Tarkett has opened its new UK and Ireland headquarters in Ashford, Kent, 16km from its production site in Lenham. The official opening took place at the end of January, attended by CEO of Tarkett, Fabrice Barthélemy, Tarkett’s UK & Ireland Managing Director, Andrew Sloan, and the Deputy Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Mrs Jenny Webb.
Due to the business’s integration of its DESSO carpet brand, which was previously based in Abingdon, the company has taken up residence in a larger office space at Connect 38 on Ashford’s Commercial Quarter site. This houses the company’s employees, across a number of departments including marketing, finance, customer service and HR.
Opened in June last year, Connect 38 is reported to be one of Kent’s largest office blocks. It's located just a stone’s throw from the Ashford International Rail Station, which offers high-speed services to London and Europe, and Tarkett is amongst the first tenants in the complex.
Commenting on the move, Tarkett’s UK & Ireland Managing Director, Andrew Sloan, said: “The relocation of our headquarters marks the dawning of a new era for Tarkett. The integration of DESSO into Tarkett’s business sees a widening of our offering, and in turn, customer base, so a refreshed approach has been crucial across the board.
“Securing new offices has played a big part in this period of reinvention, and being based in a forward-thinking development that’s easily accessible for our international client base has proved extremely beneficial.”
In reflection of its company values, Tarkett has worked with renowned interiors agency Peldon Rose, alongside its in-house team, on the office design and fit out. And the resulting space aims to promote wellbeing to all employees. This has been achieved through the specification of products such as Tarkett’s DESSO AirMaster carpet tiles, which reduce the concentration of fine dust in the air four times more effectively than regular carpets.
Jonathan Dawes, Project Director at Peldon Rose said: “It was fantastic to create such a great new home with Tarkett whom we’ve partnered with for many years delivering new office interiors for others. They have lived their values through the design and fit out of this new office, achieving gold standard for its environmental SKA Rating in recognition of their focus on sustainability of wellbeing.
“This office is also a great showcase of their most sustainable products, including Tarkett’s DESSO AirMaster collection, Tarkett iD Loose Lay and Tarkett iQ Granit SD. We wish them great success here”.
