Karpet Mills: Thriving through flexibility

With a history dating back to 1878, Karpet Mills has proven itself more than adept at changing with the times. And with its present-day guise delivering high-quality service across the full spectrum of residential and commercial projects, it is more than keeping pace with the needs and wants of modern markets. Here, Steven Hugill speaks to director Joel Dickinson to learn more about the value of its versatility.

www.karpetmills.co.uk

www.yourdesignerflooring.co.uk

 

Diversity is an essential part of any business’ toolkit.

Take Karpet Mills, for example.

Open the 145-year-old business’ chest and the impact of its multifarious means is instantly palpable.

From the full spectrum of residential properties to luxury apartments, social accommodation, offices, hotels, care settings and schools, the sixth generation floorings group literally covers everything.

“We can do anything for anyone, on a project of any size,” says director Joel Dickinson of Karpet Mills, whose adaptability stems from a history that includes spells as a cabinet maker, furniture purveyor and coffin manufacturer.

And its flexibility is making a real impression.

 

• Karpet Mills’ premium Designer Flooring business supported the creation of the deluxe Towers Court apartment complex, in Jesmond, Newcastle, alongside The Oakapple Group

 

While post-COVID-19 home improvement fervour has eased and higher mortgage rates – coupled to the wider cost of living crisis – weaken housing market sentiment, Karpet Mills’ ability to stretch way beyond the residential sector means it continues to move forward at pace.

Joel says: “We saw a real boom in the post-pandemic period, with people staying at home and using money they may have spent on a holiday to improve their properties.

“We’ve since had economic headwinds, of course, with interest rate rises meaning some people are not doing up their homes or moving into new properties.

“But we’ve remained strong, and our turnover figures have been very pleasing.

 

• Karpet Mills’ premium Designer Flooring business supported the creation of the deluxe Towers Court apartment complex, in Jesmond, Newcastle, alongside The Oakapple Group

 

“A key part of that has been our size and scale, which has allowed us to continue buying products at the best prices and passing savings to customers.

“But so too has been our flexibility.

“You name it, we can do it – from day-to-day residential jobs, to office carpet tiles in a city centre location and flooring in care homes, social housing, hotels and private and state schools.

“We have the expertise to deliver for a client, whatever the project,” adds Joel of Karpet Mills, whose portfolio includes previous work to help refurbish Northumberland’s Matfen Hall hotel and a long-running partnership with North East Autism Society.

A further example of the suppleness to which Joel refers was showcased during a recent partnership with The Oakapple Group, wherein Karpet Mills’ premium Designer Flooring business supported the creation of the deluxe Towers Court apartment complex, in Jesmond, Newcastle.

 

• Karpet Mills’ premium Designer Flooring business supported the creation of the deluxe Towers Court apartment complex, in Jesmond, Newcastle, alongside The Oakapple Group

 

Fitting Woodpecker Brecon LVT to the kitchen and living areas across the 14-property scheme, it additionally laid luxury man-made soft saxony carpets to studios and hard-wearing carpet tiles to communal areas.

Joel says: “The developer was keen to make sure the quality of the build was reflected through the flooring.

“And we were able to take the job in our stride because of the quality of product and customer service we offer,” says Joel, who reveals the business has since secured an order to work on the similarly grand 45-apartment Wool House scheme, in Hexham.

He adds: “Our vast experience across a breadth of specifications and sectors, with teams that are adept at advising clients on particular products, and expert fitters comfortable in working to many different requirements – with everything done in-house – bodes well for the future.

“The group, across Karpet Mills and Designer Flooring, has been in positive mode right through 2023.

“And we’re looking forward to more success in 2024.”

 

• To find out more about Karpet Mills, which has showrooms at Kingston Park, Gateshead, Hetton, Hexham and Benton, and to view its products, visit www.karpetmills.co.uk
• To learn more about Designer Flooring and its luxury ranges, visit www.yourdesignerflooring.co.uk
• For more information on the Towers Court development, in Jesmond, Newcastle, contact estate agency Urban Base at [email protected] or call 0845 643 1186.