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Index
1. Introduction/Background............................................................... 3
6. Colour range................................................................................... 8
8. Accessories.................................................................................... 12
9. Specials..........................................................................................13
12. Technical....................................................................................... 16
13. Pricing........................................................................................... 17
1. Introduction/Background
The actual Colorex collections on the markets are: Colorex EC/SD, Colorex Plus and Colorex
Concept. The 3 ranges are on the market since more than 5 years, during this time we noted
that the Colorex EC/SD and the Colorex Plus proposition are sold in similar segments in the
market place. It was therefore decided to offer a unified collection keeping the possibility to
have the Colorex EC/SD as a standing alone collection. The requested books shows that the
interest for the unified collection is high so that we invested quite some time in this brochure
to explain similarities and differences as well segments were the products can be sold.
Colorex Concept is out of scope in this Colorex 2011 collection and will be addressed next
year in the homogeneous collection.
Usually the sales of Colorex SD/EC are not driven by the launch of new collection the existing
collection is now running since 2005 and we do expect to have this collection also running for
5 to 6 years.
The collection consists now of 21 Items (colours) in the Colorex EC/SD version, 4 items
(signal) in the Colorex SD version only and 5 colours in the Colorex EC/Basic Plus version
and one slip resistant studded R11 Plus version. Following the positioning of the products as
well the segmentation of the market will be addressed. This may not be valid for all markets
and should be only and indication to help people which are not a customized with this
segments which are not addressed every day by our sales people.
3.1. Positioning
Thanks to the help of experienced sales people the 5 products were positioned as follows:
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The customer has now the possibility to choose among 7 possible solutions for the required
application. 5 of them are known as products we keep on stock:
• Colorex EC
• Colorex SD
• Colorex EC Plus
• Colorex Basic
• R11 Plus
Not a SKU item and to be used only for special request and absolutely not because customer
or even our sales people believe it may be cheaper than Colorex EC Plus is Colorex SD Plus.
This product may be requested if a lower limit higher than 50 kOhm is required.
The last application which may require all good properties of Colorex on concrete with the
exception of conductivity values is solved by using Colorex Basic. Different markets have
different approaches. One good solution is to use regular Colorex and install it without
conductive glue , earthing and so on. Other markets prefer to use Colorex Concept taking
advantage from the broader color range and the coated surface. Last but not least Allura
Ceramic could also be used paying attention to the fact that this product is 2.5 mm thick and
consequently more expensive.
New names were also adopted to help in positioning the most rewarded product. The well
known name which found there way in many specifications, literature and mindsets are kept.
Performance outlines that this product is performing where electrical conductivity values are
specified or required. In some markets the product is also used when electrical conductivity is
not needed but the other characteristic like the chemical resistance or the possibility of
abrasive cleaning are key factors.
Standard is used in the application were electrical property is not specifically required.
R11-Plus is the new name for Colorex plus ST (ST for studded). This name was to close to SD
and lead to misunderstandings. In some languages ST and SD sound exactly the same. In
addition adopting R11 makes the performance of the product clear.
In the following table which will be found also in the booklet the positioning is summarized.
The technical values will be on the backside of the book as for all other for all other Forbo
collections.
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The collection stability contributed and will contribute to the strong product identity. The
various evaluations on the product are now fully implemented and some of them can be
marketed and other will just make the product more enjoyable. Few to me mentioned.
a. Surface
The surface of Colorex is rated to be one of the best when it comes to a clean room or
application on raised floor. Same applies for environment where very intensive cleaning
(abrasive at best) and very good chemical resistance is required. The fact that the surface can
be repaired is one additional USP.
On the other hand, the surface scuffs to easily, dirt pick up is quite fast and cleaning with
inappropriate education leads to poor results and unsatisfied customers.
The surface was ameliorated by improving the sanding steps in the finishing department, so
that the test results show a noticeable improvement in the first 3 weeks of intensive use and
cleaning (including red Pad treatment).
This means that we must continue to underline the typical features of our Colorex surface
and make sure that correct cleaning is in place.
The process to control the conductivity of both ranges EC and SD was improved, so that the
conductivity of Colorex is safely in the middle of the declared range. This also allowed us to
eliminate the use of Unigrid as well as the requirement to have a primer for the installation
(cost saving). Few markets still recommend the use of primer. We urge those markets to
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inform customer that this is not a need any more. There is only limited to no primer stocked
in Giubiasco and we always have to throw away old stuff.
c. Sustainability
Depending on the country you are in or the way you positioned Colorex so far you may
declare different content of post industrial raw material. So far only US declared to have 36%
of post industrial raw material since CaCo3 was considered to be post industrial. So US may
now claim 51 % of post industrial raw material, all other markets may claim 15%. Since the
local regulations may differ there may be different declarations.
Some customer will claim this to be a recipe change. This is not the case: the recipe remains
the same we just buy the PVC from another source which by the way undergoes the same
stringent specification as virgin PVC.
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The new collection and especially the brochure takes in account that Colorex goes in
segments which are not the usual ones and that some deeper knowledge is required from the
sales people and the next level of promoters (distributors)
The main segments are:
- ESD
- Pharma
- Health Care
- Industry
a. ESD Market
For the well known ESD market (for Colorex) the possibility to use two different products
depending of the application is outlined. For new buildings and raised floors the 2mm
Colorex EC or SD is the preferred solution. EC gives additional safety, BVG values (20 volts)
and complies to the measurement person-shoe-floor. The EC Plus version makes the product
suitable for renovation and for applications where minimum down time is a key factor.
b. Pharmaceutical Market
For the pharmaceutical market the already known skirting and corner offer was improved
and will further be improved when the collection will be on the market.
Special attention was given to the corners. The already unique fact that these corners are
made of one piece of Colorex and the back is reinforced were improved to give them an even
more professional and industrial look. Doing so, we were also able to reduce the production
time per piece so that also big pharmaceutical projects can be supplied in time.
Some markets pointed out that for this special market wall covering is required. Since Forbo
doesn’t have the capability to produce wall coverings we partnered with an Italian supplier so
that we can source a wall covering satisfying our specification so that we can offer 4 matching
colors (white, beige, green, blue). This product will be available next year and can be sold
only in combination with Colorex due to the limited capacity of our sub supplier.
For the health care segment the usual Colorex EC and Colorex SD remains an can be
specified according to local requirements. Colorex EC is usually used in sensible area where a
low Body Voltage is Key and Colorex SD is usually preferred for the preparation room or
laboratories with less stringent conductivity requirements (price is the driver). To be noted
that often also around Operating theaters where heavy beds need to be moved around
Colorex is the preferred choice because the floor is quite hard and beds rolls better on these
surfaces and does not indent making starts difficult.
d. Industrial Segment
For the industry (not ESD) the standard solution is usually what is needed. SD can be glued
firmly to a good subfloor and the Colorex Basic Plus can be used for restructuring or where
lead time is key or where raising moisture cannot be controlled by vapor barriers.
Last but not least our R11 plus can satisfy industrial requirements where dirt may be hided
and higher slip resistance is required.
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6. Color Range
The stability of our collection is appreciated by many of our customer to the extent that some
colors are even specified in worldwide specification and some colors of already 10 years old
collections are still required. This is why the most part of the colors were kept.
a. White to Black
The major change are visible on the grays were 3 new colors were added, an old gray from an
old collection reused and Basalt restyled to Etna.
Everest Montblanc
Ivory Adula
Kilimanjaro Quartz
Moonstone Granite
(from 2002 colour range)
On the Blues and the Yellows only a new Colour was added to complete the range. Cobalt
respectively Assuan are the new appealing Colours. The Green were also extended by one
Colour (Musk) and on request of the KAM meeting Jasmine and Basil were restyled to
Twilight and Jade.
new colour
restyled colour
c. Signal
The signal Colours remain unchanged and find a special place in the collection. They are not
supposed to be sold as a whole floor but intended to mark or highlight special places like
extinguisher, safety shower or areas with special requirements.
Signal
Sole Amazonas
Fuego Azzurro
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The Plus collection was offered in 10 colours till today: 5 colours in EC and 5 colours in AS.
With this restyling we take the opportunity to optimize the offer to the past request. The sales
concentrated on 5 colours and both versions were requested for those colours. We therefore
decided to offer 5 colours in both versions Colorex EC Plus and Colorex Basic Plus, so that the
collection matches the sales and the stock handling and answer to request will be improved.
The five colours are:
o Montblanc
o Adula
o Quarz
o Niagara
o Sahara
These items will be stocked as before in Germany and can be ordered as before.
For all other Colours from the Colorex EC/SD collection, lead time and extra charge have to
be taken in account (see chapter 9 specials).
We changed from a cost per sqm to an entry price of 500€ which is the cost for starting a new
Colour on the mould. Doing so smalls orders (below 185 sqm) becomes unattractive and
bigger orders more attractive (cheaper) than before. This systems only works if this
additional costs are passed to the end customer, in case this is not happening PM and
Operations Director will refuse production.
8. Accessories
For this launch we took the opportunity to outline the accessories offer which was improved.
To be mentioned: The inner and outer corners, the 12 m long and 15 cm wide skirting as well
as the ventilated skirting with corners and connectors for Plus.
The launch of this collection corresponds with the last improvement done on the inner and
outer corners. The moulded Colorex corner used to be reinforced by gluing on an epoxy paste
which was sanded in a later stage. This was nit very healthy for the people involved in the
production and was also expensive so that we did not pushed to sell as the factory was not
making any money. Now with the new solution where we apply a moulded piece which just
look fantastic, this tool can be pushed. Just to be sold under the cost of doing the corners on
site. TP remains as low as actual.
c. Welding Rod
The welding rod offer remains and for the new Colours matching weld was developed. After 4
years we are producing the welding rod for all Vinyl Collections, no major complains were
registered. Never the less it was brought to our attention that welded Colorex Plus installed in
high traffic fails after a while. After extensive testing and tested Areas we came to the
conclusion n that a 5mm Welding rod can take more movements and is a better solution.
Therefore for the 5 Plus colours in collection a 5 mm welding rod will be stocked in Giubiasco
and will be available on request.
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9. Specials
Colorex SPECIALS 2011 ‘Specials’ is a product that is not a stock keeping unit (SKU)
* No surcharge is applied when special size, thickness or Ø can be run with regular, scheduled production.
Overrun policy: The sales organisation commits itself to purchase up to 10 % of overrun with a
maximum of 500 m².
Make & Ship: Any special run must be shipped within 2 months after production. No make to stock
possible, any stock remaining after 2 months will be invoiced to the initiating market and shipped to the
desired location.
All requests for specials must be directed to the International Customer Service (ICS) in Giubiasco on
ICS-Giubiasco@forbo.com.
Giubiasco Operations reserve the right to turn down a request for a special production.
We strongly advise sales organisations to always check requests for specials with the Giubiasco Quality
& Innovation Department before accepting orders from customers.
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All items from the new Colorex EC/SD collection (which includes Plus) will be available from
Forbo-Giubiasco SA as of September 1st. The distribution system has not changed.
- The old collection size will remain serviced (production on specific request) for 3
months after September 1st meaning November 30th.
- A gradual phase out will be realized by reducing the service level on item level by:
o Our customer service will suggest the 610 format or “old” colours, in case of
restyled ones, till available
o Our customer service will suggest the 615 size as soon as the stock level
decreases
- Availability of old colours and size from December 1st:
o As long as on stock sales will be made with regular TP
o If not available items will be produced as specials (see special rules).
o Sell off of old items will start in March at reduced TP.
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Description Price €
Sample book combined Includes brochure and Colorex 16.40
Plus sample
*optionally with repair sample + 7.50
set
Sample book Colorex EC/SD Including brochure 11.40
only
Brochure combined 10 pages 1.25
Colorex EC/SD A4 sampling Single pieces 2.00
Colorex EC/SD 61.5x61.5 Single tiles 3.00
sample
Plus samples Colorex EC Plus 18.6x18.6 5.00
R11 Plus 18.6x18.6 5.00
R11 Plus Single pieces 10.00
Colorex Basic Plus Single pieces 12.00
Colorex EC Plus Single pieces 16.00
This collection was supposed to be launched more than one year ago. The collection was
added and taken out several times from the marketing program as well as from the
budget. Since it was finally decided to launch in 2011 no markets had budgeted money for
the launch. For this reason it was decided to use central money to finance half of the
books which were supposed to be necessary for the launch (for detailed number refer to
the attachment). For the second half of the books you are requested to take them on the
budget 201. In case markets have spare money on the attachment you can see that the
material will already be produced in 2011 and may be taken. Please note that repair
sample will e invoiced.
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12. Technical
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13. Pricing
The pricing of a product which is already on the market is obviously already known to sales
organisations and customers. The product is used by several multinational companies so that
it may be advisable to consult with the Product Manager if reference prices are available.
For some markets the Colorex Plus proposition may be new and some indication may be of
helpful to fix the sales price. Colorex Plus was developed to solve some need of customers
helping them to save money overall. This means that we are selling them a solution to save
money and time, on the other hand we will take advantage selling a high valuable cost and
must pay attention to not drop the price because the product appear to be more expensive
that the regular products (like Colorex EC/SD) we are used to sell. The two major saving for a
customer are: reduced down time when installing a new floor and reduced installation cost
starting from the subfloor preparation to all steps to have the floor properly installed. This
cost are now included in the product: just look at thickness, weight and technical solution like
honey comb and ventilated backing. The price will obviously vary from segment to segment
and from project to project and from the market (competition) situation. Never the less it
make less sense to have to big differences in a market which is more and more global and it
make definitively no sense to sell at prices were we do not achieve expected %EBIT for
flooring.
NS Price €/m2
Colorex EC Plus 80-100
Colorex Basic Plus 65-80
R11 Plus 50-65
In case you are already selling at prices which are below the indication it would be wise to
contact the Product Manager since volume is always welcome to the factory and this
indication is by far not meant to be a rule.
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