Floors Magazine Floors Magazine June / July 2014 | Page 6

news share your news email: [email protected] BAL’s unique support network strengthened Building Adhesives Limited has appointed Hucknall-based Martin Pouncey as its Product Support Technician for the Midlands, strengthening its unmatched nationwide technical support capability. The PST concept is unique to BAL, which has placed strong emphasis on support throughout its history. Martin Pouncey’s role encompasses personal interaction with fixers, contractors and distributors across an area stretching from Lincolnshire to Oxfordshire. This includes product training and demonstrations, advising on specifications, helping to resolve project issues and answering questions on all aspects of professional tiling. He said, “The hot topic right now is BAL Rapid-Mat, our new uncoupling solution. This has made such an impact that, whatever the main reason for my visit, everyone wants to SIKA EXPANDS ITS FLOORING TEAM Sika’s dedicated flooring team is expanding with the appointment of a Key Account Manager to support the growing demand within the division. Jon Whitmore, 53, from Cheshire, brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, having worked with companies such as Marley Floors and Tarkett. In a newly created role, Jon’s responsibilities will include the management and expansion of key customer accounts in the health and commercial sectors – areas where talk about Rapid-Mat. Fixers certainly like the idea of getting everything for a project from just one supplier, all covered by a 25 year guarantee.” Martin has 20 years of tiling experience, from being a hands-on fixer to running tiling companies, and has earned a wealth of formal qualifications. His career includes lecturing at colleges in Nottingham and Birmingham and being a City and Guilds consultant. Between 2012 and 2014, he served as an active member of the TTA Training Committee. BAL Head of Marketing, Alex Underwood, said, “We created the PST position decades ago to be an amalgam of tiler, technician, specifier, salesperson and even scientist. It underlines our continuing investment in leading the industry in support. Our Technical Advisory Service resolves some 50,000 queries annually, and we always welcome enquiries Sika has experienced increased demand in recent months. Having worked in these sectors previously, including heading the national specification team during the major development of the PFI new build hospitals such as Halifax and Manchester General, Jon will also focus on Sika’s strategic drive to promote its decorative flooring systems. “My challenge within Sika is to convince key stakeholders within the healthcare and commercial sectors of the clear benefits of seamless flooring systems and hygienic Floors Magazine 06 June/July 2014 online, but nothing matches personal contact. An expert like Martin Pouncey will travel hundreds of miles weekly to give on-site support and advice.” For more information T: 01782 591160 www.bal-adhesives.co.uk solutions,” said Jon. “Having worked in the flooring business for more than three decades, supplying products in the healthcare and education markets specifically, it is my intention to utilise this experience to showcase the range of innovative flooring solutions Sika can offer.” Mark Bushell, National Sales Manager Flooring and Refurbishment at Sika, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jon on board and believe he will be an invaluable addition to the team.