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NO. 417 // APRIL 2021 Best of hardware Page 24 PAGE 8 PAGE 20 PAGE 36 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TREATED TIMBER AND HOUSING BUBBLES AND AROUND FORKLIFTS DISPOSAL ISSUES SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS TTN417_01_cover.indd 1 15/3/21 3:50 pm TTN417_03_contents.indd 2 12/3/21 1:18 pm PUBLISHING DATA 24 CONTENTS Publisher: Ian Brooks (02) 9126 9705 Association update ..................... 4 [email protected] Editor: Donyale Harrison News ...................................................... 8 0417 487 497 [email protected] News feature Advertising: Julie McConachy The biggest hardware expo in the country 0409 381 813 [email protected] shifted from a popular get-together to 100% Subscription Manager: virtual this year. Here’s how it went, for Julie Hughes (02) 9439 1955 [email protected] vendors and attendees ................................. 16 Art Director: Julitta Overdijk Published 12 times per year by: Special feature Paragon Media Pty Limited Quibbles around the disposal of treated ABN: 49 097 087 860 Suite 14, Level 2/174 Willoughby Road framing timbers may be ill-informed, but Crows Nest NSW 2065 the broader question of construction PO Box 81, St Leonards, NSW 1590, 36 Australia wastefulness must be addressed ................ 20 Tel: 02 9439 1955 Email: [email protected] Cover story Circulation: proprietors, managers and The Independent Hardware Group’s 2020 executives in all sectors of the timber and building materials industries Awards of Excellence was a more personal including merchants, building material centres, hardware stores, timber window affair this year, celebrating the best in trade and door manufacturers, truss and and retail hardware around Australia ............ 24 frame manufacturers, timber fl ooring retailers, stair, balustrade and solid timber furniture manufacturers and People business their associated suppliers and industry Are your casuals really casuals? There are associations throughout Australia. Established October 1985 clear-cut tests that will stop you falling foul ISSN 1035/4298 of employment legislation ........................ 32 Print Post Approved: 100002694 Email: [email protected] AutoBuild News Website: www.timbertradernews.com 32 Subscriptions for 12 editions: Australia: $99 (incl GST) In the frame New Zealand: A$120 EWP software works best combined with a Overseas Airmail: AU$250 willingness to involve an engineer whenever PERSONNEL things aren’t standard ............................... 34 EDITOR FTMA newsletter ........................ 36 Donyale Harrison Phone: 0417 487 497 donyale.harrison@ Truss talk paragonmedia.com.au With Paul Davis ........................................ 38 SALES DIRECTOR COVER CREDIT: Stephen Iser at Hume & Iser Julie McConachy Mitre 10. Courtesy IHG. Phone: 0409 381 813 [email protected] PUBLISHER Ian Brooks Average Net Distribution: 1599 E-newsletter subscribers: 3697 Phone: 02 9126 9705 Period ending September 2016 [email protected] Source: Audited Media Association of Australia; CAB Total Distribution Audit. For further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au Disclaimer Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing editorial material to Paragon Media, including text and images you are providing permission for that material to be subsequently used by Paragon Media, whole or in part, edited or unchanged, alone or in combination with other material in any publication or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether produced by Paragon Media and its agents and associates or another party to whom Paragon Media has provided permission. www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 3 TTN417_03_contents.indd 3 12/3/21 2:41 pm ASSOCIATION UPDATE ASSOCIATION NEWS experienced. These costs are in addition to ATIF those related to log acquisition and sawmill John Halkett Timber continues to production, quarantine expenses and other compliance requirements. PORT CONGESTION enjoy a 20% price Timber product (and other) importers are DEMAND AND PRICING continuing to experience difficulties related advantage over Contrary to predictions, demand across to congestion, delays and additional costs at comparable steel. building and construction industries has ports. Presently, this is a particularly notable strengthened and not reduced because of feature of operations in Melbourne and the Covid-19 pandemic. Sydney. Also noted is that there have been In relation to Port Botany, Sydney, ATIF is term solution, including expanding port shortages of structural softwood timber (and continuing to be involved in the Empty infrastructure. other) products. There have been price Container Park (and related shipping line In the meantime, increased costs increases for structural residential building levies) matters with the Transport NSW associated with imported products, including steel products in the last quarter of 2020 working group. Port capacity is the higher shipping costs, port congestion and the first quarter of 2021. Further price underlying issue that will necessitate a long- charges and other increased costs are being increases are anticipated. It also noted that, in relation to residential construction, timber products continue to enjoy a 20% price advantage over comparable steel products. Further that the timber framing component of a detached residential house makes up just around 15% of the total construction cost, and any increase in structural softwoods timber products prices will not have a measurable impact on total house construction costs. Given the national policy emphasis on climate change abatement action, it is important to maintain the dominant market share that timber products enjoy in residential building and construction activities. For further ATIF-related information contact John Halkett at: john.halkett@ bigpond.com or 0417 421 187. KASTELIC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM MATEJ PHOTO: TABMA David Little BOOSTING APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES (BAC) AND THE IMPACT ON MEMBERS AND TABMA TRAINING 2021 has seen TABMA training shoot out of the blocks at a fast pace as the administration team processes over 100 new Certificate III enrolments in our timber qualifications. Driven by the Federal Government’s wage subsidy, BAC, for the first time in 20 years, there are incentives to upskill both existing and new workers in the timber industry. PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM POWERHOUSE PHOTO: 4 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com TTN417_04-07_AssociationNews.indd 4 12/3/21 1:27 pm ASSOCIATION UPDATE So, what impact will this have on those organisations who took the time and initiative to realise how the bottom-line wage subsidy will benefit their organisation? Upskilling staff is about ensuring that your workforce is flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions while maintaining safety and productivity outcomes essential to business success. In addition, the customised training not only achieves a nationally recognised qualification, and aids in retention, but it The past few months have been very busy, with ensures that these skilled staff are motivated to perform to higher levels of around 50 trainees and apprentices commencing work standards and output. with TABMA since October 2020. In recognition of the importance of maintaining a safe workplace, TABMA Training is also introducing a Certificate IV in [email protected] or call combination of members taking advantage Work Health and Safety (BSB41419). This on 0418 775 117. of the Federal Government Building program commenced on 11 March and Apprenticeship Commencements subsidy already the first group of participants is full. TRAINING OUR FUTURE along with a real need for formal training A second group of participants will also be INDUSTRY LEADERS within the industry being recognised. scheduled, but places are limited so you will TABMA Apprentices & Trainees is your TABMA Apprentices & Trainees makes need to get in quick if safety is one of your industry Group Training Organisation (GTO). having a Trainee or Apprentice in your bottom-line priorities. Funding applies in Our objective is to assist TABMA Australia business easy and economical. Providing a both NSW and SA. members to ensure that a new generation formal, nationally recognised qualification as Organisations are now realising that of industry workers are well selected, a part of training your new team members training should not be seen as just an trained and knowledgeable, ready to play solidifies their skill base and sets career afterthought. The introduction of a new, their part in ensuring that the Timber paths in motion. If you are interested in younger workforce wanting career pathways Industry and members’ businesses have the discussing how we can assist your business is gradually becoming the norm and the key skills needed for the future. give our team a call. to business longevity. Can you afford to The past few months have been very If you are interested in taking on a Trainee ignore these benefits any longer? busy for the TABMA GTO Team with around or Apprentice, or would like more If you are interested in a Certificate IV 50 trainees and apprentices commencing information on our group training in Work Health and Safety or any other with TABMA since October 2020. services, please contact Peter at PHOTO: MATEJ KASTELIC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM MATEJ PHOTO: training programs, email June at This fantastic result has been a [email protected] or 0447 892 002. Legal and HR Advocacy Serving independent timber and hardware businesses
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