Portadown-based Ulster Carpets acquires Hampshire firm Alternative Flooring
Chris Brammall, retiring Chairman of Alternative Flooring, with David Acheson, Ulster Carpets’ Strategic Development Director.
The Portadown-based firm Ulster Carpets has announced the acquisition of Alternative Flooring.
An iconic independent British brand, Alternative Flooring is an ethically conscious designer and supplier of high-quality flooring with a quirky twist. The Hampshire-based company will now join the range of complementary flooring companies within the successful Ulster Carpets Group.
Ulster Carpets say that the acquisition further underlines the Group’s belief in high quality, design-led, customer- focused UK businesses.
David Acheson, Ulster’s Strategic Development Director, said: “We believe that the Ulster Carpets Group is a fitting home for Alternative Flooring in terms of culture, outlook and ambition. Alternative will remain an independent, autonomous brand within the Ulster Carpets Group, but with the added expertise and resources to strengthen its capability, service, and product range.
“Whilst this acquisition does not create any new jobs at Ulster’s Portadown HQ this move underpins the Company’s ambition to further establish itself as the premium supplier and brand at the top end of the flooring market in the UK and Ireland.”
For more than 25 years, Alternative Flooring has been providing flooring with a focus on inspiring people to express their personality through colour, pattern, and texture. The company’s flooring products are ethically sourced, and its Make Me A Rug programme allows any design to be turned into a rug that is hand finished at its Hampshire base.
Chris Brammall, retiring Chairman of Alternative Flooring added: “Securing a bright future for the Alternative brand, together with its employees, customers and key suppliers, was a major factor in deciding the most suitable home for its next phase of development, and, in our opinion, this acquisition gives Alternative the best opportunity of reaching its considerable potential.’’
Established in 1938 by George Walter Wilson, this year marks the 85th anniversary of Ulster Carpets.
Still owned by the founder’s family, its core business remains headquartered in Portadown, from where it has grown to become the premier supplier of Axminster and Wilton carpets to the residential, hospitality, marine and casino sectors across the world, with offices in London, Paris, and across the USA.
In 2022, Ulster Carpets was granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The wider Group now employs over 700 people, and in addition to the core business, it incorporates carpet manufacturers, Ulster North East; technical textile machinery manufacturer, Griffith Textile Machines; wool processing and dyeing company, Ulster Yarns; fully sustainable underlay manufacturer, Axfelt; specialist commercial carpet manufacturer, Danfloor; the luxury interiors brand, Roger Oates Design; and sustainable furniture and materials producer, Solidwool.