Special Producers of style panels

Floor Forum International N° 130, May 2023

"We design and produce our wood floors as if we ourselves were the customer for them"

When it comes to style panels, you notice that an ever-shrinking number of companies still really specialise in them. Floor Forum found a real family business in Pramaggiore Blessaglia, in the Italian province of Venice, that made the artisanal manufacture of wooden floors its speciality. Meet manager Roberto De Piero's Imada Parquet.

Special Who offer or produces wooden/composite or bamboo wall cladding

Floor Forum International N° 130, May 2023

‘We want to conquer the façade cladding market with our 100% circular Stone Polymer Composite.’

When it comes to façade cladding, it’s unlikely that you’ve heard of the name HDM. That’s not surprising since up to now this company based in Peer (Belgium) has always been known purely as a European vendor of MDF, PVC, and SPC products for DIY and the professional market. Since 8 november last year, however, this has changed with the opening of its own production line for SPC panels and tiles.

Special Who offer or produces wooden/composite or bamboo wall cladding

Floor Forum International N° 130, May 2023

‘Tropical hardwood is much more sustainably responsible than you’d think.’

You won’t find many companies with more experience in wood than the family company Denderwood. It all started almost 120 years ago in 1904 when the D’Haeseleer brothers formed a business. Over the years, the company has developed into its present form and name. Denderwood, which is based in Erpe-Mere (Belgium), is an expert in importing and processing sustainable tropical hardwood.

Special 18 and 36V battery-powered machines

Floor Forum International N° 130, May 2023

‘All 18V models which we sell have the same power and endurance as electric machines.’
If you want to talk about battery-powered machines for use on site, you soon come to Festool. After all, for many years now, this company has made no secret of its commitment to selling intelligent battery solutions, especially for professionals. The company strives for perfectly harmonised systems in the electric tool and the accompanying battery-powered version.

Special "Who sells rapid drying levellers?"

Floor Forum International N° 129, March 2023

‘Rapid drying isn’t always necessary.’
Bostik is a specialist in adhesive systems and its products are used all over the world in several applications, from production and industrial assembly to hygienic disposable articles. The wide range also includes solutions for the construction industry. This covers both new buildings and renovation and for both residential and commercial settings.

Preview LIGNA

Floor Forum International N° 129, March 2023

“At Ligna, plant-based wood coatings will demonstrate how innovation is in our nature”
For the Sherwin-Williams company, which came about in 1866 already, Ligna is one of the most important fairs during the year. This worldwide specialist in paint and coatings products has been present in Hannover for many years. Now, for the first edition since the outbreak of the pandemic, Sherwin-Williams can demonstrate how it is back in full force. At its stand, it puts the spotlight on its plant-based range of wood coatings, demonstrating how at this company it is all about innovation.

Special "Who produces extra long and wide wooden floors : (solid wood and multilayer)?"

Floor Forum International N° 129, March 2023

‘Niche market where customised and in-house work make a difference.’
When we talk about extra long and wide wooden floors, we automatically mention firms which are real wood specialists. We found such a firm in Minderhout (Belgium): Nobel Flooring. Nobel Flooring makes exceptional lengths in two and three-layer parquet up to 15 metres. You won’t find planks longer than that on the market and they aim to stress that fact during the BAU trade fair in Munich.
Nobel Flooring didn’t just emerge from nowhere. This family business has a thing about wood, plus a history going back to 1890 when clockmaker Piet Schrauwen started to make wooden cupboards for clocks. He created something unique for each client out of a love for wood. Six generations later, the family still does this under the leadership of business managers Johan Schrauwen and Petra Lievens. Nobel Flooring deals purely in customised work ranging from parquet floors to staircases inclusive.

Special "Levellers: who sells what and what about dust reduction"

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

‘Our products are getting closer to the ultimate ideal of working dust-free.’
When it comes to reducing dust, you simply cannot ignore the Dutch company Lecol BV, which comes under its parent company Maiburg. This company is heavily committed to reducing the impact of its products on both the environment and the health of users, and that means marketing levelling agents with as little dust as possible. Sales and product manager Pieter Pruijn explains the how and why of the dust-free levelling agent narrative.

Special "Who sells walk-behind machines for roughing up old tiles, grinding the screed, and removing old carpet, adhesive residue, and such like?"

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

"Maximising ergonomics plays a crucial role"
When it comes to 'surface and floor' surface and floor machining in the Benelux, Husqvarna Construction is an authority you cannot ignore. In terms of Walk behind machines for roughening concrete, removing old tiles, sanding terazzo, removing carpet or glue residues, and so on, the company has everything it needs to win over the flooring industry.

Special "Wooden floors with a wood powder top layer: the strength of the finish"

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

"The winners of today and tomorrow are those who can drastically reduce the use of raw materials"
One of the pioneers in powder technology for the creation of top coats for multi-layer wooden floors is Austrian Stöckl Parkett. Stöckl Parkett markets the three-layer B:hard, using a technique developed by Swede Darko Pervan (founder of Välinge in 1993).

Review "Domotex Hannover"

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

“During Domotex, we once again demonstrated how we are innovators at heart”
In Hannover, Välinge Innovation was one of the exhibitors that drew a lot of attention. Once again, it illustrated how it has remained a pioneer in technical revolutions for the flooring industry since its inception in 1993. During Domotex, the Swedish company with its headquarter in Viken, put the spotlights on its new 5G® Cross™, that premiered at the show. This 5G® Cross™ is yet another addition to its floor locking portfolio.

Special Outdoor floors: wood & composite

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

‘After an explosion in sales due to the pandemic, the terrace wood market has stabilised.’
The Denderwood family business has been one of the Belgian specialists in the import and processing of durable tropical hard wood for over a century. When we talk about tropical hard wood, you know that some of it is used for terrace production. If you are aware of these facts, it is logical to call upon this company from Erpe-Mere for a testimonial as part of an article about terrace construction.

Special Poland

Floor Forum International N° 128, February 2023

‘It’s best to do business in Poland through someone who knows that market.’
What’s it like doing business in Poland? We put that question to Joris Philipsen, business manager of Arbo Wood Flooring. His Bruges-based company started doing business in Poland about ten years ago after a discussion during a trade fair. It started with one Polish supplier, but Joris now works together with no fewer than eight Polish companies and knows the country like the back of his hand.

Special "Who has lacquers specifically for wooden staircases?"

Floor Forum International N° 127, December 2022

“We offer a whole host of solutions for the coating of staircases”
You already read in the introduction there are several reasons to choose a lacquer for the finishing of a staircase. But what specifically do manufacturers have on offer? We looked at the German specialist Heidelberg Coatings to learn what they have in the way of stair lacquering and how they respond to various situations.

Special "Producers of levelling agents : which thicknesses can we apply in one treatment and what about the drying time?"

Floor Forum International N° 127, December 2022

‘Your basic knowledge lays a nice base.’
Bostik is a specialist in adhesive systems and its products are used all over the world in scores of applications, from production and industrial assembly to hygienic disposables. This wide range also includes solutions for the building industry, from new construction to renovation and for both residential and commercial settings.