Auslec Solutions 13 by Chris Bright

ISSUE 13 SUMMER 2012

AUSLEC

AUSTRALIA’S MANUFACTURING

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

HITTING THE BEACH THIS SUMMER DID YOU KNOW?

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OUR VIEW

BRANCHING OUT – KARRATHA

SUPPLIER’S VIEW – HPM LEGRAND

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING?

SUN, SAND & SURF

PRODUCT CUT

DID YOU KNOW?

SUPPLIER’S VIEW - PIERLITE

LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

THREE, TWO, ONE – EJECT!

All material appearing in AUSLEC SOLUTIONS magazine is protected under Australian copyright laws. Copyright L&H Group. Reproduction of any material in whole or part is prohibited without the express permission of the publisher. The publisher does not take any responsibility for any statements, errors or omissions made in any editorial or advertising material that is published in this magazine. The publisher hereby advises all readers to ensure that all instructions, safety precautions and training is adhered to before attempting to use or operate any product or equipment that is published in AUSLEC SOLUTIONS magazine If you have any comment on anything to do with Auslec Solutions, just drop us an email at solutionsmagazine@auslec.com.au

OUR VIEW How does Australian manufacturing compete and grow with China?

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Will Australia’s manufacturing industry eventually go to China as many fear? We think not!

While numerous locally manufactured goods have transitioned off-shore in recent years, many Australian-made goods with unique attributes are successfully competing with lower-cost Chinese imports. Case in point – an Australian solarpanel manufacturer officially opened its plant in October this year where at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Gillard commented that Australia’s manufacturing future lies in a high-skills, high-wage, high-innovation economy. She also acknowledged the impact that cheap imported products have on local Australian businesses stating: “The Australian Government is currently exploring options to remedy.” The decision to ‘take on’ the Chinese makes sense when the product being manufactured is not a labour-intensive process. If the task involves “machines and people in white lab coats” – as our solar panel manufacturer puts it – there’s no logical reason why solar panels are made cheaper in China than elsewhere in the world. It just comes down to a general attitude, particularly here in Australia, that China is the ‘factory of the world’ and whatever we do, it would be cheaper and better coming out of China. Some Australian manufacturers are actually leading the charge with innovation and superior service to successfully take on Chinese imports. Note that, while many dismiss Chinesemade products as low-cost, poor-quality

and low-precision, we cannot ignore the fact that many Chinese-manufactured products are high-quality. But there are critical nuances, especially in electrical products, that may render them as substandard for our market, no matter how high their quality is. Australia is a tiny market compared to major markets like Europe, so Chinese manufacturers build to their specifications, not ours. Since Europe has different electrical different voltage and tolerancelevels to Australia, mass-produced electrically powered devices from China aren’t optimised for use in Australia. Australia’s electricity networks nominally run at 240/415 V, yet much of the massproduced electrical equipment from China is designed for 230/400 V operation. This commonly causes premature failure of equipment such as switch-mode power supplies, CFLs and VSDs. Although this difference may seem insignificant on a product by product basis, the detrimental impact on Australian business and consumers runs into millions of dollars each year. Local manufacturers, on the other hand, design for our specific environmental and regulatory conditions by optimising their products for use here - not elsewhere. Any initial higher product cost usually ends up being saved many times over in the long run. The Government is also investing in helping innovative local manufacturing. For example, the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council was established to focus on innovation-intensive, hightechnology, high value-add, high-skill, export-orientated manufacturing. Its

particular focus is manufacturing using advanced processes, materials and technologies in the fields of scientific and medical instruments and specialist engineering and aerospace industries. The government also offers local manufacturers grants such as the Clean Technology Investment grant to purchase energy efficient capital equipment and low pollution products, the Investing in Manufacturing Technology Grant and the Skills Migration program; all of which are designed to assist local manufacturers find that edge over low-priced Chinese imports. And then there’s the unimaginable – beating the Chinese at their own game – exporting Australian-made goods to China. According to Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in China, Peter Osborne, we’re succeeding across many fronts: “Opportunities opening up for Australia’s SMEs in China are extremely diverse. Currently, the three big winners are mining and resources, food and beverage, and services such as finance and education”. “The boom in consumer and retail is pulling in an amazing range of Australian products, including Australian wool quilts, architectural goods, mining equipment, scientific apparatus, wines, paint, confectionery and organic skincare”, Osborne said. Put simply, Australian manufacturers need to focus on innovation and unique attributes to compete successfully with Chinese mass-produced products. What’s YOUR view? Join the conversation and give us your thoughts on Australia’s manufacturing position. Email us at solutionsmagazine@auslec.com.au

Highlands and Landslides Currently, supplies are shipped directly to Lae out of Townsville on a weekly basis and airfreight is carried out via a dedicated Barrick charter that dispatches from Cairns three times a week. “Even then”, says Greg, “Supplies are flown to Mount Hagen before being transferred to a smaller aircraft capable of landing at Porgera. There’s nothing simple about servicing this place”.

Porgera is located at an altitude of 2,700m in the Papua New Guinea highlands, the area surrounding the mine is prone to earthquakes, heavy rainfall and the resulting destructive landslides’

“Servicing” as Greg puts is partly about ensuring that stock levels are proportionate to the demand - taking into consideration the supply restrictions that exist. “To help us achieve a high level of overall service, we came in and cross matched all existing products on site to ensure they complied with the contract. This audit process allowed us to get a really good understanding of how the four on site stores operate as well”, says Greg.

The mines’ 2,500 employees and 500 contractors produce around 600,000 ounces of gold a year by moving around 165,000 tonnes of rock and gold yielding ore each day. Since operations began in 1990, an astonishing 16 million ounces of gold have been produced. Thanks to its geographical position and surrounding terrain, supplying the Porgera site is a logistical challenge according to Greg Miller, National Manager – Mining, L&H Group. “The normal overland supply route is from the coastal port of Lae which is over 680km away. The road is challenging to say the least as it is unsealed for large parts, with steep grades and is subject to serious erosion and closures due to landslides”. Greg should know. Just recently, he and Auslec Townsville branch manager Brandon Hillhouse conducted a whirlwind three day visit to the region inspecting the Porgera mine site after Auslec were awarded the contract to supply general electrical components. “This is an incredibly challenging environment to supply”, says Greg. “Road freight from Lae to the mine can take anywhere from two to four days in favourable conditions. Longer again when the route is closed thanks to landslides”.

This three day ‘on the ground’ commitment from the Auslec team is an example of the lengths they will go to to ensure total solution outcomes for customers. “We get a far better understanding of the issues involved if we are face to face

with the end customer rather than taking stabs in the dark from behind a desk”, says Greg. “For instance, we wouldn’t have understood the restrictive nature of the site which sees buildings and other significant infrastructure built on flattened ridge peaks and terraced slopes”. The four main stores at Porgera include the main warehouse and the Tawiskale store - both of which are manned 24 hours a day and the Adit store, which services the underground operations and the Paste plant. In addition to the mine site itself, the supply department at Porgera supports a 64MW gas fired power station that is also operated by Barrick at Hides - more than 60km further across the mountains. Inventory control is set for an upgrade in 2013 from a legacy system to the same Oracle platform used by Barrick’s Australian operations, resulting in a more streamlined and uniformed system. So for Auslec, getting product to plant by ship, or by air, through landslides or mountains is all just part of the service. “We’re about solutions”, says Greg. “It’s as simple as that”.

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Porgera gold mine is recognised as one of the world’s top 10 producing gold mines. Whilst this statistic in itself is impressive, the remoteness of the open cut and underground operation means that the joint venture mine operated by Barrick Australia Pacific (part of the world’s largest gold producing company) faces challenges that would leave most organisations floundering.

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BRANCHING WITH OUT AUSLEC

AUSLEC KARRATHA, WA Branch Manager – Steve Etherington Branch/warehouse floor space – 400 m2 Number of staff – 7 P: 08 9185 1922 E: auskarratha@auslec.com.au A: 1 415 Crane Circle, Karratha WA 6714

The township of Karratha in Western Australia’s north west, was established a little over 40 years ago in response to the burgeoning iron ore industry that was coming to life in the region.

of staff and they all need somewhere to live. Consequently, a mini housing boom is taking place and we are right in the middle of that supply process”.

Originally a State Government - Hamersley Iron development, Karratha’s first role was a base for workers, buildings and equipment used in the giant Hamersley Iron mining operation.

With a broad customer base such as the Chinese-Australian partnership Sino Iron, BOC Gasses and contracting firm O’Donnell Griffin, Steve and his team need a solid understanding of a myriad of products and industries. “We’re big on in-store supplier training not just for our customers but importantly for our staff as well”, says Steve. We carry quite a wide range of products that reflects our customers’ requirements and generally speaking, our guys have a strong understanding of all of them”.

Today, the North West Shelf gas fields lie offshore from Karratha and along with Hamersley, Rio Tinto and Australia’s largest ever development of a natural resource – the massive Pluto LNG project – are responsible for the majority of the towns 16,500 population. Just 20 kms north of Karratha is the township of Dampier which possesses one of the nations largest tonnage shipping ports with a handling capacity of over 140 million tonnes of iron ore per annum. Steve Etherington, local Auslec branch manager says that whilst essentially a mining town, Karratha is developing a strong tourism component as well. “We have the Dampier Archipelago just off the coast with much of it a dedicated marine park. It’s renowned as one of the states best diving and snorkeling spots because of the diversity of marine life there”. Back on shore, Steve and his team have the daunting task of servicing an enormous geographic area. “We cover the entire Pilbarra region”, says Steve. “From Onslow and Exmouth to the southwest, inland to Tom Price and Newman which are about 6 hours away”. On top of the significant mining, commercial and industrial customer base, Steve says that a rise in new housing construction in the region has seen an increase in ‘trade based’ sales; particularly to builders and electricians. “Projects like the Cape Lambert Port expansion and Pluto LNG require an enormous number

Going the extra mile is just part of the service offering of the Karratha branch. Partly because of the vast differences that some customers have to travel, branch doors open at the crack of dawn and after hours availability can be arranged. “We need to be flexible for our customers in terms of when they need stock”, Steve says. “We’ve got contractors that travel hours to get to a job so we need to work in with them. At the end of the day, they’re the types of things that differentiate us from our competitors”. It’s this ‘can do’ attitude and commitment to customers that saw Steve win L&H Group’s 2011 Branch Manager Of The Year award making it two consecutive years that an Auslec branch manager has won. “It’s a nice acknowledgment but more importantly, it validates what our whole team is about”, says Steve. “We all willingly put in because we know our customers appreciate it. It really was a team award”.

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SUPPLIER’S VIEW

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As one of only a few lighting manufacturers left in Australia, Pierlite has positioned itself as a market leader when it comes to the design, manufacture and distribution of lighting systems. Found in residential, commercial and industrial installations around the country, Pierlite work closely with key lighting design partners to create innovative and dynamic lighting solutions.

A case in point is a recent project undertaken in conjunction with wholesaler partner Auslec at one of Australia’s key coal exporting sites, Port Kembla Coal Terminal (PKCT) in Wollongong, New South Wales. The terminal is operated by an alliance of coal producers and consists of state of the art rail, road and port facilities. Around 23,000 tonnes of coal arrive on site each day by train and the 50,000m2 stockyard is capable of storing 850,000 tonnes of coal at a time. As one could imagine, significant lighting infrastructure exists at the terminal meaning the associated energy use is high and an already closely monitored ‘green footprint’ is under increasing pressure. In addition, the financial component of powering the site would have most company accountants looking for a small, dark corner to hide in.

“We went in to PKCT, evaluated their current lighting and discovered a high reliance on 70 watt high pressure sodium lamps”, said Kevin. We knew we had a far more efficient solution in the Mine Master product so arranged a four week on-site trial to enable the customer to gauge for themselves”. The Mine Master LED samples were 32 watt versions with symmetrical optics to maximise downward illumination. With a 50,000 hour lamp life, they more than double the 24,000 hour specification of the sodium lamps being used so from the outset, serious efficiency gains were to be achieved should the customer decide to upgrade. After a month of trialing the Pierlite LED, test results from Port Kembla Coal were impressive to the point that orders for 60 units were placed with Auslec Wollongong and an additional 20 units, complete with custom built battery packs were supplied as maintained emergency spares.

“What we were able to bring to the table was a totally efficient and far more environmentally responsible alternative”, said Kevin. “The Mine Master LED doubled the customers light output as far as lamp life goes and more than halved their energy use thanks to the 32 watts. On top of that, maintenance and lamp replacements have been greatly reduced resulting in even more cost efficiencies being achieved”. Buoyed by the success of the Port Kembla project, the teams from Auslec Wollongong and Pierlite are currently trialing the Mine Master LED at Bluescope Steel and have strong interest from a number of local mine sites. “Being specifically designed for mine sites and heavy industrial applications quite simply means that we have a product that is built for the job”, says Kevin. “That’s something that at Pierlite, we’re very conscious of. By developing products that suit a specific purpose, we ensure that the most efficient outcomes are achieved – both cost wise and environmentally”.

Kevin Riley, National Industrial Sales Manager for Pierlite explains how the project came about. “We’ve got a strong working relationship with the guys at Auslec Wollongong and we presented them with a prototype LED that we had been working on. Through our mutual contacts at PKCT, a meeting was set up with the electrical and maintenance engineers to discuss an alternative to their existing lighting arrangements”. The new prototype was the Mine Master HID – a purpose designed LED light for mining and industrial infrastructure such as conveyors, platforms and walkways.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING TO AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING?

Fast-forward 40 years and the exact opposite appears to be happening to local manufacturing, with regular news reports of factory workers being stood down as Australian manufacturers move off-shore, searching for lower-cost labour. There’s no denying that Australian manufacturing has receded over the past couple of decades, but is it all doom and gloom, as the media would have us believe? Where are we at? The reality is that Australian manufacturing is not ‘dead-in-the-water’ as some suggest. Yes it’s shrinking, but only gradually from the very high base we had

The October 2012 AiGroup/PwC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) reported that manufacturing production in Australia remained mostly unchanged for the month, with the paper; printing & publishing; and transport-equipment manufacturing sectors expanding that month, while other key manufacturing sectors contracting slightly. Notably, employment across the entire manufacturing sector increased by six points. Some vital statistics In the 2008/09 fiscal year, the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTA) reported that 982,300 people were employed in manufacturing in Australia. During that year, manufacturing contributed a significant $107.7 billion to our economy, making up 9.3% of Total Factor Income for Australia.

• The largest manufacturing industry value-adds in 2012 were in the ‘food, beverage & tobacco’ sector with $22.5 billion output, the ‘metal products’ sector with $21.5 billion output, and the ‘machinery & equipment’ sector with $20.1 billion output. • Manufacturing labour force declined by 109,300 from 2002 to 2012, while the construction sector increased by 280,900 workers and the services sector increased by 1,693,200 workers. • While the manufacturing labour force declined in general, the ‘food manufacturing’ sector increased 9.3% from 184,100 workers in 2002 to 201,300, showing a clear growth against the general declining trend. • Massive growth was seen in the ‘primary metal & metal product’ sector, increasing 35.7% from 69,300 workers in 2002, to 94,100.

Three years later, the September 2012 DIISRTA statistics indicate that Australia’s manufacturing industry contracted by 2%, now employing 962,100 people

Not quite the representation of the heady 1970s, but still a leading factor in our economy. According to Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA), a national industry

“There’s no denying that Australian manufacturing has receded over the past couple of decades, but is it all doom and gloom, as the media would have us believe?” in the 70s and 80s. Note the conclusions drawn by Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) from a recent survey of 386 major businesses in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors about their use of imported inputs: “The survey shows that Australian businesses are still mainly dependent on domestically produced inputs, pointing to the continuing importance of linkages in the local supply chain across the economy”. “That said, a further relatively small incremental increase in the proportion of inputs will be sourced from overseas in 2012/13, as businesses adjust to the high Australian dollar”. “An average of 9% of businesses in these sectors expects the share of imported inputs used to rise by at least 10 percentage points between 2012/13 and 2011/12. Over the same period, 11% of the businesses forecast an increase of 5 to 9 percentage points. An overwhelming majority of the businesses, nevertheless, are not planning to change the amount of imported inputs used.”

in 2011/12 and its contribution to the economy declining by the same amount to $105.2 billion. Drilling down into last year’s statistics (sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Quarterly) however, we find that manufacturing is still a major factor in our economy. It was the second largest contributor to the Australian economy last year, adding $88.6 billion or 33.5% to our nation’s merchandise exports, while employing 8.4% of our workforce. In its September 2012 ‘Manufacturing Data Card’, DIISRTA made some interesting comparisons between Australian manufacturing in 2012 and ten years earlier in 2002: • Manufacturing contribution to Australian GDP in 2002 was 10.2%, compared to 7.7% in 2012. Notably, that contraction was offset by a 1.2% increase in the services sector and a 2% increase in the construction sector. Contribution to GDP by all other sectors remained relatively flat.

skills council, manufacturing is central to innovation in Australia, accounting for over a quarter of all business expenditure in research and development, with around $4.8 billion invested in it annually. Manufacturing Australia (MA), a business coalition driven by some of the largest manufacturing companies in Australia, stresses the significance of local manufacturing, not only for what it brings to our economy but also to our overall community. In a media release issued earlier this year, MA stated that local manufacturing “employs almost 10% of the working population in stable and rewarding jobs. These are the jobs around which communities are built, ancillary businesses established, towns and cities grow and families are raised. Manufacturing is not like other industries. It is a highly strategic industry whose importance to society is measured in more than just its economic value.” So, what’s the cure? MA’s Executive Chairman, Dick Warburton, observed that Australian manufacturing is fighting multiple fires on multiple fronts,

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It may come as a surprise, but just 40 years ago, Australia was experiencing a skills shortage – in manufacturing! There weren’t enough factory workers to keep up with demand for our locally manufactured goods. In fact, most factory workers were working so much overtime that 17.5% holiday leave-loading was introduced just to make them take holidays.

beset by challenges from high input costs, excessive or inconsistent regulation and the high Australian dollar. “None of these challenges are insurmountable but cumulatively, they’re formidable,” he said. “We all agree there is a two-speed economy. We’re looking to our political leadership to narrow the gap. Industrial-relations reform, deregulation, tax reform and adding value to our natural resources are all ways we can do that.”

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MA has called for reform in four pillars that it believes will make a profound difference to the competitiveness and sustainability of Australian manufacturing – industrial relations; anti-dumping & industry participation; regulation; and energy & resource allocation.

An August 2012 study by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), entitled ‘Beyond the boom: Australia’s productivity imperative’ cited manufacturing reform as a key component to Australia sustaining its economic stature once the current mining boom declines. The report stated that Australia is more prosperous that ever, noting that in 2010, it was ranked sixth most prosperous OECD nation in terms of GDP per-capita, up from 16th in 1990. And in 2005, we even overtook the US in per-capita income. But the report warned that “the boom belies some weaker fundamental trends in the economy that could put Australia’s future prosperity at risk unless they are addressed.” Central to these trends is our slowly declining productivity and if left unchecked, could undermine much of the prosperity gained through the boom. The report stated that the amount of capital per hour worked is 25% higher than what it was six years ago, yet workers on average are only producing 7% more output per hour. Since manufacturing is still one of our largest contributors to GDP, significant productivity improvements in this sector can have a huge impact on our future economy. Conversely, with already high labour costs, sustained poor productivity hangs over the manufacturing sector like the ‘sword of Damocles’. Interestingly, the report states that Australia has a four-part economy, not two-speed as most commentators describe it. These parts are clusters defined by their proximity to the resources boom itself – manufacturing; ‘resource-riders’ such as construction and utilities; and local services such as finance and administration.

Concerning manufacturing, the report stated that now is the time to build a foundation for long-term competitiveness. Three key areas in which this can be done with significant positive impact are:

manufacturing out to mainland China. Over those 40 years, while Australians drifted from producers to consumers, the visionary Taiwanese were mapping out their sustainable prosperity.

• Further cost efficiencies in subsectors that compete primarily on price (with a particular focus on the neglected area on management quality); • Higher labour mobility within the manufacturing sector; and • A more supportive ecosystem for innovative manufacturing (the area in which Australia has the best long-term potential to be competitive).

Sadly, Australians haven’t had that long-term vision. Case in point, around 10 years ago, a local solar-energy company was unsuccessful in gaining government support for its innovative technology, which included ‘molten-salt’ heat-storage systems. So the company took its technology to the US, where it was immediately supported by the Californian government and a global export business created.

Practical lessons to be learned Focussing on that last bullet-point above, let’s look at some lessons from recent history. Forty years ago, when our manufacturing industry was booming, Taiwan was little more than an agricultural ‘back-water’. Recognising the risk of economic stagnation, the Taiwanese government invested heavily in education – specifically electronics. It built universities and staffed them with US and European technology educators. Twenty years later, it became one of the world’s leading semiconductor and electronic component manufacturers, much of which was run by its first-generation technologists. Since then, Taiwan has capitalised on its home-grown intellectual property and progressed to higher-value semiconductor design and software, farming the lower value

Thankfully, Australia is not without a home-grown technology ‘champion’. For 80 years, CSIRO has developed all forms of technologies, many of which have been successfully commercialised. This includes what is arguably its most famous development – multipath radio transmission used in wireless computer communications – in which it recently won a patent infringement legal case, netting the CSIRO over $200 million in royalties. One recent example of the potential to exploit CSIRO developments is the commercialisation of its wireless tracking technology in professional athletics, where a licensing deal was signed between CSIRO and a Melbourne-based company, to manufacture devices that track people or objects where GPS signals can’t reach or where there is interference, such as built-up areas like sporting arenas or stadiums. The wireless positioning technology was developed in 2006 to track staff and vehicles in mines to improve safety, however recent collaboration with the Australian Institute of Sport saw the technology adapted to elite sports settings. The company’s extensive list of customers that could deploy this technology includes almost all English Premier League teams, NRL, AFL, American football and basketball teams, hockey, rowing, sailing and high-performance sports research centres. CSIRO eagerly invites Australian manufactures to participate with in the commercialisation of technologies it develops. Surely this avenue must figure prominently in shaping Australia’s future in high-value manufacturing?

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I’M OUTTA HERE

Here at Auslec, we asked around for peoples’ favorite summer holiday destinations and inevitably, the beaches and coasts around the country were the place that most are looking forward to spending time at. After conducting our very scientific poll, we narrowed it down to three stretches of coastline that should have you picking up the phone or clicking the mouse to book some time away. Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Stretching 50kms from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north, the Sunshine Coast enjoys a sub-tropical climate that sees summer day time temperatures averaging 28.5°. This picture perfect coastline swells in numbers each summer as Queenslanders and interstate visitors alike stake their claim on beaches such as Mooloolaba, Coolum, Maroochydore and Noosa.

warm mornings that lead into the heat of the day. For the budding golf professional or the weekend hacker, the Sunshine Coast plays host to a range of golf courses that cater for all abilities. The Tin Can Bay Country Club just north of Noosa is a quintessential Australian country golf club with an 18 hole par 72 course, lawn bowls, restaurant and bar that welcomes all visitors – regardless of whether you play off ‘scratch’ or are still working to get your handicap into the 20’s. At the other end of the scale, the Palmer Coolum Resort at Coolum is home to the Australian PGA Championship which takes place in December each year. Owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer, this 5 star luxury resort is equipped with no less than nine pools and is set on 370 acres of natural bush land and boasts a 2km Pacific Ocean frontage. Not surprisingly, bookings for golf are needed and well advance too; oh, and at $115 for 18 holes, it’s not cheap but it’s a spectacular way to spoil a good walk! At the northern point of the Sunshine Coast lies the cosmopolitan town of Noosa. As a thriving logging district in the 19th century, the area in and around Noosa was quickly populated thanks in part to gold prospectors chancing their luck in nearby

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road Commencing at Torquay on Victoria’s west coast and meandering 243 kms to Warnambool, the Great Ocean Road passes through idyllic seaside towns including Anglesea, Fairhaven, Lorne and Apollo Bay that have been the summer holiday destinations for generations of Victorians. Built by returned soldiers from the first World War, construction of the Great Ocean Road began in September 1919 and some 13 years later, the Lorne to Apollo Bay section was finished marking the completion of the now heritage listed road. The town of Torquay is perhaps best known for its religious like commitment to everything surfing. Its beaches include the iconic Bells Beach which was so dreadfully misrepresented in the last scenes of the 1991 action film, Point Break starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Thankfully the world’s longest running professional surf contest, the Rip Curl Pro, which has been held at ‘Bells’ each year since 1973, is a more accurate and fitting testament to this surfing mecca. Summer holidays in Torquay sees the town’s population swell threefold to 20,000 but with so many long stretches of beach, there is plenty of room for everyone. Local builder Barry McDonald who has lived his whole life along the Great Ocean Road says the accommodation offerings

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As the calendar turns to mark the official arrival of summer and the end of a long and hopefully prosperous year draws to a close, many begin to contemplate the great Australian tradition of a holiday by the beach. Being an island nation comprising of almost 60,000kms of coastline means that finding a place to drop your beach towel and collapse into the ocean is a very simple exercise – the real challenge is working out at which beach to do it!

“Swimming, surfing, fishing and golf are all made far more enjoyable thanks to the warm mornings that lead into the heat of the day.”

Local Mooloolaba business owner, Joanne Huffy reckons that summer on the Sunshine Coast would rival any other destination in the world. “We’ve got unbroken stretches of beach that are 5, 10 and 20kms long”, she says. “For example, the beach from Coolum to Sunshine Beach goes for 17kms and is a favorite for those looking for some solitude and time out”. With about 14 hours of daylight gracing the Sunshine Coast each day over summer, holidaymakers have plenty of time to indulge in a myriad of outdoor activities. Swimming, surfing, fishing and golf are all made far more enjoyable thanks to the

Gympie. Today, the area encompassing Noosa, Nossaville and inland to Tewantin is a holiday mecca that attracts thousands of visitors each summer. The main beach at Noosa is home to the Noosa Heads Surf Club which was founded in 1928 and is ideally positioned to oversee the safety of beach users. In almost obligatory fashion, swimmers, surfers and even bush walkers from the nearby National Park take a break from their pursuits and head to the Surf Club for lunch or afternoon drinks – and to ponder the possibility of retiring to the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

in Torquay these days are very different to those of times gone by. “Twenty years ago, there were a couple of caravan parks and a few motels. Generally speaking, people came here and camped. These days, there are as many people staying in 5 star accommodation as there are in the caravan parks”. Two hours and 120 kms further along from Torquay, Apollo Bay marks the mid point of the Great Ocean Road. With the Otway ranges as its backdrop, this town offers summer holidaymakers all manner of water sports including diving, surfing, fishing and boating.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au 16

‘The 12 Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road When the sunburn makes another day on the beach just too painful to contemplate, the Otway tree top walk is an unrivalled way to view the forest below. At 600 metres long and towering 35 metres into the air, this elevated walk is the tallest and longest of its kind anywhere in the world. Thanks to a small fishing fleet that still operates out of the sheltered harbour, Apollo Bay restaurants serve up some of the highest quality seafood on the coast with fish, crayfish and prawns often only hours out of the water before they are devoured as seafood platters. Nearing the end of the Great Ocean Road lies the historic fishing village of Port Fairy. With towering Norfolk pines and restored Victorian cottages lining the wide streets, this picturesque escape is a complete step back in time. In the early part of the 1800’s, sealers and whalers used the safe anchorage of the port as a base whilst today, tourists and holidaymakers make this town a destination of choice as the warmer weather develops. The hub of Port Fairy is arguably the Moyne River where commercial fishing vessels share the stretch of water with summer boaties. Whilst the river offers excellent fishing in itself, access to the sea is easy and safe for those looking to venture a little further offshore. If you’re more a ‘waves and sand’ sort of person, East Beach is excellent for swimming and

surfing and is lifeguard patrolled – perfect for the kids and the budding Kelly Slater’s of the world!

beach thanks to the consistent north easterly sea breezes that blow through during the summer months.

New South Wales’ Sapphire Coast You’d be hard pressed to find a length of coastline anywhere in the world with more beaches, bays and lakes than the Sapphire Coast. This most southerly coastal region of New South Wales is effectively bordered by Bermagui to the north and Eden to the south.

An hour and a bit north of Merimbula you’ll find the birthplace of the sport of game fishing – Bermagui. It was here in the 1930’s that American author Zane Grey pioneered the sport that today, provides coastal towns around the world with an income and in some cases, their livelihood.

Favored by Melbournians and Sydney siders alike thanks to its proximity by car, the Sapphire Coast has eventually become home for many, once the requirement to work has been fulfilled. Merimbula, with its magnificent mountain backdrops and tranquil bushland is a diving, surfing and fishing magnet just an hour from the Victorian border. Fringed by two lakes that provide safe sheltered swimming and almost guaranteed fishing, the town’s gentle waterways are a major attraction for visitors; particularly for families with small children. Once outside the lake areas of the town though, the surrounding beaches can provide a totally different experience. Fuelled by Pacific Ocean swells, Main Beach, Short Point and Tura Beach offer a variety of waves that leave windsurfers and board riders spoiled for choice. Kitesurfing is also popular along these stretches of

Great fishing can be found in and off Bermagui thanks largely to the fact that the continental shelf is closest to the mainland at this point of Australia’s east coast. Black marlin and yellow fin tuna are regular prey for both interstate and overseas visitors while a flotilla of game fishing operators are only too willing to help you try and land a ‘grander’ – a marlin weighing in at over 1,000 pounds! Like most towns dotted along this beautiful coastline, Bermagui boasts an endless array of bush walking opportunities, diving, snorkeling, swimming and just about any conceivable water based activity you can think of. So as you contemplate the fact that Christmas is less than a month away and summer is now upon us, any one of our country’s magnificent coastal towns seems like a great place to call home for a week or two…..or three…..or four.

Sometimes it’s more than simply turning the lights off

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

ITEM 3 HEADING GOES HERE

Schneider Electric’s range of meters shows you how you use your energy, so you can reduce consumption.

With rising power costs and compliance, energy efficiency is high on the agenda for every business. But before effective change can be made, it’s essential to understand where, when and how your energy is being consumed. Schneider Electric’s advanced range of power meters makes it easy to measure energy use, and identify potential savings and dysfunctions. They also enable sub-metering in multi-tenant environments and loads on one or three-phase supplies. It then becomes a whole lot easier to plan a strategy to lower energy consumption, achieve targets and comply with all relevant legislation.

To find out more, go to schneider-electric.com.au or contact your branch representative.

(Available now)

PM5350 is just one of the meters from Schneider Electric’s comprehensive range of energy monitoring devices. Brand new range - available soon

iEM2000

iEM3000

PM3000

© 2012 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Schneider Electric and Make the most of your energy are trademarks owned by Schneider Electric Industries SAS or its affiliated companies. • 78 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113 AUSTRALIA • www.schneider-electric.com.au • 1300 369 233 CLIPCOM24697

PM1200 (Available now)

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CHASSIS SAFETY

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LOCKOUT DEVICE

Master Lock’s gate and ball valve lockout devices work in difficult environments such as tight spaces and insulated pipes. These devices are quick and easy to apply and are constructed from durable materials to ensure they withstand the majority of conditions.

EXTRACTION UNIT A powerful fume extraction unit that is ideal for service, repairs and other temporary work. This compact and easy to use unit provides fresh air to confined and enclosed spaces and comes with an N16 Nederman fan with 5 metres of flexible hose. The hose is fitted with a polycarbonate nozzle and includes a magnet at one for ease of positioning. The fan is mounted to a sturdy frame which makes carrying the unit from one location to the next a breeze.

Schneider Electric’s Isobar will change the way you look at chassis’ and safety. It features a unique busbar disconnection system for each busbar tee-offs and allows any tee-off to be converted to a neutral, providing unparalleled flexibility. The busbar disconnection system permits unused outgoing poles to be electrically isolated from the mains, enhancing protection for the user against direct contact with live parts. Ideal for critical power applications and hazardous areas, the Isobar Chassis is available in two types: the TNA and the PEV. Both types come in various sizes from 12 to 72 poles, have 250A current carrying capacity of the busbar (180A with neutral kit fitted), 100A current carrying capacity of outgoing tee-offs, 16kA for 200ms withstand rating and 25kA conditional withstand rating.

Air Hose Reel The Alemlube SA300 air hose reel will store and retrieve up to 15 metres of 10mm ID hose. Supplied inclusive of a 900mm lead in hose, crimped hose ends and an integral carry handle, the industrial quality SA300 will satisfy and exceed your hose storage and handling needs. Suitable for use in the agricultural, automotive, manufacturing, contractor and transport sectors, this air hose reel will go the distance even in the most demanding of applications. Manufactured with impact resistant UV stabilised polypropylene covers, the heavy duty spring assembly easily retrieves the hose even when fully extended. Ideal for use with drills, impact wrenches, angle grinders, ratchets and tyre gauges, the unit can be ceiling, wall or floor mounted.

CONTROL & MONITORING

DuPont Tychem® garments deliver lightweight comprehensive chemical and biological protection for workers in a broad range of manufacturing industries. The innovative designs of the garments offer a high level of protection and comfort for industries including petrochem, emergency services, site decontamination and the military. The range includes Tychem®C, Tychem®F and Tychem®TK which are used for various levels of chemical hazards and exposure levels.

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NHP is pleased to introduce AmpCom - a Networkable Motor Protection, Control and Energy Monitoring System designed by Australians and for Australians. Boasting a compact and modular design which is suited for constant speed AC motor applications up to 2000A, AmpCom combines motor related parameters and metering (current, voltage and power) functions together with available I/O to monitor, control & protect processes from safe and convenient locations. It is easily integrated into Ethernet-Modbus/ TCP and Profibus-DP systems and with expandable I/O options, building motor and energy management systems is made easy.

PROTECTIVE GARMENTS

EXTRACTION ARM The 3M fume extraction arm kit provides superior performance and manoeuvrability. The kit includes the Nederman N16 high performance fan and a 3 metre Nederman flexible extraction arm that is simple to position and features a robust swivel which allows it to rotate 360 degrees. The kitit can be mounted on a ceiling, wall, bench, or an extension arm and exhaust rail. It can also work on its own or in combination with fixed or mobile filter equipment.

INDUSTRIAL SWITCHGEAR Clipsal’s Metal Clad industrial switchgear has a tough aluminium enclosure casing that is dust resistant, hose proof and UV resistant, making it ideal for heavy industrial environments. Metal Clad’s die cast aluminium body gives greater damage resistance than plastic ranges and can withstand even a severe ‘crunch’ from something hard and heavy that would normally damage electrical equipment. For safety’s sake all the switches have been equipped with pad locking in the ‘Off’ position and if damaged, the live connections are unlikely to create a safety hazard as the metal body of the unit is earthed. A further safeguard is the switch plug interlock system, which is an integral part of each unit. The switch must be in the ‘Off’ position for a plug to be inserted or withdrawn from a live coupling.

Th Coo is l D AVAILABLE FROM & RECOMMENDED BY AUSLEC. Su ow USE THE BRANCH LOCATOR AT WWW.AUSLEC.COM.AU m n m er !

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New Climate Control from Rittal Even the running costs are refreshing!

Rittal’s innovative Blue-E Wall and Roof Mounted Cooling Units are proven to deliver effective cooling while reducing energy costs by up to 45%! • • • • •

From 300 watts to 4kW of effective cooling Save up to 45% on energy costs Features eco-mode control function for demand-oriented climate control Extensive range of wall and roof mounted models – ensure a perfect fit Range of complimentary accessories available on request

Protect your critical assets and save this Summer with Rittal. Visit your local Auslec or L&H wholesaler for more details.

rittal.com.au | rittaldatacentre.com.au

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ENCLOSURES B&R Enclosures is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest manufacturer of enclosures, racks, cabinets and switchboard building systems. With manufacturing plants in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney and a local distribution network, B&R Enclosures offer a range of products solutions suitable for heavy industrial applications. B&R manufacture and supply a range of products to suit a variety of industries including residential, commercial, hazardous area, oil & gas, data & ICT, infrastructure and mining.

CORDLESS HOLE SAW KIT

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This 8 piece kit includes 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 29mm, 30mm, 32mm, 38mm hole saws and a quick change connector while each of the hole saws comes complete with 1/4â&#x20AC;? universal shank arbor, pillt drill and ejector spring. Suited for use with cordless power tools, the 8 tpi constant pitch teeth provide an ultrasmooth cutting action on thin gauge sheet materials.

CABLE LADDERS & TRAYS FUME ELIMINATOR The Fume Eliminator is a compact, lightweight and portable extraction unit designed to be carried to and from working areas. It is ideal for on-site repair and maintenance and small projects that move locations. Connected to a welding torch or an extraction nozzle, the unit removes welding fumes directly at the source. The unit includes a high efficiency, large capacity filter that only needs to be changed every 6 to 12 months (based on one to two hours of operation a day) and removes 99.7% of airborne particles. The Fume Eliminator features an indicator alerting the operator to when the filter needs to be changed and 2.5 meters of extraction hose that makes fume removal easier.

When it comes to heavy industry cable management, Clipsal Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) cable ladders and trays provide superior corrosion resistance in the toughest conditions and can last up to three times longer than steel. Manufactured using innovative pultrusion technology providing excellent insulation against heat transfer, the Clipsal GRP cable ladders and trays feature a 30 year product lifespan, are up to 40% faster to install and require no de-burring, painting or earthing. The non-sparking capabilities of the ladders and trays also allow for installation in hazardous areas without the need of costly shutdowns.

DID YOU KNOW? China makes

70%

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

of the world’s umbrellas

Around 235,000 passenger cars were built in Australia last financial year worth $10.7 billion

An Australian company manufactures part of the structure that attaches the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter’s wing to its fuselage

Around

1,000,000 people are employed in Australia’s manufacturing sector

In 2012, China was responsible for

one fifth

of total global manufacturing

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

Rosella tomato sauce has been manufactured in Australia since

1895

Food manufacturing is the largest contributor to Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total manufacturing income at 19% or

$74 billion Each 16GB iPhone 4S costs

US$196 to manufacture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the average selling price is

US$660

SUPPLIER’S VIEW HPM Legrand was formed in 2007 when leading global specialists in electrical and digital building infrastructures, Legrand purchased Australian electrical industry icon HPM.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

Five years on and the company offers an enormous breadth of products based on world class technologies thanks to an extensive global network that sees the Legrand brand with a presence in more than 60 countries and employing 33,000 people.

With credentials like that, it’s not surprising that HPM Legrand often get approached to assist with projects that for others, would be immediately filed in the ‘too hard for us basket’. Ben Foujols, Specialised Product Business Development Manager for HPM Legrand recounts an example of one such undertaking. “We obviously work very closely with our contractor customers and it’s because of these relationships that often, opportunities are presented to us. We recently had the challenging task of providing power to each individual position of a 400 seat amphitheatre”.

Working closely with the contractor, HPM Legrand devised a bespoke solution based around their Mainline track based framework. “Mainline is a busbar system that when connected to an electricity supply creates a circuit that allows power to be accessed anywhere along its length”, says Ben. “Once installed, we simply add 240V sockets that can be removed or repositioned allowing students to customise their power requirements”. Because of the versatile nature of the Mainline approach, the initial tight radius of the first ten rows proved no problem at all. Tracks were installed under each row of seats with removable end caps fitted in case extension is required sometime in the future. “This solution adapts itself to the population of the room”, Ben says. “For example, small groups can access their power needs by simply moving the points safely to where they need them instead of being spread out around the room as a result of the positioning of fixed power points”.

Like any commercial installation, Macquarie University were keen to not only maximise their technology value but also make a financially responsible decision as well. As the Mainline solution negates the need for power boards and extension leads, there are no additional or ongoing costs of replacing missing or damaged leads. “This also assisted with potential safety issues like tripping hazards that exposed leads and boards often present”, added Ben. So from a function, form and execution perspective, Macquarie’s amphitheatre is now on par with the university’s other technologically advanced amenities. “The end result is that we helped create a far better learning environment”, concludes Ben. “By working with all stakeholders, we were able to achieve an outcome that satisfies current requirements but importantly, will move with the times as well”.

Sydney’s Macquarie University is one of the country’s most awarded institutions and prides itself on producing outstanding graduates. To achieve this, the university invests heavily in facilities and infrastructure so the amphitheatre solution had to be worlds best – no cutting corners, nothing but state-of-the-art. The main seating fit-out was awarded to leading furniture manufacturer Sebel who, through their contractor partner discovered an enormous problem when it came to delivering power to independent seats. “Due to the curvature of the amphitheatre, traditional solutions such as power points and trunking were not flexible enough to meet the requirements of the building plan, or the students for that matter”, says Ben. “The first ten rows involve a 40° radius then from there, gradually straighten out as you progress up”.

HPM Legrand help create a state-of-the-art learning facility

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

The LED IP65 Weatherlux Picto Exit can weather the storm.

50,000

Hours

Rated average lamp life.*

IP65 weatherproof construction.

Energy Efficient

LED technology

Damp environments, warehouses, production facilities, car parks, schools and coastal areas.

For product online reference data, simply install and activate a QR code scanner application on your smartphone. For more information visit www.pierlite.com

*Based on application of Pierliteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating and maintenance guidelines; see www.pierlite.com

Pierlite is a member of the Gerard Lighting Group.

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SAFETY HELMET

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PVC FLEXIBLE CONDUIT Alco PVC flexible conduit provides protection in underground and above ground installations and is a tough, durable and cost effective way to effectively protect electrical wiring. Manufactured to AS/NZS 2053 specifications, this conduit ranges in size from 16mm to 63mm and is temperature rated up to +75°C. Fittings are available in straight and 90 degree.

Australian made UniSafe Type 2 polycarbonate safety helmets are ideal for smelting, welding and other high temperature areas. The helmet design incorporates multiple branding and reflective tape option positions and is available in a new HiVis Lime for added visibility and compatible with UniSafe hearing protection, UniSafe safety spectacles and UniSafe safety goggles. The various UniSafe PPE combinations have been tested as an “approved” system under AS/NZS 1801:1997. Features include a 6 point terylene harness, adjustable headband, replaceable sweatband and unique crown cooling vents for outdoor/ indoor use. The helmet is certified to AS/NZS 1801:1997 standards.

HD ROVER METER The new HD Touch (BC81313) and HD Flash (BC81341) professional meters can display MPEG-2, MPEG-4 SD and HD pictures such as ABC News 24, GEM and VAST with the addition of an Optus authorized Irdeto CAM. The HD Touch (BC81313) has a full touch screen making it fast and easy to use while the HD Flash (BC81341) has the traditional toggle wheel to select and change parameters and menus. Both meters have 7” TFT colour screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10 while the latest chip set design allows for very fast processing of measurements, displaying the first page of parameters in 3 seconds. AV inputs and outputs as well as HDMI output port are standard. The ability to insert a conditional access module for viewing VAST TV satellite services together with the new LI-ION polymer battery technology provides up to 8 hours of operation in both satellite and terrestrial modes.

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS Legrand distribution boards are designed to withstand rough conditions and are made of sturdy material with an IP55 rating adapted to industrial and mining environments. Fitted with hinged escutcheon and boasting generous space for wiring (600mm wide and 200mm deep), they make installation easier for contractors. Available from 24 to 84 pole capacity, they come equipped with a 250A isolating switch, dual feed 250A chassis for MCBs, and earth & neutral bars.

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CABLE CUTTER Milwaukee delivers a revolutionary solution for cutting large diameter cable with the introduction of the M12â&#x201E;˘ cable cutter. With a compact design and powerful cutting mechanism, this tool will eliminate two of the most difficult aspects of installations - fitting the cutting tool in panels or boxes and generating enough force to get the job done. Previously, hand tools were used that required a tremendous amount of force and were extremely awkward to use in crowded panels. With an open jaw and break though powered ratcheting mechanism, this cable cutter delivers over 2 tonnes of force while fitting into tight spaces and simplifying one of the most difficult jobs an electrician, datacomm, utility or service contractor faces.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

This 17 piece bi-metal hole saw kit includes 14 hole saws ranging in size from 16mm through to 76mm, A1 and A2 arbors and an A7 ejector spring. These dual pitch hole saws offer aggressive material penetration and swarf clearance and work equally well on thick or thin gauge materials including metals, wood and plastics and can be used with a hand drill or drill press.

AVAILABLE FROM & RECOMMENDED BY AUSLEC. USE THE BRANCH LOCATOR AT WWW.AUSLEC.COM.AU

FUME EXTRACTION SAFETY RELAYS The latest range of safety relays from NHP supply partner Rockwell Automation, the Guardmaster Safety Relay (GSR) series make selecting the correct safety relay for your application easier than ever. Instead of using different types of relays for different input devices, the GSR relays use a universal input which allows you to connect different devices to the same safety relay, such as safety mats, light curtains and single or dual channel E-stops and guard interlocks. The GSR relays can also be expanded using their certified single wire communications. The ability to create simple AND/OR logic using the rotary switch allows the expanded system to be broken into multiple zones.

These compact and mobile welding fume extraction units offer trouble-free operation with flexible access. Available in two models, both come with high quality and durable 3 metre arms that can be rotated 360Â° and statically balanced to make them easy to manoeuvre into most positions. Featuring a unique hood that effectively captures fumes near the arc or source of the fume, then passes them through a high efficiency filter before discharging clean air. This effective means of controlling welding fumes avoids them spreading throughout the workplace where they can potentially affect the health and safety of workers. The air gun supplied with each C10 and C20 simply blows the dust from the filter and into a disposable bag. This operation occurs safely inside an enclosed compartment within the main body of the unit.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

Energy Saving Lighting Solutions

St John of God Health Care is Australia’s largest not-for-profit health care group and the country’s third largest private hospital operator. Wanting to ensure a reduced environmental footprint and maximise efficiencies in one of their largest hospitals, they turned to Specialised Lighting Solutions for...the solution. St John of God Hospital is a 122-bed private hospital serving the people of Bendigo in central Victoria. With four operating theatres, an endoscopy suite and a new intensive care unit, the hospital’s energy use is significant and resulting emissions high. Under the direction of Specialised Lighting Solutions (SLS), an energy audit was undertaken to determine electricity consumption and emissions relating to the existing lighting framework within the hospital. From here the team headed by Dean Farnsworth, Group Environmental Engineer for St John of God Health Care and Paul Stewart, National Business Development Manager at SLS set out to develop a lighting solution that would significantly reduce both energy use and emissions.

New state-of-the-art LED technology was employed to replace 98% of lights at the Bendigo site – the first location within the group to trial the new lights. Evaluation outcomes for the project included measuring energy consumption – both in individual light fittings and overall use. In some cases, a reduced power consumption of 76% was recorded in new lights and prior to full fitout, overall energy consumption had reduced by 11.13%. “When the project is complete – we still have a small number of lights to change – we expect to reach 12% reduction in power”, said Dean. “Just using the 11.13% figure though, the hospital has reduced its electricity usage by a staggering 264,416 kWh and reduced carbon emissions by over 320 tonnes per annum. At 12%, these figures are only going to look better!” To put these figures into some sort of perspective, 320 tonnes of carbon is equivalent to the emissions produced by 130 average sized cars in a year. “Over 47,000 trees would need to be planted to produce enough CO2 to offset that amount of carbon”, says Paul from SLS. “In ‘black balloon’ terminology, that’s nearly 6.5 million less balloons heading skyward”. Paul explains that the LED’s supplied by SLS were predominately L&H Group’s integrated brand, Alphalux. “This project required 2,661 units of lights to replace the existing fluorescent and halogen

lamps that were being used. We were very particular in ensuring that the client received the best lighting solution for each specific area of the hospital”. Aside from the proven energy savings associated with LED’s, they provide a considerably longer service life and this was another consideration according to Dean. “The less maintenance involved in changing lights just adds to our efficiencies. We trialed a number of different suppliers’ lights but we believe the overall offering provided by SLS was the best. Aside from excellent product quality, we needed to ensure that our capital investment had the backing of a large organisation that could provide extensive product choice, supply and lead times”. Staff morale at the hospital has also been helped as a result of the new lighting fit-out. Overwhelming feedback is that the lighting not only looks better, it has provided better visibility throughout the entire operation. For SLS, their solution oriented approach resulted in similar LED replacement projects in three other St John of God run Victorian hospitals. On top of that, another nine sites are set for a similar enlightening re-fit in 2013. For the client’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, they were announced as a finalist in the 2012 Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards – large business category.

Your Site, our Solution New HigH Powered AlPHAlux led ligHtiNg oPtioNs • 50,000 hours life expectancy • Aluminium Housing and Cover • Aluminium Reflector (50o) • 4000K ~ 4500K Colour temperature • Extruded Aluminium Heatsink • LED Constant Current • 680mm(H) x 420mm(W)

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

With the ever increasing cost of electricity and the constant demands on time, a product that reduces both energy consumption and maintenance time is essential. Alphalux, the brand renowned for premium lighting brings you the new range of LED Highbays.

Alphalux, the brand renowned for premium lighting solutions brings you the new range of high performance long life environmentally friendly LED flood lights. The new range of Alphalux LED Floodlights allow you to reduce your energy consumption and at the same time provide maximum light performance. Make the change to LED today.

• Colour rendering index: 70 ~ 80 • 90° ~ 120° Beam angle • 4000K ~ 4500K Colour

temperature • Adjustable bracket mount • High quality leading edge Bridgelux LEDs • 50,000 Service hour life • IP65 • LM79 & LM80 approved

Stocked in all Auslec branches across Australia. Visit www.auslec.com.au to find your nearest branch

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RESPIRATOR PACKS

SAFETY PADLOCKS Master Lock safety padlocks are designed exclusively for lockout/tagout functions. These distinctive ZenexTM thermoplastic safety padlock are durable, lightweight, can withstand chemical and temperature extremes and are UV stable. A variety of shackle options are available including non-conductive nylon for electrical lockout and stainless steel for corrosive environments.

AUSLEC www.auslec.com.au

For ready-to-go convenience, the Scott Safety Promask Twin ReadyPak is offered complete with medium size full face respirator and a pair of ProÂ˛ filters, conveniently packed in a resealable storage container that provides protection for the respirator and filters. The ProfileÂ˛ respirator is available in small, medium and large and can be used in a variety of environments such as smelters, automotive, fibreglass, spray painting, agricultural and chemical. Featuring a silicone face piece, a wide sealing edge that provides a superior fit and a slim-line design that allows easy integration with helmets and earmuffs, the ProMask Twin ReadyPak is certified to AS/NZS 1716:2012.

Introducing Cortem Diesel Fuel Storage & Dispensing Kit The Alemlube L40040PAM diesel fuel storage & dispensing kit with electronic fuel meter features a lockable lid with 4-point locking system to ensure the pump, nozzle and stored fuel are secure and protected from contamination and theft. Consisting of a locally manufactured polyethylene 400 litre tank, Italian Piusi 52000A, 12V diesel fuel pump, 4 metre antistatic fuel delivery hose, 2 metres of battery cable with clips, a stainless steel & brass fuel filter and an automatic nozzle, this unit is strong, stable and provides a convenient on demand system for refuelling and diesel fuel transfer wherever the need arises. Fully assembled, operational and ready to put to work, this diesel fuel storage & dispensing kit is a must for all trades and industries.

NHP is proud to announce their exclusive distribution agreement with global HAE specialists the Cortem Group. For over four decades, the Cortem Group has been designing and manufacturing explosion-proof electrical equipment for hazardous areas and thanks to a continuous effort in technical innovation and improvement, the Cortem Group today is a leader in this field, further able to provide an extensive range of products and solutions for hazardous area applications. Serving as a perfect complement to the existing NHPEx solutions offering, products from Cortem will include terminal and control enclosures, custom assemblies, lighting fixtures and plugs and sockets.

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CONDUIT Anaconda HCX type conduit provides superior heat, oil, chemical and weather protection in extreme temperatures both indoors and outdoors. Providing heavy duty dust and liquid tight protection of cables, HCX conduit features a continuously locked galvanized steel core with cord packing for crush resistance and corrosion protection and uses standard liquidtight fittings for easy installation. With an IP67 rating and suitable for temperature ranges from -60°C to + 150°C, this conduit delivers superior wiring protection where harsh environments and extreme temperatures apply.

LIGHT SENSOR The stylish High5® lamp is now available with an integrated sensor that will automatically turn off when there are no occupants, saving energy and money. A wide variety of options are available to suit any application including daylight only sensing as well as a combination of daylight and motion sensing capabilities. Featuring a leading edge design, the motion sensing option will automatically dim to a minimum level after 20 minutes of inactivity in the detection area with preset timeout periods of 1 minute or ‘never off’. An infra-red option allows dimming and set point configuration via remote control with a 5.2m sensor coverage when mounted at a height of 2.5m.

The JetVent warehouse Air Mover has been designed to provide an economical ventilation solution for large enclosed spaces in commercial and industrial applications, such as warehouses, work areas and public recreation facilities. By providing a cross-flow of air to an area, the JetVent helps eliminate the problems that come with the build up of hot and stagnant air by utilising an exclusively tested fan in a housing with carefully designed aerodynamic internal flow elements to maximise the air velocity footprint. There are two models available – the two speed JVWD6 and the single speed JVWE6. With their adjustable outlet nozzle, JetVent units can be positioned to optimise air movement in any area, are easy to install and a great ‘out of the way’ ventilation solution due to their low profile design and high level mounting position.

IP66 RATED LUMINAIRE The demand for an IP66, robust, vandal, dust and water resistant luminaire that is easy to install and maintain is fully met by Thorn’s Gladiator. Suitable for applications such as mining, heavy industrial, public amenity areas and schools where dust, moisture, chemicals or rugged conditions will be encountered, the Gladiator is designed tough while still boasting ease of installation and maintenance. The combination of a die-cast Body, polycarbonate diffuser, Safe-T Locking System (SLS), Gaskets, and unique design for extreme conditions, formulates Thorn’s Gladiator range. Gladiator is available in a range of light engines including LED, T5 and T8 with the option of digital dimming, LED emergency module or eSMART sensor. The L70 rating of 50,000 hours at Ta 40ºC ensures the Gladiator LED is the perfect solution for additional energy savings and reduced maintenance.

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AIR MOVER

SELF-EJECTING... SAFELY Mobility is an integral part of the way we do business today – we communicate from anywhere using smartphones and tablets; sophisticated logistics have evolved as supply chains become evermore complex; manufacturing plants increasingly deploy ‘cells’ for more agile and efficient production; and industrial plants require mobile-plant to be interconnected to master control systems as they become more automated.

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While mobility brings its obvious benefits, it also brings challenges, especially for powered devices that consume substantial electricity to function. Maintaining the integrity of that connection becomes crucial for enterprises to function safely and to conduct ‘business-as-usual’.

Fresh-food transport trucks, for example, require constant refrigeration, no matter where they are in the delivery cycle – loading at distribution centres, on the road, or delivering to retail outlets. While the refrigeration is powered by the truck’s engine when travelling, strict environmental and OHS regulations commonly prevent them from running their diesel motors while loading and unloading. No problem – simply connect the truck’s refrigeration system to the loading-dock’s electrical system and the cooling continues. And while connected, why not power the truck’s motorised floor-rollers for faster pallet movement. Mobility working to improve business…until human-error comes into the picture that is. “We get dozens of calls every year from companies whose electrical systems have literally been ripped out by trucks driving off and forgetting to disconnect the supply,” recounts Georg Turin, General Manager of Maréchal Australia. “The costs to repair loading-docks and trucks, along with the operational downtime are astronomical, all because someone forgot to disconnect the electrics. On top of that, there’s the serious safety risk to loading-dock staff caused by exposure to live wires.” Maréchal frequently gets called in to solve these and other similar mobility messes by installing their electro-mechanical self-

ejecting decontactors, which are designed to safely and repeatedly disconnect the mains supply, whether intentionally or by accident.

strain-level reaches pre-determined levels. At the same time, the integrity of the connection terminals is preserved and staff are protected from electrical hazards.

Their application is universal – wherever electrical loads are used with mobile plant, such as manufacturing and industrial facilities, retail stores and emergency services to name a few.

“Companies should think outside-thesquare”, says Georg. “Not all electrical equipment needs to be hard-wired. Using decontactors means that, where mobileplant is utilised, there’s no need to engage an electrician to change the connection. If all motors, including spares, were fitted with plugs by electricians in the workshop, there would be no need for them to be involved in changing motors. This provides tremendous flexibility to move equipment to where it’s needed, as well as facilitating quick turn-around times for repairs or equipment upgrades”.

The Maréchal decontactor is more than a plug and socket. It’s a load-make/loadbreak switch that has an integral loadbreak isolating switch and spring-loaded contacts that break connection when an attempt is made to withdraw a plug from the mains. It always automatically switches off when a plug is withdrawn from the decontactor socket-outlet. This effectively removes the need for an isolator, as the plug is rated for motorduty at its nameplate value. The decontactors are available in up to IP67-rated versions for use in harsh industrial and outdoor applications. “Mobility in manufacturing plants is now becoming increasingly popular,” continues Georg. “Not only does it allow discrete work-cells to be established wherever they’re needed, they also help to minimise capital expenditure. Sophisticated equipment is expensive, so if a company can mobilise units and use them in multiple areas throughout the plant, fewer need to be purchased”. In such environments, it’s common to use overhead encapsulated-busbars to supply power to mobile plant. But mobile-plant is often bulky and when moved, the inertia in the moving object can keep it moving and stress the electrical cables to the point of being ripped out. Connecting the mobileplant with decontactors can prevent this from happening, by self-ejecting when the

Decontactors are an essential electricalsafety and business-continuity facility and should be more widely used in all industries that rely on electrically powered mobile plant. There’s no surer evidence of isolation than the plug being out of its socket. Safety and quality are the key attributes of Maréchal decontactors. Once correctly installed, it’s there to provide flexibility and safety for the next 10-20 years.

MARECHAL DECONTACTORS

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SAFE, RELIABLE, COMPACT LOAD MAKE/BREAK CONNECTIONS

marechal.com.au Tel: 1300 661 830

PRODUCT CUT

AVAILABLE FROM & RECOMMENDED BY AUSLEC. USE THE BRANCH LOCATOR AT WWW.AUSLEC.COM.AU

Multi Function Tester The versatile and compact multifunction testers in Megger’s new MFT1800 range have been developed specifically to offer safe, fast and convenient testing of low voltage electrical installations. The range includes three models, all of which combine robust yet lightweight IP54 construction with simple colour coded test selection and a large clear backlit display. The testers offer many timesaving features, including two-wire non-trip loop testing, auto-start continuity testing and automatic testing of RCDs including auto & ramp tests. Certified to meet the testing requirements of AS/NZS3000.

SAFETY TAGS

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Master Locks’ Guardian Extreme tags are some of the toughest tags available. Graphics are permanently fused into the industrial grade polypropylene to ensure critical safety messages remain vibrant and clear for years to come. Able to withstand high humidity, UV radiation, harsh chemicals, frequent wash downs and extreme temperatures, these Guardian Extreme tags are suitable for a range of industrial and manufacturing applications.

THERMAL IMAGER The Milwaukee M12™ 160x120 thermal imager kit includes a professional 160x120 pixel resolution thermal imager and simple but powerful thermal imaging software. Using the Milwaukee M12™ RED LITHIUM™ battery system for quick charging, this imager is ideal for use by electrical contractors, HVAC/R technicians, building inspectors, energy auditors and plant maintenance teams. Able to diagnose problems with motors, drives, pumps, mechanical equipment, electrical panels, chillers, air handlers and identify energy losses around doors and windows, it can also be used to identify roof leaks and detect areas where mould could be present.

Pedestal Fans These stand and wall mounted pedestal fans are designed to provide fast, cool relief in numerous locations such marquees, shops, restaurants, workshops and warehouses. They feature a powerful 635mm diameter fan, 3 speed motor, 90⁰ oscillation and require 220-240V singlephase power. Pedestal fans are an inexpensive way of providing localised air movement for relief from hot and humid conditions.

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1 Choose your enclosure from simple IP55 metal enclosures up to IP66 stainless steel or glass reinforced polyester cabinets.

LEGRAND FOR THE

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HEAVY HITTERS

When you are working on the big, industrial projects in harsh environments, you want to be working with proven, robust and reliable products from a brand you can trust. Much more than emergency lighting and domestic switches and sockets, Legrand is a world leader solely focussed on delivering the best products for electrical installations. We offer you a full range of solutions to cater for a variety of industrial applications. With a dedicated Technical Team you can be confident we will support you in any project, from specification to completion.

2 Fit intrinsically safe slotted duct and terminal blocks

3 Equip them with single-phase transformers up to 8000VA.

4 Use Starfix ferrules and crimping tools to terminate your cables.

5 Then mark them using Cab3 clip-on or Memocab sleeve type markers.

6 Our industrial offer is expanding rapidly. Ask for a copy of our new catalogue out now!

1300 369 777 www.legrand.com.au