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 by providing valuable back of house services...
National Support Centre Ann Sanfey M: 0411 886 716 Timber Advisory Training Member Service 1800 888 479 www.mgatma.com.au Benefits PHOTO: POWERHOUSE PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM POWERHOUSE PHOTO:
www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 5
TTN417_04-07_AssociationNews.indd 5 12/3/21 1:27 pm ASSOCIATION UPDATE
The recent easing of restrictions across reater Sydney has meant changes regarding face mas s and distancing.
Good Friday (2 April) all states and territories Easter Saturday ( April) all states and territories except Tasmania and WA Easter Sunday ( April) NSW and ictoria only TTIA businesses would be allowed to put aside Easter Monday (5 April) all states and ian ee o t the BOOT when satisfying workplace territories agreements in certain circumstances. The proposal would apply to agreements The Public Holidays will have the following GO ERNMENT SCRAPS CHANGES made in the next two years even though effect on leave entitlements: TO BETTER OFF O ERA TEST IN there is no time limit regarding the duration Annual lea e: Under the Fair Work Act IR BI of the agreement. (s 9(1)), if the period of paid annual leave The federal government has decided to The BOOT considers the terms that are includes a day or part day that is a public drop changes to its industrial relations bill more benefi cial and less benefi cial to holiday (in the place where the employee is that would’ve allowed Covid-affected employees in an agreement, compared to based for work purposes), the employee is businesses to allow enterprise agreements the terms in the relevant modern award, taken not to be on annual leave on that without having to pass the better off overall before assessing whether employees would public holiday. test (BOOT). be better off under the agreement than If the employee returns from annual The concession from the federal under the relevant award. leave on the date agreed prior to taking government comes as it tries to secure TTIA will advise in coming editions what annual leave, the employee’s annual leave support from the Senate crossbench to other elements of the IR Bill pass through balance is to be re-credited one day for each ensure passage of the Fair Work the Senate. public holiday falling during the period of Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs annual leave. and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020. EASTER PUB IC HO IDA S AND Unauthori ed ab ence: There is nothing The IR bill was introduced to the House of OTHER EA E ENTIT EMENTS in the Fair Work Act to suggest that an Representatives in December last year. The Australian Easter public holidays for employee forfeits their entitlement to Under the original proposal in the bill, 2021 are as follows: payment for a public holiday if they take an unauthorised absence on the working day before or after a public holiday. While such a term was common in awards and agreements some years ago, the right of an employer to deduct payment for a public holiday in these circumstances was removed with the start of the Fair Work Act on 1 January 2010. However, the other Suppliers of Ecowood® Preserved Wood Decking day can be unpaid if it is not authorised and Decking Products is unsubstantiated. with stability and performance! Treatment does not affect timber dimensions. CO ID SAFET P AN UPDATE Durable against decay and termite damage. At the time of submission for print, the Preserved in final shape and form. recent easing of restrictions across Greater Ideal for sensitive applications or where frequent human contact is expected. Sydney has meant changes regarding face Can be painted, stained or oiled. masks and the re-introduction of the 2m2 per person rule for most businesses. As a result, the Covid Safety Plan for Contact Us for sales or go online for a copy of our new DIY Deck Guide manufacturing and warehousing, among www.outdoortimber.com.au others, has been amended, see .n . H3 [email protected] go .au form co id- afet -plan 03 8706 1250 manufacturing-and- arehou ing to Ecowood is registered trademarks of Lonza or its subsidiaries used under licence. © Outdoor Timber 2019 update your plan and make sure you are
meeting your requirements. MAGLARA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO:
TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_04-07_AssociationNews.indd 6 12/3/21 1:27 pm ASSOCIATION UPDATE
MGA/TMA Ann Sanfey Staff who are not meeting business expectations FAIRLY DISMISSED and standards must be appropriately addressed Terminations or dismissals are a complex area to navigate. in a constructive and sensitive manner. There are several rules that businesses must adequately follow to mitigate risk of If similar or same issues recur, consider impact on the procedures followed in claims and other issues. repeating the process. If the misconduct is effecting the termination or dismissal; Before considering terminating or serious, a decision to terminate may be • the degree to which the absence of dismissing an employee, performance explored, but the dismissal must be “fair”, dedicated human resource management management is crucial. “just” and “not harsh”. specialists or expertise in the business Staff who are not meeting business Any termination or dismissal process would be likely to impact on the expectations and standards must be requires two elements: procedures followed in effecting the appropriately addressed in a constructive • having a valid reason; and termination or dismissal; and and sensitive manner. • following due process. • any other matters that the Fair Work This upholds the positive working Commission considers relevant. environment of the store and ensures that VALID REASON the morale of the staff members remains Previous cases before the Fair Work Due process clearly focuses on the principle healthy and productive. Commission established that a valid reason of “procedural fairness”. The Fair Work Employee issues occur because of varied for termination or dismissal includes: Commission wants to see whether in the reasons, such as: underperformance, misconduct or capacity process of terminating or dismissing an • being unaware of the store’s expectations related matters. employee, the business afforded natural and standards; Each type of employee issue requires a justice. • relational, background and cultural distinct approach and consideration of the Apart from following the list above, differences; circumstances in which it occurred. businesses could consider engaging an • lack of skills or knowledge to perform independent third party to investigate and duties; DUE PROCESS consult. A critical point of the due process is • no constructive feedback, coaching or Due process is a broad term that requires us being patient when managing employee counselling; to consider a range of factors, including: issues. Additionally, providing the employee • personal matters; and • whether the employee was notified of in simple and plain language the reasons • workplace bullying and harassment. the valid reason; behind being disciplined and allowing a right • whether the employee was given an of reply. More importantly, ensuring the Understanding the underpinning reasons will opportunity to respond to any reason employee is aware that their employment assist in properly resolving issues, but also related to their performance, conduct, or was at risk and making the consequences of having a clear process in place will simplify capacity; their non-compliance very clear to them. and avoid prolonging matters. A suggested • whether the business allowed the MGA TMA can assist Members with performance management process may employee to have a support person managing underperformance and include: present to assist with discussions terminations in their businesses. We can • determining the employee issue at hand; relating to the termination or dismissal; provide templates for warning letters, • evaluating and examining the issue; • if the dismissal related to unsatisfactory performance checklists, disciplinary meeting • setting a meeting with the employee to performance by the employee, whether guides, performance management plans, speak about the issue; the employee had been warned about notices of disciplinary meetings, termination • collectively brainstorming a resolution; that unsatisfactory performance before letters, and much more. and the dismissal; For further information or membership • supervising ongoing performance and • the degree to which the size of the enquiries, please do not hesitate to behaviour. store’s enterprise would be likely to contact MGA TMA on 1800 888 479.
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www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 7
TTN417_04-07_AssociationNews.indd 7 12/3/21 1:27 pm NE S IN RIEF DESIGN INDUSTRY NE S SOLUTIONS Forklift dan ers ? A tragedy highlights the risks of forklifts even with well-trained operators. ebruary saw another workplace fatality “Working around traffi c, including plant stationary and moving traffi c, including Fwhen a truck driver who had just and vehicles, can pose signifi cant health and pedestrians and all types of vehicles.” delivered a load was crushed between his safety risk within the workplace,” Wilson Wilson recommends businesses identify vehicle and a forklift in St Marys, SW. This says. “Traffi c management is the planning all the hazards associated with traffi c in each tragedy highlights the dangers of these and control of traffi c from one location to workplace. “There are going to be some small but extremely heavy vehicles, where another. It focuses on creating and workplaces that are very low-risk and have the simplest error can have signifi cant managing an orderly and effi cient movement minimal traffi c movement and then there are consequences. of persons and goods, creating a safe going to be many workplaces where that It’s testament to how seriously the environment for all users. risk is much higher,” he says. industry takes forklift safety that forklift “It includes the organisation, “It is very important to talk to your fatalities in Australia have remained arrangement, guidance and control of both workers and observe your workplace, then consistently low this century, but there is determine where the areas of high traffi c still room for improvement, and tools and are. our workplace may have lots of training are available to help. vehicles, forklifts and load-shifting equipment Dean Wilson, TABMA workplace safety “Traffi c management interacting with each other. Specifi cally, you offi ce, notes that forklift drivers are almost need to look for areas where there is high universally well trained and responsible, but focuses on creating pedestrian and vehicle interaction. ou this hasn’t removed the risk. He a safe environment particularly need to be looking for reversing recommends businesses create and train vehicles, such as forklifts.” their staff in a traffi c management plan, for all users.” Wilson emphasises: “Forklifts are one of which will substantially lower the possibility the highest risk vehicles in the workplace of people and lifts coming together. because they do spend a lot of their time reversing and they are often working in close proximity to pedestrians. ou need to spend a decent amount of time looking at how your forklift operates and assess how likely it is that someone will come into contact with it.” TABMA offers a comprehensive WHS Inspection Service, to members, visit https //tabma.com.au/tabma hs inspection ser ice/ for details or contact Dean on . TTIA also offers safety assessments, audits and solutions, visit https //ttia.asn.au/timber trade industrial association/ for details. Talk with your industry association to see what they can do to help. Several machinery companies also offer safety assessments, plans and training, talk with your supplier to see what is available. ot only is the time and cost investment economically worth it in insurance and compliance terms, but the relief of knowing everyone on your site is as safe as they can possibly be is priceless.
NE PRODUCT ON T E MAR ET IG NE S DON T EEP IT TO YOURSELF If you are launching a product or your business has an announcement, send it to ne s timbertraderne s.com for the chance to be featured here. PHOTO: DARIUS SUL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM DARIUS PHOTO: TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 8 15/3/21 12:58 pm PHOTOS: DARIUS SUL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM TTN417_08-17_news inbrief.indd 9 ? SOLUTIONS DESIGN 15/3/21 12:02 pm NEWS IN BRIEF
Anthony Igra, director of Contractors Debt Recovery, said, “This change to the Act is long overdue. For years there was a central inconsistency because a tradie could use the Act to recover $3000 for painting a factory wall but couldn’t use it to recover $30,000 for painting Mrs Jones’s house. There is no reason why work for homeowners should carry more risk for contractors. Finally, the NSW Government has listened and made this long-overdue change.” David Moses, managing director of Horizon, one of Sydney’s premier residential building firms, said, “This has been a long time coming, and we welcome the change. It will allow residential builders and their subbies to resolve disputes in an independent, fair and reasonable way and get paid much quicker – taking the emotion out of what is an emotional process for all involved. It will also force everyone to document everything better and make everyone accountable for their part in the collaborative process.” Ross Gagic, director of builder CBS Build is still owed $130,000 on a job. His contract predates the changes and so he won’t benefit from them. “My client took Security of payments advantage of the fact that the Security of Payment Act did not apply to primary New NSW legislation helps tradies get paid on time.
residences. Despite a ream of B-E/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: correspondence agreeing to extra works, now he denies they are extra,” he said. hanges in the Security of Payment Act Now builders and other tradies can use Mr Gagic has fenced off the property until Cmean that since 1 March 2021, the Act the Security of Payment Act in the case of he is paid as the contract allows this. “I’d also applies to contracts between disputed payments or non-paying rather have been able to resolve this via homeowners and builders, and homeowners homeowners to apply for an independent adjudication, get my money, and leave. and trade contractors. The act had previously adjudication of the claim. If successful in Things will be much better when this change exempted owner/occupier homeowners, this adjudication, even if the homeowner takes effect,” he concluded. leaving the builder at risk. Ironically that does not make submissions, an enforceable Retrospectivity built into the legislation same builder came under the Act for those determination for the amount moves ahead means contractors will be able to serve a jobs, allowing subcontractors to pursue their regardless. The Security of Payment Act payment claim after 1/3/2021 in relation to payments while the builder was unable to takes about five to six weeks to go from contracts they entered into after 21/10/2019, pursue the homeowner. a claim for payment to a decision. Timings the date the Act was amended. However, Before this legislative change, the most- and procedures under the Act cannot be this retrospective period may face a future used option for chasing nonpayment was delayed, postponed, extended or adjourned. challenge in court. the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal Security of Payment law has strict For further information, visit www. (NCAT), a months- or years-long process that requirements about how and when to serve legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/ can be expensive and is often seen as not valid progress claims and the time frames current/sl-2020-0504 or www. worth the effort by builders. around various steps in the process. contractorsdebtrecovery.com.au
Tim Lord, managing director of Hop Smoke gets in your prices Products Australia, told the ABC’s Tasmanian An escaped forestry burn in Tasmania has upset producers. Country Hour: “I’ve got to say, we’re pretty frustrated, especially given the value of the ine and beer producers north of grown to 200ha at time of writing, sending crop and given the nature of the hops we’re WHobart have expressed their anger at clouds of smoke out over nearby grapevines harvesting there and their use in beer potential damage to their crops from smoke and some $15 million worth of hop crops that production around the world. generated by a Sustainable Timber Tasmania had just started being harvested. “It’s very frustrating for us to see (STT) controlled burn that escaped its Agriculturalists were angry at lack of something like this occur during that brief perimeter in early March. consultation from STT surrounding the timing period of time when we’re picking crop that is Intended to burn 23ha as part of a of the planned burn, with further criticism that the core of our business.” regeneration program, following logging weather and landscape conditions had not Local tourism operators have also
operations near the Styx River, the fire had been appropriate for a burn in early March. complained about the lack of consultation. KANGHOPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO:
10 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 10 15/3/21 1:25 pm NEWS IN BRIEF NSW TAFE staff concerns Sales, cuts and possible fee support all in the news.
AFE NSW has recently been fighting Tbattles on several fronts. The Scone TAFE site in the Hunter Valley, built only 25 years ago at a then cost of $3.2 million, is up for sale for a price reported to be less than its replacement cost. While the NSW government has insisted it is selling the land only and plans to lease back part of the property, which it declares At the same time, job losses in support objectives, which its private competitors “significantly under-utilised” due to lower services are expected as the multi-year One aren’t bound by. student numbers in recent years, the lease- TAFE reforms progress. The Community Meanwhile, Australian National University back plan only has a three-year projection. Public Sector Union of NSW has announced economics professor Bruce Chapman wants Scone TAFE is currently an agricultural the losses could be in the realm of 700 staff a HECS scheme for vocational training specialist centre with expert teachers, with 470 in the regions, while a government Certificat III and IV courses. The architect of including one of only two farrier courses in spokesperson said they were expected to Australia’s higher education loan scheme NSW. At the time of writing, Racing NSW be more like 50 jobs across the state. says the income-contingent loans will has put in what they describe as an offer It’s probably safest to wait until the final improve access for poorer students who “that is higher than the historic replacement reforms are announced, but an independent can’t afford to pay up-front fees. By making cost” according to Racing NSW chief Peter review by NSW Auditor-General Margaret education free at point of entry, the scheme V’Landys, with a commitment to maintain Crawford last December found that the One represents a well-regulated option that will the site as an educational institution, TAFE merging had so far failed to deliver on encourage people training or re-training for focusing on the racing industry rather than a its proposed savings and that the strategy employment without the risks seen under general rural TAFE. previous schemes.
PHOTO: B-E/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: was undermined by TAFE’s legislated social
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www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 11
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 11 15/3/21 2:08 pm NEWS IN BRIEF The Wood House Effect Stora Enso’s new EWP education site is a valuable hub.
rom its Helsinki headquarters, Stora Enso buildings. Today, we can build higher, Photography forms an important part of Fhas built a remarkable international stronger and lighter than ever before. the CoE. Cathrine Wallenius, SVP marketing timber business that not only responsibly “Compared to the traditional construction & communications, says, “In our industry exports and imports timber products around processes with concrete and steel, we can we often work with architectural drawings,
the world, but has played an important role reduce up to 75% of CO2 emissions when renderings and BIM models, which are used in driving timber construction education, building with wood. And by leveraging the throughout the building process. But we particularly with EWP. opportunities of digital planning and want to accompany our important messages With the launch of its new digital centre of construction tools, and increased levels of with real life glimpses of the warmth and excellence (CoE), the Wood House Effect, prefabrication, we can substantially reduce comfort that comes with wooden buildings.” Stora Enso is seeking to expand that overall construction cycle times and costs For Völkel, it’s a response to an urgent educational role in the construction industry whilst achieving higher quality standards, too.” need. “We need to have an industry with – and include clients and the general public. A suite of free digital tools form part of the net-zero emissions, and we can come a very Bringing together essays, data sets, CoE, with a BIM toolbox for Stora Enso long way using wood, so it’s important that references, project examples for multiple building components, timber design software we get the word out and help others see different building types and more, the Wood for engineers, a mobile app that helps you what can be done,” he says. “We have many House Effect both seeks to encourage manage construction projects more stories to tell – it’s definitely time to talk developers and designers to decide on efficiently and more. Plus there’s a reference about the Wood House Effect.” timber construction and to answer the library listing over 200 projects built with For more and to browse the CoE, visit questions that arise out of that decision. Stora Enso products for inspiration. www.storaenso.com/en/products/wood- Comprehensive answers are given to the For the layperson (especially the client and products/wood-house-effect common questions, from ‘why wood?’ to financier), there are explanations of the high- ‘how high?’ and ‘but what about the costs?’ impact benefits of using CLT and LVL, from At the core of the site – and the reason time and cost savings to increases in staff behind it – is sustainability. Lars Völkel, wellbeing from biophilic design. executive vice president Stora Enso Wood In all, the Wood House Effect is a valuable Products, explains: “It’s important everyone resource for anyone trying to make the understands that in this critical period of argument for wood to a client, whether that history, there is a raw material that can argument is centred on aesthetics, make a genuine difference. Innovative economics, sustainability, meeting a tight solutions and new technologies allow wood build program or managing a difficult site. to replace concrete and steel not only in one- or two-storey homes but also in multi- storey residential, public and commercial PHOTO: COURTESY STORA ENSO STORA COURTESY PHOTO:
12 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 12 15/3/21 12:04 pm NEWS IN RIEF
the fi eld will talk about advances in building design and construction through the lens of existing projects. The format APRIL AY will combine in-person local presentations and live streaming of international (and WOODSOLUTIONS WE INARS FIRE AUSTRALIA 2021 interstate where necessary) speakers The now fortnightly webinars cover a wide The leading industry event on fi re safety will with a mix of live and online delegates. range of topics with both local and take place at Sydney’s International Last year’s successful Building Project international presenters. Free every Convention Centre on Tuesday to Panels are back, with ‘real life’ discussions second Tuesday, starting at am Thursday May. Expert speakers include of multiple timber and mass timber Australian East Coast Time and archived Amanda Hogarth from the Fire Protection projects across the spectrum of on the WoodSolutions website. Upcoming Australia Association talking on practioner construction. Session details and topics include New Cost-Effective round accreditation, Matt Wright and Chris Miles registration available in Feb 2021 at Floor Cassette Flooring Systems on from global safety science company UL www.timberoffsiteconstruction.com April. For details, visit www. talking on lessons from renfell and Chris woodsolutions.com.au events Wyborn and Maria ornikova from FPA TA A NATIONAL CONFERENCE Australia with ‘Holistic Bushfi re The fi rst TABMA National Conference will WOODSOLUTIONS NON Environment’. A tradeshow will be running be held - une 202 in the Hunter RESIDENTIAL TI ER UILDING concurrently and the event concludes with Valley, NSW, along with a celebration of TYPES SERIES offsite tours. For details, visit https TABMA’s 0th birthday. Announcement to An eight-part short course run over oom, fi reaustralia.com.au come at www.tabma.com.au events this series is running until une and will discuss eight building types in detail, JUNE NOVE ER alongside options and considerations that result in the best design. April’s topic is FRA E 2021 AUSTI ER 2020 21 Acoustic esign and Applications in Mass The renowned Timber Offsite Construction As anticipated as the Olympics, the Timber Structures on April at am. For conference and exhibition will be held largest forestry show in Australia is back details, visit www.woodsolutions.com. Tuesday and Wednesday 22–2 une at the at its Victorian home on 0- November. au events Crown Promenade Melbourne. Experts in For details, visit www.austimber.org.au
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AD_bui_OSBrace_190x130mm_AU_en_2020_06_JOB18808.indd 1 30.06.20 09:37 www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 1
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 13 15/3/21 12:04 pm NEWS IN BRIEF
In the Frame Two talks outline the future of prefabrication.
or the past 23 years the Frame Australia – producing finished panels with the capability Fnow titled ‘Timber Offsite Construction’ – of each component to be unique. conference has been the number one event Global trends are In Australia, offsite timber and mass wood in Australia for delegates in offsite timber building in residential and commercial and wood building design and construction. moving towards less construction has grown dramatically over the The 2021 event will be a global hybrid format labour on site with past two decades. While levelling out combining in person and online models for recently due to Covid, this building both speakers and delegates to provide a more value adding in methodology is projected to reach record new and unrivalled experience for all levels over the next two years. attendees. The scheduled speaker sessions prefabrication. We are entering a new global phase for will include the following two presentations building construction with engineered timber relevant to the prefabrication market. off-site solution for both residential and and mass wood gaining major acceptance Gerry McCaughey, chief executive and commercial construction. from substantial productivity, financial and chairman Entekra (US), is speaking on How Ola Skoglund, chief operating officer ‘green’ benefits available to developers and offsite panelised system solutions can Randek Robotics (Sweden) will present on builders. Technology is also re-shaping the generate more profitability for builders. Robotic digital processing and assembly building process with digital data integration The residential construction market in for timber building construction. The in design and engineering, leading to highly Australia has a very high level of truss and timber industry is highly advanced in digital automated robotic manufacturing and fast frame prefabrication, but a relatively low fabrication robotics and software with the on-site installation. level of panelisation. Global trends are ability to perform unique processing and Climate change is a critical issue, and the moving towards less labour on site with assembly tasks for greater productivity and World Green Building Council global project more value adding in prefabrication to reduced labour. Multiple robots collaborate for net zero carbon buildings by 2030 is achieve faster construction, improved quality and perform numerous functions including already creating international pressure for and higher turnover. Gerry’s presentation will cutting, routing, milling, nailing, gluing, more sustainable construction, which will outline the concept ‘If it’s not a system, it’s marking and perform component assembly mean more job opportunities for fabricators not a solution’ to encourage builders to to finished panels ready for site installation. working in this area. understand the benefits and business The presentation will include demonstrations To learn more or register, follow the links
opportunities available from a fully integrated of digital processing in automated production at www.frameaustralia.com TEXT KEVEN EZARD BRIZMAKER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; PHOTO:
14 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_08-17_news in brief.indd 14 15/3/21 12:06 pm NEWS IN BRIEF
In brief Nymölla mill in southern Sweden, and the controlled aerodromes. Now a trial of a new construction will start in the Northern spring digital application process will reduce he federal Government has announced 2021 with an initial plant production waiting times from weeks to seconds for Ta $1.2 million, 12 month extension in its capacity of 1500 tons of fibre per annum. some remotely piloted aircraft operations. wage subsidy for businesses taking on Learn more at https://treetotextile.com/ Drones have become widely used in apprentices, with hopes it will generate forestry as a safety and cost-saving tool, as 70,000 apprentice and trainee positions. euters reports that the $1.6 billion well as their agricultural, mapping and other The subsidy pays 50% of the wages paid RAustralian timber trade with China faces commercial uses. To find out more about to apprentices and trainees, up to $7000 drawn-out disruptions after attempts to the initiative, see www.casa.gov.au/ per quarter and follows a fully subscribed settle the matter with customs officials in drones/industry-initiatives first tranche of subsidies at the same rate. Beijing were ignored. Claims of pests in log Find the full story at www.abc.net.au/ shipments led to the trade being igures recently released by USDA Foreign news/2021-03-09/apprenticeship-wage- suspended. Woodchips, however, are still FAgricultural Service reveal significant subsidy-scheme-extended- being accepted. Documentation showing growth in exports of US hardwoods to coronavirus/13229212 the supposedly affected loads were sprayed Australia in 2020. The increase in volume of with insecticide before export has not been hardwood lumber totalled 11% YOY. The tora Enso has partnered with H&M responded to. The pause in the export most popular species, American white oak, SGroup, Inter IKEA group and LSCS market is already having flow-on effects at saw a 3% increase to 17,035m3 with Invest, as well as the Swedish Energy sawmills in Australia. To learn more, visit American red oak figures revealing a Agency, to invest 35 million euros in a www.reuters.com/article/australia- remarkable 91% increase over the same demonstration plant in Sweden to develop lumber-china/australian-timber-faces- period. Rod Wiles, regional director for the their TreeToTextile project. TreeToTextile is a protracted-logjam-amid-chinas-import- American Hardwood Export Council said, company working to develop and freeze-idINL4N2KA1SV?edition- “We are very happy to see American red industrialise a new innovative man-made redirect=in oak’s popularity with the Australian design cellulosic fibre technology that will provide and architecture communities grow. It’s textile fibres with a low environmental rone operators working in industry have sustainable, readily available, stains well, footprint and good sustainability Dhad to wade through piles of red tape works well and can be thermally modified.” performance at a viable price point. The as a result of restrictions designed to halt For more on American hardwoods, see plant will be established at Stora Enso’s the risks of amateur operators near civil www.americanhardwood.org
Supporting Australians
HAPPY 2021 Easter PHOTO: BRIZMAKER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; TEXT KEVEN EZARD BRIZMAKER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; PHOTO:
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Above: Independent Hardware Group CEO Annette Welsh welcomed members and suppliers to the Expo and thanked them for their hard work in 2020. Working together Although this year’s Independent Hardware Group Expo was held virtually, it brought together more people from the group than ever before to learn, make deals and celebrate their best.
ast year in February, an auditorium full of “We made the decision to ‘go virtual’ that’s accessible from a virtual event as Lpeople gathered on the Gold Coast to in about August last year,” says Bridget being a big benefit of the event switching to talk hardware and deals, catch up with O’Connor, IHG communications & events online and the ease of gathering this info friends and celebrate success. A few manager. “We chose our platform provider and having it in their inbox for follow up.” wondered how the virus being talked about carefully and then worked at pace with them on the news was going to play out, and to build the system that could deliver good THE BUSINESS SIDE practically no one suspected it would be returns for our supplier base and value for IHG CEO Annette Welsh, who took over the their last major get-together of 2020. the members.” reins around Expo time last year, welcomed Fast forward to 2021 and this year’s Expo It was a risk for the suppliers: traditionally delegates to the event, thanking suppliers couldn’t have been more different. Entirely virtual events are thought to return a lower and members for all they’d done to get online, it saw just under 200 suppliers set up return on investment than face-to-face ones. through a remarkable year. She described their virtual booths on a custom platform but, as you’ll read below, it was a risk that how hardware, and particularly DIY had designed by the Independent Hardware paid off handsomely. been one of the very few industries lucky Group (IHG) in conjunction with online events The preliminary wrap-up showed record enough to experience record-breaking specialist vFairs. It included the traditional sales in excess of $24.5 million (2020’s growth in 2020. IHG business sessions and learning labs, plus figure was $19 million) and almost 2900 “Luck or fortune is one thing,” she told supplier webinars and, of course, the 2020 store and supplier delegates registered, over the members’ business session. “Being IHG Awards of Excellence. 1000 attendees more than any previous determined to stand up and work together Members could enter chat rooms to talk Expo. As O’Connor says, “The beauty of an to ensure the safety of our people, our with vendors, book times for sales reps, online event is it opens Expo up for more teams, our consumers and our communities gather up documentation or just take people within the store to experience it than is what we saw: everyone focused all their advantage of the many special offers ever before – from owners, to department efforts on delivering.” available. And, for the first time, every staff managers, all the way to floor staff and truck The devastating Black Summer bushfires member at every store could visit the Expo drivers. Members have spoken about the were remembered and it was acknowledged
and see what it has to offer. huge amount of supplier and product info that those in affected areas had had no time IHG COURTESY PHOTOS:
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“The online event opened Expo up for more people to experience it than ever before – from store owners, to department heads, all the way to floor staff and truck drivers.”
Above: Bernard Salt identified protest votes in Australian elections as a sign of distrust in major parties.
to recover before Covid and then lockdown reason, we’ve moved at a pace that was and the creating of stronger communities and hit. The stress that put on many people was more evolution than revolution,” she said. the creating of better housing,” he said. recognised. At the same time, there was It’s a plan that has a pipeline of stores History gave reason for optimism, he said. enormous pride as she spoke about the waiting to undergo Mitre 10’s Sapphire After the chaos of the early 20th century and Group aiding individual member’s shift to transformation and more keen for the loyalty the calamity of WWII, people put trust in their Click’n’Deliver models that kept customers programs, TV advertising and e-commerce government and just wanted to settle down safe and let stores keep trading. support of the main brand, while Thrifty and and create better versions of their home and “This year has surprised us all, presenting True Value stores now have the opportunity life. That period lasted well into the 1980s, opportunities that may otherwise have taken to ‘brand up’ to Home Hardware. only changing in the 90s; since then we’ve many years to transpire or perhaps have “Together we’ve established ourselves as a lost faith in political parties. But the coming never come at all,” Welsh said. “It caused a force to be reckoned with,” Welsh concluded. of Covid has shifted our thinking. Salt said, “I change in habits, driving consumers back to “We are family that knows that our members know there’s a lot of people who have not their local stores and when they were there matter, their community matters, their staff been happy with our political leadership, but they rediscovered what that hardware store matters and their future matters. And the the vast majority of us have actually been can do for them and they fell in love with it.” fight for them is always worth it.” happy and placed our faith in the leadership These themes were expanded on by Demographer Bernard Salt returned for the to make the right decisions.” Geoff Harris, general manager merchandise, keynote address, after his famous ‘smashed who pointed out that while the particular avocado’ talk in 2019. He pointed out the HAPPY ATTENDEES living conditions imposed by Covid may be demographics and research indicate a very The proof of the virtual pudding was, of partly responsible for the strong trading positive future for hardware: “What we’re course, in the attendees. And although not figures seen by many stores, it was the involved with in 2021 is not just the recovery everyone felt the same about online versus previous work done by members and focus of Australia, it is the rebuilding of Australia face to face, there was a general consensus on service that led to success. In exciting news, Harris shared that the 100th Sapphire store opened last year at Womersley’s in Sorrento, with plans to expand the IHG store transformation program to 300 stores by 2025. The other major IHG project, the whole of house strategy, is also on track with research showing builders are turning to IHG stores for increasingly large percentages of the standard house build. Kitchen sales alone were up 45% this year. “A big part of the rapid sales growth is in outdoor kitchens and our outdoor range is second to none,“ Harris told delegates. Karen Fahey, general manager marketing, talked about IHG’s dual brand strategy and the support for all members to find their best fit within the model. “We were genuine [at the start of the strategy] that we didn’t
PHOTOS: COURTESY IHG COURTESY PHOTOS: want to leave anyone behind, and for that Above: The IHG management team outlined future plans and praised the many recent successes.
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Above: Geoff Harris outlined the ways in which Mitre 10, Home Hardware and other IHG brands will make life better and easier for customers.
that the event provided good value for those The result has been five times more sales downsides. “It was challenging in some who recognised the opportunity. coming out of this Expo than in the average aspects,” he says. “Probably not as stressful Simon Heron, national account manager of the previous three. leading up to Expo as it has been in previous for Airco Brands, was happy to declare it “After a year of being on Zoom and Teams, years, when you’re designing stands, “the best expo we have ever had in we’re fairly used to being online,” Heron travelling, getting your stand there, building it mainland Australia. Because we could put all says. “Once the team understood how they and stocking it. But there was a lot that was our typical logistics costs – which run into could register and be working away at their unknown. We went from a physical, hands-on the many thousands to attend an in-person normal tasks while still being available online interactive stand to something that is very expo – into savings for members on deals.” for the chat room, they relished it. In fact, I much not all that at all.” A total of 238 IHG members ‘sat’ with the had team members logging in when they Coad and his team adopted a flexible Airco sales team at their virtual booth, some weren’t even scheduled to, they just loved approach. In the period leading up to four times the usual number. Heron says, the interaction with their customers. There’s Expo, the team’s salespeople set up “This expo ran for a full week and that really no doubt that if we could choose one model meetings with their top accounts and there helped our sales team sit with the members for future expos it would be virtual.” was a roster with sales staff from around in their own offices, go through the deals in Bernie Coad, national account manager for the country for the virtual stand, “Because their own time and really understand the Cyclone Tools (part of AMES Australia, which if you’re from SA, you like to talk to value in what we were offering. So for us it includes brands such as Hills, Northcote Pots a salesperson from SA,” Coad says. just ticked every box.” and Supercraft) saw both upsides and Very quickly they realised this was not the most efficient use of their sales team. Happily, their approach meant they could change overnight. “We put the account management team and our coordinators online, so visitors could talk to someone immediately, and took back about 15 days- worth of time for our sales team around the network, which put them back into the field.” There was strong support from existing customers but, to Coad’s delight, the online deals book and special offers – buoyed by travel and stand savings – had another upside: “We opened up over 40 new customer accounts thanks to our deals,” he says. “That was something we hadn’t thought about as being a possible outcome, but it’s a great result. Hopefully we can keep Above: The two-brand strategy outlined by Karen Fahey, will be implemented with minimal disruption. and expand those relationships.
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“Maybe there’s an opportunity for the next Expo to have some sort of hybrid approach for those members who physically can’t get away from their business so they have a virtual process they can jump into.” WA’s Paul Brown, manager at Margaret River Mitre 10, missed networking in person and also found an unexpected diffi culty. “When you’re away from the business, you can concentrate on what you’re there for,” he says. But he found it hard to prioritise the virtual event over the day-to-day business of the store. “Hardware’s just fl ying now, so how much time off the fl oor can you justify to yourself WA time made it a bit diffi cult as well Expo was well underway each day when we were just coming to work.” There were solid benefi ts, though. Brown found the early listings for the deals to be a Above: aul um rell tal ed to IHG and Total Tools collective commitment to eing fi rst in the trade mar et. big plus, allowing his team to pick and highlight deals and suppliers before Expo began. “We could weed out some of the suppliers that don’t deal with WA, for example. The staff member who orders our furniture could list what she wanted instead of relying on what I relayed to her. “I watched Bernard Salt’s talk together with my trade manager, my trade rep and another team member and when it fi nished, we had a bit of a chinwag about what insights we could pass on to the builders we’re dealing with. We’re in Margaret River and we Above: ort Broughton Home Hard are recently re randed from a Thrifty in store. see a lot of people from Perth moving down here and renovating their houses to put an so I only had the one, but I was going to offi ce in, just as Salt was saying.” have more if we won As it turned out, I Watching the Awards ceremony online We o ened o er know the winners, eff and his son. I said to (see page 24) was nailbiting as Margaret my staff, just to win the state award is a River was a fi nalist in the Large Format Store 0 new c stomer fantastic thing and some of these stores of the Year category. “The owners were here we’re up against, they’re the benchmark, so and we had a round of beers at three in the acco nts. they make us lift our game. I was more than afternoon. Everyone else was still working, happy for them to win it ”
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www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 1
TTN417_16-19_IHG Expo.indd 19 15/3/21 12:55 pm SPECIAL FEATURE
What happens next? Sustainability is a key selling point of timber, but we’re failing to make our case to some parts of the market and, in some areas, we’re also failing to meet our own standards.
conomists and engineers often pretend house that will last decades than on scraps competitively and recycling requires extra Ewe live in a rational world. We don’t. If of linen and wool only suitable for dolls’ labour costs in nail removal and so on. you want a detailed theoretical explanation clothes. But our current system doesn’t. Recently, this has led to an attack on of this, I recommend the works of Daniel For all that the industry rightly trumpets treated timber in some parts of the Kahneman and Amos Tversky. But for a sustainability as a major market plus for construction industry media, with claims quick example, I have three places within timber, we too often fall down when it treated timbers represent a time bomb for 3km of my home where I can freely recycle comes to the end of product life. There are landfill in 20-40 years. all the leftover fabrics from my various good systems for re-use and recycling for While several of these claims are based crafts. The only nearby options for leftover high-value hardwoods and EWP, but for the on a fundamental misunderstanding of framing timber are paid landfill or trying to standard light timber framing used across some of the issues (see page 22), the give it away on Gumtree. Australia, there’s no real incentive for underlying argument is valid: we do need Any objective assessment would put a recycling once the product goes into a better waste process management within higher value on timbers that can build a building. The new product is priced too the timber construction industry.
PIECE BY PIECE While we talk about construction timbers as a single class, there are dramatic distinctions within it. Most mass timber elements are designed to be part of the circular economy – a concept that focuses on reusing materials rather than endless new product inputs into the system. Hardwoods are already highly reused: low supply means many species carry a price premium – more so for historic timbers reclaimed from warehouses, wharfs, etc. – that makes the refinishing work needed economical. Light framing timbers, however, aren’t recycled at the same levels, regardless of whether or not they’ve been treated. There is a degree of re-use, but it’s mostly in products like pallets or crushed for use in particle board. Some is burned for energy in specialist burners. “One of the biggest things stopping us is transport,” says Nick Livanes, business development manager at Koppers Performance Chemicals. “I used to live near
Above: Timber pallets are the most common second life for framing timbers. Kimbriki tip in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. HARRISON DONYALE TEXT BY NOWICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; HENRY PHOTO: DISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM LYNDA PHOTO:
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Above: This Toowoomba tip shows the fate of most timber buildings and contents at end of life. Chemical concerns aside, that’s a lot of carbon being released.
They do a lot of recycling. If they get good timber, they resell it, and it goes for good prices. Officially, it’s not a tip, it’s a Resource Companies like Koppers and Lonza have invested Recovery Centre. The concrete goes in one place, the steel in another, good timbers in heavily in lowering the amount and toxicity of another, etc. That’s great if you live near Kimbriki. But the average builder is running a chemicals in treated timber. business and he just wants to get rid of this stuff as quickly and as cheaply as he can. nobody’s giving us credit for the fact the But regulations say the same chemical We don’t make it easy for him.” industry has dramatically improved the that’s acceptable for use in an orchard when While we’re nowhere near sorting the chemicals and processes used.” being sprayed by a farmer requires careful transport problem, it is at least on the radar. Livanes points out that companies like disposal when applied to timber, banning Waste specialist researchers like UNSW’s Koppers and Lonza Wood Protection have possible uses as mulch or compost. Professor Veena Sahajwalla are pushing for invested heavily in lowering the amount and highly distributed recycling happening at the toxicity of chemicals in treated timber, KEEPING AUSTRALIA BUILDING local community level. Her work focuses on making their manufacture and the end Historically, house frames were made of e-waste and plastics, but the idea of local products safer over recent decades. tough local hardwoods that were naturally resource recovery facilities directly transfers Troy Justice, marketing manager Australia highly durable. Many of these houses are to other materials. for Lonza, agrees: “The actives used in H2F still standing. Softwoods, particularly Oregon The other half of the issue is more treated timber products have been selected and Douglas fir, became popular in the early complex: our regulatory environment hasn’t for their ability to provide long-term 20th century, then pine in the second half of kept pace with the changes in timber insecticide protection to the frame and are the century. From the 1930s onwards, treatment and so the rules around disposal registered for and commonly used within chemical treatments were used to prevent are less pragmatic than they ought to be. agricultural, veterinary and household termite and borer attack, which was a risk “Disposing of treated timbers is highly products, including fly spray,” he says across most of the mainland. regulated,” says Livanes. “While it varies “Their long-standing existing use in food Steel got a foothold in the housing market state-by-state, generally there are strict rules crops, their low toxicity to humans and mid-last century. It wasn’t cheap, but it was about how it’s treated as a waste product or capacity to break down on exposure to the strong and could make claims that it was resold, and they’re as restrictive for the environment provide a better alternative to resistant to insect and rot attack with no insecticides used in H2F blue timber as for other regulated pesticides and have all been need for treatments (then often arsenic). It
PHOTO: HENRY NOWICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; TEXT BY DONYALE HARRISON DONYALE TEXT BY NOWICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; HENRY PHOTO: DISHER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM LYNDA PHOTO: CCA-treated products. Speaking broadly, key drivers in the use of these actives.” was a powerful argument, and the timber
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Left: Despite having an obvious intrinsic value, framing timber offcuts are treated as waste on many building sites, leading to questions over the best disposal methods.
Mechanical barriers, such as mesh, are also used to prevent termite ingress. Today, many of the long-lasting soil poisons are no longer available and those that are provide reduced periods of protection, often less than 10 years, and need to be reapplied to continue to protect the building. The softwoods that are used for most timber framing in Australia, are not naturally termite resistant. The H2F process coats the dry timber with a thin layer of an insecticide, with added blue colouring to make it easily recognisable on the job site. The H2F treatment uses one of three insecticides: bifenthrin, permethrin or imidacloprid. Permethrin (which is widely used to treat scabies and lice on humans) and bifenthrin are pyrethroids, which are related to natural products found in chrysanthemums. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid, which is related to the nicotine found in tobacco. All are effective at very low levels, have exceptionally low toxicity to humans and repel termites, providing protection for the life of the structure, typically 50 years or more. Retrofitted houses that retain the H2F treated timber frame and update other features will continue to benefit from its protection. Many currently occupied timber framed homes in Australia were built in the 1800s. It has been suggested that the disposal of H2F framing at the end of a building’s life may pose a problem. At present, there are few economical pathways for disposal of any framing timber other than landfill or H2F treated framing: Disposing of a myth composting. This situation can be expected to change as the market embraces and JEFFREY J. MORRELL, PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR applies the concept of a circular economy in TIMBER DURABILITY AND DESIGN LIFE which there is a much greater focus on the retrieval and reuse of materials. It has been suggested that the disposal of H2F framing at the end of a building’s life The Centre for Timber Durability and may pose a substantial problem in 20-30 years. This article explains the nature and Design Life at the University of the Sunshine benefits of H2F framing, why the suggested timeline is too short and why the Coast is currently working on ways to magnitude of the problem has been over-estimated. improve the reuse of timber, while the timber industry is looking to identify national treated framing, easily timber, including framing, joinery, approaches to recovery and reuse that H2Frecognised by the distinctive floorboards and furniture, but will eat other avoids landfills. blue colouring, was developed to prevent cellulose-based materials, even the paper H2F framing was introduced relatively termite attack, a potential problem in covering on plasterboard. recently, so at the moment there is very improperly constructed buildings in some The traditional approach to termite little entering the waste stream. areas of Australia. protection was to create a chemical barrier, However, for the H2F treated timber that It has long been recognised that it is far drenching the soil with a long-lasting does enter the waste stream, it is important less expensive to exclude termites than insecticide (chlordane was a major one). to consider the amounts of chemical in control them and complete repairs once Houses were also built with exposed these timbers and the risks they pose as they infest a structure. Once they have surfaces so any termite attempts at access well as the relative rates of degradation in a entered, termites can not only damage (e.g. mud-tubes) could be easily detected. typical municipal solid waste facility. PHOTO: SHAHRAM BABAKHANIAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: PHOTOS: (P0RTRAIT) COURTESY JEFFREY J. MORRELL; (FRAME) ZSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM JEFFREY J. COURTESY (P0RTRAIT) PHOTOS:
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The Australian Standards (AS/NZS-1604) have had success with organic farmers and for H2F treatment specify slightly different H2F framing was an wine growers. amounts for each of the three chemicals Livanes says, “We’ve seen our customers to slightly different depths in the timber. affordable way to take really succeed with MicroPro because the The amounts of any one of the three retailers and consumers appreciate its chemicals in the timber are extremely low. back market share. independent environmental and health This clearly differentiates these shallow, certifications, but it’s also caught up in the low-level treatments for indoor use from one-size-fits-all disposal regulations.” those used for heavy duty outdoor industry lost a lot of market share. We’re left with a general industry protection such as chromated copper “Timber’s response was H2F envelope awareness of the problems around housing arsenate (CCA) that may have very treatments,” says Livanes. “Small amounts timbers at end of life, but no real trigger for different disposal pathways. of chemicals that break down on soil contact managing them. Construction growth is a It is technically feasible to compost H2F and will, when properly used, protect your vital economic driver, supply hasn’t fallen over treated timber. The extremely small house frame. Ideally they’re used in yet, and carbon isn’t costed in our current amounts of chemicals in the H2F conjunction with barrier treatments that also economy. So nothing is pushing change. treatments tend to bind to soil and organic protect things like skirting boards and This status quo is unlikely to last. As particles in the ground where they degrade furniture, but those require regular pricing carbon becomes more common, over a period of days to months, depending inspections that aren’t always kept up. timber supplies tighter and landfill more on the environmental conditions. Envelope treatments give the frame set and expensive, things could quickly change. We The other likely option is landfill. Nearly forget protection regardless.” have the know-how and technology and just all modern municipal solid waste facilities With termite risk expanding annually need the will to re-use, recycle, compost are lined and the waste is tightly across the country, H2F framing gave the and use scrap for local energy production. compacted and covered. This creates an industry an affordable and reliable way to It’s a future that’s genuinely rational. essentially anaerobic (oxygen free) take back market share and has long For more, visit www.kopperspc.com. environment in which little to no provided homeowners with peace of mind. au, www.lonzawoodprotection.com/ degradation of timber occurs. Industry innovation didn’t stop there: recent apac/ and www.tpaa.colm.au. For an Examinations of timber excavated from advances include MicroPro from Koppers and accessible insight into Kahneman older landfills shows little evidence of any Roundwood Solutions’ Tanapost, based on and Tversky, see The Undoing degradation. The presence of small processes developed by Lonza. Both are Project: A Friendship That Changed amounts of insecticide would have little or designed to replace CCA-treated product and Our Minds, by Michael Lewis. no effect on these processes. To summarise, the disposal or repurposing of H2F treated timber is similar to that of most types of timber, the small amounts of chemicals in the H2F treated timber have a negligible effect on the process. The benefits of H2F treated timber in replacing toxic chemical soil drenches to provide long-lasting protection and increasing the durability and service life of our homes significantly outweigh any other potential issues.
This article was prepared by Forest and Wood Products Australia (fwpa.com.au) PHOTO: SHAHRAM BABAKHANIAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO: PHOTOS: (P0RTRAIT) COURTESY JEFFREY J. MORRELL; (FRAME) ZSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM JEFFREY J. COURTESY (P0RTRAIT) PHOTOS: Above: Professor Jeffrey J. Morrell Above: Lightweight timber framing remains the easiest and most economical choice for most builds.
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Retail heroes The recent 2020 IH Awards of E cellence were the good kind of different.
here’s a charm and quality to good respect and affection and more than a bit Thomemade products that the of humour, too. This year, it was very easy to professionals can rarely match, simply Before the g ests of see how much the IH members came because they don’t know their targets as together as a group to drive the awards and well. This year’s IH Awards of Excellence hono r arri ed Ian celebrate success. So who won was the perfect example. Hosted by Jacki Kersting, IH ’s state sales manager ic/Tas, and Pa l fo nd the A : and reg McKean, national manager joint worst acking door The awards opened with a well-known ventures, along with multiple other staff name: e oo be won this members, the virtual ceremony was as they co ld and Tre category with their mix of supply perfectly fi tting as a shirt made to measure consistency and adaptability and their by someone who’s been sewing for decades. from the M10 team constant innovation noted as standout The show, which was fi lmed on ran a forklift o er it characteristics. Ian Back, state sales everything from phones to professional manager for NSW/ACT and Paul Whitaker, cameras, celebrated every award with a co le of times. general manager company stores NSW/ACT, presented the award at Katoomba Mitre 10, but it was far from a standard ceremony. Before the guests of honour arrived, Ian and Paul found the worst Hume packing door they could and Trev from the M10 team ran a forklift over it a couple of times. When lenn North and Patrick Antoine from Hume arrived, they were given a friendly welcome during which lenn’s impeccable hand sanitising technique was caught on camera then Paul sadly informed them that one of their products had had “a massive delamination problem. It’s pretty serious ” The Hume team was dismayed but keen to sort things. Paul and Ian trotted out the example’ and there were a few attempts to troubleshoot the problem, before the boys moved the Hume team over to the other example’ and retrieved the award from its hiding place, evoking relief as well as happiness when the secret was out as if a Hume oor would delaminate like that Patrick said the win was “awesome. We came up here to solve a problem and we get an award This is absolutely great. Working with IH is a pleasure. Right around Australia the members give us great support they’re a very good business partner.” lenn thanked the wider Hume oors team, “It’s been a very busy year, and a very tough year working with social distancing and wearing masks in the factory on very
Above: faulty door was created by the team at atoomba Mitre to gi e them an e cuse to in ite hot days under a lot of pressure. They’ve
Patric ntoine and lenn orth from ume oors imber out to recei e their award. done really well to deliver.” IH COURTESY PHOTOS:
2 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
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Above : umec’s arry c urdie above left was surprised to fi nd Ian ac middle and aul hita er instead of the executive meeting he was expecting, but delighted with his surprise award.
Paul emphasised that the award had been the honours, this time hiding the award in a praised for staff availability and delivering a based on: “the big callouts, the quality and mower catcher. They lured Barry McCurdie, holistic partnership with IH and members, the innovation that Hume brings every year. from Sumec out to “meet some senior which was agile and responsive during 2020, Just above and beyond We went through so Metcash executives”, noting he was likely to including when Covid lockdowns meant a many supplier issues but the whole group be disappointed when it was just them. last-minute reimagining of the long-planned has been very happy with Hume.” Barry was happily astonished when Ian Accent paint relaunch, which went on to see Seriousness aside, Patrick added, “How pulled the award out and asked if it was a outstanding sales results last year. much better is it to walk away with this than standard inclusion with the mower. In keeping with the secret squirrel trend, a rectifi cation You had me going so bad ” “It’s just simply amazing and frankly I’m Kate Baker (business unit manager fi nish overwhelmed by this award,” Barry said. exterior) eoff Harris (general manager A : “My congratulations go to my colleagues, merchandise) and Andrew Rumbelow both in Sydney and at our manufacturing (category manager paint paint accessories) The NSW state team wasn’t fi nished. Ian plant. It’s been a pleasure to play a very asked Helen Fitzpatrick and Pat Jones from and Paul were called on again to surprise small part in IH ’s growth ” ulux to meet them at Tait Mitre 10 Mt the winner in this category: o e After checking there really was no one Waverley store to shoot a corporate video. e . With a sales growth of almost 4 coming from Metcash, Barry declared the In the middle of an insightful comment on in its Yardforce brand, the Sumec team has ceremony the “spoof of the year”. branding from Helen to an interviewing Kate, supported the IH group with a strong eoff jumped into frame and relieved Helen promotional program across both power A : and Pat’s surprise with the coveted award. garden and power tools, using a dedicated “We’re really rapt and proud to be Facebook page and brochure range to drive Local supply was a strong advantage for awarded this award,” Pat said. “We’ve won business to the IH network. A , who won this very a few Suppliers of the Year awards in the Paul and Ian were called on again to do competitive category. The company was also more than 20 years I’ve been involved, but
e : rad ampbell from Dulux with ate a er Above: Helen Fit patric and at ones
PHOTOS: COURTESY IH COURTESY PHOTOS: from Dulux accept their award from eoff Harris.
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Above: anessa ossen right is this year s winner of the Paul Mur hy Mighty el ful er ice ward resented by store owner im yse left . Haley Radalj, state sales manager WA, here were almost as many tears as laughs during explained how the state team were all the resentation s eeches. prepared to travel to WA to present anessa with her award when the state was this year’s been a huge year for us with suddenly plunged into lockdown. Instead, Mitre 10 and Home. For us to be awarded store owners Barry and Kim Wyse worked Supplier of the year in this new category is with the M10 camera crew to convince a great recognition of our business and our anessa they were fi lming a piece on how huge team.” Covid has impacted their lives, then sprung A clearly pleased and surprised Brad the surprise on her her fi rst response Campbell, who did much of the work on the needed a mild bleeping Accent relaunch, added “There’s no better anessa managed to turn her second recognition than to be recognised by your response, when she realised what award it actual customers.” Above: Paul Mur hy was fondly remembered with actually was, into a Holy shivers ’, quickly the ser ice award named after him. followed by heartfelt tears, and the A resounding applause of her co-workers and A A the obvious affection of Barry and Kim. This award champions those who live the anessa said that the award meant an brand promise of being mighty helpful and A genero s nat re enormous amount to staff. “This honour has was named in memory of Paul Murphy. Julie just blown me away,” she said, thanking Murphy from Murphy’s Mitre 10 in Monbulk can do attit de and Barry and Kim for their continual support of was this year’s presenter, with Chris Tsotra, b ilding tr st with their workforce, in good times and bad, as general manager sales operations. well as nominating her for the award. “Paul lived and acted by the mighty local c stomers were helpful slogan, both in business and in life,” A A Julie said. “He ensured the customer felt key reasons behind Tracey Ruka, The Hub customer service important and was treated in the same anessa Rossen s win. agent who spends much of her time manner he would like to be treated.” listening to store owners’ experiences, Chris noted that there had been nine nominees this year, highlighting the massive amount of work staff members had done to deal with Covid. ianne Foat from Coopers Mitre 10, Byard Sheppard from oncaster Mitre 10, anessa Rossen from ongara Mitre 10, Christy Hose from Faggs Mitre 10 Wallington, Julie Samuelsson from Hastings Co-op Mitre 10, Alysha Somerville from TM H Mitre 10, ale Okley from Tuckey’s Mitre 10, Stacey West from Tait Mitre 10 and Jarrad Murfet from Becks Mitre 10 all made the shortlist. Julie talked of a generous nature, can-do attitude and building trust with local customers to ensure they return as key reasons behind e o e edging ahead to win the award. Above: ohan reasure said ic Pioneers and Melbourne raders made it through by wor ing together.
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We were all ke t b sy and we were em loyed. It s something we can all look back on now smile and say We did it and we s r i ed.
the general community. Tracey invited several village members to speak on their experiences through 2020. They included Ian Cornwell of oncaster Mitre 10, who talked about the weekly Zoom meetings and how they helped to decipher the legislation changes and make sure they were all interpreting the rules as accurately and consistently as possible. Rohan Treasure of Beaconsfi eld and rouin Above: Julie Mur hy was grateful for her fellow ictorian illage members and the team for Home Timber Hardware gave thanks on getting all their stores through a wild year. behalf of the Pioneers, talking about how valuable sharing information and more with introduced this award, which celebrates the Melbourne Metro team had been, while local stores working together to get through Julie Murphy from Murphy’s Mitre 10 in issues and drive innovation and just help Monbulk said the broader IH support had each other out in rough times. also helped to get everyone through: In a year when ictoria had slugged it out “thankfully we were all kept busy and we under the longest lockdown in Australia, it were employed. It’s something we can all was a fi tting reward to see e bo e look back on now, smile, and say We did it, e o ee jointly take out and we survived.’ Well done ” the title. They adapted to the sudden and enormous changes in their workplaces with A A Above: Maree urley was thrilled to see her little sensible strategies that were shared and This award is presented to the store that store recognised for all the team s hard wor . rolled out across the group with weekly sets the benchmark for garden centre conference calls helping them to collaborate retailing and this year’s winner, e on solutions and share frustrations. e e , is famous for its offer. Even store accepted the award, thanking Anthony, Implementing contactless services with high sales demand during Covid, the and Mandy and Liz, the other two members dramatically increasing delivery options were store was able to maintain high stock levels of the garden team. “They’ve lifted the just two of the ways they kept ictoria and high quality. arden centre manager garden centre to the point where it’s now building and IY-ing through the lockdown, Anthony Butz takes his expertise to social become a destination for people from with stores’ social media communication media as well as the store to help locals outside of Adelaide to come here and buy booming over 2020, not to mention the grow and problem solve. their plants. On the back of that, we’ve been quiet power of delivering some normalcy to Fiona Loveday and Shane Bond from the able to increase our giftware presence and homeware presence and generate a lot more profi t for the business,” said Shane.
A A This year’s winner is the compact fi ve- paintbrush store o o e e e. This WA-based store has a range tailored perfectly to their local area: power tools and hardware sit alongside bearings and industrial supplies that support the neighbouring mechanical business. The small team is heavily involved in their local community, serving as a social centre more than ever this year in addition to being a key business, as well as keen participants in the IH roup. Owners Jeff and Maree Hurley were delighted to take out the gong, with Maree saying, “Jeff and I are especially thankful to our staff, who have
Above: hane ond and iona Lo eday from McLaren ale Mitre in the award winning garden centre always supported us and who have helped that s become a destination sho for eo le all o er delaide and beyond. create a fantastic team. They always go
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members as well in getting their communities through a uniquely challenging year. “I’m grateful to be part of an industry that helps our customers live better lives,” he said, with understandable pride.
A A A With owners who consistently reinvest for growth, o e be e oe recently underwent a store refresh that has helped lift standards in the store to a new level and seen sales across both trade and retail rise. Using Facebook to keep the community involved with sales, catalogues, birthdays and their Christmas lights competition, store owners Tim Kessler and Kent Hutton also healthily co-exist with a local M10 store, keeping the area strongly
Above: te en eiger acce ting the tore of the ear mall ormat award on behalf of his team. independent. Tim accepted the award on the store’s behalf, describing it as “an amazing above what is expected of them and are the privilege. Without the staff , we wouldn’t be backbone of our business.” able to do the things that we do. They’ve r stores were hit pulled all stops out and, over the past 12 A months, the customer service has never A A hard by the im act of slipped, no matter how tired we all were.” escribed as the pinnacle of customer- o id 1 howe er we He also thanked the IH team, including focused small-format retailing, e e the order pickers who make sure their stock o . This inner-city Sydney store contin e to ser e o r is always there and keep the business going completed its Sapphire transformation in especially during the shortages of the past 201 and keeps its stock turn high with comm nities e ery year. “I’m glad I sell the stuff and I don’t strategic placement and community- day with a smile on have to pack the stuff ” he said. engaged sales reps. Suppliers who had also worked hard and Store owner Steven Czeiger said he was o r faces. communicated well during a diffi cult time “Honoured and grateful” to accept the award were also appreciated: “You guys have on behalf of Ching Ching and the York St shone through in very trying times ” and team. Based in inner Sydney, with two stores Steven spoke of the strong relationships Tim fi nished by thanking his and Kent’s in the CB , he spoke of lockdown’s effects: between stores and their communities in families, who had put up with some long “Our York St and Pitt St stores were hit hard hard times, far beyond just retail. From absences from them in 2020 with unfailing by the impact of Covid 1 , however, we Covid-safe supplies and service to the support, and their highly engaged and continue to serve our communities every day simple act of being there for customers supportive local community and businesses, with a smile on our faces, delivering fi nding these times diffi cult, he emphasised who have continued to support the outstanding service every time.” the role of his staff and the other independents who know them well.
Above : im essler and ent utton at their iloela store im right acce ted their award.
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Above: James and Jeff itchins and Laura own.
made it a safer, easier and drier shopping experience for tradies and retail customers alike, without sacrifi cing any of the wide range this regional centre is renowned for. Stephen Iser thanked the IH group for all Above: he o erations manager and owners of Pontings Mitre raised their staff for their win. its support and the many suppliers who had helped the store trade through 2020’s A constrained supply. In particular, he thanked A “our family of staff who in these challenging John Ponting and Pam Madner, owners of The ast year has times have been committed 100 to our this category’s winner o e business. The past year has been one of boo , have demonstrated an been one of challenge challenge and change for us all and hopefully ongoing commitment to investing in their soon we’ll begin to do business normally business and fi nding new and innovative and change for s all again and our way of life ” ways to deliver for their community. It’s ho ef lly soon we ll been rewarded with sales fi gures up 42 A year on year and high customer satisfaction. begin to do b siness A A Operations manager Kat Ross joined John Fought for by fi ve of the biggest and best and Pam to accept the award, with Pam normally again. hardware stores in Australia, the award was thanking the store’s “exceptional leaders” taken home by e oe. for managing the store through such a Just over 12 months since its Sapphire diffi cult year. Kat said they were nothing A A transformation, the store now trades in two without the store’s staff members: “You One of the most hotly contested of all the parts, one a trade-only site. Both deliver are the ones providing exceptional service to store awards went to e e e incredible results and have helped to buoy our customers and ensuring their continued , who turned 140 in 2020. This Bendigo the trade businesses of Moe, as well as support.” John agreed, adding his thanks to stalwart is absolutely embedded in its supporting other stores in their region, the the whole community. community, and the recent upgrade has IH network and their wider community and multiple charities. The award was accepted by James and Jeff Hitchins and Laura Town on behalf of the family. James said they were humbled just to be nominated, “because we know how high standards are at stores through all the group and the other nominees so we’re very grateful.” Jeff said he “was very grateful for our team and how we’ve come together, with the community supporting us every step of the way.” He noted that the success of Sapphire had gone well beyond their expectations. Laura called 2020 the year from which they’d remember “those who showed up and supported us. It was a year in which we saw great leadership and growth, and incredible kindness.”
It was a year in which we saw incredible kindness. Above: te hen ser acce ting the award that to ed off a great th birthday for ume ser Mitre .
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e bove: Paul agl abo e right with nnette alsh and Louise as ins. fter building a strong en ironment and culture at Mitre he saw the grou through the ear of oom with a lomb.
A A This award recognises an IH support staff member who demonstrates all the best “He has been unwavering in his dedication to qualities of the group. CEO Annette Walsh listed the nominees: Joanna Poon from delivering solutions that are fi t for purpose and Supply Chain, Paul Nagl from IT, Taryna Roa that make life easier for our members.” from Finance, Sarah Hewson from Marketing, Steve Bocjevski from the Derrimut DC, Chris Menezes from IT, support, as well as the energy, initiative and there was still duct tape holding the carpet Richard Walker from Merchandise, and Paul engagement that he had delivered, with the together, Paul has watched the business Bordonaro, Kimberley ittings, Brent list of his achievements too long to grow and was pleased and grateful to have Riddiford, Noel reem, Nicole Sexton, all enumerate. played a role in that. He thanked the teams from Store Development, as well as Oliver “I’m really surprised and humbled at he has managed, fl agging that the award Krumins from ueensland State Operations. receiving this award,” Paul said. “Particularly recognised them, too. Annette described them as all very worthy in a business where what you’re doing is “A year ago, I thought I’d just about seen of the nominations by their teams, with the helping support people who have put in their it all,” Paul said, “and then what we’ve had winner epitomising the ideals of being own hard-earned cash and are looking to to deal with in the past 12 months has been mighty helpful to both internal and external grow their business and support their just amazing. To see the business prosper in customers. “For 10 years, this year’s fi nancial future. It’s an honour to be able to that sort of environment makes me really recipient has delivered outstanding solutions support that.” confi dent about what it can and will achieve and innovation, quietly and consistently. From his earliest days at Mitre 10, when in the future.” “He has been unwavering in his dedication to delivering solutions that are fi t for purpose and that make life easier for our members and are low-cost, effi cient and sustainable,” she said, before naming , the IH IT manager as the winner. After leading the business through integration and development on a minimal budget, Paul has announced that he will be retiring, so Annette gave her heartfelt thanks for his successes in the group before showing the video of herself and Louise Haskins, general manager commercial, surprising Paul with the award. Canny as ever, he walked through the door of the boardroom in which they were waiting, spotted the camera crew and declared, “It’s a set-up. What’s going on ” Annette handed over the award to his delight, and let him know he had been recognised for the level of service and Above: fter a hard year nnette alsh clearly en oyed brea ing good news to winners.
3 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
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HALL OF FAME This year’s inductee joins the roll of those key members who have helped build the IHG network over decades. Gary Woodruff has been at the forefront of Mitre 10 for over 15 years, shaping the business and the trading model that exists today. He followed his father John into the hardware sector and spent 16 years running stores with his dad – up to five Mitre 10 stores at one point. Gary has had huge success finding stores that needed help and investing in them to get them back up to full potential, including Benalla Mitre 10, winner of the 2019 Mitre 10 Store of the Year – Large Format. He’s worked on multiple group committees and the Mitre 10 Board, helping turn the old co-op around and being a part of the Metcash purchase, where the rights of independents were protected while they gained the stability and power of the Metcash investment. Gary helped to steer the members through this Above: The Benalla team and Annette Walsh surprise Gary Woodruff; with Jan ‘The Boss’, below. change and then moved to growing the group’s powerful focus on delivering to the trade sector, all the while continuing to develop stores and to educate and train IHG staff in trade and other areas of his expertise – up to the CEO level, as Annette testified. The team at Benalla helped Annette to sneak in store and surprise Gary. “You’ve taken the Mitre 10 business on such a journey and been through all the ups and downs and we would not be where we are today without you,” she said, before announcing his title.
“What’s been done over the last 10 years is quite amazing.”
With his wife Jan and his colleagues beside him, Gary said, “It has been a hell of a journey, when you think about what’s been done over the last 10 years by many people, it’s quite amazing. It’s wonderful to see the Mitre 10 brand where it should be. And it’s fantastic to be appreciated and recognised.” Jan’s wide smile made her admiration for the man who lovingly calls her The Boss clear. “It’s been extraordinary,” she said. “He’s transformed many hardware stores over the years. He’s been very hardworking, diligent and honourable in every dealing that he’s ever had in business, and I’m very proud of that. “The biggest thing he’s done is to transfer what was the old buying group of Mitre 10 into the entity that is now IHG. He deserves Above: Under Gary Woodruff, Benalla Mitre 10 went from struggling to enormous success. every accolade.”
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TTN417_24-31_IHG awards.indd 31 12/3/21 2:25 pm EO LE E
EO LE B SINESS
e e M e
True casuals have no e ectation o ongoing em loyment.
Or it could be someone who is called upon as projects come online and they come in and perform certain tasks on the project and then stop being employed when they fi nish the tasks. All of those are true casual employees because there is no expectation of continuing employment. If the role is really a continuing one with reasonably consistent and predictable hours of work and it continues that way month after month, that creates an expectation for the employee that they will have continuing employment. So it isn’t really casual, is it That is essentially what the judgement in Wor pac ene said. The employee concerned was on back-to-back contracts Play it sa e with and fl y-in fl y-out rosters with pre-booked accommodation for two-and-a-half years and had no indication that that pattern would not continue indefi nitely. casual em loyment So that is really the litmus test does the employee have a reasonable expectation of Ma e sure your casuals aren’t ull timers in disguise. continuing employment HE O OF H here has been a lot of activity around against casual loading paid; and O O E A Tcasual employment over the last couple The proposed changes to casual A AL of years in the courts, in the Fair Work employment in the federal government’s The fi rst point here is that, in a competitive Commission and in regulation by the Federal Omnibus Bill which is currently being labour market, limiting engagement options overnment including: negotiated in Parliament. to casual distinctly limits your ability to fi nd The Wor pac ene case wherein the the best staff for your business. People are Federal Court awarded annual leave This article covers some of the issues generally unlikely to leave secure payments to a nominally casual employee; surrounding what this all means for employment to take on a casual job. Casual conversion provisions introduced businesses in a practical sense. There are those who believe that to modern awards; engaging workers as casuals is safer and Regulation by the federal government to H EALL A A AL cheaper when, in reality: limit the ability for a nominally casual EM LO EE the 2 casual loading applying under employee to be awarded annual leave The classic casual is someone who is modern awards is a lot more expensive payments; required to work on an irregular or limited than the paid leave entitlements a full- The subsequent Wor pac ossano tenure basis. It might be someone who is time or part-time employee gets which found a way around that legislative on a relief roster and is called in as needed you still have to pay the superannuation change to award annual leave payments or someone whose work hours vary in line guarantee to a casual employee and refuse the with their availability while they are still at casuals accrue long service leave
employer the option of setting that off school or university. entitlements LASHCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM MILA SUPINSKAYA PHOTO:
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TTN417_32-33_maguire.indd 32 12/3/21 1:30 pm PEOPLE BUSINESS
• casuals have the same access to the and termination entitlements. unfair dismissal, adverse action, industrial This practice is likely to be necessary dispute, bullying and discrimination and regardless of what IR changes come Is casual engagement WorkSafe and WorkCover jurisdictions as out of the Omnibus Bill in relation to continuing employees do. casual employment. the best option for There is also an obligation to provide a your business? The question is, when you look at all of Fair Work Information Statement on first the elements set out above, is casual engagement as a casual. This is amended engagement the best option for you, each year when there is an adjustment to from the relevant award on engagement having regard to the costs and your the federal minimum wage, generally at or in the onboarding process. overall business needs? 1 July. 2. When it becomes clear that the So ensure that you do all of this in employee is going to be employed on HOW YOU HIRE A CASUAL writing before the employee starts and a regular and systematic basis for In the Workpac v Skene case, the Court get professional advice if you aren’t sure 12 months, make a decision as to awarded annual leave payments because about what to include or if writing isn’t whether that is likely to continue for the employment contract did not specify the your strength. some time beyond that. amount of the casual loading, ie it didn’t 3. If so, make an offer of casual conversion specify how the entitlement to annual leave DEALING WITH CASUAL in writing, spelling out the options and was set off by the casual loading CONVERSION what they each mean for the employee In response, the Federal Government’s The Timber Industry Award – and most (eg if I stay casual, this is what I get, and, regulatory change provided some relief from other modern awards– contains a casual if I convert to full-time, this is what I get). so called ‘double dipping’ of casual loading conversion clause. 4. Require the employee to nominate in and annual leave payments but stipulates This provides the right for an employee writing which of the options they want to that there must be an employment contract who is engaged regularly and systematically take up. that includes that specification. as a casual for 12 consecutive months or 5. Confirm in writing the agreed The key point here is that there should be more to request conversion to full-time or arrangement going forward and a written employment contract which part-time employment. implement it in practice. specifies the casual loading and what that casual loading sets off. This is really WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? If you need assistance, talk with your important as a means of demonstrating that Our advice is to be proactive in satisfying industry association or a private consultant the employee accepted the contract of obligations regarding casual conversion by: specialising in HR. You can contact us for a employment on those terms and that the 1. Providing any new casual employee with free initial consultation at enquiries@ casual loading actively sets off paid leave a copy of the casual conversion clause ridgelinehr.com.au.
Peter Maguire is the owner and practice leader of Ridgeline HR, an award winning HRM consulting practice which he founded in 2000. Peter is an acknowledged expert in workplace relations compliance and also a high-performance leadership coach with over 40 years experience in HRM. Ridgeline HR’s byline is Helping PEOPLE in BUSINESS and that is essentially what Peter does – help business people with their people business.
Why I advertise in TimberTrader News
“When it comes to value-for- “Responsible Wood manages the money advertising and reaching the Australian Standard for Sustainable right audiences you can’t go past Forest Management, we target the Above: esponsible ood imon TimberTrader ews. Dorries centre with ason oss ar eting whole Australian timber supply chain, “The wide distribution of and ommunications ffi cer right and TimberTrader is an important TimberTrader’s print publication attracts the attention of informed and engaged advertising partner for us.” readers. ason oss RESPONSIBLE WOOD PHOTO: MILA SUPINSKAYA GLASHCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM MILA SUPINSKAYA PHOTO:
www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 33
TTN417_32-33_maguire.indd 33 12/3/21 1:30 pm AUTOBUILD NEWS
IN THE FRAME
By Craig Kay, national product engineer, Tilling No silver bullet EWP Design Software is no substitute for a fundamental understanding of construction.
martFrame software was introduced to Sthe building industry profession in 1997 to equip building designers with the tools to design a new timber I-joist, which has different design methodology to conventional solid timber. For experienced building designers and estimators who had honed their craft over many years, the software not only allowed them to design I-joist but also to refine their designs for conventional timber sections. For the first time, they could input actual spans including uneven continuous spans rather than looking up span tables. This first generation of software users transitioned from span tables and already had Above: Offsets and cantilevers require a full understanding of the engineering involved. a good understanding of building principles. Span tables and other deemed to satisfy construction. This is partly mitigated by more plate is 70mm wide, so there is no avenue solutions in AS 1684, by necessity, had a powerful and readily available software. for adding extra bearing length. limited range of spans and assumed that Many SmartFrame software users have continuous spans had lengths within 10% of CRUSHING VALUES FOR CRITICAL attempted to override the error message by each other. In general, the person using this BEAMS simply increasing the beam depth (bigger is new tool still possessed sufficient building The example below is common, especially in better, right?) to the maximum within the proficiency to not only model the element Queensland townhouses, where the upper software. When they find they cannot, they being designed correctly, but could wall is offset back from the lower wall to believe the software to be faulty. This is just immediately understand whether the increase light penetration. The upper wall is one example where some level of building answer produced by the software was supported by a single beam spanning construction skill is so vital. within the expected size range. between perpendicular load bearing walls, Two generations on, we experience a i.e., a continuous span beam with its internal CANTILEVERS vastly different design/estimation landscape, support bearing onto a 70mm frame, see Another area where software users not with the typical estimator now more likely to Figure 1, below left. familiar with building construction can be tech savvy but less skilled in building In a tiled roof scenario, and especially inadvertently enter potentially dangerous with a territory, is in the design of cantilevers. For 65mm-wide GLT/ designers who select member sizes from Long, continuous span 65mm-wide GLT glulam beam supplementary span tables to AS 1684, the capable of fitting standard sets limits for cantilever span-to- within the wall backspan ratios. For many different space, the elements the ratio can be twice the software will emit cantilever length, whereas others can be an error message four times the cantilever length. stating “Support Engineering software like SmartFrame Centre 70 x 45 MGP10 crushing” or allows the user to analyse the forces on support wall top plate similar, depending cantilevers much more accurately and they upon the can be engineered, if properly detailed, with software. The lower backspan to cantilever ratios than the
Above: Figure 1 – this example occurs often in Queensland townhouses. perpendicular wall general rules above. Note the addition of MAKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ROSE PHOTO:
34 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com
TTN417_34-35_In the frame.indd 34 12/3/21 1:44 pm AUTOBUILD NEWS
preventing uplift CALL THE ENGINEER G+Q issues, on many People shouldn’t shy away from utilising the occasions would powerful design capacity of contemporary give a quite EWP software, but in many cases the Backspan Cantilever conservative and design outcomes are replacing the role of an thus less engineer. Designers therefore need to be competitively priced adequately equipped to understand what result, or prevent a each software output means, and how that cantilever being output relates to building design. Each used altogether. software supplier offers extensive free Above: Figure 2 – cantilevers bring uplift issues. In this age of training and technical support in the use of domestic house their software. three words, “if properly detailed” in the layouts and estimates being won or lost A great “safety-first” starting point for last sentence. over a $50 difference in the quote, the new users of EWP software that do not Static engineering software works on the pressure is on designers/estimators to refine come from the building background, is to assumption that the element under the quote for the framing to the nth degree, seek out those software packages that consideration is fixed in the vertical direction and thus reduce the volume of material. An have been third-party audited to at each support. The software then analyses estimator/designer who lacks building demonstrate conformance with the the forces in the element and designs the construction knowledge and experience may ABCB Protocol for Structural Software. size based upon those forces and not fully comprehend when the software Conformance with the protocol means somewhere on the results screen or in the shows negative gravity load at a support. essentially two important things: computations will indicate the direction of Saving on timber but missing a crucial tie- 1. Software outputs have been checked by applied forces at the supports for each load down in a cantilever is a scenario that can an independent third-party engineer case. However, in the scenario shown in occur in modern software and needs to be 2. Only those input variables used in AS Figure 2 (above), the support at the end of carefully managed. 1684 are available for the user to modify. the backspan needs to supply a tie-down If such a design ends up on site, there The above third-party audited attributes force to create vertical fixity, and the software is a risk that the carpenter under time can significantly reduce the risk of costly output may demonstrate this fact as a pressure is simply going to construct the or unsound designs being produced by negative number for the support reaction. end connection for gravity loads, and not the design software packages in our The span-to-backspan limits set within seek a specific connector capable of market today. AS 1684 are designed to safeguard against providing the required tie down force. this scenario by always ensuring that the In some cases, such as for balcony backspan reaction does not end up as a cantilevers, this connection may even negative gravity load requiring tie down. This need a 12mm threaded rod connected AS 1684 deemed-to-satisfy solution, while all the way to the slab.
For more information on this topic, contact Craig Kay and the Tilling engineers via email at [email protected]
Coming up in
RECYCLED TIMBER Coming up in the May 2021 issue of TimberTrader News, a special feature looking at: • High-value hardwood timber products with a story to tell. • Educating on timber durability and beauty to grow sales.
Does your company want to be a part of this in-depth feature? For advertising your products and services to our 5000+ readers, contact Julie McConachy on 0409 381 813 or email [email protected] For editorial opportunities, contact Donyale Harrison on 0417 487 497 or email [email protected] ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL DEADLINE: Tuesday 6 April, 2021. PHOTO: ROSE MAKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ROSE PHOTO: PHOTOMAVENSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO:
www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 35
TTN417_34-35_In the frame.indd 35 15/3/21 12:49 pm “We support you!”
G P
“We support you!” “We support you!” FTMA G P NEWSLETTER
with Kersten Gentle
P
P Bubble and squeak A housing bubble mixed with supply lines creaking under the strain of demand is a risky mix.
he latest Industry Edge report prepared and looking for a home, and a whole lot of Tfor FTMA Australia has the catchy title one-off stimulus from HomeBuilder. “Housing ‘bubbles’, the pipeline of work and It cautions that not all these sales will go P the supply chains’. OK, it’s not catchy, but it ahead, with some approvals and settlements is important. There are a lot of experts in the falling through, and that lots of the factors industry worried that we’re in a housing behind the sales boom are one-offs, with P market bubble at the moment, and what people wanting to spend all that money they that means for not just fabricators, but saved on no travel, or to upsize since they iiiFFTT everyone in the building supply chain. now work from home. There aren’t that COCOCOMMMBii “We support you!” G O O To say this bubble wasn’t predicted is an many people left to return to Australia and LLILIFFI FTTTIININNGG IIINN NNOOVVVAAATTTI IOI ONN G P iiFT understatement. We were all ready to batten there won’t be a lot of migration for the next COCOMBi iiFT down the hatches last year – for maybe the little while. HomeBuilder has also ended, COCOLLIIFFTTIINNMGG IINNBNNOOiVVAATT II O N LLIIFFTTIINNGG IINNNNOOVVAATT II O N first half of this year as well. Instead, there’s and JobKeeper is still scheduled to end on been an unexpected boom in private new 31 March at the time of writing, so there’ll house sales, see the graph below. be a lot less money and almost certainly AustAustralasiaralasia The HIA figures show near-record sales fewer jobs around. numbers in December. Looking at them, The report also warns that some of those
AustAustralasiaralasia Industry Edge comes down on the side of job losses are likely to be builders. If we’re AustAustralasiaralasia P saying we’re in a bubble. The report lists the lucky, the bubble will just slowly deflate. If
likely reasons behind it: pressure selling we’re not, it will be a messy burst, and TRITTON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO:STEVE from those hit hard by Covid, a bit of panic construction is already in a tight place with buying, Australians returning from overseas the supply problems we’re facing.
Private new house sales - Australia (seasonally adjusted)
®® 16,000
14,000 ®® or a ull list o the on itions o ®® P 12,000 mem ership an a ownloa a le or a ull list o the on itions o appli ation orm For orvisit: a full ull list ofo the conditions on itions ofo 10,000 mem ership an a ownloa a le membershipmem ership andan a downloadable ownloa a le ii FT appli ation orm visit:COMBi 8,000 www .ftmane s.com t anews applicationappli ationo form orm visit:LLIIFFTTIINNGG IINNNNOOVVAATT II O N www .ftmane s.com t anews o 6,000 RO GHT G T TOT www .ftmane s.com O t anews o -69.4% 4,000 RO GHT G T TOT O AustAustralasiaralasia 2,000 Jul-18 Jul-19 Jul-20 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Sep-18 Sep-19 Sep-20 Nov-18 Nov-19 Nov-20 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 May-18 May-19 May-20 Jan--21
HIA New Home Sales HIA New Home Sales: 3 months rolling average Sources: HIA Sources:
36 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com ®®
or a ull list o the on itions o mem ership an a ownloa a le appli ation orm visit:
TTN417_36-37_FTMA newsletter.inddwww .ftmane s.com t 36 anews o 12/3/21 1:47 pm RO GHT G T TOT O A T
Timber prices ha e increased costs ha e soared for shipping and with record reno ations as well we re seeing demand stretched across the supply chain.
No industry could have been suffi ciently prepared for increases as dramatic or sudden as those in December. Timber prices have increased, as have prices for all building materials, costs have soared for shipping and transport and, with record renovations as well, we’re seeing the demand for all building materials stretched across the supply chain. This pressure on all parts of the supply chain, including a shortage of skilled tradespeople, is pushing timeframes out longer than anyone would like. FTMA Australia recently put out an open letter to Australian builders to assure them the industry is working as hard as possible to supply our engineered quality products as soon as possible. Some of our messages also apply to our fabricators: • Stay in close contact with your supply no doubt be seeking patience and build for a while yet. The pipeline is already partners. Information is changing rapidly understanding from both the investors full, with builders planning starts out to the and communication is key. and end consumers when it comes to end of this year for work already on their • Fabricators are committed to keeping timeframes. All we ask is that same books. Materials, labour and specialist their customers working. To assist with patience and understanding is given to trades are all stretched thin, so it’s going to this, we encourage builders to forward everyone along the entire supply chain. take good planning from each of us and plan and discuss upcoming work with We need to work together. good cooperation between us to keep the fabricators as much as possible. No matter what happens with the housing sector strong and delivering.
PHOTO:STEVE TRITTON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM PHOTO:STEVE • Builders and pro ect managers alike will bubble, houses are going to take longer to er en en e
or more information contact TMA on or ia email at ersten t a o au
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www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 3
TTN417_36-37_FTMA newsletter.indd 37 12/3/21 1:48 pm Randek RandekAd-A4-OUTLINES.pdf Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 2:49:13 PM PM Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM
Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM
AUTOBUILD NEWS
TRUSS TALK InnovativeInnovative solutions solutions for for prefabricated prefabricated house house production production Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production with Paul Davis Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production Put a load on Never underestimate wind forces, especially when multiple lives are at risk.
s an engineer, perhaps the worst kind (AS1170.2). This can include houses but single component such as a door or window Aof failure that you worry about is definitely includes commercial and could lead to consequent and a progressive collapse. It has happened institutional buildings. There is a lot of disproportionate failure of other elements, or with roof trusses, but outside the industry, commonality between them but there even complete failure of the structure.” one of the better-known examples is the actually are a number of technical To use a lower wind pressure coefficient 1968 Ronan Point disaster. A minor gas inconsistencies. Apparently, there is some for non-house buildings you need a explosion blew out a load-bearing wall of disagreement between the boffins on the ‘structural assessment’ to determine that a 22-storey tower block. The loss of support two code committees. the doors and windows will not blow in. OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE in one unit caused the collapse of one entire In simple terms, for non-cyclonic areas, Except for major buildings, it is very likely OPENOPEN / CLOSED / CLOSED WALL WALL PANEL PANEL LINE LINE FLOORFLOOR CASSETTE CASSETTE LINE LINE C corner of the building, which killed four AS4055 for houses assumes that windows, that such an assessment won’t happen.C C OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE
M people and injured 17. It is the ‘domino garage doors and the like do not blow in. If we assume that large openingsC mayM M
Y effect’ on a grand scale. A closed-building assumption gives us an occur in a storm, the wind pressureM Y Y In our modern codes, there is an explicit internal pressure coefficient of 0.2. And that coefficient is 0.7 – that’s a 250% increase in CM Y CM CM requirement for robustness, that is to avoid was also the value adopted by many internal pressure from what has been used MY situations where the failure of a single designers in the past for industrial, in the past. (In cyclonic areas weCM alreadyMY MY
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single truss web could lead to Remember that number! The practical consequence for you is that CMY CY CMY CMY BUILDINGBUILDING THE THE FUTURE FUTURE BUILDING THE FUTURE disproportionate failure of other elements, or It’s a pretty bold assumption because your the wind load on your roof and wall frames K CMY K K BUILDING THE FUTURE even complete failure of the structure. typical garage door is not normally designed can be different depending upon the BUILDING THE FUTURE
I investigated a house that was hit by as a structural element and can blow in at building’s use. A building that looksK like a what may have been a small tornado. the drop of a hat. And as my anecdote above house but is a nursing home or a day care AUTOEYE - AUTOMATIC ROOF TRUSS PRODUCTION SYSTEM A downstairs glass sliding door assembly demonstrates, windows are at the mercy of building should be designed for a higher was blown in. With no barrier to the wind, the window installer. And not every one of wind load than the house. the inside of the building was pressurised them is going to have a care factor. From a purely layman’s perspective that like a windsock. That increased the internal Field surveys by James Cook University seems like a load of nonsense. Two identical wind pressure which caused the whole roof after major real-world wind events have buildings in the same location should have to take off down the street… and it took found many instances of this sort of building the same wind load. about 50% of the upstairs walls with it! But failure where a blown in window or door Perhaps this discrepancy stems from the that wasn’t the end of it – the debris caused opening exposes the interior of the building fact that the design for wind for houses is severe damage to five other houses. to the wind. simplified and we are more concerned with It turns out that the 2.4m-wide glazing The code for buildings other than houses, robustness for the buildings that hold many assembly that failed was held in place by AS1170.2 was changed in 2017 to say that: people. Or perhaps this is because, to quote only four nails through MDF architraves. “The full area of doors, including large a famous saying from within the engineering So, for the lack of only a few nails and access doors (e.g. roller doors), and profession: “Structural Engineering is the Art 30 seconds of labour by a window installer, windows that are normally closed, shall be of moulding materials we do not wholly a house was destroyed and five others considered to be openings, unless they are understand into shapes we cannot precisely were badly damaged. demonstrated to be capable of resisting the analyse, so as to withstand forces we There are two wind load codes in applied wind pressures … designers should cannot really assess, in such a way that the Australia: a simplified code for houses consider the principles of ‘robustness’, i.e. community at large has no reason to (AS4055) and one for any kind of structure to avoid situations where the failure of a suspect the extent of our ignorance!” ExclusivelyExclusively represented represented by by Exclusively represented by Exclusively represented by Paul Davis is an independent structural engineer managing his own consulting firm Project X Solutions Pty Ltd. The views in this column are Paul’s and do not reflect the opinions of TimberTrader News. Phone: 02 4576 1555 | Email: [email protected] ForFor further further information information please please call call 03 985003 9850 6666 6666 For further information please call 03 9850 6666 38 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / APRIL 2021 www.timbertradernews.com For further informationor emailor email [email protected] please [email protected] call 03 9850 6666 or email [email protected] Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM or email [email protected]
TTN388_AllAds.indd 43 9/10/18 6:41 pm TTN417_38_Truss talk.indd 38 12/3/21 1:49 pm TTN381_38_TrussTTN376_42_TrussUntitled-4TTN390_034_Truss 1 talk.indd talk.indd 3943 36 16/3/1813/10/177/12/1818/1/19 11:27 2:392:061:17 pmam
Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production
OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE
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Y
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For further information please call 03 9850 6666 or email [email protected] Randek RandekAd-A4-OUTLINES.pdf Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 2:49:13 PM PM Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM
Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM
InnovativeInnovative solutions solutions for for prefabricated prefabricated house house production production Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production
OPENOPEN / CLOSED / CLOSED WALL WALL PANEL PANEL LINE LINE FLOORFLOOR CASSETTE CASSETTE LINE LINE OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE C C C OPEN / CLOSED WALL PANEL LINE FLOOR CASSETTE LINE
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ForFor further further information information please please call call 03 985003 9850 6666 6666 For further information please call 03 9850 6666 For further informationor emailor email [email protected] please [email protected] call 03 9850 6666 or email [email protected] Randek Ad-A4-OUTLINES.pdf 1 26/09/2016 2:49:13 PM or email [email protected]
TTN388_AllAds.indd 43 9/10/18 6:41 pm TTN381_38_TrussTTN376_42_TrussUntitled-4TTN417_38_TrussTTN390_034_Truss 1 talk.indd talk.indd 3943 36 16/3/1813/10/1718/1/197/12/1812/3/21 11:27 2:062:391:491:17 pmam
Innovative solutions for prefabricated house production
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For further information please call 03 9850 6666 or email [email protected] DELIVERING INNOVATION TO THE TRUSS AND FRAME INDUSTRY With the right partnership anything is possible The team at Vekta was instrumental in the design of this system and were able to open our eyes to possibilities we didn’t know even existed. The finished product has not only met, but exceeded our expectations. With the minimal footprint of the PackFeeder, the accuracy, speed and reliability of the Razer V5, the speed and efficiency of the Material Conveyor system, and the overall support by this team we are extremely pleased with the outcome.
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TTN417_38_Truss talk.indd 40 12/3/21 1:49 pm