TTA Awards 2011 - Winners

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 public sector contract

Winner - Harlow Leisure Swimming Pool by N&C Moderna

N&C Moderna carried out the supply and installation of over 6500m² of ceramic and porcelain tiling to the new £25 million LeisureZone in Harlow, Essex. The project features a main swimming pool, learner/training pools, a porcelain floor in the main atria, a uniquely designed mosaic and ceramic tile duo along the spiral staircase leading of the first floor Health Spa and a specialist glass mosaics in the spa and showering areas which follows a curved design.

The finalists were: Newport Station by WB Simpson & Sons (Midlands) Ltd, QE Hospital, Birmingham by Birmingham Tile and Mosaic and Suffolk New College, Ipswich by Cottrell Ceramics

Best use of tile in a private sector contract

Winner - Colour Bar Hair Salon, Sligo by The Gilroy Tiles Group

The Architects requested the "wow" factor for this project in Sligo Town, Ireland. The brief was simple, the client wanted something on the floor to dazzle new clients, and they wanted to break away from the mundane beige and grey tones used on most commercial spaces. Gilroy's own in-house design team put together a design layout showing the Banksy/P porcelain tile from Peronda Ceramicás. The end result is unique and creates a very bold statement.

The finalists were:
Dixons Concept Store, Birmingham by Wilson & Wylie Contracts Ltd, Eldon Square Shopping Mall by P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd. and St Malachy's Church Belfast by Armatile Ltd

Best use of tile by a house developer

Winner - 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's extensive range these properties exude a contemporary class. Apartment floors were laid with Fine-grained Moleanos and Blue Moleanos in a honed finish. Communal staircases were supplied and installed in both porcelain and stone, incorporating a mitred front edge detail.

The finalist was:
Park House, Pinkstone Homes, Hale, Cheshire by Natural Stone Emporium Ltd

Best technical use of tile in a contract

Winner - Cathedral Church of St Mary, Newcastle.Tiles by Craven Dunnill Jackfield and Fixing by P Plunkett

The refurbishment of the floor to the Cathedral Church of St. Mary was carried out over three phases comprising in total more than 700m2 of encaustic floor tiles. 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. Many of the moulds for the tiles were produced specifically for the project and each encaustic tile is individually hand pressed.

The finalists were:
Earth Sciences Building, Oxford University by W B Simpson & Sons (Midlands) Ltd, Kentish Town Sports Centre by Wilson & Wylie Contracts Ltd and Scott's on the Rocks by David Scott Tile and Stone Specialists

Best use of tile within the leisure or hospitality industry

Winner - 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, predominantly front of house, entrance foyer, toilets, lobby, cashiers, lift lobby etc. using mostly 305x305mm, 20mm thick black Nero Marquino and white Bianco Carrara in a very detailed chequerboard pattern with borders. The substrate was a sand and cement screed laid flat and level, then Ditra matting under a rapid setting flexible adhesive.

The finalists were:
Fulwell Spa, Essex by N&C Moderna, Kentish Town Sports Centre by Wilson & Wylie Contracts Ltd and The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth by Hansard Tilers

Best use of tile in a private house

Winner - 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 and has supplied and fitted the majority of the stone throughout the house and in the five bathrooms, two kitchens and the housekeeper's flat. The stone creates a key design statement throughout the home and is featured in some way in almost every room.

The finalists were:
Ballywalter Park by Armatile Ltd, Private House, Beaconfield by Mosaic Restoration Co. Ltd and Private House, Nottinghamshire by East Midlands Ceramics Ltd

Most innovative tile installation

Winner - Phoolan the Elephant by Ardex UK Ltd

An elephant painstakingly crafted from mosaic tiles has gone on display to highlight the plight of the endangered animal. ARDEX supported the artists' work by supplying ARDEX MICROTEX X77 - Ultra Rapid Setting Flexible Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive, to fix the mosaics. 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.

The finalists were:
Ballywalter Park by Armatile Ltd, Colour Bar Hair Salon, Sligo, Republic of Ireland by Peronda Ceramicas SA/Gilroy Tiling Group and Tayto Park, County Meath by TileStyle Ltd

Excellence in tile industry marketing

Winner - Company Marketing Strategy, David Scott Tile and Stone Specialists

David Scott long term strategy has been to create consistently high profile campaigns, positioning themselves as the go-to tile retailer, so that when people are in the market for tiles, David Scott is the first name they think of. 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.

The finalists were:
Company Marketing Strategy, Creative Stone & Tile, Company Marketing Strategy, Minoli Tiles and Ultra Tile SuperWhite WR Flex Launch Campaign, Instarmac

Wall tile of the year

Winner - Synergy Range from N&C Nicobond

Synergy is a unique concept that incorporates harmonious tones and textures that interact to create a bespoke appeal. It 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. The Synergy range makes it easy for the designer or home owner to use ceramics and porcelain throughout their home with the confidence that each room can have a change of colour and style.

The finalists were:
Laura Ashley Wintergarden range from British Ceramic Tile Ltd and Pebble Range from Steve Robinson Glass Ltd

Floor tile of the year

Winner - Natural stone from Marazzi

Few manufacturers are investing in making small format tiles. However, there is still a market requirement for small format tiles for a variety of applications. Marazzi are one of the leading producers of small format tiles and have recently launched a 100 x 100mm unglazed porcelain tile called Natural Stone 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.

The finalists were:
Banksy from Peronda Ceramicas SPA, Portia from CP Group and Synergy Range from N&C Nicobond

Best natural product

Winner - Elite Stone from CP Group

Elite is a superior collection of five distinct natural marble ranges that release the true beauty of Indonesian stone. Covering all consumer tastes from contemporary to traditional, rustic to urban, Elite offers unsurpassable beauty and quality of marble that is second to none. Elite delivers a unique range of products never seen before in the natural stone market. "Winning this category would show that it is possible to fuse classical elegance with the daringly different."

The finalists were:
Jerusalem Antique Gold Tumbled from Stone Deals and Marble Fusion from Creative Stone & Tile

Best innovation

Winner - 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. Suitable for experienced and new installers, distributors, architects, retailers, stockists, lecturers and trainers alike it allows professionals to keep up to date with the latest trends and technology and to bookmark relevant information and save their progress on courses, enabling them to return straight to it at their convenience.

The finalists were:
Fugabella Eco Grout & Sealant Range from Kerakoll UK Ltd, Synergy from N&C Nicobond and Warmup's 3iE Smart Thremostat

Best environmental initiative

Winner - 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". The company has adopted as its mission "embracing and promoting of GreenBuilding as the new low environmental impact approach to building and promoting higher quality homes around the world". In March 2010 it rebranded itself as the GreenBuilding Company.

The finalists were:
A Business dedicated to a sustainable future, N&C Nicobond, Johnson Tiles environmental strategy and Positive Environmental Culture, Building Adhesives Ltd

Excellence in independent retailing

Winner - 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. Within the showrooms the TileStyle showhomes give customers the opportunity to see some of the world's most beautiful tiles in real life settings making it easier for customers to visualise tiles in their own homes. TileStyle have recently won the Retail Excellence Ireland 2010 "Best Superstore Award".

The finalists were:
Creative Stone & Tile, David Scott Tile and Stone Specialists and DTW Ceramics UK Limited

Excellence in multiple retailing

Winner - Mandarin Stone

Mandarin Stone are one of the largest importers and stockists of natural stone tiles in the UK. They stock a diverse range of over 100 different stone tiles and flooring. Having begun as purely wholesale in 1989, Mandarin Stone now operate 8 showrooms throughout the south of the U.K. and in January 2011 acquired a ninth in Wilmslow, Cheshire for a northern presence. These showrooms attract both retail and trade clients and demonstrate excellent design and customer service.

The finalists was:
Armatile Ltd

Excellence in tile distribution

Winner - Minoli

Minoli distribution 2010 delivering promises the Minoli way 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. Warehouse and transport managers, the order selection team, the goods in department and a squad of experienced, professional drivers all play their part in getting the right product, to the right place, at the right time.

The finalists were:
Craven Dunnill & Co. Ltd and N&C Nicobond

Excellence in tile contracting

Winner - P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd

The company provides a totally integrated and comprehensive service that includes technical advice, cost control, installation and maintenance. Through the ISO 9001-2008 quality assurance system and Investors in People they ensure that this service is provided to a standard that can only be achieved by highly motivated craftsmen and professional management. The result is that their clients' requirements are fulfilled satisfactorily. P Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd has built a national reputation for quality and service.

The finalists were:
Arrow Tiling, Mosaic Restoration Company Ltd and N&C Moderna

Excellence in manufacturing

Winner - 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. To achieve this successfully we have committed to investing in our employees in order to ensure continuity and quality through all of the product range and services. This includes adopting agile manufacturing programmes to ensure operational flexibility including making-to-order where required, investing heavily in systems to allow more effective management of the site facility.

The finalists were:
Craven Dunnill Jackfield, Mapei UK Ltd and Ultra Tile

Trainee of the year

Winner - Jonathan Carter
Jonny joined P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors in 2007 and was invited to participate in their apprentice recruitment process during which he showed great attitude and a clear rationale for wanting to become a tiler. At such a young age, many candidates are unclear of their motives but Jonny was absolutely certain of the career choice he was making. Jonny's practical work is of a very high standard. What makes him special though is the steady, reliable manner in which he goes about his work. Jonny is in the UK Worldskills squad.

The finalists were:
Shambir Grewal and Sam Williams

Darrell Hawkins

Andy Howard

Tile fixer of the year

Joint winners - Darrell Hawkins and Andy Howard

Darrell Hawkins
From his submission, "Darrell's work has been to an exemplary standard; he is a perfectionist and I have had no hesitation in recommending him to friends. We also recommended Darrell for the installation of a prestigious mosaic mural which we manufactured for the Emirates Stadium. So pleased were they that a second mural was commissioned and fitted just a few weeks ago. I believe Darrell is a worthy contender and urge the judges to give him due consideration".

Andy Howard
From his submission, "I'm hoping to win this competition because I spend long hours in the week to have all my jobs looking perfect and clean at the end of all jobs, 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."

The finalist was:
Brendan Lomas

Employee of the year

Winner - Peter James
Peter, who works for Atlas Ceramics (South) Ltd, is approaching 72 years of age, his age should not fool anyone as his enthusiasm and approach to the tile industry is second to none. Whether you are a retail customer looking for one tile or a shop customer looking for a pallet of tiles, the service he gives is always in a professional and respectful way. "I have never known a day when Peter has not been determined to maximise our sales".

The finalists were:
Amanda Saunders and Anna Smith