Name: John Hudson
Age: 56
Company: Aztek Interiors
Job Title: Managing Director
How did you get into the flooring industry?
It was a bit of an accident really, I just sort of fell into it. I was working for Securicor, and my fiancé and I were saving up to buy a house. Her father was working as contract manager at Dunlop Semtex, and he told me they had a job going that paid more money. I couldn’t really turn it down!
What’s been the biggest change in the industry in the last 20 years?
The biggest change has been in the products we have access to, especially with the adhesives. I remember how much mixing ammonia-based latex used to sting your eyes. When I started out a lot of resin adhesives were alcohol based. Mixing them used to make you really light headed, so much so that I actually once failed a breath test while installing a floor at a police station.
What do you think will be the biggest change in the next 20 years?
The industry changes so much that it’s really impossible to say what’s just around the corner.
What’s the worst job you’ve been on?
I’ve been in some really awful places, but I can’t say that I’ve ever had a bad job.
And what’s the best?
Well I don’t know about best, but one of the most memorable was when we refurbished the Sultan of Brunei’s house in London. He had a swimming pool lined with solid gold tiles, and his garage had shag pile carpet. The amazing thing is that he was only ever there for a few days a year.
Do you have a go-to product for certain jobs?
I’m not just saying this because of who’s asking, but I reckon we use Stopgap 1200 Pro for the vast majority of our jobs. It hasn’t let us down yet.
What do you like best about the job?
Floor fitting can be a very rewarding job, especially when you’re doing domestic stuff. It’s brilliant when you see people jumping for joy because you’ve helped give them the home they’ve always wanted.
What is your least favourite thing about the job?
Trying to get money out of lead contractors.