INDUSTRY UPDATE
Lakes hosts FORTIS buying group at HQ
Lakes, a leading manufacturer of showering spaces, recently hosted FORTIS merchant buying group at its HQ in Tewkesbury for its annual board meeting. The visit included a tour of Lakes’ newly refurbished showroom, which now displays Lakes’ new Bay series and Lakes Stone shower trays launched earlier this year. The revamped showroom also reflects Lakes’ new branding, look and messaging for a sharp and contemporary finish. Lakes’ internal sales team demonstrated the new products to the FORTIS
board in the spacious area, answered questions and held a discussion. Sales & Marketing Director Mike Tattam comments: “It was a pleasure to
host FORTIS at our HQ. We have a strong relationship with its members and the board. It was a good opportunity to introduce them to more of our team and demonstrate our range and innovations in a relaxed environment. Our office includes spacious meeting and showroom facilities, which are open to our merchant and stockist customers by prior arrangement.”
Wilsonart Appoint new Product Manager for Advanced Surface Technology
Wilsonart UK, Shildon County Durham, has appointed Andrea Freeman to the role of Product Manager for Advanced Surfacing Technology. Andrea joins during an
exciting period of growth for the group. Wilsonart UK is part of the largest laminate surfaces company in the World, Wilsonart USA, and Andrea is tasked with driving innovative product development and launch to market of AST products, which include digitally printed decorative surfaces for a variety of commercial uses. Lindy Tegg, HR Manager at Wilsonart UK, says: “Andrea is here to
propel our AST capabilities into the next phase, and we’re excited to have her on board as a champion for the market-leading technology we’ve invested in.” An experienced creative director and designer, Andrea brings her commercial talents to Wilsonart UK following roles at Barbour, The Beehive Brand and Redana Studio. Andrea says, “The AST works at Wilsonart are state of the art and I’m
excited to explore all the opportunities. There’s scope to reinvent the commercial surfacing landscape within just a few years.”
50 BKU DECEMBER 2019 THE TILE ASSOCIATION COLUMN
Wall and floor tiling provides a contemporary finish for today’s houses
I
nterest in tiling as a stylish, hygienic and durable finish for domestic walls and floors has never been stronger. Driven by consumer fashion and product innovation, tiling has an ever- increasing presence in our homes. Laminated wooden flooring has been popular in domestic homes for many years. Now the latest innovations in tile development mean that the aesthetic of natural wood can be combined with the hygiene and ease of maintenance offered by tiles. Currently the concrete, or industrial, look is also in vogue. Along with metro tiles (inspired by the shape and finish of tiles from London Underground stations) and an increasingly wide range of size, shape and texture options, it means more choice and inspiration is available than ever before. The latest trend in tile sizes is towards the larger format versions. Gone
are the days when 4in x 4in wall tiles were the only option. Currently the trend is towards increasingly large tiles and panels of up to 1600mm x 3200mm. Use of these types of tiles reduces grout lines and maximises the impact of the tile design. While the design opportunities in tiling are greater than ever, it is
important that the technical issues associated with installing a tiled surface are fully understood and that all work is carried out to British Standards. Following the release of the latest British Standard BS5835-1: 2018 Wall & Floor Tiling, there are particular requirements regarding the need for mechanical fixing of large format tiles in certain installations. Other changes include the removal of plywood as a suitable background for tiling – installers should use a bespoke tile backer board instead. This latest revision of the Standard also includes a clause relating to
workmanship (Clause 7.1.3). For the first time the Standard now recognises that the installation of ceramic or natural stone tiling should be carried out with “efficient supervision and the employment of properly trained operatives, skilled to an appropriate level of competence, certified by a recognised authoritative body, eg. The Tile Association”. Further technical information on all aspects of tile installation and British Standards is available from TTA.
For further information or to join TTA visit
www.tiles.org.uk/join
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