Heckmondwike is delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Education Estates® exhibition, taking place on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th October at the Manchester Central Conference Centre, marking a welcome return to in-person events and exhibitions.

As a market-leading carpet provider for the education sector, we are proud to be showcasing our range of high quality, durable and stylish fibre bonded carpets, suitable for any educational environment. This includes our most widely recognised and specified product, Supacord – perfect for the education sector. Also in focus will be our entrance & transition area range, including robust entrance carpets such as Battleship/Hippo and bespoke entrance products, often used in conjunction with our fibre bonded and creative ranges for a full fit-out solution.

Our objective is to create carpets that work with their surroundings to offer a practical solution, in addition to being efficient and cost-effective every time. With anti-ravel and anti-fray properties, an unrivalled colour bank, the benefit of reduced impact noise, plus our extensive fibre bonded, creative and entrance solution ranges, it’s no surprise that Heckmondwike carpets have been used in education environments for over 50 years.

This year’s stand at the two day exhibition will provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to talk one-to-one with our experienced sales representatives, who are happy to help with your specific project requirements. Come along to chat to us and find out more at stand B23, where we will be displaying alongside our sister companies – Paragon Carpet Tiles and Mat.works Entrance Solutions.

Education Estates®, in partnership with the Department for Education, is now in its 9th year, and is widely known as the annual gathering of the Education Community. With over 100 exhibits across both days, plus more than 150 speakers across 6 stages, the event is all about discovering ways to transform and refine internal and external learning environments into sustainable and adaptive spaces, from school through to university.

Come to visit us, and register for your place by clicking here. 

Here at Heckmondwike FB, we believe that where we are based says a lot about who we are as a company.

As the name suggests, our factory is located near Heckmondwike, a small town in West Yorkshire. Since the company was founded in the 1960s, our values have always been very straight-talking, honest and true to our Yorkshire roots.

Our emphasis on transparency and access to the highest quality materials have been key factors in creating the legacy that we now hold in the UK education sector and beyond.

So with that spirit in mind, here is a guided tour around the key processes we use to manufacture our fibre bonded carpets.

The first step in creating our carpets is receiving the shipments of fibres at our Goods Inwards department. Fibre is the basic material that a carpet is made up of, with over ninety percent of all carpets now crafted from synthetic fibres.

The fibres we receive are predominately polypropylene and nylon fibres which are then colour matched to make sure they are up to the highest standard.

The fibres are blended together to create different bespoke mixtures of colours and textures for each range we offer. We don’t just mix colours, we also combine types of fibres in order to create material blends that have different textures and durabilities. The blending also opens up the fibres, preparing them for the next process; to be made into carpet.

The fibres are further mixed ready to be carded; a process of separating the individual fibres using a course of dividing and redividing steps, which ultimately causes the fibres to lie parallel to one another, eliminating any remaining impurities.

In their carded form the fibres are presented to the first pre-needling process, where they are needled into a sheet with multiple layers. After this, they are further needled, which compresses those layers, forming a blank canvas for the designs.

Last in this stage, the needled carpet is structured by unique structuring needles, meaning it is essentially ‘imprinted’ with its pattern and texture.

To ensure the highest quality end product, we apply a latex coating in our backing plant which further bonds the fibres. The carpet can be backed with a variety of different backing materials, depending on the final product required. We use a number of other different types of backing including foam, crumb and acoustic. For our carpet tiles, a bitumen back is added at our sister factory Paragon Carpet Tiles.

Finally, the finished carpet product heads to despatch, ready to be delivered across the UK to a variety of destinations including schools, offices, universities and apartment complexes – to name just a few!

All in all, we’re really proud of how we manufacture our fibre-bonded carpets in our Yorkshire factory. Especially as all of our products are quality tested to industry and environmental standards before being approved.

Why not order a free sample today to experience our high-quality carpets for yourself, or get in touch on 01924410544. 

 

A freezing office can really affect your mood, work ethic and concentration. It is therefore no surprise that a cold classroom has the same effect on students. To combat the winter chill, it is increasingly important that students and teachers are comfortable and cosy.

Although most primary and high school students have been back for a few months now, they are still settling back into the new school routine and getting used to the difficult new arrangements and rules. A cosy space can make them feel more relaxed and at home.

In this blog, our commercial carpet company explores how carpet can be used to create a cosy environment in the classroom this winter.

Trap Heat with Carpet

The Department for Health advises that opening windows to let fresh air into a space can reduce the rate of infection by more than 70%. Therefore, this winter, classrooms have never been cooler. However, flooring can be used to help combat this.

Unlike hard floors, carpet has a low density and requires little energy to warm up. So, even if the temperature is low in the classroom, carpet will feel warm underfoot and to the touch.

Carpets have incredible insulation properties too, allowing heat to be trapped and retained. Thick and dense carpets, such as those across our fibre-bonded range are favoured, as thinner carpets stay cooler.

Wonderfully Warm Colours

It is said that light coloured carpets absorb less heat than darker shades. So, to keep the classroom cosy, avoid whites and yellows and choose a deeper and darker palette of colours.

However, your dark colour palette doesn’t have to be your typical greys and blacks. It is incredibly important to keep bright colours in mind, as these can help to motivate and inspire students. These colours can improve students’ learning experience, and student performance.

As winter is the time of year to be cosy, seasonal colours such as deep purples and reds can be introduced. The carpet tiles in our Array and Supacord range are available in a wide range of bright and dark colours, which easily match existing colour schemes.

Amazing Acoustics

It has been proven that high noise levels affect learning and student performance, and carpet can help to keep the classroom quieter. Aswell as reducing heating costs, carpet also works to limit sound levels in and around the space.

This is because carpet is able to absorb sound. Experts believe it can reduce airborne noise by up to 35%, as well as destroying the reverberation and echo in a room. This means that costs can also be saved on other insulative means in the classroom.

All our carpet tiles are BS EN ISO 140-8: 21db accredited, meaning they can drastically reduce noise in educational facilities.

Subtle Instructions

Of course, reminders of the measures that students need to undertake, in order to keep the school safe, are an essential part of the classroom. However, fluorescent stickers and tape can seem alien and intimidating in such a space, and interrupt the cosy and comfortable atmosphere.

Instructions that seamlessly blend into an environment, such as our Social Distancing Carpet Tiles, can be used to clearly display important messages, without piercing the relaxing setting. As with all of our carpet tiles, they can be lifted up and moved to adapt to any classroom space.

Contact our expert team for more tips to transform your space and for more information about our extensive product range. Call 01924 406 121 or email sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

In March 2020, the world as we knew it completely changed. Here at Heckmondwike FB, following government advice on COVID-19, our market-leading Supacord carpet tiles range has been transformed to emphasise safe social distancing in schools, colleges, universities and commercial working environments as they gradually adapt to new safety measures.

Understandably, there are times when mistakes will be made and the safety message may need to be reinforced. That is why at Heckmondwike FB, we’ve used our Fusion technology to laser engrave arrows for directional walkways and messaging to subtly remind students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how carpet tiles help with social distancing and wayfinding and why you should install them over other flooring solutions.

Easy Installation

The original government advice stated that a safe social distance was two meters, however, this was soon updated to one meter, demonstrating that while these particular measures are imperative right now, they’re not necessarily permanent. Thankfully, our carpet tiles are easy to set and can be quickly removed and replaced should they need to be.

Durability

Our social distancing carpet tiles are made from our renowned Supacord range, which has been used in classrooms for over forty years and considered the number one carpet solution for schools, colleges and universities. The tiles are designed to not ravel or fray and are durable enough to withstand areas with heavy footfall.

Reduced Risk of Accidents

Unlike social distancing loose-lay mats or hazard tape – which can sometimes cause accidents – social distancing tiles reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls that could occur. Carpet tiles also provide a safer solution to hard flooring for the same reasons and can protect against breakage if valuable items are dropped.

Design

Safety is the most important factor to consider when choosing to install social distancing carpet tiles, but that doesn’t mean the design should be forgotten about. Our carpet tiles come in Steel Grey, Blue and Green, giving learning environments and companies the option to choose either a popular, modern and subtle colour, or a more striking, bold colour that will stand out in a range of spaces.

A Gentle Reminder

With our Fusion technology, we’re able to laser engrave arrows into our carpet tiles as a gentle reminder to students, staff, and visitors to follow social distancing measures, and (as we understand the rules can sometimes be hard to remember) to reinforce what those measures actually are!

Heckmondwike’s Social Distancing Carpet Tiles are now available to purchase, however, due to the current situation, we are unable to provide samples of the product. For more information or to purchase your carpet tiles, please call us directly on 01924 406 161 or email: sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

For many of us, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling is the norm at the moment. While teachers have provided learning packs and you may have had plenty of tips on how to assist your kids with them, it can still be a struggle finding the balance between home and school.

So, Heckmondwike FB have put together some of the best ways to create the ideal environment where children are still eager to learn.

Have a dedicated learning space 

First thing’s first, dedicate certain parts of the house to learning. By doing this, the kids will know when to focus on school work and when it’s time to relax and play. This doesn’t just have to be one room, it could be certain parts of every room, but a dedicated space for learning only is important to improve concentration.

Make the most of your space 

Throughout the day, kids don’t just stay in one classroom. Take them outside too or go into the hallway for an assembly before they return to their workspace. You could always create a reading area in the living room, a table in the kitchen for maths and if the weather’s nice – take the science projects outside!

Make sure everyone’s comfortable 

Just like adults in an office, children should have appropriate chairs and a table to ensure they’re sitting comfortably throughout the day. They might want to work on the floor at some point if they’re building something or are required to move around a lot – just make sure they’re not hurting their backs.

Get creative 

Make the space fun! Classrooms are full of colour, toys, pictures and so on. So, why not create a star chart or some fun visuals for the wall. They’ll love it and it will make your space feel a lot more educational.

Stay organised

The last thing you want is more mess in the house or to lose important school work. Use files and pencil pots or even just a shoebox to ensure all your child’s work is kept safe. Keeping the space clean and tidy will also improve productivity!

For more tips on how to design the perfect learning environment, at home or in schools, colleges and universities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact your local area manager here, call us directly on 01924 410 544 or email us at sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

Monday 4th May 2020

Further to the statement made on 31st March, National Floorcoverings Ltd would like to provide an update to all its customers and stakeholders on the changes made to Group activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

As of today (Monday 4th May), all manufacturing and despatch departments across the Group, including Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works and Playrite have returned to fully operational levels. The Group has also increased its staffing capacity within customer services, alongside other areas of the business, to ensure any queries are managed efficiently and effectively.

However, even with increased capacity and staffing levels, the Group is ensuring that all staff are following Government guidelines and safe working procedures. Where it is applicable, employees are working from home.

The Group and all its employees would like to thank its customers for the support they have provided during this unprecedented time and it hopes everyone continues to stay safe and well. Alongside this, thanks go to the NHS and other frontline businesses that have worked tirelessly and continue to do so.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with customer services, whether that’s at Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works or Playrite. If you don’t have any details available, please visit the relevant company’s website.

The Group will provide a further update in due course.

Regards,

National Floorcoverings Ltd

Tuesday 31st March 2020

Further to the statement made on 25th March, National Floorcoverings Ltd would like to provide a further update to all its customers and stakeholders on the changes made to Group activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Group can confirm that due to concerns surrounding the safety and wellbeing of its employees, it will be closing the manufacturing operations of Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works and Playrite on Tuesday 31st March, until further notice.

Although a hard decision to make, the Group values the safety of its staff above all else and therefore decided to carry out the aforementioned closure.

National Floorcoverings Ltd will issue a further statement once manufacturing operations are re-opened.

However, the company would like to reassure its customers that companies across the Group are available to take orders from its range of extensive stock, using the normal channels, with staff following remote working procedures. Despatch is also operating during this time to ensure orders are fulfilled.

At this time, the Group, and all its employees, would like to thank the NHS and all other support workers that are working tirelessly to combat the virus. That is why we are giving priority to all ongoing and new orders that are required for frontline businesses, or NHS departments, that may need the Group’s support during this time.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch your relevant sales contact, whether that’s at Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works or Playrite. If you don’t have any details available, please visit the relevant company’s website.

Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to wish every one of our customers, and their families, good health and we hope you all stay safe in these unprecedented times.

Regards,

National Floorcoverings Ltd

Every business should prioritise hygiene and cleanliness, and, for offices, educational facilities and retail spaces, it’s extremely important to keep carpets clean.

During this time of uncertainty, many businesses may have temporarily closed their doors, but for those who haven’t and for those who will be reopening in the coming months, here are our top cleaning tips to help prevent germs spreading.

Identify high traffic areas

Certain areas of all commercial spaces will see a higher footfall than others, and it’s important to pinpoint these areas in order to provide the extra care needed. Keep track of these places by writing them down or creating a cleaning chart – it’ll help to maintain higher cleaning standards.

Frequent vacuuming

Vacuuming your carpet regularly is key when trying to keep it clean and will also help extend its life. High traffic areas should be cleaned more often than others – daily if possible to avoid a build-up of dirt.

Deep cleaning

Although vacuuming will remove a lot of dirt from your carpet, it won’t remove 100% of it. This is why it’s important to give your carpets a deep clean at least three times a year. For high traffic areas, you should do a deep clean once a month.

One of our favourite carpet cleaning products is Prochem’s Microsan spray. It is effective against bacteria including MRSA and viruses including Hepatitis B, HIV, and coronavirus. It also has an apple blossom fragrance which will keep your commercial space smelling as fresh as it looks.

Have entrance mats 

It might seem like a basic measure, but having entrance mats is a great way to stop as much dirt and debris being brought into a commercial space from outside!

Avoid eating or handling food in some areas

Most offices will have a separate area for eating and drinking, but a lot of businesses also allow staff to eat at their desks, which could create more spills. If you’re concerned about hygiene, try and limit where people eat in the workplace or in schools and universities to prevent more mess occurring.

At Heckmondwike FB, we have over 50 years’ experience in providing fibre bonded carpets to a wide range of sectors. For more information on how to clean your carpet, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact your local area manager here, call us directly on 01924 410 544 or email us at sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.

It’s that time of year again when teachers are ready for a well-deserved break and are counting down the days until the Easter holidays hit.

While many teachers might pop into school during the holidays to get ahead, studies have shown that students actually benefit from a teacher who has taken the time to relax and is more refreshed. And, it might not be the only thing students benefit from when refreshed.

The Easter holidays are a great time for the decor in schools, colleges and universities to be revived – especially the carpet. Taking the time to update the carpet in classrooms and communal areas can have a positive impact on both students and staff when they return for the new term as it can exercise their creativity.    

It’s also a great opportunity to give the place a brand new look and feel – to breathe some life back into a room.

However, there is more to think about when choosing your new carpet than how it looks. In the education sector, almost all carpets need to be heavy contract rated to withstand the heavy footfall and general wear and tear.

Fibre bonded carpets are an excellent option as they tend to be anti-ravel, anti-fray and anti-static – making them ideal for schools and colleges using computers. They also help to absorb sound so can reduce noise and create a more relaxed atmosphere – another positive in learning environments.

Alongside this, many fibre-bonded carpets provide a cost-effective flooring solution not only at the point of purchase but throughout its life cycle. With its heavy-duty nature, the carpet will not have to be replaced as often, with many products providing a 10-year guarantee when used with advised cleaning a maintenance procedure – providing a large potential saving to the end-user. 

Heckmondwike’s Supacord range still stands as a firm favourite for fibre bonded carpets within the education sector. It is a tried and trusted commercial carpet solution and is a smart choice for schools, colleges and universities in particular due to its durability and robust manufacture.

At Heckmondwike, we have over 50 years’ experience in providing a wide range of fibre bonded carpets and have a variety of colours and patterns available. So, if you’re looking to rejuvenate your school, college or university this Easter half term, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact your local area manager here, call us directly on 01924 410 544 or email us: sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk. 

As we enter the second half of the academic year, plans are well in place for facilities managers to refurbish and replace the carpets in student halls and houses.

JLL’s Student Housing Report forecasts there will be a further 500,000 full-time university students in the UK by 2030, and with the number of students choosing to stay in PBSA (Purpose-built student accommodation) rising, so is the number of new student living opportunities.

When it comes to student accommodation, first and foremost, the carpets should be durable. It’s likely they will need to withstand heavy footfall and wear and tear for several years, so longevity is vital. When evaluating your options, it’s also better to choose dark colours for the same reason.

According to an article published on savethestudent.org, 1 in 3 feel their accommodation is poor value for money, so here at Heckmondwike FB, we want to help change this by at least providing high-quality carpets throughout student halls and houses.

Due to the nature of student life, it’s important to consider the maintenance of carpets, too. The less upkeep and expense for both students and landlords, the better.

We offer a wide range of carpets that are specifically designed to achieve all of the above, with a huge collection of durable, long-lasting and practical carpets available in a variety of designs and colours.

It’s the robust construction of our fibre boded carpets, such as Supacord, which make them both durable and extremely low maintenance and therefore the best choice for student accommodation. Our products are also designed to not ravel or fray and all meet the relevant safety standards.

We have a long-standing history working with the education sector, including universities and colleges, alongside private accommodation providers, delivering both practical and stylish carpets, so you can rest assured your project will be in good hands with us.

For more information on our range of carpets for a variety of sectors (including student accommodation), please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 01924 410 544 or send us an email – sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.