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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP


             residential buildings must produce       ‘Choosing efficient           typical household energy bill in the UK,
             75% fewer carbon emissions buildings                                   according to LKAB Minerals’ tests for an
             constructed under the previous set of    screeds boosts                innovative type of anhydrite-based screed.
             regulations. To support with the transition                            Floors fit for the future
             to lower-carbon homes, underfloor        design, speed, and            The construction industry is under
             heating systems are increasingly                                       pressure from planning restrictions, while
             preferred because these can run at lower   environmental               being expected to deliver high quality
             temperatures than conventional radiators   performance’                projects cost effectively, quickly, and in
             without reducing warmth for occupants.                                 a way that is sustainable. Navigating
             In these scenarios, it is important that                               those issues is often a complex challenge.
             project stakeholders choose a screed that   look for options that can be poured thinly   But, when it comes to flooring, a simple
             has high thermal conductivity so those   without any compromise to performance.   decision to select the right screed
             efficiency gains aren’t lost, which would   For example, a screed that can be laid at   brings a range of efficiency, design and
             undermine the sustainability benefits of   35 millimetres instead of 75 millimetres   environmental advantages that brings
             underfloor heating while driving up energy   means the occupants will be saved from   about outsized benefits. 
             bills for the occupants.           paying to heat 40 millimetres of flooring   www.lkabminerals.com
              In addition to conductivity properties of   unnecessarily. That could equate to     Ben Bland is commercial manager
             the screed, project stakeholders should   around £450 a year of savings from the   at LKAB Minerals



                                         MANUFACTURER’S CORNER

            Richard Moore, commercial director at Causeway Carpets, discusses heritage-led manufacturing, challenges,
            product differentiation and Causeway Carpets’ growth ambitions

            ‘Producing great products is always our top priority’



             Q  When and why did you join the    flooring retailers and contractors who   profitable businesses. Their ability to
            company?                             provide the right flooring advice and   combine strategic vision with operational
             A  I joined Causeway Carpets as it   who are supported by skilled installation   excellence is something that particularly
            presented a fantastic opportunity to   teams are the backbone of these trusted   inspires me.
            build a business here in the UK that’s   partners.                       Q  What three challenges do you feel
            fully supported by one of industry’s most   Q  Who, outside your company, do you   the industry is facing and what are you
            highly respected carpet manufacturers.   most admire in the industry?    doing to overcome these (sustainability,
            Lusotufo has 90 years of manufacturing   A                               supply, consumer confidence, etc)?
            experience and has a clear vision for the   I certainly admire leaders in the   A  First, creating beautiful products that
            future. The entrepreneurial culture just   industry who have a proven track record   meet customer demand. We overcome
            added to the compelling reasons to take   of building and running successful,   this by producing carpets that are
            up the role.                                                             excellent quality, deliver excellent value
             Q  Why are your company’s products                                      and bring the latest in balanced on-trend
            different than your competitors’                                         colours. Producing great products is
            products and what’s the secret to                                        always our top priority.
            creating a successful flooring product?                                  Second, service. In a market that’s
             A  A key factor is Lusotufo’s heritage.                                 become more demanding, it’s essential to
            As a vertically integrated producer, from                                not only deliver great products, but also
                                                                                     to get them to homes and businesses
            raw fleece to finished carpet, it offers a                               as quickly and efficiently as possible.
            level of control and capability that few                                 Finally, controlling costs while remaining
            can match. In turn, this lets Causeway                                   competitive. As a family-owned carpet
            Carpets create distinctive, high-quality                                 supplier, we have the flexibility to adapt
            products with unique and exclusive wool                                  and respond to changes in the market,
            and polyester textures and finishes that                                 ensuring we stay competitive without
            offer a genuine point of difference in the                                 compromising the quality of our
            market.                                                                     carpets.
             Q  What’s the secret to a                                                   Q  Can you give an outline of your
            successful flooring installation?                                           most popular product ranges and
             A  Working with trusted trading                                            explain a bit about them?
            partners is essential. High quality                                          A  Our most popular ranges are   


         26  CFJ February 2026                                                                    www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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