DLF5747 Q1 2026 Newsletter

Shaping a Strong Year Ahead

As the year gets underway, we’re excited by the momentum building across the business and the opportunities that lie ahead. It’s already shaping up to be a busy and rewarding year for Dunlop.

In this issue, we hear from our State Managers, who have set the tone and share their expectations for the year ahead. We also speak with colour expert Fiona Dawson from Taubmans, who offers valuable insights into pairing paint colours with modern timber flooring.

Proudly Australian made since 1969, we remain committed to delivering highquality underlay you can rely on. Be sure to read more about our ongoing dedication to quality, and don’t miss the recent launch of Springtred Protect Underlay—designed as the ideal spill and stain resistant barrier beneath your carpet.

Over the past two months, our team has been actively involved in a number of initiatives and events. We were proud to participate in Clean Up Australia Day, supporting the conservation of our local environments. We also attended the FCIA Gala, and the Solomons Conference.

Finally, we would like to recognise and celebrate the milestone achievements and long-standing contributions of our team members across the company.

If you have any news, updates or stories to share, we would love to hear from you. Your input is always valued.

In This Issue

• Australia's Trusted underlay

• From Newbies to OGs

• 6 star Acoustic Rating for Laminate!

• A quick chat with our State Managers

• National Highlights

• In partnership with Taubmans: Lets talk colour

• World Sleep Day with Sensitive Choice

• Springtred Protect

• The Ultimate Hard-set adhesive

• Free Bona Cleaning Kit still available

Dunlop Flooring

380 Dohertys Road, Truganina VIC 3029

dunlopflooring.com.au

Customer Service

1800 622 293

From Newbies to OGs – Meet the Team

Sarah Tomassi (VIC)

After 15 years as Dunlop’s Customer Service Manager, we’re pleased to welcome Sarah to the Victorian Sales team as a Sales Representative. Sarah brings with her extensive product knowledge, deep customer insight, and an exceptional level of energy and drive.

In just a few short months, Sarah has embraced the role with enthusiasm—eager to learn every aspect of the position while proactively building strong relationships with customers. Her commitment and diligence in supporting and servicing clients have already made a positive impact.

Jessica Gruevski (VIC)

With 15 years of experience in our Customer Service team, we’re delighted to congratulate Jessica on stepping into the role of Customer Service Team Manager.

She has transitioned seamlessly, quickly balancing a range of priorities—from managing credits and onboarding new team members to leading the team and handling the many moving parts behind the scenes. Jessica consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our customers receive the highest level of service.

Ashley Ndirangu (VIC)

We’re pleased to welcome Ashley as our new Customer Service Representative in Victoria. She brings a strong background in customer service, with experience across a diverse range of industries, including DLF Seeds (seed industry), Portwest (protective wear), and Independence Australia (medical aids), among others.

Ashley has also worked in disability support and as a personal care assistant, where she developed strong interpersonal skills and a genuine passion for supporting others.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys getting outdoors and exploring new places. She stays active through hiking, walking, and box fit, and also loves cooking, trying new cuisines, and spending quality time with her dog, family, and friends.

A few fun facts about Ashley: she holds a black belt in Taekwondo, enjoys a good horror or comedy movie, and makes a standout potato salad!

Peta Sheedy (VIC)

We’re pleased to welcome Peta to our expanding Customer Service team as our new Customer Service Representative.

With over 10 years of experience in retail customer service, Peta brings a strong background in both leadership and customer engagement. She previously worked as a Team Leader at Myer in the Ladies’ Shoes and Accessories department, before exploring her creative side through visual merchandising and styling. Most recently, Peta held a Sales Manager position at Bakers Delight.

Outside of work, Peta enjoys playing netball and spending time with family and friends. She loves meeting new people and building meaningful relationships, whether through work, sport, or social events.

HOW TO CLAIM:

1. Order your FREE samples – find your closest store using our store locator at heartridge.com.au

2. After purchasing your floors at any participating retailer, email your invoice with the unique code provided in the subject line and send to customerservice@dunlopflooring.com.au

3. Receive your new Bona Cleaning Kit delivered straight to your door!

More team news at Dunlop!

Celebrating longevity within our team is about more than marking time—it’s about recognising the dedication, growth, and relationships that shape who we are as an organisation so let's celebrate our wonderful employee milestones.

A New Addition to the QLD Family...

Michael Burke up in our QLD Sales Team and his wife Kate, have welcomed their beautiful daughter Ella, on the 5th of December. Congratulations Michael on this special milestone and we wish your growing family all the very best!

6 STAR ACOUSTIC RATING!

PREMIUM ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE - PERFECT FOR ANY SPACE CONTACT YOUR DUNLOP SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE INFO.

SHADOWED SPOTTED GUM

SCAN TO VIEW BROCHURE SPOTTED

A Quick Chat with

Alastair Read, QLD

What are the top three priorities for the sales team this year?

1. Budgets

2. Customer Service

3.Enjoying what you do!

If you had to describe the market in three words, what would they be?

1. Competitive

2. Rewarding

3. Interesting

How are we strengthening customer relationships this year?

Servicing relationships and promotions & do what you say you are going to do :)

What habits or mindsets separate top performers from the rest?

Service and Customer care. A rep can have 150 customers but the customer has ONE Dunlop rep!

What’s one thing outside of work that helps you stay sharp (or relaxed) professionally?

Working on my car

If this year’s had a theme song, what would it be?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going by Billy Ocean

Craig Moxey, SA

What are the top three priorities for the sales team this year?

1. Manage growth in stock and logistics

2. Push the laminate range

3. Secure high volume underlay stores

If you had to describe the market in three words, what would they be?

1. Fluctuating

2. Pessimistic

3. Jaded

How are we strengthening customer relationships this year?

Regular call cycles, keeping customers informed of stock & being flexible

What habits or mindsets separate top performers from the rest?

Consistency, overcoming obstacles, and being world class problem solvers

What’s one thing outside of work that helps you stay sharp (or relaxed) professionally? The gym and walking my dog

If this year’s had a theme song, what would it be?

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Wayne O'Brien,

What are the top three priorities team this year?

1. Holding onto NEW

2. Getting point of sale shops and warehouses)

3. Finding more opportunity flooring

If you had to describe the what would they be?

1. Turbulent

2. Up and down

3. Haves and have not’s

How are we strengthening relationships this year?

Getting some footy relatiionships with customers

What habits or mindsets performers from the rest?

Going about business stuck on issues - keep

What’s one thing outside stay sharp (or relaxed) professionally?

Walking/Jogging to

Cooking to feed the body

If this year’s had a theme be?

Welcome to the Jungle Roses

with Our State Managers

O'Brien, NSW

priorities for the sales customers sale in order (in warehouses) opportunity for hard

the market in three words, not’s

strengthening customer tickets and building customers

separate top rest?

business and not getting keep moving forward!

outside of work that helps you professionally?

clear the mind, body and soul

theme song, what would it

Jungle by Guns N'

Charlotte Baker, WA

What are the top three priorities for the sales team this year?

1. Increase hard flooring sales and stock levels

2. Achieve budget in hard flooring and underlay

3. Build relationships

If you had to describe the market in three words, what would they be?

1. Busy

2. Growing

3. Varying

How are we strengthening customer relationships this year?

Doing the best we can, by remaining positive, supporting the team and entertaining more.

What habits or mindsets separate top performers from the rest?

Thinking outside the box and being disciplined, then wait to succeed.

What’s one thing outside of work that helps you stay sharp (or relaxed) professionally?

Walking the dog and getting fresh air

If this year’s had a theme song, what would it be?

Things can only get better by D:Ream

Josh Thorne, VIC

What are the top three priorities for the sales team this year?

1. Increase hard flooring sales and stock levels

2. Achieve budget in hard flooring and underlay

3. Build relationships

If you had to describe the market in three words, what would they be?

1. Volatile

2. Uncertain

3. Challenging

How are we strengthening customer relationships this year?

Maintaining service levels, footy tipping, regular face to face call cycles

What habits or mindsets separate top performers from the rest?

Having a Winning mindset and a 90day plan

What’s one thing outside of work that helps you stay sharp (or relaxed) professionally?

Running and going to the beach

If this year’s had a theme song, what would it be?

I get knocked down by Chumbawamba

National Highlights

Solomons 2026 Conference

Alastair Read (QLD State Manager) and Andrew Spence (National Sales Manager) had the pleasure of attending the Solomons Conference at the ShangriLa Hotel in Cebu.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity to connect with both retailers and suppliers, exchange insights on the flooring industry, and hear directly from franchise members about the challenges they are currently facing.

A big thank you to Jack and the team for delivering such an outstanding event.

Clean Up Australia Day

This February, we took part in the annual Clean Up Australia Day alongside our neighbours at Isuzu in Truganina.

Several members of our team rolled up their sleeves and spent an hour around our Head Office and surrounding areas collecting litter and waste. It was a great initiative that places the environment front and centre, bringing communities together to improve and conserve the spaces we share. Thank you to our neighbours Izuzu Australia for inviting us along!

The 2026 FCIA Gala: Fire & Ice

Held at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, our team joined a diverse group of retailers, suppliers, architects, installers and more for an elegant evening dedicated to celebrating the achievements of emerging talent in the flooring industry.

It was both a meaningful and enjoyable time spent together.

Stepping Into the Future of Flooring

Our team has been globetrotting, exploring the latest in flooring colours, trends, and innovations from around the world! From bold, nature-inspired palettes to cutting-edge materials and clever new designs, we’ve gathered plenty of inspiration.

We’re excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to introduce these fresh ideas into Australian homes. Big things are coming—watch this space!

In Partnership with Taubmans: Let’s Talk Colour

Over the past two years, Dunlop Flooring has collaborated with Taubmans across a range of initiatives — from colour matching our timber flooring with paint palettes to contributing to the Taubmans 2026 Colour Trends. In this issue, Taubmans Colour Expert Fiona Dawson shares her insights on pairing paint colours with modern timber flooring to create cohesive, beautifully balanced interiors.

When designing a home, colour is one of the most powerful tools for shaping the look and feel of a space. Yet many homeowners still approach paint and flooring as separate decisions. In reality, these two elements work best when considered together from the beginning.

As National Colour and Design Manager for Taubmans across Australia and New Zealand, Fiona Dawson has spent more than two decades helping people understand colour and feel confident in their choices.

“I’m very fortunate to be the National Colour and Design Manager for ANZ, a role that brings together my passion for colour, design, and helping people feel confident in their choices,” says Dawson. “With more than twenty years of experience working with colour, my focus is on making colour simpler and more approachable for our customers.”

Her role involves everything from developing colour palettes and trend forecasting to guiding homeowners on how to bring their spaces to life through colour.

Choosing the Right Paint for the Right Purpose

One of the most common misconceptions Fiona encounters is the idea that all paints can be used interchangeably. “A common misconception is that one type of paint works for every surface. This is not the case,” she explains. “Different products are designed for specific purposes, and choosing the right one helps bring each project to life.” For example, ceiling paints are designed with a flat finish to reduce glancing light and conceal imperfections, while trims and doors typically require a more durable enamel finish. “Every paint product is created for a particular application and area of the home,” Fiona says. “It is always worth jumping online at www.taubmans.com. au to explore the best product for your project.”

Innovation That Performs in Real Homes

Beyond colour, performance is another area where Taubmans continues to innovate.

“For me, what makes Taubmans stand out is the technology behind our products and how it genuinely helps customers bring their projects to life with confidence,” Fiona explains. Taubmans invests heavily in developing paints that deliver durability alongside aesthetics. “Our NanoGuard® Technology, used in products like Endure and All Weather, provides outstanding durability, stain resistance and washability,” she says. “That’s incredibly important in today’s homes, where walls need to stand up to busy family life.”

A Natural Partnership: Paint Meets Flooring

When paint and flooring are considered together, the result is often a more cohesive and thoughtfully designed space. That shared philosophy is what made the collaboration between Taubmans and Dunlop Flooring a natural fit. “Collaborating with Dunlop Flooring has been a very natural partnership,” says Fiona. “When paint and flooring brands share a similar approach to design, quality and customer needs, the outcomes feel considered and cohesive.” From a design perspective, the partnership allows both brands to share insights and align on colour trends. “There is open dialogue and sharing of trends on both sides, so we can work together to inspire homeowners on how colour and flooring tones work together to achieve an overall look or feel.”

Finding Harmony Between Paint and Timber Flooring

When pairing paint colours with timber flooring, Fiona explains that the process begins with understanding the undertones within the floor itself. “When we approach colour matching with timber flooring, the process always starts with understanding the undertone and overall warmth of the floor,” she explains.

Rather than aiming for a perfect match, the goal is to create balance within the space. “The aim is to create harmony, allowing the paint to support the natural character of the timber and enhance the overall mood of the space.” Using the colour Acacia from Heartridge’s Riviera Oak range as an example, Fiona highlights how layered colours can bring the palette together.

“In a modern farmhouse scheme, the timber becomes a strong, grounding element,” she says. “We anchored the palette with a soft neutral white like Taubmans Crisp White to keep the space feeling light and fresh, then introduced earthy greens to connect back to the warmth of the flooring.” To soften the palette further, she suggests subtle accent colours. A muted, dusty pink adds another layer, helping to harmonise with the timber without overpowering it.”

The Colours Complementing Contemporary Flooring

With contemporary flooring ranges such as Riviera Oak and Forestbrook Laminate, Fiona is seeing a clear shift toward softer, warmer neutrals.

“Colours that lean gently into beige, stone or greige tend to work particularly well,” she explains. “They allow the texture and tone of the flooring to stand out while creating a calm, timeless and adaptable feel, making them suitable across a range of interior styles.”

Emerging Colour Trends in Australian Homes

Across Australia, Fiona notes a broader shift away from cooler grey interiors toward warmer, natureinspired tones. “I’m seeing more muted clays, gentle greens and warm off-whites replacing cooler greys,” she says.

These colours work particularly well alongside softer, neutral flooring because they create a layered, low-contrast look. “Neutral floors provide a stable foundation, while wall colours introduce trend relevance without overwhelming the space.” This approach is reflected in Taubmans’ latest colour trends. “Our 2026 Colour Trends, titled Down to Earth, celebrate calm, considered and nature-led palettes,” Dawson explains. “That alignment is also why we involved the Dunlop Flooring team in our 2026 Colour Trends Workshop, drawing on their flooring expertise to help inform and shape trends that work cohesively across surfaces.”

Starting with Flooring? Let It Guide Your Palette

Lastly, for homeowners beginning their renovation journey with flooring, Fiona’s advice is to let that choice guide the rest of the palette. “Always view paint samples next to the actual floor in the space and under natural light,” she recommends. Because flooring sets the tone of the room, paint colours should respond to it. “Flooring sets the temperature of a room, so selecting paint colours that respond to that tone will help create a more cohesive and well-balanced interior.”

GET INSPIRED! USE OUR COLOUR SELECTOR TOOL TO MATCH YOUR TIMBER WITH THE PERFECT PAINT COLOUR!

World Sleep Day with National Asthma Council Australia

Friday 13th March was World Sleep Day, a day hosted by the World Sleep Society to raise awareness about the importance of sleep health. This year’s theme is ‘sleep well, live better’. Good sleep is essential to overall health and wellbeing; it promotes wellness and resilience across all aspects of the body and mind. Sleep is just as important as nutrition and exercise.

This year, we are supporting the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program in raising awareness about the important connection between sleep and asthma. About 1 in 3 people with asthma have sleep disturbances – this is associated with worse asthma symptoms, poor quality of life and increased asthma-related healthcare utilisation.

Asthma symptoms can disrupt your sleep, and sleep disturbances can in turn affect asthma control and quality of life. This means that poor asthma control is linked to worsened sleep quality, whilst poor sleep quality can be a sign of poorly controlled asthma.

The National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program helps people identify asthma and allergy friendly products. All products and services with the iconic Sensitive Choice blue butterfly have been rigorously reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel that determines their potential benefit to people with asthma and allergies.

Dunlop Flooring is a proud partner of the Sensitive Choice program, with all our Heartridge Hybrid and Vinyl Flooring approved as asthma and allergy friendly. With the absence of undesirable phthalates and a formaldehyde emission rating of E0, the lowest achievable result, our Hybrid and Vinyl Products can help reduce the risk of asthma and allergy symptoms in your customers’ home, ultimately allowing for better sleep and an improved quality of life.

To view our approved products, visit heartridge.com.au/ sustainability OR dunlopunderlay.com.au/sensitive-choice

Explore our Hybrid and Vinyl RangesThe only Sensitive Choice approved Hard Flooring in Australia!

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