Through practical demonstrations and product knowledge support for showroom, merchant and distributor teams, Palace Chemicals says it’s helping people across the tiling industry build confidence in their everyday work.
A successful tiling project involves knowledge at every stage. From the first conversation in a showroom and advice at the trade counter through to preparation and installation, people need to understand the products they are recommending or using, and know where to turn when they need support.
Helping people develop that understanding is central to Palace Chemicals’ approach to training, the company says. Through its Skills Hub in Speke, Liverpool, and the support provided by its team, the company is sharing its experience with tilers, retailers, merchants and distributors.
Practical learning for the trade
For tilers and contractors, Skills Hub by Palace Chemicals provides an opportunity to work with products, explore installation methods and discuss technical questions away from the pressures of a live job.
Practical learning sits at the centre of the approach, supported by explanations of the principles behind the work. Understanding why a product or method is suitable for a particular application helps participants relate what they learn to their own projects.
Sessions give both new and experienced fixers opportunities to develop their understanding, exchange experience and ask questions. Palace’s programme also reflects the importance of keeping that knowledge up to date as products, installation methods and relevant standards develop.
“Our aim has always been to support best practice,” says Steve Ball, commercial and marketing director.
Working with tool manufacturers and trade specialists is another part of that commitment. Bringing together knowledge from complementary areas of the industry helps participants understand how the different elements of an installation work together, with specialist input where appropriate.
Product knowledge for showroom and distributor teams
The teams advising customers in showrooms and at trade counters play an equally important role for the team at Palace. Their conversations can help establish what a customer needs, identify questions about an application and ensure that further technical advice is sought where necessary.
Palace’s team supports showroom, merchant and distributor staff in developing their understanding of the products they sell. Bespoke training gives these teams an opportunity to become more familiar with the range, understand its applications and discuss the questions they receive from customers.
For a showroom colleague, that might mean knowing which questions to ask about a proposed installation. For a distributor’s counter team, it might mean understanding the differences between products and recognising when an application needs further advice.
An understanding of how preparation products, adhesives and grouts contribute to an installation also helps staff have more useful conversations with customers. Knowing when to involve a tiler or Palace’s technical team is an important part of that knowledge.
This support can be valuable when welcoming new colleagues, introducing products or refreshing the knowledge of an established team. Training can be shaped around the needs of the business and the people taking part, with space to ask questions and relate the discussion to everyday customer enquiries.
Sharing experience and staying available
Skills Hub forms part of Palace’s wider commitment to supporting its customers and the industry. Conversations with the Palace team help businesses identify where additional knowledge would be useful, whether that involves practical trade training or product understanding for customer-facing staff.
Drawing on decades of manufacturing and technical experience, Palace’s focus is on making that knowledge useful to the people who recommend and work with its products.
As the company prepares its programme of training for 2027, it is encouraging tilers, retailers, merchants and distributors to discuss their training needs with the team.
To register interest in forthcoming Skills Hub sessions, visit Palace’s website. For product knowledge training for showroom or distributor staff, speak to the Palace team about the support your business would find most useful.
www.palacechemicals.co.uk
