Press area

If you’re looking for an eco stone sealer for your commercial project, what Martin Ballard doesn’t know about surface protection isn’t worth knowing at all. As FILA’s Technical & Specifications Manager for the UK, Martin is our resident wall and floor expert and our in-house natural stone guru. With over 25 years in the sector, his primary role is ensuring installers are clued up on the latest applications and products. We sat down with him to talk surface treatment and care, read on for a Q&A with FILA’s Martin Ballard.

Can you tell us a bit about your professional background and what you do for FILA now?

‘’I’ve been in the tile industry for over 25 years, working with ceramics, porcelain, and natural stone. This has predominantly been in the commercial sector, and over the years, I’ve dealt with many Italian factories too. This experience has led me to my current day role working with FILA, where I help our clients protect and maintain their surfaces, no matter the type. It really is such an enjoyable, diverse position, and every day is different - one week I could be at Wimbledon and the next I’m in Harrods!’’

‘’My main priority at FILA is to guide the installer on the right processes and products to use, and we do this through on-site support and our many training programmes. The aim is to help them recognise the right chemicals they need in
any given situation to ensure a problem-free project. For instance, if there’s an issue with cleaning unpolished porcelain tiles, it’s likely that when they were laid, the grout residues weren’t adequately cleaned. Had the installer been aware of FILA’s tile grout remover, DETERDEK PRO at the end of the installation, then they would find no problems going forward with the porcelain finish.’’

‘’My main priority at FILA is to guide the installer on the right processes and products to use, and we do this through on-site support and our many training programmes.’’
 

How does FILA benefit the contractor and their projects from your experience?

‘’In the commercial project market, clear guidance is needed to ensure every surface stands up to its job. For example, marble flooring in a lobby creates a fantastic aesthetic, but this effect won’t last if the surface isn’t properly treated. With the right stone sealer, however, such as MP90 ECO XTREME, marble is protected from footfall and common watery and oily stains. It also won’t affect the natural look of the stone, and in fact, this product will provide environmentally friendly stain protection for any surface!’’

‘’Delivering face to face on-site training, we educate our installer clients on the right treatments to use and the right dilutions for cleaners too. Our products also promise a much safer site, as they are eco-compatible, respecting not only the nature of the material being treated but also the environment and the health of the person using them.’’
‘’Providing environmentally friendly stain protection for any surface, our water-based stone sealer, MP90 ECO XTREME, can be used for even delicate marble!’’

On average, how many times a week would you say you get involved with technical support?

‘’As a rough guide, on an average week, I’d say I get involved with 25 individual cases of technical support. Whether that’s providing clients with method statements for projects or advising on the best pH-neutral cleaner to use, my support is divided up by face to face meetings, phone calls and emails.’’

‘’Our products promise a much safer site, as they are eco-compatible, respecting not only the nature of the material being treated but also the environment and the health of the person using them.’’

How is this key for FILA?

‘’FILA’s face to face training and online support is something that’s invaluable to our many clients. Not only does this build excellent long-term rapport, but it also gives them faith in their ability to select the right products for any surface and, more specifically, when they need to be used. And it’s not just contractors who benefit from FILA’s technical backup either; we also work with many facility management companies too. Additionally, we collaborate with many key players in the technical tile specialist market.’’ ‘’FILA’s face to face training and online support is something that’s invaluable to our many clients.’’

Are there any common issues that regularly arise?

‘’One major issue I seem to tackle a lot is leftover grout residues from the installation. As mentioned, this can make the surface harder to clean, but a tile grout remover will eliminate this problem and ensure materials like porcelain tiles fully perform. Other problems include treatments incorrectly applied and protection issues where the stone sealer isn’t necessarily compatible with the material itself. FILA’s MP90 ECO XTREME, however, is suitable for even the most delicate stone, and with it being water-based, it can resist residual humidity, meaning this sealer can be applied 24-48 hours after the initial clean.’’

‘’A tile grout remover will eliminate issues and ensure materials like porcelain tiles fully perform.’’

 

What is your favourite thing about working for FILA?

‘’There are too many good things about working for FILA, and I feel very privileged to be a part of such a forward-thinking culture. From the technical department to the innovation centre, FILA is always evolving and in a positive manner. It’s also the only brand I can see moving towards a greener future and actively promoting more green materials in the marketplace too.

For instance, our pH-neutral cleaner, CLEANER PRO, is made with sustainable methods and additionally, it was recently classified Climate Pledge Friendly by Amazon.’’

‘’Our pH-neutral cleaner, CLEANER PRO, is made with sustainable methods and additionally, it was recently classified Climate Pledge Friendly by Amazon.’’

 
 

FILA’s technical department and innovation centre

Thank you for reading our Q&A with Martin Ballard, FILA’s Technical Specifications Manager. To enquire about a FILA ACADEMY course to further develop your knowledge, please get in touch with Martin here. Thanks again.