41828
February 2025
Schlüter-Systems and Boyden Bathrooms & Tiles partnership - exclusive
Boyden Tiles and Bathrooms, Croydon, is one of the UK's largest tile distributors for London and the South East, and nationwide through theTileexperienceinternet brand. Boyden creates beautiful bathrooms and other projects for both commercial and residential customers.
With an enduring dedication to protecting tile and stone,Schlüter-Systemsoffers more than 10,000 products for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone, including a comprehensive range of trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and wetroom drainage systems. The brand is an ideal choice for the premium end of the bathroom retail sector, especially for those looking to take a system-led approach to their bathroom designs and installations. Parts of Schlüter's portfolio, such as the underfloor heating and tile trims, also appeal to premium-end kitchen showrooms and retailers.
Here we talk toHenry Williamson, managing director ofBoyden Tiles and Bathrooms,to find out how the companies work so well together.
How long have you been aSchlüter-SystemsRetailer?
27 years.
Boyden was founded in July 1925. 2025 is our centenary year!!
We have been a ceramic wholesaler for nearly 100 years with own brand showrooms for twenty years, and through our internet brandTileexperiencefor over ten years. We continually evolve as a business to meet and exceed customer expectations.
Demands evolve all the time; no five-year period is the same.
Any value from £500 to in excess of £20K. Our customer profile tends to be upper middle to top end.
We are mainly distributors, wholesalers, retailers and internet suppliers; we don't install. We do have four retail showrooms where we help specify products for projects. We also have a strong internal and external sales team who work very closely with all our suppliers and customers to ensure the right products are chosen for the right project.
Have you been nominated or won awards?
We have been nominated for numerous awards over the years; we have won several awards in the past, includingTile Association‘Distributor of the Year', several staff have won Tile Association ‘Employee of the year',BDO Stoy Hayward‘Best in Business' award,Spanish Tile Association‘Personalisation of Interior Designs'.
How does the next five years look forBoyden Tiles and Bathrooms?
Very good! The new government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes over next few years, which is very ambitious! Even if 33% are built, it bodes well for those connected with the building industry. Boyden is well placed for future growth. We are in the process of significantly increasing our warehouse capacity and possibly one or two more showrooms.
What bathroom trends are you seeing?
Larger format tiles are very much on trend, as are marble and onyx designs.
What do you love about the industry?
I have been in the tile industry for over forty years and the evolving trends and product improvements are very good to see. I also enjoy employing younger people who are very creative and watching them flourish in a very creative industry.
About your showrooms
Size of showroom(s)?
Typically, 2,000 square feet to 6,000 square feet. The Beddington Lane Head Office warehouse is approx. 55,000 square feet and we are in the process of significantly increasing that capacity.
How many displays? Is there a theme throughout?
At least 150 across the retail stores. The theme is best summed up that we want to create a display that the customer will want every item in their own home - tiles, sanitaryware, uncoupling solutions, drains, underfloor heating, coordinating accessories.
Will you open more?
We hope so! We are looking at a couple of new locations at the moment.
About Schlüter-Systems
Why did you choose Schlüter-Systems?
We have been using Schlüter products for 27 years. It started when floor tiles were becoming very popular, but they kept cracking (before porcelain). Schlüter introducedSchlüter-DITRA uncoupling matto overcome that problem as an ‘uncoupling membrane' . We sell nearly 200 rolls (x30metres) each month and have yet to go out on a complaint where the product has failed. Other Schlüter products have been added over the years with a similar success rate.
What are popular products/ranges for you/your installers?
DITRA, a wide range of tilingprofiles,underfloor heating systemsanddrainage products.
How do you find the customer service from Schlüter-Systems? Is there anything that stands out to you?
Always ‘Best in Class!'
Have you completed any exciting projects recently featuring Schlüter-Systems?
Recent projects our tiles and Schlüter-Systems solutions have featured in include: The Mormon Temple, Centre Point, 30 Grosvenor Square, The Fitzrovia Hotel are just some.
For further information, call01530 813396or visithttps://www.schluter.co.uk/
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With Compliments:
Taylor Alden
media@tayloralden.co.uk