Media in Africa

ISSUE

Featuring in each issue

Deadline

1. Sustainability: (life cycles, technologies & green products) - Sustainable products are rapidly gaining market share as specifying authorities and corporate enterprises, together with Government bodies, insist on the maximum possible ‘greening’ of their buildings. The broad definition of a sustainable product is an item or service that minimises its impact on the environment at each phase of its life cycle, and in this feature we will examine how the flooring industry is doing.
   
   
2. Training & Skills Development: (programs, offerings & funding) - Along with training and education, skills development is vital for the people in South Africa to enable the economy to flourish and the country to develop in creating a better life for all. We take a look at the developments and initiatives within the industry and the effect of the national training programmes on the flooring community.
   
   
3. Business Environments: (corporate & commercial installations) - We know that the trends and techniques for flooring in business environments vary in accordance with client requirements but, apart from the sheer design trends, this feature will look at the environmental savings that can be made; the provision of floors that last; and the products and systems that enable these large organisations to obtain good value for money whilst achieving their function and design ideals.
   
   
4. LVT Flooring: (luxury vinyl tiles) - The resilient floorcovering industry is ever changing with new concepts and products for specifiers to choose from. This feature will focus on the current trend that is immerging from the new method of vinyl installations namely luxury vinyl tile installations. Being offered in plank or tile formats makes for some specification flexibility, never mind the aesthetic options that are available. Being an acceptable flooring choice for green building projects, this feature is sure to be well received by our readers.
   
   

FLOORS 3 - APRIL/MAY

1. Carpets: (ideas, materials & design applications) - The floorcovering industry never stands still, and one of the most active and forward thinking areas is in carpeting with new products, designs, colours and technical developments such as those to meet the increasing demand for high recycled content. We seek the latest technology, and the truly outstanding projects that the carpet sector has achieved over the year, to illustrate that South Africa has a world-class carpet industry at its disposal.
   
   
2. Final Floor Solutions: (after-installation considerations) - This feature has become a ‘must’ for specifiers, contractors, developers and the trade as people find out what systems and treatments are essential for a perfect installation, or what can be used to enhance what would otherwise be a mundane finish. They are not experts on important items such as trims, joints, coatings, sealants, screeds, mats, skirtings, application techniques; aftercare; safety features and much more . . . which is why this feature is essential for them to guarantee the appeal and functionality of any floor.
   
   
3. Residential Specification Choices: (flooring in the home) - This feature will cover all the options available to the discerning homeowner, and the professionals that design these security complexes, townhouses and upmarket residences. We also look at the latest developments in low-cost housing, and will feature the projects that endorse the fact that the floor is the biggest influence on design in the home.
   
   
4. Specialised Flooring: (sports, healthcare, glass & exhibitions) - Projects that have specific needs to meet the daily routines of the buildings are taken in their stride by the flooring industry, but this covers such a wide array of applications including leisure, fitness centres, healthcare, through to floors that provide safety and loadbearing requirements as well as meeting unique design needs. This feature is a showcase to promote the efficacy of the flooring industry in these installations
   
   

FLOORS 4 - JUNE/JULY

1. The Performers: (products & companies above the rest) - This feature provides the opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and specifiers to boast about what makes their product, design, system or service special, and a leader in its field, and highlights the best that the flooring and design community has to offer.
   
   
2. Resilient Flooring: (options and beyond) - Resilient flooring is coming into its own as the trends move towards cost-effective, durable and environmentfriendly floor materials. No longer the Cinderella of the floorcovering industry, resilients are now competing in every sector from healthcare and leisure to the most upmarket of homes. This feature discovers the latest trends and technologies in this exciting sector.
   
   
3. Below the Surface: (what’s beneath counts) - Unless the subfloor, the screed, the moisture barrier, the underlay, or whatever else is needed to provide a perfect floorcovering, is correct, the floor will not perform in accordance with the specification, and may even fail. In this feature we look at the main requirements needed in floor preparation and the products that designers and architects need to ensure the durability of floors, and discover the best in floor slabs, screeds, underlays, access floors, cable management, heating and airconditioning, and all the hidden benefits.
   
   

1. Wood, Laminates & Bamboo: (like it says, the world of “wood”) - One of the most exciting of our annual features, this issue will examine the latest trends and developments, and review once again the environmental attributes of each type of ‘wood’ flooring. There have been so many technological advances in recent years that this will become a reference point for specifiers and designers regarding these materials.
   
   
2. Adhesives & Installation: (pre-flooring requirements) - Apart from being a fundamental requirement of any project, this sector of the industry is one of the fastest-moving in terms of new systems, developments and formulations, and this feature will bring you up to date with these as well as detailing the pre-floor requirements and installation methods that are necessary to ensure that the floorcovering performs as required.
   
   
3. Cement & Concrete: (smooth liquid stone) - No longer just the dull grey flooring that prevails in warehouses, cement and concrete now have a considerable role to play in the décor and design of a wide variety of applications. In this issue we will be looking at the most innovative cement and concrete technologies as well as the best and most recent projects.
   
   
4. Flooring Technology: (staying with the times) - In this electronic age things move so fast that not even the people within the industry can keep up, much less the specifiers and designers. In this feature we look at all the new software systems that have become available, including the plethora of new technologies in manufacturing, promoting, installing and caring for floors. We will also look at existing technologies that work. The South African flooring industry is of a world class standard, and we want to let everyone know of the local developments and technical innovations that support this claim.
   
   

1. Industrial Flooring: (hi-tech solutions) - Industrial flooring has moved on apace from the floors of yesteryear, and is now required to provide hi-tech flooring solutions for a wide range of industrial applications. In this feature we will detail the latest projects and the unique range of products and systems available to meet the requirements of this bourgeoning sector.
   
   
2. Cleaning & Maintenance & Repairs: (specialised products and services) - The cleaning, maintenance and repairing of floors is often a neglected part of the use of most types of floors. Doing it properly requires a specialised service and this feature will showcase the products and services available to enable building owners to keep their floors in peak condition and extend their functionality and lifespan, no matter what floorcoverings are used.
   
   
3. High-traffic Areas: (only hardwearing will do) - Public areas such as airports, hotels, shopping centres, entertainment centres, theatres and restaurants all have need to meet an enormous amount of traffic, and often they will require specific products to meet these needs. This issue will unearth the latest developments in high-traffic flooring applications, and how each sector copes with the problem.
   
   
4. Custom-Made Floors: (made to fit to specification) - Practically every type of floorcovering, from carpets through to polished concrete, can be custom-made to suit the most discerning clients. Colour coding; problem solving for difficult applications; designs, inlays, laser or water-jet cutting of logos and direction information; the list is endless – but the floorcovering industry meets these needs almost on a daily basis. This issue investigates what is available, what has been done, and how effective custom-made floors really are from a cost and durability viewpoint.
   
   

1. Successful Projects: (showcase of expertise) - This annual feature allows the flooring industry and its allied professionals to ‘bang the drum’ by broadcasting the projects and flooring solutions that have outperformed expectations, solved problems, or that show exceptionally creative design and performance ability.
   
   
2. Renovations: (making an old floor new) - In the current economic climate many companies and organisations are looking to renovate their existing premises rather than building or moving into something new, but if you don’t have the correct products, techniques and application methods, this could be a disaster. This issue will inform architects, developers and designers of everything they need to know about renovating floors, and which flooring options will work for them.
   
   
3. Exterior Flooring & Paving: (everything outside) - Pathways, decking, patios, pool surrounds, car parks, artificial grass – the applications in this sector of the industry are legion, and this popular annual feature will highlight the best for residential and industrial applications.
   
   

FLOORS 1 - JAN/FEB

1. Ceramics, Porcelain & Stone: (hard floor solutions ) - Our popular annual feature on ‘the hard stuff’, where we look at the latest international and local ceramic, porcelain and stone news, including reviews of both CERSAIE and Marmomacc, which will cover technology, design and trends in this very active sector of the floorcovering market.
   
   
2. Access Flooring & Cable Management: (the unique installation solution) - A must for call centres, computer installations and the busiest of hi-tech offices, our annual access flooring andcable management feature provides all the latest information on flexible systems for offices and commercial developments for both new and refurbishment projects.
   
   
3. Made in SA: (proudly, locally South African) - Specifiers and contractors are realising that there are considerable advantages to buying Proudly South African products that not only assist the local economy and provide employment, but enable the flooring industry to grow as well. We look at how the PSA initiative is working, and find out what new products have been launched under this banner.
   
   
4. 2012 Showcase: (Best design installation) - Here’s a great new addition to our family of features that we know is going to become a winner! Prior to this issue we will call for entries of projects to qualify for aesthetically pleasing designs that were completed within the year, and ask a selected panel of readers to vote on them. The company that provides the flooring on the winning project will get a complimentary interview on the company, published as a double-page spread editorial in FLOORS in Africa and online.