ALNO
(UK) Integrates Wellmann Operation
From
1st January 2004 the UK subsidiaries of Wellmann and ALNO will trade as
ALNO (UK) Ltd, selling four kitchen brands, ALNO, Wellmann, Geba and Impuls.
This follows the acquisition of the Wellmann Group by ALNO AG in July
2003.
The UK business is being re-structured, forming distinct retail and contract
operations. This will maximise efficiencies and the potential for business
development within Britain, one of the ALNO Group’s leading export
markets.
A joint managing director experienced in his sector heads each division.
Eugene Rembor, former managing director of ALNO (U.K.) is joint managing
director, contract. He is now responsible for all direct builder business
transacted through both ALNO and Wellmann contract divisions. John Kinder,
former managing director of Wellmann (U.K.), is joint managing director
retail. He controls sales through the In-toto franchise, independent dealer
networks and the John Lewis Partnership.
The head office for ALNO (UK) will be based at Hanworth, Middlesex, with
administrative support for both In-toto and Wellmann contracts remaining
at Shaw Cross in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. ALNO Group products account
for over 40% of all German kitchens imported into Britain. ALNO UK’s
experienced management team and streamlined operation will develop sales
and increase customer support for both contract and retail customers.
John
Sydney Announces 26% Sales Growth
John
Sydney has just announced a record 12 months for sales with over 26% growth
achieved year on year. The launch of its new JS2 design has significantly
boosted sales, whilst Elite, part of its original Collection, continues
to be its top seller. Judith Gibbons, Marketing Manager comments: ‘It
is brilliant to see John Sydney has become an established and recommended
brand, at the top end of the bathroom fittings market, in just three years
and we have equally high expectations for the future’.
The company has underpinned its increasing sales in 2003 with significant
investment in the John Sydney brand, including an advertising campaign
and new brochure, which were both launched at Expo 2003 and which target
Designers in particular. Its latest marketing initiative is the launch
of its revamped website http://www.johnsydney.com,
which includes product datasheets at the click of a button. Judith Gibbons
explains: ‘Designers and Dealers have enthused about the level of
detail covered in the John Sydney Technical Product Binder and it therefore
seemed the natural step to make the same information readily available
on the web’. The website includes information on pressure range and
flow performance, fitting and maintenance as well as full product features
and benefits and should prove a valuable reference tool for current and
prospective customers.
John Sydney specialises in quality and contemporary designed brassware
for the bathroom. The entire John Sydney collection of bathroom fittings
is guaranteed for ten years and fully complies with WRAS guidelines. John
Sydney bathroom fittings are sold nationally for contract and domestic
use via selective bathroom dealers and specifiers.
Tel: 01827 304000
Web: http://www.johnsydney.com
Highley
Fitted Kitchens go for Glass with Hotpoint Built-In
Highley
Fitted Kitchens in Normanton, West Yorks, has installed Hotpoint's new
Diamond Line built-in cooking appliances into its showroom Creating a
'Glass' kitchen to demonstrate to consumers Highley's versatility in kitchen
design.
Frank Highley, founder of Highley Fitted Kitchens comments: 'lt's great
to have Hotpoint's new Collection of appliances in our portfolio. Combined
with our wide range of kitchen furniture on offer to consumers from traditional
to modern, we really provide people with a comprehensive range of products
to complement any style. Plus with our personal service, and ability to
design special one-off pieces of furniture we can develop a kitchen to
suit anyone's needs and wants.'
Pictured is Highley Kitchens' new 'Glass' Kitchen with Hotpoint's SD98P
Diamond Line Oven in Ice Glass with Hotpoint's latest Fast Clean programme,
which self cleans the oven in little over an hour. Also included on this
model is a Smart Cooking programme, providing 15 preprogrammed recipes
and Hotpoint's Fast Cooking, which virtually eliminates the need to preheat
the oven. Complementing this is Hotpoint's GD64 Diamond Line Hob in Ice
Glass.
Founded in 1986 by Frank Highley, Highley Fitted Kitchens provides a complete
service to consumers including built-in fumiture and appliances for the
kitchen, bedroom, study's and bathroom furniture, specialist one-off furniture
pieces, flooring, plumbing, electrical, office refurbishment and contract
work.
For more information on Highley Fitted Kitchens call 01924 223099, and
for details on Hotpoint's latest Built-in Collection of kitchen appliances
caII 08709 060 060 or visit http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
Orama
Signs-Up First Distributor for Ardesco Range
Orama,
the independent manufacturer of worksurfaces and associated decorative
products, announces that it has concluded a distribution agreement for
its new Ardesco range of worksurfaces with Hopkinsons Fourways, part of
the PJH group of companies, the distributor of bathrooms, kitchens and
appliances in the UK (http://www.hopkinsonsfourways.co.uk).
Hopkinsons
Fourways will distribute the entire Ardesco range and provide comprehensive
support and customer service. Orama will benefit from Hopkinsons Fourways’
reputation and leadership, its national network of specialist branches
and over 30 years’ experience of delivering quality products to the
independent merchant and retail trade.
Orama’s Ardesco range of worksurfaces was unveiled in summer 2003
and is the culmination of 18 months of market and design research, investment
in people, equipment and production techniques. The range features 24
laminates, six composite solid surface worksurfaces, a solid timber worksurface
and seven complementary splashbacks.
With Ardesco, Orama says it has introduced a number of ‘firsts’
to the UK market to meet the demands of the more design-conscious consumer
and to satisfy portability, handling and ease of installation for the
trade. These include 9 finishes in a generous 50mm, 3 metre lengths as
standard and a new mirror flat finish for all gloss and silk designs which
eliminates telegraphing.
Peter Holt, Sales and Marketing Director, Orama, comments: ‘With
Ardesco, we have developed a range of innovative worksurfaces meeting
the requirements of the market from both a design and technical perspective.
Our agreement with Hopkinsons Fourways demonstrates the strength of our
offer and will allow us to grow our market exponentially. With a drive
to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of quality products reflecting market
requirements combined with outstanding levels of support and service,
our two businesses benefit from a common philosophy based on innovation
and keeping one step ahead of the competition.’
Graham Lewis, Kitchen Category Manager, Hopkinsons Fourways, says: ‘We
welcome the addition of the Ardesco brand to our growing and dynamic portfolio
of kitchen furniture, accessories, sinks and taps. Orama’s new range
of worksurfaces complements our kitchen range collection perfectly. It
also complements our determination to offer only the highest quality products
to our trade customers in order to satisfy the tastes of the increasingly
adventurous consumer.’
Web: http://www.orama.co.uk
How
To Get More Bathroom For Your Buck
Developers, designers, builders and architects with a desire to add a
luxurious touch to their new development for less are being urged to visit
Leicester bathroom specialists Norman and Underwood.
The
company is offering the opportunity to view the latest Villeroy and Boch
bathroom designs at its new look showroom from 1 October 2003 having added
to its already extensive Villeroy & Boch displays the new designer
ranges Subway and Aveo.
Peter Gledhill, General Manager of Norman and Underwood’s Bathrooms
and Plumbing Division said:
'Developers who want the top price for their properties are realising
that a luxury bathroom suite is just as important for adding the ‘wow’
factor as a stylish kitchen.
'With Villeroy & Boch’s entrance into the contracts market, many
contractors are perhaps unaware that luxury designs are available at very
competitive prices.
'We would urge local contractors to come and see the new ranges in our
re-fitted showroom first hand. They can then speak with one of Norman
and Underwood’s experts who will be happy to advise them of Villeroy
& Boch’s extensive price ranges from the entry level Omnia collection
to the top of the range Amadea.'
Along with Villeroy & Boch representatives other leading bathroom
product manufacturers will be on hand to provide in depth advice. These
include brassware specialists from Grohe and Hansgrohe, shower enclosure
experts from Huppe and Aqata, and bathroom cabinet boffins from Keuco.
Norman and Underwood also offers a special projects service to developers,
designers, builders and architects who require advice and support on new
projects. The company’s specialists take the headache out of bathroom
budgeting by researching a wide range of manufacturers to give contractors
the best quality and value materials within their budget.
http://www.nandu.co.uk/bathroom.asp
MHS Radiators Chosen for City Hot Spot
An
impressive new development by George Wimpey, The Ropeworks is located
in the vibrant design quarter of Manchester’s city centre. Designed
to the highest specification, all of the development’s 300 luxury
apartments offer innovative features to attract the most discerning of
property seekers. Amongst the companies specified for the project, MHS
Radiators were to supply designer radiators and towel rails.
Comprising
spacious rooms designed to reflect a contemporary urban lifestyle, The
Ropeworks demanded a heating arrangement that satisfied the highest aesthetic
and performance criteria. Efficiency and design therefore being of paramount
consideration, MHS Radiators’ iconic Tekne radiator and elegant Sunny
towel warmer were chosen.
Richard Cook, Construction Director for George Wimpey City Living commented,
'We selected MHS to supply the radiators as the unique design of the Sunny
and Tekne reflect the very essence of the development’s distinctive,
progressive style, whilst also being of sufficient quality to meet the
high standards of the project.'
A modern variation of a classic theme, the striking architectural feel
of the Tekne was suited to the halls and lounges throughout the complex.
Finished in a metallic grey, it serves to complement the minimalist style
of the apartments while fulfilling the required heat load.
For the apartments’ bathrooms, Sunny towel warmers were selected
in a sleek chrome finish. With fine steel bars in an elegant ladder formation,
the Sunny combines high efficiency with good looks, making it a suitable
choice for a stylish, functional bathroom.
Effective use of space is a prime consideration in modern developments,
and so it was important that both radiators offered the benefits of complete
versatility. The Ropeworks project required the Tekne to be configured
in three sections for the halls and five sections for the lounges. Similarly,
the Sunny’s compact contemporary style and high output is ideal in
modern developments.
Tel: 01268 591010
Web: http://www.mhsradiators.com
New
Van Fleet for Glen Dimplex Cooking
Cooker
manufacturer and owner of the Stoves, Belling and New World brands, Glen
Dimplex Cooking has completely overhauled its engineer van fleet. As part
of its ongoing drive to offer a completely integrated field service operation
across the three brands, Glen Dimplex Cooking has turned to Nissan to
provide over 100 new vans. A further 50 vehicles are to be added in the
New Year. The Primastar is one of the latest additions to Nissan’s
commercial fleet and was chosen because of its high specification and
load carrying capacity.
Paula Hodkinson, customer care director for Glen Dimplex Cooking comments:
‘Glen Dimplex Cooking’s priority is to provide unrivalled customer
care. It’s vital that our engineers create an excellent impression
when visiting customers and high quality engineering vans are an important
part of providing a professional image.’
Paula continues: ‘As well as having an increased carrying capacity
required to transport essential spare parts for all three brands, the
new vans are kitted out internally with state of the art racking systems.
In addition, we’ve included a few extras such as air conditioning,
hi-tech CD players and rear parking sensors – all of which provide
our engineers with a more pleasurable environment, ensuring they arrive
at their destination cool, calm and collected.’
The new silver vans can now be seen on the road with each brand logo clearly
visible on the side doors.
Tel: 0151 432 7849
Maytag
& Friends Jet Off to Chicago
Maytag
UK's 'Coming to America 2' promotion flew a group of successful retailers
to the cities of North America for five days at the beginning of October.
The
successful retailers qualified for the trip by attaining their display
and purchasing achievements, based on selected Amana, Maytag and Admiral
appliances for the year.
The adventure began in Des Moines, the capital of lowa, in the midwest
of America. The group sampled the true American heritage with a visit
to the Newton manufacturing facility where Maytag's Neptune and Atlantis
laundry appliances are built. After a chance to view some of the new products
in the Maytag innovation centre, a presentation on the Maytag Corporation
Marketing and Brand Strategy was given by the US brand director. The Amana
refrigeration factory was also toured, visiting the plant that makes the
Alaska and the bottom mount. The trip to the area was topped off with
a tour of the famous Maytag Blue Cheese factory, before flying on to Chicago.
It wasn't all hard graft, as time was enjoyed at the renowned shopping
outlets, fabulous restaurants, museums, and of course, the dazzling Chicago
nightlife. Fabulous views were experienced with visits to the 110th floor
of the Sears Tower, to see four US states on a clear day. An evening on
the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building proved spectacular, with illuminating
views over the city of Chicago.
Graham Gleave, sales director, Maytag UK comments, 'There was a tremendous
amount of enthusiasm for the 'Coming to America 2' promotion, which resulted
in great sales. We thank all the dealers who took part and who helped
to make it the exciting event it developed into. It was a remarkable trip
and a super opportunity for the dealers to experience the manufacturing
facilities, meet the team behind the brand, and of course visit Chicago
and the exciting venues and activities that go with it.'
Graham goes on to say, 'We are privileged to have such quality retailers
on board, and we realise that our future is dependent on generating partnerships
of this calibre, so we can all work together to develop our brands and
fuel the growth in the UK market place. It was an opportunity for us all
to cement relationships and instil a lasting confidence in Maytag and
its brands. We all had a great time and we look forward to setting the
next one in motion.'
Tel: 01737 231000
Web:
http://www.maytag.co.uk
New
Colours from Solutia Vanceva™ Design Interlayers are Changing the
Image of Laminated Glass
Vanceva™
Design - the range of coloured and decorative high performance interlayers
from Solutia - now introduces its latest innovations: four new fashion
led colours: deep red, true blue, pure and cool white.
Vanceva™
Design is designed to meet the requirements of people working with glass
in the building industry, architecture and design, who seek superior levels
of technical performance and creativity. Always keen to keep apace with
customer demands, Vanceva™ Design was quick to respond to the growing
trend for a more intense colour range.
New Vanceva™ Design Deep Red, True Blue
With requests for intense red and blue coloured glass so high this year,
Solutia Inc. has introduced new Deep Red and True Blue to its family of
advanced performance interlayers.
Red was in fact the most frequently requested colour in new projects,
according to Solutia’s Architectural Glazing Solutions Centre.
The
secret of their depth of colour lies in the concentrated colour pigments.
As a result, a single Vanceva™ Design interlayer (in place of the
five needed previously) is now sufficient to obtain bright red or sparkling
blue laminated glass.
In turn, this gives Deep Red or True Blue laminated glass a reduced thickness
and makes it more usable … whilst retaining all the levels of technical
performance which are characteristic of all the Vanceva™ Design interlayers:
the safety and security benefits, reduction of noise pollution and transmission
of harmful solar rays, durability and ease of maintenance.
All the products in the range share high levels of performance due to
their composition, which is based on polyvinylbutyral (PVB).
Pure White and Cool White
With the introduction of the white collection, Solutia aims to offer architects
and designers various degrees of transparency and depth and a diverse
choice of white and light products.
This new series of whites is being launched with two interlayers: Pure
White and Cool White. The first – Pure White – is distinguished
by its opaque, pearl appearance, with 7% light transmission, while the
second – Cool White – combines the ease of maintenance of laminated
glass with an acid matt appearance which gives it 80% light transmission.
And to allow more creativity, whites can be combined harmoniously with
the vast palette of colours in the Vanceva™ Design colour range.
All four new Vanceva™ Design colours can be combined with other hues,
metallics, or textured interlayers to achieve an array of effects.
The Vanceva™ Design metallic interlayer range gives laminated glass
another dimension. Three textures have been designed, to create three
specific ‘fabric effects’:
* Honeycomb: with a honeycomb texture to allow a geometric and structured
finish,
* Linen: with the appearance of fine fabric, for an authentic and natural
look,
* Sandstone: with the appearance of sand, for a gentle and warm look.
Together with the Vanceva™ Design colour variations, designers and
architects have an increasingly original and personal portfolio of options
from which to draw.
To find out more about the Vanceva Design range, visit the website: http://www.vanceva.com
and visit the interactive studio which will allow you to create and order
samples online.
New
Plymouth Showroom for In-toto
Fitted
kitchen franchise, In-toto has opened its latest outlet within prominent
premises in Plymouth. The large showroom is at 65/67 Exeter Street, Plymouth
and has been equipped with ten complete kitchen displays. They demonstrate
many modern options that combine to make today's kitchen a place to enjoy.
These include labour and energy saving appliances, clever storage ideas
and alternative worktop solutions that help to create a truly bespoke
kitchen.
Franchisees are local couple Tony and Anne Mawdsley. They have undergone
In-toto's professional training prior to opening so that they can handle
customers and be proficient in administration, design and product knowledge.
Tel: 01924 487900
Web: http://www.intotofranchise.co.uk
In-toto
- Looking for Franchisees
In-toto,
the fitted kitchen franchise is looking for individuals within the home
improvement industry who are prepared to become franchisees. Having opened
five new showrooms this year In-toto now has forty outlets. However national
advertising is highlighting a demand for In-toto kitchens in areas where
there is no showroom. Franchisees opening showrooms in the East Midlands,
Scotland, Kent, the eastern counties and parts of London/home counties
would immediately benefit from sales leads.
With nearly twenty-five years experience, intensive training programmes
and a showroom assistance package In-toto offers a low risk way into the
lucrative
specialist kitchen market. Franchising with In-toto allows the right people
to earn well in to six figures each year.
For further information and a free franchise pack, contact David Watts,
In-toto, Shaw Cross Court, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 7RF.
Tel: 01924 487900
Web: http://www.intotofranchise.co.uk
Concealed
Commercial Bathrooms – Engineering a Solution
When concealed bathrooms requiring wall-hung sanitaryware supports were
specified for installation into the new 1 million square feet commercial
office building HQ2, Midlands based Thomas Dudley Ltd provided a tailor
made solution.
Working closely with AMEC plc, trade contractors for Canary Wharf, Thomas
Dudley designed, engineered and delivered in-wall frame systems for installation
with over 420 wall-hung WC pans.
The Company’s ‘Illusion’ range of wall-hung sanitaryware
supports has been successfully sold throughout the UK for almost two years.
However, the Canary Wharf project required an altogether different approach.
From
initial drawings and plans provided by AMEC, Thomas Dudley designed and
built a fully bespoke solution, developing prototypes, engineering brand
new frame systems, fabricating and finishing the frames and finally delivering
to site finished installation modules comprising between 2 and 7 frame
systems each.
Martin Dudley, joint Managing Director of Thomas Dudley comments ‘The
HQ2 project was a major, high profile project presenting its own set of
challenges. From day one, we worked very closely with AMEC to develop
a solution designed specifically for the installation. The frame systems
were not taken from our ‘off the shelf’ Illusion range, but
were manufactured in-house. Modules were produced containing continuous
runs of frames that could literally be delivered and installed as self-contained
units – reducing the time and labour needed to actually fit the systems
on site'.
Graham Spurr, Senior Project Manager of AMEC added ‘When appointing
a supplier of frame systems, we had to make certain that the company selected
had the necessary experience and expertise. The project required a clear
understanding of concealed bathrooms so that any potential problems could
be anticipated and eliminated at design stage. A number of manufacturers
were considered. However, Thomas Dudley have been manufacturing bathroom
products since 1920 and this experience coupled with their obvious appreciation
of the problem gave us all the reassurance we needed. All in all, the
frame arrangements for this project enabled the whole of the first fix
plumbing installation of over 420 WC’s to be completed in advance
of the panelling system.’
The solution engineered by Thomas Dudley incorporated strong steel sectioned
frame systems, welded to 6mm thick steel base plates, including Dudley
Sentinel cast iron wall-hung WC pan support brackets and Dudley Phantom
6 litre plastic WC cisterns. Externally sourced copper soil pipes were
added at Thomas Dudley’s factory, along with the water service distribution
enabling completed modules to be delivered that only needed to be connected
to the risers and the WC’s installed before being ready to use.
Dudley continues ‘Another challenge with the project was not to deliver
the frame systems in batches that were easy to manufacture, but to deliver
to site the requirements on a floor-by-floor basis. This required multiple
combinations of modules containing various frame quantities. Our in-house
production had to be very carefully co-ordinated with the progress of
constructing HQ2 so that deliveries were made in line with the floors
being fitted at any given time’.
Contact: Andy Burton
Tel: 0121 530 7002
Email: mailto:andy@thomasdudley.co.uk
Domestic
Floorcoverings: UK 2003 – Latest Report from MSI
Unsure
of the state of the Domestic Floorcoverings market in the UK? Need the
latest information to assist you with your planning? If so, read on and
uncover the future of the market with this latest report from MSI Marketing
Research For Industry.
MSI estimates that the UK market for domestic floorcoverings grew by 2%
in volume terms during the review period (1998-2002) to reach 308.1 million
m2 in 2002. However, during the same period the value of the market rose
by 7% in 2002.
During the review period, new build housing output in the private sector
has continued to increase. The value of new construction output in the
private sector rose by 18% in 2002 to reach £10.4 billion (€16.5
billion). Construction output in public new build housing also increased
during the review period and an increase of 19% was recorded in 2002.
RMI construction output for private housing also increased between 1998
and 2002. Repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) output in the private
housing sector rose by 16% in 2002 to £12.8 billion (€20.4
billion). However, the value of RMI output fluctuated in the public sector
during the same period.
Growth in new build and RMI construction output both in the private and
public sectors has had a positive effect on demand for domestic floorcoverings.
However, due to the high demand for floorcoverings from refurbishment
work, trends in RMI construction output have had a more relevant effect.
MSI reveals that during the review period, the domestic carpet market
represented the largest and most important sector of the domestic floorcoverings
market. However, the proportional importance of the carpet sector declined
during the review period.
The UK market for domestic floorcoverings can be segmented into a number
of different categories dependent on the type of floorcovering. MSI have
identified the following sectors:
* Carpets
* Linoleum & Cushioned Vinyl
* Laminate
* Ceramic Tiles
* Wood
* Clay & Quarry Tiles
During the review period, smooth floorcoverings have gained proportional
importance over textile floorcoverings due to fashion trends. Indeed,
consumers have increasingly preferred a minimalist look for their houses,
which smooth floorcoverings such as laminates, wood and linoleum and vinyl
floorcoverings provide. Furthermore, demand for smooth floorcoverings
has also increased due to DIY programmes which have also focused on the
‘minimalist look’.
MSI have identified the following factors as those principally affecting
demand in the UK domestic floorcoverings market:
* economy
* media exposure
* DIY trends
* property transactions
* house building trends
* hygiene requirements
* replacement cycle
MSI believe that high consumer interest in DIY and home improvement affects
demand for floorcoverings in the UK. During the review period, there has
been keen interest in DIY and home improvement, particularly due to media
programmes and magazines. During the review period, the UK DIY market
has grown, and as a result, there has been an increase in the number of
DIY outlets in the UK and the size of the outlets. Indeed, with many DIY
outlets such as B&Q opening DIY warehouses, the availability and range
of floorcoverings for domestic purposes has increased.
With regards to the industry structure, the UK domestic floorcoverings
industry has continued to maintain a fragmented structure during the review
period. There are very few manufacturers of floorcoverings in the UK which
produce more than one type of floorcovering.
The structure of the floorcoverings industry in the UK is typically divided
into two main categories which include carpets and smooth floorcoverings.
Smooth floorcoverings include linoleum, cushioned vinyl, laminate, ceramic
tiles, wood, clay tiles and quarry tiles.
Within both the carpet and the smooth floorcoverings sector there has
been a degree of consolidation occurring, whereby a number of large companies
have acquired the business activities of small, medium and even large
companies. MSI believe that acquisitional activity takes place in the
UK for a number of reasons. These reasons are identified and analysed
within this latest report.
In summary, this new report from MSI on the UK Domestic Floorcoverings
market includes market size and trends in volume and value terms as well
as segmenting the market by type of flooring. Factors that affect demand
are included as are critical success factors. Forecasts for the market
and segments are included as well as a chapter on distribution and the
industry structure.
Market Overview And Trends, 1998-2002
MSI estimate that the UK market for domestic floorcoverings grew by 2%
in volume terms during the review period to reach 308.1 million m2 in
2002. However, during the same period the value of the market rose by
7% to reach £1.90 billion (€3.03 billion) in 2002, as highlighted
in the following table.
TABLE 1: UK MARKET FOR DOMESTIC FLOORCOVERINGS, 1998-2002
Units:
million m2 £ million and € million
Source: Trade and MSI estimates
During the review period, new build housing output in the private sector
has continued to increase. The value of new construction output in the
private sector rose by 18% in 2002 to reach £10.4 billion (€16.5
billion). Construction output in public new build housing also increased
during the review period and an increase of 19% was recorded in 2002.
RMI construction output for private housing also increased between 1998
and 2002. RMI output in the private housing sector rose by 16% in 2002
to £12.8 billion (€20.4 billion). However, the value of RMI
output fluctuated in the public sector during the same period.
The following table highlights construction trends between 1998 and 2002.
The value of the non-woven sector continued to increase until 2002, when
there was a negligible decrease in the value of non-woven carpets market.
In contrast, the value of the woven carpet sector has continued to decrease
between 1998 and 2002. A decrease of 2% occurred in 2002 to some £367.1
million (€583.7 million) as shown in the following table.
TABLE 2: UK VALUE MARKET FOR DOMESTIC CARPETS, BY TYPE OF CARPET, 1998-2002
Unit: £ million
Source: Trade and MSI estimates
During the review period, the level of disposable income has been relatively
high. This has had a positive effect on demand for more expensive carpets
such as woven carpets.
Moreover, trade sources report that domestic end users are becoming increasingly
aware of the importance of the quality of the carpet irrespective of the
price. Therefore, demand for more expensive woven carpets has been sustained.
However, the quality of non-woven carpets has also increased, which has
constrained demand for woven carpets.
Domestic end users have become more aware of the design and colour of
the carpet over the value of the carpet. Non-woven carpets often have
a wider range of designs of carpets to offer the end user.
Within the non-woven sector, tufted carpets have been a competitive type
of carpet due to the value of tufted carpets.
Trade sources report that the most popular colour of carpet has been beige
in 2002, accounting for between 20% and 30% of sales. Indeed, beige is
reported to be considered as a safe colour which will easily match furniture
and laminate and wood flooring if there is a contrasting element in a
room. Other popular colours include blue, green and cream.
This report contains 115 pages with 73 tables and 2 diagrams.
Domestic Floorcoverings: UK is available for £475 from:
MSI Marketing Research For Industry Ltd
Viscount House
River Lane
Saltney
Chester, CH4 8RH
Tel: 0800 195 6756 Fax: 0800 195 6757
Email: mailto:enquiries@msi-marketingresearch.co.uk