Supplier Nov-Dec 2012

NOV/DEC 2012

Your Nesting Machine From $74,990+gst A genuine European designed and manufactured nesting machining centre – designed for you

View the full range, including specifications, options, videos and customer reviews at www.gabbett.com

AU – 1300 GABBETT (4222388) NZ – (09) 828 4530 www.gabbett.com

Clever Storage App: Truly innovative, the Clever Storage app delivers a sense of simplicity that is naturally easy to use and enjoy. Discover the latest range of Clever Storage solutions and design concepts for your clients. Show them the functionality in real-life movie animations and installations.

Suddenly turning your ideas into reality has never been easier.

Features: • View the Clever Storage product library.

• See real-life Clever Storage movie animations.

• Present to your clients with a simple touch motion.

• Read the latest news on Clever Storage and innovations.

• Share the Clever Storage app experience and email to a friend.

Download the App FREE from http://app.clever-storage.com

Kesseböhmer Clever Storage Solutions from Häfele The revolution began in 2011 with the first born member of the CONVOY family, CONVOY CENTRO. Take one glance and it is easy to see why the CONVOY CENTRO was winner of the 'Best New Product' at the Australian designEX exhibition in 2011 and will fast become one of the favourite features of your kitchen.

Adding a new dimension to the concept of Clever Storage with it's uncomplicated access, the middle child of the CONVOY family, CONVOY LAVIDO, has recently been launched into the Australian market to much acclaim.

Rounding out the CONVOY product line will be the arrival of the latest addition to the family, the CONVOY PREMIO fitting in early 2013. CONVOY PREMIO will complete the food storage revolution in the modern kitchen with a flexible and elegant approach that sets new standards for every application.

For more information on the features of Kesseböhmer CONVOY family from Häfele visit www.hafele.com.au or contact your nearest sales office.

Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/hafeleaustralia Melbourne | Sydney | Newcastle | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Canberra | Hobart | Launceston

info@hafele.com.au

www.hafele.com

1300 659 728

Upfront

Welcome to this issue of Supplier Woodworking magazine, our last for the 2012 year.

It has been a challenging year for most of us and, as the final preparations and completion of orders are carried out before the holiday festive season begins, we take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Just a quick reminder to make sure you get your entry in for “draw” of the 3d Kitchen Design & Production software, valued at over $15,000, which is closing soon! Check the details on the outside back cover .

Season’s greetings to everyone from Supplier Woodworking magazine.

Contents

NOV/DEC 2012 vol. 28 no.6

☞News

06 TVAA’s new veneer product manual 10 Masters stores have

dedicated trade area 11 Dulux Colour Awards

☞Design & Trends 12 Hettich & Blueprint Interiors

perfect recipe 14 New Showroom for Grass Australia 16 Laminex 2013 trends forecast

Vicky Cammiade - Publisher Ph: 03 9890 0815; Fax: 03 9890 0087 or Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au

18 Borg Decorative launched at

Awisa 2012

☞Manufacturing

26 Cold cuts: The Australian

Antarctic stations embrace Minimax

Meet the team

28 Gabbett open house 32 Benefits of saw optimisation 34 Doing business by cloud Vicky Cammiade Publisher

Jennifer Curtis Group Managing Editor

Ashley Cooper Group National Sales & Marketing Manager

35 Monitoring factory production

from Las Vegas

☞Front Cover

Gabbett Group www.gabbett.com

Sean O’Sullivan Advisory Panel Member

Phil Ashley Advisory Panel Member

The only specialist business publication servicing the Furniture, Kitchen, Shop/Office Fittings, Cabinetmaking, Joinery and the related timber and panel product industries in Australasia for over 26 years!

www.suppliermagazine.com.au Member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association

Reconstructed veneers are not all equal.

Elton Group has been supplying Eveneer to the Australian furniture industry for over 50 years. Manufactured in Italy and tested for Australian conditions Eveneer and Eveneer Essentials, quality you can trust. eltongroup.com 1300 133 481

Available on board from Associated Panel Products 08 8947 1144 Capital Veneers 02 6299 1557 J H Wilberforce 08 9340 6222 & 03 9793 7099 Laminex 132 136 Legno 02 9645 2137 Plyco 03 9499 4997 Processed Forest Products 02 9771 5155 Revolution Wood Panels 07 3205 9182 Sharp Plywood 07 3271 4511 Specialty Woods 02 9725 2277 Timberwood Panels 03 9769 0177 Veneer Panels 08 8281 3444 & 0414 691 093 Yates Wood Products 02 9618 3499

News

Massive savings on edgebanders

TVAA announces new veneer product manual THE Timber Veneer Association of Australia (TVAA) has released a completely new edition of the popular Veneer Product Information Manual.

The new 28-page manual, simply titled Veneer, is not just an update but has been rewritten to include the latest information on a range of issues including: • Chain of Custody certification; • an explanation of veneer production from tree to veneer; • detailed advice on sequence matching for continuity; • guidelines on finishes.

Information about BCA material groups applicable to veneered panels will be of particular interest to specifiers, since fire hazard properties are sometimes a limiting factor in the wider use of veneered panels for wall and ceiling linings.

Fire tests initiated by the TVAA have shown that veneer species in general use meet Group 2 requirements when applied to a flame-retardant treated MDF substrate.

The new manual demystifies some of the terms used in the veneer industry such as G2S (Good Two Sides), and references the Australian Standards relevant to the production of veneered board.

Also illustrated are different matching techniques, such as book

6 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

matching and slip matching together with examples of the many beautiful grain patterns available, such as burl, birdseye, and fiddleback.

TVAA President Rod Sharp said he expected the manual to be a help to architects and interior designers when it came to specifying veneered panels.

“Terms that we use every day in the industry aren’t necessarily familiar to specifiers”, Rod said. “A section in the manual titled How to Specify Wood Veneer will help with specification writing, and the many illustrations show what can be achieved with this renewable and sustainable resource.”

Copies of the new manual can be downloaded from www. timberveneer.asn.au or from info@ timberveneer.asn.au ●

THERE are massive savings to be had on stock edgebanders at Gabbett Machinery.

An increase in production levels out of the European factories has seen large shipments of the popular SCM edgebander range arrive into both Australia and New Zealand.

To move this stock, Gabbett Machinery has put together some amazing special offers, with up to $15,000 worth of savings on some models.

These are genuine discounts on current stock only.

Every model from the MiniMax series through to the Stefani range has been priced to move.

Specs vary from model to model with hot air, hot melt, corner rounding, interchangeable gluepot, auto set-up systems all available.

There are some terms and conditions and stocks are limited so it is first come, first served. ●

Racking guidelines updated WHEN it comes to inspecting steel storage racking there have been some ambiguities in meeting the Australian Standard AS4084.

In the past this has left many companies risking worker safety and not inspecting racking systems regularly or to recommended standards. The release of revised Standard AS4084-2012 in February 2012 goes a long way in attempting to remove any grey areas in the ‘to inspect’ or ‘not to inspect' camps and has roused debate on the potential hazards in the warehousing environment.

Among other revisions, the standards more closely defines that load charts must be displayed, specifies a traffic light reporting system must be incorporated into reporting, and says that inspections must be carried out at least every 12 months.

Previously existing wiggle room in interpretation of the standard has been eliminated.

The risks of failure to meet the new revised standard AS4084-2012 can be as inconsequential as stock loss and business shutdowns or as major as staff death and potential company litigation.●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

16 Industry Leaders speak on Go to www.youtube.com now and search empower time tracking software Greenmount Manufacturing “Substantial increases in factory productivity” - $10 million annual turnover, 45 staff, in commercial fit outs, kitchens and camper van fit outs – using Empower for 8 months (Auckland)

Modulink Joinery “$6 million annual turnover, 30 staff, in hotel fit outs, kitchens and office furniture – business and turnover has grown ten fold in 6 years and Empower has controlled that growth and profitability over the 6 years” (Christchurch)

Comace Interior Fit Outs “We have achieved well in excess of 30% increase in factory productivity” – 27 staff business using Empower for 4 years (Adelaide)

Barrett Joinery “30% increase in Factory Productivity” 18 factory staff using Empower for 5 years (Timaru)

Rose and Heather Furniture “100% increase in factory and staff productivity using Empower Software” – 20 factory staff and using Empower for 5 years (Auckland)

Phoenix Aluminium Windows “160% + increase in factory productivity. 26 factory staff down to 10 staff and output increased” - $13 million annual turnover, one of New Zealand’s most productive and progressive aluminium window Manufacturers (Auckland)

Central Joinery “Our goal is for Empower to increase our factory productivity by 25%” – $10 million annual turnover, 45 staff, using Empower for 3 years (Auckland)

Vogue Kitchens “Significant increases in factory

RH Page Shop Fitters International Shop Fitter seriously committed to lean manufacturing and Empower Software – 30 factory staff using Empower for 2 years (Auckland) Peppertree Furniture 1 “45.25 % increase in factory productivity - using Empower for 10 weeks” – 20 factory staff (Adelaide) Peppertree Furniture 2 “86% increase in factory productivity ¬ using Empower for 6 months” – 20 factory staff (Adelaide) Montage Kitchens “17% increase in factory productivity in year 1” – 20 man kitchen shop using Empower for 8 years (Hamilton)

productivity within 2 weeks of Empower Software implementation” – 9 factory staff (New Plymouth) Total Timba “25% factory productivity increase - and Empower Software worked from day 1” - 8 factory staff using Empower for 4 years (Auckland) PJT Cabinets “We used to use time sheets that our staff filled in their times on jobs at day end. Empower proved the time manual sheet times were highly inaccurate. We have made significant productivity gains in the factory and office on Empower and I highly recommend it” MARS Heavy Road Transport “Empower turned our factory productivity on its ear increasing it by an absolute minimum 30%, and turned my business around” - 35 man engineering shop using Empower for 3 years (Riverland, SA) Home Plus Southland “160% increase in factory productivity. 9 factory staff reduced down to 5 staff in year 1 – same output. Then 5 factory staff doing twice the turnover and work load that the 9 staff had been completing previously” - using Empower for 5 years (Invercargill)

16 Industry Leading Kitchen, Cabinet, Shop Fitting, Furniture, Window and Joinery Manufacturers throughout Australia and New Zealand talk about their productivity increases, KPIs, factory secrets and use of Empower Software – live on YouTube NOW. All are short videos a few minutes each. Factory productivity increases profiled on YouTube range from 17% to 160% - the average increase in factory productivity across 21 manufacturers is 47.5%.

Go to www.youtube.com now and search empower time tracking software.

Diary note to view YouTube again in 3 months time: an additional 16 leading manufacturers who use Empower Software will be on YouTube.

Empower Manufacturing Software Modules • Time Tracking/Labour Management Software (using 2nd hand PCs on the factory floor) • Job Scheduling Software • Quoting, Materials, Job Management Software Phone, e mail or go to our web site - and we will send you a FREE information package including a proposal to implement Empower Software in your business - manufacturing@xtra.co.nz or www.empowersoftware.biz

Sydney (02) 8011 3281, Melbourne (03) 9016 2537, Adelaide (08) 7200 1132, Auckland (09) 307 1115

News Machine stress graded plywood maintains its standards THE Australian Standards for plywood are based on hardwood timber harvested in the 1960s and earlier, but are the standards appropriate for plywood made from today’s softwoods and hardwoods?

For example, one of the current standards lists techniques for determining plywood stress grades that were not in existence when the original plywood strength properties were developed, while other standards list different grade stresses for the same plywood grades; it can all leave designers uncertain about which standard they should trust.

Researchers recently tested batches of machine graded plywood made from Australian produced softwood and hardwood or from New Zealand produced softwood. The plywood sheets were machined graded at their place of manufacture with the assistance of the EWPAA before being sent to the testing agency. There they were tested

to destruction, being measured for bending, stiffness, tension, compression and shear strengths.

The results suggest plywood producers will not have to make significant changes to their plywood production methods in order to accommodate any future standard modifications.

It also showed plywood stress grades better matched AS1720.1:2010 rather than AS/ NZS2269.0:2008. As a result Australian designers of plywood structures should use the characteristic values from AS1720.1:2010.

Researchers believe plywood stresses in AS/NZS2269.0:2008 should either be amended to reflect those in AS1720.1:2010 or deleted, leaving AS1720.1:2010 as the only source. The planned revision of NZS3603:1993 should also adopt the plywood stress grades from AS1720.1:2010.

The project confirmed that plywood grade stresses in AS 1720.1:2010 align well with the F8, F11 and F14 plywood resource from both Australia and New Zealand.

For designers working with structural plywood a number of different plywood stress grade standards may apply. The plywood standard AS/NZS2269.0:2008 and the timber design standard AS1720.1:2010 list different grade stresses for the same plywood grades. In addition plywood standard 2269.0:2008 lists three techniques for determining plywood stress grades, two of which were not in existence when the original plywood strength properties were developed.

It means designers can have renewed confidence in the strength of plywood as there will be minimal impact on the design standards for the material. www.fwpa.com.au ●

Floods force showroom renovation J&C Cabinets has opened a new showroom after its entire workshop and ground floor went under water during the devastating floods in Brisbane in January 2011.

“J & C Cabinets has been in operation for 23 years and the past couple of years have been quite challenging for us all but we continue to look ahead and try not to focus on the hardships,” said director Alan McBride.

“Our business, like so many others in Brisbane, suffered massive losses due to the devastating and crippling floods of January 2011. We knew there was going to be some flooding and for the day prior to the scheduled peak we worked tirelessly sandbagging and packing up what we could. Unfortunately our efforts were in vain and the flooding was a lot more severe that we had anticipated.

“When we were finally able to access our building we had 50 plus volunteers turn out to help with the clean-up – friends, family, staff and neighbours. Hafele, our largest supplier, was on the ground helping, cleaning hinges that they had sold us only the month before.

“Everyone worked hard 7 days a week to eventually get us to a point where we could operate again. Our apprentices received some valuable lessons in old school cabinetry, learning how to build cabinets without machinery – just glue and a nail gun on the floor till we got new benches made.

8 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

“The floods forced our showroom renovation and it looks fantastic now. Our strike rate for customers coming in to the showroom is 100%, which we put down to our helpful and knowledgeable staff.

“We are still thanking people today for all the help and support.”●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

real value!

3D Kitchen... software you can afford … provides innovative solutions to your design and production problems and has been supplying software solutions to the cabinet making industry now for 18 years .

very affordable from only…

$2,995

+ GST

...[ Prove our software for yourself, you won’t regret your choice of 3D Kitchen ]...

Three 3D Kitchen versions are offered …

Pro Design Pro Custom Pro Toolpath

professional 3D design. as above PLUS costing and production. as above PLUS nested CNC production includes door manufacturing module. and mortise & tenon (if required)

NESTING—don’t be misled, 3D ToolPath links to any CNC machine ||… seeing is believing … www.3dkitchen.com - then… contact us to discuss your options …|| → → → → →

yes, fully parametric—eliminates manual adjustments tailored to your own manufacturing specifications so it works the way you already manufacture available worldwide from 3D Kitchen Ltd choose 3D Kitchen and see real results

… the proven solution

design and production software leading the way to better value for you… from 3D Kitchen Ltd

contact your closest sales agent for information...

Karl May QLD 0414-869-736

Tony Adwan NSW SA VIC TAS 0417-453-735   or visit us online… www.3dkitchen.com e: sales@3dkitchen.com



Rob Carson WA SA 0405-267-941

News

Masters stores have dedicated trade area MASTERS is the newest player in Australian home improvement and is a joint venture between Woolworths Limited and the US home improvement retailer Lowe’s.

A couple of years ago both Woolworths and Lowe’s recognised the opportunity to bring a totally new ‘big box’ retail concept to Australia.

In its first year Masters opened 24 Masters stores across the country, with another 15 to 20 in development and set to open in 2013. Masters’ vision for the future is bold with 100 stores planned to open by 2016.

Masters recognised that its trade customers and its domestic customers have different needs and has made a dedicated area, separate from the rest of the store, solely for the use of its trade customers. This is an area where they can drive into, with a wide range especially for trade customers and with staff free to concentrate solely on their needs.

This specialised trade area covers everything from building supplies, power and hand tools, plumbing, electrical, and timber products, with tailor made offers and discounts that help tradies run their business – and bottom line – more effectively. ●

Masters staff Vaughan Creed (Area Manager, Area 1 VIC/SA), John Berreen (Area Manager, Area 2 VIC) and Vayia Kalas (Store Manager, Braybrook).

FSM held its 2012 annual meeting in Istanbul, Turkey FSM stands for International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazines Association.

It was established with the aim of providing actual and healthy information flow between world markets and ensuring professional solidarity among related publications.

The association held its official annual meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on October 14, 2012, during the Intermob /Wood Processing 2012 trade fairs organised

by TUYAP Fairs Inc. Members came from all over world including Australia (Supplier Woodworking magazine’s Ashley 10 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Cooper), New Zealand, Finland, India, China, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Russia, Singapore, Argentina, Ukraine, Taiwan, Belarus, Romania, Belgium, Mexico, Canada and Turkey, with representation from UAE. A number of innovative initiatives were discussed to assist member publications’ readers in their respective countries, which will come to fruition during the course of 2013.

New board members were elected, including our own Ashley Cooper.

Other board members are from Turkey, Romania, Italy, Argentina and Ukraine.●

Tyrolit abrasives expands coverage and range in Australia TOOLTECHNIC Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd (TTS) has been appointed exclusive agent for the Tyrolit industrial and coated abrasives range.

Tooltechnic Systems has been established in 1999 and acts as the sole Australian and New Zealand agent for Festool and Protool Power Tools as well as some European lines of accessories and consumables, including the Tox range of industrial fasteners.

As an Australian / New Zealand owned business its focus is on providing the Australian market with innovative, quality power tools and consumables that provide the end user with maximum benefits at a competitive price/performance ratio.

Based in Melbourne, TTS has a Team of 10 technical sales consultants, working in WA, SA, QLD, NSW and VIC that supports a dealer network including TAS and NT. Responsible for the business development of the Tyrolit abrasive brand in Australia is Steven Hincks.

Steven joined TTS as National Sales Manager Tyrolit and brings with him over 10 years of experience of working in the Industrial Abrasive Market. ●

R.Cornall and Son moving premises WELL known woodturning company R.Cornall and Son is moving premises.

For the last 36 years the business has been located in Reservor, Victoria.

As of January 2013, the company will now be found in Rooks Rd, Vermont, right next door to its parent company, Mathews Timber. ●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

www.interzum.com

Australians not keen on products ‘Made in China’ THE latest Roy Morgan research shows Australians are ‘less likely to buy’ a range of products labelled ‘Made in China’ although there are clear differences depending on the type of product being asked about.

Sizeable minorities of Australians say they are ‘more likely to buy’ clothes (32.9%, down from 34.2% a year ago) and electrical goods (28.3%, up from 27.9% a year ago and 25.4% four years ago) if they are labelled ‘Made in China’.

However, only 3.2% are ‘more likely to buy’ wine and food (5.8%) if labelled ‘Made in China’.

Importantly, the household members that do most of the goods shopping, known as ‘Grocery Buyers’, say they are ‘less likely to buy’ products labelled ‘Made in China’ across all product categories than the general population.

Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research said: “Australians have a strange relationship with our largest trading partner – China. Despite trade with China making up nearly 20% of Australia’s overall two-way trade – well ahead of second-placed Japan (12.0%), the USA (9.0%) and South Korea (5.4%); across the board far more Australians say they are ‘less likely to buy’ a product labelled ‘Made in China’ than those that say they are ‘more likely’.

Roy Morgan Research is Australia’s best known and longest established market research and public opinion survey company. ●

Furniture production Interiors Cologne

The future starts here.

Dulux Colour Awards ARCHITECTS, designers, specifiers and students are invited to show their imaginative use of colour with entries for the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards now open.

Now in its 27th year, the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards is all about how architects and interior designs apply colour to transform the three dimensional spaces they create.

The Dulux Colour Awards is an industry wide recognised awards program that has fostered a much greater awareness of the importance and use of colour in design and architecture nationwide.

The categories in the 2013 Dulux Colour Awards are: - Commercial Interior - Commercial Exterior - Single Residential Interior - Single Residential Exterior - Multi Residential Interior - Multi Residential Exterior - Student - Grand Prix Each category winner will receive AU$1,000 in prize money and a trophy. All entries, except for the student category, will also stand the chance of taking out the Grand Prix title.

Entries for all seven categories are open now until 8 February 2013. Details on how to enter can be found at www.dulux. com.au/colourawards The 2013 Dulux Colour Awards winners will be announced at a gala function in March 2013. ●

interzum

13 – 16. 05. 2013

New: Monday to Thursday !

World’s Leading Event

Suppliers primarily deliver one thing: new ideas.

Visionary technologies and innovative design – at interzum you’ll find concentrated innovative power for your future sales success.

The best ideas and sector innovations for the furniture industry and the home interiors business celebrate their premieres here.

As the leading global trade fair for the sector, interzum opens a window into the future. interzum is the meeting place for all of the key players. Gain an innovative edge – and let yourself be inspired.

Save time and money ! Register and buy your tickets online. www.interzum.com

Fairlab Exhibition Management Pty Ltd P.O. Box 1096 Bakery Hill VIC 3354 Australia Tel. +61 3 5332 2823 Fax +61 3 5332 1304 info@fairlab.com.au

Design & Trends

Hettich + Blueprint Interiors = perfect recipe This perfect recipe for kitchen design includes Hettich components Take the team from award-winning cabinetry designer and manufacturer Blueprint Interiors, add celebrity chef Iain “Huey” Hewitson, mix in some high quality Hettich products, sprinkle with a lot of hard work and what do you get? A brand new kitchen set for the popular daytime cooking show, Huey’s Kitchen!

Blueprint Interiors has just finished installing the new kitchen for the set of Huey’s Kitchen, which airs weekdays at 3.30 pm on Channel Ten. “The craftsmanship of the kitchen is first rate. Obviously the layout for our kitchen needs to be a little different from the norm, but I like the fact that everything is within reach – yet there’s tonnes of bench space,” said Huey.

12 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

“My favourite features are the amount of storage space and the compartments in the drawers for cooking utensils and all the other equipment we need.”

Blueprint Interiors used Hettich’s InnoTech Drawer System in the new kitchen, to get maximum use out of all available space and help make things more organised in this fastpaced kitchen.

InnoTech double wall steel drawers run effortlessly and silently on soft close Quadro runners – both designed and manufactured in Germany and include lifetime warranties. InnoTech comes with a wide range of accessories – from the OrgaStore, which helps organise

Huey’s groceries, to the sleek InnoPlus for cutlery, to the unique OrgaWing where two side panels gently spring out when the drawer is opened.

Neerabup-based Blueprint Interiors was thrilled to have won the job, and is excited to see its creation on national television.

“I really enjoy Huey’s show and have always been a fan,” said co-owner of Blueprint Interiors, Tracy Foley.

“Of course we were really happy to have won the job and are excited that the kitchen will be seen all over Australia every afternoon. Last year, an average of 1.2 million people watched the show every week,” said Tracy. ● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Akron

400 SERIES Edgebanding Solutions

The Akron 400 series of edgebanders are highly versatile and flexible.

With features suitable for up to 12mm solid timber, and processing times of up to 18m/min Akron Edgebanders are second to none.

Windows based touch screen control Innovative glue pot technology - requires no greasing!

Quick melt gluing system High quality HSD electrospindle CNC 4 motor servo-driven trimming units Two motor corner rounding units with automatic 4 position set up via control

Two position scraping unit for automatic processing of 1mm and 2mm edge strip Glue joint scraping unit Hot air blower unit

Skill

G FT SERIES

Biesse makes the Nesting decision EASY – start with stand alone nesting machine and upgrade to automatic loading and unloading machine or fully automated labeling cells at anytime.

We have a Biesse Showroom near you!

NSW VIC QLD SA WA NZ

E: nsw@biesseaustralia.com.au E: vic@biesseaustralia.com.au E: qld@biesseaustralia.com.au E: sa@biesseaustralia.com.au E: wa@biesseaustralia.com.au P: +64 (0)9 278 1870 E: sales@biessenewzealand.co.nz

Call 1300 BIESSE

Table sizes from 2400 x 1200mm to 3600 x 1800mm Windows based PC control Automatic table zoning 10 vertical spindle drill head On board tool change – 12 positions 300 m3 Oil cooled vacuum pump Sensors on all stop pins Full Yaskawa digital drive system (patented) HSD 16HP electrospindle Presetter for the measurement of the tool length Easy to use and fully integrated software Including BiesseWorks and BiesseNest

Design & Trends

Showroom for

GRASS Australia GRASS opens a showroom in Richmond**, Melbourne to display its hardware and movement solutions.

The GRASS subsidiary covering Australia and New Zealand, which was established in April 2011, is now all set to provide optimum advice and support for its customers following the recent opening of a 200-square-metre showroom in Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne.

Here, GRASS Australia/New Zealand presents the complete product portfolio of top-grade movement solutions. These include the double-wall drawer systems Nova Pro and DWD XP and the concealed slide system Dynapro as well as the Quaturis range of corner cabinet solutions, Kinvaro flap systems, the comprehensive range of Tiomos hinges and, of course, highend comfort systems such as Tipmatic or Sensomatic.

The inauguration of the showroom was celebrated in style with 20 guests from leading distribution partners and also marked the kick-off for the market launch of the unique hinge generation Tiomos, which now offers an even wider variety of hinge types.

Experiencing the innovative power of Grass products live “We are very pleased to have been given the opportunity to set up a showroom here in Australia,” said David Maitland, Managing Director of GRASS Australia/New Zealand.

14 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

“It creates an entirely different atmosphere – a visit to the customer’s cannot produce the same wow effect. The showroom provides the ideal setting for showcasing the innovative power of GRASS products. We are delighted that in future we shall be able to invite customers to visit us here so that they can be inspired by the movement systems and the impressive world of the GRASS brand.”

The showroom is aimed primarily at distributors and designers – but end users are also welcome to arrange a visit to find out more about the technical features of the modern kitchen.

“We see the new showroom as an invitation to everyone who is involved with new, upmarket projects that call for the very latest movement technologies,” said Maitland.

Strengthening international subsidiaries The expansion of the Australian subsidiary is in line with the GRASS path towards internationalisation.

The company is making it a priority to strengthen its international subsidiaries, which have to be able to operate independently in accordance with corporate policies in their national markets.

GRASS movement systems A globally successful group of companies, a fresh brand with tradition and an extraordinary diversity of perspectives – that’s GRASS in a nutshell. With sales revenues of 288 million euros in the financial year 2011, over 1,800 employees at 18 locations and more than 200 distributors in 60 countries, GRASS ranks among the world’s leading specialists in movement systems.

As development partner and systems supplier to the furniture industry, GRASS has been creating products which inspire its customers for more than 60 years. GRASS slide and drawer systems, hinge, flap and corner cabinet systems are brand-name products that move the furniture of prestigious brands. **New showroom 4 – 12 Amsterdam Street Richmond, Victoria, 3121

●

The new showroom for GRASS Australia where visitors can experience the innovative power of GRASS products live.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

TIOMOS HINGE SYSTEM

The hinge for the door to the future.

Stylish design. Maximum stability.

Adjustable Soft-close damping.

Tiomos, an elegant hinge system that already meets the technical and functional requirements of tomorrow.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the new hinge system is the new kinematics inside Tiomos.

Thanks to physically optimized lever movements, furniture doors are extremely easy to open and makes unprecedented alignment possible with minimum gaps.

Three levels for indivdual comfort. The Soft-close damping features step-wise adjustment and is fully concealed within the hinge arm. The closing process in each movement phase is smooth and completely without transition.

One range to cover all applications, from standard doors to wide angle doors, from diagonal corner hinges to glass door hinges; and from frameless applications to face frame applications.

Grass Australia/New Zealand Pty. Ltd. Australia: Phone +61 3 9421 3048 Email :Info-australia@grass.eu

www.grass.at

New Zealand: Phone + 64 9 273 7491 Email :Info-newzealand@grass.eu

Design & Trends

Laminex 2013 trends forecast

A preview of the latest

surface trends for cabinet

makers, joiners and designers.

The Laminex Group Design Director, Neil Sookee, outlines four trends that will be injecting new life into living spaces. Neil’s extensive knowledge and overseas travels to renowned international exhibitions and fairs has influenced the 2013 forecast from Laminex.

Building on hot favourites in interiors this year, plus introducing new looks that will create truly inspirational spaces, the 2013 Laminex forecast ranges from celebrating new brights to admiring the raw, beauty of nature, plus provides scope on how materials and spaces will be used in different and interesting ways over the next 12 months and beyond.

Super Natural Super Natural is all about taking cues from nature to add depth and dimension to an interior. Decorative surfaces are textured, pared back 16 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

and raw to mimic the natural look and feel of woodgrains and stone.

The brand new Laminex Impressions textured surfaces range brings Super Natural to life by evoking the tactile experience of natural materials.

Laminex Impressions textured surfaces boasts a collection of decors and finishes where texture enhances the grain and beauty of timber, transforms solid colours and evokes the sparkle of quartz. Super Natural authentically imitates nature and blurs the boundaries of real and unreal surfaces.

Colour Splash Related to colour blocking, where large areas of contrasting chromatic colour are used side by side, Colour Splash uses a small area of contrasting colour set against a neutral expanse. Strongly chromatic and vivid colours are often used as the Colour Splash highlight.

Colour Splash represents greater confidence and expressiveness with the use of colour. By definition, colour contrast must be used in conjunction with white or other neutrals.

Laminex introduces a series of new neutral solid colours and optical solids reflecting the importance on neutrals in any colour palette and in particular the rising importance of grey. New, richly chromatic colours like Infinity, Jalapeno, Posie and Purely Purple can be combined with neutrals and other colours in the Laminex Colour Palette to give a confident splash of colour to interiors.

Alfresco Living Australians are lucky enough to enjoy a pleasant climate and more and more Aussies are not only bringing their cooking skills outdoors but are embracing Alfresco Living,

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

where the comforts of interiors are enhancing outdoor spaces. With the line between interiors and exteriors blurring, Alfresco Living, is more than having an outdoor table and chairs, it’s a trend that creates an integrated space between indoors and outdoors.

The Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate range makes it possible to create custom furniture like outdoor lounge areas or bespoke outdoor screens to create an outdoor oasis that is comfortable and tranquil.

The durability of Laminex Metaline splashbacks and panels is well-known in the kitchen and now it can be used for splashbacks behind barbeques under a covered area.

Other ways to create the Alfresco Living look is to use accent colours to harness both the inside and outside of a home with the use of accessories like outdoor cushions.

Warming Grey Long-lasting and sophisticated grey is seeing something of a resurgence for modern interiors. In the world of fashion, grey teams well with other colours – why should it therefore not for interiors? In the major northern hemisphere furniture fairs over the last year, we have seen grey combined with other colours and materials as a consistent style treatment.

Grey can be combined to create a purely monochromatic theme but it

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

can also be combined with natural woods or organic based colours like yellow-greens, oranges and reds for more vibrant effect. When used as a woodgrain colour, grey invokes a sense of the graceful aging of a material with exposure to the elements and the passage of time.

Grey can also be warming. The potential coldness of purely neutral grey takes second place to warm, brown-based greys. This is a strong environmental reference that to us marks a natural evolution of brown in the palette, which is something of a global phenomenon.

In addition, Sookee also sees the following making an impact on interiors in 2013: • for kitchens, combining different worktop thicknesses and varying the height of landing places represents the very latest in European style treatments – and marks something of a departure from the highly constrained minimalist approach; • the continued integration of living spaces to create functional interiors; • a continuation of interest in butler’s pantries in kitchens; • rounded, organic lines will sit comfortably alongside square geometric forms as a style alternative; • skin tones and natural earthy browns are growing in importance. ●

SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 17

Design & Trends

Borg Decorative launched at AWISA

2012

Borg Decorative’s head turning and generously proportioned (288 m2) exhibition stand at AWISA 2012 was designed to be an inviting space for casual conversation and networking.

Cabinetmakers, shop-fitters, designers and fellow exhibitors gravitated there in droves where they were treated to chef prepared Italian hospitality in the crafted surrounds.

In essence, both the stand design and the new release products housed within – Polytec’s Evolution collection of doors and panels – were created and launched to the market as a collaboration between a designer at the cutting edge of product, colour, interior and retail design, and a progressive manufacturer – committed to delivering innovative and inspiring new products to the market.

At a time when exhibition design in the Australian economy has arguably been stripped bare, Borg Decorative (which now incorporates both the Polytec and Parbury brands), elected instead to invest in good design to create a memorable opportunity for industry participants to experience what their brand was all about.

18 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Borg Decorative turned heads at AWISA courtesy of Australian design and manufacturing collaboration for its panel products.

The brief to interior designer and design trend forecaster, Marylou Paino of CM Design, was to deliver ‘something international’.

“What we love about European trade fairs is the hospitality, and the idea of thanking industry participants for visiting and their custom,” explained Marylou, who attends prominent events globally to monitor and cherry pick from the latest trends that she deems relevant to inform interior design and product development projects for the Australian context.

Likewise Borg Decorative wanted to acknowledge customers for their support over the Australian-owned company’s 20-year history, which has grown significantly and now employs over 1000 people. A committed Australian manufacturer, there are three sites in NSW: Somersby – Borg’s board manufacturing facility; Charmhaven – Borg’s door manufacturing facility and Oberon – the company’s MDF manufacturing facility. Borg also has world-class facilities in Malaysia.

While many exhibition stands in

Australia conventionally sit within large box shaped or room style walk-in settings – the Borg Decorative stand was spectacularly different.

Acknowledging Borg’s core business as a manufacturer of quality board, Marylou’s design placed emphasis on the product – a feat achieved with dramatic effect. The standout hero statement – a customised overhead rotating rigging system installed by Clifton Productions – drew reference to Borg’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at Charmhaven and Somersby.

There was the idea of showcasing the large panels, which are the predominant business, moving through the stand display, as they would in a factory – starting out as raw material, being manufactured into boards, selected by designers and then crafted by cabinetmakers. A series of quirky statements inscribed on the overhead panels projected Borg Decorative’s ability to engage with their customers. The phrase “well hung”, on one panel was a tonguein-cheek play on the safely-secured overhead product, while another www.suppliermagazine.com.au

marked “ribbed for your pleasure”, on a white textured panel also commanded plenty of double takes.

All surfaces of the stand were covered in Borg Decorative product. Closer inspection revealed that three of the four overhead rotating sections cleverly represented the launch of the new Polytec Evolution collection of panels comprising ultra high gloss surface Createc; super matte Legato; and woodgrain textured Ravine. New release Parbury panels were displayed on the fourth overhead structure. Directly underneath, at ground level, booths designed for sitting and relaxing presented the product in application on benchtops and drawer fronts, and co-ordinated with other products in the range.

“Poytec’s Evolution range of doors and panels showcases the latest in laminate surface finishes and signals an evolution in the world of laminate,” according to Marylou.

“In developing the Evolution collection, Borg Decorative has picked up on kitchen design trends – with the offer of something special and different on larger 3.1m board sizes that are ideally suited to tall storage.

“The kitchen design process involves selection of a bench top from one board, general cabinetry from another, and complementing that with something sexy as the backdrop or the tall storage unit.”

The collection grouped together, on one convenient palette, newly developed surfaces alongside some existing surfaces. Ranged from Marylou’s interior design and trend forecasting perspective, the targeted palette has the design intent of honing the selection process for the end user while 20 adding another dimension. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 19

Design & Trends 19 Circular tabletops in the centre of the display were made from coloured MDF from the Parbury range.

Purposely designed without a base, instead suspended and fixed to the floor with stainless steel wire, they took on the appearance of discs of colour floating in space – a strategy again designed to retain the focus on Borg Decorative manufactured product.

Expansive merchandise display boards were constructed from Ravine Black Wenge by Upfront Displays, while Ravine Char Oak was applied to the floor for staging the event.

“Black Wenge and Char Oak are two key colours moving forward.

The ambience, texture and tone creates a more superior backdrop for showcasing product,” tipped Marylou.

Feature lighting formed a strong partnership with the grey and black hues to set Borg Decorative’s presence apart from the mostly all white stands at the bi-annual event. It also demonstrated the company’s ontrend focus where Marylou is working exclusively with Borg Decorative in the surfaces category, on new colour and product development. The stand was adeptly conceived in such a way, that even when it was brimming with people – the movement of materials and product was still clearly visible from the outside looking in.

According to Marylou, the busiest stands overseas are those that invite people in to have something to eat, sit and chat and to simply be part of the brand experience. This was certainly emulated at Borg Decorative’s AWISA stand, which was fittingly dubbed Club Borg. ●

20 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Renovation tips Kitchen design tips from specialist joinery business C & L Joinery

C & L Joinery of Teralba, NSW has been in the business for over 25 years and the company’s number one piece of advice to home renovators is simple: plan ahead and gather all the information you need before you get started on the job.

"My top tip for anyone looking to undertake a kitchen renovation is to talk to the experts first," said owner of the Teralba-based kitchen specialists, Jan Cook.

"A lot of people are tempted to rush out and buy all these beautiful new appliance without knowing whether or not they will actually fit or work in their kitchen space.”

C & L Joinery has a list of tips for kitchen renovators on its website, which are designed to give renovators a brief guide to creating a gorgeous kitchen including: • consider the size of the room; • consider the amount of light entering the room as this may influence whether darker or lighter colours suit the kitchen; • the choice of appliances (for example wall oven versus under bench oven) may alter the design concept; • consider the view from the kitchen and how important it is to highlight what's around the space.

While the market got off to a slow start this year, Jan and the team are looking forward to the warmer weather bringing about more kitchen renovations.

"As we head through Spring into Summer people start to think more about renovating their kitchens to cater for family and friends over the holiday period," said Jan. Last year C & L won the Master Builder's Association Kitchen of the Year Award with a French provincial fit-out of a private kitchen in the Hunter Valley.

C & L Joinery took charge of the project from start to finish, right from the beginning where they created the new kitchen in their showroom, until installation in the home and final touches.

"We contracted our painters to do the staircase, so the beautiful design in the kitchen flowed throughout the whole house," explained Jan. She said that winning the award has led to an increase in the number of requests for French provincial style kitchens, and that it is becoming quite a trend in the Lake Macquarie and Hunter community of NSW. "The French provincial style is very popular at the moment but so is the modern look. That's the beauty of custom building - we can help you combine the two so you can achieve the exact result you want," said Jan. C & L Joinery is part of Hettich's Endorsed Showroom program, which is a selection of carefully hand-picked showrooms across Australia that showcase Hettich products.

"C & L Joinery was selected because of their outstanding kitchen designs, exceptional attention to detail and first class customer service. Hettich is proud to have quality showrooms in the programme and we look forward to seeing what trends and designs their next project brings," said Hettich's National Endorsed Showroom Manager, Corene Roberts. ● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

We need your help!

Have you heard of Tessa? What about Moran?

Did you know that Lee Kidman’s family has been involved with the timber and furniture trade for five generations? How about when the name Berkowitz was associated with manufacturing as well as retailing? Did you know Clayton Furniture started in 1935 making incubators, ice cream cabinets and kitchen tables? Do you remember when every kitchen in Australia had a Formica topped table made by Eagle Remac?

The history of Australian furniture manufacturing in the 20th and 21st centuries is fascinating ... and in danger of disappearing. Currently there is no historical record of the lifetime achievements and accomplishments of the well known identities and brand names of the Australian furniture manufacturers, who have been household names in the domestic and commercial furniture manufacturing industry in Australia throughout countless generations.

We are gearing up to publish a coffee table book: ICONS – A HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS, that will record and preserve these Aussie ICONS – their influences, their backgrounds, their histories. We will also include a comprehensive visual reference using old photographs, line drawings, old family records – anything and everything that will tell their stories.

Their legacy will live on

The research, sourcing and compiling of all the information will take a great deal of time – so, this is where you come in. We need the help of everyone in the furniture industry to locate, contact and source the people, their families and friends, historical data, photos – in fact, records of any sort that will help express the lives and achievements of the well known identities and brands of Australia’s furniture history.

ICONS will be edited by Jennifer Curtis, who is well known to the industry through her long association with the furniture publishing business, and published in Australia by Cameo Publishing Pty Ltd under the direction of Vicky Cammiade. With their passion and enthusiasm for the furniture industry as a whole this project promises to be an inspiration to all those concerned with furniture making both now and in the future.

If you can help in any way, please contact: Jennifer Curtis 03 9938 7011 or jennifer@furnitureicons.com.au Ashley Cooper 03 9938 7052 or ashley@furnitureicons.com.au Vicky Cammiade 03 9938 7017 or vicky@furnitureicons.com.au

Profile

25 years strong and looking to the future APR Joinery is celebrating 25 years of service and excellence in manufacture. The has established and maintained a reputation for quality workmanship and outstanding service to the corporate furnishings industry supported by skills, knowledge and a passion for customer satisfaction.

Since its inception in 1987, APR Joinery has been servicing an ever-growing market with a broad range of joinery products including exclusive customised pieces, customised veneer stitching, laying, pressing and polishing – all carried out within the premises.

To accommodate today’s lead times and desire for variety, the company offers a huge array of features such as inlays, moulded edging or spray painted treatments and finishes.

Laminate is also pressed on site. APR also takes pride in its subcontractor relationships for other components such as metal work, upholstery, leather and marble suppliers to provide “the APR total solution”.

APR Joinery understands the importance of sustainable manufacturing and, to this end, sources its veneers from suppliers such as Briggs Veneers, Fethers Veneers, Eveneer, New Age Veneers and Laminex, who provide veneers that contribute to the Green Star Rating System of the Green Building Council of Australia. Waterborne lacquers and low formaldehyde (E0) substrates are available options for clients who are dedicated

22 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

to addressing environmental concerns.

In an effort to reduce landfill, APR has recently entered a program that assists in recycling its plywood, particle board and solid timber.

“Robert Breda, the director, works tirelessly within the business to guarantee we are continue to be the front runners in the industry,” said Lisa Laidlaw, APR’s Business Development Manager. “We continually update our machinery to the very best in not only Australian standards but that of the world and our facilities are continually improved with a major upgrade project occurring usually on an annual basis. This year we installed a gargantuan spray booth, which includes a paint mixing room, spray booth and drying room.

“Our dedicated team of 26 craftspeople truly embody our mantra ‘APR Where craftsmanship and technology comes together to create the finest products available’.”

APR was the first ever joinery to be granted membership to the prestigious Timber Veneer Association Australia. Robert is active in the development of the

industry as a whole via the Timber Veneer Association Australia and was honoured to be a presenter at this year’s Australian Timber Design Awards and was also a judge at the Corporate Culture Design Journey Competition last year. He offers his consultant services to numerous designers, is instrumental in helping the prototyping of their new lines and delights in rising to the challenge of development.

“We are passionate about the work we produce, are proud of our skilled team and never rest on our laurels... we’re 25 years strong and looking to the future,” said Lisa.

Company history A second generation family owned and run business, APR grew from a construction basis. The founding father, Aldo Breda, had already attained his carpentry

qualifications in Italy and, after migrated to Australia in 1952 at the age of 19, he commenced work with a company called Pazotti, which encouraged him to obtain his Australian carpentry licence. The Pazotti company sent him to both Brisbane and Toowoomba where he lived for the next two years, working as a builder of imported pre-fab homes before moving back to Sydney.

By 1956 Aldo had decided to go into business with a partner and together they formed Villata and Breda, building a factory in Bankstown, NSW. The company ran profitably for the next ten years.

The decision to change the company name to A. Breda Building Co Pty Ltd was made in 1966 when Aldo decided to buy out his partner’s shares and become the sole

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

owner. In time the company specialised in construction of buildings for both the commercial and residential market but work also included office renovations and internal fitouts. The company soon acquired an exclusive right with the big banks where, for five years, works were carried out for the head offices of the Commonwealth Bank followed by eight years with both the ANZ Bank and the National Bank.

From 1967 onwards A. Breda Building Co continued to grow in strength and reputation. Soon the employee numbers had expanded to 18 workers and it became evident that the existing workshop was just not big enough so, in 1971, Aldo built a new factory for his company in Condell Park on the same site APR occupies today.

Hand held tools were by and large the standard in the industry in 1975 but Aldo could see the vast benefits of newer technology that was not yet available in Australia, so he went to Italy to acquire new machinery to help improve both quality and production. This trend of ensuring the company moved forward with the latest advancements was continued when, in 1985, the firm bought it’s first CNC router.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Aldo’s two sons joined their father in the carpentry and joinery industry with Peter focusing on the construction building side of the business and Robert on the detailed joinery side. Both sons excelled in their tertiary studies and, by 1986, when Robert obtained his proficiency in carpentry and joinery, he had amassed a number of awards including the Jack Leslie Honours Award. Between 1988 and 1990 he would go on to receive a number of other awards as well as obtaining his full builders license.

Whilst the building company continued to grow, the specialised and highly sort-after level of joinery works carried out by the company were increasingly in demand and it became evident that side of the business could warrant it becoming it’s own entity.

Accordingly, in 1987 APR Detailed Joinery Pty Ltd was formed and the company’s first edgebander and beam saw were also purchased.

By 1990 APR had flourished enough to enable it to upgrade with the purchase of a second newer modern Morbidelli CNC router and Costa sander, which greatly aided it’s move, in 1992, into the corporate furniture market offering items such as large

boardroom table tops, meeting tables, workstation, reception desks, credenzas, etc.

In 1993, Peter and Robert became sole directors – Peter managed A. Breda Building Company, where he continued doing mainly commercial building works (including those for the National Bank and numerous architects), whilst Robert managed APR Detailed Joinery.

In 1995 APR Joinery began offering in-house stitching, pressing and staining of veneer furniture within the factory. This paved the way for forging a working relationship with Ergonomix in 1998 and the Australian branch of Wilkhahn Asia Pacific in 1999.

A huge leap was made in 2000 when the company installed both an enclosed and open faced spray booth within the factory to enable superior finishing of veneer and solid timber products from start to finish, making APR a one stop operation.

APR introduced the slogan ‘the total solution’, as they could totally control production from start to finish, all in-house.

Whilst its client base is ever growing, its relationship with Wilkhahn Asia Pacific was further

expanded in 2002 when they decided to use APR’s services to manufactured furniture to export to Asia and beyond.

Huge technological advancements saw the business again leap into the forefront of the industry when in 2005 a computerised beam saw and edgebander were purchased to cater for ever increasing demands of corporate furniture. Since then they have increased the computerised machinery within the factory with the purchase of a new Venture 3 CNC router in 2007 and a cross-band sander and panel saw in 2010.

APR Joinery was honoured to be the first joiner/panel layer to be inducted as a member of the Timber Veneers Association of Australia in 2009.

With the installation of an Australian first energy efficient air compressor and extraction system, APR was the recipient of a Retooling for Climate Change grant in 2010, showing its dedication not only to customer satisfaction and the manufacture of quality products, but also to the environment…ensuring an industry for the future.

When Thinking Ergonomix approached APR Joinery in 2011 to work with them in the manufacture and development of a new environmentally friendly furniture range, APR jumped at the chance. These combined efforts paid off with awards including winner of the Australian International Design Award and finalist in the FX International Awards in London.●

SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 23

Timber

Taking on the Australian elements Recent export figures point to an increase of 2% in both value and volume of exports of American hardwood lumber in January – June 2012 relative to the same period in 2011.

Whilst Ash currently only accounts for a small proportion of all exports it’s a hardwood that is appearing in recent projects around Australia, particularly in its thermally modified form.

Thermally modified hardwoods are hardwoods that have been subjected to high temperatures in a controlled environment, the result being a permanent alteration of the wood’s chemical and physical properties.

The thermally modified wood does not absorb moisture and is more dimensionally stable than in its pre-modified state. In situ, the wood is less prone to warping and twisting with changes in humidity. The thermal modification process also removes any nutrients in the wood thereby removing any food source for insects and fungi making it decay resistant.

Queensland based Duce Windows and Doors recently completed a full conversion of an old beach side brick shed into a retro style beach house on Stradebroke Island.

Thermally modified ash was recommended by Duce for all external joinery primarily for the beautiful contrasts in colour

and striking grain but also because it was perfect for the year round beachside climate.

Working with thermally modified hardwood is not without its challenges as it can be more brittle than other woods. However, its resistance to decay and dimensional stability means that the life of applied finishes is lengthened and maintenance needs are significantly reduced.

Dominic McNeil from Britton Timbers feels that thermally modified timbers will continue to see growth, particularly ash.

“I feel ash will be a species that will be used more in Australia going forward.

Well priced, great colour and grain and is available in all thicknesses.”

Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Oceania agrees.

“I’m not surprised by the interest in thermally modified ash in Australia. The Australian love of the outdoors is second to none and the need for products that look great but can also withstand the elements makes perfect sense. These initial signs are very encouraging indeed.” ●

Legal timber from Indonesia “New international developments in the trade of legal timber” and “Boosting exports of Indonesian verified legal timber products” were the two themes of a small, but high level forum in Indonesia in October.

The objective was to discuss the progress of the Indonesian Government sponsored timber and timber product export licensing scheme Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu* (SVLK or TLAS) under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) already concluded with the European Union. SVLK was launched in 2009 and is the result of a long multistakeholder process now nearing completion.

The intention of all parties is to allow only SVLK-licenced Indonesian exporters to ship timber products from 24 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Indonesian ports that will be automatically accepted by importers as ’legal’ under the forthcoming EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The meeting was convened by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) in collaboration with the Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) and Mutu Hijau Indonesia (MHI).

Amongst the international attendees was the Timber Development Association (TDA) of Australia.

The implications for Indonesia’s trade in timber products are enormous. Much hangs on acceptance of the scheme by key markets in Europe, USA and Australia.

The implication for wood imported into Indonesia is that if the trade in Indonesian-made timber and wood products,

such as flooring and furniture destined for Europe, becomes easier under the VPA, then the trade in material supplied from ‘safe’ or ‘low risk countries’ such as USA and new Zealand, for example, will be assured. If the credibility of SVLK is not established in Europe over the next nine to 18 months then the EU market may turn away from such trade as too risky – given the current negative sentiment there.

Much credibility will come once the VPA with Europe is fully implemented following ratification and a joint evaluation of the system expected next year. The same situation is largely true for US importers and users of Indonesian timber products under Lacey.

The TDA also gave an update on the Illegal Logging

Prohibition Legislation that has passed the Australian government Lower House and now needs Upper House ratification expected late 2012 or early 2013, which will affect the market for Indonesian products in that country.

During the discussions the European Union Ambassador pointed out that “the EU objective is pro-Legal and pro-Indonesia”, and the US Ambassador stated that the presence of an Indonesian system will give confidence and so “SVLK will be very helpful to ensure the continuation of Indonesian/US trade.” * SVLK stands for “Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu“ and is translated as Certificate of Verification of Legal Origin of Wood – i.e. Assurance of Legality of Wood Products.● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

REACHES MORE CUSTOMERS Supplier Woodworking DESIGN + MATERIALS +TECHNOLOGY....the only bi-monthly magazine for the cabinetmaking, kitchen, furniture, window, door & wood industries.

Proud Australian member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association.

EMAIL ASHLEY COOPER ashley.cooper@elitepublishing.com.au OR VICKY CAMMIADE vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Manufacturing

Mawson Photograph © Christopher Wilson, courtesy Australian Antarctic Division

Moon over Casey, Casey Photograph © Christopher Wilson, courtesy Australian Antarctic Division

Cold Cuts: The Australian Antarctic stations embrace Minimax When your workshop is on the Antarctic continent, you face some unique machining challenges. Your work needs to withstand constant low temperatures, ice, high winds, snow drifts and freeze-thaw cycles. All your materials and equipment need to be transported by air or ship, then taken ashore by barges, helicopters and amphibious vehicles. Your workshop is also likely to be multi-purpose and with limited space.

There are three Australian Antarctic research stations on the Antarctic continent – Casey, Davis and Mawson.

These are home to two of the hardest-working of all Minimax CU300 combination machines.

The Australian Antarctic stations are the workplace and home for researchers, scientists and expeditioners 26 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

who serve in the Antarctic and sub Antarctic. While the stations have a research focus, they are fully functioning communities and employ over 300 permanent staff over the summer months.

Chefs, doctors, administration teams, carpenters, mechanics, electricians and plumbers work on the bases throughout the year. All residents have their own rooms as well as the use of kitchens, workshops, science labs, weather stations and storage systems. Maintenance of three stations on the Antarctic continent is a tough job.

Of the three stations, Casey and Davis each have a Minimax CU300 and Mawson has an older SCM machine. The machines are used in the general carpentry workshop where essential maintenance is carried

Photography by Chris Hill, Station Carpenter © Commonwealth of Australia 2012

Photography by Chris Hill, Station Carpenter © Commonwealth of Australia 2012

out. In summer there is a construction period when the carpenters repair and improve facilities ready for the next icy winter season.

The stations are permanently occupied for 12 months of the year, though there may only be 20 or 30 people on site during winter.

The machines manufacture shelves, trim doors and undertake general carpentry chores as required. The MiniMax CU300 is well suited to the challenging location. It is a multipurpose machine that it takes up minimal amount of floor space with the maximum amount of machining variations – perfect for a workshop that needs to be a jack-of all trades.

The machine is often called a four-in-one. It combines a surfacer and thicknesser, a sliding table saw, a spindle

moulder and mortising table and is engineered to simplify the process of changeover.

This means changeover is fast, and with an extremely high level of repeat accuracy.

It can be easily operated by one person – even one person in a small workshop on the Antarctic continent.

Gabbett Group’s most southern customer is a title the Australian Antarctic stations win hands-down, and it’s a fact that also poses some interesting challenges.

For example, the Gabbett group operate a proactive service management system for many of their clients, this schedules for a technician to visit on site to service their machinery. However, when contacting this customer the call is always met with bemusement. Their response: “Mate, you know the machine is in Antarctica?” ● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

freecall 1800 818 448 Australia-Wide, New Zealand and Asia Pacific for full details: www.ronmack.com.au

Panel Saws

Edgebanders

Panel Saws

High quality Italian Casadei, incredible range from low cost entry level to 5-axis.

Quality Italian Bi-Matic & Casadei – now at reduced prices. Unbeatable value for money!

Check out the Romac range, check out the SP400E – our deals are unbeatable!

Surface Planers

Thicknessers

Wide Belt Sanders

Quality Casadei or Winner, unbeatable deals.

We have the best range available.

Every size available, both Casadei and Boarke.

Planer / Moulders

Radial Arm Saws

Spindle Moulders

Winner Pioneer, from low cost 4 spindle to high spec 9 spindle – every configuration.

Huge range – everything available.

Best range from Casadei & Xcalibur, NC control & feeders.

CNC Routers

Dust Collectors

Used Machinery

A full range, great value from Busellato, C-Nest, Boarke.

An extensive range of Romac dust collectors in stock from single inlet 850 cfm to 4 inlet 7,500 cfm & 6 inlet 8,500 cfm.

Massive range of panel saws, edgebanders, beam saws – everything available.

WA, Perth (head office) 08 9445 0700 VIC 03 8359 8400 QLD 0439 901 646 NSW 0422 237 409 SA 0400 219 634

www.ronmack.com.au info@ronmack.com.au

Manufacturing

Gabbett open house

Gabbett is one of Australia’s largest and longest standing woodworking machinery suppliers. This year, the company held a successful open house at its premises in Kings Park, west of Sydney. By Phil Ashley, Teaching Centre Manager, Furnishing Programs, Holmesglen TAFE, Victoria.

Gabbett’s extensive premises enabled the company to put together a show covering most aspects of the woodworking industry. In addition, some very interesting examples of their customer’s work was on display to demonstrate the value of their wide range of equipment that includes SCM, Morbidelli, Stefani, Minimax, DMC, Superfici, Gabbiani, Holytek, Sawstop, Tigerstop, Masterwood, Koch, CMS, Fom Industrie, Balestrini and other leading brands.

The showcase CNC machinery used to be a significant investment for any manufacturer. Now it’s almost a necessity for

28 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

survival as production and labour costs continue to rise.

An interesting exhibit at the Gabbett showcase was the very reasonably priced 5-axis SCM Accord 30FX. Why five-axis? Well, three and four axis machines need a collection of attachments to perform the range of machining actions to increase productivity. An attachment (aggregate) fits onto the spindle and usually incorporates its own gearbox to convert the spindle power to the cutting tool. This could be a saw, multi-drill, morticing tool or sanding aggregate.

These tools need to rest for a time as they generate heat and are really only useful for occasional processes.

Smart manufacturers now

look to five-axis machines to eliminate this resting time and fully utilise the advantages of the CNC technology. With the current exchange rate, a five axis machine may never be cheaper.

I particularly liked the new Play and Motion portable console fitted to the CNC machine. It’s very much like a video game controller and allows machine functions including manual control of all axes, potentiometer (variable machining speed), referencing and diagnostics to be controlled as you walk around the machine. It won an international product design award in 2011 and would certainly appeal to the younger generation of apprentices coming through

the trade schools.

A Play and Motion control was also fitted to a Pratix S CNC nesting machine on display. As this machine is dedicated to nesting of flat panels, the controller was customised with the tool tip-off function and the ability to display pictures of all the tools. Other innovations on display included joinery, furniture, musical instruments and other ‘oddities’ and we’ll take a look at these now.

Did you know that the Olympic torches used at the 2004 Athens games had a wooden core? And did you know that those sections, about 600mm long, were made in Australia

by Express Woodturning?

What a coup for Australian

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

manufacturing! The complex sections, designed on CAD, were produced on an SCM Record CNC router and the company made 17,000 over a five month period working 24/7.

That’s 3,360 hours and each one took only twelve minutes each.

What do Tommy Emmanuel, The Seekers, Paul Kelly, John Fogarty, the Finn brothers and the late great George Harrison have in common? They all use Maton guitars manufactured in Victoria where the fine finish is produced on SCM Sandya wide belt sanding machines.

Moving from musical instruments to joinery, Abbott’Solutely timber from Perth cuts hidden dovetail 30

Yours

PRATIX 5 NESTING MACHINE – DESIGNED FOR YOU. VIEW THE FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS, SPEC SHEETS, ONLINE VIDEO DEMOS & CUSTOMER REVIEWS AT WWW.GABBETT.COM

AU: 1300 GABBETT (4222388)

NZ: (09) 828 4530

www.gabbett.com

Manufacturing

29 joints into cedar mitre joints on a Morbidelli CNC machine. The mitre always remains closed and the machining provides a perfect joint.

And finally, The Joint Workshop makes Pilates reformers in maple and beech using Morbidelli CNC machinery. These sophisticated machines look more like furniture than exercise machines. All the parts are made by the company on the Morbidelli including the aluminium slideways and brackets. They tell me that 100 exercises can be done on the reformer, which looks like a medieval torture rack.

Also on display at the showcase were edgebanders where the heated fence has been replaced with an internal heating element for safety. A touch screen replaces the old soft-keys at the bottom of the screen and you get a production report to assist with your costing. The panels are now held by a toothed belt instead of pads to lower maintenance costs and 30 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

the cut-off saw travel has been reversed to make the machine shorter and cost less.

SCM has machines for all applications but particularly strong in solid wood. Their range of machines for solid wood is extensive and Barry Gabbett has taken on the responsibility of supplying parts for machines that Gabbett did not sell. A case in point is SCM machines that have been sold by several companies over the last 30 years or so.

Barry also makes an interesting point when he said that: “there are probably 20 brands of machines that were exhibited at trade fairs in 2008 that are either not represented in Australia or have ceased to exist.�

As an example of this, I note that the number of flat-bed nesting machines at AWISA this year has dropped since the last show in 2008.

With up to four million dollars of parts in stock and 70 staff, Gabbett is ready to continue to service the industry for another 33 years. â—? www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Productivity

Sucking time and profits out of your business

By Sean O’Sullivan, B Com (Hons) Otago University Empower Software Everything that is sucking time and profits out of your business falls into ten main areas: 1. Individual factory staff who occasionally or consistently can not or do not meet their budgeted times on jobs.

2. Office staff and management who take too long to complete their tasks on confirmed jobs.

percent of your variations are uncharged unless tracked using software and charged accordingly).

7. Economy is slow so your factory staff are not working at their optimum pace.

3. Management's costing, pricing and quoting where not enough time has been allowed on jobs in the first place.

8. Time during work hours when factory and office staff are not working (ie standing around,talking, going walkabout, personal errands, personal phone calls, texting and internet)

4. Management's costing, pricing and quoting where no time has been allowed for management and office staffs' time involved in each job (ie your business is wrongly treating your sales staff, designers, machine programmers, materials orders time as an overhead without allowing for and monitoring time taken in these areas).

9. Not starting work promptly six times a day – at day start and end, start and end of smoko, and start and end of lunch (most Australian factories lose 30 minutes per staff member per day in this area alone = 2.5 hours per staff member per week = financial loss of $150 per staff member per week (at $60 an hour overhead cost)).

5. Factory-wide time on daily and weekly factory overhead jobs including cleaning, repairs, servicing, inward goods, training, meetings etc being substantially higher than you would imagine.

10. Your hourly charge out rate is sufficiently covering your current overhead costs to allow you sufficient profit margin.

6. The enormity of your current levels of re-work and job variations (ie significant www.suppliermagazine.com.au

PCs on the factory floor plus joiners and cabinet makers time tracking software will transform your business and profits by making everyone

in your business aware of all times and of meeting their times on all jobs.

PCs on the factory floor and Empower time tracking software is an inexpensive tool, is simple to implement, can be implemented in five days – and can transform your factory productivity within three weeks.

(Empower has carried out 164 implementations over the last 12 years.)

The Australian Government, through the Enterprise Connect program, is supporting joiners and cabinet makers dollar for dollar – up to $20,000 for implementing productivity software.●

ROUTER BITS

New 2012 Catalogue Available Diamond Tipped (P.C.D.) Router Bits.

Diamond Tipped (P.C.D.) Wood Drills & Hinge Boring Drills. T.C.T. & H.S.S. Brad Point Drills. T.C.T., H.S.S., Solid Carbide & Replacable Insert Router Bits.

Also TCT Saw blades (up to 630mm) • Wood drills • TCT Hole Saws • TCT & HSS Buzzer Blades and Corrugated Back Knives • Planer Blades • Drill/Countersinks • Bandsaw • Handsaws • “3D” Router Carver Router Depth Gauges, Step Gauges, Contour Gauges, Adjustable Circle Cutters, Auger Bits, Expansion Drill Bits, Masonry Drill Bits, Step Drills, Glass & Tile Drills, Sharpening Stones, Specialised Cutting Lubricants.

CARB-I-TOOL (AUST.) PTY. LTD 12 Levanswell Road, Moorabbin, VIC 3189 Australia Ph: 03 9555 2966 Fax: 03 9555 8695 Email: sales@carbitool.com.au Web: www.carbitool.com.au

SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 31

Manufacturing

Benefits of saw optimisation Officebuilt offers cabinet design software solutions from design to CNC production for all joiners and cabinet makers. Our flagship product is Polyboard 3D cabinet and furniture design, which is complemented by Opticut saw optimisation and Optinest true shape nesting software packages. In addition to our software products we offer consulting services in CNC machine programming, furniture design, software and machine integrations. By Asher Traurig, Officebuilt Pty Ltd. One of the great benefits of talking and meeting with many companies and members of our industry is that you get a feel for general conceptions and mindsets that exist out there. It would seem that many people share the same feelings toward certain issues. Obviously my conversations relate around design automation and optimisation as it relates to the trades. I’ve come across quite a few but in this article I wanted to talk about the benefits of saw optimisations verses doing cutting lists by hand.

While most people see the advantages that an optimisation computer program (like our own Opticut) can provide for a larger company or even for a large contract job these still seems to be a persistent view that it can be faster simply to take each part on the cutting list one at a time and cut the required number of parts from the available material on hand.

The first and indisputable benefit that will come from optimisation is the material saving, which can be significant. People often don’t realise just how much material can be saved by using a computer to tell you how to arrange your parts on a sheet rather than just saying “that job 32 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

will be about a pack’s worth”.

It is true that to get the maximum benefit from your optimised cutting pattern it will involve more of the operator’s time as more complex patterns will involve more ‘panel turnarounds’ and rotations.

However, unless you are not concerned about waste at all, you should consider the time taken to go through your pile of offcuts and select the most appropriate piece to cut the next part out of. When this time is taken into account then the amount of extra time to handle rotations is really at a minimum and the material cost savings really become attractive.

In addition most good optimisation programs give you control over the rotation verses cutting time efficiency.

In other words you can choose in the settings to either minimise panel turnarounds or eliminate them altogether.

Increasing the rotation rate will lead to greater material yield (less sheets used) while decreasing the rate will speed up cutting times.

You also have control over ripping or cross-cutting; some people will like to make cuts along the length first while others like to cut across the width first. Also, to lower cutting times you can select to have all your rips or cross

cuts done first and then cut the smaller parts out of the strips (commonly done on beamsaws).

In any event, using a good optimisation program does not leave you at the mercy of the software but rather you can control the software parameters so that it will create efficient layouts the way you want them.

The other concern that people have expressed to me is that because optimisation usually produces a lot of individual saw setups and, as parts may be spread across different sheets, there will be an increase in operator measurement errors.

Of course you can minimise the turnarounds rate and thereby reduce the amount of set-ups as we already described. The main point to note here is that if the spreading parts across different sheets is problematic because the result will be differences in part dimensions due to operator set-up errors, then a similar error made by the saw operator when he cuts all the parts in one go from the same sheet will just produce all the parts with the same incorrect dimension.

Besides the fact that if you can’t set your rip fence accurately then it is probably time for a new saw anyway!

Obviously operator errors do not exist when it comes to beamsaws as, with these saws, all set-up is done

by CNC controlled fences fences. In which case the only issue is the extra cutting time associated with panel turnarounds verses material savings gained by having tighter cutting layouts.

I’ve also noticed that recently there is an increased number of workshops introducing CNC controlled panel saws, which have two great benefits – they will invariably decrease the number of operator inaccuracies and the actual set-up times themselves will be much quicker.

When using these high end machines, the only room left for error is for the operator to punch the wrong numbers into the panel. These errors can be totally eliminated with the latest machines from suppliers like Altendorf and Martin and by using optimisation software such as Opticut with CNC machine connection.

These high end panel saws have touch screens controllers that not only setup the fences for you but also allow you to download the cutting layouts directly onto the machine, eliminated operator input errors and saving you time again. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

MILLSOM MATERIALS HANDLING

These touch screen CNC panel saws, when coupled with good saw optimisation software, really give you the best of both worlds, i.e. quick set-up times with no accuracy errors, while the combination also gives you the highest yield from your material.

Just make sure that when you are purchasing these saws the supplier includes the saw-tocomputer interface. However, when it is all installed the system works seamlessly. The parts are optimised in Opticut, which creates the layout patterns on a USB disk, and also printed (as above) with a bar-code. At the saw the barcode scanner reads the code and loads the correct program.

Opticut can connect to both Martin and Altendorf panel saws.

Additionally, anyone who does make the step into software optimisation will also get the additional benefit of parts labels. As anyone who has multiple jobs on their workshop floor knows, particularly when you are edgebanding different jobs together, parts labeling really is important.Whether you go for a high end CNC panel saw or beamsaw with a label printer built in or whether you print out your labels using the software optimisation software like Opticut, you will wonder in time how you did without it.

All in all, when you add up all the benefits of optimisation, it is clear that it that will give you the edge over your competition particularly if you have already invested in CNC panel cutting equipment. ●

FREECALL 1800 99 22 11

The Right Advice, The Right Solution,The Right Choice THIS MONTH’S PRODUCT FEATURE IS THE SCHMALZ VACUUM LIFTER ‘JUMBO ERGO 200’ The vacuum lifter that can easily lift and move up to 200kg. Lifting, lowering and releasing of the load are easily performed by a single operator and combined with an easy to move low friction track system or jib crane provides the total solution for your handling needs.

Millsom’s also have a great range of vacuum lifters capable of lifting up to 2000kg and jib cranes, bridge cranes and low friction track systems to suit most applications.

LIFT AND TURN 90˚

EASY LOADING OF YOUR CNC

MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE, PERTH, ADELAIDE & NZ

OEM SPARE PARTS

www.millsom.com.au

DOOR HANDLING

LIFT AND 180˚ TURN

email - sales@millsom.com.au

Manufacturing

Doing business by cloud

By Cameron Cox, Cabinets Online Cabinets Online was established in 2003 by Kevin Cavanagh and Cameron Cox in Brisbane specifically to take advantage of a market demand for a wholesale kitchen manufacturer.

Queensland’s South East, at this time, had no fully independent retail cabinet manufacturers and Cabinets Online, today, is still the only truly wholesale kitchen manufacturer.

“We make completely custom built cabinetry for the kitchen showroom, independent designers and small business sized cabinet making company wanting to outsource the factory component of their manufacturing requirements,” explained Cameron. “Kitchens are delivered direct to site fully assembled ready to install or, for a small portion of our customer base, flat packed.

“The business plan at establishment was to create a B2B process that is completely digital. We achieved this successfully and have built on this model by taking that system completely into the ‘clouds’ of the internet world.

“The freedoms that this process has given us are almost incomparable in this industry. Many industry representatives who have become aware of our systems have repeatable commented on its benchmark capabilities.”

When Cabinets Online visited this year’s AWISA show in Sydney it had some major goals in min, researching two specific business requirements.

“Our current investment in a 34 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Woodtech sourced Anderson flatbed, Planit integrated CNC working cell is now five years old,” explained Cameron.

“Even though it is working at its originally purchased efficiency, advancements in capabilities in current and competing models justify re-investing in this production capacity.

“Our aim is to increase our capacity, improve the quality of our product and also to reduce the risk associated with an older machine’s maintenance requirements and the down time lost to production that is inevitable with this age of machine.

“We have found that technology has come on in leaps and bounds since our last nesting investment. Now, just as much focus is being put into managing materials handling both before and after the nesting machine has done its part in the process.”

Cameron went on to say that integrated warehouse management with nesting cells was strongly demonstrated and the business benefits screamed loud and clear.

“In order to remain as ‘lean and mean’ in manufacturing kitchens as we currently are, investing in these new fully integrated warehouse working cells is a must to maintain our leadership in best practice manufacturing,” said Cameron.

Over the past six years Cabinets Online has invested and developed a Business to Business online kitchen cabinet CRM and production management system completely structured

in the clouds. This has been completed independently of any of the existing recognised industry supporting software businesses.

“Customers, kitchen showrooms, independent kitchen designers, cabinet makers and installers can go onto the internet and quote, order and monitor the production process of their 100% customer built cabinetry in real time,” explained Cameron. “For us the improvements are almost impossible to list but without a doubt I would not want to be in any form of manufacturing without a business system such as the one we have developed.”

The business sytem includes: • 24/7 customer access to the business even when the boss is sleeping; • fully digital supplier ordering from data flow of order detail; • highest quality job estimation – ie, what is designed and priced is what is ordered and manufactured – NO ‘guesstimating’; • almost paperless shop: • design to production conflicts are almost completely eliminated.

The system is capable of putting the information tools into the hands of the sales team so they can clearly and accurately communicate to the production team the individual requirements of what has, in the last 10 years, become an increasing complex

product offering.

“These are just a sample of the diverse problems that our system has solved for us, allowing us to remain strongly competitive wholesale manufacturers in what have been extremely tough times.

“What was most surprising at the AWISA show was the lack of a truly similar product to that which we had built and designed ourselves.

“Although we found many systems on hand, none completely covered all of the areas in our business that we successfully manage. Those systems on offer that were close had only around 70% of our business functionality at best.

“The scale of investments in these programs all varied significantly but what stood out the clearest is that no product on offer was taking advantage of “cloud” based development advantages as strongly as we have. The data protection and safety associated with this kind of platform alone in risk management justified our significant investment to date.

“In short, if we were investing from scratch today and chose to purchase out of the box solutions, we would seriously have to compromise the results we were aiming for.

“The capacity to now ship assembled kitchens interstate at efficient logistics costs has opened up out business model greatly and we are looking forward to our and the world’s economies improving so that we can truly test our business principles on a national level,” said Cameron.● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Monitoring factory production from Las Vegas While dividing his time between the factory, his retail outlet, visting interstate clients and travelling overseas, Mark Tozer finds his Empower time tracking software keeps him in touch with everything. By Sean O’Sullivan, B Com (Hons) Otago University Empower Software Mark Tozer owns and manages Peppertree Furniture, a large progressive Adelaide based commercial furniture manufacturing business that markets his product throughout Australia.

“As owner of the Peppertree Furniture manufacturing business I saw the writing on the wall over 10 years ago, having to compete with increasing local competition and ever increasing volumes of imported goods from China coming onto our market,” said Mark. “It was clear that I needed quickly to get my factory highly efficient, and I needed to maintain 100% factory productivity on a daily basis or I would not remain in business.

“The problem I had, and still have, is that I am not in the factory a significant amount of the time. I own and manage our furniture retail business at another site, I am interstate regularly seeing clients and I am overseas regularly sourcing components.”

The solution was obvious – secondhand PCs for the

factory floor and staff and job time tracking software.

“Empower time tracking software, purchased now over three years ago, has enabled me, with the same factory staff and same weekly hours worked, to increase our weekly production by just on 100%. That is, with the same staff I have doubled my production.

“As MD I am actively involved in viewing our factory productivity screens and reports on Empower every day. In doing so I support my production manager with discussion about what is going right and wrong and action we need to implement on a daily basis. When I am not in the factory, either at our retail store, on the road interstate or overseas, I diligently view the Empower screens and reports on my laptop and analyse our live factory production and productivity on a daily basis and phone or email my production manager to raise issues that I see.

“Our staff are paid a weekly bonus based on their individual output. Empower software accurately tracks and reports job, daily and weekly downtime and production. The bonus is paid to individual staff simply for meeting two criteria – not exceeding their total factory downtime each day and for not exceeding their budgeted times on manufacturing jobs by more than 10% on average.

“I was in Las Vegas for a week last year enjoying a well deserved beer at a bar and viewing my factory productivity and production live on my laptop. Two people at the bar saw the reports and asked me whether I was working.

I explained that I had dialled into our computer system back at my factory in Australia and was just checking my daily factory production and productivity live. They could not believe it.

“When I am on the road during the day I usually stop off at a café for a coffee and quickly check my five

main Empower screens and reports to know everything at the factory is as expected (or otherwise). I take the technology for granted now I suppose but it is an awesome tool and I certainly would not be without it.

“I have also invested in the next generation of Empower software, which accurately plans and schedules all current and future jobs and their respective start and finish times. This job scheduling is presented in the form of a daily and weekly calendar and Gantt chart. We are confident that this tool will help take us to the next level and again increase our factory productivity.

Whatever form of manufacturing or engineering you are involved in, my advice is you definitely need PCs for your factory floor and Empower time tracking software. I invested just on $16,000 in Empower software over three years ago and it is now returning me in excess of $200,000 additional profit per year.”●

“Empower time tracking software, purchased now over three years ago, has enabled me, with the same factory staff and same weekly hours worked, to increase our weekly production by just on 100%. That is, with the same staff I have doubled my production." www.suppliermagazine.com.au

SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 35

Product Update Hettich unveils Magic 2012 is shaping up to be a year of innovation for Hettich following the launch of its new, more powerful Magic lighting range at this year’s AWISA. “The new solutions add to our existing Magic lighting range, which has always been a popular category among customers,” said Hettich Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Dave Angus.

Hettich’s new LED Magic lighting solutions feature the latest in European design excellence and complement any living space – from the kitchen to the bathroom and everywhere in between. The range has a wide variety of products from mood to task lighting and includes a new range of low voltage LED lights that give off virtually no heat and use limited energy – but now with more power.

“Lighting plays a key role in creating perfect storage solutions, with clever in- and under cabinetry, and under bench lighting, all working to make it easier to reach items,” said Dave.

“Selecting the right lighting is important. A good light is not necessarily the same as a bright light – a good light is an individually tailored light,“ he added. ●

Kitchen personalisation SCHOCK adds vibrant Bright Orange to its crisp and refreshing range of colourways.

The kitchen has become the new centre of our lives and the way it looks is an expression of the way we are.

To reflect the trend in kitchen personalisation, Schock has presented a fresh and brightly coloured granite sink collection encompassing four vibrant colourways: Sunflower, Peppermint Green, Ocean Blue and Pink.

Inspired by pop art, these shades have now been joined by the radiant Bright Orange. This addition produces many new and contrasting variations in kitchen styling, giving customers an opportunity to express their own personality in the design of their kitchen.

The new Bright Orange accent tone, like the other refreshing colourways, is available with the Nemo N-100S model in Cristalite Plus. ●

36 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

European style hits Aussie shores

EUROPE is known for its influence in fashion, automotive and interior design, and the latest product offering from Formica – Formica Europa laminates – brings classic international European looks to Australian shores.

Formica Marketing Manager, Chris Knight, said Formica Europa laminates boast a wide range of realistic stone, woodgrain prints and solid colours, in line with classic European trends.

“While capturing international interior trends, colours and prints, the Formica Europa range has been specifically chosen to meet the demands of the Australian market,” said Knight.

Twenty-one stone patterns feature within the collection, ranging from Ice Quarstone to Basalt Slate, with all stone patterns bringing the practicality of laminate with the luxurious look of stone at an affordable price.

This new range includes nine solid colours that range from the neutral Crystal White and Porcelana to the bold brights of Tropical Blue, Chrome Yellow and Carnaval that can be used in reception areas, retail fit outs or any other commercial interiors that wants to make a statement.

Woodgrain prints range from cool to warm hues, with Maple Woodline complementing neutral solids, while Ebony Wood and Burnt Strand both have rich tones that can be matched with Cosmopolitan Concrete or Graphite to create interiors with depth and interest.

Extending the contemporary looks on offer, Formica Europa is available in a range of popular surface options to enhance the overall appearance and appeal of a surface. Finish options include AR+, the superior high gloss and scuff resistant surface that continues to be popular overseas and locally. Other surface finishes include Crystal, Etchings, Honed, Naturelle, Riverwash, Seda Matt and Velour.

Backed by a seven year limited warranty, Formica Europa will continue to achieve the contemporary European look, year after year. ●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Staron’s new Mosaic THE new Mosaic collection from Staron features high-definition and random shapes that add visual texture across the surface.

It is an interpretation of natural elements with contrasting hues that blend harmoniously together.

Mosaic colours provide a new aesthetic along with the durable and renewable nature of a premium solid surface.

The two new colours are: Mosaic Dalmatian – a warm white base hue with brighter crisp white particulates that are delicately outlined with chocolate brown; Mosaic Nimbus – a deep and rich earthy base with stone coloured particulates that are highlighted with a luminous sunset inspired halo. ●

Link Glass THE latest venue to hit the Sydney bar scene, The Bar is located at the one of a prestigious hotel in Sydney's CBD. Axolotl was engaged by Joseph Pang, principal at JPDC, to design and create the feature walls and signage for the moody interior inspired by a vintage timepiece motif.

The luminous backdrop for the bar was fabricated by Axolotl employing a combination of processes and techniques to produce a unique and entirely bespoke feature.

Laminated Miro glass with translucent printed interlayer is inlayed with Axolotl Link in Rust, demonstrating Axolotl's ability to combine multiple processes and products across its glass and metal ranges to create something truly original.

Entry to the bar is flanked with a lasercut feature signage wall in Rust, www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Luxury leather for walls ANALU presents Leatherwall from Studioart, which offers a collection of internationally renowned luxury leather surfaces suitable for residential and commercial interiors.

New to Analu in 2012, Leatherwall finds its creative expression in a range of 12 different patterns, nine unique textures and embossing options, with both flat and padded elements plus the option of topstitching for each piece.

The collections explore the contrast between different finishes and creative proposals where colour is a bold, defining element.

There is also a solution for the bathroom and wet areas with the Waternatural collection that is treated with water-repellent products to protect the leather against liquids and dirt.

Studioart is an entirely Italian production that uses only high quality leather from the Montebello tannery, which is renowned for its partnerships with prestigious fashion and furniture brands for over 40 years. ●

New liming white finish from Feast Watson STYLISTS can refresh worn wooden furniture and furnishings with the new water based Stain & Varnish Liming White, from Feast Watson.

Bright and bold colour palettes might be all the rage at the moment, but by using a piece of white furniture, stylists can add a fresh touch to an array of hues, providing the perfect balance.

Alternatively, furniture stained with Liming White can have a stand out chic look of

its own, building on the age old classic of white and black minimalism.

The new Feast Watson Stain & Varnish Liming White creates a beautiful soft, milky white effect to timber that does not obscure the natural grain and preserves the stain with a durable clear finish. Traditional methods of achieving this finish involved using a direct stain and then a top coat and for the Liming White finish, could result in yellowing over time. ●

which echoes the timepiece concept and materiality running throughout.

Other Link products include: Metal Link – the entry to a Northern Beaches residence is another example of Axolotl Link combined with laminated Miro glass. Here inlaid Treasury Bronze on both faces of the glass creates a custom screen design to create depth and a multidimensional quality.

Laminated with a soft white interlayer, the translucent panel retains sufficient privacy whilst still allowing movement and the transmission of light into the space beyond.

Concrete Link – the latest addition to the Link range, Concrete Link is a surface applied onto or inlaid into glass. The concrete is applied entirely to the glass surface, then it is etched through, simultaneously articulating the design and creating translucent areas through the glass. ● SupplierNov/Dec 2012 | 37

Expos

Record setting growth Held by Tüyap between October 13 and 17, 2012, the 25th International Wood Processing Machinery, Cutting Tools and Hand Tools Fair and Intermob, the fifteenth International Furniture Components and Accessories, Forestry Products and Wood Technologies Fair were visited by 61,543 professionals, 6,904 of whom were from overseas.

As the time-tested meeting platform of the wood, forestry products and furniture components industries, the Wood Processing Machinery and Intermob fairs were a stellar success.

The fairs attracted 859 companies and

representatives from 27 countries with participants showcasing the latest in products, technologies and trends. The event broke a new record by attracting foreign visitors from 87 countries.

The events provided a boost to the wood, forestry products and furniture components industries of Turkey while bringing new opportunities and commercial benefits to participants and visitors.

Similar to previous years, both fairs exceeded the expectations of their participants in terms of expanding to new markets, making investment decisions

and building connections.

Playing a critical role in building business connections and setting new trends, the Wood Processing and Intermob Fairs are very important in terms of providing input to professionals in R&D, industrial design, manufacturing and procurement as well as facilitating knowledge transfer and the development of companies.

Professional visitors from all over the world were keenly interested in the products and services exhibited by participants, and numerous business connections satisfied

participants and visitors.

The Wood Processing and Intermob Fairs continued the tradition of bringing together the industry and academia.

The Machinery Summit was a gathering of industry representatives where the latest trends in woodworking machinery were discussed. Other important events included the panel discussion on the application of nanotechnology to the forestry industry.

Workshops on the craft of woodcarving were another aspect of the fairs, showing industry support for traditional crafts. ●

Dubai wood show on track The 8th Dubai International Wood & Wood Machinery Show, to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9 to 11 April 2013, was a great success when introduced this year. It provides excellent exhibition facilities that attract many international and local exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.

The theme for 2013 “Plant, grow and nurture your wood business” reflects 38 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

the increasing understanding that wood represents a sustainable material that has a low impact on the environment. In 2012 the Dubai Wood Show’s seminar “Sustainable Wood for a Better World” drew a strong audience of timber trade professionals and in 2013 over 10,000 are expected to attend the wood show.

The show is targeting 16,000 m2 of space to showcase more than 500

brands for exhibitors from over 40 countries. With Dubai firmly established as the business hub of the Middle East, this is an opportunity not to be missed for wood industries trading in the region and beyond.

Exhibitors will cover the entire range of raw material, wood products and machinery – and will also include the latest innovative technologies and top quality products for the furniture industries. The newly introduced Furniture

Components and Accessories Zone is intended to attract people across the Middle East to view the latest technology in surfaces, fittings, components and materials for furniture. It is expected to inspire designers and provide manufacturing solutions.

The 2013 Woodshow will host a timber seminar with expert keynote speakers on current issues relevant to the industry, including existing and new legislation for wood and wood products.● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR SINGAPORE 2013 30th ASEAN FURNITURE SHOW

2nd Hospitality Design Furniture Luxurious Projects Asia Summit & Award 2013 http://hdf.tpgi.org

GET INTIMATE WITH DESIGN IFFS invites you to get up-close and personal with the best in design-led furniture and furnishings from the region.

Inspire your passion for design and satisfy your craving for the modern contemporary with Asia’s leading sourcing platform.

Register Now!

Be part of the new design revolution at IFFS.

www.iffs.com.sg

9 - 12 March 2013

Singapore Expo

www.thedecorshow.com.sg

www.thehospitalityshow.com.sg

Previous participants: Blu Dot Nendo Nani Marquina Resol Vendome Design Woven+ X Plok POLaRt Kenneth Cobonpue XTRA The LifeShop AIR Foundry Outofstock Design KenKoon Deesawat Eggarat Wongcharit Apirat Boonruangthaworn Sable Island John Kelly Furniture Sedes Regia Stilium Starbay Cilicon Faytory Bounce Innovations Jarrod Lim Design Nathan Yong Design Bertil Stam Co-locating shows:

Organiser:

A subsidiary of:

Supported by:

enquiry@iffs.com.sg enquiry@thedecorshow.com.sg

Endorsed by:

Held in:

enquiry@thehospitalityshow.com.sg

Photo credit: ‘Our’ Chair by Lanzavecchia + Wai Design Studio/Photo © Davide Farabegoli

Official publication:

Expos Breaking new ground

Ligna and interzum Every two years, wood and furniture specialists from around the world come to Germany to attend the two most important trade fairs for their industry: Ligna in Hannover and interzum in Cologne.

The two fairs are staged in quick succession so that international visitors can attend both in a single trip.

2013 will be no different.

Together, Ligna and interzum will once again provide a comprehensive overview of the materials, design solutions and technologies currently available for the wood working, wood processing and furniture industries.

40 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

In 2013, interzum, the world's leading trade fair for furniture making materials and design and interior finishing, will be held from 13 to 16 May – meaning that it will follow Ligna rather than precede it as is normally the case.

Together Ligna and interzum cover a very broad spectrum of exhibition topics, ranging from wood as a renewable material to woodworking and processing technology to components for the furniture and interior finishing sectors.

For visitors from abroad, the timing of the two fairs is ideal because it enables them to take in both events in a single trip – which is eminently

feasible, given that the host cities, Cologne and Hannover, are only 300 kilometers apart by road or two and a half hours by rail.

Over the years, the co-operation between Koelnmesse and Deutsche Messe has proven to be a win-win-arrangement – encompassing joint advertising materials and a single admission ticket for both fairs. The partnership yields enormous time and cost savings for visitors, particularly those travelling to the fairs from outside Europe. The two trade fair companies also offer an attractive travel package that spans the two days between Ligna and interzum.●

furniPRO Asia 2012 saw close to 100 global brands showcasing their latest innovations for furniture production and woodworking industry to some 100 key hosted buyers from the region and over 2,000 trade visitors, of which more than 50% came from overseas.

Backed by strong support from the industry in the region, furniPRO Asia 2012 is endorsed by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), and supported by the American Hardwood Export Council, Singapore Manufacturing Federation and the Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association.

One hundred key buyers from China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam were hosted at furniPRO Asia, where they met with exhibitors for three days of intensive discussions on potential deals and collaborations.

The Green Forum and Investment in Myanmar sessions, co-organised

by Koelnmesse and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) also received good response. Each session saw more than 100 delegates participate in lively discussions on the effects and implications of the European Union Timber Regulations (EUTR) for ASEAN come March 2013 and the opportunities in Myanmar’s growing market.●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Expos

Second Global WoodMart Report by Michael Buckley A larger and longer wood market than the inaugural event in 2010 returned to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) for three days in October with 120 exhibitors. The show was the main part of a week long series of timber events.

The week started with an international conference which attracted an audience of over 200 delegates to hear how the global changes in timber markets affect the Malaysian timber industry. This was in the context of governments aligning policies and laws to address the issue of

illegal logging. International speakers from Australia, Europe, USA and China each gave a synopsis of their domestic markets and commented on the forthcoming legislative changes.

The Global WoodMart Over 120 exhibitors from 22 countries presented a very comprehensive range of timber and timber products in a highly focused wood show. Following the inaugural show in 2010, this year the space at the Kuala Lumpur Conference Centre was expanded by

65% and included many new exhibitors.

Opening the show, The Hon. Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, focused on the need to work together to promote timber. “Wood is inherently green,” he said “and tropical, temperate and boreal timber producers must therefore unite for the benefit of the global wood-based industry, while promoting a ‘greener’ living environment.”

Major country pavilions at the show were drawn from the USA, Sarawak and France, demonstrating the

diversity of the show, which included wood materials, wood products, specialised services and media.

Exhibitors came from as far afield as Ghana, Brazil, Netherlands and Chile, as well as throughout the Asian region from India to China with many from within Malaysia.

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) and PEFC International from Geneva were both present and trade organisations such as the European Forest Institute, the European Timber Trade Federation and TRADA from UK.●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au www.suppliermagazine.com.au The only bi-monthly business magazine dedicated exclusively to manufacturers in the furniture, kitchen, cabinetmaking, timber and panel product industries in Australasia.

6 issues p.a

IT’S FREE! JUST ENTER YOUR DETAILS BELOW Name* Company

I wish to subscribe to Supplier Magazine HOW TO ORDER

PUBLISHING Co PTY LTD

A.B.N. 27 006 876 419

PO BOX 800 TEMPLESTOWE VICTORIA 3106, AUSTRALIA +61 3 9890 0815 FAX: +61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au

42 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

Postcode*

State*

EITHER: POST TO: PO Box 800 Templestowe, Vic 3106 Australia MELBOURNE +61 3 9890 0815 FAX: +61 3 9890 0087 EMAIL: info@elitepublishing.com.au VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.elitepublishing.com.au

ELITE

Address*

Phone

Fax

Email* Nature of business *DENOTES MANDATORY FIELDS

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Tel : +603 2176 8788 Fax : +603 2164 8786 Email : info@miff.com.my

Software

An essential tool for your business Ask any kitchen manufacturer or retailer why they invested in EQ Software and what comes up time after time is that using it enables them to provide accurate quotations and save a significant amount of time and money.

At Mr Cabinets in Thomastown Melbourne, customers can view the best ranges on offer from leading industry suppliers and have their 3D designs shown to

them in the purpose built presentation room.

Over the past 30 years Mr Cabinets has seen the number of brands available to the market increase exponentially, which can potentially cause problems for retailers trying to keep information up-to-date.

Since purchasing the EQ Software system the company has not looked back. “The ongoing support

has been second to none.

EQ is the first program I have purchased that has come with the level of support I expect and has even exceeded my expectations” said General Manager Derek De Betta. “From the ability to customise 99% of the program to suit your needs to the easy to use interface, even the most inexperienced user can work with it.”

“EQ has allowed us to

take on more work and our admin processes are no longer the ‘bottle neck’ most businesses suffer from these days,” Derek said. “We probably still only scratch the surface of EQ but couldn’t run the business without it.

The quoting elements cut out user error and from a project management view we have complete visibility on our business operation from a single screen. ●

“From the ability to customise 99% of the program to suit your needs to the easy to use interface, even the most inexperienced user can work with it. EQ has allowed us to take on more work and our admin processes are no longer the ‘bottle neck’ most businesses suffer from these days."

FACE AND EDGE SANDING SOLUTIONS FOR WOOD, PLASTIC AND STEEL.

BELT SANDING MACHINES

EDGE SANDING MACHINES

BRUSH SANDING

Available DIRECT from Kory Dubay Manufacturing Aust. P/L Ph. +61 (03) 9311-1113 www.korydubay.com info@korydubay.com

44 | SupplierNov/Dec 2012

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Classifieds

We repair high speed router spindles Supply new: HSD, COLUMBO, OMLAT etc.

Authorised HSD agents + repairs

SPINDLES NZ LTD 66 Manuka St. Nelson mobile: 021 023 89028 email: info@spindles.co.nz

www.spindles.co.nz

Are you or have you been involved in SERVICING OR SUPPORTING MANUFACTURERS

IN THE JOINERY INDUSTRY?

If you are involved in the industry Empower Software would like to talk with you about providing leeds for or/ selling Empower Time Tracking, Job Scheduling and Quoting & Materials Software. Your background maybe machinery, software or ducting – your industry experience and relationships will certainly help.

Empower is growing its business significantly, currently with 164 joiners and manufacturers using our software in total, 90 throughout Australia.

Empower has plans to double our client base in the next four years and we would like good people in the industry to be involved in helping us make this happen.

For a confidential enquiry and discussion please phone or email Sean O’Sullivan, Managing Director Empower Software, +64 27 2284211 or manufacturing@xtra.co.nz and an information package will be sent to you.

Events

JANUARY 2013 12-15 Domotex Contractworld 2013

World Trade Fair for Floorcoverings

Hannover, Germany

www.domotex.de 14-20 Living Kitchen 2013

The International Kitchen Event

Cologne, Germany www.livingkitchen-cologne.com 17-20 The Door Fair 2013

International Steel, Wooden, Automatic, Industrial Door and Door Hardware

Istanbul, Turkey www.doorfair.com

Advertisers Contact Us 3D Kitchen Design

9 & Back Cover

Biesse Australia

Insert

ABN: 27 006 876 419

13

Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815

31

Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au

Vicky Cammiade

5

Empower Software EQ Software

7, 45 & 47

Interzum

11

15

2&3

18-21 ZOW Bad Salzuflen 2013

Exhibition of the Suppliers to the Furniture Industry - Components, semifinished products, and accessories Bad Salzuflen, Germany www.zow.de ***For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, please check the individual websites.

Advisory PANEL Michael Buckley, Dr Greg Chapman National Sales Manager Ashley Cooper ashley.cooper@elitepublishing.com.au Circulation manager Georgia Gilmour

Kitchen King

19

Kory-Dubay Mfg

44

Malaysian International Furniture Fair

Millsom Hoists

43

Ron Mack Machinery

33

27 17

Wealthy Tradesman

45

5-9

6-8 AIFF 2013

Australian International Furniture Fair

Sydney, Australia www.aiff.net.au

Jennifer Curtis

Philip Ashley, Sean O’Sullivan, Dave Kahle,

Spindles NZ

GROUP MANAGING EDITOR

Front Cover, 19

39

Solu

Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au

Email:jennifer.curtis@elitepublishing.com.au

Grass Australia/NZ Hafele Australia

PUBLISHER

44

International Furniture Fair Singapore

Stockholm Furniture Fair 2013 Furniture exhibition including interiors for the home, office and contract markets

Stockholm, Sweden www.stockholmfurniturefair.se

Website: www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Elton Group

29 Jan-1 Feb

Budma 2013

Kitchen Furniture and Furnishing

Poznan, Poland www.budma.pl/en/

FEBRUARY 2013 5-9 Stockholm Design Week 2013

Stockholm, Sweden www.stockholmdesignweek.com

Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087

www.elitepublishing.com.au

Gabbett Machinery

30 Jan-2 Feb

Samulegno 2013

Exhibition for Woodworking Machinery and Accessories

Pordenone, Italy www.samulegno.it

PO BOX 800, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia 3106

China International Furniture Fair 41

23-26 ExpoPromueble 2013

International Exhibition of Woodworking Machinery and Raw Material for the Furniture Industry

Mexico City, Mexico

www.magnaexpomueblera.mx/

29-31 Surfaces 2013

Floorcovering Show

Las Vegas, USA www.surfaces.com/attendee/showinformation.aspx

Published bi-monthly

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD

Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers

Carb-I-Tool

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

45

georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Press Pty Ltd OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES Representative Agent for Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, Robert Yu, Worldwide Services Co Ltd,11F-B, No. 540 Wen Hsin Road, Section 1,Taichung, 408, Taiwan Tel: +886 4 2325 1784 Fax: +886 4 2325 2967 Email: sales@wwstaiwan.com ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Supplier Magazine, FB Magazine, Flooring Magazine, Members of the Publishers Australia Association

Member of the Australian Furniture Association South West

Officially supported by:

• Cabinetmakers Association • Australian Thermo Laminating Association • Australian Wood Panels Association • Decorative Wood Veneers Association • The Furnisher’s Society of Victoria • National Association Furniture Agents

Member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association

ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD (established 1985) All rights reserved - No part of this publication maybe reproduced, transmitted or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the express prior written consent of Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd. Viewpoints, opinions, claims, etc expressed in articles appearing in this publication are those of the authors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the information supplied or for claims made by companies or their representatives regarding product performance, etc or for any errors, omissions, misplacement, alterations, or any subsequent changes, or for any consequences of reliance on this information or this publication.

Go in "the draw" to win $15,000 of manufacturer’s software!

You get to choose the Empower product that suits you!

You can select:1 Time Tracking Jobs & Staff - Labour Management Software (using 2nd hand PCs on factory floor) 2

Job Scheduling

3

Quoting and Materials (incl: costing, bill of materials, CRM, ordering, stock control, job cost)

Empower Software is proud to announce a special promotion in conjunction with Supplier Woodworking magazine.

4 Manufacturers ERP / MRP system (can link to your finance / payroll software) Vicky Cammiade states “Now you can have the tools to help you measure, monitor and manage your daily business tasks in real time, simply by going into "the draw"..... because: Empower Software understands that the pressure for profitabilty is an ongoing and unrelenting task in today's climate, and bottom line efficency is a day-to-day, 365 days a year business essential!”

Email applications to vicky.cammiade@ elitepublishing.com.au or fax 61 3 9890 0087 In the subject line nominate Empower Product 1, 2, 3 or 4 ....and provide full business name and contact details.

www.empowersoftware.biz

Win a free software package!

The offer includes…

3D Kitchen Pro Custom software producing… > 3D images > Floor plans > Elevations > Full cutting lists > Full job costing > Material optimising • Easily create your own unique cabinets • Complete customised system (cabinet library built to your own specifications) • Full unlimited product support (yes, no time limit) – broadband internet required Readers who purchase 3D Kitchen during the promotion will also be permitted to apply.

The winner will be announced in the November issue of Supplier Woodworking magazine.

Readers of Supplier Woodworking magazine are invited to apply to be in the draw to win a free copy of industry leading software 3D Kitchen™. The offer is being made jointly by 3D Kitchen™ and Supplier Woodworking magazine

Closing Soon!

What’s the catch?

1. You must be a reader of Supplier Woodworking magazine 2. You must be a manufacturing cabinetmaker 3. You must not already have design or production software 4. The offer does not include future software updates 5. Email applications to vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au or fax +61 3 9890 0087

… subject “3D Software 2012” … supply full business name and contact details.