British Harlequin plc is pleased to announce that Ray Lloyds has been appointed Harlequin’s Contracts Director. Ray has worked in the flooring industry for over 30 years, gaining a wealth of knowledge and expertise and what he doesn’t know about flooring isn’t worth knowing!
Ray began his career as an electronics engineer at Visionhire, where after seven years he was promoted to managing the 35 strong service department. During this stage of his career Ray taught evening classes in practical electronics at both West Kent College and Wandsworth College. But the family firm was calling with Ray’s father keen for him to join him in the flooring business where in 1980 he began working alongside his dad installing commercial and domestic flooring.
When Ray started working for Harlequin in 1994 it was as a sub-contractor, which led to a permanent move in 2004 and appointment as the company’s first Contracts Manager. A move that also brought on board the young apprentice floor layers he had trained and who are still part of the Harlequin team today.
Ray’s wealth of experience and expertise make him a valuable member of staff who is always pleased to impart his knowledge.
A brand new stand furnished with bright red Harlequin Hi-Shine display flooring, will be on show when British Harlequin exhibit at the eagerly anticipated ABTT 2012 Theatre Show, June 13 and 14.
Although enjoying a well-earned reputation as world leaders in the development and supply of dance floors, Harlequin also specialise in stage flooring and floors for TV shows, events and display. Harlequin Hi-shine has proved extremely popular in all these markets and can frequently be seen as an integral design component in many leading television entertainment shows. Set designers are impressed by the way Hi-Shine rolls out instantly to provide a breathtaking wet-look finish to create a perfect display floor for entertainment presentations, fashion shows or exhibition stands.
Harlequin Contracts Division has considerable expertise in building custom designed stage floors for applications such as theatres, performing arts venues, cruise ships and education facilities.
Visitors to the British Harlequin stand (004) at the ABTT 2012 Theatre Show, which is for the first time being held at the Old Truman Brewery in East London, will be able to discuss flooring requirements with company experts.
When the United Nations International School of Hanoi, Vietnam looked for a multi-purpose floor for their performing arts facility, they naturally turned to Harlequin.
The stage floor specification called for a robust solution that could take the wear and tear of school productions, stage props, trucks and scenery construction and yet offers a cushioned floor and non-slip surface for dance. Hong Kong based Harlequin Asia took responsibility for the supply and installation of a specially constructed Harlequin semi-sprung batten floor system, with a Harlequin Standfast™performance surface. A combination that provides durability as well as slip-resistance for performers.
Dave Porter, Director of Operations at the United Nations International School of Hanoi takes up the story. “Harlequin provided us not only with a durable Harlequin Standfast floor but also a professional stage sub-floor build-up, customised to suit our school’s needs. Our stage floor is being put to the test daily by our students and can withstand the harsh climate conditions here in Vietnam.”
Harlequin Standfast™ is an extremely hard-wearing performance floor intended for permanent installation, suitable for heavy duty use and ideal for stages, percussive dance, multi-purpose use and ballet.
The school has a student roll of 285 representing 42 nationalities, a teaching staff of 42 and a non-teaching support staff of 50.
An interview with Sergei Filin, Artistic Director of the Boshoi Ballet is featured in recently released footage from Russian television.
The video can be viewed on YouTube.
