NEWS Flooring Superstore expands sustainable product offering


The new product ranges are in line with the multichannel retailers’ sustainability strategy, which also includes four key partnerships. Flooring Superstore’s collaborations with Eden Reforestation Project, Future Forest Company, Rainforest Trust UK and ReSea Project will further contribute to the business reducing its carbon footprint and issues relating to global warming by planting trees,


cleaning up oceans,


protecting habitats and supporting communities. Now,


Flooring


has launched a new collection of environmentally


Superstore friendly


rugs and runners made from recycled t-shirts. The rugs come in a stylish geometric pattern in four neutral shades – fossil grey, midnight blue, Tuscan sun, and slate grey. Large rugs are manufactured from 19 disused t-shirts, small are made from eight recycled t-shirts, and the runners are each made of 5.5


Record sales for Oakio UK


Exclusive UK supplier of Oakio oak composite decking and cladding products, Ronjack, has celebrated a record month for sales. “Sales of Oakio decking have smashed even our top predictions,” said Katie Morley, Managing Director at Ronjack, the UK’s sole supplier for Oakio. “In the first year of launching Oakio, we experienced a 30 percent increase in sales, which we’re so pleased about.” Designed in the US and manufactured in China, Oakio is a successful brand available


in more than 40 countries worldwide, and since September 2020, Oakio products have taken the UK by storm. Morley added: “We’ve been supporting customers, supplying them with the stock they need to satisfy the demands of homeowners investing in their outdoor space during the various lockdowns. Oakio decking has been so popular thanks to the beautiful aesthetics and impressive performance. It’s available in both natural wood and contemporary colours, and will truly stand the test of time, with little or no maintenance. Not to mention it’s anti-slip and barefoot friendly so it’s super safe for the whole family!


PEOPLE NEWS


More skilled jobs to follow as Midlands-based online retailer makes another strategic appointment


UK Flooring Direct, which has its headquarters in Leicestershire and another office and warehouse in the West Midlands, has brought in Avinoam Gal as the company’s ERP Systems director.


Gal brings more than 20 years’ experience in information technology – starting out at Oracle in 1999 which began a career that has seen him in key roles for the likes of Accenture, M&C Saatchi and Deliveroo. He will oversee information systems across departments such as warehouse, back-office,


New Manager at Squire’s Garden Centre in Chertsey


Rupert Sleight has been appointed Garden Centre Manager at Squire’s in Chertsey. Sleight


has worked in


horticulture for sixteen years, and has been at Squire’s Garden Centres for over five years, with previous roles as


Assistant Manager at Squire’s in Cobham, West Horsley, Milford and most recently Badshot Lea. Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden


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finance and supply chain, which are managed across one platform – NetSuite. The company, which employs in excess of 200 people, plans to add up to five new internal roles in his team, while also working with external consultants to support the work.


Gal said: “I am excited by the challenge of joining UK Flooring Direct as the company continues to grow very quickly. “The business recognises the huge importance of technology and having the right systems and skills in place to manage all of the processes that are required in a business of the size and ambition of this one.”


Centres said; “I am very delighted that Rupert has been promoted to the position of Garden Centre Manager at Chertsey. Rupert has worked in a number of Squire’s centres of all sizes, and his passion for plants and gardening shines through. I am sure his knowledge and experience will prove invaluable in his new role.” Squire’s in Chertsey is a boutique style garden


centre. But though it may be smaller than many it is a real gem offering a carefully curated and comprehensive range of gardening products. The stunning outdoor plant area has a wide range of plants, shrubs and trees, and inside you’ll find a selection of gifts, homeware and gardening accessories, as well as the popular Café Bar, which is a great place to come for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.


Yale appoints new Trade Sales Agent for its electrical channel


INTU Your Home, part of AET Global Limited, is continuing its drive for commercial growth with the appointment of Lee Miles as the new Sales Director. The experienced Sales Director will join the team to help develop the INTU brand and strengthen its relationship with the trade, as well as helping to amplify the consumer offering.


Having worked across all channels of the Bathroom, Plumbing and Kitchen sectors,


the 49-year-old brings


excellent strategic process and analytical capabilities to the INTU sales team.


Miles started out as one of the youngest sales representatives at Armitage Shanks - aged just 22, and over the last 30 years has held senior sales roles in various blue chip industry brands including Ideal Standard, Twyford, Vaillant Boilers, Methven, Quinn Radiators and Duravit.


Miles, who says he enjoys the challenge of managing and developing sales teams, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring big brand thinking and my 30 years of industry sales experience to INTU Your Home. “INTU are driven by innovation and a desire to bring the latest


bathroom technology to the masses and I’m delighted to be part of their journey. “Together we will spread further brand awareness - particularly with the trade and retail audiences, ensuring that we strengthen all our routes to market.” The new sales director, who lives in Staffordshire, added: “INTU has a strong track record in direct to customer sales. My strategic focus is to now expand this into the trade and retail channels.”


JULY 2021 DIY WEEK 7


of the clothing items. As the products are made completely from waste materials, for every square metre sold, Flooring Superstore saves 1.6kg of discarded products entering landfill. The fabric waste is collected from the UK, EU and Turkey waste sites and may include other cotton items, such as curtains and pillows. On top of that, Flooring


Superstore has also launched Serene, a new range of eco- friendly carpets made from


in online and in-store at your local Stockton, Birtley or Blaydon outlets; where you can see, feel and compare the range in person. As well as abandoned fishing nets, Serene carpets incorporate other waste materials recovered from the ocean. Its eco textile backing, Eco


FusionBac,


recycled products rescued from the ocean. The two lines – Neptune and Poseidon – are manufactured using ECONY, a unique yarn made from recycled nylon fishing nets. Available both


is


manufactured out of recycled PET plastic bottles. The aim of the range is to give waste products a new purpose after being removed from the ocean, while making the water cleaner and safer.


New machinery arrives at What More UK


Leading housewares brand and manufacturer What More UK has taken delivery of its latest consignment of machinery. Earlier this year the firm announced it will be investing £20 million in its Altham manufacturing site and this equipment represents a sizable part of that investment. The machines have now arrived and been installed


in the company’s state of the art production facility in Accrington. They are part of the company’s strategy of continual investment in people, plant, and estate. It’s a strategy that will see the firm grow its factory


space by 200,000 square feet which will help satisfy the strong demand for their products. What More UK has become a rock in these challenging times and proves that British manufacturing is as strong and resilient as ever. The firm, which already employs 350 people, plans to take on more in staff in the coming months to help keep up with demand. Company Director Tony Grimshaw said: “This is a good day for What More and for the wider manufacturing sector. With the arrival of these machines we’re securing our future and declaring confidence in British manufacturing.”


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