GL ASS & WINDOWS
TECHNICAL
TAKING THE REINS Adam Davies Accreditation/IGMA Manager Australian Glass & Window Association
H
aving taken on the role of Accreditation Manager in early October, and being an AGWA member previous to this, I was aware of the good work the Association did in promoting and supporting our industry with regular and helpful communications, templates and training opportunities catering to all members both large and small. However, since joining I have had more of a chance to understand the inner workings of the Association. What has surprised me the most is the time and combined effort that goes into investigating disputes and issues of non-compliance. In fact, in my second week, I attended and saw firsthand an onsite investigation into non-compliance, and I have a number of others that I will be taking part in the coming weeks. I have also found out that this year, as of October 2021, AGWA has actioned 94 dispute requests and been asked to complete 19 independent inspections. This leads into accreditation, as this is the other side of compliance. It can’t simply be looking at non-compliance outside our membership, but it equally needs to be about ensuring we, as an Association, are doing our best and being open to identifying areas where improvement can be made. I understand the thought of accreditation can seem daunting at first, but that is not the intention. It is as much about it being a chance to recognise excellence in our members, as well as an opportunity to help and support members. The ultimate goal of accreditation is having all members achieve compliance and being able to promote this differentiation in the market. At the end of this journey, we will have a robust accreditation program that delivers value and, at the same time, provides the resources to close gaps and lift the industry. These resources could be in the form of training, technical support, or simple observations that our industry experts may make during a visit. Several of our auditors have commented that members have used an audit as an opportunity to keep up to date with the relevant changes in standards or compliance that they otherwise were not aware of or may not have had the opportunity to be informed about. The AGWA Accredited Company Program has operated successfully for many years, with the Window Audit Program having been in place for around 20 years and the Glazier Audit Program more recently introduced. Glass processing and IGU manufacture represent an important component of industry that would benefit from such a program. The addition of a program in these areas would allow us, as an Association, to provide an end-to-end accreditation program across all aspects of the glass industry, from when the glass is cut all the way through to the installation of the completed unit. This will give confidence to members and customers alike of the benefits of using an accredited AGWA member. To get this under way, we first must understand where we are now and what can be best implemented to help support and lift the industry. This will be a journey that will take some time to understand, but is an important first step in developing the expanded program that will be my focus for the coming year. It is a journey that I am excited to be part of and look forward to engaging with many of you in the coming months.
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ISSUE 10 SUMMER 2021
INTRODUCING ADAM DAVIES Why did you choose this career path? When I was in my last year of uni we had the opportunity to visit the Viridian Ingleburn Glass Float plant. It was amazing to see all the raw materials go in at the start of the process and emerge as a continuous sheet of flat glass. Not long after that, I was given the opportunity for some part time work while completing my studies. This developed into a full-time role as a process engineer on the float line, which I continued in until the closure of the plant. All my other roles, obviously including this one, have be in and around the glass industry which seems very common for many. It seems once you enter it is hard to leave! What is the most rewarding part of your job? What I have discovered most is seeing how much AGWA does to represent and better the industry. So, to be part of that and help make a difference is very rewarding and is a nice change from a traditional business where profit is generally the focus. What are your hobbies outside of work? I have for the last few years taken up home brewing. Although mine are nowhere near as good as most of the craft beer out there, it is rewarding to drink one that you have put all the effort and time into making. What movie is among your all-time favourites? I would have to say Forest Gump. It is an almost universally acclaimed movie that couples a great story with great acting and introduced some of the first CGI that we now find so common today. What is your favourite quote or life motto? It would have to be, 'Tell him he's dreaming!' from the Aussie classic, The Castle.
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