AS demand for sustainable flooring grows, Forbo Flooring Systems is leading the charge to revive the art of linoleum fitting through hands-on training, industry partnerships and investment in future skills.
With a shortage of skilled linoleum fitters across the UK, Forbo is taking bold steps to secure the future of one of its flagship products, Marmoleum. From FITA-backed training programmes in Kirkcaldy and Loughborough to a firm commitment to sustainability and technical education, the manufacturer is investing not just in product, but in people. Karen Wilding, marketing communications manager, and Craig Thornhill, technical services manager, explain in this exclusive interview how Forbo is bridging the skills gap one course at a time.
A time-honoured product
At a time when the flooring industry is grappling with a widening skills shortage, particularly in specialist sectors like floor installation, Forbo is turning its attention to a time-honoured product: linoleum.
Specifically, Forbo’s own brand of linoleum, Marmoleum, a product with a 150-year legacy, a 70% global market share and, today, a renewed relevance thanks to its natural composition, climate-positive (carbon negative) credentials and durable performance.
But while demand for sustainable flooring is growing, the skilled hands needed to install Marmoleum are thinning out.
‘The shortage of skilled fitters in linoleum is a real issue,’ says Karen. ‘We’ve had people contact us directly saying that they’re struggling to find someone who is able to fit Marmoleum, and that’s an issue not just for us as a manufacturer, but for the entire industry, as demand is increasing’.
That pressure is compounded by industry demographics, with 31% of UK construction workers aged between 50 and 64, meaning a significant portion of the workforce, may soon be heading into retirement. This is reinforcing the importance of training to equip the new wave of fitters coming through the industry with the relevant skills they need.
To address this, Forbo has partnered with the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) to develop hands-on linoleum training courses in Loughborough and at its Kirkcaldy factory in Scotland, the only Marmoleum production site left in the UK.
‘We’ve been working with FITA for years,’ says Craig. ‘But recently we decided to create Forbo-specific training that really dives deep into Marmoleum. This isn’t just about floorlaying, it’s about mastering a material that’s different from vinyl, and that needs a dedicated approach.’
Training that builds more than skills
First starting in January 2024, FITA has hosted five linoleum-specific courses since May 2025, each tailored to the needs and experience levels of the attendees. Courses are split into basic and intermediate levels. The basic course focuses on flat-lay installation, subfloor prep and hot welding. The intermediate course covers coving, internal and external corners and advanced installation techniques specific to Marmoleum.
‘There’s a common misconception that Marmoleum can’t be coved up the wall,’ Craig explains. ‘But it absolutely can, it just takes the right technique. The product behaves differently to vinyl. It’s firmer, heavier and needs to be handled differently. That’s exactly what our training teaches.’
To reinforce that learning, each participant is soft-assessed by FITA trainers. If found competent, they’re awarded a linoleum seam cutter worth around £300, along with a Forbo goodie bag, a practical reward that also helps new fitters get started with the right tools.
‘The linoleum cutter is one of the most important tools when working with linoleum,’ says Karen. ‘It allows for neat, net-fit seams that are essential for a high-quality finish.’
Craig adds, ‘If you’re about to take on a Marmoleum job in the next year, the course gives you the practical base and confidence to do it right. But if you’re not planning to use those skills soon, they’ll fade. So we encourage people to time their training well.’
From factory floor to fitting floor
On 22 April last year, Forbo hosted CFJ at its Kirkcaldy site, not only the UK’s only Marmoleum factory, but also the site of a two-day intermediate training course. The course was led by Derek Newall, a local flooring veteran with more than 30 years’ experience and a FITA training consultant.
Attending the course were six apprentice floorlayers from Veitchi, one of Scotland’s most established flooring contractors. Each was at a different stage in their apprenticeship, and the course offered them an opportunity to gain specialist skills not typically covered in standard apprenticeship training.
‘The first day focused on theory: moisture management, subfloor prep, smoothing compounds and DPMs,’ says Craig. ‘The second day was all hands-on. Cove forming, welding corners, cutting and fitting, all under the guidance of someone who’s installed Marmoleum for decades.’
David Fraser, one of the Veitchi apprentices, says the course was a valuable extension of his training. ‘You never stop learning. Even after four years, I picked up techniques I hadn’t seen before. And having someone like Derek showing you the right way to do things, it really sticks.’
Understanding the product, Marmoleum’s material difference
At the heart of this training push is the belief linoleum isn’t just another resilient floorcovering. It’s different by design, by nature and by performance.
Marmoleum is made using up to 98% natural raw materials, including linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, jute and limestone. It also contains 43% recycled content. These components are blended into a dough, formed into sheets through calendaring rollers, backed with either jute or polyester, then cured for up to six weeks in large drying chambers.
The entire product is manufactured in an ISO 14001-accredited facility running off 100% renewable electricity, underlining its strong environmental performance. In addition, Marmoleum carries a fully transparent third-party accredited environmental product declaration (EPD), publicly available for specifiers and sustainability consultants.
Critically, Marmoleum is independently certified climate positive (carbon negative) from cradle to gate, measured across stages A1 to A3, without relying on offsetting. Every square metre of Marmoleum installed removes 663g of CO2 from the atmosphere. That carbon removal is a major draw for specifiers focused on lowering embodied carbon in construction.
‘For every square metre we make, over half a kilo of CO2 is removed from the air,’ says Karen. ‘That’s a huge draw for specifiers working on sustainable builds, and it’s why demand is growing. By training to handle this material properly, fitters are playing their part in the industry-wide sustainability push towards net-zero construction.’
Alongside its green credentials, Marmoleum features Forbo’s proprietary Topshield pro surface finish. This lacquer layer provides exceptional resistance to scuffing, wear and micro-scratching, which helps preserve the flooring’s visual appeal for longer. That added durability reduces the likelihood of early replacement, another tick in the sustainability column.
‘Topshield pro makes a real difference,’ says Craig. ‘It keeps the floor looking good, which is particularly important in busy commercial environments.’
Driving industry responsibility through recycling
Forbo runs its Back to the Floor scheme. Through this programme, clean installation offcuts can be returned to Forbo in bulk bags for responsible processing and recycling, saving contractors money on landfill costs and keeping valuable materials in circulation.
‘It’s all about helping fitters do the right thing,’ Karen says. ‘We send out the bags, collect them and take the material back for reuse in our production. It’s a simple but effective way to reduce waste.’
A manufacturer’s responsibility
Forbo’s approach is part of a wider trend, with manufacturers stepping up to support industry education. FITA’s Shaun Wadsworth believes this is the direction the sector needs to go.
‘In a market focused on sustainability and circularity, training around specialist products like Marmoleum is essential,’ Shaun says. ‘Forbo has been a long-standing supporter of training, and it’s great to see that commitment evolve into direct product-specific courses.’
The manufacturer’s support extends across the UK, with four domestic production sites: Telford (Nuway entrance systems), Bamber Bridge (Tessera carpet tiles), Ripley (Flotex sheet, tile and plank) and Kirkcaldy (Marmoleum). Internationally, it operates two factories in France, and three more in the Netherlands, including the world’s largest Marmoleum plant in Assendelft near Amsterdam.
Despite its global reach, Forbo keeps the focus local when it comes to training. ‘Whether it’s in Loughborough or Kirkcaldy, we want to support fitters across the country, especially apprentices,’ says Karen. ‘It’s about futureproofing the trade.’
The bottom line, linoleum is a craft worth keeping
From its natural makeup to its installation technique, Marmoleum demands respect, and that respect begins with training.
‘There’s more money to be made in fitting linoleum than other floors,’ says Craig. ‘It’s a skill level up from vinyl. But the results are worth it. Done well, Marmoleum will outlast vinyl, look better and contribute to a building’s sustainability.’
Karen agrees, ‘This isn’t just about product, it’s about pride. We want to revive linoleum as a skilled craft and ensure that today’s apprentices become tomorrow’s experts. And that starts with giving them the tools, training and confidence to get there.’
By David Strydom editor
