TTA Award Winners 2023

 

 

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2023 – Billy Valler

Billy has been on TTA’s Technical Committee since March 2009, where his work has included involvement in many of TTA’s technical documents, and he is also a member of TTA’s Technical Inspection team. He joined TTA board in 2012. Billy was also involved with the National Master Tile Fixers Association (NMTFA), one of two organisations which merged in 1999 to form The Tile Association. He still keeps with pride his NMTFA membership card – No. 001, as the first-ever registered tile fixer member.

Employee of the Year Award Winner 2023 – Martyn Spring, Topps Tiles plc

Martyn is the Store Manager of Topps Tiles Solihull Superstore and has worked for Topps for over 10 years. He has worked his way through the ranks from Service Specialist to Deputy and then Store Manager. He has not only had another record sales and profit year, eclipsing his 2021 efforts, but has also contributed massively to a wide selection of projects across the business.

Tile Fixer of the Year Award Winner 2023 – David Westwood, Westwoods Tiling Ltd

David has progressed his Tiling career from strength to strength. In 2022 he obtained 3 TTA Technical Masterclass certificates and attended numerous training sessions.

Trainee Tile Fixer of the Year Award Winner 2023 – Matthew Sinkinson, W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) Ltd

Matthew joined W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) in 2021. He is studying at South and City College, Birmingham. He has quickly shown that he is a keen learner, and he has the right attitude to soak up the knowledge of the experienced fixers he has been working with.

Initially working with his dad – a tiler with W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) for nearly 18 years, Matthew is now working alongside other senior tilers expanding his knowledge of tiling practices and is representing W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) on some prestigious projects.

Best Commercial Project (Small) Winner 2023 – Babmaes Street, London, W.B. Simpson & Sons Ltd

The results of this project are stunning, with the offices of 1-2 Babmaes Street transformed with the elegance and glamour that would be expected of a building in the heart of London.

Highly Commended in Best Commercial Project (Small) 2023 – East Quay, Watchet, Somerset, Schlüter-Systems Ltd

East Quay is a stunning building situated in Watchet, Somerset. The various accommodation pods each have their own distinctive theme, but all share their use of reliable waterproofing and wetroom systems by Schlüter-Systems.

Best Commercial Project (Large) Winner 2023 – RAK Ceramics Design Hub, London, Stortford Tiling & Marble Ltd

Stortford Tiling and Marble was the chosen contractor for the installation at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub, ahead of its opening in London in May 2022. The total tiled area consisted of over 1,000 square metres, over 600 square metres of which is floor area.

Highly Commended in Best Commercial Project (Large) 2023 – Welcome Break Services, Fernwood, Nottinghamshire, Palace Chemicals Ltd

Liverpool-based Palace Chemicals promptly delivered its ever-popular MULTI-FLEX Tile Adhesive for the UK’s second largest motorway services operation.

Best Heritage Project Winner 2023 – Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Newcastle Upon Tyne, W Rodgerson & Sons

The new font at St Thomas the Martyr Church is the first fully immersive font in the Diocese of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It has been designed to be both prominent, but flexible, so it is entirely set at floor level.

Best Domestic Project Winner 2023 – Bathroom and Steam Room Project, Pro-Tilers UK Wall & Floor Ltd

The works carried out on these bathrooms and pool areas used various tiles sizes. The ensuite consists of a steam room shower with tiled ceiling, relaxation benches at the rear of the shower, a fully tiled bath area and a bespoke custom-made sink unit.

Highly Commended in Best Domestic Project 2023 – Brushed Brass Domestic Installation, Genesis Global Systems Ltd

Genesis Global Systems are proud to present this exemplary domestic installation finished to the highest standard thanks in equal part to perfect preparation before the project, premium materials used and installer skill and experience.

Best Innovation Winner 2023 – Repair Adhesive, Fix-A-Floor UK Ltd

Fix-A-Floor is a revolutionary repair product for use on loose or hollow floor tiles without the need to remove or replace them. This ingenious adhesive repairs loose and hollow tiled floors from underneath and has established itself in the market as the perfect option and a life-saver where the expense and hassle of removing and replacing is not an option.

Highly Commended in Best Innovation 2023 – BAL XL Floor One, Building Adhesives Ltd

Following feedback from fixers about the need for an easy-to-use floor adhesive that gives more time to move and install extra large format floor tiles and panels – yet still grout immediately at the start of the next day – BAL set to work formulating a new semi-rapid thick-bed floor adhesive with advanced properties.

Best Environmental Initiative Winner 2023 – UltraTile

In 2023 UltraTile started their journey towards becoming a carbon neutral manufacturer.  UltraTile committed to partner with Planet Mark to help identify and measure their carbon emissions.  Working with Planet Mark using accurate and qualified data, UltraTile have been able to identify and measure their carbon footprint across Scopes 1 and 2.  UltraTile are now actively working towards Scope 3 as part of their Net Zero Carbon Commitment journey.

Highly Commended in Best Environmental Initiative 2023 – Topps Tiles plc

Regenr8™ is a range of single-part, flexible standard and rapid setting adhesive for wall and floor tiles. Not only is it a premium quality adhesive that’s fit for any tiling project, it’s also specially formulated from Topps Tiles’ in-house developed composition of recycled waste materials which replaces natural extracted sand. Topps Tiles believe that producing the best tiling adhesive doesn’t need to have a negative effect on the planet.

Best E-Commerce Website/App Winner 2023 – Pro Tiler Tools

Pro Tiler Tools is one of the leading tiling tool and material suppliers in the UK. With an easy to use website, filled with over 4,000+ products with most available for next day delivery and an industry leading dispatch cut off of 6pm.

Excellence in Marketing Winner 2023  – Topps Tiles plc

The campaign comprised of three digital approaches, display and generic GIF banner ads and three YouTube adverts. The campaign created a total of 43.1 million impressions, 58.9 thousand clicks to the Topps Tiles website and generated over 42 thousand sessions in a 60-day period.

Excellence in Retail Winner 2023 – Surrey Tiles and Bathrooms Ltd

Visitors to Surrey Tiles & Bathrooms find a comprehensive experience that offers everything they need to plan, design and shop for exceptional tile design, alongside a comprehensive bathroom offering.

Excellence in Supply & Services Winner 2023 – UltraTile

July 2022 and November 2022 were both record sales months for the business.  November’s monthly sales were just short of £8.2m, with UltraTile contributing 36.5%.  Of course, it goes without saying, that the real ‘worth’ of such sales growth is customer satisfaction. Providing world-class performance in manufacturing and distribution is at the forefront of their minds, and they are delighted to declare that their customer management measured overall at 97.5%.

Wall Tile of the Year Winner 2023 – Nature’s Way, Walls and Floors

Manufactured in high quality white body ceramic, this product allows for use in wet areas or alternatively 3D structures and work surfaces to provide an easy clean hygienic solution.

Floor Tile of the Year Winner 2023 – Vibes, East Midlands Ceramics Ltd

With advances in digital porcelain tile technology, the line between true natural aesthetics and carefully crafted digital design has become finer over time. The Vibes collection is no exception to this with its calming, neutral and authentic stone effect tile.

Excellence in Tile Contracting Winner 2023 – Harper & Edwards Ltd

Campari Group UK was the job that had everything! From bespoke marble floor leading to the ‘secret’ Quindici bar to porcelain tiling to main reception with a glass floor section. There was also custom made ellipse inlay featuring the ‘Campari Spiritello’ design mosaic and crackle glazed metro tile to lift walls and staircase from the basement to level 5.