Page 21 - History-of-flooringLR

1931 2012
Altro headquarters established in London Altro invent Altro Aquarius, a unique safety floor for shoe and
barefoot use
1947
Altro invent safety flooring 2015
Altro announce the acquisition of Debolon, manufacturer of premium
1950 vinyl flooring based in Dessau, Germany
Altro’s first installation of safety flooring at Church Hall in Nottingham
1955
David Kahn joins Altro, eventually becoming Managing Director

1958
Altro launch safety flooring in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden
1960
Altro deliver safety flooring to the global transport sector
1960’s
The Adamite Company changes its name to Altro Limited. The name
Altro originates from AL2TRO3, the chemical name of aluminium
trioxide, one of the most important ingredients in safety floors.
1969
Altro safety flooring installed on the New York Subway

1982
Altro launch world’s first integrated safety flooring and wall cladding
system

1986
Altro move to Letchworth Garden City

1988
Altro’s first 2mm safety floor is developed Altro safety flooring sample from the 1960s
1980’s
Richard Kahn joins Altro and Cecil Kahn retires after more than 50 2017
years with the company Altro debut self-adhesive floor solution for transport
1993 2017
Altro begin to market resin flooring product Altro Cantata decorative adhesive-free floor is launched

1997 2018
Altro invent Altro Easyclean Technology Altro unveil new Altro Ensemble modular flooring system, the next
generation of luxury vinyl tiles
2006
Altro’s first acrylic floor for rail launches 2018
new Dessau manufactured products Altro Orchestra, Altro Operetta
2006 and Altro Serenade are launched worldwide
Altro are recognised in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to
work for 2019
Altro celebrate 100th anniversary
2006
Alan Harrison (who invented the world’s first safety flooring) retires 2022
after 57 years with the company Altro introduce the new improved Altro Suprema – an enhanced
version of their popular safety floor range, offering low maintenance
2009 in a range of contemporary colours.
Altro launch Altro XpressLay, the world’s first adhesive-free safety floor
2009 01462 489 516
Recofloor, the UK’s first safety flooring recycling scheme is launched enquiries@altro.com
by co-founders Altro and Polyflor www.altro.com

The History of Flooring 21