BMW and Toyota remodel with Wicanders

With the aim of creating a sophisticated atmosphere reflecting the quality and technology of the cars they market, BMW and Toyota, in Germany, have redesigned their showrooms with the new Wicanders® Woodcomfort product line in the attractive “American Walnut” wood visual

  

BMW showroom in Germany

BMW B&K, with offices in 17 different German cities, remodeled its branch in Taunusstein, a wealthy suburb of Frankfurt, with approximately 5000 square feet of the product in its offices, reception area and lounge.

Toyota showroom in Berlin, Germany

At Toyota Weller, with 10 branches throughout Germany, a first stage saw over 5000 square feet installed in the sales offices and bar of its Berlin branch.

In both cases, the excellent technical performance of the HPS surface finish was chosen for maximum resistance to wear. 

The new Wicanders® Woodcomfort product lines offer an immense range of decorative, versatile and sophisticated options, providing distinctive and customized atmospheres in accordance with the highest standards of quality and comfort.

 

 

Amorim’s ReCORK America and SOLE Footware to Upcycle Millions of Cork Stoppers

Napa, CA– ReCORK America has added another partner to support its cork recycling program.  SOLE, the manufacturer of premium footbeds, socks and sandals, will use a blend of recycled cork wine bottle closures in its line of 2010 footwear products.

SOLE joins the many restaurants, resorts, organizations, wine retailers, and wineries who help collect and find use for used natural corks.

To read the full article on this new partnership, please follow this link

Remodeling with Wicanders

‘Tis the season for home-improvements….
What better way to “better your home” than to use eco-efficient materials. Misty McNally gives her Best for Remodeling choices in an article published in Natural Home Magazine, including Wicanders Corkcomfort Floating Plank.  Click on the Natural Home Magazine image to access the article which explores a few of the many benefits of cork flooring.

Wicanders Corkcomfort Floating Plank, Traces Spice

 

Aveda Frederic’s Institute chooses Wicanders

Aveda Fredric's Institute

The design of Aveda Fredric’s Institute Indianapolis began and ended with the environment and its inhabitants in mind. The design teams were given the task throughout the entire design process of seeking out materials that are eco-friendly and friendly to the end-user of the space. Whether their selections were made from recycled materials, or are recyclable or manufactured in an environmental way with environmentally friendly, sustainable materials, they were challenged to create a difference. Taking the selections one step further, much thought has been given to the psychology of color and the way it can enhance the space for the guests, students and instructors alike. Color was added through the use of varying materials, textures and applications though the flooring, paint, cabinetry, wall materials and fixtures.

Aveda Retail

A natural choice for flooring was Wicanders Corkcomfort Glue-down HPS, which was used in the retail space, the cosmetology clinic and in the hallway.  Wicanders offers a flooring solution that is environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, durable yet practical.  Specifically designed for high traffic areas, and with a 15 year commercial warranty, Corkcomfort Glue-down tiles have our patented HPS finish.  HPS, or High Performance Surface, works by embedding a fine shield of nano-beads atop the surface layer of the flooring, protecting it from scratches, scuff marks, stains and abrasions.  The unique strength of this finish is that it also protects the natural properties of cork flooring. 

Guest Care and Gifting Center

Wicanders cork floors with HPS are giving and resilient underfoot, are hygenic and easily cleaned.  Wicanders Corkcomfort Glue down HPS tiles are a perfect choice for salons where students and employees are on their feet all day using chemicals and dyes. 

 

Amorim to help in development of Eco-Airplane

The use of composite cork materials in ultra-light civilian airplanes is under development and testing through the AEROCORK project. A sum of approximately 1.65 million dollars will be invested in this project with approx. 50% of that amount being funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

The group responsible for the management of this investment is made up of Dyn’Aero Ibérica, Corticeira Amorim through Amorim Cork Composites, PIEP (Innovation in Polymer Engineering – University of Minho) and AST (Active Space Technologies).

AEROCORK is producing, testing and certifying cork composites with the intention of replacing synthetic materials with cork composites in airplanes of Dyn’Aero Ibérica. The first flying tests are scheduled for the second half of 2010.

Amorim, the world’s leading producer and developer of cork composites, and the manufacturer of Wicanders Cork Flooring, will be responsible for providing know-how about agglomerated cork that is the most appropriate to the aeronautical applications in question. Amorim is already involved in the US Space Shuttle project, providing cork composites to NASA, and sees this new initiative as an “opening door” for other high technology industries, such as the railroad system.

In addition to its unique structural characteristics, cork offers undeniable environmental advantages – it is a sustainable, ecological, natural and recyclable material – and will reduce the impact of the aviation industry on the environment. 

We are proud that our parent company is part of this project.

Happy Earth Day to all!

Team Wicanders

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Amorim Flooring partners with Architectural Systems, Inc.

Amorim Flooring North America, Inc. has appointed Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI, www.archsystems.com) as its distributor in the commercial segment of Wicanders cork flooring.   ASI will cover the  Metro New York and New Jersey areas.

Founded in 1990, ASI has been known from the start for its fresh, innovative solutions for commercial interiors.  Today, the company’s products are confidently specified by the foremost architecture & design firms and installed globally in major retail, entertainment, hospitality, corporate, healthcare, education and institutional projects.

ASI’s clients return again and again for ASI’s extensive product expertise, professionalism, commitment to service, and collective eye for what’s next®, and the ability to find it all in one place.  Founders Nancy Jackson (President) and Ron Jackson (CEO) are design advocates who help their clients materialize their vision and have worked with the most prestige clientele.  ASI’s team of experts has been recognized for their involvement in every part of the contract project process from concept to installation.  Their innovative style and established relationships in the A& D community distinguish them from the rest.  Their exceptional knowledge of the industry is known globally and sets trends before anyone recognizes them as trends.

 Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI), a family business, is acclaimed by the industry as a leading provider of architectural materials including sustainable products.

Amorim’s international flooring portfolio is known for its unique ecological properties, aesthetic design and technical attributes. 

This new strategic partnership reinforces the demand for high quality eco-efficient flooring solutions, and will strengthen Wicanders’ presence in the New York and New Jersey markets.

We welcome ASI to our family.

Team WIcanders

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ReCORK America Updates—New Companies Join in Alliance to Recycle Natural Cork

As some of you may have heard, our very own Amorim of Portugal is sponsoring a pilot program in California and the Pacific North West to recycle natural cork wine closures. The program, called ReCORK AMERICA, is focused on obtaining used and surplus corks from winery tasting rooms, bottling lines and quality assurance laboratories. In addition, collection locations are being established with key retailers and restaurants in larger metropolitan areas.

We’re pleased to bring you some exciting updates on concerned businesses that are teaming up with ReCORK AMERICA, in order to address the opportunities to recycle natural cork closures.

WTN Services® and the Winetasting Network® a division of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM® as well as 25 Northern California Whole Foods Market stores have joined the ReCORK AMERICA Alliance. Both companies now encourage customers to add wine corks to their list of recyclable packaging and offer convenient drop off receptacles for any consumer wanting to return their corks for recycling.

ReCORK AMERICA Collection Box

Unlike plastic or metal screwcap closures, recycled cork can be turned into building insulation, shoe soles, fishing rod handles, bulletin boards, soil conditioner, and obviously our fabulous Wicanders Cork Oak Floors. Natural cork is biodegradable, sustainable and a valuable source for carbon retention.

To make this program work we need corks! For a current list of participating recycling locations near you, please visit http://www.recorkamerica.com/recork_locations.html

To all the participating companies we’d like to say, Cheers!

Team Wicanders

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