Page 28 - CFJ_Feb26

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Nature Core & Nature Earth, Natural responsible manufacturer we ensure our Q What is your major selling point with
Coordinates, Galway and Camberley – processes are carefully monitored and contractors? What do your products
plain colours in two styles – as well as fully compliant with environmental and offer them that others don’t?
Country Life & Style. Causeway Carpets safety standards. A Contractors should choose to work
specialises in loop pile textures and with us, because we manufacture new
the quality and purity of our wool is Q What innovation can your clients
exceptional. This allows us to create expect from you in the future? styles and designs at scale, delivering
diverse textures across level, high and A We can produce stylish, flatwoven quality and volume in tight deadlines.
low, zigzag and rib structures, all of which carpets, graphic designs and creative Maintaining full control over production
are increasingly in demand. We’re also bespoke rugs – all of these we’re looking brings consistent quality, reliable
seeing strong interest in our high-end, to implement as part of our UK growth supply and flexibility – all necessary
heat-set polyester styles, available in strategy. requirements in projects. Additionally, our
gorgeous colours and three luxurious ability to respond quickly to market trends
finishes. Q How robust is your supply chain in and client needs make us a dependable

Q How important do you feel offering a the face of global issues such as war? partner for contractors.
bespoke and unique flooring solution is A Our strength really lies in being a Q
to a business? family-owned business that’s committed Where do you see the company in
A We’re a specialist rug supplier in Europe, to a long-term future. Remaining nimble five years?
where we see strong desire for bespoke and flexible against external pressures, A Causeway Carpets will be a strong
rugs. There’s no reason why the UK should we’re not constrained by PLC status, brand with strong sales. We’ll be
be any different, so we’re planning to which allows us to respond quickly to developing exclusive collections for
introduce our rugs into the market this global market challenges. business-to-business customers, our
year. It’ll help specialist independent Q plans to introduce bespoke rugs will
retailers and contractors to offer a high- What flooring trends are you seeing have come to fruition, and we’ll have
end, bespoke offering with the efficiency at the moment, and how do these elevated our brand position through
and flexibility afforded by Lusotufo’s influence your product development? points of difference. We’ll be operating
manufacturing knowledge and expertise. A Loop piles are enjoying a renaissance,
with new textures and colours seemingly as a premium supplier for retailers and
Q Is sustainability and ethical emerging on a constant basis. Alongside contractors looking for innovative and
manufacturing a key commitment to our experience and expertise in working creative products. 
your business, and if so, why? with natural fibres, because we spin and 01388 737622
A I believe it’s crucial to be conscious of dye our own yarns, we’re quick to pick up sales@causewaycarpets.com
our impact on the world around us. As a and respond to these trends. www.causewaycarpets.com

F Ball and Co managing director Darren Kenyon discusses heritage-led manufacturing, challenges, product
differentiation and Causeway Carpets’ growth ambitions

‘F Ball’s R&D delivers high-performance products for

faster installation’

Q When and why did you join the company? product used to join carpet widths.
A I joined the company as business The company relocated to Leek,
development manager over two decades ago. Staffordshire, during the Second World War.
I held national sales manager and sales From that point on, we significantly increased
director roles before my current position. our involvement in developing specialised
products for the commercial flooring sector.
Q Tell me a little about the history of F Ball pioneered cement-based ‘floor
your company. levelling’ products in the early ‘60s followed
A F Ball and Co was founded in 1886, in by the launch of Stycco F3, which would later
London, when Francis Ball entered into a become Styccobond F3.
partnership with an ink manufacturer called In 1989, we settled at our current site
William Henry Cowburn. in Cheddleton. Importantly, F Ball remains
The company’s initial focus was a privately owned, independent
on producing adhesives for shoe family business to this day. This
repair. A major turning point came year marks the company’s 140th
in 1936 when we successfully anniversary, and we’ve got plans to
branched out into the flooring trade celebrate the milestone throughout
with the launch of Stycco Latex, a the year.

28 CFJ February 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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