Leading independent manufacturer, Causeway Carpets, today, 17th December 2001, signed up to join the Carpet Foundation as a full funding partner with effect from 1 January 2002. The Blackburn - based quality bespoke carpet manufacturer joins the premier group of UK carpet manufacturers who, between them, produce over 60% of all carpet made in the UK amounting to �350 million worth of sales. Commenting on joining the Foundation, Liz Haben, Causeway's marketing manager said: "The introduction of the Quality Mark sealed our decision. We have been monitoring the activities of the Foundation and the feedback we are getting from the market place is that the Quality Mark is becoming well known and accepted. Causeway Carpets is known for its quality and we want to be associated with an initiative and body that raises standards in the carpet industry. Furthermore, it is a relatively inexpensive way of aligning ourselves to a readily identifiable and increasingly well-known brand. We as a company do not have the resources to undertake activity on such a scale and, as we have recently seen with the Pergo affair, a collective approach is much more powerful for defending industry positions. What clinched it for us is was when we discussed it with our field sales force who told us that the Quality Mark was undoubtedly beginning to stick in the market place. We look forward to working with the Foundation and shall be promoting the Quality Mark heavily from 1 January 2002." Mike Mills, chairman of The Carpet Foundation, was delighted with the news: "The recruitment of Causeway demonstrates the impact the Foundation is beginning to have. We very much look forward to having them on board." For Further information contact: The Carpet Foundation Tel 01562 755568 MICHAEL HARDIMAN Chief Executive mobile 07798 653939 RUPERT ANTON Marketing Director mobile 07721 557193 MIKE MILLS Managing Director Ulster Carpets & Chairman The Carpet Foundation mobile 07710 882442