Page 95 - History-of-flooringLR

On 31 March 1996 there was a management buyout of Sanquhar Tile STS continues to manufacture carpet tiles for other brands, while in 2018
Services (STS) from Interface Inc, which Heuga had rebranded to. The Shaw Contract launched its bitumen backed branded TaskWorx carpet tiles
management buyout was led by John Smith (managing director), Douglas at Plant SQ.
Watters (financial director), David Lind (production director), Douglas Curran
(engineering director) and John Simpson (production manager), all of whom 2019 saw the introduction of Colourpoint styles, the first being the popular
invested money in the new company. Haven collection, and with the introduction of a 100x50cm format tile for the
Suited collection, alongside existing styles in 50x50cm and 100x25cm
Today this momentous move to the business becoming an independent formats.
entity is recognised with a road on the site today being named John Bailey
Smith Way. As managing director and a major shareholder, the local In 2021 the site at Sanquhar, Scotland, was named Plant SQ by Shaw, a
businessman who lived in Thornhill, was a driving force in developing the Quality Control Department and Testing Facility was unveiled on the
factory and its capabilities over his years at the helm. He was instrumental in expanded site area, and business received ISO 9001 accreditation.
how STS developed and wanted to ensure a strong future for the business
was maintained. Meanwhile Shaw Contract launched its award-winning ComfortWorx tile
platform offering enhanced acoustic and underfoot benefits through the
To recognise this, the management team at STS, owned by US-based Shaw introduction of a matrix pad made from 90% post-consumer plastic bottles.
Industries, invited John’s wife Gill and his son Ian Smith to officially open the
road running alongside the factory in 2019, to commemorate the role the In 2022, Shaw Contract introduced hexagon shaped carpet tiles, made in
late John Bailey Smith played. Scotland, and Shaw began its Net Zero Transition plan and announced 100%
electricity from renewable resources used in production. The manufacturing
In 2018 STS had been acquired by Shaw Industries which wanted to facility, as with all Shaw’s carpet tile manufacturing worldwide, is carbon
show its commitment to the market in the UK and Europe, alongside its neutral and remains a key employer in the area.
successful and marketing leading operations in the USA, and more
recently in Nantong, China. 0207 442 5755
infouk@shawcontract.com
www.shawcontract.com

The History of Flooring 95