We spoke with Scott Burns, VP, Americas, nanimarquina, about what’s new for the company including its entry into contract, its new collection, anti-COVID treatment and trends he’s seeing in the space:
nanimarquina launches contract division and FORMULA CONTRACT Collection
nanimarquina has launched a new contract business division to address architects and designer’s flooring needs, and the first commercial specific collection, FORMULA CONTRACT: a flexible portfolio designed with sustainability in mind for indoor and outdoor projects.
After more than 30 years of experience and more than 2,000 completed global projects from their Barcelona headquarters, nanimarquina’s new contract division and the first of many collections, FORMULA CONTRACT, will offer years of brand expertise to achieve the most optimized solutions for an array of commercial projects.
“We want to help to make people feel at home in your space.” With this claim, the Spanish rug company presents itself with a tailored approach to interior and exterior spaces—suited for industry professionals and the A&D community to strengthen its role in the contract segment.
nanimarquina Contract: the new division
On the heels of its 35th anniversary, nanimarquina launched the Contract Division utilizing expertise along with the company’s classic, high-quality and locally sourced rugs to address the needs of the market with an enhanced focus on sustainability, durability and cleanability. From years of working with designers and architects, the nanimarquina team understands and respects the need for customizable, unique rug solutions. With commercial, residential and corporate applications in mind, nanimarquina’s new division caters to professional needs—elevating nanimarquina from a residential rug company to a solution-provider for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
The new contract division has three main services:
- Bespoke solutions: Tailor-made rugs unique to the project or designer.
- Custom catalog: Adaptations of nanimarquina’s existing catalog of rugs,
available with custom colors & shades. - Debut contract collection: FORMULA CONTRACT is being introduced as the
initial launch of the Contract Division—a functional rug collection with more than 250 combinations, specifically designed for contract projects with sustainability in mind.
FORMULA CONTRACT: the first collection
FORMULA CONTRACT is a collection of highly functional and flexible rugs designed specifically for commercial projects. With more than 250 possible combinations, the client or designer will be able to choose from five models and 30 colors to find the indoor or outdoor solution that best suits a space. An online configurator will be released in the fall for ease of use.
“We’re trying to branch out as much as possible,” Burns told InspireDesign. These five designs are designed specifically to be co-existent in the space that it’s used. They’re not over-designed, it’s a design that’s a warm, cozy design. We like people to feel like they’re at home.”
FORMULA CONTRACT is born after studying the primary needs of architects and designers and fine-tuned utilizing the nanimarquina team’s 30+ years of residential, commercial and contract experience.
nanimarquina’s team prioritized designing a sustainable collection. FORMULA CONTRACT uses local fibers, recycled materials and sustainable practices. From conception to the process—with Eco sheen, Jutex biodegradable and chemical-free cleaning products —to the recycled plastic packaging, all while incorporating original Indian sales tools to promote the collection.
In terms of design, these are five solid rug models full of nuances that turn them into unique rugs—answering the needs of most projects to have a high-quality rug that can easily coexist with other elements in a space. As with all nanimarquina rugs, the FORMULA CONTRACT collection is hand-made in India and Pakistan by weaver masters, ensuring the best quality standards and helping maintain their cultural heritage. Since 2002, nanimarquina has been working with Care & Fair to ensure access to education and health for the children of the artisan communities they work with. Any of the FORMULA CONTRACT can be used with nanimarquina’s recently introduced anti-COVID finish—available as a spray application for anti-bacterial use in commercial, corporate and residential spaces.
Anti-COVID treatment
Compatible with all rug models, the great biocidal power of the new treatment ensures that all nanimarquina rugs are hygienic, in accordance with the new reality of our society and the need to generate healthy spaces.
“This type of treatment is warranted, it gives you peace of mind if you’re a designer working with high traffic areas,” Burns said. “If a hotel uses this treatment I feel they’re telling their guest that they care.”
The results obtained from tests carried out by independent laboratories show the great effectiveness of the treatment against a wide variety of bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition, the components of this treatment are respectful of the environment, harmless for people and pets, and endorsed by the CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation).
The viricidal efficacy against COVID-19 is tested under the international standard ISO 18184:2019, which requires that the activity of the virus be reduced by 90% in the first hour. The results obtained for this anti-COVID treatment on nanimarquina rugs far exceed that figure, reducing activity by 97.77% in the first hour.
The bactericidal efficacy of the treatment is tested under the international standard ASTM E- 2149-01, obtaining reductions of 99.9% against a wide spectrum of bacteria.
Now available, this new treatment maintains the inherent properties of the rug fibers and is highly resistant to daily maintenance and various washes. The test results show a two-year protection maintenance.
In this manner, nanimarquina widens their range of services with additional treatments that extend the life of their products and improve our surroundings. It is possible to combine different treatments and also to renew treatments over time.
Trends
Shapes, colors and nature are taking center stage this year, with both designers’ and guests’ creativity running wild.
“Normally we sell rectangular rugs—I don’t know if it’s because more people are at home and are thinking more and being more creative—but we’re seeing more irregular rugs being sold,” Burns said.
For nanimarquina its Flora, Quill and Cal rugs meet this new ‘irregular sized’ rug trend.
“We’re also seeing larger rugs…and especially for hotels, poufs are very popular. We have such a huge selection, they’re very colorful and the perfect size for lobbies or sitting areas,” he said. nanimarquina covers poufs in their own rugs and, hopefully, will offer its first outdoor pouf next year.
