Ulster Carpets has made a significant donation to preserve the oldest publicly accessible library in Northern Ireland for future generations.
Armagh Robinson Library was established in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson and, along with Trinity College Dublin and Marsh’s Library in Dublin, may be viewed as one of the three most important heritage libraries in Ireland.
Standing at the top of Abbey Street, with its museum nearby at No.5 Vicars’ Hill, it is open to the general public and for academic research. The collection currently consists of printed material, cast medals, sulphur gems, coins and musical collections – many of them rare. Among them is a first edition of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ that includes handwritten notes by author Dean Jonathan Swift, Sir Walter Raleigh’s ‘History of the World’, and the silver maces presented to Armagh when it became a city for the first time in 1656.
Nick Coburn, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman of Ulster Carpets, said: “We recognise that Armagh Robinson Library is an extremely valuable and attractive local facility that benefits the whole community and we are delighted to be able to offer our support.”
Speaking on behalf of the Library’s Trustees, Dean Gregory Dunstan, said that the donation will help to expand the Library’s work in the community and to preserve the Library’s collection.
He added: “Ulster Carpets’ gift is an immensely generous contribution to our 250th Anniversary Appeal. Over the next three years, the Library aims to raise £1 million, to be matched by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Ulster Carpets’ gift is a hugely significant donation from a major local employer and, on behalf of the trustees I want to express to Ulster Carpets my heartfelt thanks.”
Edward Wilson CBE, Chairman of Ulster Carpets, has retired after over half a century.
Known for his diplomacy, patience and people skills, Edward – who is the son of company founder George Walter Wilson – steps down after 58 years, having played a pivotal role in making Ulster Carpets one of the province’s leading exporters and the largest single site producer of axminster and wilton carpet in the world.
While he grew up around the business, Edward followed in the footsteps of his older brothers, Walter and John, and officially joined Ulster Carpets in 1961.
In the intervening years, he held many positons, including in sales and planning, before becoming Managing Director and then, eventually, Chairman.
Recognised as an astute leader, he was well known for taking a daily tour of the business where he spoke to staff at every level and kept up-to-date on the latest orders and technological developments.
Many of the current management team were personally mentored by Edward, including Group Managing Director & Deputy Chairman, Nick Coburn. Edward commented: “One of my greatest pleasures in life has been going into the factory and talking to our staff. As I have been reminded so many times, one of the biggest selling points of Ulster Carpets is our wonderful workforce – people who are passionate about what they do.
“When my father started Ulster Carpets in 1938, I’m sure he never thought that the company would still be here over 80 years later, employing people not just in Northern Ireland but across the world. For that success, I must pay tribute to our wonderful staff and that is something I take great pride in.”
Despite this retirement, the Wilson family will remain at the helm of Ulster Carpets, with Edward’s nephews, Nick Coburn and John Wilson, as Group Managing Director and Chairman respectively.
Paying tribute to Edward’s passion and devotion to Ulster Carpets, Nick Coburn said: “When I joined the company 41 years ago, it was Edward who mentored and guided me through every facet of our business. Since I became MD in 2004, this bond and incredible support from Edward has been vital to ensuring the company has continued to prosper and develop. “As we look to the future, I would also like to highlight the outstanding work and dedication Edward has done to prepare the company – and the next generation of the Wilson family – for a secure and successful future.”
John Wilson, who takes over as Chairman, added: “Edward is held in the highest esteem by the company, the industry and, of course, the whole Wilson family. Edward’s commitment to seeing the company evolve and constantly adapt to the inevitable challenges that comes with 80 years of business is one of the reasons why Ulster Carpets is such a great company and has been so successful. His decision to step down from his role as Chairman is another challenge for the business but he leaves the company in a strong place.”
Although stepping down as Chairman Edward is continuing as a member of the board of Ulster Carpet Mills (Holdings) Limited. He plans to keep up an active interest in the company whilst pursuing other current activities including directorship of various charitable trusts in Ireland . He also plans to continue as Chairman of the Ulster Carpets Family Council which represents the interests of all shareholders but with special focus upon those who are not directly employed in the business.
Edward’s final act was an official event at the company’s Castleisland factory where staff had an opportunity to say a final farewell.
Nick Coburn, Ulster Carpets Group Managing Director and Deputy Chairman received the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) at an investiture ceremony performed by the Duke of Cambridge in Buckingham Palace on 28th March 2019. He was recognised by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year Honours List for his service to the economy in Northern Ireland.
Welcoming his award Nick said, “I am truly honoured to receive this award which only comes with the support and guidance of so many good people.”
Nick Coburn joined Ulster Carpets in 1977 and remembers “I was fascinated by the machines and the smell of wool in the dyehouse, it was always in my bones. I was fortunate, in that I was able to work in all the different areas of the company and learn what went on, from production to sales to design and management.”
Building on Ulster’s success in the UK market Nick founded its US Company in 1993 and went on to build its international contract business in key locations across the world. Known for designing beautiful and luxurious carpets worldwide, the company prides itself that all its carpets are still woven and exported from their County Armagh factory site, Castleisland. You can find some of their most creative designs gracing the floors of the InterContinental Paris Le Grand, Grosvenor House London, the Waldorf Astoria New York and W Hotel Muscat to name but a few and aboard many cruise liners including the majestic RMS Queen Mary 2.
Nick Coburn has held the position of Managing Director since 2004 and is continuing to lead the company from strength to strength commenting “Ulster has always taken the long view of continually investing for the future and is proud to be one of the leading companies in our industry on the international stage.”
Ulster Carpets was started by Nick’s grandfather George Walter Wilson for the main purpose of bringing employment to Portadown. It has stayed within the Wilson family since first opening its factory doors in 1938. With over 80 years’ experience in weaving carpets, generations of skilled local craftsmen and women have helped to grow the company to where it is today.
Recently completed was the new state of the art company Dyehouse and Energy Centre, this is the first stage of the company’s 40 million capital investment and regeneration programme. With 75% of the product being exported out of the UK, Ulster Carpets has proven that it is possible to successfully sell to every continent in the world despite many barriers and challenges.
For the future, under the guidance of Nick Coburn CBE and his dedicated team, Ulster Carpets will continue to uphold its reputation for focusing on design, innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
Vescent is the new eclectic contract stock collection from Ulster Carpets designed exclusively to meet the varied demands of the international hospitality industry.
Featuring six contemporary designs – Linea, Arbor, Nexus, Calx, Vapor and Nebula – in 21 colourways Vescent is guaranteed to complement any commercial setting. The neutral colour palette used throughout the collection ties in with modern fabric and wallpaper collections while the experimental colours add a flash of colour for those seeking something different.
Vescent is available from stock with no minimum order. This collection is 4m wide and woven in 9 row axminster quality – 80% wool / 20% nylon, making it suitable for use in a wide range of busy contract applications.
Within Vescent, Linea, Arbor and Nexus are structured designs while Calx, Vapor and Nebula are more organic.
Arbor and Linea feature smart, clean lines and shapes positioned on top of multiple layers that create depth and texture. Nexus features a beautifully structured design similar to fretwork with very soft neutral tones and lots of layers adding to its contemporary distressed look.
Within the organic designs, Calx reflects the natural world with layers and tones reminiscent of lichen and lava. Nebula offers a soft textured subtle design ideal for grounding areas hosting statement pieces, while Vapor’s ethereal misty top pattern reveals glimpses of an underlying herringbone pattern.
As with all axminster carpet produced by Ulster Carpets, Vescent is manufactured to the very highest environmental standards.
Take a look at some of these stunning new designs.
The iconic ship, Queen Elizabeth exudes luxury and elegance with sumptuous staterooms, spacious lounges and fine dining. Featuring real wood panelling, gleaming chandeliers, handmade upholstery and of course luxurious axminster carpets manufactured in the UK by Ulster Carpets.
The youngest ship in the Cunard fleet underwent her latest refurbishment in November 2018. Ulster Carpets was delighted to work with London-based M Studio Design to supply 45000m² of carpet – enough to cover Wembley football pitch six and a half times.
Working closely with Alan McVitty at M Studio Design and Cunard, Ulster’s brief was to supply exemplary luxury carpet throughout the ship. Alison Clixby, Cunard’s Hotel Design Director, was keen to marry the ship’s elegant Art Deco heritage with up to date interior furnishings and colour schemes. It was also important to create continuity within the fleet, so previous designs used on Queen Mary and Queen Victoria have been referenced in places, recoloured and modified to suit.
Other areas on the ship have been newly invented with contemporised, sharply delineated Deco geometrics and natural forms. Golds and deep rich blues feature strongly teamed with modern stone grey neutrals and terracottas. A striking, large scroll and strapwork compass has been created as a signature emblem at Cunard Place, the main embarkation point. This is echoed through the large open area of the Queens Room, the elegant ballroom.
All carpet for the Queen Elizabeth has been produced within the UK – from spinning the yarn at Ulster Yarns in Dewsbury to weaving the carpets at our headquarters in Portadown, Northern Ireland and at Griffith Textile Machines (GTM), our manufacturing and engineering facility located in the North East of England.
In the past both Belfast and the north east of England were heralded for their shipbuilding industries. Over the years these areas witnessed a decline in manufacturing as companies moved their operations overseas to save costs. However, Ulster Carpets along with their subsidiary GTM have shown that manufacturing can still thrive in the UK thanks to major investment in innovation, key people skills and strong entrepreneurship.
Ulster Carpets is proud to have supplied carpets for all three Queens in the Cunard fleet having previously manufactured carpet for Queen Mary 2 in 2016 and Queen Victoria in 2017.
This is a temporary position for up to a 6 month contract within production.
Essential criteria:
Manual dexterity
Flexible and organised
Ability to work to targets unsupervised and on own initiative
Previous experience in an operation role is desirable though not essential.
To apply, complete a Jobs and Benefits application form or a Company application form which can be obtained from the Gate House, Ulster Carpets, Castleisland Factory, Garvaghy Road, Portadown, BT62 1EE.
Closing date for completed applications is Wednesday 9 January 2019 at 5pm.
This company is committed to selection on merit. In accordance with out Equal Opportunities Policy, Ulster Carpets particularly welcomes applications from Catholics, Woman and Disabled people who are currently under-represented in our workforce.
Many congratulations to our Group Managing Director and Deputy Chairman Nick Coburn who has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the economy in Northern Ireland. A truly well deserved honour.
Speaking about the recognition, Nick said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award which only comes with the support and guidance of so many good people.”
Nick is pictured in front of a portrait of his grandfather George Walter Wilson who founded Ulster Carpets in 1938.
For Arcadia’s most recent refit P&O Cruises engaged leading hospitality design practice RPW Design to update the ship’s interior décor and reinvigorate its unique character.
Ulster Carpets was delighted to work with RPW Design to create over 15,000m² of custom axminster carpets for the ship’s bars, restaurants, lobbies, spa and fitness centre, galleries, reception, atrium and guest suites.
Over 60 members of the business community joined the event to discuss future energy policy, with speakers Neasa Quigley, Partner at Carson McDowell, Joe Reynolds, Energy Strategy at the Department for the Economy, and Eddie Ruddell, Quality and Environmental Systems Manager at Ulster Carpets.
At the event Eddie outlined how the new Dyehouse and Energy Centre has brought energy efficiencies, improved manufacturing capacity and reduced Ulster’s carbon footprint.
After the discussion delegates had the opportunity to tour the state of the art Dyehouse and Energy Centre.
Ulster Carpets has picked up two prestigious awards at this year’s Wool Carpet and Rug Awards in association with British Wool. The winning entries won:
The awards were established in 2016 by the Campaign for Wool Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, to highlight the diversity and breadth of quality in design, production, innovation and marketing across the carpet and rug sector. The awards also demonstrate the strength of British brands manufacturing in the UK.
This year there were over 100 entries for 12 categories. Judges assessed the entries based on design, colour, innovation and technical excellence.
Receiving the awards at the ceremony in Harrogate, Ulster’s Residential Sales Director Jeremy Wilson commented: “We are delighted to accept these two awards which recognise Ulster’s excellent creative design talent, innovation and quality.”
