Vol 12 No 3
SPECIALISED TEXTILES ASSOCIATION INC.
April • May •June 2012
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Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Contents
38
6
64 62
66
ASSOCIATION MATTERS
NEWS CORNER
GLORIOUS GADGETS
2 Reports from the STA President and Manager 4 STA Office update 8 New association name 54 State reports 56 Accreditation 68 STA welcomes new members
6
A STA Achiever
46 Gadget guide
The Association gets a new name
EXPO SPECIAL 15 Roll up for STA Expo 2012 16 The program
All the speakers, all the events
18 STA Expo 2012 Registration form 20 Expo layout: Exhibitors’ stands 21 Exhibitors 2012 at-a-glance 22 Exhibitors’ details in full 42 Young Leaders judged by the Red Cross 70 Expo speakers
36 Smart couplings
Triax appoints US agent
A look at the latest geek toys
SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBERS
44 The business landscape 50 Business by numbers 68 Welcome new STA member
62 Dasec, Miami Stainless, Polyfab, Ricky Richards, Sewing Perfection and Techspan
Basford Brands joins the fold
Who and what is new
SPECIAL FEATURES
TRAINING AND EVENTS
10 Are you ready for the carbon tax?
72 Industry events and RTOs
Taxing times for business
38 Stamp of Approval
Advanced Shade Systems gains certification
52 Lies damn lies: a tale of textiles
Chris Nolan reviews the length and breadth of industry matters
subscriptions To subscribe to Connections for just $75.00 inc GST annually contact Ruth Spiegel ruth.spiegel@halledit.com.au
Heads-up on the four specialist presenters
CONNECTIONS magazine is published on behalf of the Specialised Textiles Association Inc. by CommStrat Limited. Publisher CommStrat
Graphic Designers Annette Epifanidis, Odette Boulton
Editor Nicola Card nicola.card@commstrat.com.au
Contributors Chris Nolan, Simon Sharwood
ART director Annette Epifanidis annette@commstrat.com.au
National Sales MANAGER Yuri Mamistvalov Phone: 03 8534 5008 yuri@commstrat.com.au
COMMSTRAT ABN 31 008 434 802 Level 8, 574 St Kilda Rd Melbourne Vic 3004 www.commstrat.com.au Specialised Textiles Association Suite 201, 22 St Kilda Road, St Kilda 3182 VIC Phone: 03 9521 2114 Local call: 1300 555 787 Fax: 03 9521 2116 www.specialisedtextiles.com.au
Disclaimer: Except where specifically stated, the opinions and material published in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or the STA Council.
ASSOCIATION
MARCH 2012 · 1
STA MATTERS
From the STA office
Reading member profiles in Connections, members’ deep pride in their business, their integrity and commitment when dealing with clients and customers, stands out loud and clear.
2 · CONNECTIONS
Our association has a long history of responding flexibly to change and the time was right to change our name.
Association Manager Ana Drougas
President Glenn Barlow
Fewer topics polarise the community more than politics – but when the electorate turns with such force against the power that has governed for 20 of the past 22 years, as recently occurred in Queensland, and reported by Lance St Hill on page 55, popular sentiment cannot go without some comment. The magnitude of the swing is foreboding for the Labor Party and its Carbon Tax, which will be dumped by the Coalition if returned to power later next year as is widely anticipated. On page 10 we take a closer look at the ramifications to business of the tax that kicks in on July 1. Still on matters of review, I strongly encourage everyone to read Chris Nolan’s highly informative article about the state of play in the textile industry: the opportunities for growth and export potential, tempered somewhat by our all-too-dominant dollar. Turning to more domestic matters, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the Connections Reader Survey. We received many terrific suggestions, and I will tell you more about this - and how we expect this feedback to shape the future direction of the magazine once we’ve finished analysing all responses. Reading member profiles in Connections, members’ deep pride in their business, their integrity and commitment when dealing with clients and customers, stands out loud and clear. Happily this seems to be a recipe for business longevity, as many of you will attest. And these fine qualities will stand members in good stead for our Accreditation Program (read more on page 56). Continuing on matters of pride, I am not sure who will be beaming the widest smiles at the Expo2012 Young Leader Challenge for emergency relief shelters. With ingenuity on show, the masters who devised and guided the challenge, as well as the young guns themselves, their colleagues and all onlookers will be justifiably pleased; particularly given a Red Cross Official will be assessing the two structures. On behalf of the Council of Management and Expo organising committee, we look forward to warmly welcoming you to our Expo in late May. Interstate visitors – please do remember to pack for the four seasons that Melbourne so engagingly (or maddeningly!) delivers each day!
I’m pleased to tell you that the Australian Canvas & Synthetic Products Association (ACASPA) is now officially known as the Specialised Textiles Association. The new name was confirmed following a long period of consultation with members, culminating in late February with a special resolution of voting members. In Specialised Textiles Association, we have chosen a contemporary new name that embraces all segments of our industry - including those involved in advanced and specialised textile products and processes that underpin some of the truly remarkable end products and structures being manufactured and constructed in this country. The decision to change the name was influenced by an increasing number of members who told us that ACASPA was no longer relevant; they didn’t relate to either of the words “canvas” or “synthetic”. We’d been receiving such feedback for many years through informal channels, so it came as no great surprise when research conducted for us by Ballarat University in 2010 - as part of a broader member research - confirmed this sentiment. Our association has a long history of responding flexibly to change and the time was right to change our name. Indeed, ‘ACASPA’ was introduced to reflect the domination of canvas and synthetics in end product manufacturing in earlier decades. However, while canvas and synthetics will undoubtedly continue to play an important role, the new name better reflects both the diversity and increasing complexity of materials, products and processes in today’s industry. We’ve introduced association members to the new name and the focus is now on increasing awareness among the wider industry; we are staging an official launch at the Specialised Textiles Association’s Expo2012 at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre in late May. I welcome you to come along to what is shaping up to be our best ever conference and exhibition for manufacturers, installers and suppliers in the specialised textiles industry. We will also be launching an industry accreditation program later this year. Read more about this on page 56, and I look forward to telling you more about this in the next issue.
STA MATTERS Specialised Textiles Association insights by Ana Drougas, Association Manager
An industrious industry It’s just nine months since the last Expo; and in that time the association has buzzed along: undergone a name change, staged the Young Leaders Conference, punched out an extra issue of Connections, and revamped the website. Industrious we have been!
Rising STA Importantly, April 1, 2012 marked day one of the STA financial year and heralded the full force of our new identity. Welcome to the first issue of Connections in which we proudly trumpet the association’s new name. Specialised Textiles Association (STA) was chosen by members and for members, which epitomises our common purpose and united approach.
We officially launch the new name at the STA Expo Welcome Reception on Saturday evening May 26 at the MCEC Level 5, Suite 2. all welcome! As many people have remarked, our fresh new association logo and the complementary specialist logos certainly present a vibrant new look and feel. I am pleased to report that the wider industry has greeted the new name with enthusiasm, so much so that we have attracted back several members while gaining a few new members. But the name change is not all about image; part of the rationale was to progress new projects such as accreditation. And still on practical matters, all association artwork is being redesigned: business cards, letterhead, member stickers and certificates, the new membership application form and more! Please take the time to read the special report on STA’s development on the following pages. And keep a look out for our smart new logo!
Expo special – and online This feature of Connections takes readers on an armchair tour of all the activity surrounding the upcoming Expo. There’s a map of the mighty Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, a list detailing the position of each exhibitor, all the 4 · CONNECTIONS
contact details of individual exhibitors, and the registration form. Also featured is the all-important Expo program itself, which lists the many highlights: social events, guest speakers, and Awards for Excellence gala dinner. Not forgetting an industry first: the material outcome of the Young Leaders Challenge. I am very pleased to say that the International Emergency officer of the Red Cross will he judging the two entries. We have also invited AusAid and SES to assess the merits of these innovative emergency structures. A major task occupying STA office attention has been establishing all STA Expo details and forms online, including the Award for Excellence entry form and the registration page … all up lots of information for visitors, delegates, sponsors, members to navigate on the website www.specialisedtextiles.com.au We will also be adding an image gallery for a splash of colour!
Our thanks to STA Expo sponsors No Expo would be complete without the valuable participation of sponsors. Here we pay special tribute to each and all: Gold sponsors: Bradmill, HVG, Ricky Richards and Wax Converters Textiles. Silver sponsors: Uniline, Dickson & Sunbrella Bronze: Hiraoka and WeatherMax And while we are on credits, I would again like to acknowledge the achievements of the Expo Committee: Brendan Hall, Ali Ozen, Gary Smith, Zoe Smith, Danny Ashby and Kent Williamson.
Funding for National Workplace Development Funded by government and with the assistance of NSW TAFE/Sydney Institute, this major initiative takes the form of a nationwide program for additional qualifications. Targeted at existing blind and shade sail installers, the curriculum encompasses recognition of prior learning, and courses will be held around the country. Early signs of interest are very strong, many have already signed up.
STA Council of Management SPECIALISED TEXTILES Association Inc. Suite 201, 22 St Kilda Rd St Kilda, Vic 3182 Telephone: (03) 9521 2114 Local Call: 1300 555 787 Facsimile: (03) 9521 2116 Email: ana@specialisedtextiles. com.au Web: www.specialisedtextiles. com.au
ASSOCIATION MANAGER Ana Drougas Email: ana@specialisedtextiles.com.au
President Glenn Barlow Nan’s Tarps 25 Vaughan Street Lidcombe NSW 2141 Mobile: 0409 273 284 Tel: (02) 9649 2334 Fax: (02) 9646 1361 Email: glenn@nanstarps.com.au
Vice President Lance St Hill Fabric Solutions Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 6283 Yatala DC Qld 4207 Mobile: 0400 103 534 Tel: (07) 3807 0200 Fax: (07) 3807 8217 Email: lances@fabricsolutions.com.au
COUNCILLORS Brendan Hall Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics Unit 3, 100 Fulton Dve, Derrimut Vic 3030 Mobile: 0416 280 757 Tel: (03) 9368 2222 Fax: (03) 9368 2211 Email: bhall@bradmilloutdoor.com.au Kent Williamson Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) 25 Dawson Street Brunswick, Vic 3056 Ph (03) 9925 9182 Fax: (03) 9925 9129 Email: kent.williamson@rmit.edu.au www.rmit.edu.au Gary Smith Campbell & Heeps 5/125 Highbury Rd, Burwood, Vic 3125 Mobile: 0419 311 899 Telephone: (03) 98086911 Fax: (03) 9808 3148 Email: gsmith@campbellheeps.com.au Tom Gastin Pattons—Textile Fabrication 80 McDougall St, Kirribilli, NSW, 2061 Mobile: 0414 952 007 Telephone: (02) 9955 2563 or 1300 799 980 Fax: (02) 9959 3158 Email: tom@pattons.com.au
Connections Magazine Advertising submissions: yuri@commstrat.com.au Editorial: Nicola Card nicola.card@commstrat.com.au
Australian Canvas & Synthetic Products Association is now the Specialised Textiles Association
Welcome to our new name and visual identity
ASSOCIATION Manufacturers, installers and suppliers. Together we cover the world. Specialised Textiles Association Suite 201, 22 St Kilda Road, St Kilda Vic 3182 Phone 03 9521 2114 Fax 03 9521 2116 www.specialisedtextiles.com.au n
STA MATTERS
A vibrant new name Maintaining currency and relevancy is at the heart of an association’s name change. Here we take a look at the evolution of the name change which at its core reflects the dynamic enterprise of members.
We wanted a visual identity that would simply and effectively communicate what our industry and members do.”
The Australian Canvas & Synthetic Products Association (ACASPA) has changed its name to the Specialised Textiles Association to ensure it continues to be current and relevant to all members of the association. “A survey of members conducted in 2010 confirmed that a significant number of members, particularly young members, no longer related to the terms ‘canvas’ and ‘synthetics’,” said association president, Glenn Barlow. “The name ACASPA was chosen at a time when canvas and synthetics dominated end product manufacturing, but the industry has moved on. While canvas and synthetic materials will continue to be important, members wanted a name that would more accurately reflect the amazing products and structures currently being manufactured and constructed in this country using advanced and specialised textile products and processes.” With the new name taking effect on 28 February following a special resolution of the association’s voting members, the name change is also underpinned by new branding.
ASSOCIATION
8 · CONNECTIONS
“We wanted a visual identity that would simply and effectively communicate what our industry and members do,” said association manager Ana Drougas. “The icon at the centre of the logo, symbolising a cover, is designed to express what we do in the simplest of terms,” she said. “Although the industry boasts an extremely diverse product range, we are all involved in manufacturing a protective cover of some type, be it an awning or blind for a window, a shade sail or structure for a patio, courtyard or stadium, or a liner for a pool, tank or dam, to name just a few.” The association’s new visual identity also features new colours. “We wanted a modern, fresh and vibrant colour palette, so we chose graduated lime green and bright blue,” Ana said. Already successfully introduced to members of the association, as well as key partners and stakeholders, the new identity will be officially launched to the industry at Expo2012, the Specialised Textiles Association’s annual trade exhibition and conference, being held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 26 to 28 May.