Ian Crowther, Chairman of The Tile Association and Trade Sales & Marketing Director of Johnson Tiles, addressed the industry at The Tile Association Annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony held on 2 April at the Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC, Birmingham.

“The major success of The Tile Association is that it brings together companies, individuals, specialists and associated services to create the unified voice for the industry.

None of you need me to tell you that the prevailing market conditions are very difficult and the pressures that TTA members face are typical of the conditions which affect British businesses in any area. For our industry’s members to have to face up to these tough times alone would be more than difficult because the lone voice is rarely heard. In bringing the industry together within the TTA we have added strength to the voice and reduced the sense of isolation for our members.

Just how have we done this?

In February we launched a “No Retention” campaign for contractors to reduce the length of time from completion of work to payment and improve cash flow into members businesses.

We have lobbied the Coalition Government on rising fuel prices – not just road fuel but all types; urging them to help kick start the UK construction industry and to address product dumping issues.

An online retail training programme will be launched.

Technical information and specification details have been updated and we are working to widen the knowledge of the industry on the green attributes of tiles and to ensure that they are an accredited product.

We are providing sales leads for fixers generated by the TTA website.

The TTA have run an advertising campaign during the last year in both the consumer and trade media.

Press campaigns promoting TTA members have generated just under 45 million opportunities to see TTA publicity in 2010 and 13.8 million up to the end of February 2011.

And for tile contracts involving heritage projects; sites which date pre 1919 will continue only to be available to fixers who hold a Heritage CSCS card which was developed by the TTA.

The Tile Association is committed to training and I am pleased to announce that, in response to requests from the industry, the TTA has developed an NVQ level one qualification in tiling and which will be launched in September this year.

Training is important for the industry whether it be for young craft apprentices or to continually update training for established tradesmen. London is the venue, in October 2011, for the World Skills Competition when young trade apprentices from all over the world compete for coveted Gold Medals just as our athletes will do in 2012. All the practical trades are represented at the competition, including tiling.

At The Tile Association annual awards event I introduced representatives from the UK Squad including Harry Coyle and Johnny Carter; one of whom will go on to represent Britain in London. Harry and Johnny were pleased to have a break from their training programme as much of their training is undertaken at weekends. The WorldSkills tiling team were made honorary members of The Tile Association for 2011 and 2012. Their commitment to the industry is something of which we should all be proud. The eyes of the world will be on them in October and the industry will be there to support them.

TTA also supports the Skillbuild Competitions which are to be held in Leeds later this year after the regional finals have been completed.

As most of you will know it is less than 500 days to the 2012 London Olympics. I am delighted that projects for the Olympics are being led by British expertise and British products and British tile fixers are being used for the facilities at this prestigious event.

I hope that you will agree that the TTA is acting for the industry and provides a comprehensive range of services and business benefits for its members.

To conclude, I would like to thank my colleagues of the Board for their support during the past year, the TTA committees and working groups, all of which provide their services to the Association freely and readily. And I cannot forget the secretariat at Forum Court for their hard work in running the Association so efficiently and lastly to the members for their support and faith in The Tile Association."

The Awards winners were:

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry - Peter Smart

This prestigious Award is made by The Tile Association itself on behalf of the industry. In making this award we recognise a career in the tile industry that has spanned over 35 years.

On leaving school Peter Smart was employed in a development and prototype studio in his home town of Kibworth in Leicestershire where he worked on material for several “blue chip” clients including Goya, Helena Rubenstein and Estee Lauder.

In 1973 he commenced a career in sales working first for East Anglian Wallpapers of Norwich before joining H & R Johnson Tiles Limited as a Senior Sales Manager, a position he held until 1982 when he joined the Ramus Tile Company Ltd as their Midlands Area Representative. A year later he was promoted to Northern Regional Manager.

Later Peter took a new role within Ramus Tiles as National Accounts Manager with responsibility for developing the Texas Homecare, Homebase and Do It All business, later joining the Ramus board as Commercial Director responsible for sourcing exclusive products for Texas Homecare and developing the Colourmatch brand.

Peter returned to Johnson Tiles as Product Sourcing Executive in July 1996 responsible for sourcing tiles mainly for multiple accounts. He retired in November 2010.

Best use of tile in a private sector contract – Colour Bar Hair Salon, Sligo by The Gilroy Tiles Group

The Architects requested the “wow” factor for this project in Sligo Town, Ireland. The end result is unique and creates a very bold statement.

Best use of tile by a house developer – 35-37 St Stephens Gardens, Westbourne Park, London by Stone & Ceramic Ltd

Originally a five storey terraced house, the property has been developed into five separate apartments and outfitted to a high specification using natural stone from England, China and Portugal as well porcelain tiles from Saloni.

Best technical use of tile in a contract – Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle. Tiles by Craven Dunnill and Fixing by P Plunkett

This represents the largest individual encaustic floor installation carried out in the UK for many years. The design incorporates over 70 different tiles laid in geometric patterns.

Best use of tile within the leisure or hospitality industry – The Savoy Hotel Entrance Foyer by Arrow Tiling

Five tilers worked on this project, possibly the most expensive hotel renovation in British history, for over 12 months. Various marbles were used throughout the Hotel.

Best use of tile in a private house – Hanson Hall, Cheshire by Natural Stone Emporium Ltd

Hanson Hall is a stunning property, partly listed, with the original section of the house dating back to 1400. The Natural Stone Emporium has worked on the project for approximately two years.

Most innovative tile installation – Phoolan the Elephant by Ardex UK Ltd

The life-size model of the Asian elephant is the creation of Chiswick artist Carrie Reichardt, who also calls herself the Baroness, and musician and sculpture Nick Reynolds.

Excellence in tile industry marketing – Company Marketing Strategy, David Scott Tile & Stone Specialists

Their highly targeted 2010 campaign comprised TV advertising, high profile outdoor, strategically placed indoor and glossy press, complemented by a highly interactive website designed to give customers a delicious taste of what they can expect.

Products

Wall tile of the year - Synergy Range from N&C Nicobond

Synergy combines porcelain, ceramic, mosaic, paints, grouts and sealants in coordinating hues, sizes and textures to create an enhanced effect greater than that of their individual appeal.

Floor tile of the year – ‘Natural Stone’ from Marazzi

Natural Stone from Marazzi is a 100 x 100mm unglazed porcelain tile with a stylish set of modern printed decors and mosaics to embellish the range. The series can be used on the wall, worktops or floor surfaces.

Best natural product – Elite Stone from CP Group

Elite is a superior collection of five distinct natural marble ranges that release the true beauty of Indonesian stone. Elite delivers a unique range of products never seen before in the natural stone market

Best innovation – The Schlüter Online Academy

This is the first online training facility of its kind in the industry. It provides 24 hour access to a wealth of products and continuing professional development courses.

Environment

Best environmental initiative – The green building rating & Eco Products, Kerakoll Spa

Kerakoll defines Green Building as “a way of building which focuses on the environment and on improving health and quality of life by using environmentally friendly, naturally breathable and highly energy efficient building materials”.

Business

Excellence in independent retailing – TileStyle, Dublin

With an excellent customer service ethos, a highly trained sales team and a stylish and elegant showroom TileStyle offer customers a truly unique retail experience.

Excellence in multiple retailing – Mandarin Stone

Mandarin Stone are one of the largest importers and stockists of natural stone tiles in the UK. Mandarin Stone now operate 8 showrooms throughout the south of the U.K. and in January 2011 acquired a ninth in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Excellence in tile distribution – Minoli

Ability and reliability are the guiding principles of the Minoli team. From their purpose built Oxford distribution centre, a dedicated team carefully coordinates the next day deliveries for corporate, wholesale and retail clients.

Excellence in tile contracting – P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd

The company provides a totally integrated and comprehensive service that includes technical advice, cost control, installation and maintenance.

Excellence in manufacturing – Building Adhesives Ltd

At Building Adhesives Ltd we understand the requirement to meet customer demands and challenge our manufacturing methods to ensure the highest standard of service to all of our customers.

People

Trainee of the year – Jonathan Carter

Jonny joined P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors in 2007. What makes him special though is the steady, reliable manner in which he goes about his work. Jonny is in the UK Worldskills squad.

Tile fixer of the year

Joint winners – Darrell Hawkins and Andy Howard

Darrell Hawkins. Darrell’s work has been to an exemplary standard; he is a perfectionist and I have had no hesitation in recommending him to friends.

Andy Howard: “I love what I do and I don't just want my customers to say ‘well Andy was OK’, I want them all to say ‘what a fantastic tiling job Andy has done’. There are so many tradesmen that do not do the work properly and I want to change that.”