Name: Steve Garland
Age: 54
Company: SCG Flooring
Job Title: Managing Director
How did you get into the flooring industry?
Well I originally did a degree in agriculture and started worked in farming, but then an opportunity came up to join my uncle’s flooring business when I was still in my early 20s and I took the decision to make the switch.
What’s been the biggest change in the industry over the 30 years since you joined it?
In carpets, I think the biggest changes have been the transition from narrow loom to broad loom, and also tufted carpets coming through, displacing traditional Axminsters and Wiltons, which quality-wise hasn’t been for the best.
Looking forwards, what do you think will be the biggest change in the next 15-20 years?
I think the biggest change will be the scarcity of labour and I don’t think it’ll be as far away as 15 years, more like five to ten. Young people just don’t have the desire to come into the business, especially when they can earn a lot more labouring on a building site.
What’s the worst job you’ve been on?
I can’t really think of a particularly bad one, but any job where you have trouble getting paid always leaves a nasty taste.
And what’s the best?
In recent years I’d say the Wellesley Hotel on Hyde Park Corner in London. We did everything throughout the building apart from the stone floors. Nice job.
Do you have a go-to product for certain jobs?
For screeds and adhesives, it’s F. Ball. They’re tried and tested and they stand by their products. If you have a problem, they sort it out. That’s the most important thing. You can use it and trust it.
What do you like best about the job?
Customer satisfaction. If you have a happy customer, you can’t get better than that. You know you’re likely to get repeat business; everybody’s happy.
What is your least favourite thing about the job?
The ever-growing red tape and bureaucracy that you have to wade through before you can even get to start work on a job, especially when it’s being done as a box ticking exercise. Method statements, risk assessments, even being made to do CRB checks on the guys when they’re working in an empty school building during the summer holidays.