Because flooring comes last, contractors often inherit the tightest deadlines on major projects, creating pressure that extends across the entire supply chain, Danni Cooke, the business director of COBA and CAT tells CFJ
Who is COBA and how does CAT fit into that?
Founded in 1966, COBA Flooring traces its origins to COBA Plastics, a Coventry-based manufacturer established by Tony Cooke and Tom Bateman. The business entered the flooring market in 1979 with the launch of COBAmat safety matting and has since grown into one of the UK’s best-known suppliers of entrance matting and commercial flooring systems. Carpet Accessory Trims (CAT) began as a small Bedfordshire-based manufacturer in 1986 producing specialist flooring profiles. Over four decades, it grew into a respected name in the flooring sector, known for stair-nosings, trims, profiles and bespoke solutions used in commercial, public and residential projects. Its growth led to its acquisition by COBA Group in July 2021, creating a wider flooring offering that combines CAT’s accessory expertise with COBA’s entrance matting and commercial flooring capabilities
What sectors does your product range perform best in and why?
Hotels and restaurants are definitely a strong area for us. We’ve worked on high-profile projects such as the War Office Hotel and the Dorchester Hotel. For restaurants and pubs, we’ve installed products at the Devonshire, Indian restaurant, Dishoom, The Ivy Collection, Sexy Fish, and at a Hawksmoor Steakhouse.
Commercial offices are also an important part of what we do. Another significant sector is theatres – for example, we’ve worked at the Royal Opera House. Across these sectors, our products perform well because they combine durability, high-spec finishes, and ease of installation, which are essential for busy, high-footfall environments.
How do you ensure consistency and quality and performance across production runs?
CAT prides itself on quality. We cross-check products before they leave our facility and have rigorous internal checks throughout manufacturing. Our team is well-trained to maintain standards, and the machines themselves include monitoring systems to ensure consistent material finishes. For nosings, precision is critical, so every piece is cut to the exact millimetre required by the customer. This combination of human oversight and machine-based checks ensures consistent quality across all production runs.
How do you support contractors when products are installed in challenging site conditions?
For difficult site conditions, we manage delivery directly through our own CAT vans. Our staff communicate with site contacts to ensure products are safely received in good condition. Customers can track deliveries through our system so they know when a drop is coming and can prepare accordingly. All packaging is clearly labelled, including branded outer tubes for easy identification. Every nosing is individually labelled with step number and size, and we provide a measure sheet where applicable. This ensures correct installation even in complex site conditions.
What testing and certification do your products undergo for commercial use?
Testing varies by product. For nosings, all infills are rated for LRV (light reflectance value) and SRV (slip resistance value). CAT’s PVC castellated insert is particularly strong for slip resistance. We also offer an LRV calculator on our website, which allows architects, designers, and contractors to match the floorcovering with the correct insert to maintain compliance and safety.
How do you manage product availability and lead times on large or fast-track projects?
CAT holds a very large stock of products, monitored continuously to ensure availability. Projects can suddenly require materials owing to delays or schedule changes, so having stock ready is essential. All inventory is in the UK, mainly at our Bedfordshire factory, with additional stock in Rugby in the Midlands. This setup ensures it’s very rare for us to run out of stock or cause delays onsite.
What happens if one of your products fails or underperforms onsite?
Product failures are very rare. If one occurs, we arrange a site visit to assess the situation, identify the issue and implement a solution quickly. The goal is to rectify problems efficiently while respecting the project timeline.
How do you respond when a specification needs to change mid-project?
We first consult with the architect to explain why a change is required. If a profile needs amending to meet safety or compliance requirements, we make the adjustment while maintaining the intended aesthetic. Compliance and safety always take priority, and we manage changes to minimise disruption and maintain visual continuity.
Does sustainability play a role in your work, and how are you responding to market demands for more sustainable solutions?
Absolutely. Sustainability is central to what we do, and we have a sustainability policy that guides our practices. For example, 100% of our brass incorporates recycled material, and 90% of our aluminium includes recycled content. We also take care to minimise waste in production, sending scrap material to be recycled through designated bins. Overall, we aim to produce as little waste as possible while maintaining high-quality outputs.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry, in your opinion?
Pricing. Sometimes, flooring can be a price-driven market. Take the quality of CAT products. We’re a one-stop-shop and have really good aftercare service. We pride ourselves on offering the right product for the right application but price isn’t the only pressure. Lead times are another reality of the industry. The flooring package is always the last thing to go into a building and the programme on a large project gets completely driven down. That squeeze falls hardest on flooring contractors – but it ripples through the supply chain too. For CAT, whose products often involve hand-finished processes, lead time is something that simply cannot be rushed. Getting that balance right, she says, remains one of the more persistent challenges across the industry.
