60-second interview: Thomas McCullagh
Quick fire questions with Tom McCullagh at Carpet Culture.
Name: Thomas McCullagh
Age: 63
Company: Carpet Culture
Job Title: Sales, Fitting Manager and Master Fitter
How did you get into the flooring industry?
My father and uncles were all in the trade. Dad had his own business, and I remember going to my first job with him. I was just seven years old, and I loved it. It really was in my blood and I just loved helping him out before and after school.
When I got a bit older, my Saturday job was on Portobello Road, working at Dad’s friend’s carpet shop.
What’s been the biggest change in the industry over the years?
Screeds. Years ago, it was all general purpose smoothing compounds – ‘one product fits all’ type approach. Now, they are much more sophisticated, which can only be a good thing, really.
Looking forward, what do you think will be the biggest change in the next five years?
It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw robots laying floors! The way things are going, everything is mechanical. At least it would save our knees.
What’s the best job you’ve been on?
We did the House of Commons, as well as 11 other buildings at the Palace of Westminster. That was pretty special.
And what’s the worst?
Anything involving laminate! It looks horrible. Fortunately, demand has dropped off massively over the years as customers have seen it for what it is and we’re pushing them to LVT.
Do you have a go-to product for certain jobs?
I enjoy using Stopgap 500 and Stopgap Micro Rapid for feathered edge finishes. And the new Stopgap 1600 is really good.
What do you like best about the job?
Going to different places – I’ve been all over the world, thanks to troubleshooting work. My daughter even said to me when she was growing up that she wanted to be like me and travel all over the world.
It’s not been all plain sailing, mind. I remember one incident at Beirut airport where we had to prove that carpet that we had imported was ours because they hadn’t filled in the paperwork correctly while we had rifles pointed at us!
But it’s been a good career, so far. It must be, as my son’s come into the trade as well. For me, I’ll carry on in the shop for as long as I can – we do domestic and contract fittings and have a shop in West London.
What is your least favourite thing about the job?
The dust! Especially when starting out, years ago. There were no masks, and no-one hoovered. Come to think of it, we didn’t wear kneepads back then, either.
