Harrogate Flooring Show 2024 - What are the experts saying?
The Flooring Show 2024, held at the Harrogate Convention Centre from the 15th to the 17th of September, once again proved itself as a key event for the UK flooring industry. This year’s show brought together over 400 brands and welcomed more than 3,000 visitors, from retailers to contractors, fitters, and designers, providing a platform for meaningful conversations, connections, and learning opportunities. With live demonstrations and new product showcases, the event gave the flooring community a comprehensive look at emerging trends and best practices.
Taking in Live Product Demonstrations with FITA
A notable feature this year, as with previous years, was the FITA (Flooring Industry Training Association) Demo Zone, where the SASGO team had the opportunity to attend a 45-minute session on moisture control. Demonstrations such as these are invaluable, as they allow industry professionals to gain practical insights into products like the F. Ball Stopgap F78. Being able to witness live applications of these products not only builds our team’s understanding but also equips us with the knowledge to help our customers make informed purchasing decisions.
These intimate settings also allow our team to engage with product specialist from well-known brands such as F.Ball, Mapei, and UltraFloor, who have worked behind-the-scenes on the product design process, again developing not only our own understanding of the products our customer use on a daily basis, but equipping our team with the knowledge to help our customers make more informed decisions.
Sustainability: The Future is Green
At The Flooring Show 2024, sustainability took centre stage, with initiatives like the "Shaun Loves Wool" campaign leading the charge. Shaun the Sheep returned as the ambassador for The Campaign for Wool and British Wool, promoting wool flooring as an eco-friendly choice. The campaign highlights wool’s natural benefits, such as biodegradability and durability, while educating consumers on its positive environmental impact. Wool, as a renewable resource, offers advantages like improved indoor air quality and reduced reliance on synthetic materials. This three-year collaboration showcases the entire wool industry, from sheep farming to carpet manufacturing, and reinforces the growing focus on sustainability within the flooring sector. Shaun the Sheep’s involvement makes the message both engaging and accessible, demonstrating that eco-conscious choices can be practical and appealing.
Manufacturers like Ball & Young, Uzin, and Tarkett were showcased in the largest-ever Sustainability Trail, highlighting brands committed to eco-friendly practices. Ball & Young, for example, aim to reduce their scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46% by 2030. This trail not only recognises these efforts but also sets a benchmark for others, reflecting the industry’s shift towards reducing waste, using sustainable materials, and lowering carbon emissions. It’s encouraging to see this momentum growing, driven by increasing consumer demand for environmentally conscious choices.
To learn more about SASGO's own sustainability journey, visit our Sustainability Page.
Flooring Industry to Bounce Back in 2025
In conversations with some of the industry’s leading manufacturers, including F. Ball, Gekko, and Uzin, it was clear that 2024 has been a challenging year for many businesses. However, there is a prevailing sense of optimism for the future. Several companies indicated that while this year may have seen a slowdown, projections for 2025 are much brighter, with expectations of increased construction activity, particularly within the UK market. These insights echo the findings of our recent article, Construction in the UK: Looking Ahead, which also highlighted forecasts for a resurgence in construction projects next year.
As we reflect on the 2024 edition of The Flooring Show, it’s clear that while the industry faces challenges, there are significant opportunities on the horizon. Sustainability, in particular, remains a crucial area of focus, and with the anticipated growth in construction projects, the UK flooring sector is positioned for an exciting year ahead.
