As a tiler, contractor, designer, architect, or distributor you don’t just need quality, easy-to-use products, it is also useful to have someone to turn to for installation or product advice.
That’s why it’s important for manufacturers to provide a comprehensive technical advice and support function that offers expertise and understanding of modern solutions, requirements and legislation – both on-site or on the phone.
As part of the consolidation of its commercial team, the ARDEX training and technical support team now supports fixers working with any of the group’s UK brands.
The team consists of nine technical managers who cover the entirety of the UK from the Shetlands to the Scillys. With more than 250 years of trade and industry experience combined, the majority of the team are ex-installers themselves.
Moisture Tests
Many problems which occur on site are the result of moisture in the subfloor, so it’s essential that the tiles, adhesive and grout is protected from the passage of moisture from below. Screeds which are uncured can cause significant problems including tiles being blown from their base as the screed shrinks below it, adhesive failing to set, and the passage of salts through the grout joints causing efflorescence.
The team can take on-site carbide bomb and hygrometer tests, explain the results and recommend the best course of action or moisture control systems for the installation.
Recommendations
The team works closely with fixers, contractors, specifiers and architects to ensure the most suitable products are specified on tiling projects. ARDEX also promises to follow up and provide on-going support at every stage of the project including a rapid-response for any site queries.
Training
The training and technical support managers also lead training courses at ARDEX academies in the North in Stoke-on-Trent and in the South in Haverhill, Suffolk. These courses cover the latest information, technological advances, industry regulations and specialist systems such as external tiling, underfloor heating and wetrooms.
The team:
ARDEX’s training and technical support team is headed by Lewis Lupton, the company’s national training and technical support manager. He joined BAL in 2012 after an extensive career as a tiling contractor and then as a college lecturer. Dave Rowley, training and technical support manager for the North West, brings more than 30 years of industry experience and sits on the TTA board, as well as chairing its training committee.
Vince Ruffini covers the South East and South London. He began his career at 17 in his father’s business, before joining ARDEX in 2016. David Hilton, responsible for the West Midlands and Wales, has over 25 years of experience running his own tiling company, during which time he subcontracted for prestigious companies such as Fired Earth and Jackfield Tile Restoration.
The team also includes Bradley Cutts, training and technical support manager for East Anglia and North London, joined ARDEX from school in 2012, moving into the technical services department in 2020 and then his current role in 2021. Gary Haigh, who covers the North East, joined the flooring industry with an apprenticeship in 1990 at 16 years old. He joined ARDEX in 2022.
Matthew Mowforth is training and technical support manager for the East Midlands, having joined the team in September of 2022, while Lino Ciriaco holds the same role for South West and South Wales. Ciriaco has more than 20 years of experience at ARDEX. Finally, James Hailstones is training and technical support manager for Scotland, having run his own tiling business for more than 14 years before joining BAL in 2008.
www.ARDEXacademy.uk
