Cormar Carpets is celebrating its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of British manufacturing growth that has seen the family-owned business evolve from a Lancashire start-up into the UK’s largest independent carpet manufacturer.
Founded in 1956 by Neville Cormack, the company began after the 26-year-old entrepreneur purchased two tufted carpet machines at an industrial machinery exhibition in Manchester. At a time when tufted carpet production was still a relatively new concept in the UK, the decision positioned Cormar at the forefront of a manufacturing revolution that offered a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional woven carpets.
The business started at Nunn Hills Mill in Lancashire’s Rossendale Valley before relocating to Brookhouse Mill in 1959, where it continues to operate today. As demand for tufted carpet expanded throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the company grew its warehousing and logistics capabilities, eventually bringing its transport operations in-house – a strategy it still maintains through a fleet of more than 70 vehicles.
Today, Cormar employs more than 400 people across its manufacturing and distribution operations and serves customers throughout the UK and Ireland. The company further expanded its logistics network in 2017 with the opening of a 130,000 sq ft distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead to support customers across southern England.
A key factor behind the company’s longevity has been its continued family involvement. Neville Cormack spent more than 50 years leading the business as Managing Director and later Chairman. His son David joined the company in 1987, while the third generation is represented by Commercial Director Edward Polito, who joined in 2023. Helen Polito currently serves as Chairman.
Over the decades, Cormar has continually adapted its product portfolio in response to changing market demands. Having initially produced synthetic carpets, the company later became known for its wool twist ranges before returning to synthetic flooring innovations with the launch of its Sensation and Primo collections. Today, it offers a broad portfolio of wool and man-made fibre carpets focused primarily on the residential market.
The manufacturer has also invested heavily in modernising its operations. Machinery and IT infrastructure at its Lancashire mills are continually upgraded, while its digital Trade Portal now accounts for around 70% of customer orders. Alongside its distribution centres in Bury and Hemel Hempstead, the company operates a network of more than 40 collection centres across the UK and Ireland.
Cormar said sustainability remains a strategic priority, becoming the first major carpet manufacturer to achieve full certification from Innovate Recycle for its polypropylene ranges, which are now recognised as 100% recyclable.
“Celebrating 70 years of Cormar Carpets is a hugely proud moment for everyone within the business. From starting out as a family-run company and evolving into one of the UK’s leading carpet manufacturers, we’ve always stayed committed to the values that defined us – quality, service and reliability.”
David Cormack, Marketing Director, Cormar Carpets.
The anniversary comes as Cormar continues to strengthen its position in the market, having won more than 50 trade awards and recently been named Best Carpet Manufacturer by readers of Interiors Monthly for a 13th consecutive year. Its Silken Serenity range also secured the Best Bedroom Flooring award at the Ideal Home Awards 2026.
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