floor maintenance, finishing and refinishing, the cleaning group's CEO Richard Thompson said yesterday.

The new company, Island Floor Refinishing Ltd., is a combination of Island Cleaning's floor cleaning business and the marble and stone business of Stafford & Co., recently purchased from Randy Stafford. Stafford & Co.'s primary business is wood flooring.

Mr. Thompson predicted there will be continued consolidation within the cleaning business, much like other sectors of Bermuda's economy.

"We are positioning ourselves to be a market leader.'' Prior to Island Cleaning, Mr. Thompson, a Chartered Accountant, was president of captive insurance company manager Altamid Management Company Ltd. But when Altamid was acquired by the Skandia Group, Mr. Thompson became an entrepreneur.

"There are a number of people taking this route. I think you'll see more and more of this.'' Mr. Thompson, the business' sole owner, said his venture has been a money maker every year.

Business has been good and "that is why we are expanding,'' he said.

"Revenues have grown tenfold (since the first year).'' Heading up the new subsidiary will be Jeffrey Rouwhorst who has over 20 years experience in Bermuda and the US. Prior to joining Island Floor Refinishing, he directed the marble and stone refinishing division of Stafford & Co.

This is the fourth acquisition by Mr. Thompson since Island Cleaning was set up.

Prior to Stafford & Co.'s marble and stone business, Mr. Thompson acquired the Molly Maid service, commercial cleaner Bestway Services and Jo-Car, another commercial cleaner.

The group has three companies, which employ 55 people, including commercial and residential cleaning service Island Cleaning, Molly Maid business Executive Maid Services Ltd. and the latest, Island Floor Refinishing.

Island Refinishing will service various stone floor types like marble, tarrazzo, terra cotta, brick and quarry tile.

The company will also offer expertise in epoxy floor finishing and implementing slip resistance programmes for all surfaces.

The amount of high quality, sophisticated stone flooring has increased in Bermuda over the past five to ten years, commercial and residential, and it requires proper maintenance, Mr. Thompson said.