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For a second year in a row I have been a judge for the international Wool carpet competition, held Stamford Bridge, Chelsea. The other judges were Editors of leading consumer magazines – Country Life, Country Homes and Interiors, Homes and Gardens and Homes and Antiques. Over 200 entries ensured a strong showing for innovation and design. Some great products and the Awards evening was well received – especially by the winners….
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I have been an active member of the Textile Institute for 30 years, and I have enjoyed being a member of the textile industries leading trade organisation.
Therefore I was very pleased to take the role of Convenor for Floor coverings and play my part in the reviewing and amending of the latest edition of the Textile Institutes guide to Textile Terms and Definitions.
Working with me on this task were Al Ross CTexT FTI (NZ and China) and Alejandro Dandolo CompTI (Argentina) both colleagues are very experienced in the carpet industry and I would hazard a guess that we have 140 years experience between the 3 of us…..
The Textile Terms and Definitions have been published by the Textile Institute since 1954 and the TI note that it is “generally regarded as the established, most authoritative and comprehensive English-language reference manual of textile terminology”.
As long term textile people we were proud to play a part in the July 2014 revision.
For the first time this is available on the internet at www.ttandd.org
The Textile Institute (TI) is a unique membership organisation for textile professionals and serves textile related industries worldwide. The TI support the industry in many ways including industry awards and professional qualifications.
I was honoured in 2000 and was presented with a Fellowship of the Textile Institute and becoming a Chartered Textile Technologist and able as my colleagues above to use letters after my name. – Malcolm Sims CTexT FTI.
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Over my career in carpets I have been involved in over 50 carpet inspections in the UK, New Zealand and the USA. These were a mix of consumer/residential inspections and large contract inspections. I have also been involved in court cases as an expert witness relating to carpet issues as well as being responsible for the running of a complaints department for a carpet mill. So I am quite experienced in the area of carpet complaints and investigation.
I decided recently to attend formal courses run by the WoolSafe® Organisation on ‘Carpet Inspection, Report Writing and The Investigation of Carpet Complaints. There is an exam to sit at the end of the course and I was pleased to have passed. I am now a WoolSafe® Registered Inspector.
Since starting my consulting business I have occasionally been asked to give an opinion on a number carpet issues, relating to technical criteria and carpet performance characteristics, so this new qualification is very useful and I must admit the course and entire process was very interesting and educational.
The course tutor was Dr Eric Brown, who is a world expert in the area of carpet inspections and complaints having also written many books on the subject. The courses were very practical, detailed and relevant and I certainly would recommend it for any carpet technologists involved in carpet complaints. Eric has a great relaxed style and he was able to illustrate many of the subjects with personal experiences.
The WoolSafe® Organisation is a cleaning industry service provider, devoted to promoting best practice in carpet and rug care through maintenance product evaluation and certification, education and training, and the promotion of professional cleaning and inspection services.
Established in 1991, the WoolSafe® Certification Mark is widely recognised in many parts of the world as the standard for excellence and safety of carpet care chemicals, both for professionals and consumers. It is used by many of the world’s largest suppliers to identify and promote those carpet care products specifically suitable for use on wool.
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The Harrogate Carpet Show 2015 – by Malcolm Sims
The following report that was a feature in the IWTO Newsletter this month
Wool Creates Impact at Harrogate Carpet Show
Malcolm Sims CTexT FTI, international textile consultant, reports:
Wool made its presence known at this year’s Harrogate Carpet Show, the most important trade show for the UK carpet industry.
With the Campaign for Wool and the newly formed Wool Carpet Focus Group maintaining a high profile, with eye-catching images and wool facts handouts, the Focus Group’s strap line ‘It’s cool to buy wool’ generated significant interest. Wool carpet manufacturers described the show as ‘most positive’, with a number of new wool products introduced.
In keeping with the trend of recent years, variations of stripes continued to make a stylish impact. Alongside creative Axminsters and Wiltons, colourful heathers, classic high twist and velvet products struck a positive note. Natural heathers, which rely on non-dyed coloured wools, were on show in a range of structures.
The UK has always been a strong market in terms of colours, generally offering the widest range of wool carpet colours in the world, and this year’s Flooring Show was no exception. While commonly it is 20% of the colours that give 80% of the sales, with beige and its variations still dominating, the wide range of boldly coloured stripes for hallways and staircases offered an inviting opportunity for the introduction of other colours in other rooms.
Texture in wool carpets was also presented with great effect, not only in cut pile with combinations of high twist yarns and low twist, but also with a multitude of loop pile structures, using big loop/small loop effects or high loop/low loop constructions.
Visitor numbers were up by 9% on last year, with over 170 exhibitors from 16 countries. The UK market is a vital market for wool yarn and carpet, and there are good indications that current retail carpet sales are strong.
For international companies that can provide creative wool products, the UK carpet market represents a substantial opportunity.
For more information on trends, trade show reviews or product development contact me at malcolmsims@malcolmsims.com
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April in the Yorkshire Dales. After heavy snow at the end of March that led to drifting of over 8 feet on the Moors, these sheep will be pleased with the the thaw in early April. The dark Wool from the adult sheep will be likely to end up in a carpet, as most British wool does.
Naturally colored wools have become more popular in the carpet industry of late, as no dyeing would be required. The lamb having a good white fleece will also have its wool used in carpets.
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]]>For further information please contact Malcolm Sims and Associates – International Textile Consultants.
Specialists in the innovation and product development.
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]]>There are still opportunities to innovate in the competitive UK market and creating that point of difference is still an important factor. Doing this within existing manufacturing parameters is an important consideration.
For further information please contact MSA
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]]>I have just launched my international consulting business and will specialise mainly in carpets, yarn and wool – but not exclusively.
After many years in senior management roles and international product development, I am looking forward to using my experience to help clients build on their business’s.
Please contact me if you wish to discuss a potential project such discussions will be confidential and may help establish the sort of service we may provide to you and your company.
Malcolm Sims CTexT FTI
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