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SECTOR FOCUS FLOORING IN EDUCATION

level, the design ethos is still there — so ingredient in the product is assessed, and PVC-free resilient flooring are taken back
you can take a limited budget and still it’s an ongoing process to maintain that free of charge. That’s the cheapest way a
make a space look really strong,’ he said. certification.’ contractor can remove a project.’
Michael also highlighted the importance 'Education providers recognise the As education projects increasingly
of UK manufacturing in delivering against importance of wellbeing for their students consider end-of-life responsibility earlier
tight education timeframes. ‘Summer and flooring plays a role in this. We’ve got in the specification process, it’s becoming
programmes are always tight. We’ve Indoor Air Comfort Gold certification, he more common for refurbishment
had university projects where we’ve had said. It may not always be the deciding conversations to include what’s already on
two weeks’ notice. Normally lead times factor on a project, but it’s a strong talking the floor and how it can be recovered, with
are longer, but we can adjust production point when presenting to education closed-loop recycling steadily becoming
schedules to make things work.’ clients. part of standard project discussions.
It's noted that approvals in education Ryan added that material transparency Michael reinforced the importance of
projects are taking longer, which places and recycled content are increasingly contractor influence in that framework.
additional pressure further down the important in product selection. ‘The ‘Flooring contractors are really influential.
supply chain on manufacturers and recycled content in our yarn is a big factor. When they’re involved in a project, their
contractors to ensure spaces are ready Our yarn is made from 100% recycled opinion carries a lot of weight with end-
for students returning after the summer content, which is really strong from a users. It’s down to us to make sure the
period. sustainability point of view.’ market understands the benefits we bring
Educational environments themselves That shift is also being driven by — sustainability, product choice, pricing
are also changing. They’re no longer rows client-side requirements, particularly and service.’
of desks, but adaptable and inclusive in higher education, where estates and He added that much of Shaw Contract’s
spaces designed to support different sustainability managers are becoming education work originates through
ways of learning and interaction. That more involved in decision-making. contractor relationships. ‘A lot of
shift places greater emphasis on flexibility Sustainability may not always be the final education leads come directly through
within product portfolios, allowing deciding factor in specification, but it is contractors. If they’re recommending you,
seamless transitions between zones and increasingly part of the conversation from they’re buying into the message. There are
uses in the same building. the outset. different ways to penetrate the education
Michael points out that sustainability Ryan said that making sustainability market, but those long-term relationships
is now coming into conversations much and circularity accessible is key to wider are really important to us.’
earlier in the specification process, adoption in education projects. ‘I think Ryan agreed, emphasising how central
particularly in education projects. ‘When it can be difficult, but it’s our job to contractors are to the business model.
we get a brief, we’ll sit down with the make it simpler and more cost effective. ‘Much of our success over the past
client and understand their goals. If there That’s what we’re here for — making it few years has been built on flooring
are specific sustainability requirements, accessible to every flooring contractor, contractors first and foremost. They’re
we’ll make sure there’s something in the regardless of size across the country.’ such an important part of what we do.’
portfolio that can meet that.’ He highlighted Shaw Contract’s take- That influence is particularly significant
He pointed to the importance of back approach as part of that support. ‘We in education, where interior designers are
third-party verification in that process. have a takeback scheme where, regardless less commonly involved and specification
‘Most of our portfolio is Cradle to Cradle of whose tiles are on the floor, we’ll take decisions are often made in collaboration
Certified®, and a number of collections are them out and only charge carriage. At between contractors and facilities teams.
carbon neutral as well,’ Michael said. ‘Each the end of life, EcoWorx® carpet tiles or In that context, the contractor’s role
becomes even more pivotal in shaping
outcomes and driving product selection. 

Ryan Moody is based in Taunton, Somerset and has
worked in flooring since leaving college, bringing more
than 30 years’ industry experience to his role at Shaw
Contract, where he has been for seven-and-a-half years.
He began his career as an estimator before moving into a
sales role with Polyflor, where he spent 12 years, followed
by positions at Burmatex and TradeChoice. He says his
current role has been particularly rewarding because of
the relationships built over time. ‘Many customers are
friends now,’ he said. ‘I’ve been calling on some of them
for 25 years, and I even started calling on their dads in
some cases.’
Michael Gillespie is based in the Midlands and has
worked in flooring since graduating from university about
27 years ago. He initially spent nine years with a flooring
contractor before moving into carpet tile sales. Michael
said Shaw Contract’s culture and direction were key
reasons for joining. ‘There’s a real local feeling to Shaw,
even though we're a global company. We're on a great
journey at the moment, having doubled our markets
here in the past couple of years. And everyone is really
passionate here. Shaw is such a driven, motivated,
dynamic company.’

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