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Polyflor Company History

Timeline

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    The Early Years

    1915

    The incorporation of James Halstead Limited

    James Halstead - Polyflor Timeline

    The company was founded as a weaving operation by James Halstead, who had previously been a Weaving Shed Manager for another Manchester company.  The original product line was woven cotton textiles, which were both dyed and waterproofed. Later, this was to turn to the production of rubberised fabric used in the manufacture of mackintoshes.

    1934

    James Halstead Ltd makes first flooring product

    Early Years - Timeline Polyflor

    James Halstead brought in a machine to friction calender (or roll) rubber onto a teased fabric. It was very durable and did not require salvaging and was thus ideal for hard-wearing applications. It was sold to Briggs Motor Bodies (later Ford) as carpeting.

    1935

    The passing of James Halstead

    At the comparatively young age of 66, James Halstead passed away, leaving the company in the hands of his two sons, John and Herbert.

    1948

    Belstaff joins the James Halstead group of companies and they become a public company

    Belstaff - Polyflor Timeline

    The company was floated on the Stock Exchange on 30th April 1948, issuing 10,000 ordinary shares of ten shillings each.

    1950

    Post-production vinyl recycling

    Identifying the value of post-production vinyl waste, Polyflor develops processes to recycle the material back into new flooring products.

    Domestic & International Expansion

    1954

    The group expands its flooring business

    Polyflor Truck

    A major push behind this fledgling area resulted in fast growth. At about this time, the first installation of Polyflor was carried out by Robert Kerr, a leading Manchester flooring contractor. The group continued to invest heavily in flooring.

    1963

    The group starts manufacturing in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand

    Polyflor Timeline Plane

    The group created overseas manufacturing and sales operations that reached right round the world. However by the end of the ’60s the international market had changed, and the benefits of single-site product development and manufacture were to result in refocusing on the UK operation, Consequently, the manufacturing operations in Australia and South Africa were closed in 1968 and 1969 respectively, and the manufacturing operation in New Zealand was sold to Skellerup Industries in 1971.

    1971

    Launch of Polyflor XL

    Early Manufacturing at Polyflor - Timeline

    Polyflor XL was the first single layer homogeneous flooring product to be made available in 2-metre width. This, at the time, was a very significant move, and the product has become one of the most successful ranges in our portfolio.

    Also in 1971, Polyflex Plus was launched, and gained substantial business in the housing market.

    1972

    Launch of Polytred dB

    Polytred dB was a forerunner to today’s Polyflor Acoustic collections.  Also in 1972, the start was made to metrication of all product sizes.

    1974

    A new period of growth

    Following the death of Herbert Halstead, John’s son Geoffrey Halstead took control of the business.  Geoffrey had been with the company since 1947.

    This heralded a new period of significant growth for Halsteads with Geoffrey at the head of a dynamic team of professional managers.

    1976

    Polyflor Style A launched

    Polyflor Style A - Timeline

    The launch of Polyflor Style A was the culmination of a link with Bernat Klein.  The shades were developed and linked to the Property Services Agency’s interior furnishings scheme.

    Innovative New Product Development

    1983

    James Halstead Limited introduced Polysafe slip-resistant flooring

    This year Polyflor launched their first safety flooring, containing aggregate particles to reduce the risk of slipping in ‘wet’ areas. Polyflor has since seen extensive growth within this sector, both in the UK and international markets.

    1986

    James Halstead Limited launched the Polysafe Stud Tile

    Stud Shadecard - Polyflor Timeline

    To provide increased choice for customers, 1986 saw our expansion into studded rubber tiles, a complimentary range to our main vinyl offering.

    1989

    James Halstead launched innovative new non-directional flooring ranges

    Finesse Shadecard - Polyflor Timeline

    Two new ranges of non-directional flooring - Finesse and Panache - were introduced by Polyflor, reflecting increasing demand for the ‘chip’ aesthetic.

    1992

    Hong Kong sales office established

    New Hong Kong Office - Polyflor Timeline

    The sales office was set up in Hong Kong to help support and build upon our successful business: not just in Hong Kong, but also in the emerging China market and other Asian markets.

    1992

    Purchase of Polyflor Australia

    Australian Office - Polyflor Timeline

    In 1992, the company became directly involved in the Australian flooring market with the purchase and strengthening of the company responsible for the distribution of Polyflor in Australia. Since then, the business has been further strengthened, and now includes a sales presence in all states, and warehousing in Queensland, N.S.W., W.A., S.A., and Victoria.

    1993

    Sales office established in Eire

    Irish Office - Polyflor Timeline

    A sales office and warehouse were established in Eire to improve service to this market place.

    1995

    Launch of XL 2000

    Polyflor XL 2000 (now known as 2000 PUR) was launched in this year. It was the first calendered and pressed product in the Polyflor range, bringing the benefits of a dense, closed surface to the successful marbleised products in the Polyflor range.

    1996

    German distributor Objectflor is purchased

    Objectflor Office - Polyflor Timeline

    The Objectflor business was purchased in order to facilitate further investment in - and therefore development of - the German market.  This has now advanced such that the sales and warehousing facility in Cologne is responsible for all the Central European markets.

    1998

    PUR reinforcement added to non-directional ranges

    PUR Logo - Polyflor Timeline

    Building on the success of the non-directional products launched in 1989, a polyurethane reinforcement was added to the products, providing excellent protection and facilitating a polish-free maintenance regime.

    1999

    Group strengthens position in the German market

    New German Office - Polyflor Timeline

    One acquisition made this year was Karndean International GmbH in Germany (license for Central Europe only).

    1999

    Establishment of Polyflor New Zealand

    The New Zealand Office - Polyflor Timeline

    A second milestone made this year was the acquisition of Skellerup Flooring in New Zealand (Now Polyflor New Zealand).

    Continued Strengthening of Polyflor Portfolio

    2001

    Continuing expansion of Luxury Vinyl Tiles

    This year saw the launch of the updated Expona Art & Design collection, made up of 12 design themes and an extensive choice of colour and texture. With our JHT subsidiary fully integrated into Polyflor Ltd, a dedicated sales team was formed, reflecting the continuing expansion of the luxury tile market and its importance to Polyflor.

    2003

    Voyager sets sail

    Vogager Logo - Polyflor Timeline

    Polyflor Voyager, a new collection of hardwearing sheet vinyl floorcoverings specifically developed for the transport industry, was launched in this year. Available in a choice of smooth and slip resistant finishes, Polyflor Voyager provides the ideal flooring solution for a wide range of applications in the transport sector.

    2004

    Forest fx – inspired by nature

    Forest FX - Timeline Polyflor

    In this year, Polyflor took further steps to expand our portfolio with the launch of our first heterogeneous vinyl sheet flooring, Polyflor Forest FX. The range features sophisticated and highly realistic wood designs such as maple, cherry, beech and oak.

    2005

    The future of safety flooring

    In March 2005, Polyflor launched 2 exciting new Polysafe floorcoverings, underlining our commitment to developing a comprehensive safety flooring portfolio.

    Polysafe Hydro, featuring a ‘pimple’ emboss, has been designed to reduce the risk of slipping in continually wet barefoot areas.

    Polysafe Ultima has been developed with increased slip resistance for demanding areas such as commercial kitchens.

    2006

    The Queen’s Award

    Polyflor Wins Queens Award - Polyflor Timeline

    James Halstead Flooring was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade.

    2007

    The Queen’s Award – number 2!

    Polyflor Wins 2nd Queens Award

    James Halstead Flooring was presented with the 2007 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the continuous product innovation and development category for the Polysafe collection of safety flooring products.

    2008

    Ground-breaking Polysafe launches

    Launch of two excitingly different new decorative ranges - Polysafe Wood FX and Polysafe Mosaic - ideal for both high design and traditional safety flooring applications.

    2009

    New Heterogenous Production Facility

    Polyflor opens Teesside Office - Timeline

    Polyflor acquires its Stockton-On-Tees Heterogeneous sheet vinyl flooring facility. After a significant period of investment and customisation, the Riverside plant begins production of Polyflor Heterogeneous and Polysafe flooring ranges.

    2009

    Launch of Recofloor Recycling Scheme

    Recofloor Logo - Polyflor Timeline

    Polyflor co-founds Recofloor, an industry leading recycling scheme for post-consumer waste vinyl flooring.

    2010

    New UK distribution facility

    Polyflor opens Royton Office - Timeline

    In January 2010 the new warehouse in Royton, Oldham became fully operational. Customised with the latest stock control systems, onsite samples department and modern showroom facilities, the new building offered greatly enhanced capacity. The Sales, Marketing & Distribution departments are relocated to the new building.

    2011

    Queen’s award for Polyflor’s parent company

    James Halstead Logo - Timeline Polyflor

    James Halstead, the Manchester-based parent company of Polyflor, was awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade. James Halstead last won the Queen’s Award in 2007, for Innovation, and the International Trade Award in 2006 - since then international sales increased by £55 million, a growth of 90%.

    2013

    Establishment of Polyflor Canada

    Polyflor Canada Office - Timeline

    On January 7 2013, Polyflor opened a wholly owned subsidiary business in Toronto to act as both a local distributor within Southern Ontario, and as additional support for our Canadian distribution partners located in other provinces.

    2013

    BES6001 Responsible Sourcing Certification is achieved

    BES 6001 - Polyflor Timeline

    Polyflor became the first flooring manufacturer to receive BES6001 certification, achieving a ‘very good’ rating for it’s LVT product Ranges.

    2013

    Launch of innovative Expona Control collection

    Expona control utilises patented technology to combine the design benefits of an LVT with the performance of a HSE compliant safety floor offering sustainable wet slip resistance.

    2013

    The Secura multi-width luxury vinyl sheet range

    Secura - Polyflor Timeline

    Polyflor’s first ever multi-width luxury vinyl sheet flooring range, the Secura collection, was launched to enhance interiors with designs that reflect the natural beauty of wood, stone and stylish abstract finishes.

    2014

    Establishment of Polyflor India

    Polyflor Indian opened in 2014 - Vinyl Flooring

    In 2014 Polyflor India was established in Mumbai to provide localised support for existing customers and to develop new business in the Indian market which had the potential for significant growth.

    2015

    Polyflor celebrates 100 years of manufacturing in the UK

    Polyflor 100 year anniversary - Timeline

    In 2015 Polyflor celebrated a century of manufacturing in Manchester, UK, where this family-run company was born and is still flourishing today as a global business.

    2018

    Next generation safety flooring for barefoot & shod areas

    Polysafe Quattro is an innovative safety flooring range offering barefoot and shod sustainable wet slip resistance with a stud-free finish for enhanced comfort underfoot.

    2018

    Discover a new world of colour with Palettone

    Polyflor Palettone - Timeline

    The launch of Palettone PUR, Polyflor’s largest and most advanced collection of Homogeneous flooring, a spectacularly colourful 50 colour collection.

    2019

    New Adhesive Free Safety Flooring Collection

    Polysafe QuickLay is a loose lay safety flooring designed for adhesive-free installation and is the perfect solution for busy commercial environments in need of a quick turnaround and where sustainable slip resistance is a priority. 

    2019

    Encore Rigid Loc added to the Expona family

    EnCore Rigid Loc - Polyflor Timeline

    Expona EnCore Rigid Loc is an exciting new hybrid product that has an expertly engineered premium rigid SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) construction with exceptional stability making it ideal for installation in large scale commercial installations or a warm and inviting home interior scheme.

    2020

    Establishment of Polyflor Malaysia

    Polyflor open the Malaysia office - Timeline

    In November 2020 a new company was incorporated in Malaysia and Polyflor took on the trade of our former long-term distributor. Polyflor Malaysia provides localised stockholding and acts as a base for the South Asia markets of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

    2020

    Choosing the right flooring with our new commercial Visualiser

    Polyflor Visualiser - Timeline

    Preview our portfolio of flooring options in your space with our new commercial visualiser. Compare ranges, shades and installation directions before selecting the perfect floor for your project. 

    2022

    A significant Recycling Milestone

    Recofloor - Polyflor Timeline

    In January 2022, the amount of post-consumer waste vinyl flooring recycled via Recofloor surpassed 6,000 tonnes since inception! This equated to a total of 7,038 tonnes of carbon savings – equivalent to taking 1,837 cars off the road for a year. In total approximately two million square metres of vinyl flooring has been recycled – enough to cover 276 football pitches.

    2023

    New Polyflor Website

    polyflor company history - new website - vinyl flooring

    Our website was relaunched in September 2023, boasting a fresh look and numerous modern features. The website covers commercial and residential flooring options for customers whilst further utilising our popular Visualiser tool. It showcases an easy-to-use search facility, multiple case studies featuring exciting global projects, and an enhanced online sample ordering experience.

    James Halstead Flooring
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