AE Smith COOL BREEZE Sep-Dec 2012

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A E S m i t h ’ s m ag az in e f o r s t a f f a n d f r i e n d s brisbane bowen melbourne perth

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Sep – Dec 2012                  

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Spring has sprung Managing the risks of a high flying solution Perth school cuts costs with fixed price HVAC maintenance & repair Cheaper energy bills for aged care sector New National Safety Manager directs fresh take on safety Doug Smith takes the Victoria Construction reigns Bright spark in Townsville completes apprenticeship & wins top award Rewarding safe behaviour New national engineering role to take team work to a new level Listening - The key to success for engineering projects Brisbane blitz on energy saving ideas New equipment helps response times Information is power Bernie the Baptcare bear Townsville touch Helping the community in which they work Australia to link with EU ETS Meal from the heart in Sydney conditioning

building

services

energy

efficiency

www.aesmith.com.au

Spring has Sprung

“ Together we navigate our way through the challenges we face as a business, how we listen to our customers, deliver practical solutions and help people achieve the project outcomes we’re all looking for successful ones ”

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With the end of what sometimes felt like a long Winter, Spring has finally arrived bringing with it new warmth and positive change In recent months, we’ve said thank you and goodbye to some longstanding friends at AE Smith who have either moved into new roles or left to explore new opportunities.

We have also welcomed some new senior appointments too, with Doug Smith joining the Victoria Construction team as their new General Manager, Leigh Graham promoted to National Engineering Manager and Nick Daley, originally from Brisbane Construction, accepting the role of National Safety Manager vacated by Danny O’Reilly after 16 years of valued service with AE Smith in multiple roles over that time.

Please join me in giving them your support as together we navigate our way through the challenges we face as a business, how we listen to our customers, deliver practical solutions and help people achieve the project outcomes we’re all looking for - successful ones.

In this issue of Cool Breeze you’ll find a host of stories that celebrate the values we try to bring in everything we do.

From extending our commitment to projects beyond construction and into fundraising initiatives; the successes of young apprentices as they complete their trade to the initiative we show our customers in finding practical solutions that help people.

In particular, two new workplace safety initiatives currently underway are noteworthy - the inaugural AE Smith Safety Culture Survey and ongoing production of the AE Smith Safety Video.

The response we had to the Safety Culture Survey administered by independent survey organisation Insync Surveys in July was outstanding.

Close to 600 people accepted my open invitation to participate. This translated into four out of every five AE Smith employees across Australia taking the time to share what is really important to you when it comes to your safety.

With an overall participation rate of 81% for the entire company, you should be proud that we’re well ahead of the industry average reported

by Insync Surveys to be only 65%. I plan to share the survey results with you towards the end of the year.

A special thank you to the many team members and their families who bravely stepped in front of the camera to star in our home grown safety video production titled “What are YOUR EXPECTATIONS of safety?” (see more on page 10).

This and the other stories contained within are testament to your teamwork and desire to help one another.

Thank you and please work safely all the time.

We believe in helping people in everything we do.

In everything we do we value:  Safety We work safely all the time;  Teamwork We always help and collaborate with one another;  Relationships We look for and foster good working relationships;  Communication We communicate openly and honestly;  Integrity We act ethically and professionally;  Initiative We encourage and nurture new ideas;  Recognition We acknowledge outstanding performance and celebrate success.

Andrew Permezel, CEO

Main pic: One of the many posters plastered around the office informing people about the AE Smith Safety Culture Survey conducted in July.

Cover page: Set for take off.

Helicopter gets ready to lift off and lift on tonnes of HVAC equipment for AE Smith at the famous Jam Factory in Melbourne.

Andrew Permezel, CEO www.aesmith.com.au

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Managing the Risks of a High Flying Solution

“ 60 to 70 per cent of this project’s success was tied up in the planning, and we valued AE Smith’s ability to work with [Challenger] and the CBRE project manager and have it go like clockwork ” Robert Houston National Portfolio Engineer, Challenger

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They don’t come much more challenging than this: using a helicopter to lift tonnes of obsolete HVAC equipment from the roof of an iconic building in South Yarra’s busiest shopping precinct. For AE Smith and their client, Challenger, the key to safety and success was meticulous planning and preparation for everyone involved “In essence the project itself was not overly technical, it was simply a matter of taking off the existing package units and replacing them,” said Robert Houston, National Portfolio Engineer for Challenger.

“But it was labelled with risk, risk, risk – a prominent location, major tenant, busy shopping strip, few windows of opportunity, a highly populated area and a railway line adjacent. Also, the area where the units were located lies next to a glass dome over the Jam Factory food court and the two major exits from the cinema. The difficulty factor was between 9 and 9.5.

“60 to 70 per cent of this project’s success was tied up in the planning, and we valued AE Smith’s ability to work with myself and the CBRE project manager and have it go like clockwork.”

It took two hours in total for the lift of three redundant units and placement of three new units. Four days of preparation had been involved, to reduce the units to the 1,200kg maximum lifting weight, by removing items including compressors and refrigerant. Afterwards, four days work was involved in rewiring, connecting, testing and commissioning of the new units. The three new energy-efficient 90kW units have been installed to service the glass dome area of the Jam factory, which has a substantial heat load through the summer months.

A team of four AE Smith staff worked on the project, with 11 subcontractors including ground crew, roof crew and traffic management.

The building needed to be cleared during the lift, and exclusion zone maintained around the site.

“We had to have a lot of checks and double checks during pre-planning, and there had to be a flight plan, EHS plan, and other variables. The helicopter crew were very professional and stepped us through it all beforehand, including the hooking and unhooking of the electrostatic lines for each corner of the equipment,” explained AE Smith Project Supervisor, Travis Young.

“The biggest challenge was the helicopter permit, we had to get people to put trust in us. There was a lot of documentation gathering, including insurance, permits from Civil Aviation, the council, police and the fire brigade. We also prepared a 20-30 page safe work method statement,” said AE Smith Project Consultant, Brad Gemmell.

“No crane could get into the space due to the logistics of the building, so this idea came from site knowledge. We put in a plan up to five years ago for these units to be replaced based on their age and running hours, and we knew from the outset we would need a helicopter to do it. Achieving it successfully was all about managing risk.” AES

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Perth School Cuts Costs with Fixed Price HVAC Maintenance & Repair Pic: Lake Joondalup Baptist College LJBC is a Christian, open entry Kindergarten to Year 12 coeducational College located in Perth’s beautiful northern suburbs. The College has an enrolment of 870 Secondary students and 450 Primary children. The College was established in 1990 as a ministry of the Lake Joondalup Baptist Church to provide a high standard of education within the context of the Christian faith.

For more information visit www.ljbc.wa.edu.au Image source: Architect - The Buchan Group, Photographer - Silvertone

With 1320 students and more than 20 buildings on an 8.8Ha site, Perth’s Lake Joondalup Baptist College is an a-typical private school meeting market expectations for the best facilities while balancing costs against income As a member of the local executive of the Association of School Bursars and Administrators (ASBA), Lake Joondalup’s Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Holliday, is acutely aware that these challenges are common to the private school sector.

“The biggest challenge is the escalating cost of education, particularly wages, and the necessity to set fees that are reasonable for our clientele.

“While we maintain wage costs as best we can, we are governed predominantly by external forces. We can do little to influence them.

Therefore it’s vital to contain other costs.

“With the College being just over 20 years old, we have to continue with a building program while maintaining what we’ve already established, still keeping enough funds for our core business of education. It’s a difficult balancing act,” Stuart said.

But Stuart is one of a growing band of managers who have contained a significant area of the school’s costs thanks to an innovative fixed price program for the maintenance and repair of the schools heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

Under the contract with AE Smith, a contract that has been in place for

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more than five years, Stuart knows in advance what his costs will be for the year.

“They come in and service all units on a pre-determined schedule. It is in their interests to do it properly because if anything goes wrong it’s basically at their cost,” Stuart said. “They are literally underwriting the risk.”

Although the school tests the market every three years when the contract is due for renewal, to date there has been no reason to change.

“It’s not just about the price, but also about the relationships between their staff and ours and the service we get if something does go wrong,” Stuart said. “The service people that come out to the college are very good in terms of fitting in with the school. They’re mindful of the students; keep out of the way and basically fit in with the school environment very well. In fact one of the service people has been with us from day one.”

The strength of the relationship and the school’s trust in service levels was underscored when it came time for a major $200,000, two month retrofit of the HVAC in the school’s auditorium. The school went straight to AE Smith as the preferred supplier rather than going to tender.

“We knew what we would get as a result of our experience with them. We’d previously had jobs done by AE Smith Project Manager Brian Webber and had a good relationship.

“In this case they carried out most of the work between 5pm and 8am as well as weekends. In terms of working around the client they’re fantastic.”

Stuart said that AE Smith’s preparedness to undertake the project as an open book contract meant that the school was confident of a professional job at the right price.

“Brian would show me their costs and we knew what we were paying up front. Even with extras he’d show me the cost with their 10% added and we always had the opportunity to go direct.”

A very powerful advantage of the contractual arrangement with AE Smith is the re-assurance that the national firm has the resources to keep the school up to date with any revisions to standards.

“ They come in and service all units on a pre-determined schedule. It is in their interests to do it properly because if anything goes wrong it’s basically at their cost... They are literally underwriting the risk ” Stuart Holliday Chief Financial Officer, Lake Joondalup Baptist College

“Revisions in a school environment are always ongoing. Apart from legislative changes there are those driven by insurers and even societal expectations and here AE Smith is very good. When legislative changes come in they will always advise us and often pre-empt them.”

Stuart believes that quite apart from the money saved by the school with the help of AE Smith, there’s a very real advantage in terms of peace of mind.“ We have 20 significant buildings and a number of smaller rooms. The College is 21 years old and because it’s a comparatively new school we have had a lot of growth so there’s a lot of individual air conditioning units and not a lot of big group units. There’s a lot to look after and in the newer buildings they are quite comprehensive and complicated systems.

“Under our contract we simply do not have to worry and we have very few problems,” Stuart said. AES

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Cheaper Energy Bills for Aged Care Sector

Aged Care Energy Efficiency Checkl ist for Air Condition ing Check temperatu re setpoints (optim um are 20°C for heati ng in winter and 24 settings cooling in summe °C for r).

Can a dead band be set around the temperature setpoint?

Do staff know ho w to control the air conditioning?

Do they override the controls? Wh y?

In total there are eight sections in the Aged Care Energy Efficiency Checklist: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Building Fabric Lighting Air Conditioning Heating Hot Water Laundry Kitchen Equipment and Appliances

Due to space limitations, only the Air Conditioning checklist is shown.

Use the checklist to walk around your site and identify opportunities for energy savings.

Source: The Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the State of NSW.

Are temperature sens represent the room ors located in areas that will ’s temperature? (not blocked by furniture or ne xt to entry ways) Are any empty ar eas being air cond itioned?

Where can timer s, occupancy sens ors or openwindow detectors be linked to the air conditioning?

If a centralised air conditioning syste m is used, does it use an ou tdoor air econom y cycle, variable-speed dri ves or timers and controllers?

If a centralised air conditioning syste m is used, is the supply and re turn ductwork an d pipework insulated?

Are any air conditio ning units past th eir end of life? (7–10 years for a room unit up to 10 kW, or 10–15 years for a packaged air cond itioning unit 10 kW to 100 kW ). If so, investigati ons should be made into upgradin g these.

Is a maintenance schedule followed for cleaning and replacing filt ers, and inspecting ducts and pipework for signs of damage or we ar and tear?

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Action Required

Aged care facilities can save an average of $25,000 a year said NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker at the launch of the “Energy Saver Aged Care Toolkit” published by the Office of Environment and Heritage As Australia’s population ages, there is an increasing demand for aged care services. The sector currently consumes around 7.8 million gigajoules of energy in Australia each year. Around a third of this energy consumption is in NSW, which has more than 930 facilities currently offering more than 62,000 residential places. As demand increases, so too will this energy consumption.

Energy prices have also been rising with projections that they will continue to rise in the future. This has a direct impact on operational costs of facilities, many of which are already operating in an environment of low financial returns.

The toolkit is intended for maintenance managers, property and asset managers, finance controllers and others in the aged care industry to identify and understand the savings and costs relevant to implementing energy-saving projects.

Directors of facilities may also find it useful in understanding what drives the energy consumption of their facilities and to identify the total energy savings that may be possible for their site.

The Energy Saver Aged Care Toolkit will help Aged Care organisations:     

Understand the drivers of energy use at aged-care facilities.

Recognise seasonal and daily energy usage cycles.

Identify key areas for improvement.

Identify energy efficiency technologies that are appropriate to agedcare facilities.

Understand how much energy-saving initiatives cost and their likely return on investment.

“ [Aged care facility] site savings of more than 15 per cent for electricity and 18 per cent for gas could be achieved by implementing energy efficiency projects ”

The audited research that underpins the toolkit found that site savings of more than 15 per cent for electricity and 18 per cent for gas could be achieved by implementing energy efficiency projects.

This includes savings on lighting energy of up to 80 per cent and hot water energy savings of up to 90 per cent when switching to gas-boosted solar hot water. Additional savings could also be found through other measures, such as equipment maintenance, effective purchasing and good housekeeping.

For more information visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au and search for “Energy Saver Aged Care Toolkit”. AES

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“ Choosing to work safely all the time is the most important decision each of us should make every day at work ”

New National Safety Manager Directs Fresh Take Long term AE Smith team member, Nick Daley has been promoted to National Safety Manager Bringing his experience from on site construction and branch safety roles with AE Smith in Brisbane since 2005, Nick is looking forward to the opportunity of adding to the company’s strong focus on safety in the workplace and helping his team mates work safely all the time.

“Pretty simply, choosing to work safely all the time is the most important decision each of us should make every day at work,” says Nick when asked why he’s taken on the position with the departure of long-standing Safety Manager and friend of AE Smith, Danny O’Reilly.

“Bringing my understanding of what happens on site as an apprentice to a supervisor will be insights I’m looking forward to applying in my new role,” adds Nick. “I want to maintain safety as the number one item on all our agendas when we’re at work – it’s one of the reasons AE Smith is amongst the best to work for and why I choose to work here.”

The transition from Nick’s current role to National Safety Manager comes at an exciting time at AE Smith with two significant safety initiatives well underway - the inaugural Safety Culture Survey and the production of an innovative Safety Video.

“The AE Smith Safety Video we’re producing will be a key way for us to raise awareness about safety in the AE Smith workplace. It is and will be a timely reminder of the real reason why we want everyone to be safe at AE Smith – for the welfare of our employees and their families,” adds Nick.

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e on Safety By the time filming is finished in November this year, close to 100 people from every AE Smith team around the country will have taken part.

Significantly, this also includes staff partners and their kids staring in the Safety Video - not just our people, but their people and their loved ones.

The ones who love and depend on them to come home safely every day after work.

“The messages from AE Smith staff and their families in the video are unscripted and heartfelt, it really packs a punch about why safety is so important. It’s great and I’m proud to be the National Safety Manager at a time when there’s so much going on and people are taking the time to get involved whether it’s the video or the Safety Culture Survey,” Nick says.

Main pic: Morgan Webb films his wife, Katie Webb explain her expectations of safety as she holds their 10 month old daughter Maya during filming in Mackay for the AE Smith Safety Video.

Pic above: Nick Daley, National Safety Manager.

“We’re only half way with Townsville, Sydney, Perth and Tasmania still to film, but already we’ve had families of five come in and share their expectations of safety on camera. Everybody from a 10 month old baby girl, proud mother and wife, to someone’s mother-in-law and grandmother to his three children being filmed that day.

“The finished AE Smith Safety Videos, aren’t set for release until the end of the year. But in many ways the video itself is not the real reason driving AE Smith to dedicate the time and effort to capture these moments on film. The real reason is the conversation it creates; at work, at home, between colleagues - often in jest - but nevertheless it is getting noticed. People are speaking about it which helps keeps safety front of mind for our people and their loved ones,” concluded Nick. AES www.aesmith.com.au

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“ AE Smith has a really good name and reputation in the market place – we’re known for how we help our customers achieve their goals and I’m looking forward to building on this reputation ”

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Doug Smith Takes the Victoria Construction Reigns New AE Smith General Manager Victoria Dougjoy Smith Peter Kinsella, Engineering of AE Construction Smith Victoria, Helping our customers help Manager theirfor customers bringsConstruction a special to knows theappointed rules ofPresident marketingofand don’t have has been Vice theadvertising world widetypically peak body - the AE Smith innormal Melbourne the same traction in the worldEngineers (CIBSE) Chartered Institution of construction Building Services Sponsored by AE Smith, ‘Bernie the Baptcare Bear’ will provide children “InBaptcare’s the international construction it all comes tobuilding your reputation your As the professional body for the profession, in Fosterworld, and Kinship Caredown programs with aservices cuddleand bear that proven ability to own deliver project.

That means your client relationships are CIBSE a membership of over 17,000 in 87 countries. will be has theirs to anda keep forever. everything,” said Doug, who started in his new role at the beginning of August.is what Kinsella’s appointment one of two Vice Presidents Bernie is knownas asthe a 'trauma' or 'cuddle' bear withcomplements research his role ofthe Regional Australian & New Zealand the same showing positiveChairman effects offor a cuddle toy for children who for have “When you put your hand up to help a customer with a project, organisation.separation His appointment increasing experienced and/or comes trauma.at a time when there’s you obviously have to have the right capabilities at a competitive price, spotlight on the role Australia and New Zealand are playing in the but one of the keyindustry deciding factors is your ability to international deliver on your promise building and how we are proven helping set the agenda.

Baptcare’s General Manager Family Services, Marita Scott, says that and whether can be trusted.

In many we help our clients manage often childrenyou who come into foster careways, or kinship care arrive with the risk by making sure we do what we say we’re going to do.

“The building services industry is facing a major change of focus from clothes on their back and little else. lowest price tendered work to projects that consider efficiency and “Fortunately AE Smith has a really good name and reputation in the market sustainability – love it’s an exciting time to beand at the coalface and bringing our “Along with the and care our foster kinship carers provide, place – we’re known for how we help our customers achieve their goals regional perspective to the worldhug table,” comments Bernie the Bear can be a child's in the middle ofKinsella. the night, constant and I’m looking forward to building on this reputation. It was one of the key companion and confidant, and can stay with the child regardless of motivating reasons behind me joining AE Smith - the commitment to With overthey 10 years AEplacement Smith leading the Engineering team, Kinsella is whether stay inatthe or return home,” Marita said. customer relationships, helping achieve mutual success and playing as a also a qualified Green Star Accredited Professional, a director of ARBS as team,” Doug adds. well as holding Honourscustomer Degree infor Building Services Engineering “Baptcare is anan important AE Smith - not only because from we the United Kingdom. value theirrelocated business,from but Queensland because likewhere us they in helpingmanager people,” Doug has he believe was construction says Melbourne Service GM, Peter McCarthy. for Siganto & Stacey for more than 11 years. During that time he helped AE Smiththe congratulates Peter Kinsella his prestigious oversee successful delivery of iconicon projects like Q1 inappointment.

Surfers “As parents, allBrisbane know what a teddyand canDistrict mean Court, to a child,” Peter said.

Paradise, thewe new Supreme Brisbane For more about CIBSE visit www.cibse.org.au “It’s greatinformation to extend our relationship with a customer beyondHotel a typical International Airport Terminal Expansion and Palazzo Versace on the business arrangement help to contribute to the amazing work theyeven do Gold Coast.

He’s lookingand forward leading his AE Smith team deliver in ouriconic community.”

AES in Victoria. AES more projects here

Bright Spark in Townsville Completes Apprenticeship & Wins Top Award AE Smith’s first female apprentice in Townsville - Kristie McQuilty - has just completed her trade and is now a qualified electrician

“ I tell anyone who asks that AE Smith are the best company to work for – I really like the genuine help they offer all their staff, they really look after you ”

Joining AE Smith as an 18 year old, Kristie’s taken to the apprenticeship over the past three and half years with aplomb, winning the North Queensland’s Apprentice of the Year award at a gala dinner in September.

Inspired to become an electrician after completing work experience at Phosphate Hill Mine, Kristie (pictured above surrounded by her parents, Alan and Rebecca) has relished the apprenticeship opportunity at AE Smith Townsville.

“The best thing about my apprenticeship is that I’ve learnt so much – every day at work is different,” beams Kristie, who’s worked on jobs such as maintenance, new installations and energy efficiency conversions during her training. “I’m so glad to have had such a variety of experiences and not just working on the same thing every day.”

Importantly, she attributes AE Smith with her development into a quality tradesperson. “AE Smith are really committed to helping their apprentices be the best they can be and develop them into good tradies for the long term,” says Kristie. “I tell anyone who asks that AE Smith are the best company to work for – I really like the genuine help they offer all their staff, they really look after you.”

And for those that are wondering what it’s like being AE Smith’s first female apprentice to complete her trade: “I love it!” AES

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Rewarding Safe Behaviour The Safety Bucks initiative commenced in April 2011 and was developed to support our ongoing commitment to Zero Harm Safety Bucks are presented to employees who are seen to be worthy of reward for demonstrating positive safety related behaviour.

“ Safety Bucks are presented to employees who are seen to be worthy of reward for demonstrating positive safety related behaviour ”

At the end of the financial year, the Annual Safety Bucks Winner is selected by Andrew Permezel and the National Safety Manager from previously announced quarterly winners.

Quarterly Safety Bucks Winners in 2011/12 were:    

Ian Morris - Plumber formerly with Victoria Construction John Venardos - Service Supervisor, Brisbane Service Travis Young - Project Supervisor, Melbourne Service Mark Carroll - Sheetmetal Work, Brisbane Construction Ian Marris observed airborne concrete dust due to grinding work that was being carried out by another subcontractor on site without the use of adequate dust suppression. Ian requested they cease work, isolated the area and moved other trades out of the vicinity. He then notified the Builder’s Site Manager who investigated and implemented corrective action.

John Venardos, in the course of a technical visit to major client QLD Newspapers, came across a fire which had started on site. John took charge of the initial response and subsequently coordinated the

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broader situational response, containing the fire and minimising the damage and risk that stemmed from it.

Travis Young initiated a ‘stop work’ at a workplace where he identified asbestos. Travis highlighted the proactive, self managing and effective approach of AE Smith’s Zero Harm target. Due to Travis’s positive actions, workers at the site averted exposure to asbestos.

Mark Carroll, during a site inspection along with his manager, came across a scaffold open for access that was being utilised at the same time as it was being dismantled. Thanks to Mark’s initiative in reporting the incident to the principal contractor, work ceased so the scaffold could be made good to use as an egress facility safely.

And the winner is...

“It is with great pleasure that I can announce the inaugural winner of the Annual Safety Buck initiative for 2011/12 is John Venardos,” said AE Smith CEO Andrew Permezel.

“John is no stranger to showing initiative when it comes to safety,” added Andrew. “In August, John, his wife Marion and their three children; Kassandra, Katina and Stavros all took part in filming the Brisbane leg of the AE Smith Safety Video - ‘What is YOUR EXPECTATION of Safety?’ currently in production.” (Pictured left.)

“Congratulations to Ian, Travis and Mark for their quarterly wins and showing leadership in safety amongst their peers. Congratulations also to the many individual Safety Bucks recipient throughout the 2011/12 year,” said National Safety Manager Nick Daley..

“Each of the quarterly winners showcase a safety success story worthy of note. But the glowing endorsement of our customer about John’s actions above and beyond what could be ordinarily expected of him is special and worthy of extra merit,” added Nick.

“Congratulations John for taking personal responsibility for the safety of other and truly helping people in everything we do,” said Andrew.

In a letter of thanks addressed to management by Wayne Wanstall, Facilities Manager at QLD Newspaper, he wrote: “I would request that you consider formally commending John for the exceptional (a word not lightly given!) level of detection of the source of fire, monitoring of the incident, situational awareness and displayed fire-fighting skills carried out under my direction…

“His key participation in a successful control of the incident cannot be understated and there can be little doubt as to his extraordinary use of common sense in utilising his judgement.”

As inaugural winner of the 2011/12 Safety Buck initiative, John Venardos and his family receive a $1000 Safety Buck voucher redeemable for gift cards at major retail stores. AES

How to win Safety Bucks in 2012/13: 1. Demonstrate leadership in regards to safety.

2. Continually and effectively involved in toolbox talks, WHS meetings, site specific safety meetings, site inspections and development of safe work method statements.

3. Receive positive feedback from clients, principal contractors or other external parties about your safety contribution.

4. Provide a positive and effective safety initiative or solution.

5. Immediately involved in the prevention of a safety incident.

6. Provide effective and thorough analysis of a ‘near miss’ or closing out of a hazard.

Speak to your manager or safety representative for more information.

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New National Engineering Role to take Teamwork to a New Level

“ AE Smith’s diverse project expertise across all the branches means we can draw on a vast well of knowledge and sharing this amongst ourselves and with our customers means we can bring some real extra value to our clients that’s both practical and innovative ”

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Sharing knowledge and expertise between different branches, different projects, different sites and different states will be at the centre of a newly created National Engineering Manager role for AE Smith “Harnessing the vast experiences we have from around the country means we can use this to really add value to our client’s projects,” says Leigh Graham, who’s recently been promoted to the new national role.

“I’m really looking forward to leveraging all the different project insights we have at our disposal – it’s a great advantage for AE Smith and something our customers can draw on,” adds Leigh.

While every building is a one off, with different applications, new challenges and constraints – not to mention the emphasis on cooling in Queensland or heating in Victoria and Tasmania – Leigh sees great benefit from sharing knowledge from around the country: “AE Smith’s diverse project expertise across all the branches means we can draw on a vast well of knowledge and sharing this amongst ourselves and with our customers means we can bring some real extra value to our clients that’s both practical and innovative.”

Leigh will be drawing on some of his own experiences for this new role from his involvement with a host of AE Smith projects in the past ten years.

With the company since 2002 after a work experience placement while studying Mechanical Engineering at James Cook University, Leigh started with the Brisbane Construction team as a Project Engineer before becoming Brisbane Engineering Manager in 2010.

Project highlights to date include the Ecosciences Precinct, Boggo Road Urban Village development that included a high spec, highly technical new laboratory as well as the challenges of work at the Townsville Correctional Centres.

While Leigh sights AE Smith’s culture of team work as one of the most enjoyable aspects of working for the company in the decade, it’s also the asset he’ll draw on for this new role: “One of the good things about working with AE Smith is the willingness for everyone to work together and focus on helping our customers.

“Our strong team work means this new position is going to be really exciting to see how we can use that to share ideas, respond to challenges and really achieve great outcomes for our clients.” AES

Main pic: Leigh Graham, AE Smith National Engineering Manager Pic above: The $280 million Ecosciences Precinct is Australia’s first centre dedicated to solving some of the country’s biggest environmental issues – climate change, protecting our natural resources and environment, and ways to grow our farming, mineral, forestry, and marine industries so they are competitive and sustainable.

The facility collocates over 1,000 scientists and researchers from four Queensland Government agencies and the CSIRO.

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“ We’re consistently receiving feedback that we’re not just order takers but focus on working together with architects and building consultants to help find the best solutions before the job starts and also during implementation ”

Listening - The Key to Success for Engineering Pr If you believe the stereotype, being a good listener is not a skill you’d usually associate with a mechanical engineer But the ability to listen and approach projects with a spirit of collaboration is earning AE Smith’s South East Queensland (SEQ) Engineering team a reputation as one of the smartest to work with.

“It’s not that hard to listen, share ideas and talk things through to get a good outcome for projects but it’s amazing how many people don’t do it,” says Leigh Graham, AE Smith’s new National Engineering Manager.

“We’re consistently receiving feedback that we’re not just order takers but focus on working together with architects and building consultants to help find the best solutions before the job starts and also during implementation,” adds Leigh.

It’s this approach of helping other consultants and collaborating during planning and construction that’s seeing AE Smith continue to secure work on challenging and large scale projects.

For Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, challenges with the design and installation of equipment is seeing AE Smith’s collaborative mindset become pivotal to the success of this project.

“With the Hospital wanting the very latest, up to the minute technology installed it brings up design and installation challenges – the design was done three years ago but the equipment has just been purchased so practically speaking the design and installation won’t match,” comments Leigh.

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rojects “But we’ve worked with the consultants to effectively future proof the design and establish ways to work around the practical side of things to deliver what the client wants.”

The commitment to listening, asking questions and developing strong two-way communication between the AE Smith Engineering team and consultants has also paid dividends working with international company, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM).

“We’ve really enjoyed the working relationship we’ve created with SKM, particularly on a recent laboratory project that really required a lot of two way communication,” adds Leigh.

Pic: AE Smith SEQ Engineering team: (Seated R to L) Leigh Graham, Peter Wise, Paul Stroud, Christopher Leete, Amrat Jeram. (Standing R to L) Jonathon Ramajoo, Rob Splaine, Denis O’Mahony, Christopher McGregor, Ali Manochehri, Anthony Lye. Absent: Charles Dearling, Matthew Low.

The technically challenging project that demanded tight controls around pressure, temperature and humidity highlighted the need for a positive relationship between design and implementation.

“Poor communication on this project would simply mean failure – listening, updating each other, sharing ideas and keeping the communication open was just as important as being skilled enough to do the job at hand,” adds Leigh.

But it’s not just the technically challenging projects that adopt this approach: “The team always looks at ways things could be done simpler, better, faster, easier or cheaper and ask questions to ensure we really understand the designs and can deliver on that practically,” Leigh says.

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“ The main aim of the event was to heighten awareness amongst our team to proactively identify opportunities to help our customers save energy. The second objective was to find some great ideas to take back to four of our best customers ”

Brisbane Blitz on Energy Saving Ideas Plenty of organisations pay lip service to energy efficiency but few actually embrace it as a core value. Thanks to the Brisbane Service team, AE Smith is taking its responsibility to help its customers save energy to another level Matthew Steele, Brisbane Service GM, recently challenged to his team to demonstrate their commitment in a novel way. In late June the Brisbane Service team undertook a unique initiative they dubbed the “Energy Blitz” with the aim of establishing new ideas to help customers save energy.

35 technicians, operations and management staff met for an early breakfast before splitting into four teams to race to one of four Brisbane CBD buildings AE Smith takes care of.

Each team was charged with looking for ideas and new ways to save energy at that building.

“The guys threw themselves into the challenge. There was a great team spirit,” said Matthew. “It was something different and you know what happens when you get a group of blokes together - there was a level of healthy competition to come up with the best ideas. And all for a great outcome.”

Altogether 50 energy saving ideas were generated across the four buildings for which AE Smith manages the HVAC service and maintenance.

Ideas ranged from fitting electrical TX valves to increase the efficiency of the chillers; several different suggestions to replace lighting with more

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efficient LED; and adjusting temperature policies.

“Simple ideas can also be really effective – adjusting the running time of an AC unit to better match demand can translate to enormous savings with minimal cost,” adds Matthew.

A particularly successful suggestion was the fitting of “air curtains” at several door openings which greatly reduces the amount of air transfer between two spaces.

At the end of a productive session, Team “The Sebel” won the prize (dinner for the team) for the ‘Best Big Idea’ while Team “Challenger” won the prize for the ‘Best Quick Fix’ for their ideas for the Challenger building in Brisbane’s CBD. “The main aim of the event was to heighten awareness amongst our team to proactively identify opportunities to help our customers save energy.

The second objective was to find some great ideas to take back to four of our best customers,” adds Matthew. “And the third goal was to have some fun as a team.”

“All three objectives were well and truly achieved. It was a creative way to get people thinking about the many things we can do to save energy, save money and help the environment while we are doing it.”

The Energy Blitz ideas will be monitored via AE Smith’s CRM processes and tracked to measure the financial success for customers. AES

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“ But it’s the ability to be more responsive to customer requirements that Trevor’s most impressed with ”

New Equipment Helps Response Times With the recent demise of competitor, the Hasties Group, AE Smith’s Brisbane Factory Production Manager, Trevor Slaughter saw the chance to procure some new capital equipment And it’s a purchase that’s already positioning the Brisbane team as amongst the best manufacturers of HVAC ducting in the country.

“Purchasing the TDF Coil Line means the Brisbane factory has really been able to step up,” comments Trevor (pictured above in blue shirt) who’s also helped oversee its installation at the factory.

The equipment produces high quality square ducting automatically via seven processes, with a ready to use, made to order product that can produce up to 200 units per hour.

The traditionally labour intensive and slow going job of producing ducting manually will now be a thing of the past for the Brisbane factory – something that has a variety of benefits.

“We can now create a good quality and very consistent product – and a lot of it,” says Trevor. “It’s also a lot lighter so makes for easier handling and less injuries.”

But it’s the ability to be more responsive to customer requirements that Trevor’s most impressed with, “We’ve already noticed how quickly we can be responding to a job and helping the maintenance and construction teams – it means we’re really competing with specialist manufacturers and that’s a great thing for AE Smith’s customers.” AES

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Information is Power “But unless it is organised, processed and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit,” said William Pollard fortuitously more than 120 years ago

“ Don’t let BMS technology seduce and overwhelm you.

A lot of the work we do involves designing intuitive ways of displaying lots of information quickly and accurately using dashboard displays ”

With the explosion of information routinely made available by even the most basic Building Management System (BMS), National Sales Manager for AE Smith Building Technologies , Brad Disher, is using the power of visual communication and good design to help his customers get the most out of their BMS investment.

“Don’t let BMS technology seduce and overwhelm you. A lot of the work we do involves designing intuitive ways of displaying lots of information quickly and accurately using dashboard displays,” said Brad.

“We are currently helping a major Victorian tertiary institution provider, spread across multiple campuses, unify all of their energy management into a single GUI (Graphic User Interface).”

The GUI will display electricity, gas, water and waste information in a visual medium that enhances understanding and comprehension. Data will be collected and displayed in real-time to show current CO2 emissions, relative consumption (normalised by degree days, overlaid with year-on-year data) and conservation targets.

“In our experience, a well designed gauge can portray information more intuitively and faster than a raw number can, especially on a system that is monitored actively,” concluded Brad. AES www.aesmith.com.au

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Bernie the Baptcare Bear Pic (R to L): Peter McCarthy, Annie Nguyen, Bernie the Baptcare Bear and Morten Saltum.

AE Smith helped keep a very exciting, cuddly surprise and launch Baptcare’s special new team member in August.

Baptcare proactively respond to human need by providing care to older people, children, families, people with a disability, financially disadvantaged people and asylum seekers.

To learn more about Baptcare, please visit www.baptcare.org.au

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Helping our customers help Manager their customers bringsConstruction a special joyVictoria, to Peter Kinsella, Engineering of AE Smith AE in Melbourne hasSmith been appointed Vice President of the world wide peak body - the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Sponsored by AE Smith, ‘Bernie the Baptcare Bear’ will provide children in Fosterprofessional and Kinship body Care for programs with aservices cuddle bear that AsBaptcare’s the international the building profession, will be has theirs to own and keep forever.

CIBSE a membership of over 17,000 in 87 countries.

Bernie is what is knownas asthe a 'trauma' or 'cuddle' bear withcomplements research Kinsella’s appointment one of two Vice Presidents showing positiveChairman effects offor a cuddle toy for children who for have his role ofthe Regional Australian & New Zealand the same experienced and/or comes trauma.at a time when there’s increasing organisation.separation His appointment spotlight on the role Australia and New Zealand are playing in the Baptcare’s General Services, Marita Scott, says that building industry andManager how we Family are helping set the international agenda. often children who come into foster care or kinship care arrive with the clothes on their back and little else.

“The building services industry is facing a major change of focus from lowest price tendered work to projects that consider efficiency and “Along with the and care our foster kinship carers provide, sustainability – love it’s an exciting time to beand at the coalface and bringing our Bernie Bear can be a child's in the middle ofKinsella. the night, constant regionalthe perspective to the worldhug table,” comments companion and confidant, and can stay with the child regardless of whether stay inatthe or return home,” Marita said.

With overthey 10 years AEplacement Smith leading the Engineering team, Kinsella is also a qualified Green Star Accredited Professional, a director of ARBS as “Baptcare is anan important AE Smith - not only because from we well as holding Honourscustomer Degree infor Building Services Engineering value their Kingdom. business, but because like us they believe in helping people,” the United says Melbourne Service GM, Peter McCarthy.

AE Smith congratulates Peter Kinsella on his prestigious appointment.

“As parents, we all know what a teddy can mean to a child,” Peter said.

“It’s greatinformation to extend our relationship with a customer beyond a typical For more about CIBSE visit www.cibse.org.au business arrangement and help contribute to the amazing work they do in our community.” AES

Townsville Touch Combining conflicting full-time commitments is never easy but Michael Law is excelling at both work and play, according to his boss Michael, a 20-year-old first year apprentice electrician with AE Smith in Townsville, has been selected in the Australian Open mixed touch football team.

“ He seems to be juggling his work, trade school and his touch football really well. He is a brilliant touch player. We are as proud as punch to have him aboard ”

The talented “middle” who juggles his day job with daily training has just returned from a successful championship in Mudgee NSW and has his gaze set on the Trans Tasman series in New Zealand next February.

Michael’s manager Jim Kerby praised his young charge for the maturity to succeed at both elements.

“Often I find with the younger ones, if they have a lot happening outside of work they take their eye off the ball at work. But I have to compliment Michael. He seems to be juggling his work, trade school and his touch football really well. He is a brilliant touch player. We are as proud as punch to have him aboard,” Jim said.

Michael said he tries to restrict travel for the major competitions around weekends to minimise the impact on his day job.

“It’s hard fitting it all in sometimes but it’s good. It’s important to have a qualification to fall back on. And I do love playing touch. I’m also enjoying work. My goal is to get into the Australian Open men’s team,” said Michael, who joined AE Smith in September 2011. AES

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“ I am delighted [Gary Salkowski’s] been able to extend AE Smith’s project at the Hospital into a fundraising initiative.

We believe in helping people and this is a great example of our company values at work ”

Helping the Community in Which They Work Brave kids fighting cancer in Queensland will soon have a few more welcome distractions as they undergo treatment AE Smith employees and contractors have banded together with Brisbane’s Royal Children’s Hospital to buy new Sony PlayStations and PlayStation games for the oncology ward and outpatients.

The initiative was supported by AE Smith Construction National General Manager Steve Jackson, who came into the role with a strong track record of philanthropy with children’s charities from his other AE Smith postings.

“Cancer treatment as we all know is extremely gruelling for these children.

If we can help them take their minds from the challenges and the frustrations of treatment so they can concentrate on their health and well being, we are more than happy to do so,” Steve said.

Steve said the initiative would not have been possible without the commitment of Queensland Children’s Hospital Drawing Office Manager Gary Salkowski – who heads the drafting team for AE Smith at the hospital.

“Gary was really the dynamo behind pulling together our team and inspiring them to support a worthy cause,” Steve said.

“I am delighted he’s been able to extend AE Smith’s project at the Hospital into a fundraising initiative. We believe in helping people and this is a great example of our company values at work.”

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“We had major contributions, all the staff have pitched in, as well as our subcontractors,” adds Gary.

“This has enabled us to purchase PlayStation consoles as well as many new games for kids and families that are doing it tough,” Gary said.

The idea to help came up after it was noticed there was a shortage of up-to-date working computers in the hospital for kids.

“There were old broken game consoles making the time that these kids spend in hospital even longer.

“Sometimes people can forget that at the end of the day these sick kids often don’t get a chance just to be kids. So much of their and their family’s energy goes towards fighting to get well it’s easy to minimise some of their other needs.

“But it’s important they continue to be allowed to just be kids and have normal social interaction.”

Main pic: AE Smith QCH team.

Gary Salkowski standing far right.

Pic above: Artist impression of QCH energy plant.

The new Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH), located south of Brisbane CBD is well on its way to possibly being Australia’s biggest trigeneration system.

The mechanical services of the billion-dollar QCH development, which will include a trigeneration system capable of delivering up to 6MVA of electrical energy, is being built

by AE Smith.

It didn’t take long to generate support for this fundraising project, with the AE Smith team at the hospital quick to embrace the enthusiasm for the cause.

“These really are a great bunch of people who understand the value in giving to the community in which they work,” he said. AES

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years & growing

Australia to Link with EU ETS In 2010, AE Smith achieved its goal of planting 10,000 trees by 2010 with Greenfleet.

So how does the latest announcement to remove the floor price and link Australia’s emissions trading scheme with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) affect things at Greenfleet?

In 2012 a new target has been set – to offset CO2 emissions with Greenfleet from the entire national Service fleet of 100 vehicles and 1,000,000 km of air travel.

"It brings greater simplicity to the scheme; and linking to the more established market means Australia will benefit from the EU experience and Australian carbon project developers can tap into a larger market," said Greenfleet CEO, Sara Gipton.

For more information about Greenfleet, visit www.greenfleet.com.au

"We are confident that investment in Australian carbon forests that offer additional biodiversity benefits will continue to rise as liable parties build their carbon management portfolios," said Sara. "Forward investment in carbon forests presents liable parties with long term certainty on both price and delivery of carbon.”

"In an international carbon market, the price of credits will rise and fall, as it does for any market commodity. Sensible investors will manage this risk by taking a portfolio approach.

Cool Breeze is a magazine published by AE Smith & Son Pty Ltd ABN 54 004 274 793 for its staff and customers. Subscription is free and available directly from AE Smith.

The costs associated with planting and managing carbon forests are largely predictable, and therefore offer investors pricing and supply certainty for the future.

© 2012 AE Smith & Son Pty Ltd. Important Notice: The information contained in this magazine is given in good faith. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither AE Smith, its employees or contractors accept any liability for loss or damage arising as a result of any person acting on information contained in this magazine. This magazine should not be used or relied on as a substitute for detailed professional consultation with AE Smith.

"We are confident Australia's carbon compliance market will invest in biodiverse native forests as part of their carbon risk strategies, due to the predictability in price, long term carbon delivery and environmental cobenefits," concluded Sara. AES

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Meal from the Heart in Sydney Staff of the AE Smith Sydney office and their families are going the extra mile in their support of the Ronald McDonald House charity They are already working out the menu in readiness to cook at Westmead RMH for the “Meal from the Heart” on September 4. The initiative will give a much-needed home-cooked meal for families supporting a seriously ill child at nearby Westmead Hospital.

The Sydney AE Smith team decided to extend the existing commitment beyond providing pro bono air conditioning services, said AE Smith Sydney office manager Linda Isles, who participated in last year’s Meal from the Heart. “ ‘My 28 day old bub only came out of surgery a couple of hours ago.

With three other kids I sure didn’t feel like cooking! This is fantastic!

Thank you,’ and ‘Walking down from the hospital, we could smell the preparations - thanks so much for giving us a beautiful home cooked meal. We really appreciate it.’ These were only two of the many comments shared with us during the few hours we were there. To see the smile on the children’s faces when they saw the dessert station of ice cream - Priceless!,” beamed Linda.

AE Smith Sydney General Manager John Shearsby said he was proud of his team’s commitment to the charity; “We have boxes collecting money on our front counter, we cook for them, assist with any repairs they need… Six or seven of us will go over and try to help. Everyone is proud to support RMH because it is a practical way to help families in need. We are just pleased to lend a hand.” AES

Pic: Team members from AE Smith Sydney with guests at RMH Westmead. “Great teamwork, excellent food and a really enjoyable night,” said Daniel van der Ent sitting front right.

AE Smith proudly helps the work of Ronald McDonald Houses in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Townsville.

Providing free services to RMH helps reinforce AE Smith’s belief in helping people in everything we do.

Houses supported by AE Smith no longer receive bills for air conditioning service and maintenance, saving thousands of dollars every year for each house.

For more information, visit www.rmh.org.au

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