Training

June 8, 2025

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.

The courses offer the perfect opportunity for flooring contractors to gain new skills and knowledge. The training allows participants to get hands-on with the products so they get a complete understanding of how they perform.

Karndean Designflooring is delighted to unveil a newly revamped Karndean Training Academy, reopening this May with upgraded facilities and an enhanced learning experience for flooring professionals.


Designed to support fitters and installers at every stage of their career, the refreshed academy offers hands-on training across Level 1, 2, and 3 courses—covering everything from the basics of LVT installation to more advanced design techniques.


New for 2025 is the introduction of a specialist Heritage Collection fitting course. This two-day programme is tailored for experienced fitters looking to master the unique layouts and intricate patterns of Karndean’s premium Heritage Collection.


With demand already high, and online booking now available, securing a place has never been easier. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, the updated Karndean Training Academy offers the ideal environment to learn, grow, and succeed in the trade.



Matt Lines, Technical Manager at Karndean Designflooring, explains: “The flooring industry is always evolving, and upskilling is essential for any fitter wanting to stay ahead. Whether it’s mastering new product ranges, refining techniques, or keeping up with customer expectations, continuous learning is key to delivering the best results on-site.” 

Want to master LVT installations on your own schedule? With MN Floor Online Training, you’ll get 4–8 weeks of access to professional, in-depth flooring courses designed to help you fit like a pro — no need to travel to a training centre.


Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, the company’s expert-led training covers everything from straight lay to herringbone and border work. Each course is packed with practical, real-world techniques you can apply immediately on the job.


Train at your own pace, revisit lessons anytime, and build confidence in your craft — all from the comfort of your own home or jobsite.


  • Perfect for beginners & working fitters
  • Expert instruction from industry pros
  • Learn anywhere, anytime


Start mastering your flooring skills today. 


Uzin Utz • 01788 530 080 • uk@uzin-utz.com

Karndean Designflooring • www.karndeancommercial.com/fittingcourses

MN Floor Online Training • mnfloortraining.com

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FEATURED ARTICLES

FITA Training: “For Industry, By Industry”

June 7, 2025
FITA is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing specialist training for the floorcovering industry. Co-founded by the Contract Flooring Association and the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, FITA has two specialist training centres at Loughborough and Kirkcaldy, fully equipped to deliver over 20 different flooring courses including carpet, LVT, sheet vinyl, wood, linoleum and subfloor preparation.

Inspiring Excellence

June 6, 2025
When it comes to ensuring that flooring meets standards of other design features, such as furnishings and fittings, following best practice in subfloor preparation and flooring installation is as important as the floorcovering selection itself. Tim Green, head of training at the UK’s leading manufacturer of subfloor preparation products and adhesives, F. Ball and Co, explains how training in these areas can help achieve a design edge and how to access the best free provisions available.

The natural choice

June 5, 2025
As the foundation of any interior, flooring plays a vital role in creating calm, uplifting spaces. Our latest article explores how leading brands blend natural aesthetics with modern performance, so no matter what your style, there are numerous options for both indoor and outdoor home décor.

Ready for anything

June 5, 2025
It’s no secret that one of the biggest issues facing the UK flooring industry is the shortage of skilled labour, and this is a problem that’s only likely to get worse as the older generation hangs up its tools and finds fewer and fewer young hands willing to take up the trade. While the overall declining interest in practical trades is a matter to be addressed by all stakeholders – particularly at a Government level – flooring manufacturers and specialised training outfits have long been playing their parts to raise standards within the industry.

Greendale Carpets: “More than just a buying group”

May 16, 2025
Greendale Carpets are the longest established buying group in the UK, having been formed in 1962. The group is a member owned cooperative run on a not-for-profit basis with any surplus at the end of the financial year being put back into the group for the sole benefit of the member.

ACG celebrates 40th anniversary at Platinum Supplier Show

May 15, 2025
The Associated Carpet Group held its Platinum Supplier Show this past 14-15 March, celebrating its 40th anniversary at the illustrious Hilton Hotel at St George’s Park, the home of the FA and England football teams. The annual showcase is both a platform for ACG’s suppliers to present their newest offerings to the buying group’s members and, of course, a highly enjoyable social event!

Empowering independents to do better business

May 14, 2025
Retailers who are considering joining a buying group would be right in thinking that the combined buying power of multiple retailers all over the UK is a positive because, let’s face it, millions of pounds of buying power is better than thousands of pounds.

Why do quality independent retailers choose SMG?

May 12, 2025
SMG has something for every retailer, large or small, long established or just starting out. Members run their businesses as they see fit but gain advantage from the most comprehensive package of benefits around and, all for the lowest annual membership fee.
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BUSINESS NEWS

Carpet imports outstrip vinyl in March

June 5, 2025
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.

Consumer confidence declines in April

June 2, 2025
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 approaches £200 million sales revenue

May 29, 2025
Likewise Group, the UK flooring distributor, has announced its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Consumer confidence rises slightly in March

May 7, 2025
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.

Flooring prices fall in March 2025

May 7, 2025
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.

New generation takes the helm at Rinos

May 6, 2025
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.

UK flooring imports return to growth in February

May 6, 2025
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 announces positive Q1 results

May 6, 2025
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%.

Industry body unveils “Plan for Growth” to Government

April 1, 2025
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.

Furniture spend up 2.4% with Barclaycard

April 1, 2025
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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READ IT ALL ONLINE

Make school cool with IVC Commercial

June 8, 2025
With compact, acoustic and safety derivatives of its heavy-duty heterogeneous vinyl available in a wide range of attractive designs, IVC Commercial can make any school cool.

Beauflor expands social housing flooring options with Polaris

June 7, 2025
Beauflor’s Polaris is a cushion vinyl collection designed and made in Belgium to cope with the rigours of communal and residential use in social housing schemes.

Make work easier with the power of Pro-Screed

June 6, 2025
The Pro-Screed floor preparation range from floorwise is the easy way to start a fantastic floor.

Abingdon Flooring shakes up cushion vinyl

June 6, 2025
Abingdon Flooring has strengthened its Simply Smooth cushion vinyl ranges with the addition of five on-trend collections.

The Carpet Foundation to close later this year

June 6, 2025
In a recent newsletter, John Duncan, Chairman of The Carpet Foundation, has announced that the organisation will permanently cease operations on 1 August 2025. Citing volatile economic conditions, Duncan explains that the board has decided to close The Carpet Foundation “while we are ahead and while we control the narrative”. Undoubtedly, this closure will be a major loss for the UK carpet industry, reflecting the overall lack of certainty and confidence felt throughout all the sector.

INDX National Flooring Show impresses visitors in Solihull

June 5, 2025
The INDX National Flooring Show (formerly known as the Buyers Groups’ National Flooring Show) took place at Cranmore Park Conference and Event Centre from 13-14 May, impressing visitors with an array of top brands and new products from all corners of the industry, from tools and adhesives to carpets and LVTs.  Our next issue will feature a full rundown and review of the event, but in the meantime, here is a quick snapshot of what we saw at the 2025 show.
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