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CONTRACTOR PROFILE COMPANY SHOWCASE

020 8692 9813 Unit 11-12
mail@ajaxflooring.co.uk Bourne Industrial Park
www.ajaxflooring.co.uk Dartford DA1 4BZ

Ajax Flooring: Crafting a reputation that lasts

JAX Flooring hands-on work. hours — but that’s how we built trust and
Ais one of ‘He blagged it,’ Charles admits with a delivered results.’
London’s most laugh. ‘He knew he could learn on the job, Today, Ajax Flooring employs a team
respected family- and he did. That confidence and ingenuity that combines experience and skill with
run flooring became a hallmark of the company’s operational efficiency. Charles runs the
companies, approach.’ Over the years, the hardwood operations side, while his sister Jayne
combining over division grew into a cornerstone of Ajax oversees the commercial side, handling
half a century of Flooring’s offerings, allowing the firm to tenders, client relationships and ensuring
experience with provide a complete flooring service across projects remain on schedule and on budget.
a dedication to a wide range of materials. The company has eight experienced
craftsmanship and Then based in Brockley, Lewisham, Ajax floorlayers, an estimator, and four office
client service. A Flooring quickly became a trusted partner staff. This structure allows Ajax Flooring to
Charles Devine
founder member of the Contract Flooring for councils, schools, and public-sector tackle a broad spectrum of projects, from
Association (CFA), the company has clients. Direct lines to City Hall enabled schools and housing associations to retail
carved a reputation for reliability, high- them to secure high-profile contracts, outlets and nursing homes, with a focus
quality finishes, and a unique approach to installing floors in town halls and other on refurbishment rather than new builds.
commercial flooring. municipal buildings. Over time, the ‘Schools in particular are a competitive
Managing director Charles Devine is company evolved from direct contracts environment,’ Charles explains. ‘They
quick to highlight that the business is to framework and tender-based work, require multiple quotes, budgets are tight,
more than just a flooring contractor — it’s expanding its reach while maintaining the but they also value our history and the
a living piece of family history, intertwined personal attention and commitment that quality of our work. That’s why we often
with naval heroism and stories from have always defined the business. get chosen, because they know we can
decades of industry evolution. ‘We’ve been into almost every school handle whatever surprises a Victorian
The origins of Ajax Flooring are steeped in London at some point,’ Charles says. school might throw at us.’
in personal history. The company was ‘Back in the day, summer holidays were no A strong emphasis on craftsmanship
founded in 1956 by Don Burill, a holidays for us — seven days a week, long and low staff turnover ensures
man inspired by the ship on which consistent quality across all
he served during the Second projects. Several of Ajax Flooring’s
World War. The HMS Ajax, a Royal layers have been with the company
Navy Leander-class light cruiser, for over 40 years, offering an
famously engaged the German unparalleled depth of experience.
heavy cruiser Admiral Graf Spee Charles himself started sanding
during the Battle of the River and finishing hardwood floors at
Plate in South America. Later, Ajax age 15, learning from his father
participated in the D-Day landings. before leaving for a career in major
‘My father always said the ship’s infrastructure, including with
courage and resilience inspired Balfour Beatty and on the Lower
everything he wanted to build Thames Crossing project.
into the company,’ Charles recalls. He returned to the family firm
The name Ajax, therefore, is more when his father fell terminally ill,
than a label — it’s a symbol of ultimately taking over operations
determination and precision, values alongside Jayne.
that remain central to the business Ajax Flooring’s portfolio
today. demonstrates both breadth and
In 1970, Charles’s father joined adaptability. The company has
the company and expanded its completed work in recording
horizons. Until then, Ajax Flooring studios, nightclubs, and historic
focused solely on carpets and buildings, as well as traditional
vinyl. Charles Snr established the public and private sector spaces.
hardwood division, boldly claiming One notable project involved a
vast experience in the craft despite London nightclub’s ‘Sonic Boom’
only having two weeks’ prior Sid and Rosie are both a familiar presence in the office room, designed for the hard of

36 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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