CFA Comment
A big thank you to our golf day sponsors!
This month marks one of the most anticipated events in the CFA calendar – our...
NEW – A day at the races England – don’t delay, book now!
We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new addition to the CFA calendar – ‘A Day at...
CITB reforms
It’s vital that we stay proactive and continue to lead by example in delivering thehighest...
A Day at the Races – Hamilton and Leicester venues Book Now!
CFA members can still secure their places for an exciting day at the races! Join...
CFA hold successful member event at Uzin Utz UK Ltd
The Contract Flooring Association (CFA) recently held a well-attended member event at Uzin Utz UK...
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER – The CFA Flooring Apprentice of the Year Competition
In January we launched the 2025 Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition and the deadline...
Not just a badge
In this month’s column, Alan focuses on the full range of CFA membership benefits and...
CFA’s vision for 2025-2026
With membership numbers expected to see growth following increases across 2024-2025,we believe members have some...
Get ready for an unmissable day at Hamilton Park Racecourse!
The CFA’s annual horse racing event in Scotland has opened for bookings. Join us at...
CPA Parliamentary Reception – December 2024
The CPA Parliamentary reception was held on Wednesday 4 December at the House of Lords...
CFA’s annual review (and how to make a million)
Richard summarises what the CFA has achieved across 2024-2025.
THIS February article finds us almost...
Flooring Contractor’s leading the way in the CFA’s Guide to Sustainability
CFA Guide to Sustainability is a publication that’s not to be underestimated. With a growing...
CFA Member Event – Uzin Utz Campus28 January 2025
Places are still available at our member event taking place at UZIN UTZ Campus, Stafford...
CFA Manufacturers/Distributors Committee meeting
TThe latest meeting of the manufacturers and distributors joint committee took place on 3 December....
Raising the ceiling on flooring standards
Alan elaborates on his main priorities as CFA president, as outlined in his first column,and...
Grenfell: What happens next?
In the second of a two-part series on the Phase 2 Grenfell Report, Richard Catt...
CFA 50th Anniversary Party
This year has been a very special one for the CFA, marking 50 years serving...
After the fire
In the first of a two-part series, Richard Catt outlines the overall CFA response to...
Presidential plans
In Alan’s first column as CFA president, he outlines his main priorities in the role,...
State of trade update: contract flooring industry in 2024
This year’s membership return reveals significant insights into the challenges and progresswithin the sector, particularly...
Testing a subfloor for moisture content is REALLY important before fitting LVT
Richard Catt provides an overview of the importance of testing subfloors when it comes to...
Shaun Wadsworth wins Outstanding Achievement Award
At the CFJ Flooring Industry Awards held at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Coventry on 6...
Scotland networking lunch and golf competition
The Scottish networking lunch, golf competition and dinner took place earlier this month with a...
CFA becomes official partner for InstallerSHOW 2025
The CFA, along with FITA and the NICF, is delighted to confirm that all three...
Members in demand
With the October issue of CFJ, Richard Catt launches this year’s hard copy CFA Members’...
CFA seeks support for guidance document on Installation of Laminate Flooring
The CFA is pleased to be working with the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF) and...
Alan McEwan elected as CFA President
At the CFA’s Annual General Meeting held on 13 August at Coombe Abbey near Coventry,...
Avalanche of benefits for CFA members
The CFA offers more value and a new guidance note on moisture measurement, says Richard...
Thank you for your support!
As his two-year stint as CFA president draws to a close and the association stands...
New benefit for CFA members: ‘Clear Our Workspace’ campaign or the responsible ‘No’
Richard Catt introduces readers to the latest addition to the CFA’s suite of member benefits:the...
How the CFA support the wood and laminate sector
Richard Catt gives an overview of how the CFA provides courses, advice and guidance
to get...
Member event at Forbo Flooring UK Ltd, Kirkcaldy
We are delighted to announce that we are holding another member event, this time we...
2024 Golf Day at the Belfry
The CFA’s annual golf event at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield took place on 18...
Another step along the long road to improve sustainability in our industry
The CFA Sustainability Guide is an example of how the CFA can provide a stage...
An info-packed guide to green best practice
Richard Catt introduces the CFA Guide to Sustainability 2024/2025 which aims to help the flooring...
Measuring competence in floorlaying – how far do we go?
Richard Catt elaborates on something that could really be a huge change to the way...
Book Now for CFA 50th Anniversary Party!
We are thrilled to announce that bookings are now open for our 50th Anniversary Party!
Join...
Member event at f ball – February 2024
In February the CFA held a member event kindly hosted by F Ball & Co...
LVT and underfloor heating – A new guidance note on underfloor heating systems in light of future building standards
Richard Catt provides an overview of underfloor heating systems regarding upcoming amends to regulations.
SOME things...
Missing an important point?
‘Creating a productive environment for UK construction’ – Carl asks whether this is ignoring the...
Time to take note…
Richard Catt announces the launch of a new CFA guidance note on underfloor heating systems...
50th Anniversary Party – Saturday 12 October 2024
As you may be aware this October we are holding an anniversary “party” to celebrate...
A Day at the Races – Hamilton Park Racecourse Wednesday 19 June 2024
The CFA’s annual ‘A Day at the Races’ for members is taking place at the...
A warm welcome to the new FITA Training Officer – Adam Chapman
At the beginning of January 2024, the CFA welcomed Adam Chapman, the new FITA Training...
New CFA business plan includes support for ‘The Responsible No’
Usually, our answers are more of the responsible ‘yes but…’ approach but I’d argue that...
Payment and retention – the next chapter
Richard Catt provides an overview of the likely information large contractors must publish
about their retentions...
Can it be 50 years already?
It seems amazing to think we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the CFA...
The CFA’s golden milestone
It’s the CFA’s 50th birthday! Richard Catt takes you through a quickfire tour
of half-a-century’s achievements.
In...
The CFA’s golden milestone
As we stand on the cusp of our 50th year (we were incorporated on the...
Introducing the new CFA website: your gateway to excellence in contract flooring
The CFA’s new website acts as a gateway to quality and professionalism in contract flooring,...
Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun!
Carl Harper provides an overview of his first, very busy year as president of the...
CFA Autumn Ball 2023
This year’s event saw a long awaited and pleasant return to Slaley Hall Hotel, Golf...
Site conditions – windows would be nice!
Site conditions are a constant challenge in the flooring sector. Richard Catt suspects most CFJ...
CFA Scotland Networking Lunch and Golf Event – August 2023
THE Scottish networking lunch, golf competition and dinner took place in August. All elements of...
Our new Handbook – another great resource from the CFA!
The CFA Members’ Handbook is one publication that gives every member, no matter how big...
Introducing the 2023 CFA Members’ Handbook in an unpredictable market
Richard Catt launches this year’s handbook and elaborates on how the CFA has represented its...
The new Building Safety Regime – is it on your radar?
The Building Safety Act (April 2022) is the foundation of a new, wider Building Safety...
Collectively cultivating a brighter future
Richard recounts his experience at a mock interview event and renews his call for more...
Getting out there, keeping connected!
Get out and about to find out what’s happening in flooring says Carl after he...
Scotland Race Day 2023
WHAT a difference 12 months makes as this year’s race day in Scotland was blessed...
CFA Annual General Meeting – Keynote Speaker announced
THE CFA Annual General Meeting is taking place on Tuesday 15 August 2023, at the...
Collaboration is the future of sustainability
The latest edition of the CFA’s guide to sustainability has been released on the CFA...
CFA Autumn Ball 2023 – tickets still available
There are still tickets available to CFA members for the Autumn Ball taking place on...
A message for non-members of the CFA
Richard reaches across the aisle to invite you to consider joining the CFA if you...
2023 Flooring Apprentice of the Year Winner – Mike Waldron
The CFA is delighted to announce that the winner of the 2023 Flooring Apprentice of...
Payment practices – an update
Until the specialists’ experience is that in practice they get paid within terms for work...
Payment – claiming what is rightfully ours
One issue which unfortunately is of perennial concern is that of late payment. In the...
2023 Golf Day at the Belfry
THE CFA’s annual golf event at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield took place on 21...
Sustainability is affecting us NOW
Richard sets the scene for the annual CFA Sustainability Guide which is published this month...
CFA become Event Sponsor of Clerkenwell Design Week and The Flooring Section
Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) takes place between the 23-25 May 2023 and this year the...
The devil is in the details
In this update on CE and UKCA marking, Richard Catt asks whether this is the...
I know our company benefits from CFA membership – so should yours!
If you’re considering becoming a CFA member or are considering renewing your CFA membership this...
CFA Autumn Ball – bookings open this month!
Bookings for the Autumn Ball will open at the end of April. This is one...
Why should flooring contractors invest in an apprentice?
Employing an apprentice is an essential part of providing a constant and correctly trained source...
What value does an association offer in this day and age?
The headline benefit that all members of a trade body will value is very likely...
Spotlight on the 2023/2024 CFA business plan
In his February CFJ article, Richard Catt provided a review of 2022 and what was...
Laying the floor – that’s the easy bit!
To suggest that laying a floor does not present challenges would not of course be...
2022/2023 membership year – a review
Inspired by his work on the CFA’s 2023-2024 business plan, Richard provides a quickoverview of...
Future Fitters update – introducing GoConstruct
Richard provides a Future Fitters update and introduces another key element, the GoConstruct website, where...
A full and comprehensive reference point for your training needs
Shaun Wadsworth explains why The Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide 2023 is the best place...
Winter Warning: Please prepare for HEAT
Richard focuses on a problem that will be all too familiar to those who work...
Settling in – and there’s a lot going on!
Carl shows his support for the CFA’s Winter Warning Campaign, which hopefully will make all...
CFA ‘Winter Warning’ campaign now underway
The CFA’s Winter Warning campaign is now fully underway and a range of different materials...
CFA to launch ‘Winter Warning’ campaign
We all know the challenges – and potential pitfalls – of working on a project...
CFA Welcomes Membership Manager to the Team
The CFA is delighted to be able to announce the appointment of Richard Bromwell as...
Future Fitters – Talentview
The CFA’s Future Fitters campaign is all about getting new talent into our industry, says...
Relishing the challenge as your new president
Carl says he’s excited to have assumed the mantle of CFA president at animportant time...
All change at the CFA
Richard updates readers on the important changes that took place at a recent council meeting...
CFA holds highly successful Scottish networking lunch and golf competition
Another CFA event has returned to the calendar this year, after postponements due to the...
Latest CFA Members’ Handbook – launching this month
Look out for the latest edition of the CFA Members’ Handbook, which is being launched...
Harrogate, here we come!
Richard explains why this year he’s feeling even more upbeat than usual about The Flooring...
Future Fitters: the CFA’s drive to increase the number of new fitters joining our industry
Go Construct stem ambassadorsCould you spare some time to go into schools and speak to...
Latest CFA Guide to Contract Flooringnow available
The CFA launched the 2022 Guide to Contract Flooring in July and it was distributed...
Visit the CFA at the Harrogate Flooring Show!
Richard Catt has written in his column in this issue about the Harrogate Flooring Show,...
Contract Flooring Association (Stand B14)
This year the CFA has a lot to showcase in Harrogate. We have a major...
Introducing ‘Future Fitter’
Richard Catt provides detail on ‘Future Fitter’ - the CFA’s collective term for its project...
A roller coaster ride (but with more ups and downs)
Hamish MacGregor reviews his two years as the CFA president.
If you were going to pick...
Launch of the 2022 Guide to Contract Flooring
Once every five years, the CFA publishes one of the most significant documents in its...
Environmental crisis: The flooring industry can and should play its part
Featured in this edition of CFJ, Richard is delighted to announce the launch of this...
Inflation again – haven’t we been here before?
Manufacturers increasing their prices is only one of the challenges facing contractors as inflation rockets,...
2022 Flooring Apprentice of the Year Winner – George Carter
The CFA has proudly promoted this award in conjunction with CFJ for ten consecutive years...
CFA holds successful Manufacturers’ Committee Meeting
The CFA has held a successful Manufacturers’ Committee meeting in a hybrid format, with participants...
CFA – Go Construct STEM Ambassadors
Richard Catt reveals that he’s become a flooring STEM Ambassador. But what exactly does that...
Be kind-#bekindinflooring
Richard Catt talks about his hope that main contractors can reflect on 2021 and review...
Are you being served?
As the time for membership renewals approaches, Hamish MacGregor runs through some of the ways...
Garry Bateman retires from Forbo and CFA roles
The CFA is marking the retirement of Garry Bateman, who is due to step down...
A Day at the Races 2022
The CFA is able to confirm that it will once again be holding ‘A Day...
CFA Training Guide – everything you need to know about training for the contract flooring market
The 2022 edition of the Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide is now available! Containing everything...
Reflection on renewals
The CFA membership year runs from 1 April - 31 March, and so it will...
CFA – More than just a logo
Some trade bodies may pride themselves on being just a logo but, as Richard Catt...
How COP 26 takes us forward
To accelerate progress on sustainability more flooring firms need to sign up to initiatives such...
FAOTY now open!
The CFA is pleased to be able to announce that the Flooring Apprentice of the...
CFA industry survey: we asked, you told us, we act!
Richard Catt elaborates on the widest survey on members’ (and non-members’) views of the CFA...
Climate action – what you can do
No doubt debates will continue to rage regarding the extent to which last month’s COP...
Start the New year with a FITA training course!
FITA currently has availability on a number of training courses running at its Loughborough Training...
CFA Benefits – a cracker of a package
Richard Catt explains why being a CFA member can be a bit like waking up...
Comparing notes with the clergy
Richard discovered, during a chat with Rev Richard Coles at the CFJ/CFA Awards, that the...
CFA 2021 AGM: A review and where are we now?
Richard Catt gives readers an inside glimpse into the CFA’s 2021AGM on 24 August, which...
Good news at last!
Still buzzing from the high of the CFJ/CFA Awards, Hamish MacGregor celebrates the latest developments...
CISUFLO new routes for floorcoverings on the horizon
The CFA is delighted to be supporting a new project called CISUFLO that it will...
Temporary Protection Materials
Protection of interior floor finishes is often required on both new build and refurbishment projects....
Early adopter or pioneer? Either way CAS is the way forward
Richard explains why he’s on a mission to promote the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) and...
Sustainability: Now we have to take it seriously
Hamish MacGregor says we’re at a turning point in the whole sustainability debate and how...
Professor Noble Francis addresses Manufacturers’ Committee Meeting
THE June meeting of the CFA Manufacturers’ Committee, attended by around 40 members, heard an...
Brexit support available for CFA members
The CFA is aware that there is still much uncertainty in the market about the...
Is your business too BIG or too small to join the CFA?
There is, says Richard, something good about being a member of the CFA that makes...
CFA lobbying reduces threat of post-Brexit labour shortage
Following several months of lobbying in partnership with Build UK, the CFA has been successful...
We don’t want a ‘pass the buck’ trade
Hamish hopes that improved cooperation across trades and down the contract hierarchy will have a...
Maintaining the standards – an update to BS5325
BSI asked the CFA to answer some questions about the soon-to-be-available BS5325: 2021, the British...
Managing material shortages and price increases
In this month’s column, Richard shares some of the individual drivers he’s identified with respect...
Reverse charge VAT – the Tomb Raider effect
If reverse charge VAT is removed, Richard wants members to know the role the CFA...
The bumpy road out of lockdown
At the time of writing, the nations of the UK were due to be coming...
The Coronavirus Hokey Cokey
Richard is bothered by two serious threats to the sector and makes the point that...