Mats that meet market needs

A 2006 telephone survey covering 450 businesses in France, Scandinavia, Germany and the UK revealed that end-users’ first priority for a mat was that it should be functional and stay firmly in place.

Aesthetics and the ability to keep mats in good condition were also important.

The survey, commissioned by Milliken but carried out independently, covered a wide range of businesses from shopping centres to transport services, franchise stores and office blocks. It questioned facility and purchasing managers and those providing technical services.

The geographic location did not seem to influence responses and the general conclusion was that there was a big gap between these users’ requirements and the products available at the time. There was therefore a need for functional but good looking mats that remained stable in use and for rental services that offered good maintenance.

As a result of these conclusions Milliken has introduced two developments that will allow textile rental businesses to offer a better mat service.

Megahold rubber backing will ensure that mats will stay firmly in place in hard floor areas. The company says it is the perfect answer for areas where loose-laid mats are not normally accepted.

It resists slipping or sliding even in heavy traffic areas including those where heavy luggage or trolleys are being moved.

The backing uses a specially developed heavy-duty, soft, tacky nitrile rubber and has a patented design of recessed cups that stick to the floor to minimise mat movement.

It is suitable for regular processing in industrial laundries and is covered by Milliken Walk Off Mats’ five-year warranty.

The company believes that rental companies should offer this backing to increase revenues. First market feedback shows that a significant proportion of surveyed end-users would pay a 50% higher rental price for Megahold.

The backing is available with Milliken’s existing range of textile mats and designs and colours can be matched with its standard mats.

Millitex, a proprietary technology of Milliken & Company, allows polyamide fibres to be sculpted, using hot air, into a 3D pattern or design. The effect is enhanced with a textile construction that allows the design to be well defined.

Millitex mats are manufactured with high-quality, solution-dyed polyamide 6.6 fibres that have excellent colour-fastness and retain both the mat’s patterns and looks throughout its life.

The company says that Millitex mats meet end-users’ expectations and can help textile rental operators to increase sales and profits.

They will help these businesses to keep established customers by offering an innovative product that has superior looks but is also functional.

Textile rental laundries can also use Millitex to attract new customers and market sectors that place a high priority on appearance.

The mats are suitable for regular processing in industrial laundries and covered by Milliken’s five-year warranty.Millitex and Megahold are registered trademarks.