FLOORING & TILING ADHESIVES
FOUNDED in 1828, Stauf Adhesive UK remains a family-run business now in its sixth generation, with a reputation across Europe for high-performance flooring adhesives and technical expertise.
While the brand is well established in wood flooring, it is continuing to strengthen its position within the resilient flooring sector in the UK.
Sales manager Peter Fischer says Stauf’s longevity comes from a combination of innovation, customer focus and environmental responsibility. ‘They are normally ahead of the curve when it comes to legislation, limiting chemicals and improving sustainability,’ he explains. ‘Environmental responsibility and ease of use are central to the way products are developed.’
Peter believes contractors increasingly value reliability and technical support as much as product performance. ‘Stauf is very customer-focused,’ he says. ‘The technical department is exceptionally strong, with people who have real hands-on experience of installation environments. They understand the challenges contractors face on-site.’
He also highlights the company’s adaptability during recent supply chain disruption. When raw material shortages affected the industry, Stauf reformulated products using alternative chemical sources while maintaining the same performance characteristics. This enabled uninterrupted supply to customers during a difficult period for manufacturers and contractors alike.
Rather than criticising competitors, Peter says the company prefers to focus on consistency, flexibility and long-term product development. Significant investment in research and development allows Stauf to respond quickly to market changes while maintaining the performance standards installers expect.
‘The products are highly respected across Europe,’ Peter says. ‘What sets Stauf apart is the combination of technical knowledge, reliability and a willingness to adapt without compromising quality.’
Innovation remains central to the company’s approach. Peter points to the SPU 570 wood adhesive as one of Stauf’s standout developments. ‘It was the first adhesive on the market that also acted as a surface membrane,’ he explains. Applied using a specially designed trowel, the product fully coats the substrate while simultaneously creating the ridges required to bond timber flooring. Peter says the adhesive remains one of the strongest available and continues to sell in significant quantities across Europe and the UK.
Within resilient flooring, Stauf’s D50 high-temperature adhesive has also introduced a different approach. Unlike traditional fibre-reinforced adhesives that rely on fibreglass or polypropylene fibres, D50 uses recycled cotton fibres sourced from textile manufacturing waste. According to Peter, this improves ridge formation during application and enhances bonding performance while making installation easier for contractors.
Stauf’s wider adhesive range, including pressure-sensitive and acrylic carpet adhesives, also carries EC1 certification for very low emissions and VOC content, reinforcing the company’s focus on sustainability, installer safety and indoor air quality.
Sustainability remains central to STAUF’s philosophy. Peter highlights the company’s EC1 classifications, which represent the highest standards for very low VOC emissions.
‘Volatile organic compounds are always a concern in construction products, but STAUF products are formulated to achieve the lowest possible emissions levels,’ he says. ‘The company has been heavily involved in helping shape those standards in Europe.’
Peter also credits STAUF’s technical expertise and flexibility for helping the business navigate recent industry challenges including Covid-19, Brexit and global raw material shortages.
‘When supply chains became difficult, STAUF quickly reformulated products using alternative raw materials without changing performance,’ he explains. ‘That allowed us to continue supplying customers without disruption.’
Despite the challenges of post-Brexit logistics and longer lead times, Peter says careful planning and strong stock management have kept supply levels consistent.
For Peter, the company’s family-business culture is another major strength.
‘You feel like you are genuinely contributing to something worthwhile,’ he says. ‘The support is excellent, the technical knowledge is outstanding and the whole operation runs very smoothly.’
Peter has spent almost 50 years in the flooring industry, building extensive experience across distribution, manufacturing and technical product supply.
He joined STAUF UK nine years ago, following another nine-year period with Tremco Illbruck, where he developed a strong understanding of subfloor preparation, damp proof membranes, adhesives and technical flooring systems.
Peter first entered the industry in 1977, working in the export department of a flooring distribution company supplying European markets. He later joined his father’s flooring import and distribution business before spending 15 years as an agent representing Belgian flooring manufacturers during a period of significant growth in European imports into the UK market.
As Belgian manufacturers expanded their UK operations, Peter moved into distribution roles before joining Florco, part of the Headlam Group. Following a short spell with Valley Flooring, he moved to Tremco and eventually joined STAUF UK.
Reflecting on nearly five decades in the trade, Peter says the flooring industry has always had a strong sense of community and character.
‘Once you are in the flooring industry, you tend to stay in it,’ he says. ‘I have genuinely enjoyed my time in the business, met some great people and worked with plenty of characters along the way.’
www.stauf.de
