107
FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL
CERSAIE DIGITAL 2020 TILING TOOLS GUIDE SIGNORINO TILES: A CELEBRATION OF FASHION AND DESIGN
TRENDS
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F E AT U R E D P R O D U C T S
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TRADE FAIRS
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INDUSTRY NEWS
107 CONTENTS
TILING TOOLS FEATURE 8
A guide to the latest products from leading tool suppliers and the most recent renovations and building pipeline data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
RETAIL FOCUS 20 John Signorino is considered a legend in this industry for
his fashionable approach to tiles and his savvy business nous.
ERP FEATURE 26 Enterprise Resource Planning could be a pathway to
growth for many tile businesses.
PROFILE 34 Troy Creighton and his team at Stormtech are the
embodiment of Aussie ingenuity.
TECHNICAL: WET AREAS 39 Christopher Repeti from Techtile Consulting writes about
the challenges with water evacuation from large format tiles on wet area floors.
STATISTICS 46 Peter Halliday delivers data on the latest tile imports.
CERSAIE SHOW REPORT 53 International correspondent Joe Simpson reports on the
virtual trade show.
INSTALLATION 64 Tim Christopher from Consultile Consulting provides
guidelines on large format tile installations.
Find Tile Today on social media @tiletodaymagazine @tiletodaymagazine tile-today-magazine
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FO REWO R D
TILE TODAY
In this issue, we write about some remarkable businesses in the tile industry and the people behind them. First and foremost is John Signorino who has dedicated his entire career — just over 50 years — to the fashion and design aspects of tiles. His enthusiasm for his work and life is highly infectious. We also speak to Drew Arthur from Micronet Systems, a company that has built an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system ideal for tile operations called HARMONiQ. Like many successful software products, it manages to bring “big business” benefits to smaller businesses. Stormtech’s Troy Creighton told us how he, his Dad and committed staff overcame several challenges to get the linear drainage company to its leading position in the industry. Christopher Repeti (Techtile Consulting) and Tim Christopher (Consultile Consulting) also contribute their considerable technical expertise to this edition. For the first time, we have put together a Tools Guide for tile installers and contractors as the economy starts its post-COVID-19 recovery. As part of this feature, we include renovations and building approvals data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is ideal planning information for tile specialists in the building and construction industry as they look to their projects in 2021. Just click here to subscribe or go to the ad at the bottom of this page:
Proudly produced and printed in Australia ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Betty Tanddo betty.tanddo@elitepublishing.com.au INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT Joe Simpson joe.simpson@elitepublishing.com.au MACHINERY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au GENERAL MANAGER Georgia Gilmour Georgia.Gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION For circulation enquiries please email: info@elitepublishing.com.au
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107
FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL
FRONT COVER IMAGE Made with a customised mix of the 3-star Vitreo range tonalities 204, 205 and 206, the red swimming pool of The Library Hotel on Chaweng Beach at Koh Samui, Thailand, represents some of the endless possibilities that ranges from the Trend Group have to offer. This customised mix uses 20x20mm glass tiles premounted on the Trend backing system PLUS, certified by Australian CSIRO and German SAURO FLIESNER – VEREINIGUNG E. V. for use in swimming pools.
PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: dave@plumpublishing.com.au ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Flooring Magazine, Discovering Stone Magazine, Finishes & Surfaces Magazine, TileToday Magazine, Supplier Magazine and FB Magazine.
CERSAIE DIGITAL 2020 TILING TOOLS GUIDE SIGNORINO TILES: A CELEBRATION OF FASHION AND DESIGN
TRENDS
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F E AT U R E D P R O D U C T S
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TRADE FAIRS
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Leading the Industry
Endorsed by Australian Tile Council www.australiantilecouncil.com.au ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD. 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.
Please note: Shade variation is an inherent feature of tile production. The Publisher is not liable for any discrepancy between images published in Tile Today and actual products.
TREND AUSTRALASIA 02 8817 5500 info-au@trend-group.com
Make your tile business more streamlined, personal & powerful HARMONiQ – the breakthrough all-in-one ERP system tailored to the unique needs of tile & flooring businesses Simple. Powerful. Easy to use. And unbelievably flexible. HARMONiQ is the first in its category that can be truly personalised to the way you want your tile & flooring business to operate and your people to work together. It offers all the features a tile & flooring business needs to manage complex inventory and process requirements, as well as fine tune business performance – in a single scaleable system that can grow as you grow.
Business Intelligence and reporting Inventory and warehouse management Stock control Workflow automation Retail POS Integrated eMarketing Accounting Customer Relationship Management
SEE HARMONiQ IN ACTION Call 02 9542 2000 to book your free demo, or visit harmoniq.com.au/tile-software to learn more about how HARMONiQ helps you do business better.
“Juggling 28 locations, our systems were holding us back. We were constantly missing out on sales opportunities. And we needed something easier to use, that could adapt as our business grew.” - Andrew O’Brien, Business Systems Manager, Amber Tiles.
NEW BUSINESS-TUNING SOFTWARE POSITIONS AMBER TILES FOR ANOTHER 40+ YEARS OF GROWTH A quiet achiever in Australia explains how upgrading their Business Management Platform fuelled their continued success. Company Snapshot • Leading tile & pavers retailer • Founded 1973 • 28 stores in NSW, QLD and ACT • Huge, diverse inventory • Variable pricing by region • Thousands of trade and consumer buyers 15 years ago, Amber Tiles wrestled control over an expanding operation with the introduction of Micronet Distribution Software. Back then, it made a world of difference to a business with huge inventory and price management demands – and is credited with spurring much of the company’s subsequent growth. 15 years on, however, Amber Tiles saw gaps in their overall systems begin to emerge. “We were losing out on valuable return business,” Amber Tiles Business Systems Manager Andrew O’Brien says. “Repeat trade buyers are gold for our stores. But we had no platform to stay in touch with them regularly. Many franchisees were relying solely on face-to-face contact to nurture these relationships – and that just wasn’t scalable.” O’Brien also saw critical gaps in systems useability. New staff needed significant, costly and time-draining training just to get up to speed. And even experienced users weren’t taking advantage of many of the existing system’s features – it was just too complex. Plus, if outlet numbers were to keep growing, Amber Tiles knew they’d simply need a more robust, efficient infrastructure
and better operational support for their stores.
How’s it going so far?
Why Amber Tiles chose HARMONiQ
All Amber Tiles stores are now successfully up and running on HARMONiQ. And the benefits have been significant from even the earliest days.
Improving customer communications, franchisee relationships and overall staff productivity across multiple locations is no easy feat. The new software needed to address: • Inbuilt marketing capabilities, allowing regular, segmented, personal communication with customers • An intuitive and user-friendly platform to get staff on board and using it swiftly • Ability to customise, including sophisticated inventory management features built specifically for the unique challenges of a tiles business • Ability to scale for the growth to come
“HARMONiQ met all of the requirements we set ourselves when we began our search for new software. And it provided a whole lot of additional functionality to boot.” “In addition to integrating inventory management accounting and business intelligence capabilities,” O’Brien explains, “HARMONiQ also included the ability to stay in touch with our customers in a far easier way. Most of our franchisees don’t have a marketing department. Now we’re giving them the ability to access this capability themselves.” “What really struck me about HARMONiQ was how customisable it was,” O’Brien continues, “we could easily simplify it, include or exclude features, all based on our specific requirements. And its scalability is also going to be a real asset.”
“Staff immediately found it easier to pick up and run with,” O’Brien reports. “And we’re getting real efficiencies from its inventory management and automated workflow capabilities. Now we’re able to communicate and trade electronically across all our stores, plus evolve our communications strategies to take full advantage of HARMONiQ’s marketing automation tools.”
Any last advice? O’Brien cautions that it takes serious commitment to get the result you want from the implementation of a highly developed platform like HARMONiQ. “If you want a product off the shelf, you get what you pay for,” he says. “But if you’re prepared to put in the effort and resources with HARMONiQ, it can make a huge difference for your users – and that’s where we’re getting the most benefit.”
For full details or a no-obligation demonstration of HARMONiQ, call us on 02 9542 2000 or visit www.harmoniq.com.au/tile-software to schedule a demo with one of our industry experts.
FOR TILE COMPANIES
TILE TOOL PLANNING FOR 2021 TOOL PURCHASES BROADLY FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES: TOOLS THAT HAVE WORN OUT THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED; TOOLS THAT NEED TO BE UPGRADED; AND TOOLS THAT REPRESENT A NEW EXPANSION TO A BUSINESS.
T
he first category is pretty much a "no brainer" for trade businesses. A worn or inadequate tool can cost a tile installer money — though there are times when it's difficult to set aside a tool you have grown used to and come to rely on. Upgrading tools is a more difficult decision. The most rapid innovation has been happening with cordless power tools, but that innovation has been somewhat uneven. It's true that you can now buy more powerful, longer-lasting, lighter power tools than ever before, but how much of an advantage do they really deliver? The one type of upgrade that is almost certainly worth it is one that delivers either more safety or better accuracy. Safety these days especially includes any exposure to dust or airborne particles, as these have become an increasing health concern. In terms of accuracy, laser levels in particular have continued to evolve. Buying tools so as to either increase the amount of work that can be performed, or to add a new line of business often comes down to a risk assessment. Typically the cost of the tool may only "work" if it can be amortised over more work in a new area than a business currently performs. That means the business owner needs to work up a reasonable projection of how much revenue would
8 | TILE TODAY #105 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
increase after the purchase of the tool, as well as a measure of the profitability of that work.
TOOL PURCHASE ALTERNATIVES In terms of managing finances for purchases such as tools, there are two varying tracks regarding how to go about this during a time (like the present) when the future is not so much bleak as uncertain. It's quite a normal reaction to respond to this uncertainty by limiting borrowing commitments. That can mean paying down any form of debt, including credit cards, as much as possible. This is a sound, conservative practice for many businesses. The second track is to go in almost the opposite direction. Many businesses see a period of uncertainty as a bad time to take out a business loan. But does that really make sense? If we know that there is going to be a rough patch of six to 12 months sometime in the next 30 to 36 months, but are confident that the market will return to something like 2019 levels afterwards, what is the best way to plan to get through that rough patch? One way is for a business to maximise the total net amount of capital it has at its disposal. That could include, for example, taking out a loan, even though
you do have enough current income to keep up with expenditures. Your business would then have to cope with the extra costs of that capital — and you might never need to really use it. At the moment, though, interest rates on business loans (excluding application and upfront fees) are down to below 4.0% in many cases. That's only a couple of percentage points above inflation. Taking a loan before you absolutely need it does help a business get around one of the vagaries of how financing works. A business can choose to apply for a loan when they are going well, then utilise those funds when things get a bit tougher. But if that same business waits until things are getting tougher, and then applies for a loan, they are quite likely either not to get it, or to find that it is much more expensive. The Swiss (who know a thing or two about banking) have a saying that covers this type of situation: "When it rains, the banks take away your umbrellas”. To determine whether taking out a loan makes real sense, a business really needs to do some "contingency analysis" — which is a fancy way of saying you need to sit down with a spreadsheet, and work out what
happens if cashflow dries up over a period of months. That spreadsheet needs to cover all the fixed costs of the business and calculate variable costs as a percentage of revenue earned. You can project what revenue will be if we hit "COVID normal" by averaging revenue for FY2018 and FY2019, then reducing that (to be safe) by between 5% and 10%. The big questions that comes out of this type of planning, of course, are how much of a downturn will the construction industry face, and just about when can we expect it to happen? Before you set out to invest some considerable sum in tools — whether it is great new tile saw, a set of cordless power tools, or even a vehicle — you really need to have some kind of answer to those questions.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT One reason why the construction industry in general, and tile installers in particular, tends to be a little over-optimistic about the near future is that the industry believes the federal government will continue to subsidise construction. While that is not exactly wrong, it is also likely not exactly right, either. Certainly, to this point in the recovery from the COVID-19 recession, construction has received a considerable boost. Interest rates have gone down to just 0.1%, and the HomeBuilder incentive package has added a nearly $700 million stimulus. The market appears to have responded by stabilising, at the very least. However, these were largely emergency measures. The next stage of the recovery needs
not to subsidise industries, but to stimulate industries that can contribute real growth to the economy. The construction industry is not capable of delivering those growth opportunities. Real growth is, in large part, linked to growth in productivity. Being able to do more with less is what economies have been about since the first industrial revolution in the 18th Century. Yet over the past 12 years and more, the construction industry has not only grown productivity at a slow rate, it has at times actually lost productivity. While tools such as building information modelling (BIM) offer a possibility for better productivity, there are few prospects for growth in this area over the next four or five years. Secondly, construction has few — if any — of what economists call "spillover effects". A building 10
Tilers need to consider making important purchasing decisions for their tools as part of their planning for 2021
consumes a number of resources in terms of materials, personhours of labour, and so forth, and at the end of the process you have, well, a building. There is nothing wrong with that, but it stands in sharp contrast to something like, as an example at the other end of the productivity spectrum, software development. Every major piece of software that gets developed tends to have some impact on software development elsewhere. So in addition to producing a software product that does something useful, that development improves the process of development itself. Those multiplying spillover effects themselves drive productivity up. That doesn't mean there will not be stimulus spending for construction on both the state and federal levels, but it does mean it will be moderated. The goal will be to sustain the industry back to near-2019
levels. It's simply not really a primary growth driver.
THE NUMBERS The big question then, in plotting out the future of a tile installation business, and budgeting for necessities such as tools, is how to predict if and when there is going to be a period where the tiling market comes under stress. The best way to come up with some approximation is to look at the available statistics, and try to use these to envision how the next couple of years is likely to go. There are three sets of statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) that can be helpful in looking at how the market for tile installers is developing. One is for what the ABS terms "alterations and additions" (Alts), which is basically renovations. Secondly, building approvals provide a glimpse into the industries
forecasts for future demand. Finally, construction work done provides data about the amount of work done during a quarter.
ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS Alts are useful because this is one sector of the building industry that tends to have strong consumer trends. As many tile installers know, it's quite common to see one street, or even a suburb, suddenly go down the renovation pathway. Part of that has to do with "keeping up with the Joneses", but an even stronger impact is that seeing others doing renovations is reassuring — if it makes sense to a homeowner to do some renovations, and then they see that others are doing the same, they are more likely to commit the time and money. The ABS statistics (stats) that we are going to use are from a special set that many statisticians do not know about. When assessing Alts, most statisticians will rely on surveys for building approvals, building work commenced, and building work done. The problem with those stats is that they measure, for the most part, work that has required a building permit. This means they miss out on Alts that don't require a permit, which is an extensive part of the Alts market. The stats that we are going to use here actually come from the ABS series that covers the national accounts. That's where the ABS works out important national figures, such as the gross domestic product (GDP). Using a range of statistical techniques, including surveys, the ABS includes in this series estimates of household consumption, and one of the elements of this is Alts. These stats — in theory, at least — track expenditure for all Alts, not just those above a certain level. Chart 1 shows the numbers for Alts consolidated into the four quarters that make up the financial year, which ends with the June quarter. While spending in New South Wales (NSW) 14
10 | TILE TODAY #105 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
TOOL TIME
OX Tuff Carbon Pencil Being able to mark cuts and layout tile designs make tiling jobs faster and more precise. The OX Tuff Carbon Pencil is made with highgrade pp/abs/stainless steel. Its clever design prevents it from rolling off surfaces, thanks to its square profile. Its long-lasting 2.8mm carbon lead can mark any material and is damp-wipeable – for mistakes. Plus automatic lead feed, abs protection cap and integrated lead sharpener. P: (02) 8845 6600
E: sales.au@oxtools.com
www.oxtools.com.au
EZE-CLIP Tile Laying System This system consists of a 1.5mm red clip, 3mm yellow clip and large blue wedge. The “Big Blue” wedge is ergonomically designed and cleverly doubles as a 3mm spacer. Both clip options feature the “T-Post” design that breaks at the base every time. The 1.5mm clip will suit tiles up to 15mm thick and the 3mm clip will suit tiles up to 20mm thick. Australian designed and manufactured by ACT Australia. P: 1300 794 321
www.actaus.com
E: sales@actaus.com
Imex Levels and Measuring Tools A feature of all Imex laser levels is the high-quality diodes that emit fine bright lines or dots over longer distances and most models come with the choice of either red or green beams. Premium models come with lithium powered, long run time batteries. Along with the levels is the range of accessories, laser poles, tripods, detectors, glasses and target plates. P: 1800 669 110
12 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
E: info@imexlasers.com.au
www.imexlasers.com.au
iQ228CYCLONE Dry-cut Tile Saw This 7” dry-cut tile saw is specifically for professional tile setters. The new iQ228CYCLONE has a depth cut up to 1 1/4” and can handle 18” rip cuts. This innovative tool allows for tile to be cut inside or outside with no water and no dust. It utilizes a three-stage, four-cyclone filtration system which captures up to 99.5% of the dust. Also includes iQ TruCut System and iQ Micro Fence.
P: (02) 9525 7444
E: sales@topnotchtools.com.au
www.topnotchtools.com.au/contact/
OTEC Diamond Tools A broad range of OTEC Diamond blades and core drill bits, designed for fast and efficient cutting. Cut and drill tiles and stone with ease. The range includes ultra-thin turbo blades, continuous rim blades, grinding cup wheels and vacuum brazed core bits.
P: 1800 804 297
by
www.amarkgroup.com.au
E: sales@amarkgroup.com.au
Distar Baumesser 1A1R PRO Gres Blade The 1A1R PRO Gres grinding blade has a wide 20mm diamond layer on the face. In addition to cutting, this allows users to efficiently grind the edge of the tile, grind irregularities, and perform the curved cutting. The blade is especially effective when cutting tiles at a 45-degree angle, performing the fine grinding of the edge. The diamond layer additionally grinds the edge after cutting, forming a clean surface. P: 1800 238 668
E: sales@betontools.com.au
www.betontools.com.au
www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 13
remains elevated over the other states, it has been in decline over the past two years, while Victoria (VIC) has had a small increase followed by a small decline. The big gainer has been Queensland (QLD), which has had a continuous pattern of growth since 2014, though 2017 saw that growth slow. Western Australia (WA) showed modest growth during 2018 and 2019, but declined for 2020. South Australia has shown very slow growth since 2014. The consolidated results for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Tasmania (TAS) and the Northern Territory (NT) show a recent slight increase. Chart 2 shows these same numbers, but divided by the residential population of each region, for both the most recent results, and for 2011. This is the average per person spend on Alts. NSW has been the biggest loser, though this is partly because 2011 was an exceptional year for Alts in that state. Both TAS and WA have also seen per person expenditure decline. QLD is the biggest gainer, while VIC has shown a solid increase, along with NT and SA. Chart 3 shows the percentage share of overall Alt costs for each region over a fiveyear period. The main story is that NSW has declined in share, VIC has stayed pretty much the same, and QLD has gained strongly. WA has shown a slight but constant decline, while the other regions have been relatively stable. Chart 4 shows the percentage change between the years shown in Chart 1. Of the nine sets of data, seven show a downwards trend in 2020. Of the two that trend upwards, only one, for the ACT, is in positive growth territory. The regions that continued to show some growth in 2020 are QLD, SA, ACT and NT. Chart 5 shows a quarteron-quarter comparison, with each quarter's results compared to the same quarter's results in the previous year. The NT is the 14 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
"wild man" of these results, as it has a relatively low amount of spending, which means small alterations lead to spikes to percentage gains and losses; the same is also true for the ACT. Outside of that, there is a very clear clustering in the June 2020 quarter from 0% to -4% change, including NSW, VIC, QLD and — at 0% — SA. WA shows a pattern of ongoing losses for this quarter. Chart 6, for context, shows the ABS House Price Index. This chart maps out the quarteron-quarter changes, and also indicates where interest rate changes have been made. This shows a sharp tick downwards in growth rates for six of the nine data sets, and only one city shows an upwards tick into positive growth, which is Canberra.
ANALYSING ALTS The strongest trend shown in charts 1 to 3 is the increase in expenditure for QLD, and the decrease in expenditure for NSW. While NSW still dominates overall spending, QLD is catching up with VIC, and leads overall in terms of spending per resident. In charts 4 and 5, what is clear is that there is, in most regions, falling expenditure on Alts. That is a little curious, when we reflect that at the same time we've seen a sharp
surge upwards in DIY spending at hardware stores. Of course, though, part of what we are likely seeing here is a degree of displacement. As homeowners buy more at hardware stores to do their own painting, guttering and lawncare, there is a subsequent drop-off in spending on tradies to perform the same tasks. An interior painting job, for example, might cost $2500
when hiring a professional, but the DIY cost is likely to be under $500. Another factor at work, of course, is the degree to which pandemic restrictions have limited homeowners from hiring tradies. This has continued with some force in VIC since August 2020, and will show up in the statistics for the September 2020 quarter. 16
BUILDING APPROVALS Some statistics really do reveal their essential meaning when they are graphed, and this is usually the case for building approvals. Chart 7 illustrates the monthly numbers provided by the ABS for building approvals up to the end of September 2020. We're using the consolidated numbers for houses and multi-unit dwellings, which include both private and public (government funded) construction. We've "stacked" these numbers. So, for example, in January 2020 the number of houses approved was 8797, and the number of multidwellings was 7349. The bottom shading represents the 8797, and the top shading represents a further 7349, so the very top line for that month represents 16,146, the total dwelling approvals for January 2020. The reason this chart works so well is that it clearly shows how the number of multi-unit dwellings relates to the number of houses, and also represents the total building approvals at the same time. What we see most clearly in this chart is that, while the housing approvals show some variance, the multi-unit approvals fluctuate much more, and are largely responsible for the peaks and valleys in the overall approvals data. What a chart such as Chart 7 really gives us is a good place to start. It can help us to come up with more charts which provide confirmation and some extra details. One way of doing this is to shift to a much broader timescale. We can do that by using what statisticians calling a "trailing 12-month" period. For example, these ABS stats can end with the trailing
16 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
12 months from October 2019 to September 2020. (Sometimes "year-to-date" is used for this timescale, but it is ambiguous, as year-to-date September — for example — can also mean January to September.) Chart 8 shows what those numbers look like. Trailing
12-month timescales all but eliminate seasonal variations, which helps to smooth the data. It's very clear from this chart that our suppositions from Chart 7 are correct: house numbers are relatively stable, while multi-unit dwellings are more volatile. To extend this a little further,
we can chart the percentage changes between the trailing 12-month periods, which is what Chart 9 shows. There are some additional details this chart makes evident. Perhaps the most interesting is that for the six years between 2013 and 2018 house proposals averaged 5.14% growth, with
18
the lowest dip coming in 2017 at -1.74%. So, in terms of houses, this was not so much a period of decline, as some commentators have suggested, but mild, relatively stable growth. The story for multi-unit dwellings is quite different. Over that same period average growth was 11.22%, while growth declined as much as 18%, and rose as high as 34%. For the final two years, both dwelling types declined steeply in 2019, but then recovered, with houses managing to return to positive growth in 2020.
BUILDING WORK DONE The ABS building work done series provides valuable information, based on surveys, of how much work, in dollar terms, has been performed during a quarter. It's a more immediate measure of just what is going on in the construction sector. Chart 10 shows the raw numbers for the 12 months to September, based on the original numbers, over a 10-year period to 2020. It shows clearly that there was a peak in 2018, followed by declines in both 2019 and 2020. Once again, it is evident the big variable is in the multi-dwelling sector. Chart 11 backs up Chart 10 by showing the percentage change between the 12-month periods. Multi-units show a high degree of volatility, ending in decline. This chart also picks up the uptick in Alts, going from a slight decline in 2019, to an increase of 1.9% in 2020 — about the same as its growth in 2016. (The dollar value of Alts is so much lower than house/multidwelling construction that this isn't evident in Chart 10.) Chart 12 gives perhaps the clearest vision of what is happening during the pandemic period. Multi-unit dwellings have generally continued to decline, while housing, still in decline, has improved slightly. Only Alts have managed to move to positive growth, in both July and September.
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ANALYSIS In projecting future cashflows, how might a tile installer make use of this information? The installers that will be in the best strategic position will be those with a high percentage of renovation work, with businesses in VIC or QLD. While renovations in NSW continue at a high rate, the indication is that this is still a declining market area (for the moment). The other strong indication is that that growth in multi-unit dwellings (such as apartment blocks) is, for the moment, slowing down. While there has been a recent spike for approvals in that area, it will likely continue subdued for some time. The housing market, in contrast, is not experiencing strong growth, but it shows less volatility and better prospects for growth. Looking at longer term growth prospects, our attention to drawn back to Chart 6, which plots the ABS house price index against the RBA's reductions in interest rates. If we are looking at an extended period when those rates cannot be reduced further, it is quite likely we will see some kind of price collapse in the residential market.
The alternative is to see the federal government intervene with fiscal policy by expanding schemes such as HomeBuilder, but this is likely to prove less politically feasible. The main reason for this is that dwelling prices have grown so much, that now over 36% of Australians are in the rental market. Essentially, further fiscal support would mean over a third of Australians would be funding the housing purchases of people wealthier than they
are through their taxes. If such a collapse is to come, Tile Today would estimate it will most likely occur between April 2021 and February 2022. In terms of duration, it would most likely run for around two quarters or so. Again that will disproportionately affect tile installers who rely on multi-unit dwellings, more than those who work mostly in renovations and/or new houses. n
R ETAI L FOCUS
Fashion and the love of tiles John Signorino’s enduring success is renowned. The man and the business are held in high regard because they help to set the benchmark for quality and design in the tile industry.
W
hat are tiles, really? While that can seem something of a nonsensical question, it begins to make more sense when you listen to John Signorino. That's because he has understood something that is essential to the tile industry, but often gets lost in the necessary technicalities of the industry: tiles are, for the most part, more about sheer fashion than anything else. Yes, they are practical, yes, they represent great value (and John thinks that today their value remains under-appreciated). But if those qualities were at the top of the list when it comes to floor coverings, then every home would use some kind of rubberised nonslip material, in a tasteful shade of mid-grey, or (heaven fobid) vinyl flooring "planks". It's the sense of fashion that makes clients go "oooh" when they see a particular tile design. It's fashion that makes many rooms — private and public — a great place to visit. So, importantly, it is going to fashion that helps to sell tiles by creating a sense of desire and enthusiasm for tiles as a means of expression. For example, John has this to say about his revolutionary Tile
learn a lot from the people that are my clients, in fact. I learn a lot because I've got to try and satisfy their requirements…It's a pleasure to do that rather than just sell off the shelf … I don't believe in that for the tile industry. [Tiles] are far more exotic and far more stylish than that.”
Post-pandemic
John Signorino has built his business for over 50 years
and Stone Gallery showrooms following their recent renovation. "I would suggest you might be impressed by it because it's not looking like a tile shop at all. I don't want it to. I don't like to sell tiles, I like to sell fashion. I'm very passionately committed to design and fashion. This is just my nature." And he goes on to say: "I've always believed in the fashionable aspects of tiles. I believe tile is undervalued. It is the underpinning of the whole home. We've got a very high standard in this country, in design. And I
John is optimistic for the tile industry through to 2022, as the construction business gradually recovers from the pandemic. He bases much of that optimism on the extent of pre-orders the company has on its books. “I believe we will enjoy what's called the slingshot effect when we come out of COVID, because if nothing else, there's going to be a back up of a lot of projects that have gone way too far to stop, and they're at the stage of having ordered their tiles. “I am very confident because we have a very high number of orders in the system or as a work in progress. Yes, there may be a percentage that will drop off because it depends what the banks are going to do. But overall, I'm quite confident, with all those tiles in our warehouse — and I'm
Signorino has grown from a modest store in Brunswick (VIC) to the leading name in luxury tile and stone in Australia
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referring to a very big number of the imports over the month of July and specifically August." In particular, John sees a big difference between the upcoming financial difficulties, and those Australia went through in the 1990s. "This time around, contrary to the recession [in 1990], good, strong, sound businesses are probably going to remain good, strong, sound businesses because banks haven't handed out money willy nilly, like they did last time. “If COVID doesn't continue on and linger, I truly think that by the first half of the [next] financial year, which is financial year 2022, that there's going to be quite a recovery.”
Markets for tiles While he is positive about both pent-up and sustained demand, as well as a recovery in the overall
economy, John also believes the pandemic will see some market dynamics stay the same, and others undergo some changes, as Australia works its way out of recession. He said: "Any business that's strong can manage to trade out of this, along with the government helping by deferring tax and so forth, and with the demographics of Australia, I believe that nothing is going to change that much.” Signorino is a case of a company that is doing what it can to emerge from the pandemic better than ever, mainly by reworking some of the brand's existing retail space. John said: "During COVID a bad thing can always be turned into a good thing. I completely ‘bombed’ the Tile Gallery…And with great modesty, it's absolutely amazing. I don't want to brag, but it's 30 years that I've had the same
showroom. Now it's been given an amazing face lift." The same resilience, John believes, will be found in the market as well, with a desire to spend a bit more to get over the difficult times. "The people that have a lot of disposable income will go back to leading the same life they've always led. Everyone's going to want to get back to a quality of life that we once enjoyed. In some respects, we might even spend a little more, because we spent a whole lot less for some months. But generally speaking, someone who was driving a Porsche will probably go and buy himself the new model. Someone who was driving a five-year old Toyota with a lot of stability and good employment, he’s probably going to go and upgrade his model. “So I don’t know that anything much is going to change because otherwise it means that society
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The revamped Tile and Stone Galleries do not resemble traditional tile stores
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has just absolutely taken one giant step backwards, and I just don’t see that being really possible.” John sees this as applying to high-end residences, which have a natural resilience even in a downturn, but also to residences lower down in the market as well. "High-end residences will go back to pre-COVID-19, and so will residential middle-market apartments, go on to create great demand. People are going to want to live closer to the city." What John does see changing, however, is that there will be more caution in the market. "People who understand the risks of putting out too much money and buying a house, the dream home — I think a little bit more reality will set in and people are going to start to be a little bit careful with the amount of money they will borrow. "Banks are probably going to
make it more difficult for some time anyway, and so downsizing and more frugal habits, will probably be something that'll come out of COVID. I think a number of people will have learnt their lesson and understand, they can't always be 'rich'… "The pandemic has been a bit of an eye opener. It is going to possibly help a lot of people understand that they aren't infallible. It's not always going to be rosy forever, indefinitely. And if not for them, then their children. So a sense of protection, preservation, and nurturing may become more important…" Yet, while people may be more cautious with their money, John does not think this will drive them to buy cheaper products. Instead, he thinks there will be a move towards quality. "I think coming out of COVID and being more aware of one's expenditure, I truly believe people
The Caulfield Medallion Bar, a sophisticated event space features custom Signorino Terrazzo
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will appreciate quality more… and they may dig a little deeper if they can afford it, to have a better product, because they understand that they won't buy another tile. They will intend to stay in their home or apartment, for a very long time. "Now there's the culture change…People will, I believe, probably appreciate getting a little bit more quality for their bucks. They're not going to say, ’Three years from now, we're going to sell and build another one’. I think that’s going to really slow down for some years. Until we're really back on top of the heap, it's not likely that people are going to be so capricious.”
New business That said, while the level of activity and opportunity may come back, John also sees the industry as undergoing some profound shifts. Some companies
are going to close or fail. "I believe [the pandemic] has been a bit of a leveller, a bit of a cleanser. You shake the tree, and stuff's going to fall out. It’s unfortunate, but it's inevitable. And we'll find out in due course, to what extent. “I believe that the government and certainly the union movement, are going to push hard to resuscitate and revive as quickly as possible, the building and construction industry. The second backbone of Australia, and certainly Victoria. It's inevitable because we don't really have industry production, manufacturing. We've lost most of that anyway, so what is our backbone? The same backbone we had before COVID." John sees the smaller companies as the ones likely to be affected the most. "With the very small players, the shutdown has really hurt them. They've got a mortgage and all these things. The banks aren't going to be sympathetic or empathetic. And so they may not have a choice but to walk away." While part of that trend will be down to COVID-19, it's also something John sees as having developed over a period of time in the tile industry. The pandemic may just accelerate a change already underway. "I see that the smaller, little suburban store may go. I see the bigger chain stores becoming more recognised or supported
than they are today…[W]here price is capped at $30 or $35 a metre, they are the experts. Well, they put a lot of effort into that level of product and they cater for that demographic."
The tile When all is said and done, however, what really sets John and Signorino apart in the market is passion about the art and design of tiles. If John is worried about anything in the market, it's not the effects of the pandemic, it's the longterm decline in fairness and recognition when it comes to evaluating tiles, marketing tiles, and paying attention to quality. "It's when tile retailers ask $70 for [a cheap product], because it looks very similar to an Italian tile, where it's all wrong. And I would like to think that this gets fixed. "If you're selling Kias, you sell and represent a Kia and you can only charge what the Kia value is worth. If you're selling a Mercedes, you get more money, but you're giving more value. It can actually be better value for money, but it's a lot more expensive than a Kia. "Now, that's what I wish the correction in the industry would be about. Transparency, realistic value for money, not a concocted one. You cannot put a retail price of $70 on a Chinese tile and then say, but we're going to give you a
30% discount. That's wrong. "I disagree completely with that approach or process. That's wrong ethically, in my opinion. It is as though I am being convinced that a Del Monti suit is worth $2,000, but I can have it for $300, with two pairs of pants. No. I got a Del Monti suit, with two pairs of pants, that's worth $300. That's what I got. Remember that commercial? (Del Monti men’s suits had a popular TV advertising campaign in 1985.) What I liked about that ad was its pure honesty. "Two pairs of pants, with a jacket, for $300. That's it. No frills whatsoever. Sadly, that doesn't go on in our industry, generally speaking, without pointing fingers. "Signorino is seen as being the [tile industry] equivalent to the Rolls-Royce in the car industry. However, we're actually also very active in public works. "My philosophy is, there's an entry level, even for a Mercedes. It may be made in South Africa instead of Germany and it's $40,000, just a little bit more than what a Toyota might cost. And then of course there is the flagship $500,000 Mercedes. I'd like to think, Signorino is actually a Mercedes, but from the entry level upwards. "But I'm not here to sell a used car. I won't sell a used car or a Kia. Not that I have anything against Kia, but you know what I mean.
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Signorino has undergone a major reinvention with its recent renovation
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"I prefer to just sell on a level of quality. But entry level actually, if I can put it bluntly, it's actually not much more than a Chinese tile, sold by my opposition."
Panaria The Italian tile company Panaria is one of Signorino's main suppliers, and one that is close to John's heart. That's not just about the tiles, it is also about the people. "I was a very early starter, at 17. I decided then that I would choose people over companies. I've had a long history with Italy, and I was even a part owner in a large tile manufacturer. They are the most organised, most professional and overall, most transparent and honest people. Truly honest people. "The Panaria people, the [Mussini] family, from the very beginning were special. I still
see the founder. He's now 86 and still comes to work every day. Doesn't do much, but just comes out to see it all happening. And the management they have there, there's no politics. They are genuine people that have embraced the position they've been given and will give their very best at that position. They are collectivists and not individualists. "I've always said, Betty, anyone can be a hot shot and likable when things are good. [They are] put to the test when it gets tough. "We've lived through recessions together, we've lived through everything. They own a chain of stores in America, USD150 million they spent. They are a privately owned, public company but they still think like a family business, even though they're a really big company. "I choose people before the company, so that's why I promote them. I also will add, they make
Signorino’s Italian Terrazzo is used throughout Melbourne International Airport
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tiles with soul and passion, it not just about the dollar. How can I say? Simpatico. We are very connected, we interface beautifully together, in other words. "So there is an emotional connection. Our principles and ethics are identical, and I've never had an argument in 30 years. "That's how long I've been dealing with them. We've had issues but we fixed them. It's never a problem, we fixed them. Now to me, that's worth a lot of money. They may cost a little more, but I've never, ever been put in a position to let down or disappoint a client." n
Since 2018, Signorino has been majority owned by Queens Lane Capital, the private equity investment firm of Larry Kestelman, a wellknown entrepreneur with holdings in technology, property and sporting companies
FEATURE
ERP
IS ERP YOUR KEY TO GROWTH IN 2021? Most businesses today are aware that they have not optimised the workflow of their internal processes. In a macro sense that is because they've largely focused on external competitive factors, such as retention of existing revenue, acquiring new customers and increasing share of expenditure from existing customers. It might seem at first that the uncertainty businesses face as we head into a (hopefully) post-pandemic 2021 would mean continuing down that conservative pathway. However, it is more likely the reverse proves true and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) can provide a solution for tile companies. With the overall housing construction market likely to be volatile at first, and later enter a period of decline, focusing on external "macro" market growth opportunities will not prove a viable strategy. Instead, businesses may benefit more by turning their focus to internal competitive forces. They could re-examine their workflows, the use of business intelligence, and consider how to optimise short-term (quarter to quarter) forecasting.
THE CHOICE In the tile industry, the invest/save business choice is going to be particularly dependent on the shape the recovery will take, forecast in the context of each individual business. This comes down to two factors: how much demand will be present in end markets (new builds and renovations), and what will be the timing of that demand hitting the market? A key factor behind this is the influence of interest rates on the housing market. Over the past seven or eight years, there has been a repeated pattern of the housing market deteriorating, then being stimulated by an interest rate reduction. With current market cash rates at a historical low of just 0.25%, there is little capacity for that kind of stimulus. That leaves only direct stimulus such as the recent HomeBuilder package, which has largely had the impact of bringing forward planned builds (as indicated by its tight timelines), rather than creating additional demand. In terms of creating "true" marketbuilding demand, the construction industry will need to compete with a range of other industries for future stimulus spending. The difficulty is that the post 2010 construction industry has continued as more of a distributive industry. It's a good solution for creating jobs, in other words, but it's not great when it comes to enhancing productivity. That could see it receive only minimal stimulus during FY2021/22. As a result, many businesses in the tile industry have a three-stage forecast. The first calendar half of
Chart 1: Technology investment survey conducted by Capterra
2021 will see some growth in markets in Australia, but they see the second half of 2021 leading to a decline, followed by only a limited recovery, as the third stage, in mid-2022 at best. A major driver behind a drop in demand is that population growth is set to be delayed, or even lost. It's unknown when larger scale international migration will recommence, including temporary migration associated with tertiary education (which affects the build-to-rent market). Interstate migration will be, at best, substantially reduced until 2022. There has been a reduction in the fertility rate as well, which limits the number of families seeking larger dwellings. The invest/save decision for businesses (as well as households) is something the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is very aware of. In a speech to an investment conference in Sydney on 15 October 2020, RBA governor Philip Lowe acknowledged this division in investment approaches across both individual households, and all Australian businesses. "In aggregate, household income is likely to decline in the December [2020] quarter as the unemployment rate increases and government support becomes more targeted. In normal times, a decline in income would be expected to affect consumption, but these are not normal times. It is entirely possible that as restrictions ease, people will choose to draw on their accumulated buffers to sustain and increase their spending. "Many businesses face a similar choice to households. Many have boosted their cash buffers
over the past six months and face a decision about what to do with these: sit on these buffers in case something goes wrong, or use them for investment and expansion? "The better outcome for the economy is for households and businesses to keep spending and investing." While it is not definitive, there is some indication of this kind of split when it comes to technology investment in a survey conducted by Capterra, an online service that compares software. The survey sampled 458 employees of small to medium Australian enterprises (SMEs), of whom 75% were managers, in late May 2020, to gauge attitudes towards business investment in technology. While 52% indicated they would likely delay spending, the largest single sector, at 27%, indicated they would bring technology spending ahead by up to six months. This would indicate a distinct split in tech spending: some will "wait and see", while others will seek to spend earlier than previously planned. (See Chart 1.) There is no single, "right" answer, of course. But in the tile industry, at least, companies will likely find that investing will be a slightly safer course than not investing. The industry simply does not know how the market is going to shake out in the medium term, and investing in business improvement is one way of being better prepared.
ASSESSING For those businesses that do choose to invest, the first question is, what are the best investments to make? The place to start is by looking at the processes that are currently in place in a business. One way to find out how well things work is to take a single business process, and track it from beginning to end. For example, follow the steps a customer order takes through the company, from the first prospecting sales call, until the product is offloaded from a truck or picked up by the customer. Other things to check up on are simple maintenance questions, such as what happens when a customer's address details change, when the specifications of a product change, or when an order is altered by a customer. To get started, there is a shortcut you can use. It comes down to this: audit your company processes for every occasion where data vital to your company is stored in, or communicated via a spreadsheet (such as Microsoft's Excel or Google's Sheets). Spreadsheets are a wonderful tool but misusing them can lead to severe problems in businesses. As a rule of thumb, spreadsheets should be used primarily for the purpose of analysis, not as a repository of vital information. In fact, any spreadsheet that is used as the primary means of storing more than 200 rows of essential business data is likely being misused. It might seem that many businesses avoid that problem by running function-specific software. For example, they might have customer relationship management (CRM) software for the sales staff, an accounting package, and a point of sale (POS) package
ERP can provide insight into stock on hand can create additional opportunities for businesses. Pictured is the GNS warehouse in Melbourne.
that also looks after warehouse stock. But it's likely that the only integration between all these subsystems is transferring data via — you guessed it — a spreadsheet. To give an example of the problems poor spreadsheet use can cause, take the now infamous case of Britain's Public Health England (PHE) authority, which managed in October 2020 to "lose" close to 16,000 out of 66,500 entries reporting active cases of COVID-19 reported over a week. The data was read into an Excel spreadsheet, and exported in the old .xsl format, which truncated the export. While it is true the error might have been avoided by using the more modern .xslx format, the reality is that using spreadsheets to handle over 60,000 data rows is pure madness. It's a clear mismatch between a 1990s technology solution and 2020s information flow.
ALTERNATIVES TO SPREADSHEETS It's likely that auditing spreadsheet use will indicate the business needs something else — but what? Pretty obviously, if you are using your spreadsheet as a kind of database tool, what's going to help you the most is, well, a real database. It's at this point that most business executives realise why it is spreadsheets are so popular. When it comes to databases, you are moving to a technology where expert knowledge is really required. Consider, for example, something as simple as consolidating basic customer information. For many businesses when a customer moves to a new address, there is an involved — and often error-prone — process to update those details. Sales will have that information in one place, logistics/delivery in another, and accounting in still a third. The processes for updating are often informal, and even when they are not, they are not always followed successfully. The best thing, obviously, would be to have a single database table that stored all the customers' details. Then a change would take just that one, single update, and everyone would benefit. But how, then, does the information in that one table get accessed by
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HARMONiQ: ERP DESIGNED FOR TILES
(l&r) Managing director of Micronet Systems, Drew Arthur and HARMONiQ general manager, Robert Butler
What should you look for in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system? Which is really something of a trick question. Certainly, there are some key attributes every ERP should have, and it should tick all the boxes for the services your company needs. But the reality is – as anyone who has implemented ERP will tell you – that what matters most is the relationship between the ERP provider and your own business.
W
hen Tile Today interviewed Drew Arthur, the managing director of Micronet Systems, which provides the HARMONiQ ERP, there was one benefit he mentioned that stood out over quite a few good contenders. It was this: “We've done [implementations at] a lot of tile companies, and particularly in the last 12 months we've been generating something called 'Tile Smart Start'. We have a lot of domain expertise that is specific to the tile industry, which means we can deliver a very smooth implementation. Realistically, a tile company customer doesn't need to explain to us anything about their tiles, because we really have a lot of knowledge already, so we can make the implementation task a lot easier for them. Using Tile Smart Start means a lot of the hard work is already done. "Basically, we've built a HARMONiQ template for tile, for both retail or wholesale, meaning both importers and retailers. And this enables us to really fast track how that implementation goes forward. "There really is not a lot of domain expertise
for tile businesses in most software companies in Australia. We think we've got a lot of expertise. The product is really highly tuned to the tile industry. It has been specifically configured with Tile Smart Start to make it a lot simpler for people to achieve a great outcome very fast, and help them move to the cloud quite seamlessly. "Tile Smart Start is very, very customised to the tile industry." For businesses moving to their first ERP, there is pretty much nothing else that is as important as that kind of expertise on the part of the systems supplier. Quite a few other retail and wholesale businesses fit into a more generic mould, but as everyone knows in the tile industry, it's not just that there are quite a few quirks and idiosyncrasies, it's also that understanding those quirks is how you please your customers. That said, there are also advantages dealing with a company that has broader expertise as well. The company will experience requests from clients, and be exposed to new ideas that arise from specific
types of retailers (for example), and then roll those out for everyone. It is this breadth of market that HARMONiQ can offer, according to Drew. "We've been involved in the tile industry for over 20 years. However, we're not specifically focused on tiles. Because we have a breadth of knowledge from across industries, we've been able to put lots of complementary enhancements into the system from other industries that are outside the tile industry, ones that benefit all industries. "For example, we are able to offer very, very flexible deposit calculations. So specifically for retailers, we can pull on each line at each invoice. You can have different deposit rules based on the customer, and how you want the accounting to work. So it really manages the problems very well." Beyond having templates ready for the tile industry, Drew says that HARMONiQ itself is not difficult to learn. "Probably the biggest problem when you don't have ERP is people use lots of different systems to achieve the outcome. So there's lots of extra keying that has to happen between systems, and there's a lot of manual systems. Particularly around the sales order process and project process. "Part of ERP is taking four or five different systems, and putting them into one location, all with the same interface. Once somebody learns how to do one thing in HARMONiQ, it's very easy to translate that into other areas of the system."
In the cloud Drew also mentioned that one of major benefits of HARMONiQ is that it is entirely based in the "cloud". That means that businesses using
HARMONiQ do not need to invest in their own server — and therefore, most importantly, they don't need a specialist IT person to look after the server. Instead, the ERP software is hosted on servers in a remote location, and businesses access it via the internet. Drew explained some of the advantages: "Probably the biggest advantage is that you don't have to worry about things like file servers and all of the equipment, the infrastructure to run it in-house. Essentially what we're doing is we're putting a world-class infrastructure together and you share in that componentry. "Typically, people don't buy the biggest, the best and the greatest hardware to support the infrastructure in a small business. And so this enables you to use best in class in the infrastructure. "This takes a lot of the concern away in terms of looking after the infrastructure, the network itself, the backup, looking after the data, making sure that it's safe from intrusion. Because obviously, in our data centres, it's a lot more protected than it would be in the back office of a small business. It's become very common for businesses to simply use cloud infrastructure and its quite uncommon these days for people put their own infrastructure in. Big businesses have been doing it for many, many years and now it has become very accessible to smaller businesses." Another benefit of cloud hosting is that this makes it much easier for Micronet Systems to update the software, improving the way it works, and adding new features. ERP systems based on business servers would typically only do major
HARMONiQ can benefit tile businesses by integrating and seamlessly managing processes such as sales, accounting, warehousing, inventory, CRM and e-marketing
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releases every two years or so, because the task of taking down an existing server, fully backing it up, installing the updated software, then coping with unexpected errors to get it up and running, is exhausting and a real business risk.
Integration and workflow automation These two aspects of ERP systems — integration and workflow automation — go hand-in-hand in making ERP systems valuable. Workflow automation means, largely, that when you perform one action, there is a "conditional" that will trigger other actions, if they are appropriate. As the system is integrated, however, those actions could range across all of the business system. One example of this that Drew provided was how sales orders work: "One of the real key things is that when a sales order is generated, if you don't have stock, the system can generate a back-to-back purchase order for the retailer automatically. The sales order can be taken. You can email a copy of the sales invoice directly to the customer, and automatically email the purchase order to your preferred supplier. So for retailers that's a really good advantage." In fact, the act of generating a sales invoice can queue up a series of different actions, automatically. "Automatic emailing of the sales order to the customer when its generated is one example… We can generate an SMS, for the client that is sent when the product is ready for delivery or when it has been dispatched. "HARMONiQ can automatically follow up a sales quotation. So for instance, if a retailer has generated a quote to a customer, we might say 48 hours automatically after that quote has been generated, send a follow-up email to the customer to say, Thanks for visiting. Please find a copy of the quote attached. If you'd like any further information, please just reply to this email.' What you find is
by doing that, you are automatically following up, where most of the time those kind of sales quotations are never followed up on." A further kind of automation and integration that HARMONiQ offers is with some forms of marketing. "One of the things about e-marketing is that it can be very cumbersome, and can require a lot of duplicate keying of data. The idea behind automation of e-marketing is you can directly link HARMONiQ to MailChimp or Campaign Monitor, which are direct mail campaign generators. "If you have a list of people that you want to, for instance, send a promotion to, you can do that within HARMONiQ or from within MailChimp or Campaign Monitor, and you can monitor the responses. "From within HARMONiQ you'll know that you've sent those people that particular promotion. You can see whether they've opened it, you'll see whether they've clicked through, if they forwarded it, if they liked it on Facebook. You can actually see that from within HARMONiQ, and when you respond, you can trigger another event. "But it's not just monitoring. It's actually taking the marketing side and really linking it to the transactions. So you can actually see then what's happening from an e-marketing perspective. For instance, if you generated sales, you could actually record what promotion it came from, so you can start to track the effectiveness of your e-marketing as well." The ability to manage marketing was one of the drivers behind Andrew O’Brien, business systems manager at tile retail company Amber Tiles, moving to adopt the software system. "Having seen how HARMONiQ works, and understanding the power of its marketing tools, we know exactly how we’re going to drive value out of it. With easy segmentation of our database, we can quickly divide our contacts by location, industry, or product for example. With an in-built integration with Campaign Monitor, a leading marketing automation platform, we can send beautifully designed email and e-newsletters to our customers and prospects — maintaining a strong brand presence and staying top of mind."
Benefits Summing up the advantages that HARMONiQ can offer tile businesses, Drew had this to say: "With HARMONiQ, we have the whole jigsaw already assembled. Businesses don't have to put the pieces together by themselves. I guess that's the absolutely key thing. It's a very intuitive interface. It's easy for people to learn. It's in one location, so not having to dive from system to system makes it's a real time saver." n https://harmoniq.com.au/tile-software/ HARMONiQ has been used effectively in Amber Tiles
sales, accounting and logistics for their own uses? The answer is something called "relational links". In the customer details database table, each customer is assigned a unique ID number (UID). Let's say the database also has a table to record orders, and another one that lists invoices. Rather than recording the customer details in those two latter tables, each of them just references the UID for the customer. By "joining" the customer details table with, say, the invoice table through the UID reference, an invoice can be printed including the customer name and other details. (The process of substituting a linking UID as a reference is known by database developers as "normalisation".) In fact, it's even a bit more complex than that. For example, in the customer details there will be a place to list telephone numbers. But how many numbers should there be? Some customers have one or two, other customers have eight. One solution is to repeat the process mentioned above. Telephone numbers go in their own table, listing the number, its description ("office", "personal mobile") — and, of course a UID. While this linking process creates databases with great flexibility, it also creates complexity. It's not uncommon to find a comprehensive business system might need 50 to 60 database tables to fully capture its operations.
THE SOLUTION — ERP The prospect of developing such a system is daunting, not to mention obviously expensive. Fortunately, considerable effort has gone into developing comprehensive systems that take most of this effort and expense away — though it's important to note they still require business engagement to shape them to a good fit for each individual business. These systems go by the general name of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Over the past five years, we've seen a number of different influences come together to make this kind of business software system a really compelling choice. Chief among those influences is the ability to host ERP in the cloud. Previously, businesses had to host ERP on their own servers. This increased the amount of work needed to run them. The servers had to be kept safe, to be regularly backed up, and making updates often proved difficult. Cloud hosted ERP services have none of those problems. Most of the maintenance is looked after by the ERP vendor, and cloud hosts can afford extreme forms of data protection and security for the hundreds of servers they host, such as backup generators that automatically start up if there is a power failure.
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC As you would expect, ERP providers tend to specialise in certain industries. This isn't only about the software they provide, it also has to
do with the personnel who help businesses get the most out of their ERP systems. For the tile industry, one of the leading ERP systems is HARMONiQ. HARMONiQ is the brainchild of Micronet Systems, an Australian company that has been delivering business software systems to a diverse range of companies and industries for over 30 years. As the company states, its customers include over 900 businesses, operating in more than eight industries, of which tiles and flooring is of particular note. Looking at what HARMONiQ has to offer provides a good baseline for assessing any ERP system for the tile industry. In examining any such system, we really need to see it from two perspective. Firstly, we need to see it from the point of view of how it services every activity silo within a business, and secondly, we need to see how it tracks processes as they flow between those silos.
SALES AND MARKETING Stand-alone Customer relationship management (CRM) systems tend to have one flaw that make them hard to use: they narrow the focus of the sales team to just the sales relationship with the customer. With an ERP system, sales staff can easily get a complete overview of every interaction the customer has had with the company. Take, for example, the case that happens to every business: a formerly good customer suddenly stops ordering. With an unintegrated CRM, all the salesperson can do is call up the company to see what's wrong. With ERP, they can backtrack and research every interaction the company has had with the customer. Was an ordered delivered late? Was an invoice incorrect? Are there signs the customer is having a cashflow problem, and might benefit from extended purchase terms?
E-MARKETING Every salesperson today will tell you that generating electronic direct marketing (EDM) material has become crucial to their jobs. It's a great way of making sure 32
that customers are up to speed with new offers and opportunities, as well as a way to cast the marketing net as wide as possible. The key to the best EDM is the ability to segment customers and potential customers so that any offer that is sent their way exactly matches their needs and interests. Again, the ability of ERPs such as HARMONIQ to provide integrated access make that task easier. An EDM can be targeted that customers who have bought specific products in the past, as well as at customers whose records indicate they are largely seasonal purchasers of certain items. Some ERPs also offer integrations with online marketing tools. For example, HARMONiQ offers integration with Campaign Manager. This service offers advanced response tracking and design templates.
SALES ORDER AND QUOTES Without ERP, many companies rely on salespeople composing quotes either in emails or as attachments to emails. Often the first their managers see of the quote will be on a cc to that email. With quotes integrated into the overall system, these can be previewed and reviewed before the customer sees them. That not only helps to prevent mistakes, but it adds to the overall knowledgebase for that customer. Sales orders are one of the most crucial items for any company to get right. It's the moment of decision for the customer, and it's essential that it is exact, confirmed and properly archived. With an ERP system, sales orders can
be properly reviewed and, once confirmed, are available immediately to the area in a company responsible for filling the order, as well as accounting for billing purposes.
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT Most businesses that rely on distribution know that keeping exact track of inventory is vital to gaining margin. This relates to keeping a high level of availability, especially during season surges, as well as keeping stockholdings to a minimum, so as to maximise cashflow. • Stock control Without ERP, many businesses experience a delay between a confirmed order placement and the allocation of stock. With ERP, not only can allocation be near-instant, but it is also possible to do prospective allocation, where stock levels are checked against outstanding quotes (with a success ratio applied). This can trigger businesses to ensure their supplier have adequate stock to handle a coming surge of orders, for example. • Warehouse management Insight into stock on hand can create additional opportunities for businesses. As an example, it becomes easier to split stock holdings between longer term bulk storage and shorter term order fulfilment allocations. That can be especially important for businesses that operate retail and wholesale operations, with the retail operations holding a couple of weeks’ worth of stock.
• Retail POS If there is one place where it is common to find an information lag, it's between a standard POS system and overall stockholdings. By integrating these two in an ERP, managers have live access to both potential understock and developing overstock issues. The sooner managers know, the faster they can act to remedy the situation.
BUSINESS SYSTEMS While inventory management, and sales and marketing are very "tangible" aspects of a business, ERP systems also contribute to the more intangible business services as well. • Accounting ERP systems like Harmoniq rely on a general ledger approach, where this works as a central "source of truth" for the financial status of the business. Again, integration is a great benefit here, as all the sub-ledgers feed directly into the general ledger. That means any trial balance based on the general ledger is a genuine reflection of the current status of the business — not a "guestimate" where some sub-ledgers have yet to report. • Business intelligence and reporting ERPs enable businesses to base strategies on real numbers, rather than estimates. Managers know exactly
how many quotes the sales staff have produced, how many orders get generated from those, and what the total prospective sales amount will be. • Team collaboration When different teams in a business have easy access to each other's numbers, it's much easier for them to talk to each other. That means that both challenges and opportunities get dealt with more quickly, with everybody involved.
FINAL NOTE It needs to be made clear that ERP is certainly not for all businesses. Smaller businesses, and those with a simple and easily executed workflow are not necessarily going to benefit. That said, however, the range of businesses that can benefit from ERP continues to increase, as the software and its deployment improves. Probably the most urgent thing for businesses to understand, however, is that it is highly unlikely we are going to see the business environment go back to what it was in 2019. That is not all entirely due to the pandemic itself. Rather, the shock of the pandemic has reduced resistance to change in general, and much of the pent-up potential of technology is likely to be realised over the next five years. n
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P ROF ILE
An elegant drainage solution, made in Australia Stormtech offers authentic Aussie ingenuity through its products. The business can offer lessons in how to take a great idea and create ways to develop a market for it.
T
here’s that story we all know, about the Aussie inventor working away in the shed, who comes up with this unique, worldbeating invention… Well, that story is true, and this time it is about Troy Creighton and his father. What they launched in the 1990s is the linear drain channel, which helped make large format tiles practical for bathrooms, even those with curbless showers. The drains are still made here in Australia, out of Australian materials, and Troy still runs it (his Dad, the inventor, has retired). Troy took the time to have a chat with Tile Today, telling us how it all started, and how it has evolved into a very modern, Industrial Revolution stage 4 business.
How did Stormtech get established and what is the history of the business? Taking it back to 1989, Stormtech was a concreting company called Creighton's Constructions at the time. It was run by my dad. We were doing a lot of work around the eastern suburbs of Sydney, working for architect-run projects, so the finish of the concrete was always critical. They were happy with our work, but they were just specifying whatever grates and channels for, say, driveway crossovers and other drainage requirements and there wasn't much available. There were heavy-looking, industrial galvanized ladder grates, and domestic plastic grates and basically not a lot much else to choose from. It was all fairly industrial. We were disappointed with the look of it — or my dad was. He was disappointed with the look after we'd sweat blood trying to get a perfect slab for an architect. So dad came up with an idea where we 34 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Stormtech managing director, Troy Creighton understands what his tiling customers need
would form a slot in the concrete, like an expansion joint, and have a pipe underneath that would collect the water from the slot. We called that the slot drain… and it found a little place in the market. Then we needed a name for the business so I came up with Stormwater Technologies, and we shortened it to Stormtech. Over the next seven years or so, the product evolved. The slot drain is really a slab-on-the-ground application [for] courtyards and driveways and cool areas. Then we needed one for suspended slabs so dad redesigned the slot drain to become the special assembly. This meant that the channel is separated from the pipe and connected by a manifold of downpipes which allows you to suspend the pipe underneath the slab. That was a finish that many architects and builders were looking for. It's a very narrow drain with a stainless grate on top. All the plumbing was hidden underneath the slab. That [look] was becoming quite popular in [outdoor] courtyards. By the mid-nineties, a number
of architects were redeveloping houses for older people so they could age in place and started asking for something different. The next step [for us] was indoors when the product started to become a tiling finishing product, and really started to get a bit more traction. That was where Ed Lippman, an architect, was using it on thresholds. He'd use the special assembly and the slot drain to create a threshold drain and then worked with dad to develop a threshold drain that would integrate much more neatly. So dad modified the special assembly to do that job, and that really put us in touch with the tilers. Coming from the trade, it became obvious that we needed a solution that was good for trades people. So the channel and grate system that we developed was made to be modular — you cut it to size on site. Put the outlet where you need it on site. That provides a solution that is a level threshold for ageing people, so they don't have to step up or down into their house. Then Ed and another architect were both asking at the same time to use that drain in a shower, so they could remove the hob in the shower. The very first one to go in was at Cherrybrook in New South Wales. That was for a young lass who had special needs. This house was completely modified by her father, with the help of an architect, so that she had no steps in and out anywhere. That changed our fortunes. We went from having to make decisions about renting or eating, paying rent or eating — and rent always came first. Family and friends supported us through those stages. I was only working parttime with dad at that point because we couldn't afford salaries.
After the first bathroom installation, things got better with the help of architects like Ed, Glen Murcott, Iain Halliday and Ian Moore, they all really liked the applications. The very first thing they all picked up on was that the floor waste no longer needs to be in the centre of the floor. Because it's a linear drain, they only need a single plane of fall. That meant they could use a larger format tile or stone in the bathroom. That just exploded for us; solving a problem for special needs and making it an easy-to-install product. There was only one more hurdle for us, the regulators. Sydney Water and all the different regulators around the country had no idea how to regulate or approve this product. Fortunately, Bill Angus at Sydney Water very kindly worked closely with dad to determine the simplest way to do the install and have minimum sizes, because architects don’t want big garden grates in their showers. They came up with the minimum sizes based in the building code. We got our first certification in the mid-1990s. Dad always wanted to keep it an Aussie made product. We were making it ourselves in the garden shed out the back and continued that way for a good 13 years before we had enough money for me to build a full purpose shed in my backyard on a few acres. That was our first standalone workshop, warehouse and office. We outgrew that in a couple of years. In the early 2000s we were doing a lot of export with the product. Around '96/'97, I convinced dad to put up a website with downloadable CAD files of the product. That gave everyone the information that they needed to be able to specify it. But more importantly, information for the tilers on how to install it. We learnt that installation was actually very easy. But because people hadn't seen it before, they were assuming that they waterproof into the channel and had to put the outlet inside the channel and so on, when it's actually the opposite. You waterproof as normal, do your
Bathroom using a Stormtech linear drain from its 100 range
plumbing as normal, and the grate and channel go in at the time of tiling.
Tell us about your Dad. He actually had a massive career change. After a long career in the re-insurance industry, he decided he didn't want to work in an office anymore. He was a bushie at heart, and he wanted to work outside, and chose concreting. He was actually an inventor, he invented a refillable pressure pack, all sorts of different things so he is quite a creative guy.
From what you are saying, it sounds like you were educating the market while you were selling the product. Well, there was no market for this product at the time because it was so niche. We tried with the shops to get the idea going, but [in the
beginning] it was too eccentric for them. So we went to the builders but they didn't really see it as a solution for them. Then we went to the specifiers. Dad and I went to see every architect we could over a two-three-year period. That actually created the market because the merchants then started coming to us saying, "This weird product has been specified, it's got your name and number on it, what is it? And how much?" At that point, I'd taken over the company from dad because he'd retired. I'm from a commercial background and I was able to establish distribution through the merchants. We always thought tiling merchants would be the obvious choice, because when you look at the sequence of installation or construction, the grate and channel domestic application goes
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in at the time of tiling. But the tiling merchants weren't that keen on it [at first] and it turned out to be the plumbing merchants were the ones that were really driving the initial growth in the market.
Stormtech takes its Australian Made credentials very seriously. We've maintained our Australian manufacturing. I've managed to keep all the supply in Australia. Back in the mid-nineties, Australia stopped manufacturing bright steels like stainless steel. The raw material is now in sheet form, and hot roll products are now imported. But all the fabrication is still done here in Australia. All the stainless steel is a hundred percent Australian-made. Our PVC is extruded and moulded in Australia from primarily Australian ingredients. And we use a world best practice PVC so we get our GreenTag sustainability certification. Because we invented the product, Standards Australia came to us and said, "Can you help us integrate it into AS 3500?" And we've continued to do that. At the moment, we're working with Standards Australia
Stormtech’s manufacturing site in South Nowra (NSW) is well on its way to be Industry 4.0
on how the drain integrates with waterproofing, so on 3740, which is critical to tiling, getting that right. There's been a lot of continuing education in the market. As we've learned better ways, we've been out promoting better ways. The product looks good. And that's been developed in collaboration with industrial designers like Marc Newson and Australian architects.
An installation using a bronze drainage solution from Stormtech’s 100 range
36 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
They also the drivers of quality over commodity. So, we continue to engage with them because we are able to make commodity style product and compete with imported commodity product closely on price. But the benefit of Australia made is our supply times are short, our lead times are short. Our inventory and stock control supply chain are very short.
How did you cope with your growth as a business? It seemed like it was gradual at first before it really took off. How did you cope with that internally? We were fortunate in that as we grew, we had family members who wanted to work in the family business. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. It's my wife and I now, but the people who started work with us early on are still with us today as we grew. This business is really all about the people in it. Because without those early staff — all of them are still here — we wouldn't have been able to grow. And they've come up with innovative ways for us to continue to grow.
It sounds like you have particular culture in the business to be able to deliver that time and time again. That's right and that's supported us through the droughts, and the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), we grew throughout that period because we were able to continue to supply, and we were able to adapt to the changing market. With the drought and the
decline in construction a couple of years leading up to the end of last year, the staff again were able to guide me in what they thought we needed to do. So I took on some of their suggestions and developed a strategy. And interestingly, that has helped us right through this whole weird period lately. And we've continued to grow. It's a passion. Everyone in the business has the passion and we're just looking always for better ways to do what we're doing.
How did COVID affect the business, how did you manage through it and help your customers really during these times? Before the whole pandemic, the situation was the mining industry was declining. The drought was biting hard and affecting most of the eastern states so you had most of Australia under a cloud. A lot of [property] development was easing. What we needed to do was re-target our sales and marketing back closer to the trade. Which we did. We did this by asking questions like “What is it they
wanted?” And then giving them the information that they needed. And with Australian made, it's certified, as opposed to an imported product that has a minimum certification and built as cheaply as possible. We have always specialised in linear drains. When you have a specialty like that, it's very hard for others to compete against the body of knowledge that we have. There aren't many situations in the industry these days that we can't solve. And that's another pillar of the business. We have established ourselves as solving problems for people. It can be an installation problem, a depth-of-channel problem or it can be a material problem. We know the tiler is usually brought in at the end of the job to fix everyone's mistakes. Where there's been a change, and the plumbing is no longer in the right spot, they've got to try and work out solutions of how to get around that. The drain certainly helps tilers do that. To that end, they're now often ordering fully custom-made, one-off drains and we can get them out normally in a few days.
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I also knew what our upstream supply chain is going to require, and we've always held significant stock. We've always focused on being able to get something out the door really quickly. The linear drain in a shower is usually put in when the new build or renovation is getting close to final fit out, and they don't have weeks to wait for you to muck around and fabricate something. We need to have a rapid solution that's easy to install, is high quality, going to last a long time, and looks good. And is cost effective. We've held those principles forever.
In terms of the processes, can you describe how the grates are made? And if there are any other innovations you're using like Internet of Things or smart factory? We are very well down the path of Industry 4.0. We are close to completely automating our CAD drawing and programming. One of the things we have focused on is giving the tiler what he wants. He's got to have it in the size he wants, he's got to have the outlet in the right position. And he's got to have it quickly. So before we go even anywhere near any of our high-tech equipment out the back, we've got to have the order processes in place to be able to get them what they want. We've got to present it to them in a way that's easy for them to understand. The systems we have in place right now are able to take on an enquiry and have that ready to go, after you send out a quote for them. Once they proceed with the order, then literally it's a click of a button, and that's the equipment out the back programmed, the stock inventory allocated, the worker allocated, the dispatch booked, the production schedule booked, and the invoice is generated. The next action point is when dispatch has been completed and the invoicing goes out. So customers will get the product at about the same time as the invoice. 38 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
The Alternate linear drainage system from the Square range used in an external project
The machinery itself, if you look at tolerances, for us to have a millimetre tolerance, in the market means we, in the workshop, are working to a tenth of a millimetre tolerance. And that's where high-tech equipment comes in. There's nothing like our workshop in our area. There are similar workshops around but we're the only ones specialising in linear drainage. We also run a quarantined site. We own the equipment. The tools never touch anything other than stainless or copper or aluminium, they never touch iron or touch steel, it's a fully quarantined site there. We have x-ray scanning of the
stainless so that we can grade the stainless on the fly. Situations like an indoor pool where you need guaranteed 316 stainless and electropolish, we can guarantee that. We know exactly what grade is going out, and the quality system as well is embedded right throughout, the order taking, through to manufacturing, through to dispatch. A proper shop drawing in electronic form goes to the machine. It's programmed and we just hit the button. Then a hard copy will go to the tradie, so that they know exactly what to do and where. It is very much like ERP, not your full-blown SAP one, but one we've developed for ourselves. n
FEATURE
WET AREAS
PROBLEMS WITH WATER EVACUATION FROM LARGE FORMAT TILES ON WET AREA FLOORS Over the past couple of decades there has been a noticeable change in both domestic and commercial buildings regarding fall/gradients/ slopes (fall) in tiled wet areas. Achieving the recommended fall to comply with relevant standards and applicable documents is becoming increasingly difficult. In some cases, achieving recommended fall is almost impossible without changing the design of a building or compromising the aesthetics of the finished tile installation. This is due to multiple factors. Most commonly, in high rise apartment constructions in Australia, reduced allowances in finished floor heights of tiled wet areas is to blame for not achieving recommended fall ratios called for by the relevant Australian standards and codes. The increased use of large format ceramic tile in wet areas makes achieving recommended fall ratios problematic across all types of applications where fall is required. This paper by Christopher Repeti, stone and tile consultant from Techtile Consulting, provides an analysis of relevant fall recommendations in different countries and assesses how much fall is required for proper surface water evacuation. Potential alternative solutions are set out for consideration when the tile size specified presents installation difficulties. 40
FEATURE
WET AREAS
Although specific ratios of fall are recommended in the applicable standards and construction documents in Australia and also internationally, the most important factor regarding achieving adequate fall in wet areas is to allow the proper evacuation of waste water to the designated exit point without deteriorating building elements, or affecting health and amenity of the occupants. Where recommended falls have not been achieved, a practical test may be used to determine where lack of fall may or may not constitute a defect in the tiling.
History of fall ratios in wet areas Prior to the creation of the first Australian Standard for tiling in 1991, AS 3958.1 “A guide to the installation of ceramic tiles”, recommended fall in wet area tiling was defined in AS 3740 1989 “Waterproofing of wet areas of residential buildings”. In this standard, in the wet area outside the shower recess, fall in the tiles was required to be installed at a ratio of 1:80. Inside the shower recess, fall was required at a ratio of 1:60. [1] A ratio of 1:60 means that for every 60 units of area, 1 unit of fall is required. This can be translated in millimetres as 1mm of fall for every 60mm. If we fast forward to 2019, the current recommendations for fall ratios in wet area floors has not changed a great deal. The current edition of AS 3740 2010 “Waterproofing of domestic wet areas” states that where required, falls in floor finishes outside of the shower area shall be at a ratio of 1:100. The minimum required fall inside a shower recess is to be 1:80. [2] Internationally, there is little information regarding specific fall ratios in wet area tiled areas. The 2011 TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook mentions the plumbing code which requires membranes applied to substrate materials in wet areas to be sloped at a minimum of ¼” per foot of distance, which translates to 6.35 millimetres per 304.8 millimetres or an approximate fall ratio of 1:48. [3] The 2019 edition of the TCNA Handbook references the same plumbing code, indicating that the applicable standard has not changed in at least the past eight years. [4] Regarding Europe, the consensus seems to be that requirements for fall ratios in wet areas to be between 1.5%-2%, translated to 15-20 millimetres per metre or a fall ratio between 1:50 to 1:75 in order to facilitate successful waste water evacuation. [5] Australia has less strict recommendations of fall ratios in wet areas when compared with North America and Europe, however, some critical points regarding recommended fall ratios are identifiable. Although the recommended or required fall in wet area floors have remained consistent and are given in a required ratio, slope or percentage, the purpose for requiring a certain amount of fall does not seem to have been analysed.
Analysis of what is acceptable Defining what constitutes adequate waste water 40 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
evacuation is found in the National Construction Code of Australia (NCC), more specifically in the Building Code of Australia Volume 1 and 2 (BCA). The BCA is Australia’s primary document regarding correct and acceptable building and construction practices. The BCA is a performance-based document and it references relevant Australian standards relating to building and construction practices. Within this document, AS 3740 “Waterproofing of domestic wet areas”, is referred to as a “deemed to satisfy” provision. (That means if the works are completed as per AS3740, they automatically comply with the BCA.) To comply with AS 3740, the minimum required falls in wet areas is a technical requirement. The BCA however is a performance-based document, where the ONLY mandatory requirements needed to comply with the document are the performance requirements. [6] This is to ensure that when it is not possible to comply with the technical requirements (for example those in the waterproofing standard AS 3740) an alternative solution can be applied and where necessary certified by the relevant authorities in order to deem construction has been undertaken to comply with the performance requirements of the BCA document. With regards to the performance requirements of the BCA for internal domestic wet areas such as bathrooms and showers recesses, the relevant provisions that need to be met are:
FP1.6 Overflow from a bathroom, laundry facility or the like must be prevented from penetrating to— (a) another sole-occupancy unit used for sleeping accommodation; and (b) a public space, in a storey below in the same building.
FP1.7 To protect the structure of the building and to maintain the amenity of the occupants, water must be prevented from penetrating— (a) behind fittings and linings; and (b) into concealed spaces, of sanitary compartments, bathrooms, laundries and the like. [7] As shown above, the only requirements to be met in order to comply with the primary reference document in Australia regarding building practices are to facilitate adequate waste water evacuation to designated waste outlets without affecting adjacent habitable space, or degrading building elements, or breaching the health and amenity regulations. A critical issue causing dispute regarding wet area construction in Australia is determining at what point can insufficient fall in a tiled wet area can be classified as a rectifiable defect. In order to assess this, we must first look at what factors could cause an inability to achieve required or recommended fall. Over the past 15-20 years, due to increasingly cost-effective methods of manufacture and
Image 1: A wet area tiling installation using 1200mm x 600mm large format technical porcelain manufactured in Portugal
technological advancements, larger size tiles are being used domestically and commercially in wet area applications. With regards to Australian ceramic tiling in wet areas, circa 1980-1990, generally the types of tiles installed were mosaic tiles, or tiles at dimensions of 100mm x 100mm up to a maximum of 300mm x 300mm. When installing tiles at sizes of 300mm x 300mm or less, achieving recommended fall is generally achievable, albeit in some cases tiles measuring over 150mm x 150mm per tile will require transverse cuts in around floor wastes to achieve falls without resulting in tile lippage. [8] From the design changes in the tiling industry in Australia, it is rare to see mosaic tiles installed in wet areas in modern construction. The smallest tile module installed in wet areas is generally 300mm x 300mm, with large format tiles up to 1200mm x 600mm in size also being used. (See image 1) Architects and designers in Australia currently
favour large format tile modules with grout joints as small as possible in order to achieve as close to a seamless floor finish aesthetically as possible. In some part this can be understandable, as large size tiles are specified by designers for their aesthetic appeal rather than their practical application in a wet area. Designers sometimes do not understand or concern themselves with the practical and potential consequences of designing wet areas using large format tiles. The design and use of linear grated drains with these large tiles installed on a singular plane towards the linear grate makes achieving adequate fall within shower recesses relatively straightforward. However, creating a fall to the floor waste becomes very difficult with these large format tiles, and the necessary transverse cuts required are often considered aesthetically unacceptable. Where wet 42 www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 41
FEATURE
WET AREAS
areas are constructed using traditional round or square floor waste outlets (often 90mm-100mm in diameter), and when these types of waste outlets are located approximately at the centre of the floor, the job of sloping floors for the tile installer may require deviation from achieving the specified ratio of fall. Construction of wet areas that meet the requirements for persons with disabilities use are also increasing in Australia. This also can be problematic, as floor finishes are required to be flush at doorways in order to comply with the relevant codes regarding disabled use and occupancy. Tile contractors are no longer able to achieve the required falls as in most cases they are not able to increase the finished height of a bathroom floor at the doorway.
procedures must be followed. The assessment method must demonstrate that the performance requirement will be achieved. [9] The requirements for determining if an assessment method is acceptable under the rules of BCA are set out below. • Evidence of suitability • A verification method • Expert judgement • Comparison with existing Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions. [10]
Alternative approach to assessing falls in floors
Method for testing floors with less than the stipulated fall
With regards to commercial apartment construction in Australia, certification is required to ensure the building is suitable for occupancy at the time of practical completion. We are seeing more building companies having difficulty achieving certification of wet areas when certifiers find the ratio of fall achieved by the tiling contractor is less than that required in the Australian Standard. It seems that in order to avoid potential legal ramifications that may arise for them, or to not appear negligent, the Principal Certifying Authorities (PCA) charged with providing a certificate of occupancy are hesitant to sign off or certify wet area floors that do not have the ratios of fall set down in the relevant standards. Some PCAs will also go so far as deem all wet area floors that do not have the minimum level of fall ratio required in the Australian Standard as defective. This is causing disputes. This rise in disputes is possibly linked to the introduction of digital levels where the display provides instant feedback (varying in %, mm/m or ratio of fall). Before the introduction of digital levels, measuring fall required a straightedge, packers and level and was much more difficult and slower. Some certifiers may not even have known how to establish the exact amount of fall there was in a floor. This probably means that the lack of fall in many wet areas previously went unnoticed (without ill effect). It appears that some PCAs have forgotten that the only mandatory requirements for construction to comply with the BCA are the performance requirements. It is usual for the certifier to use a digital level to determine the ratio of fall achieved in the floor. Most of the time, no practical testing is used to make the determination or conclude that a wet area floor meets the performance requirements during normal use, even if it does not have the degree of fall called for in the Australian Standard. As a performance-based document, alternative solutions (called Performance Solutions) that are designed to meet the performance requirements of the BCA are acceptable and more importantly, certifiable as being compliant. To ensure a Performance Solution is acceptable, appropriate 42 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
In order to provide Performance Solutions to meet the performance requirements of the BCA, I have created the following assessment method.
To ensure suitability, I use the following reference from section 4.3 of AS 3740 regarding surface water and lack of drainage being classified as a defect:
4.3 FALLS IN FLOOR FINISHES Where required falls in floor finishes shall allow all surface water to drain without ponding. There shall be no sharp edges or significant lipping on floor tiling. NOTES: 1. For additional information on falls in floor finishes, see Appendix C. 2. AS 3958.1 Guide to installation f ceramic tiles, has information on the laying of tiles to enable them to drain without ponding. 4.3.1 SHOWER FLOORS The falls shall be sufficient to prevent water from ponding within the shower area and shall prevent water from discharging outside the shower area, see Paragraph C3. (From section 4.3 of AS 3740) Ponding has not been officially defined in the BCA or relevant Australian Standards relating to wet areas. However, in an attempt to narrow down a method for assessment, I use the following method from an article from Mr Colin Cass in which he provides a definition of ponding: “Ponding can be said to occur when an area of more than about 400 square centimetres of water remains on any single area of the floor, or if there is any point deeper than 1.5mm, 15 minutes after a wetting event. (400 sq. centimetres is about 200mm x 200mm)” [11] This definition serves as my evidence of suitability, that is, if residual water over 1.5mm remains on a wet area surface after 15 minutes, regardless of the fall installed it may need to be raised as a defect. This is due to the cross over from the realm of what may be considered a nuisance into potential risks to health and amenity. To verify this method, I have developed the following test, using a watering can filled with six litres of water, flooding of the shower recess is
Stormtech drain channel used in an installation with large format tiles. Image courtesy Stormtech.
undertaken. All surface area of the shower floor is covered with water in order to simulate normal use. Following this, using nine litres of water in the watering can, flood the entire floor area outside the shower recess. Water is applied to all surface area of the floor, beginning at the entrance to the shower working backwards towards the entrance to the wet area, once at the entrance to the wet area, the remaining water in the watering can is applied approximately 150mm or six inches from the entrance of the wet area. At a minimum of 15 minutes after undertaken after the flood test, an inspection of the wet area and shower is undertaken. When the above method to determine ponding is used, and no residual water over 1.5mm on a surface are over 400sq cm remains on the wet area floor, and if during testing water flowed to the designated exit point without exiting the wet area or causing deterioration of building elements, it can be concluded that the wet area floor still meets the mandatory performance requirements of the
BCA, irrespective of the level of fall that has been installed. Some points considered when formulating the criteria for making an expert judgement determination were: • What level of water inundation could be considered normal use for the area outside a shower recess? • Given that in Australia, fall ratios in internal wet areas are not designed or required to contain waste water that is a result of overflowing pipes or malfunctioning equipment, what is the likelihood that during practical use or cleaning of a wet area, or the area outside the shower recess would result in nine litres of flowing water to be applied to the floor? • Applying flowing water directly to the entrance to the wet area would likely not occur during practical use, however, this method has been 44 www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 43
FEATURE
WET AREAS
used to simulate possible occurrence, no matter how occasional it may occur. • Where a shower is used every day, in some colder climates, even residual water under 1.5mm may remain on the surface of the tiles and may not evaporate before the shower is used again. • Surface tension can cause water to build up at the edges of wastes and drains. This is sometimes relieved by placing a small cut in the metal.
Adoption of test method to confirm compliance There may be a case for this type of assessment being used at the international level when assessing adequate falls in wet areas, and whether they should be raised as a defect. There have been situations where the maximum achievable fall ratio in the tiles installed outside the shower recess was measured at a fall ratio of 1:180 or less, using the practical testing method outlined above, water still drained to the designated waste outlet without ponding or escaping the wet area, this ratio of fall is well outside what would traditionally be considered an acceptable or adequate ratio of fall. The test method outlined above is proving to be both valid and reliable. For instance, in one case where there was a ratio of fall of 1:120, water exited at the door to the bathroom, which constitutes
a fail and a defect. It was determined that the water would still exit at the doorway with the required minimum of 1:100 fall because the linear drain was too close to the doorway. So, even if the required minimum amount of fall was present, the performance requirements of the BCA would not have been met. The test method shows that where compliance with a specific fall is not achieved, a common sense or practical approach should be taken before condemning wet area floor. Often, when calls are made for falls that are less than those called for in the Australian Standard to be regarded as defective and in need of replacement, no consideration is give as to how the replacement tiling will be completed in a compliant manner. For instance, increasing the fall at the doorway may be unacceptable or prohibited for some classes of building. Lowering the substrate at the floor waste may not be possible without replacing the floor sheeting or chiselling down the concrete. The costs involved in rectification and impact on the environment with regards to waste and materials should be considered. There is considerable waste involved in replacing a floor with less than the stipulated ratio of fall when it actually performs its intended function.
A successful large tile installation in a bathroom using Stormtech drainage system. Image courtesy Stormtech. 44 | TILE TODAY #105 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Conclusions Ceramic tiling has changed and evolved dramatically over the years, especially with regards to wet area installations and the size of tiles. There appears to have been no change in the ratio of fall stipulated in most codes or guide to account for the difficulties in installing large format tiles to a fall. Other countries generally recommend steeper falls than those stipulated in the Australian Standards, however, practical testing has shown such steep falls are often more than is needed for the effective evacuation of waste water. The process of simply taking a reading from a digital level and relating it to what is in the Australian Standard to determine compliance or not is flawed. This paper sets out a practical test method to see if a wet area floor performs its intended function regarding waste water evacuation. When this performance based test was adopted, it was found that falls as low as 1:150 would usually see waste water drain adequately, and that floors with less than a 1:100 ratio of fall would regularly achieve the performance requirements on the Australian construction code. With the use of larger and larger tiles increasing, it appears time to replace set ratios of fall as requirements with them becoming
recommendations only, and a practical flood test as the method of determining adequate performance or not when a dispute occurs.
n
REFERENCES [1] AS 3740-1989, Waterproofing of wet areas of residential buildings, Appendix C. [2] AS 3740-2010 Waterproofing of domestic wet areas, Section 3.3-3.4. [3] Tile Council of North America, TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone tile installation 2019, Wet area guidelines. [4] Tile Council of North America, TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone tile installation 2011, Field and installation requirements, Wet area guidelines. [5] https://www.homify.es/libros_de_ideas/5276318/duchas-de-obra-ventajasinconvenientes-e-instalacion [6] https://backtobasics.edu.au/2019/01/building-code-ultimate-guide-2019/ [7] Building Code of Australia Volume 1, Section F Health and Amenity, Part F1 Damp and Weatherproofing, Performance Requirements. [8] AS 3958.1 2007, A guide to the installation of ceramic tiles, Section 5.4.6 (a). [9] https://backtobasics.edu.au/2019/01/building-code-ultimate-guide-2019/ [10] Understanding the NCC ABCB, How to comply with the NCC, page 2 [11] “Falling for you” by Mr Colin Cass, article first published in Tile Today magazine, issue #35 June – August 2002.
About the author: Christopher Repeti is a stone and tile consultant with over 17 years’ experience in the industry. Techtile Consulting works on some of the largest stone and tile projects in Australia.
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STAT ISTICS
Construction, COVID-19 and ceramic tile imports Peter Halliday provides his views on building approvals, dwelling commencements and completions, ceramic tile imports and the effects of the current economic recession
T
he Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho said, “Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.” 2020 will be remembered by many as that “happening all at once” year. The Australian residential building industry had been projecting a slow but steady improvement beginning in 2020 after experiencing a downturn in 2018-2019. The decline followed the Banking Royal Commission and subsequent tightening of lending rules, more stringent capital controls within foreign countries and resultant drop in foreign investment, which all contributed to a contraction in residential dwelling approvals and construction activity. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has thrown all projections and hope
of improvement into disarray as importers, wholesalers, retailers, builders and consumers alike, try to deal with a global pandemic, economic recession and an uncertain future.
Dwelling approvals and construction Before COVID-19 had arrived in Australia, building approvals were already lower, with 173,034 dwellings approved in the 12 months to February 2020, down -15 per cent on the previous 12-month period. The number of dwellings approved since February, particularly in May and June 2020 were significantly lower again as COVID-19 affected the nation. The average number of dwellings approved per annum over the last decade is 196,636 so the current level is more than -13 per cent below the average. With
FIG.1 AUSTRALIAN BUILDING APPROVAL NUMBER 2010-2020
Data source: ABS
46 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
the current lack of immigration, increased unemployment and fall in property values, the executive chairman of property consultancy Macroplan was recently reported saying that their research showed demand for dwelling units could reduce by 115,00 units spread over the next three years. Looking back over historical data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that residential building approval numbers in June 2020 dropped to an eight-year low. The largest fall in approvals has been in multiunit (apartments, townhouses and semi-detached) dwellings. The graph in Fig.1 illustrates the falling number of residential building approvals in both houses and other (multi-unit) dwellings. Residential alterations and additions and nonresidential building approvals have fared much better. Both categories
saw higher approvals in the month of June, albeit after both falling since March 2020. Alterations and additions increased by 1.8 per cent during 2019-2020 and non-residential building increased by 3.9 per cent. Fig.2 graphs the value of residential and non-residential building approvals across all states
alongside the value of building approvals for renovations and additions. While building approvals are an indicator of future activity, building commencements and completions show current and recent requirements for ceramic tiles. Fig.3 illustrates the timing and links between ceramic tile import
figures and residential building approval, commencement, and completion numbers. From the graph it appears that the volume of tile imports declined at a slower rate than the falling residential unit approval and commencement numbers. Imports will inevitably catch up with further reductions as current
48
FIG.2 AUSTRALIAN BUILDING APPROVAL VALUE 2010-2020
Data source: ABS
FIG.3 DWELLING UNITS AND TILE IMPORTS 2010-2020
Data source: ABS
www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 47
building projects are completed. The graph shows a much greater correlation between dwelling completions and imports. It must be remembered however that the requirements for non-residential building along with renovation and alteration projects are not included in this graph. There has also been significant disruption and uncertainty in global supply chains
during the current pandemic which will make importers forecasting difficult. Fig.4 expands the dwelling unit completions data shown in Fig.3 to show the relative activity in the house and multiunit dwelling categories. It indicates that while building approvals have been falling since 2016-2017, there has still been a lot of work in builders’
FIG.4 DWELLING UNIT COMPLETIONS 2010-2020
Data source: ABS
FIG.5 CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS - 2010-2020
Data source: ABS
48 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
pipelines that has maintained the requirement for ceramic tiles which are typically called up towards the end of a construction project. Unfortunately, the more recent building approval numbers indicate a further decline in activity in 2020-2021 as lower immigration, higher unemployment and lower property values adversely impact demand
which the Federal Government will be hoping to offset with their Home Builder stimulus and other programs.
Tile imports – quantity and value Imports of ceramic tiles in the 2019-2020 financial year totalled 39,871,308 square metres. This represents a decline of 2,300622 square metres or -5.5 per cent on top of an -8.8 per cent decline in volume the previous financial year. The total Australian Customs value was $434,446,379. The decline in value was lower than the volume, falling -4.6 per cent. This followed a -3.0 per cent the previous financial year. A table
illustrating the rolling 12-month import quantity and value is shown in Fig.5. The value for Australian Customs is affected by the foreign exchange rate and shipping costs at the time of entry to Australia. Fig.6 illustrates the exchange rates for the three major trading currencies for Australia’s tile imports: US Dollar, Euro and Chinese Renminbi. Whilst import volumes were lower in 2019-2020, most of the decline occurred in the September 2019 quarter. Import volumes for each quarter since remained relatively stable with only the June quarter dropping slightly. The average price per square metre of imported tiles remained relatively
FIG.6 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR FOREIGN EXCAHNGE RATE 2010-2020
Data source: RBA
FIG.8a TOP FIVE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN QUANTITY
stable, increasing by $0.10 to A$10.90.
Imports by country The detailed breakdown of the import data by country of origin and declared destination state is shown in Fig.7. The concentration of imports from fewer countries increased again in 2019-2020. Over 80 per cent of imports came from two nations and 93.5 per cent from only five. China lifted its share of imports from 70.9 to 71.9 per cent although total square metres imported from China declined by -4.1 per cent. With the virtual closing down all ceramic tile imports into the USA from China due to the US imposition of antidumping and countervailing (or subsidy off-set) duties in March of between 114 and 356 per cent each, as well as the anti-dumping duties imposed on China by the EU since 2011, there is a lot of spare manufacturing capacity in China and incentive to build their business with alternative countries. While China had been responsible for half of the global tile production, the largest Chinese companies have been moving production capacity to other countries, which, combined with US importers now sourcing from other countries, will inevitably lead to a redistribution of global production capacity. Meanwhile Chinese imports represented 71.9 per cent of the import volume and 57.7 per cent of the total import value, an increase of 1.2 per cent over the previous financial year. 57 per cent of imports from China were classified as porcelain with a further 22 per cent being typically wall tiles, having a moisture absorption greater than 10 per cent. Fig.8a illustrates the volume of the five largest exporting nations to Australia over the last 5 financial years while Fig.8b shows the comparative value of imports between the top five sources by value for tile imports. Out of the top 15 source countries, only Spain, India, Turkey, Germany and Vietnam increased exports to Australia. Italian imports declined by
51
www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 49
FIG.7 CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS 2019-2020 FINANCIAL YEAR DECLARED DESTINATION STATE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Australia (Re-imports)
New South Wales*
Northern Territory
1,396
Bangladesh Belgium Brazil
Queensland
South Australia
Chile China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) Croatia
50,065
25
1,415
16
1,067
15,502
6,328
24,032 312
1,223
11,317,727
174,792
5,707,295
1,626,637
142,687
7,063
9,307
10,869
2,653 45,580
1,171
Indonesia
71.9%
$250,538,510
92
0.0%
$22,885
15,481
0.0%
$182,061
7,604
0.0%
$89,254
6,570
4,188
25,451
0.1%
$733,123
31,947
7,142
188,189
0.5%
$4,781,880
739
0.0%
$23,703
3,534
3,347
11,771
0.0%
$217,337
83,598
645,602
1.6%
$5,583,509
29,970
294,383
0.7%
$3,263,370
1,867
0.0%
$31,348
150
0.0%
$14,587
1,290,217
1,044
6,851
139,481
509,584
146,062
43,643
1,979
50 121,406
3,135
843,866
500,607
3,340,830
8.4%
$86,796,642
357,735
1,540
500,736
1.3%
$3,744,937
1
51
0.0%
$2,380
3,879
132
12,096
140,648
0.4%
$1,244,059
195,864
1,081
1,331,222
15 550,305
13,508
690,397
5,851
1,676
174
80
Poland
2,129
Portugal
22,361
90,888
145 1,648 2
204
792 8,486
616
1,109
36,572
289,040
20,081
24,352
$260,023
0.0%
$47,308
5,835
0.0%
$31,674
15,246
79,871
0.2%
$1,867,731
300
0.0%
$3,371
761
0.0%
$29,407
0.0%
$16,559
4.4%
$39,068,036
140,309
321,845
0.8%
$2,827,730
2,692
0.0%
$80,527
238,791
0.6%
$2,519,500
30
0.0%
$1,429
220,821
0.6%
$3,307,722
270
0.0%
$4,745
194,607
0.5%
$2,988,156
2,571
0.0%
$143,953
35,314
327
684
Thailand
89,741
37,223
47,970
121,806
58,967
10,267
Ukraine
23,274
46,316
17,504
270 142,280
5,202
10,838
36,287
1,992
466
1,666
8,546
145,851
1,437
19,270
6,422
Grand Total
15,508,943
221,068
7,704,671
2,084,898
State Share
38.9%
0.6%
19.3%
5.2%
$677,641
119
82,368
Turkey
$26,300
0.0%
1,735,649
1,681
6,544
0.0%
8,405
125,197
63,854
30
1,698
385,601
Taiwan
Tunisia
$20,025,223
0.0%
119 112
$1,162
7.2%
8,807
300
891,264
0.0%
8,320
761
Singapore
15 2,873,265
68
3,706 3,967
Saudi Arabia
*Includes ACT Data source: ABS
28,675,263
2,083,020
33,364
New Zealand
Vietnam
$49,912
81,570
Netherlands
United States of America
$61,862
0.0%
8,013
762
United Kingdom
0.0%
735
2,855
5,792
United Arab Emirates
1,423
15,088
1,553
Sri Lanka
200
43,416
Morocco
Spain
$36,661
50,814
Mexico
Serbia
$1,615,029
0.0%
101,245
Macau (SAR of China) Malaysia
0.3%
3,587
7,200
150
Korea, Republic of (South)
108,597
3,275
1,592
823
Jordan
11,604
99,504
Israel
Japan
$9,489 $180,604
381,757
Iran
Italy
$29,080
0.0%
739 4,890
0.0% 0.0%
5,057
103,519
4,127
Customs Value AUD
450
540
Greece
India
7,623,105
Total SQM
SQM Market Share
3,222
92 1,116
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
1,600
735
Egypt
Germany
Western Australia
450 1,792
Czech Republic
France
Victoria
1,106
Bulgaria Canada
Tasmania
114
2,864
250
13,326
0.0%
$313,741
2,421
6,909
182,311
0.5%
$952,221
224,454
10,948,933
3,178,153
39,871,308
100.0%
$434,446,379
0.6%
27.5%
8.0%
100.0%
10.6 per cent but still made up 8.4 per cent of the total import volume and 20 per cent of the total customs value. Imports from Malaysia declined by -15.9 per cent and represented 7.2 per cent of the national total. Spain experienced the biggest increase in exports to Australia, increasing by 2 per cent or 28,129 square metres and lifting its market share to 4.4 per cent. Interestingly, 65 per cent of imports from Spain were porcelain, while only 19 per cent were wall tiles, a category that Spain has a long, proud history of producing. Imports from India, whilst still small in overall volume terms, increased by almost 20,000 square metres to 645,602 square metres. Almost 91 per cent of imports from India were porcelain tiles.
Imports state-by-state State imports over the last five financial years are shown in Fig.9 New South Wales is the largest declared destination state for tiles but suffered the biggest
FIG.8b TOP FIVE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN VALUE
national fall of -11 percent fall in 2019-2020, importing just over two million square metres less last financial year, reducing the share of national imports from 41.5 per cent last financial year to 38.9 per cent of all tiles imported. Import volumes fell in every state except Victoria and South Australia. Victoria increased import volumes by 1 per cent in
2019-2020 and South Australia by 4 per cent. Victoria increased its share of the national market for the fifth consecutive financial year, accounting for 27.5 per cent of all tile imports while South Australia made up 5.2 per cent of the national total. Queensland imports declined by -4 per cent, Western Australia and Tasmania
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both fell by -5 per cent and Northern Territory imports fell by -11%.
Imports by Harmonised System Code The chart in Fig.10 shows the break down of imports by each Harmonised System (HS) code, the first 6 digits of the 10 digit harmonised tariff code. The largest portion, 58 per cent of imports, can be classified as porcelain or tiles having a water absorption below 0.5 per cent. A further 20 percent of tiles imported had a water
absorption between 0.5 and 10 per cent and include Monocottura floor tiles. Imports that can be regarded as wall tiles or tiles with a water absorption above 10 per cent made up 19 per cent of imports. Mosaics and finishing pieces such as step treads etc. made up 1.4 and 1.8 per cent of imports respectively. Over 50 per cent of every HS code was sourced from China. Seventy per cent of all porcelain, 67 percent of tiles with a moisture absorption between 0.5 and 10 per cent, 85 per cent of wall tiles, 71 per cent of all (clay
based) mosaics and 54 per cent of all ceramic finishing pieces were sourced from China. There is obviously a large dependence on the supply chain from China and a heavy reliance currently on Australia maintaining a good ongoing trade relationship. n
Peter Halliday recently retired as managing director of Decor8 Tiles and has a lifelong involvement in the global ceramic tile, natural stone and glass mosaic industries. He continues to research and write on industry related topics.
FIG.9 CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS - STATE SHARE Financial Year State Total
2015-2016
% of annual total StateTotal
2016-2017
% of annual total StateTotal
2017-2018
% of annual total StateTotal
2018-2019
% of annual total State Total % of annual total
2019-2020
New South Wales (inc ACT)
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Combined Total M2
17,876,255
572,244
9,697,908
2,150,700
204,007
10,163,057
4,914,468
45,578,639
39.2%
1.3%
21.3%
4.7%
0.4%
22.3%
10.8%
100.0%
18,618,431
351,876
9,811,664
2,055,415
213,268
10,407,232
4,051,627
45,509,514
40.9%
0.8%
21.6%
4.5%
0.5%
22.9%
8.9%
100.0%
18,762,413
359,866
9,542,365
2,017,243
202,181
11,499,975
3,851,270
46,235,311
40.6%
0.8%
20.6%
4.4%
0.4%
24.9%
8.3%
100.0%
17,512,744
249,604
8,012,069
2,012,168
236,768
10,808,548
3,345,253
42,177,154
41.5%
0.6%
19.0%
4.8%
0.6%
25.6%
7.9%
100.0%
15,509,131
221,068
7,704,671
2,084,898
224,454
10,948,933
3,178,153
39,871,308
38.9%
0.6%
19.3%
5.2%
0.6%
27.5%
8.0%
100.0%
Data source: ABS
FIG. 10 CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS BY HS CODE 2019-2020
Data source: ABS
52 | TILE TODAY #105 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
% Change On Previous Year 9.2%
-0.2%
1.6%
-8.8%
-5.5%
SHOW REPORT
CERSAIE 2020
CERSAIE 2020: CANCELLED BUT STILL TRACKING TRENDS
International correspondent, Joe Simpson, has contacted the leading tile manufacturers who normally would grace the halls at Cersaie to find out what they had planned to launch at the 2020 event. As well as selecting some eye-catching ranges, he has produced a virtual Cersaie trend report that explores the most popular colours, material influences, finishes, and formats for 2021.
T
he Italy-based Cersaie 2020 event fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic after organisers decided that under the current circumstances, it was impossible to organise a safe exhibition or one that could guarantee the presence of tile professionals from around the globe. The Coronavirus has accelerated what was already shaping up to be an era defined by social change and the emergence of new technology. National lockdowns, and the need to work from home, has radically changed the way we now consider our domestic space. The rise in smart working, which was already taking place, has been turbocharged. Today, many homes are no longer dedicated to nurture, rest, family activities, and entertainment, but are also workspaces. The impact on how houses are organised 54
SHOW REPORT
CERSAIE 2020
and furnished has been, and will continue to be, profound and far-reaching. In response, one of the emerging trends in the ceramic field is surface finishes, including porcelain worktops, that contribute to the creation of stylish and versatile open living spaces. Open plan kitchens and living rooms now need to add an extra function: a part time office. One solution is a kitchen with a peninsula that separates the cooking area and can be used as a table or desk. In this way, the kitchen becomes more than just a place to cook and, but also somewhere to work, study, gather and entertain. XXL porcelain in all its forms have addressed this emerging need and made its pitch for the traditional kitchen worktop market.
Mutina’s Mattonelle Margherita collection represents some of the best in postModern tile designs
HOME OFFICE Cersaie 2020 would have seen a return to lighter and more minimalist floor tile designs, as manufacturers respond to the way that COVID-19 has already started to influence other aspects of housing design. One trend has been the vertical division of houses to create mezzanine floors for use as home offices. Concrete- or wood-effect porcelain stoneware floor tiles — simple surfaces in warm, natural shades — are ideal for these spaces. At the same time, opening up living areas for multi-purpose living also extends the appeal of lighter floor tiles and minimalist furnishings that create a sense of consistency. Cersaie 2020 would have been awash with examples of large ultra-thin tiles being used to cover worktops, tables, furniture, wardrobes, and partition walls to ensure design continuity. It is a contemporary twist on the minimalist monolithic look. The industrial look generally features cement-effect floorings in subtle shades, or antiqued wood-effect strip tiles with minimal joints. Exposed bricks, beams, ducts and pipes, large 54 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Betonmetal from Terratinta Ceramiche features small scratches and a translucent effect
windows, rough perimeter walls with light plaster, high ceilings and mezzanines are other distinctive features. Furnishings usually include recovered objects that emphasise painting and welding imperfections. Cersaie 2020 would have seen tiles that play to this vibe, such as simulated plaster- and stuccoeffects, antiqued wood-effect floor tiles, and burnished metallic finishes. When it came to colour, 2020 was a blue year. Just as Pantone predicted, Classic Blue was dominant. When Pantone chose this colour, foremost in their mind was the way homeowners can create a relaxing yet sophisticated home by choosing intense blue for feature walls, or by adding blue furnishings, set against light and natural shades such as cream or nuances of white.
OT07026 by Cerasarda emphasises Mediterranean style
Blue adapts to all styles — classic, modern, contemporary, and rustic — and can be combined with an endless array of materials. However, the Coronavirus pandemic seemed to amplify this trend and stretch it out. Blue shows no sign of stopping, possibly because it also speaks of hygiene and health. So Cersaie 2020 would have seen many iterations of blue tiles, alongside other on-trend hues, notably rich pastels, such as powder pinks and greens, the latter in shades ranging from intense woodland green through to light sage.
Collection Ulivo by Casalgrande Padana, porcelain stoneware flooring with wood effect
Another impact of the pandemic was to make the world’s population even more aware of nature. For a lucky few, this could be experienced and enjoyed in their own garden. For many city dwellers, however, the occasional trip to the park had to be supplemented by house plants, or decor schemes that bring nature into the home. Ranges, such as Limpha by Casalgrande Padana, are a great predictor for the kind of tile design needed to project this soothing naturalism into our homes. For those lucky enough to have outdoor space, many will be seeking ways to make this space work even harder, with inside-out living proving even more popular going forward. Porcelain tiles, with their wide range 56
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SHOW REPORT
CERSAIE 2020
of designs, choice of installation methods and excellent technical features (frost-, abrasion-, and wearresistance, light fastness, and flexural strength) are well placed to profit from this still developing trend. Cersaie 2020 would have included ultra-large plank formats, darker woods, distressed timber effects, stone/concrete mixes, and lighter cottos, alongside bolder patterned tiles that speak of Moorish tradition and the enduring popularity of the Provençal vibe. Another trend playing to concerns about or health and well-being are anti-bacterial and self-cleaning tiles. Tile options, such as Casalgrande Padana’s Bios self-cleaning technology, use the sun’s power to allow porcelain tiles to reduce air pollutants and decompose dirt deposits, which are washed away from the tiles’ surface by rainwater, due to the super hydrophilicity of the ceramic surface.
Graniti Fiandre’s Rock Salt Maximum is a refined architectural range reproducing the shades and the crystals of Himalayan salt
Using Bios self-cleaning tiles on a 1,000sqm façade purifies as much air the size of a soccer pitch, and eliminates the equivalent nitrogen oxides to that emitted by 70 petrol engine cars in day. But what is really holding homeowners’ attention these days is the fact that tiles factory-finished with this technology can kill up to 99.99% of the main bacterial strains, while also eliminating odours.
Materia Prima by Cir Ceramiche is “an eloquent investigation of the fundamental elements of ceramics”
POMO REVIVAL Bolder colours and maximalist mixes would have provided the main eyecandy at Cersaie 2020. In addition to Mutina with its exuberant Mattonelle Margherita collection, the event would have seen plenty more postModern designs. These bold new PoMo designs offer a welcome counterpoint to slavish natural imitations. From big floral patterns and playful geometries to striking synthetic colours, these eye-catching designs are dramatic and yet elegant. ABK is one of the leaders here with the bold solid colours and geometric patterns of the Art Shapes collection 56 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Fjord from Impronta, an Italgraniti Group brand, is a graphic interpretation of Nordic quartzite
evoking Memphis. These digital designs make a statement but drown out the background noise. 41zero42 is now one of the companies competing with Mutina in the coolest design stakes. The company’s daring aesthetics for 2021 build on the contemporary frescoes of the Paper41 Lux range: from floral patterns that emerge from a white mist to large-format tiles depicting Ming vases, this is graphic design at its greatest.
OTHER TRENDS Fun by Ceramica Sant’Agostino pairs intricate 1970s patterns with bold colours to create eye-catching flower power tiles. Elaborate and slightly baroque, the intricate patterns are paired with a palette of solid pastel tones that underline a surprisingly tasteful sense of psychedelia. Floral wallpapers would have been real head turners at Cersaie 2020. I filati di rex by Florim is a great example of this look. It has the tactile appeal of wallpaper but recognises no aesthetic boundaries when seeking inspiration. So retro floral patterns, pastel backdrops, blowsy bouquets, and verdant greenery are all fair game, with rococo swirls and other graphic embellishments. Alongside these PoMo creations, another high-end theme is deceptive design, a surface trend made possible by new decorating technologies that allow unexpected material melanges, such as oxidised metals and Venetian silk.
Terra by La Faenza is a contemporary reinterpretation of terracotta, with surfaces that simulate the passage of time
Atlas Concorde’s Blaze, for instance, is a ceramic collection inspired by the industrial-chic and raw-luxe character of oxidised metals and weathering steel in an extensive range of colours. Graniti Fiandre’s Rock Salt Maximum is a refined architectural range reproducing the shades and the crystals of Himalayan salt with great realism, while the Amazonite range was inspired by the Brazilian river’s complex bed. Cotto d’Este‘s Cement Project is a 58
The uniqueness of Terratinta Vicentina Cenere Cross Light lies in the harmonious graphics, a faithful reproduction of the original stone
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SHOW REPORT
CERSAIE 2020
system of colours and surfaces that faithfully recalls the aesthetics and texture of cement in those Brutalist architectural projects of the 20th century. The Rustrial trend combines rustic and industrial, as seen in such ground-breaking collections as Marazzi’s Crogiolo Zellige. This translates Moroccan terracotta azulejos into 100 by 100mm glazed tiles that feature all the imperfections of the original. Ceramic surfaces and fine fabrics come together in the I Filati di Rex collection by Florim, created in collaboration with Venetian textile company Rubelli. The range combines the most advanced ceramic production technologies with a centuries-old heritage in the art of silk. Iconic decorative patterns from Rubell’s archives come to life on the ceramic surface in an elegant interplay of relief effects that reinterpret the texture of the fabric. Past and present are perfectly balanced in Raw, the Atlas Concorde concrete-look range that recreates the material feel of worn surfaces, reproducing the flaked plaster effect through art. The warm, earthy colours of Sand and Mud are supplemented by the colder, more material hues of White and Pearl. Four porcelain tile colours that can be mixed and matched, taking up the many tones of plaster and the signs of ageing over time.
Limpha from Casalgrande Padana is inspired by climbing plants, a way to transform a simple covering into a tribute to natural beauty
The range of white body wall tiles features a palette of six colours, with three neutrals that reflect the shades of stoneware and three brighter tones, Blue, Rose and Petroleum, that co-ordinate with the mood of the collection. A particular feature of the collection is the possibility to choose the most suitable plaster for the project, whether Twist, Flag, Block or Castle. This sets a new standard in terms of customisation, transforming grout line filler from functional necessity to an integral part of the dĂŠcor. Terratinta Ceramiche has explored the delicate nuances of Vicentina Cenere, using harmonious 58 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Ceramic surfaces and fine fabrics come together in the I Filati di Rex collection by Florim, created in collaboration with Venetian textile company Rubelli
graphics and rich hues to produce an authenitic reproduction of Pietra of Vicenza stone. The large 6mm thick 1,200 by 2,800mm slabs, and 12mm by 1,600 by 3,200mm slabs, can be used for tables and kitchen worktops. The 800 by 800mm floor tiles with a vintage edge, give an antique look to the surface of the floor tiles. The peculiarity of the metal effect combined with the ductility of the concrete makes the Betonmetal collection from Terratinta Ceramiche both original and impactful. Urban and contemporary, it features small scratches and a translucent effect that both add value.
Monocibec’s Arcadia collection has a contemporary aesthetic inspired by evocative varieties of marble with directional veining and intense colour contrasts
The allure of the metal surfaces is developed in four sizes: 1,200 by 1,200, 600 by 1,200, 600 by 600, and 300 by 600mm. There are three colours: Aluminium, a light and delicate grey, and two stronger colours; the dark Black Steel, and the rust coloured Copper. To sum up the Cersaie that might have been, this was a show where Maximalism — bolder colours and patterns — rubbed shoulders with new interpreations on practical minimalism, and the deliberate imperfection of Wabi Sabi. Many leading European manufacturers revisited the glaze effects, patterns, and formats of tiling’s long heritage, with historic design influences spanning Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, Modernism, Brutalism, Art Nouveau, and Bauhaus.
Cotto d’Este‘s Cement Project recalls the aesthetics and texture of cement in those Brutalist architectural projects of the 20th century
The show witnessed oiled and planed wood-effects and many tiles with a hand-finished vibe, a plethora of exciting metallic embellishments, sculpted 3D wall tiles, and numerous Moorish and Middle Eastern patterns. Real eye-candy came in the form of hyper-realistic wallpaper-effects, many expanding the idea of natural subjects, notably tropical flora and fauna. Posters, pop art and disco brough psychedelic colours, playful geometry, and trippy patterns, while seminato surfaces also took tiles in bold directions with
Valparaiso from ITT Ceramic is available in four natural wood shades including Beige (pictured)
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micro and macro fragment mixes, technicolour dots, and colourful inclusions.
CERSAIE HIGHLIGHTS Mattonelle Margherita by Mutina is the tile of the show. In this versatile and playful range, Mutina has worked with colour, along with the artist Nathalie Du Pasquier, creating a complex project featuring a blend of different aesthetic and formal means of expression. The collection is characterised by a dual concept. On the one hand, a simple, minimalist style, evident in the plain-coloured elements, and on the other, a courageous, creative approach, characterised by a large variety of graphics. In total, it is composed of 41 patterns designed by hand, available in two sizes.
Temper by Cercom combines the industrial allure of steel slabs with the technical qualities of porcelain stoneware
The elements are created in glazed porcelain stoneware, with a traditional industrial production method of the kind used in the past. To obtain the best possible result in terms of finish and colour, careful research has gone into the glazes, in order to identify the most reactive, so as to give a bright, vibrant finish to the satin-effect surface. The combination of pure white glazes and transparent, waxy glazes guarantees a naturallooking surface, on which colour is absorbed, maximising its effect. The Mattonelle Margherita universe is composed of 41 different patterns, designed by hand: 27 graphics and six plain elements in the 205 by 205mm size, six patterns and two plain elements in the 101 by 205mm size. The two sizes are modular, with a joint of 2mm. Mattonelle Margherita tiles have a satin-finish surface as standard, although a special anti-slip finish is available on request. Metallic effects, including oxidised patinas, would have been one of the strongest trends at Cersaie 2020. At the more masculine end of this spectrum, Temper by Cercom combines the industrial allure of steel slabs with the technical qualities of porcelain stoneware. 60 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
The Room by Imola is a collection of rectified, full-body porcelain stoneware tiles
Temper comes in five colours, plus decors, for use on both floors and walls starting with Frost, the lightest and brightest, through the Argent and Golden shades, the deep greys of Iron and Coal, right through to Rust, a finish with colour tones inspired by corten steel. Temper is offered in the wide range of formats, all rectified. Terra by La Faenza is a contemporary reinterpretation of terracotta, with surfaces that simulate the passage of time. It offers warm, dark, deep colours like ochre and red as well as contrasting colours, like silver and original nuances such as Prussian blue. Full-body coloured porcelain stoneware, Terra comes in 900 by 900, 600 by 1,200, and 600 by 600mm formats, for both cladding and flooring applications. It is designed to complement La Faenza’s Oro project, a collection of four marbles with considerable personality.
Atlas Concorde’s Blaze is a ceramic collection inspired by the industrial-chic and rawluxe character of oxidised metals and weathering steel
Two of the Oro designs are absolutely on the money. Blue Lace Agate is inspired by a stone from South America. This laced-featured agate appears semi-transparent, with large bands that range from white to blue with different shades. Ocean Blue stems from a spectacular onyx from Central Asia. Grey/dark blue shadings mix with bluish-white surfaces, with ochre and gold. This range to range compatibility is something seen more in the portfolios of today’s top tile manufacturers. White body wall tiles are paired with matching porcelain floor tiles, stone- wood-, and concrete-effects produced in complementary tones and decors that work with several different base tiles. This shows a welcome level of pragmatism by manufacturers and provides clear evidence they have both listened to, and reacted to, the needs of the market world-wide. Materia Prima by Cir Ceramiche is a substantial and distinctive collection, an eloquent investigation of the fundamental elements of ceramics.
Mutina’s Mattonelle Margherita is considered “the tile” of Cersaie Virtual 2020
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CERSAIE 2020
This ambitious program spans floor and wall tiles in porcelain stoneware, and has a wide range of colours, sizes, and line decorations. The wall tiles come in 100 by 200, 200 by 200mm, plus hexagon and rhombus. The floor tiles are 400 by 400mm. Taking inspiration from a collection of furnishing items with the same name, OT07026 by Cerasarda is an exclusive chromatic range that emphasises the link with Sardinia. From the raw essence of the island’s interior, the rugged and area of Barbagia, and the translucent marine setting of the coast. In addition to the beautiful base colours, the many hand-made decorations enhance the manufacturing value of this collection. A winning mix of warm Mediterranean colour tones, refined decorations, and great craftsmanship make this red body wall and floor tile range a real winner. It is available in various 10mm thick formats: 400 by 400, 200 by 400, 200 by 200, 100 by 100, and 100 by 300mm. The hottest ticket in stone-effect tiles today is another enduring favourite: limestone. No range captures this better than Atlas Concorde’s Lims, a collection that includes features drawn from different limestones. With graphics nspired by materials coming from quarries located in different geographical regions, this is another example of ceramic facsimiles offering something beyond the scope of nature itself. The main protagonist is French limestone (Hauteville), but there are also graphic inserts of Portuguese (Moleanos), Belgian (Blue de Vix), German (Jura), Italian (Vicenza), and Slovenian (Lipika) stones. Lims’ mixture of textures, graphics, and shapes delivers a minimalist and earthy style that is markedly contemporary yet also warm and welcoming. It is the perfect stone-effect for creating ontrend inside-out living spaces. The collection offers porcelain 62 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
Atlas Concorde’s Lims is a collection that includes features drawn from different limestones
floor tiles in Ivory, Beige, Grey, and Desert; and white body wall tiles in Ivory and Beige. Natural, bushhammered, line and textured surface options are also part of the Lims collection. Fjord from Impronta, an Italgraniti Group brand, is a graphic interpretation of Nordic quartzite. Bold and versatile, Fjord offers rich and harmonious colour transitions, with alternate circular and straight veining. Quartzite has been one of the most fashionable ceramic surfaces of recent years. Here it is presented in a matte colour palette of five tones (Ice, Coast, River, Sea, and Creek) and discreet decors. There
is a wide range of formats: 1,600 by 800, 1,200 by 600, 600 by 600, and 300 by 600mm. Rounding out the collection are mosaics, and special pieces like skirting boards and steps with bull nose, plus 20mm thick external anti-slip tiles in 600 by 1,200, and 600 by 600mm formats. Monocibec's Arcadia collection is typical of the fresh wave of dynamic marble-effects that have swept the tile market over the past couple of years. The range has a contemporary aesthetic inspired by evocative varieties of marble with directional veining and intense colour contrasts. Arcadia's modern look is available with numerous surface finishes
expanding its potential applications. The honed finish underlines the expressive qualities of the marble through the particular way the eye perceives the light caressing its surface, underlining the subtle waves that accompany the veins of the material inspiring it. Luxury and refinement are represented in a mirror-polished version while the natural surface is a realistic interpretation of marbles that inspired the collection. The particularly decorative Tecno Mix version alternates different shades of white, black, and grey from the collection to create a dramatic surface characterised by large patches of colour. The Room by Imola is a collection of rectified, full-body porcelain stoneware tiles in XXL 1,200 by 2,600, 1,200 by 1,200 and 600 by 1,200mm formats, all 6.5mm thick. It is available in natural and super shiny gloss-honed finishes. Another range to look anew at marble, The Room offers Grand Antique d’Aubert which was inspired by a stone extracted in France in the northern Pyrenees. It was used on some famous landmarks, including Napoleon's tomb. Its black and white marks have defined contrasts unsurpassed in nature. Panda White has a stark white background, accentuated by intense black lines with wider stripes or thicker waves and all completed with a white crystallization that highlights its transparency.
Vicentina Cenere from Terratinta Ceramiche are large slabs that reduces the presence of joints and interruptions in projects
Black Dahlia, based on a stone from central America, belongs to the silicate onyx category. Black with white streaks, it is enriched with details that can vary from yellow to brown, and sometimes red, ivory, and grey. Invisible White, a marble from Asia Minor, is a dolomite rock with a white background widely laced with grey veins. A full-body porcelain stoneware range, The Room comes in slab formats of 1,200 by 2,600, 1,200 by 1,200, and 600 by 1,200mm, all 6.5mm thick. It has two surface finishes: shiny gloss-honed and natural. n
The Cromatica collection from CEDIT in the pastel shade of rose
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I NSTA LL ATION
Large format porcelain panels
Guidelines to consider when installing large format tiles, according to Tim Christopher from Consultile Consulting
Large format tile project on the outside and front door using a dark gloss slate look by SEQ Tilers and Cladding in Hamilton (QLD)
A
t the moment, there is no Australian Standard that provides guidelines on the installation of large porcelain panels. While there is a possibility that this might change when the “Australian Standards Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles” (AS3958) is updated, current installation practices are up to the contractor to seek out and implement. Adopting good practice to install these types of tiles will improve the image of the tile industry in a climate where there is competitive threat from other sectors such as LVT (Vinyl) and timber types of surfaces. Over the years, “big tiles” have gone from 300 x 300mm to 450 x 450mm, then to 600 x 600mm and beyond. In 2020, we have reached the possibility that a tile can be up to 4000mm long and over 1600mm wide. One thing I have observed from a technical standpoint, is that the installer is responsible to seek out any established methodology to install large tiles.
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Tiles are continually manufactured to increasingly larger sizes and at some point, they will require some adjustment in the way they are installed to accommodate for such sizes. At what size should a tile installer start to apply different installation techniques and materials? Then there are the tools to consider. How do you cut a panel of 6mm thick tile that is 3600mm long? Many adhesive companies have guidelines on installing large panels which is a good starting point for information, for a tiling contractor. These documents will mostly provide information based on the appropriate application of adhesive for these types of tiles. There are many aspects that a tile contractor needs to consider when installing larger panels and tiles. Some of these issues include the following.
Access Logistics are mundane but essential to consider when installing large panels. The contractor must think
about access. Will a panel that measures 2800mm be able to be taken up the stairs at the client’s residence? If the access is by lift, how big is the lift and what size panel will fit inside it? Workspace is also important. Fixing methods require the panels to be back notched with adhesive, so where will that be possible to achieve? Cutting of large panels should also be considered. Leaving the installation of door jambs and ceilings until after tiles are installed to facilitate access is an option. Panels may need to be lifted by crane into rooms before windows are installed. This type of job requires rethinking the typical building process.
Handling I have received phone calls from bewildered tilers and builders who have arrived onsite to discover the client has selected a large format porcelain panel to go into their new project. “So, can we get a bloke on each end
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and lift this stuff by hand?” is a common question asked in relation to manual handling. The large panel porcelain is considered a “modern wonder” because it is able to be manoeuvred and installed without having to overcome prohibitive weight. For instance, a marble panel 3600mm long and 20mm thick, would weigh over a tonne and be a lot less practical to manoeuvre for installation. Large panels can be as thin as 3-4 mm and much lighter to handle. However, the thin structural nature means the panels can fracture and snap when moving them without adequate support. Many large panels are manufactured to be
6mm thick so it requires the use of a suction frame when handling the panel. The suction frames consist of an adjustable frame with various suction caps that attach to the face of the panel. This means the panel can be carried and be cut while supported enough to prevent bending and possible fracture and snapping in half. It will be necessary for several people to manoeuvre the panels into place. Large panels will nearly always break if removal is attempted to achieve repositioning once they are laid into the adhesive or twisted to fit around hallways or stairwells. For this reason, careful planning and preparation is required prior to moving these panels.
RUBI Tools for large format projects The RUBI Slab Large Format Heavy Duty Transporter is designed for handling and transporting large tiles up to 320cm in length. It consists of a set of two profiles of extruded aluminium, reinforced, retractable and adjustable from 160cm to 320cm and two perpendicular crossbeams that gives the robustness and stability of the whole system, particularly during the handling of the heaviest pieces. The TC-125 kit is part of the SLAB system for porcelain slabs and large format tiles, and includes all the elements necessary for cutting, with the TC-125 circular saw, of these materials. The circular cutter TC-125 of RUBI, has a double system of reduction and control of the dust generated during cutting. Either, by means of its connection to a vacuum cleaner (dry cut) or, through the intake of water. Top Notch Tools is the major distributor for RUBI Tool products in Australia. Visit http://topnotchtools.com.au/ contact/ for more information.
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Adhesive coverage Installing such a large tile requires attention to the adhesive and method used to apply it. As tiles get larger, many tilers will use an increasingly large notched trowel to install the tiles. There is a limit to how large a notched trowel can be used and at some point, adhesive needs to be applied to the back of the tile to accommodate the large size of the tiles. In my opinion, 1200mm x 600mm tiles or panels of 1m2 require “double notching” of adhesive. This method is where adhesive is spread by notched trowel onto the substrate and the tile in the same direction.
Large format tiles being cut. Image courtesy of SEQ Tiliers and Cladding.
The type of notched trowel used on large tiles is important. “Slant” or “European” notched trowels which are those with a comb profile designed to allow the collapse the adhesive ribs should be used to install large panels. When the adhesive to ribs collapse more readily, it helps to provide a higher area of adhesive coverage on the surface of which they are applied. This method is ideal to
achieve an area of adhesive coverage of over 90% which should be used as a guideline. Both the back of the panel and the substrate should be spread with adhesive. The adhesive should be combed evenly without lumps, thick sections, or voids in the adhesive. The adhesive should be spread with ribs all going the same direction on the (panel and substrate), preferably from across the short distance of the panel to enable air to be expressed out from under the tile leaving maximum adhesive coverage with voids of air. Spot bonding where dabs of adhesive (of any type) are used in place of notched trowels, should not be attempted under any circumstances. The type of adhesive should be considered carefully. Adhesive manufacturers have recommendations on which of their adhesives should be used to install large porcelain panels. The environment in which the installation is conducted will be affected if a rapid set adhesive should be used. For example, if the installation is to take place on the second level of a building with the work space being on the ground floor, there will be a significant time between
spreading the adhesive on both the panel and the substrate and getting the panel installed. A fast setting adhesive will not give much time to achieve this process and risks the adhesive shinning off prior to installation. This will result in a poor bond between tile and substrate. Application of adhesive should be undertaken to allow the shortest possible time between application and installation. Installing panel on a floor area should be regarded with some attention to setting times of adhesives, particularly in colder climates. A change of date on the calendar, does not indicate 24hours has passed or that the adhesive has adequately set. Walking across a floor at 7am which was laid at 4pm the previous day while the temperature has been an average 10 degrees Celsius could lead to poor adhesive bond. This is particularly important when installing panels on low absorption surfaces such as waterproofing membranes. Once the panel is in place, it must be bedded into the adhesive sufficiently to avoid leaving voids in the adhesive.
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Large format tiles being installed in a bathroom in Red Hill (QLD). Images courtesy of SEQ Tilers and Cladding.
On wall installations, a vibration tool should be used from the centre outwards to expel an air trapped under the panel. These tools are made specifically for this purpose and can be obtained from good panel tool suppliers. An orbital sander on top of a non- scratch cloth 68 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
or beating block of timber can be used as a less effective alternative. Floor panels can be bedded in by walking a specific pattern of movement to express the air from under the panel. This is a contradictory practice to tilers. Walking on wet tiles is
usually something that is only done by new tilers in their first week of employment. They are not yet used to the concept of continually looking at the ground, which is a habit experience tilers seem to develop. The pattern used to expel the air is one that starts in the centre of the panel
Large format tile installation in Hamilton (QLD). Images courtesy of SEQ Tilers and Cladding.
and spreads out evenly to the edges of the tiles leaving no voids of trapped air beneath.
Lippage control systems The use of “clips” or “levelling” systems can be somewhat controversial, when installing tiles. In the case of large
panel installation, they are indispensable. Multiple clips are required around the perimeter of the panel which are fastened once the panel is in place. This will insure a lip free alignment between tiles. It should be remembered that it is not possible to remove
a panel to adjust it to align with adjacent panels. Breakage of the panel is just about guaranteed if this is attempted. Extra clips should be inserted to account for possible snapping of any clips while
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fastening. This will ensure there is still adequate clips remaining to fasten the panels in place.
Surface preparation This is critical and not to be a skipped step or only partially completed. The usual dust and contaminant cautions should be observed. All substrates should be able to take a large panel installation and considered in the planning stage before installation commences. The tolerance in any substrate should be 3mm +/- over a 2000mm distance. This is the deviation recommended by the International Standards Organisation in the document, “ISO 17870 Installation of Thin Ceramic Wall and Floor Tiles and Panels�. That is explained as up 3mm and or down 3mm from a datum line. Any deviation greater than this must be rectified to achieve proper adhesive coverage of the panel. It is possible to facilitate an easier installation process by using a
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When power point outlets are not predrilled, panels can crack after installation is complete
tighter substrate tolerance, such as +/- 2mm over 2000mm. The flatter the surface, the more aesthetically pleasing the result will be.
Cutting of panels The cutting of large panels requires specialised tools. Straight cuts on
site are done with rail cutters. These consist of a long track which has a runner which scribes the panel where it is to be cut. The break is done with a pair of special pliers which are a precision tool and will effectively snap long cuts off with limited precise pressure needed. The panel is always to be supported during this process. Cuts such as power point outlets should have the corners pre-drilled where the penetration changes direction. This will prevent fracturing and cracking continuing in line where a straight cut is located. Any change in direction such as an L shaped tile will require the corner drilled first to prevent the continuation of the linear cut. Where movement is expected such as in a commercial building, L-shaped and U-shaped cuts should be avoided where possible to prevent fracture after installation. It may be necessary to cut the panel straight through and join it back together when it is installed. It is important to note that the ability to cut and install a panel in a shape that is delicate, does not guarantee it will not fracture after installation. Practicality should override pride in making delicate cuts in this scenario. When power point outlets are not pre-drilled, panels can crack after installation is complete. Items such as grinder blades
used for mechanical cutting will need to be of highest quality. Overheating of the blade will cause the panels to fracture. In the situation where mitres are required, there are specialist tools available which utilise water as a coolant. There are some manufacturing facilities available in metropolitan capitals/areas that will cut and shape panels for installers with mitres and other irregular cuts made to order. This can be an option for contractors with limited workspace or a lack of multiple tool options. It should be noted, breaking of a panel is costly. A panel could cost several hundred, to well over a thousand dollars to replace. The installation of these types of tiles can achieve some of the most advanced finishes available. Book matching panels, where a stone pattern can be mirrored or will flow through multiple panels is a design favourite. Breaking a panel in one of a series will create significant problems such as delays and replacement costs. Installation of large panels should be approached with professionalism where patience
and attention to detail are of a higher level than is required of a regular tile installation. Skipping of steps in preparation, use of manual handling and cutting tools are to be avoided at all costs. If the contractor is unwilling to approach the installation adopting best practice, they are unlikely to provide an installation that will be long lasting or pleasing to the client. This will not serve the tile industry at any level be it installer, retailer, or importer. n
Tim Christopher is a current member of the Technical Committee on both the Australian Standards AS3958 (Guide to Ceramic Tiling) and Australian Standards AS3740 (Waterproofing). He also serves as the vice president of TTIAA (Tiles and Tiling Industry Association of Australia), and is a technical advisor for TANZ (Tilers Association of New Zealand). For more information about Consultile, please go to the website: https://www.consultile.com.au Contact SEQ Tilers & Cladding: murray@seqtilers.com.au
Before and after: Kitchen large format installation by SEQ Tilers and Cladding
www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 71
TILE SIZES: WATCH OUT FOR VARIANCES
Bryan Vadas from Tile Agencies writes that access to the right information is important when assessing the flatness of tiles, size variation, surface irregularities, small colour variation or hazing
B
eing aware of the correct procedures for assessment of tiles and knowing the Australian Standards (AS) — or at least having a reference copy readily at hand — will give you the ability to direct the discussion with a customer or supplier. In a recent survey of over 20 tile businesses located in Australia and New Zealand, we found there is often a misunderstanding in how tiles are assessed for quality. And when push comes to shove, the AS has become the baseline by which cases are often decided as to who is right, who is wrong, and as to whether the product is deemed “good” or not. This should be the bare minimum tile businesses have at hand to ensure their products pass the muster. Unfortunately, in our survey of over 20 tile businesses, just two had a copy of the relevant AS on hand. AS and the codes on tiles and tile installation have an important role in promoting good practice and resolving disputes, However, it is widely acknowledged there are some significant ambiguities, gaps and overlap that occur between AS and codes. In addition, some of the AS have been in place dating back to “different times” when the average tile was of a different size and made in a less sophisticated manner. AS can provide a place of common understanding but knowing how to reference the them is as important as the document itself. For example, if we reference ISO 10545.2 or AS 4459.2 regarding permissible size variation, we see an acceptable tolerance of +/- 0.6%. In the days when the average floor tile was a 200 x 200mm pressed Monocottura product laid with a 5mm+ grouting joint, this was a sensible guide. However, with one of the most popular floor tiles a 600 x 600mm rectified tile
72 | TILE TODAY #107 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au
laid with a 1.5mm, this becomes impractical when one considers a permissible variation of 7.2mm. Yes — if you deliver tiles to site tiles which vary by less than this, you can quote AS and walk away having won the battle, but will the customer be an advocate in the future? Finding useful solutions and making sensible decisions based on what is practical for the chosen application seems to deliver winwin outcomes more often than not. Meeting a legal obligation may not deliver a positive result in terms of moral obligation but understanding what is required under the definition of a “good” product and what is practical in terms of the application, as well as the customer needs and expectations usually leads to happy customers and repeat business.
Photo 1: Tiles shown face to face
Doing it incorrectly Tiles are flatter and exhibit less bend when laid flat (as they would when they are laid) as opposed to when they are viewed upright, on edge at 90 degrees to a flat horizontal surface like a bench or floor. Yet, we still make the mistake of conducting onsite or in-store “testing” of floor tiles by holding them vertically, faceto-face, and examining the gap at either end or in the middle. Not only does this not take into account the AS but is impractical when one considers how tiles are installed. Using the incorrect methods (as shown in photo 1) where two tiles are held face to face, the “bend” in these 600 x 600mm tiles is amplified (as the camber is doubled when they are held together in opposing directions of the camber). The tiles also take on more of a bend as the weight of the tiles would flatten their plane when resting flat on the floor when they are laid. When tiles are examined in this manner, the recorded measurement of the bend is far greater than the true measurement and often more than the permissible under the AS due to
Photo 2: A feeler gauge is used to measure the gap between the tile surface and the straight edge
the fact that it is being assessed incorrectly. Yet this is how the tiles are often inspected “in the field” and this is why perceived issues occur. Under the direction of the AS and considering the practical application of the product, one must review the tile laid flat, as it would be on the floor when installed. The weight of the tile itself in part corrects the camber and reduces the amount of curvature. Once the tile is laid flat, a straight edge is placed along the tile and a feeler gauge then used to measure the gap between the tile surface and the straight edge (as shown in photo 2). Not only will this give a far different result to the incorrect way of assessing the tile, it will give a truer indication of the surface variation, mimicking the manner in which the tile would be installed. n
I N DU ST RY RO U ND - U P
Active 2.0: Antiviral tile Increasing demand for antiviral products for bathrooms, kitchens and other surfaces has become even more relevant due to COVID-19. Active 2.0 by Fiandre is a photoca talytic coating for surfaces that is antiviral, antibacterial and anti-odour. It reduces indoor nitrogen oxide and VOC levels, and its self-cleaning properties means maintenance is made easy. Indeed, Active 2.0 is certified* as antiviral. Titanium dioxide in micrometric form is fused to porcelain surfaces at high temperature and pressure, forming a fine skin that can kill different types of viruses. Producing antiviral surfaces requires a fine level of precision because virus particles are smaller than bacteria. Other products on the market have only antibacterial properties. Active 2.0 is fused to MAXIMUM porcelain panels and Fiandre porcelain tiles to form an invisible and permanent coating that provides the following properties of photocatalytic materials:
De Castillia 23 project by Urban Up Gruppo Unipol using Active 2.0 porcelain tiles by Fiandre in Core Shade Cloudy and Core Shade Sharp
• Antiviral and antibacterial; killing virus particles and bacteria even under LED lights or in the dark. • Antipollution; severely degrades airborne pollutants such as NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and all VOCs, and physically cleans the air around it. • Self-cleaning; self-cleaning hydrophilic properties mean there is little or no need
for detergents or physical cleaning, even when used for building façades.
• Anti-odour; degrades and destroys odorous molecules, eliminating unpleasant smells. These properties make Active 2.0 of particular benefit in hospitals and medical centres, where it reduces cross contamination, and the self-cleaning, anti-odour and antipollution action improves indoor air quality. It provides a non-toxic surface for interiors of offices, hotels and residential buildings, and meets the demand for sustainability and wellbeing. Its 100% natural composition is free of toxic resins and chemical binders used in engineered stone. Active 2.0 is available at Artedomus. Phil Brenton, managing director of Artedomus, said: “Active 2.0 is the singular building product on the market that is a true antidote to sick building syndrome. For business owners, it means less sick leave, greater productivity and profitability. And for all of us, it means a greater sense of wellbeing and a healthier life.” The self-cleaning and antipollution properties can increase the lifespan of cladding installation when used on the exterior of a building. Active 2.0 is offered as an optional addition to MAXIMUM porcelain panels and Fiandre porcelain tiles, available in a standard range of colours. n
*Test certification disclaimer Active 2.0 was tested with two viruses, using two different ISO testing regimes: H1N1 (2009 swine flu pandemic) and Enterovirus 71 (hand, foot and mouth disease). It is not currently possible to test with COVID-19 as this is virus is not allowed to be used in laboratories at the date of publication. The two viruses tested are considerably more infectious than COVID-19. It may be assumed Active 2.0 will have the same effectiveness on COVID-19 but data is not currently available to confirm this. Certifications for H1N1 and Enterovirus 71 are available on request: ISO 21702:2019 – Antiviral test in the dark H1N1: 99.13% Enterovirus 71: 61.12% ISO 18061:2014 – Photocatalytic antiviral test Active 2.0 Fragmenta porcelain tiles in Luminoso by Fiandre
H1N1: 99.91% Enterovirus 71: 71 99.92%
www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #107 | 73
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More reasons to join the ATC
National administrator for the Australian Tile Council (ATC), Bryan Vadas said the association is providing clarity on what it does for the industry, its members, and its plans to deliver greater value. In the last few months, memberships to the ATC have grown by 12%. With members representing each state across Australia in retail, installation, specification, consulting, manufacturing and building, the ATC has been increasing its communications so that members understand what the association does for them. “It’s about moving from the ‘below the line’ activities like lobbying and industry representation to also deliver significant value which is more recognisable,” said Bryan. “Adding to the knowledge base and opening up the lines of communication has already seen a greater realisation of the reasons to join.” The ATC is amplifying the messages of its members, responding to queries, and engaging on a far greater scale. This conversation has also continued through the introduction of the “Twenty by Twenties”, the ATC’s bimonthly members’ teleconference to discuss relevant issues. “We are mindful of not taking up a heap of members’ time, so this gets them connected, creating awareness and focus on key issues, and facilitates the introduction to other members in the same boat so they can carry on the conversation to collaborate on solutions”, explains Bryan. As a result of the ATC’s increased social media activity, the website has experienced a spike in website visits by the general public. With the website having been recently reconfigured, allowing visitors to search by category and state location, members can be found more easily. There is more potential for members to have business directed their way. The ATC newsletter gives
members a two-minute update every few months in terms of its ongoing plans and invites interaction between members and their state presidents. This gives members more opportunities to reach out to the association should the need arise. The ATC’s primary role is to represent the industry to achieve collectively what individual members cannot effectively achieve on their own. This has resulted in the association being recognised by the federal government as the representative body, with representation on national committees that are important in protecting the industry such as: • Australian Standards for the fixing of tiles • Australian Slip Resistant Standards • Wet Areas in Buildings • External Waterproofing Membranes • Building Products Industry Council The ATC is mindful of delivering value in areas that are tangible to members who are busy in their day to day activities that involve sales, specification, installation and maintenance of tiles and associated products. The Tiles and Tiling Guide and the National Tile Contractors Association of America’s Tile Reference manual provide members quick access to information and solutions regarding the daily issues relating to tiles and tiling. The ATC is organised and run by its members who represent around 70% of all tiles sold in the country. “It truly is a case of the old adage, ‘By the members, for the members’, making sure everyone is engaged, being communicated with, and feeling like they get value from their membership fees. “At the end of the day, we want to make sure members feel like they are part of something, and that someone has their back,” said Bryan. n
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