1983

JAMES HALSTEAD LIMITED INTRODUCED POLYSAFE SLIP-RESISTANT FLOORING
This year Polyflor launched their first safety flooring, containing aggregate particles to reduce the risk of slipping in ‘wet’ areas. Polyflor has since seen extensive growth within this sector, both in the UK and international markets.

1986
JAMES HALSTEAD LIMITED LAUNCHED THE POLYSAFE STUD TILE
To provide increased choice for customers, 1986 saw our expansion into studded rubber tiles, a complimentary range to our main vinyl offering.

1989
JAMES HALSTEAD LIMITED LAUNCHED YET ANOTHER NEW FLOORING RANGE
Two new ranges of non-directional flooring - Finesse and Panache - were introduced by Polyflor, reflecting increasing demand for the ‘chip’ aesthetic.

1992
ESTABLISHED SALES OFFICE IN HONG KONG
The sales office was set up in Hong Kong to help support and build upon our successful business: not just in Hong Kong, but also in the emerging China market and other Asian markets.

PURCHASE OF POLYFLOR AUSTRALIA
In 1992, the company became directly involved in the Australian flooring market with the purchase and strengthening of the company responsible for distribution of Polyflor in Australia. Since then, the business has been further strengthened, and now includes a sales presence in all states, and warehousing in Queensland, N.S.W., W.A., and Victoria.

1993
SALES OFFICE ESTABLISHED IN EIRE
A sales office and warehouse were established in Eire to improve service to this market place.

1995
LAUNCH OF 2000
Polyflor XL 2000 (now known as 2000 PUR) was launched in this year. It was the first calendered and pressed product in the Polyflor range, bringing the benefits of a dense, closed surface to the successful marbleised products in the Polyflor range.

1996
GERMAN DISTRIBUTOR OBJECTFLOR IS PURCHASED
The Objectflor business was purchased in order to facilitate further investment in - and therefore development of - the German market. This has now advanced such that the sales and warehousing facility in Cologne is responsible for all the Central European markets.

1998
PUR REINFORCEMENT ADDED TO NON-DIRECTIONALS
Building on the success of the non-directional products launched in 1989, a polyurethane reinforcement was added to the products, providing excellent protection and facilitating a polish-free maintenance regime. Subsequently, the PUR reinforcement was added to the 2000 range and also features on Forest FX.

1999
GROUP STRENGTHENS POSITION IN WORLD MARKETS
Two acquisitions made this year include Karndean International GmbH in Germany (license for Central Europe only) and Skellerup Flooring (now Halstead Flooring Concepts Limited) in New Zealand.