Performance to the max
Website Editor • October 26, 2019
Created using a new and improved Zylon Plus yarn for peak performance, the Maximus range is the latest addition to Abingdon Flooring’s StainFree family. Maximus brings hardwearing and durable attributes, resulting in a carpet built for living.
With a successful launch at the recent Flooring Show, Maximus proved a popular choice for retailers looking to offer an all-round champion that copes with heavy domestic use, while retaining its good looks and superior feel. In a choice of 16 colourways ranging from on-trend greys to golden pastels, Maximus looks set to become a future household favourite for 2020.
Martin Peace, sales director at Abingdon Flooring commented, “The positive response from retailers at the recent launch of Maximus proves that we have brought a well-considered, solid and durable carpet to the market. Joining our popular StainFree family, Maximus is an exciting addition and one that we can see being a key choice for consumers now, and for the future.”
A generous 12mm pile provides the carpet’s strong and durable structure, and Abingdon Flooring’s fleece backing gives comfort and ease of fitting. Using a 100% bleach-cleanable Zylon Plus yarn gives Maximus its lifetime StainFree guarantee and a fine 1/10th gauge construction marks it as a carpet of real quality. The range is available in three width choices in 2.5m, 4m and 5m, bringing great value and less waste in small rooms and fewer seams in large spaces.
Strong branding and in-store support in the form of wall units and lecterns are available to help retailers reinforce Maximus’ message as a hard-wearing option without compromise on finish and style for the residential market.
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Learn all aspects of flooring installation at the Uzin Utz Campus in Stafford. The state-of-the-art facility provides diverse training opportunities throughout the year. From subfloor preparation, LVT fitting, wet room installations, wood floor sanding and sealing, as well as resin flooring installation, each course is designed to inspire and equip you with essential skills. With prices starting at just £75 per person, you will not only gain valuable knowledge but also lunch and refreshments, a certificate of achievement, a Uzin Utz Campus T-shirt, and exciting giveaways.

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BUSINESS NEWS
Imports of soft flooring including wall-to-wall carpet and rugs were up 8.8% to £74.75m in March, according to HMRC data compiled by The Furnishing Report. With this increase, imports of carpet grew faster during the period than alternatives like vinyl.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index decreased by four points to -23 in April. All measures were down in comparison to last month’s announcement. These are the current findings of the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB) powered by NIM. The CCB has been published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), the founder of GfK, since October 2023.
Likewise Group, the UK flooring distributor, has announced its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2024.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by one point to -19 in March. Two measures were up, two were down and one was unchanged in comparison to last month’s announcement.
The prices of carpets and other floorcoverings fell 1.8% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. This is the second consecutive month of falling prices, with carpets seeing a drop of 1.7% in February, down from 2.5% growth in the same period last year.
As of 1 April, Herman and Age Mulder will take over the management of Rinos as Managing Directors. They represent the fifth generation to join as shareholders of the family business, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Milco Visscher will start as commercial director on 1 May. The current managing director, Peter Kuipers, will oversee the transition and step down on 31 July.
Imports of flooring to the UK this February were up 7% when compared to the same period last year, reaching a total value of £127.9m, according to figures compiled by The Furnishing Report.
Likewise Group, one of the UK’s largest flooring distributors, has announced a “particularly positive” start to the year with gross sales revenue in Q1 2025 increasing by 10.7% against the corresponding period last year. Sales in the Likewise Branded businesses have increased by 14.6%.
The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for Growth. The document is said to support BFC’s advocacy across four key pillars: skills and education; trade and exports; standards and regulations; and the environment and circular economy. It has been developed over the past few months, the organisation says, evolving from a combination of position papers written by the associations’ executives and a comprehensive survey of their collective members.
Consumer card spending grew 1.0% year-on-year in February – lower than January’s 1.9% increase and less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.9%, according to recent figures reported by Barclays. In anticipation of higher bills, consumers are said to be cutting back on essential outgoings, but still prioritising discretionary purchases, contributing to an uptick in optimism in the health of personal and household finances.
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