Tony Wilkinson swapped fitting tools for software development, creating an AI-powered platform designed to help flooring contractors work smarter
TONY Wilkinson has spent more than two decades in the flooring industry, progressing from apprentice carpet fitter to business owner.
Now, the managing director of The Fitted Carpet Company in Hawkhurst, Kent, has added software developer to his CV after creating an AI-powered planning and estimating platform designed specifically for flooring contractors.
Originally developed as an internal tool to improve efficiency in his own business, the software has since attracted subscribers from across the UK, with flooring retailers, contractors and fitters using the platform to streamline planning, estimating and administration.
Tony’s route into flooring began in a familiar way. After leaving school unsure of his next steps, he joined The Fitted Carpet Company as an apprentice fitter, learning the trade through hands-on experience.
‘I was fortunate to be surrounded by some really good people,’ he says. ‘Without that apprenticeship, where would I be? That’s how I look at it.’
After completing his training, Tony spent several years working independently before maintaining links with his former employer. In 2019, he acquired The Fitted Carpet Company, a business established in 1972, and has continued to grow its reputation across domestic and commercial markets.
Today, the company supplies and installs a range of flooring products, including carpet, carpet tiles, LVT and vinyl, undertaking residential and commercial projects. Commercial work accounts for about 40% of turnover and includes projects in schools, warehouses, offices and rail environments.
The software concept emerged from a desire to make day-to-day operations more efficient.
‘I don’t like twiddling my thumbs,’ Tony explains. ‘I’m always looking at ways to make things easier and improve how the business runs.’
One recurring challenge involved communicating carpet cutting plans to installers. While Tony could quickly visualise how a staircase, landing or room should be laid out, translating those plans clearly for fitting teams often involved additional discussion and clarification.
That experience led him to develop a digital planning system capable of automating much of the process.
At the heart of the platform is a carpet planning tool that enables users to input measurements and generate cutting plans automatically. The system takes into account practical installation considerations such as carpet widths and layout requirements, helping users plan installations more efficiently.
An integrated AI feature allows users to enter measurements in a single block of text rather than manually inputting dimensions individually. The software then interprets the information and generates a cutting plan automatically.
The platform has subsequently expanded well beyond its original purpose. It now includes planning tools for LVT and laminate flooring, calculating material requirements and box quantities based on project dimensions.
A room sketch function allows users to draw irregular room layouts and incorporate offcuts into future planning.
Additional features include quotation and invoicing tools that automatically pull information from project plans to generate professional PDF documents.
‘The aim has always been to make life easier,’ says Tony. ‘You can do everything in one place and then immediately turn it into a quote or invoice.’
Although artificial intelligence plays a significant role in the platform, Tony is keen to emphasise industry expertise remains essential.
‘I’d say there’s a big element of AI involved,’ he says. ‘But there’s no way AI could’ve created what’s been built without the knowledge of somebody who understands flooring.’
He points to technical considerations such as pile direction, pattern repeats, material optimisation and installation methods as examples of industry-specific knowledge that had to be incorporated into the software’s development.
‘You can’t simply ask AI to build something like this. You need a deep understanding of the trade and how everything works in practice.’
Since launching commercially a few months ago, the software has attracted about 30 subscribers, including flooring retailers operating multiple branches.
According to Tony, one of the platform’s key advantages is its simplicity.
‘There are other systems available and I’m certainly not claiming to be the first person to develop software for flooring businesses,’ he says. ‘But some of the products on the market can be quite complicated. What I wanted was something straightforward, practical and affordable.’
The platform continues to evolve through user feedback, with new features regularly added in response to customer suggestions.
While Tony acknowledges many flooring professionals remain comfortable using traditional pen-and-paper methods, he believes digital tools will become increasingly common across the industry.
‘I think more people will start to realise how capable these technologies are,’ he says. ‘But they’re not a magic solution. You still need knowledge, experience and patience to make them work properly.’
For Tony, the project demonstrates how practical trade knowledge and emerging technologies can work together to solve everyday challenges, helping flooring businesses improve efficiency while retaining the expertise that remains at the heart of the profession.
Tony Wilkinson, managing director of The Fitted Carpet Company
