Member Article

Monumental rise for flooring company

A growing family business named after one of Newcastle’s most famous landmarks is proving that a can-do attitude still pays off, after appointing a customer’s son as its new apprentice.

Monument Flooring recruited 20-year-old Don Graham due to his initiative in offering to help out when the team was a man down while fitting a carpet at his mum’s home. Don enjoyed the work so much; he gave up his better-paid job as a car valeter to take up the offer of a floor-laying apprenticeship, which includes attending college in Ashington.

Monument Flooring managing director, Trevor Duggan said: “We were really impressed with Don’s attitude and created the apprenticeship for him.

“Young people get a lot of criticism for their lack of initiative but Don’s willingness to help us out – and his enjoyment of the work – was proof to me that he would be a valuable addition to our team as we build the business.”

Trevor, from Gateshead, set up Monument Flooring at the start of 2012 after 40 years in the carpet and floor-laying business. Before starting his own firm, he worked as a contractor fitting flooring for companies all over the world.

Trevor’s sons Robert, 33, and 31-year-old Gary had worked alongside him since leaving school and both were given permanent roles in the new business. Trevor is now looking for new premises to keep pace with demand. Monument Flooring currently operates as an online-based business, keeping cost and waste to a minimum by ordering flooring to the customer’s exact measurements.

Trevor said: “Our business model was set up to provide a quick turnaround for customers. If the flooring is ordered before 3.30pm, it arrives at the customer’s address the next morning and we can get straight on with the job.

“But as we’re expanding, we’re looking for premises with office and storage space. If business continues to grow at its current rate, we’re planning to create a new job every year. If it goes on the floor, we can lay it.”

Monument Flooring is targeting the commercial sector as its main growth market and works nationally for clients including the charity Oxfam. Closer to home, the company has worked with Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School and Noble’s Amusements. But it also works with domestic customers and recently sorted out the flooring in a wet room for a disabled lady in County Durham who had been ripped off by a rogue trader.

Trevor, who has been married to Gillian for 34 years, said: “I set up Monument Flooring with the ethos of a traditional family business. My aim is to see it continue to grow and let my lads take over in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Highlights PR .