INNOVATION is what keeps Amtico International ahead of its competitors, says the UK-based flooring specialist, which is the driving force behind some of the leading flooring projects across Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

With more than 45 years of experience in the vinyl flooring business, the company says it fully understands the challenges faced by businesses, designers and contractors across all commercial applications.
“Whether it’s the hospitality, education, healthcare, government establishments, offices or the retail sector, Amtico recognises that the top considerations for businesses are durability, initial appearance, retention and design features,” says Allan Rennison, business manager, Amtico International – Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
Amtico International’s comprehensive line-up of products meets all these considerations, while providing a range of truly realistic finishes from woods to stones through to unique abstracts that deliver a 15-year commercial wear warranty. Its collection, which offers a diverse choice of flooring solutions reflecting the latest design trends, includes: Amtico; Amtico Essential, which comprises more than 200 technically-advanced solutions in wood, stone and abstract-effect; Amtico Auto; Amtico Marine; Stratica, the ground-breaking PVC-free range; and Spacia Access for raised access flooring suitable for both permanent and temporary requirements.

The unique structure of Amtico flooring simulates the appearance of real wood planks, ceramic tiles or slates. The abstract range makes a bold and distinctive impact from metallics to glass and woven textures.
“Amtico International flooring delivers a surface that is warmer and quieter underfoot, one of the key features that make Amtico perfect for commercial environments,” explains Rennison.
The multi-performance system, with four technically-advanced product layers and a sturdy backing layer, made from 100 per cent recycled materials, strengthens its durability making it conducive to commercial applications, he says.
An indentation-resistant layer enables Amtico to perform well in dense traffic areas, as well as cope with high point-loading. Engineered ceramic particles are contained within the upper layer to improve slip-resistance whilst the top urethane treatment layer adds a surface for enhanced scuff resistance and lower maintenance.
“Vinyl flooring provides a more flexible approach for businesses. Available in a vast array of colours and finishes, it can be custom cut and laid out in various design formats to depict corporate logos and motifs or to guide traffic in areas such as hospitals, retail or hospitality environments,” says Rennison.

“Any design effect can be recreated by our in-house design team,” he adds. “For instance, Candylicious, a new confectionary concept store in a Dubai mall, created a sparkling effect with the Abstract stardust range with cut-out circles. The 1,500-sq-m installation produced a dazzling effect, complementing the sweet temptation at the candy store.”
Retail giant Landmark Group selected a range of flooring from the Abstract metallics specifically for its children’s play area. Slick industrial effects and urban metals and woods were specified for various outlets, enhancing the stores’ designs and stimulating the customers’ shopping experience.
Commenting on the company’s presence in the region, he says: “Our presence in the Middle East has grown significantly over the past 20 years with successful floor installations taking place in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Egypt – and interest continues to grow.
“This success is partly down to our approach to product development as innovative designs remain at the forefront of the company's ethos. Product ranges are continually re-evaluated to ensure that there is an inspiring flooring range to meet all our customers’ needs.”
The company’s in-house design team keeps abreast of global trends translating them into ground-breaking designs. The team’s creativity is evident in the creation of Fiber, a woven fabric collection that fuses together complex metallics and contrasting hard and soft materials to create a smooth flooring tile, which encapsulates real woven fabric.
“A relatively new addition to the range, Fiber is effective for large open-plan spaces or for feature areas. The way the light dips in and out of the weave is clearly evident when laid alongside metallic feature stripping and tessellated in simple squares,” explains Rennison.
Vinyl flooring is frequently used in healthcare and educational environments because of its resistance to water, providing significant sanitary advantages over carpet. Stratica by Amtico International suitably fits these markets, being a PVC-free sustainable flooring solution. It has all the benefits of Amtico but is manufactured without chlorine or plasticisers and has an extremely low level of VOC (volatile organic compounds) emission, he says.
However, other ranges in the Amtico collection can equally meet the durability and retention needs of healthcare and educational establishments. For instance, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust), an international, graduate-level research university in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai’s state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary modern City Hospital turned to Amtico stones for their finish.
Meanwhile, the Spacia Access collection provides a suitable solution for raised access flooring where utility services are cleverly located out of view, creating a larger floor surface but allowing access 24/7. Sharing all the design and quality benefits of the other Amtico ranges, Spacia Access flooring is quick and effortless to install and can be both permanent and semi-permanent, making it ideal for offices or promotional areas, Rennison says.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa and One & Only luxury spa in Dubai have both opted for the Spacia Access range for these reasons, in addition to the low maintenance and ease of cleaning, according to him.
“Amtico flooring is becoming increasing popular as more interior design consultants and commercial businesses are opting for the luxurious durable and customised finish of Amtico to meet their needs,” says Rennison. “Just two examples are projects with KPS and Rabone and Rooney Design, which are set to create a stir in the retail and office sector later this year.”
“The flooring market is growing and we have every intention to stay at the forefront of design,” he concludes.