East Midlands Ceramics In Top 1% Of Charity Donations

East Midlands Ceramics in top 1% of charity donations

Here at emc:tiles, we are happy to be able to say that we have extremely loyal customers

who have kept coming back to us again and 

again over the years as we have grown. We spend a lot of time making sure we are providing the best possible customer service – right from the very first visit – which means we really get to know a lot of our regular visitors.

So it’s nice to be able to give a little back every now and again.

That’s why, when we were contacted in May 2016 by one of our longest standing customers who was appealing for donations to his charity fundraising efforts, we were more than happy to help.

When his wife suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and stroke in October 2015, Pete Longdon found himself caring for her, in addition to running his contract tiling company. As part of her recovery, Pete’s wife Helen attends a facility operated by the charity organisation for victims of brain injury, Headway. Headway’s work provides vital support to people like Helen, helping to build confidence by learning and relearning skills in an environment created specifically for people with brain injuries.

On the first weekend in June, Peter joined Helen’s eldest son Daniel and a group of his friends as they took on the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for Headway, after one of Daniel’s friends was forced to pull out due to injury.

After Pete got in touch, emc:tiles not only made the largest donation to the fund, but was also in the top 1% of JustGiving donors for the month of May.

We’re really proud to have been able to contribute to such a worthy cause, and we’d like to congratulate Pete, Daniel and the rest of the team on a fantastic achievement.

If you would like to donate and read more about Pete and Helen’s story and the 3 peaks challenge please follow the link below to their JustGiving page;

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/3PeaksForHeadway

EMC Tiles On BBC Radio Nottingham

BBC Radio Nottingham – 19 Nov 2015

Mark Dennison Live Broadcast

Today, Barry Slawson - Managing Director of EMC Tiles, explains a little bit more about under-tile warming systems; the benefits, how they work and approximate running cost.

Listen to the interview

EMC Tiles Making Some Noise!

for those who

don’t get heard

When Smooth Radio asked EMC Tiles if they would like to support "Make Some Noise", they were only too happy to oblige.

Smooth Radio is the company used by EMC Tiles to get across to the local community, its messages about ceramic tiles. Barry Slawson, EMC MD says "Radio is one of the best means of conveying your message and this is definitely a worth while cause that deserves to be heard!"

Picture: Barry Slawson EMC Tiles MD and Andrew Dearden of Smooth Radio
"Making Some Noise"

 Created by Global, the media and entertainment group, Global’s Make Some Noise is a charity that helps to change young lives.

This is done by supporting specially selected projects up and down the country, which deliver life-changing work to youngsters and their families in their communities. They are often small, operating on a shoestring, or tackling an issue that is little understood.

As home to 8 of the best loved commercial radio stations in the UK, Global tells the stories of these projects and helps to raise awareness amongst its 23 million listeners.

As well as providing financial grants, Global also shine the spotlight on these brilliant projects, each year grants are awarded to specially selected projects up and down the country. These provide vital support for youngsters and their families, where grants may fund activities such as workshops for teenagers with cancer, rehabilitation for children with brain tumours or support for young carers.

Currently... just under £2,000,000 raised!

For Further information go to http://www.makesomenoise.com/

Versa-Tile... Is There Nothing Ceramic Tiles Can't Do?

Published: June 2015

All The Benefits - Without The Hard Work

Looking for a wooden floor that won’t scratch, or a natural stone one that doesn’t need constant attention – or even an outdoor deck that won’t rot?

The new generation of ceramic tile lookalikes are the answer.

These days tough, hard-wearing porcelain tiles come in a stunning variety of guises, some so realistic you actually have to touch them to check if they are the real thing.

The latest wood lookalikes are astounding. Some top of the range products even have saw marks. And across the whole price range – fabulously finished tiles, fashioned to reproduce the sophisticated look of a perfectly fitted wooden floor, abound.

Picture: Wood lookalike flooring has a fabulously sophisticated look

Then there’s the vast range of natural stone lookalikes, which emulate all the classic finishes such as travertine, limestone and even marble. Again, the big difference is, that they don’t need any preparation or maintenance... and they’ll look as good in years to come as they did on the day they were fitted.

Lookalikes are even marching into the garden too – with fantastic, no nonsense wood look alike decking and beautiful exterior ceramic tile paving.

EMC Tiles is one of the UK’s leading retailers of these fabulous products and the company has recently taken over the Leicester Tile Centre on Saffron Lane where it will bring their unrivalled selection of products. So together with all the expertise and specialised knowledge of everything "ceramics tiles" there's also the expertise in the field ceramic tile lookalikes.

Picture: Stylish outdoor tiles make a real statement

EMC Tiles managing director, Barry Slawson said: “We have always been a tremendously enthusiastic supporter of look-alike tiles. To us – this has possibly been the most exciting development for tile buyers in the 35 years we have been in business.

“We are really looking forward to building an excellent working relationship with all our new Leicestershire customers and to offering them the choice and customer service which has made us consistent award winners.

“We're inviteing all our new domestic and trade customers to come and take a look at just how much we have to offer.”

EMC Tiles' Summer Floral Show

Published: 13 May 2015

Shades of Summer

With Summer on its way – even ceramic tiles have started to bloom.

It’s all part of a refreshing revival of a much loved theme, using beautifully crafted flower motifs to highlight a ceramic tiled wall.

And the classic theme continues with a stunning array of delicate, matching pastel coloured tiles in the same range.

Picture: Beautiful, Elegant Shades of Summer

These delightful, Italian made tiles are on display at East Midlands Ceramics, where the managing director, Barry Slawson, says this traditional style is back in vogue.

He says; “Tile buying tastes are dynamic and ever changing and pastel shades with floral designs are really back in fashion.

“We used to stock these years ago and it is wonderful to see them back again, to appeal to a whole new generation of tile buyers.

“The main difference between these and the originals is that the quality of finish and manufacture of this new range is far superior to anything that went before.

“Advances in factory techniques have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and this traditional theme looks better than ever.

“The colours and styling of these floral motifs is fabulous are just the thing to bring a wonderful touch of summer sunshine to your interior designs.”

EMC Tiles Helps To Establish World Class Dream House

Published: 31 March 2015

Ceramic Tiles Help To Make Dreams Come True!

When a Nottingham couple decided to knock down a house they had recently bought, it was a case of having the opportunity of starting again, from the ground up.

Their first choice of flooring for their new dream home was ceramic tiles which was used extensively throughout the property, both inside and out. This included a spacious patio and barbecue area paved with a hard-wearing porcelain, stone look-alike tile in preference to more traditional materials.

Picture: Before the transformation

The old 1940's house which stood on the beautiful four acre plot, on the outskirts of Nottingham, looked tired and shabby, but the couple had plans for a stunning ultra-modern, super-sleek structure, complete with swimming pool benefiting from uninterrupted views over the large garden and surrounding countryside.

Through close collaboration with EMC Tiles, who supplied the products and expertise, the project was able to progress and develop into what is now a fabulous new home with ceramic tiled floors throughout.

The impressive entrance hall, opens through to the huge dining / kitchen area and the tiled exterior patio beyond. The unified and coordinated tiling leads the eye gracefully from one living area to the next in complete harmony.

Picture: Ultra-modern... Super-sleek

Tiled floors of the en-suite bathrooms create the perfect setting for the large picture windows and sit well with the luxurious bathroom fittings.

The owners say: “Ceramic tiles were essential to the whole design and were fully integrated into the plans from day one. Ceramic tiles are the perfect material for the seamless link between all the areas – both inside and out. They are glamorous, hard-wearing and very stylish.

“We chose East Midlands Ceramics as our supplier because of their exceptionally wide choice, great prices and expert help and advice when we needed it. They put us in touch with one of their recommended, expert tilers, Darren Cox, who did a fantastic job.”

Picture: Seamless Living

This innovative and individual design has been entered for one of the categories in this year’s prestigious Tile Association National Awards – awards of which the company has won twice over recent years.

EMC Tiles - Taking Long Tiles To New Lengths!

Published: 23 March 2015

Seeing Is Believing When It Comes To
The New Generation Of Wood Effect Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tile wood look alikes have taken the market by storm in recent years – but now there’s  a stunning new product making them even more realistic – it comes in a 1.8 metre (six foot) length.

The current generation of wood lookalike tiles provide fabulous finishes, which are virtually indistinguishable from real wood. But until now they've always been manufactured in tile-like sizes.

However, these remarkable new products, which is being stocked by East Midlands Ceramics, has broken the mould – quite literally – with a 1.8 metre ceramic tile floorboard!

Now, with the introduction of a tile of real wood length, the criticism that ceramics tiles do not look the real thing has been completely dismissed and this new product should open up even more possibilities in this already highly popular market.

EMC Tiles managing director, Barry Slawson, spotted this new development at the International Ceramic Tile Fair in Bologna and is among the first suppliers in the UK to stock it.

He says: “Wood look-alike tiles are one of the biggest success stories in recent years. Every new development seems to have been more exciting than the last, in terms of finish and texture colour and realism.

“The extra length helps to create an elegant flow throughout all areas and will certainly appeal to a new generation of buyers in the domestic and commercial sectors.

Specially designed to bring out the romantic soul of the wood, the unique size of these tiles helps to unite rooms and designs in new ways.

Picture: EMC Tiles MD Barry Slawson and sales advisor Jack Kettle show just how
realistic the new generation of wood effect ceramics tiles have become

EMC Tiles Nordic Chic Feel For Property Restoration

Published: 05 Jan 2015

Chic Nordic Effect Tile Transformation

Beautifully Restores Property In Mapperley

When it comes to creating a wonderfully unified and stylish flow between the important areas of a house – there’s nothing to beat a ceramic tiled floor.

The 1930’s detached house in Mapperley was beautifully restored and decorated – but oh! that downstairs floor.

The kitchen had a patchwork of ancient quarry tiles with surface ups and downs enough to make you sea-sick and the adjoining hallway was covered with an undistinguished wood laminate.

The solution to this mismatch, was to tile the whole lot in a beautiful, hard wearing, ceramic tile wood lookalike – thereby creating a welcoming flow from the front door, through house, into the kitchen and beyond into the utility area.

The owner decided a new floor with a cool Nordic chic, inspired by the stylish properties in the highly popular Danish TV Dramas like Borgen and The Bridge, was what she wanted and contacted East Midlands Ceramics for help with a master plan.

What was chosen was one of the latest generation of wood lookalikes with a fabulous limed grey finish, a perfect match for the existing décor and with an unmistakable Nordic fizz.

EMC Tiles were also able to recommended one of the highly expert tile fixers from the list selected tradesmen they have, to refer customers from.

After the wave-like kitchen floor had been removed together with the old laminate in the hall, the whole area was painstakingly re-board - hallway with a modern, rigid substrate to ensure that the whole surface from the utility room to the front door was precision level.

A satisfied customer said: “EMC Tiles were fantastic and delivered the whole package from the right tile, to the right grout, to the skilled craftsman to put it all together.

Picture: Fabulous new wood look-alike ceramic tiled floor
brings the house alive with a wonderful flow throughout

“The result is breathtaking. It has changed the whole feel and look of the downstairs floor. It was almost as if the house was just waiting for the transformation these stunning new tiles would bring."

EMC Tiles managing director, Barry Slawson said: “We are the experts at bringing tile designs to life through our fully integrated service. We have unrivalled stocks of all the latest products plus the highly trained staff to make the right suggestions.

“The result for our customer was a fantastic, modern and hard-wearing floor that will last for years – looking as good as the day it was fitted.”

Ambitious EMC Tiles Finds A Perfect Match For Business Expansion In Leicester

A NOTTINGHAM tiling business looks set for expansion after buying a Leicester-based rival.

EMC Tiles, which is based in Hucknall Road, has bought Leicester Tile Centre for an undisclosed sum.

The move comes only two months after EMC splashed out £500,000 on developing a trade centre of excellence on the Southglade Industrial estate next to its existing premises.

EMC employs 31 people and will take on an additional nine with the acquisition of Leicester Tile Centre.

Done deal: East Midlands Ceramics managing director, Barry Slawson, left,

with John Newcombe, of Leicester Tile Centre.

The deal has come about because the owner of Leicester Tile Centre, John Newcombe, wanted to sell out of the business.

Barry Slawson, managing director of EMC Tiles, says the move means the business will be able to build on its existing branch in Loughborough and expand its customer base further south.

He said: "We have been looking to expand our business into the Leicester area for some time. We already have a highly successful branch in Loughborough and the opportunity to acquire the Leicester Tile Centre was too good to miss.

"This has made 2014 an exceptionally exciting year for us. This new acquisition opens up a whole new trading area – into south Leicestershire and the central Midlands and we are very much looking forward to introducing new customers to our blend of customer services and value for money."

Mr Slawson says the two firms are similar businesses. EMC was founded more than 35 years ago, while Leicester Tile Centre is also family-run and was launched around 30 years ago.

"It could really be described as a marriage of two companies with compatible backgrounds," said Mr Slawson

"This is a very exciting time for EMC Tiles and we relish the prospect of bringing our particular way of providing a very focused service for our retail and trade customers.

"Over the next few months, we will be introducing some exciting new product ranges – along with an even more comprehensive selection of tiling tools and materials – at the best possible prices.

"We would like to stress that we are building on a very sound foundation with a very popular and well-run business and we believe our experience and expertise can only enhance the opportunities for all tile buyers in the Leicester area."

Mr Newcombe, who has now decided to pursue other business interests, said: "Both companies were founded around the same time and over the years we have developed a huge amount of respect for each other in the ways in which we conduct our business.

"EMC Tiles is the perfect match as a buyer and we are delighted that our long established family business is being handed over to another."

EMC Tiles Provide Hospital Tiles For Children

Nottingham Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, recently received a donation of ceramic tiles from East Midlands Ceramics Ltd (EMC).

The contribution of tiles was made as part of an initiative to provide young people the opportunity of having fun, rather than for addressing a particular problem.

Children of all ages, on the ward, were asked to create attractive and colourful designs on the tiles and these were then used to decorate and brighten up the ward's bathroom and corridors.

FREE Porcelain Floor Tiles From EMC TIles - Through Offer By Trent Valley Window & Door Company

Call for a quote: 0115 942 5050
Email: sales@trentvalleywindows.co.uk

tend your living space this Spring with a beautiful glazed extension

And we’ll fit a porcelain tiled floor absolutely FREE!*

With tailor made conservatories and Orangeries our conservatory range offers a style to suit every home, individually designed to suit you, providing quality and a service which is second to none.

For a more substantial building than a traditional conservatory you may want to consider an Orangery. It offers a stunning extension to your living space but can be costly. Here at Trent Valley we can offer an alternative; with the same look & feel of an Orangery inside & out our 'Tangerine' is much more cost effective.
See our blog for more details

What’s more if you order a new Conservatory or Orangery with us by the end of June 2014 we’ll fit a porcelain tiled floor absolutely FREE.

You will have a choice of 18 tiles from emc:tiles in a wide range of colours and finishes. Some examples are highlighted below, samples of all choices are available to view in our showroom.

Alabastro Ivory Nat
50x50 (EMC02773)

Vintage Blend DJ
15x60 (EMC03041)

Alabastro Grey Nat
50x50 (EMC02846)

Notre Dame Beige
45x45 (EMC02054)

Geotech Dark
45x45 (EMC02815)

emc:tiles are the tile buyers choice for porcelain

emc:tiles are specialists in offering unrivalled quality & service. emc:tiles sources its products directly from leading manufacturers from all over the world.
For more details on emc:tiles visit their website www.emctiles.co.uk
Together we can transform your conservatory with our high quality choice of conservatory styles and tiles to make your dream room come true.
Terms apply.

EMC Tiles Raise Over £3000 For Charity At Opening Of New Trade Services Centre

Nottingham Post - 07 April 2014

THE opening celebration for East Midlands Ceramic's (EMC) new centre of excellence for the tile trade raised more than £3,000 for charity.

The event, at the centre on the Southglade Business Park, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, was attended by more than 100 guests.

It featured a fundraising darts competition with prizes donated by suppliers and manufacturers – as well as by EMC Tiles itself.

Players included tile professionals who qualified to take part by collecting bonus points during a special week of trade events.

Picture: From the left, Phil Slawson, of EMC, tiler Craig Ashford and MC Mel Stanley

Prizes not claimed after the match were auctioned to raise cash for charity. The amount raised by the auction was matched by donations from EMC Tiles and Weber Tile Adhesives Ltd.

The total raised was more than £3,000, which has been donated to Step Out for Stroke, the Seacole Ward at Nottingham City Hospital and Jon's Rehab Fund, a charity founded by the wife of a customer who suffered a stroke.

The new £500,000 centre of excellence is next to the company's showroom and warehouse and is designed to be a focus for the sale, delivery and promotion of tile industry products and services.

It has been redeveloped as a flagship unit featuring 5,000 sq ft of warehousing, a state of the art trade service area and a computerised resource centre for education and training.

EMC Tiles' managing director Barry Slawson said: "It was a fantastic evening and we were delighted to share this event with so many industry figures, along with their partners and families.''

East Midlands Centre of Excellence puts EMC Tiles at the Heart of the Tiling Trade

Published: Tilezine - April 2014

East Midlands Ceramics have opened a new regional Centre of Excellence for the tiling trade — in one of the company's most ambitious projects since it was founded more than thirty five years ago.

The new centre is purpose-built to serve trade professionals and includes an extra 5000 square feet of warehousing, a state of the art trade service area and a special computerised resource centre for education and training.

The resource centre will create a regional forum for manufacturers and suppliers to showcase the latest innovations and developments and to demonstrate new techniques to trade professionals and tiling students.

EMC Tiles Trade Operations Manager, Phil Slawson said: "It will mean that professionals won't have to travel all over the country to keep up with manufacturers developments — industry leaders will be giving master classes and demonstrations here in one place.

This will also give tiling students the unique opportunity to meet the top practitioners and learn directly from their experience."

All Things Bright And Beautiful  -  At EMC Tiles All New Trade Services Centre

The development is the result of EMC Tiles bold decision not to stand still during the recession — but to expand in readiness for improved trading conditions.

The company bought an available engineering factory next to its existing warehouse and showroom on the Southglade Business Park, Hucknall Road, Nottingham and re-developed it as a flagship unit, dedicated to servicing its trade and contract customers.

Phil Slawson said: "This will streamline our service to the trade. Until now all our business, domestic and trade has been going through one counter.

"This new centre means we can give our hundreds of trade customers a specialised facility — featuring generous discounts and a loyalty points scheme.

"The trade counter will be well staffed and there will be absolutely no change to our unrivalled personal customer service."

The new centre opened on Monday March 24th and was launched with a special Trade Extravaganza Week. This featured five days of events, supported by leading manufacturers, a top-prize darts competition and a Ferrari FI Simulator, with all proceeds donated to charity.

Pictures: Fun, Games and Frivolity... with a good time had by all!

EMC Tiles managing director, Barry Slawson says: "This is a major development for us and a statement of our confidence in the future of this business. We have certainly come out of the recession in a strengthened position — thanks to our decision to forge ahead and buy and redevelop this property. We are now fully able to capitalise on improved trading conditions and are offering our trade and contract customers something extra special.

"We have created a Centre of Excellence for the sale, delivery and promotion of everything the trade could wish for from the tile industry. We have always supported young tilers through our strong links with New College Nottingham, where we sponsor annual awards. We will be looking at ways to integrate our new resource centre into the learning process.

"This will put Nottingham firmly on the map as a regional focus for the tile trade and will stimulate new business from the whole of the East Midlands and beyond."

AT EMC TILES - YOU JUST WOODEN BELIEVE IT!

THESE TILES LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE REAL THING

They say that seeing is believing - but to convince yourself these wonderful ceramic wood look alike tiles are not the real thing – you actually have to touch them.

Ceramic tile technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years so that now the latest generation of wood look-alikes are devastatingly realistic... you may even find yourself taking care not to get a splinter.

These fabulous products are taking over from the real thing – both inside and out.

Designers are discovering their hard-wearing resilience and attractive looks make them ideal for interior flooring and the new range of look-alike wooden decking is a hit with garden enthusiasts.

One of the biggest advantages of wood look-alikes is their outstanding ability to resist wear. They are made from porcelain, one of the hardest materials known to designers.

If they are correctly fitted, they will look as good in the years ahead as they did the day were new.

Whereas real wood needs constant attention and extra care to avoid disfiguring scratches and scrapes, ceramic tile will stand up to anything normal use can throw at it.

A water spillage which could ruin a wood floor can simply be wiped away.

Superior products like Wood-ker are astonishing. The colour, the texture and the feel of wood are uncannily reproduced in full bodied porcelain, with an amazing amount of attention to detail – including saw marks on the surface.

Barry Slawson, the managing director of the region’s leading ceramic tile supplier, East Midlands Ceramic says: “The range and choice of wood look alike styles is expanding all the time – as leading manufacturers develop new lines in response to the ever-growing popularity of these products.

“I would say that the development of look-alikes is one of the most dramatic and successful innovations in the industry in the past decade.

“I think it is safe to say that many people are now making look-alikes their first choice ahead of the real thing.

Picture: The realistic look of a natural wooden floor... full of character... but having
the hard wearing and minimal maintenance benefits of a ceramic tile.

“Some customers say they are concerned about the perception that tiled floors are cold to the touch. This is easily overcome by fitting luxurious and energy efficient undertile heating. It gives the tiles a fabulous warm glow – which contributes to the overall background heat of the room, for a very economical cost. There are instances where it has even allowed customers to cut back dramatically on their central heating.”

Garden decking made from tough porcelain has taken the look-alikes into new realms and proved that its qualities are ideal for outdoor applications too.

Wood decking demands almost constant upkeep to maintain it in peak conditions and nothing looks sadder than a neglected deck.

The porcelain version is indistinguishable from real wood. It is easy to lay and will stand up to everything the weather and heavy garden use can throw at it – without losing any of its attractive finish.

Picture: Ceramic Tiles - displaying all the rich, warm textures of natural wood

Barry Slawson says: “The advantages are numerous. They will never rot, unlike timber they don’t need regular weatherproofing treatment to keep them in peak condition, they will resist heavy usage, they won’t be damaged by staining or sparks or embers from a barbeque and they will look great all year round.

“We are all very excited about these innovations – which are giving designers brilliant new opportunities to replace traditional wood products with something more hardwearing – but without any loss of attractiveness.

 “The introduction of ceramic tile decking is also a highly significant breakthrough that will be welcomed by gardeners and home owners who may have been reluctant to invest in a fashionable deck – simply because of the hassles involved in their upkeep.

“Now buyers can have the best of both worlds – great looking “wood” designs they don’t have to worry about.”