WHAT’S NEW?


KERAKOLL HELPS TO COMPLETE THE PRINCIPAL


TRANSFORMATION When the historic Russell Hotel was refurbished before reopening as the Principal London Hotel in spring 2018, the tiling contractor chosen to fit out the bathrooms and public washrooms was Chiltern Contracts, who in turn specified Kerakoll products for their “ease of use and eco credentials.”


Kerakoll has adopted a “GreenBuilding” philosophy and tries to apply that to everything it does, from the construction of an ecologically-friendly R&D facility to the development of new green products and the improvement of existing ones. They have developed an independently-certified GreenBuilding rating system to show how eco-friendly each of their products are and are working on getting CFP certification for the whole range.


They also strive to make the products as easy to use as possible and their award-winning Biogel adhesives are a prime example of this. Biogel, the recent recipient of The Tile Association’s 2018 Innovation Award, is a new type of adhesive manufactured using gel technology. Unlike standard adhesives, the range can be used on any substrate and any material and is loved by tilers as it holds its shape, avoiding the need to mix the adhesive more stiffly for large tiles, has a long pot life and


Walls and Floors offers complimentary display stands to all of its wholesale and distribution customers, to display in-store and help drive sales. Merchandising material is produced both in house and by Walls and Floors’ partners and suppliers. To help keep up with the increased demand in display material, and to ensure a timely and professional job each and every time, two additional members of the Merchandising team have also been employed.


Darren Chester, who has eight years’ experience in the tile industry,


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fully wets the tile back, ensuring a strong structural bond.


A total of 338 guest bathrooms, beautifully designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners were tiled: Calacatta Cremo marble was used for all floors and skirtings in both mosaics and larger tiles, whilst the walls were covered in a mixture of crackle glazed Metro tiles and Calacatta Cremo.


Time was a factor on parts of this project so Kerakoll UK’s project manager recommended the use of some of the company’s fast track products: Keracem Eco, a screed that supports foot-traffic after eight hours and can be tiled after 24 hours in standard conditions, Biogel


makes for a third addition to the Merchandising team. His role as an on- site merchandiser is to travel around the UK and install fixed tiling displays in our Wholesale customers’ stores. He can be booked, free of charge, by talking to an Area Sales Manager.


Steve Green, who has worked in the Merchandising Department for several years, has been promoted to a new set builder role within Walls and Floors’ brand-new photography studio, which will in turn drive awareness of the products and provide inspirational imagery for all of Walls and Floors’ channels.


Revolution, the rapid-set version of the Biogel range that is ready for foot-traffic and grouting on floors after three hours and grouting on walls after two hours, and Fugabella Eco Flex which is also rapid-setting as well as having a high degree of flexibility.


In areas where the work was not so time-critical Biogel No Limits, the standard set version of the range was used with Fugabella Eco Porcelana 0-5. Fugabella Silicone was used as a sealant throughout.


The results speak for themselves – fast, problem-free tiling giving a beautiful finish for this luxury hotel.


www.kerakoll.co.uk


The strengthening of the Wholesale and Distribution arm of the company comes as part of Walls and Floors’ strategy to focus on growing its four defined customer channels – Retail, Trade, Wholesale and Distribution, and Specification.


Founded in 1987, Walls and Floors has this year launched a new trade website to offer tradespeople a helpful online experience, and has opened a new Tile Studio store in Bristol to increase the brand’s presence in this area.


www.wallsandfloors-wholesale. co.uk


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