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Single Surface Polished Concrete Solutions from Pro Grind

SINGLE SURFACE POLISHED CONCRETE SOLUTIONS - A WORLDWIDE RETAIL TREND

The fastest growing retail flooring solution internationally is single surface polished concrete flooring with big-box retailers such as Ikea, Wal-Mart, Lowes, Costco and Home Depot already embracing the trend.

These retailers have realised the major benefits that a single surface polished concrete floor can deliver, from unrivalled durability, maintenance and lighting cost savings, reduced lifecycle costs, through to a consistent and attractive aesthetic that enhances their selling space and the customer experience.

And, beyond the obvious, these major retailers have recognised other benefits, for example, delivering a completely flat surface to reduce customer and employee accidents, which in an increasingly litigious society is becoming a major consideration for big retail.

Previously many stores adopted a multiple overlayment approach. This method gives a designer scope to create a 'zoning' feel and personalise the flooring area in accordance with the product on display. In theory, this can be effective in its impact. The practical element of this is however a totally different story.

Multi-surface floor coverings in fact create a variety of complications for the storeowner and in particular their maintenance crews. Multiple floor coverings require different maintenance methods and wear and tear is different across the coverings often affecting the lifespan of the product leading to different replacement requirements and timeframes. This directly impacts the lifecycle costing of the floor.

Although the multi surface overlayment approach is frequently used to create different zones and ambience in the store, it can impact the feel of the size negatively and create an inconsistent feel to the spaces.

Local retailer, JB Hi-Fi, has adopted a single surface MPC flooring solution for its stores over the last seven years and has recognised major benefits:

"We have tried various flooring solutions in the early days such as dressed timber ply board, vinyl tiles and self levelling epoxy flooring with mixed results. In some cases significant wear and tear became an issue after only several years. We simply had to find a better solution and that's where our association with Pro Grind came into play," said National Project Manager Branko Jaksic.

"We needed a hard wearing low maintenance floor that would enable us to regularly move our store fixtures around without the worry of damaging our floors," he continued.

"Pro Grind MPC single surface has delivered us a floor that is durable, low maintenance, great value for money and looks fantastic with a high level of shine which adds to the aesthetic in our stores. Pro Grind have now been with us for about seven years and over the journey they have provided us with floors that have ticked all the boxes. We have been extremely pleased with the results," concluded Jaksic.

The growing application of Pro Grind's MPC polished concrete in retail spaces throughout Australia is reflecting this overall international trend away from multiple floor coverings. ProGrind's MPC provides flat, consistent, durable and easily maintainable single surface flooring solutions. There is no requirement for different cleaning or maintenance regimes, an autoscrubber or mop is all that is required. The lifecycle cost of ProGrind's MPC flooring is significantly lower than the multiple coverings approach due to it's resilience and durability, it does not scratch or fade - it is not a coating or a covering.

Added benefits include the environmental benefits of it's full Green Star credit rating as well as eliminating landfill additions as the substrate of the floor is used as the total product rather than an overlayment, which will later will be removed and disposed of.

Local customers such as Early Settler and Beacon Lighting have benefited significantly from making the shift from multi surface floor coverings to Pro Grind's single surface MPC solutions. They have seen a reduction in maintenance costs and an improved aesthetic in their stores, which has positively impacted on various aspects of their business, from reducing costs, enhancing the shopper experience, through to an improvement in employee satisfaction.

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