dispatched to cater for demand in schools (whether primary or secondary), colleges and universities right across the country.
The company’s leading design product, Array, also delivered success across several facilities that required a creative touch. With a striking colour running throughout, many educations sites chose it, and paired it with Broadrib, to match the colour scheme of their crest or logo.
To showcase the work completed this summer, there will be a host of case studies uploaded to the Heckmondwike website over the coming weeks and months – so keep a lookout.
To find out more about the company’s expertise in schools visit https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/sectors/schools/, and to discover the company’s range of products for colleges and universities, visit https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/sectors/universities-and-colleges/.
Throughout summer, Heckmondwike, a market-leading UK manufacturer of fibre-bonded carpets, has been running a competition to win a bespoke logo mat, with the draw taking place in early September.
The competition has been running from June and will end on 31st August, so there is not much time left if you would like to be in with a chance of scooping the prize.
To enter, simply visit our ‘Summer’ competition page, https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/summer/, and fill out the contact form. Alternatively, when you place an order for a sample card on our site – https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/samples/ – quote the word ‘Summer’, and your entry will be added to our list.
Entries are open to all, including our key sectors of education, architecture and development, flooring contractors and distributors, among others.
A Heckmondwike bespoke logo mat allows customers to create a unique entrance to a building for employees, clients or students, with the mat incorporating a bespoke design, including a logo or name, onto the carpet. For examples of Heckmondwike’s bespoke logo mats, please refer to the bottom of this blog.
Please note, terms and conditions apply to this competition. The logo mat can only be up to the value of £1,000, and it excludes installation.
For more information about the competition, please contact marketing@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.
Good luck to everyone who enters!
Earlier this year, Heckmondwike, a market-leading UK manufacturer of fibre-bonded carpets, announced the sponsorship of an apprentice across its National Floorcoverings Ltd group of companies.
The Group is working in partnership with one of its long-standing customers, Hillside Contracts to provide support to trainee floor layer, Kai Linton.
More information about Kai and the reasons for the company’s sponsorship, can be found in the blog published on the Heckmondwike website in April, and throughout the year, Heckmondwike will be providing updates on Kai’s progress, and this is the latest…
Over the last couple of months, Kai has made significant progress with both on the job and off the job training, with more than 80 per cent of his learning being undertaken with ‘on-site’ jobs, putting into practice techniques he has been developing daily.
To date, Kai has been getting to grips with some large commercial projects and has completed vital floor preparation work including scraping and applying adhesive, alongside setting out and fitting carpet tiles – ensuring all steps are followed using manufacturers’ instructions.
Kai is supported on-site by a host of experienced floor fitters and is learning every day with their advice and mentorship, and as a result, is growing in confidence.
Further to this, Kai is also developing his skills at the Floortrain Training Centre in Doncaster. He is currently learning how to install textile carpet to a flat surface, alongside installing safety impervious flooring. Kai is expected to pass the ‘flat fit carpet’ task with distinction.
Kai has also performed well in a host of other tasks, including installing underlay and a matt well, alongside completing a heat seam joint.
National Floorcoverings Ltd, including Heckmondwike, is delighted to see how well Kai is progressing, with the company firmly believing in the importance of developing young talent to enhance the future of the industry.
Heckmondwike, a market-leading UK manufacturer of fibre-bonded carpets, has assisted a Willmott Dixon initiative to support a guide dog centre in Leamington Spa.
The company has provided 15 square metres of its specialist entrance and transition carpet, Diamond, in Charcoal, free of charge. The carpet has been installed to the reception area of the site by local flooring contractor Westcotes Flooring.
The donation is part of Willmott Dixon’s ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind Community Challenge 2019’. The project was aimed at improving training facilities at the Leamington Spa centre, with a full refurbishment of the existing garage building.
As a Willmott Dixon preferred supplier, and with the two companies working closely together on a number of projects throughout the country, Heckmondwike was more than willing to assist with the supply of carpet, which played a small, but vital role, in the development of the building.
Peter Barker, Heckmondwike area sales manager for the Midlands region said, “When Willmott Dixon asked us to support their ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind Community Challenge’, it was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down.
“Our relationship with the company is great and we always try and support their charitable activities in any way we can, as a way of giving back to the local community.
“Even though our Diamond entrance carpet is a small part of the building, the project is one I deeply care about, as I currently sponsor four guide dogs.”
Alongside Heckmondwike, Westcotes Flooring worked with other large suppliers in the flooring industry, such as Bostik, to provide new flooring and supplies across the facility.
Image supplied by Westcotes Flooring.
Heckmondwike, a UK-leading manufacturer of fibre-bonded heavy contract carpet and carpet tiles, including its market-leading Supacord range, has recently made two appointments to its team of area sales managers.
Martyn Grove and Mike Sanders have joined the company to manage the South West and North West regions respectively.
Both acquisitions have significant knowledge of the flooring sector, having worked for some of the largest companies in the industry, with over 40 years of experience between them.
As a result, Martyn and Mike are well versed with working in partnership with distributors, flooring contractors and main contractors, alongside the company’s key sectors including, education, architecture and development and apartments to build long-standing successful relationships and provide new business opportunities.
The pair will be covering the same regions as their predecessors, with no boundary changes taking place. This provides a seamless transition for all customers in both areas. For a detailed breakdown on area boundaries, and to contact Martyn or Mike, please visit https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/contact-us/sales-team/.
Bob Mortimer, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at Heckmondwike FB, said: “We would like to welcome both Martyn and Mike to the team at Heckmondwike FB. The appointments have been bought on board to enhance our already existing depth of knowledge in the sales team, while adding their own account management skills.
“It is important for both of them to get to know our customers, therefore, over the coming weeks and months, they will be contacting and visiting as many as they can across their respective regions.
“As we are currently in summer, our busiest time of the year – due to our expertise in the education sector, Martyn and Mike will be highlighting to our customers how Heckmondwike FB can provide key product lines, including Supacord on express delivery while maintaining high quality and cost-effective product.”
Heckmondwike, the market-leading UK manufacturer of commercial fibre bonded carpets, has supported one of its customers in the education sector by joining their environmental project.
Led by UK & Ireland Sales Manager, Bob Mortimer, Heckmondwike donated and planted a number of trees, via the support of the Woodland Trust, at St Leonards Church of England Primary School in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
St. Leonard’s Church of England Primary School is a Heckmondwike customer and has been using the company’s products for a number of years. The school is currently carpeted with Supacord and Broadrib throughout, alongside Hippo for its entrance areas.
Bob Mortimer said, “The education sector is Heckmondwike’s most important, with millions of square meters of Supacord alone currently installed in schools, colleges and universities throughout the UK.
“With the sector being crucial to the company, it’s always a nice feeling when you can give something back and offer support that goes above and beyond providing carpets.
“The opportunity to support the school with an eco-friendly project was great, it was brilliant to see the children learn about the importance of their local environment.”
When developing new apartment complexes, or refurbishing an existing residence, a key consideration is how to create communal areas that serve a purpose, look atheistically pleasing and stand the test of time.
A crucial part of that is the carpet. As Heckmondwike FB is one of the UK-leading manufacturers of fibre-bonded heavy contract carpet and carpet tiles, the company has expertise in producing products for communal areas of apartment complexes.
Here are some top tips for specifying carpets for apartment communal areas:
Be versatile
In an installation, one carpet may be required for several different areas. For example, if a specifier is looking for the same finish in the corridors, stairs and meeting areas, it would be sensible to use the same carpet or carpet tiles – especially one that is risk-averse and suitable for heavy contract use, due to large footfalls in those particular areas.
Supacord is the perfect example of this – with hard wearing, non-ravel, non-fray properties, a ten-year wear warranty, and 42 colours to choose from, Supacord can be specified with confidence for almost any requirement in an apartment complex.
Add some colour
Traditionally, communal areas may have been considered a dull part of an apartment, only there to act as a functional measure as people move from one room to another.
However, many modern developments are vibrant, with hints of bright colours used on the walls and soft furnishings.
Adding colour to the carpet can also be a great way to match the colour scheme of a room, or be used to create breakout sections on the floor.
Heckmondwike FB’s Array range is the perfect design-led option to add a splash of colour to corridors and communal areas – with a striking pattern that will stand out in any installation.
Focus on footfall
Entrances and corridors are often the most used part of an apartment complex, with people coming and going throughout the day. In the mind of designers, entrances can be a great place to set the tone for the building – providing a light environment that welcomes residents and visitors.
However, when looking at heavy trafficked areas, the carpet choice is crucial.
Not only has the carpet got to be strong enough to withstand footfall for a sustained period of time without showing wear and tear, but it has also got to ensure that outside debris does not ruin the carpet throughout the apartment.
Manufactured specifically for entrance areas, Battleship/Hippo is suitable for the most demanding of spaces – ensuring carpets throughout the apartment area protected. For corridors, Heckmondwike FB’s Dreadnought is suitable due to its diagonal rib and heavy structure.
To discover more about carpets for communal areas, please visit https://heckmondwike-fb.co.uk/sectors/apartment-complexes/.
Heckmondwike FB, a market leading manufacturer of heavy contract commercial carpets, is supporting the future of flooring industry by sponsoring an apprentice across its National Floorcoverings Ltd group of companies.
The company is working alongside Hillside Contracts, a flooring contractor in Leicester to provide assistance to Kai Linton, a trainee floor layer.
Having started his course in September 2018, Kai is currently completing the first year of his two year apprenticeship, making him an important part of the future of the flooring sector. He is learning his trade through onsite training assessments and tutoring at Floortrain Training Centre in Doncaster.
With little assistance from local trade bodies or colleges, Heckmondwike FB’s sponsorship supports 17-year-old Kai in covering transport costs from his home in Nottingham to Doncaster, alongside the essential tools and equipment needed to carry out his work.
Heckmondwike FB and Hillside Contracts have worked together closely for over 20 years, with Heckmondwike FB providing the company with its full range of fibre-bonded carpets, including the company’s flagship product, Supacord.
Bob Mortimer, UK Sales Manager for Heckmondwike FB said: “From speaking to our customers in the flooring industry, we are well aware of the skills shortage within the sector and are eager to play a role in addressing the balance.
“As a company, education is one of our most important sectors, with millions of square meters of Supacord installed in schools, colleges and universities right across the country — so it’s important for us to give something back to the industry.
“Therefore, when the opportunity arose to support Kai in his development — we were more than happy to help.”
Chris Goode, Director of Hillside Contracts added: “In the current market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit experienced floor layers, particularly when looking at commercial projects. Therefore, employing an apprentice guarantees our workforce is as skilled as possible for years to come.
“Working with Heckmondwike FB to support Kai was an easy choice to make. Alongside the financial benefits, the company provides us with sales support, alongside ensuring products are in stock as and when required – it really is a perfect fit.”