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CE marking postponed until 2009
The coexistence phase of European Norm EN 14342 (Wood flooring, including veneer flooring) is extended by the ‘Standing Committee on Construction’ up to March 1st, 2009. The implementation date of compulsory CE marking is therefore also postponed to the same date.
Euparal/FEP, December 2007
‘Real Wood’ initiative gets (new) boost
Several leading Dutch parquet manufacturers have joined FEP's recently launched “Living on Wood” campaign and have obtained the license for the use of the Real Wood logo and label.
The logo has meanwhile been officially registered by FEP (European Federation of the Parquet Industry) on the territory of the European Union. The producers in question are: Albers Parketgroothandel, Dekora Parket, Inpa Parket Vloeren, M.J.D. Parket, Parketfabriek Lieverdink, Van Kesteren Parketfabriek en Houthandel, Grönloh Parket and Beter Hout. In the same line, FEP is also very pleased with the adherence of Tilo, Chène de l'Est, Boen Parkett Deutschland and Amorim Revestimentos SA. The new affiliates bring the actual number of companies authorised to use the Real Wood label to 43. An updated list of all Real Wood licensed affiliates can be found on the Real Wood website, under www.realwood.eu. FEP's management sees the recent adherence of the many parquet producers as “yet another token of recognition for the continuous and focussed efforts the federation is undertaking at European level to objectively communicate to the consumer the multiple advantages of genuine wood floors.”
Euparal/FEP, November 2007
EPLF:
‘Excellent growth laminate flooring market’
Sales growth among EPLF members was once again positive in 2007. Results
were ‘highly pleasing’ not just in the core markets of Western
Europe but in the growth markets of Eastern Europe as well.
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| EPLF’s joint exhibition stand in 2007 |
Ahead
of the field in terms of sales statistics are Germany, Great Britain,
France and the Netherlands. In Eastern Europe, Poland leads the ranking
followed by Russia, Rumania and the Czech Republic. Against this background,
all forecasts indicate that the European laminate flooring industry will
once again increase its global sales in 2007. The EPLF suggests that this
positive development can be largely explained by the leading position
of the European laminate flooring industry in terms of quality and innovation
– in combination with a strong commitment to the environment and
sustainability.
Trends in laminate flooring innovations include authentic reproduction wood and
stone products, alongside an increasing focus on imaginative creative
decors for dramatic visual effects on the floor – both in the commercial
property sector and the home. Furthermore, the EPLF will be appearing
at the Domotex 2008 for a second time with a joint exhibition stand for
its members at the “contractworld”.
Euparal/EPLF, November 2007
Cross-license
agreement Faus, Unilin
Unilin Flooring and The Faus Group have settled their pending patent disputes
in the field of laminate flooring.
A
new cross-license agreement will allow Faus to use Unilin glueless locking
technology and will allow Unilin to use Faus’s surface technologies
for laminate flooring. “This agreement marks a mutually beneficial
conclusion of Unilin’s and Faus’s pending legal disputes, which
include actions in both Europe and North America,” both companies
say. Both Unilin and Faus license their respective technologies to a number
of major flooring manufacturers.
Euparal/Faus/Unilin, October 2007
Välinge
invests 30 millions in R&D centre
Välinge will invest 30 million euro in a new research & development
centre. The construction works on the new 17.000 m2 R&D facility in
Viken (Sweden) started in September 25 and will be finalized in autumn
2008.
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| Välinge’s present R&D centre |
The
new facility comprises all modern equipment which is needed to produce
hard floating floorings with all kind of surface and core combinations
from raw materials to finished floor boards. Välinge: “The new
R&D centre will be the most advanced in the world. 100 technicians
will in close cooperation with Välinge’s 80 licensees develop
and commercialize the flooring technology of tomorrow.” Välinge
is also planning to establish several support centers in central and Eastern
Europe, USA and Asia. Välinge holds 600 patents in 40 countries.
The company anticipates that the pending applications will increase the
patent base to more than 1000 patents in a few years and that the total
number of patents covering various aspects of flooring technology will
increase to more than 2000 patents in 2010.
Euparal/Välinge, October 2007
Europarket
2008 looks ‘set for success’
On 13, 14 and 15 April 2008, the fifth edition of the Europarket trade
fair will be held in Kortrijk Xpo (Courtrai, Belgium).
Europarket is the largest specialist trade event for the parquet flooring
sector and offers a complete overview of parquet and wooden flooring,
wood veneer parquet, laminate and cork flooring, skirting boards, adhesives,
oils and varnishes, cleaning and maintenance products, materials and machines.
With less than 7 months still to go before the event, the organizers have
confirmed that over 80% of the stand space has already been booked. To
date, 130 exhibitors from 13 different countries have registered.
To meet the demand from both exhibitors and visitors at the last event
for more fringe events for the sector, the organizers decided to hold
a competition for the most innovative new product. Parquet surgeries will
also be held, where visitors and exhibitors will be able to obtain specialised
information on various subjects to be determined in advance. Parquet fitting
demonstrations will be a lively extra attraction on the exhibition floor.
The new edition of Europarket once again enjoys the full support of the
Belgian Proparket association and the Dutch Alliance of Parquet Manufacturers
and Importers.
Euparal/Kortrijk Xpo, September 2007
Shaw
to buy Anderson
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. said it will purchase The Anderson Family
of Companies based in Clinton, South Carolina.
Anderson
has been in the hardwood flooring business for over 61 years and sells
under various brands including Anderson, Virginia Vintage, Appalachian,
Biltmore Estate and the Anderson Pacific brand. 
Anderson
is a fully integrated producer of hardwood flooring. Shaw will continue
the Anderson name. Don Finkell, president and CEO of Anderson, said: “Joining
Shaw Industries will allow Anderson to keep being Anderson but with even
greater resources.” The closing of the transaction is expected to
be completed soon. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The
news of this acquisition by Shaw comes one month after big rival Mohawk
Industries said it had completed the purchase of four wood flooring plants
from Columbia Forest Products. The facilities include two pre-finished
solid plants and one engineered wood plant in the USA and an engineered
wood plant in Malaysia.
Euparal/Shaw/Mohawk,
August-September 2007
The
European parquet industries in 2006
According to the recent annual survey conducted by the European Federation
of the Parquet Industry (FEP), parquet remains a ‘desired’ flooring
product in Europe. In comparison with 2005, production as well as consumption
rose further.
The total production in FEP territory grew by 2.02%, peaking at a record
volume of 98 million m2. Decisive in this result was this time the production
surge in Germany (+10.37%) and Poland (+13.54%), with also a positive
trend in the Netherlands (+14.36%) and Romania (+146.15%). FEP: “The
full impact of new capacities installed in certain countries and the out-sourcing
of the production processes in some cases is now becoming clearly visible
in the figures as well.” Though lamparquet is further loosing ground
(presently at 2%), solid and mosaic show a growing tendency with a respective
market share of 16% and 3%. In spite of a light relapse, multilayer remains
the absolute market leader with 79%. As regards absolute production figures,
Sweden is still the leader with 17,62%, now followed by Poland with 13,28%,
just edging Germany with 13,18%.
Consumption increased a sound 5.55%. Especially encouraging, according
to FEP, were the figures from the Eastern markets in general, and Belgium
(+10.61%), Switzerland (+9.65%), Spain (+7.03%) and France (+7.05%). The
growth was to a somewhat lesser extent also apparent in Austria (+1.31%),
Italy (+1.52%) and the Scandinavian bloc (+0.81%). Stagnation was recorded
on the German market (-0.11%) and a slight drop in the Netherlands (-0.85%).
Consumption has clearly taken the hurdle of 100 million m2, attaining
a new record figure of close to 108 million m2 in the FEP member area.
Taking into account also the non-FEP member states, the total parquet
flooring market in the EU and EFTA together could presently well be in
excess of 115 million m2, says FEP. In analogy to past years, Germany
remains the most important European parquet market with an overall share
of 19%. Spain and Italy occupy ranks 2 and 3, in front of France. FEP
estimates that the actual market share of parquet in the total European
flooring market is presently close to 6%.
Euparal/FEP, June 2007
Witex
exits insolvency proceedings
Following four years of restructuring the business in insolvency, on 14th
June 2007 insolvency administrator Wolfgang van Betteray sold substantially
all parts of Witex Group, Augustdorf to US investment bank Bear Stearns.
Under
the terms of the agreement, Bear Stearns will acquire all material assets,
including the shares in 100% subsidiary Witex International Flooring GmbH,
and all real estate and machinery from the insolvent holding company Witex
AG on a going concern basis. Bear Stearns will also take over Witex’
employees. Bear Stearns is the 5th largest investment bank in North America
and a leading player in the financial restructuring sector. Over the past
few years, the bank has become increasingly involved in restructuring
German medium-sized companies. Together with Witex’ management, Bear
Stearns intends to develop the full potential of the company and the Augustdorf
production site. Witex: “With its new owner, the company’s successful
development over the past four years can now continue on an accelerated
basis.”
Euparal/Witex, June 2007
DOMOTEX
asia/CHINAFLOOR closing report
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DOMOTEX
asia/CHINAFLOOR (DACF) 2007 once again broke several new records at the
end of its Shanghai run from 28 to 30 March, with organizers reporting
double-digit growth rates for Asia’s biggest floor coverings show.
A total of 35,695 professionals came to Shanghai to see and source the
latest products and trends. The interest from overseas increased significantly.
The number of foreign visitors was 5,944 (compared with 4,315 in 2006,
a 37% growth) from 91 countries from all 5 continents. The top 5 visitors’
origin countries and regions were Korea, USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The number of exhibitors grew by 11% to reach a new total of 928 (2006:
833), among which 239 exhibitors were from outside China.
DACF 2007 saw a big increase in its four major segments. Wood & Laminate
Flooring covered 3 standard halls and 2 temporary halls this year, with
over 40,000 square meters space, further establishing its importance for
the market and the show. DOMOTEX asia / CHINAFLOOR 2008 will be held in
Shanghai New International Expo Centre during March 11-13, 2008.
Euparal/DACF, May 2007
'Pfleiderer market leader North America'
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| Michael Ernst (photo: Pfleiderer) |
Against this backdrop, the Executive Board aims for total revenues including Pergo of at least Euro 1.9 billion and Group EBITDA of at least Euro 270 million in full-year 2007. Pfleiderer board member Michael Ernst is the new CEO of Pergo AB, replacing Tony Sturrus. Frida Rosenholm is deputy CEO of Pergo’s European operations.
Pfleiderer: “Taking over the Pergo Group makes Pfleiderer the market leader in North America as an integrated manufacturer of laminate flooring with a share of around 15%. The acquisition will also accelerate the Group’s entry into the European laminate flooring market. As a result of the merger, Pfleiderer expects to benefit from significant synergies and economies of scale in procurement, logistics and production, as well as the better exploitation of existing patents and licenses.”
Euparal/Pfleiderer, May 2007
Unilin
Group and Beaulieu International Group settle all patent disputesThe Unilin Group, Beaulieu International Group and Välinge Innovation AB have reached an agreement to settle their global patent dispute. This puts an end to many years of litigation relating to the infringement and validity of the respective patents.
Both
the Unilin Group and Beaulieu International Group have marketed laminate
flooring with glueless systems since the late nineties. These systems are
protected worldwide by various patents. The Unilin Group has introduced
its Uniclic system in 1997 and markets its products under the ‘Quick-Step’
brand. Beaulieu International Group has produced laminate flooring products
since the year 2000 under the license of the Swedish company Välinge
Innovation AB and markets these products under the trademarks ‘Berry
Floor’ and ‘Alloc’. Beaulieu International Group was, as
a licensee of Välinge, involved in dozens of legal proceedings with
Unilin regarding alleged infringements on the respective patents. 
Both companies have now reached an agreement to settle all their legal cases
worldwide. This agreement settles approximately 25 current legal cases in
the USA, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.
Beaulieu International Group will have access to Unilin patents on the glueless
technology as well as on the bevelled edge technology by means of a license
agreement. At the same time, Unilin will have access to patents of the Swedish
company Välinge Innovation through an agreement with this company.
This agreement protects the value of the respective patents and it offers
to each party the chance to maximize its innovations, according to a press
release by Unilin and BIG.Euparal/Unilin/BIG, April 2007
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