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JULY/AUG 2014

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Made In Biesse We manufacture machines and components for wood, glass, stone, plastic, composite material and metal processing through specialised business segments and 8 manufacturing sites in Italy and worldwide.

20.6 million dollars invested in R&D on an annual basis have enabled us to develop new technologies and create software programmes that have simplified the management of NC machines, improving our customers' processes and revolutionising market standards.

Where

With

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Made With Biesse

We support our colleagues everywhere in the world using the most advanced management, sales and support systems.

The Sagrada Família cathedral in Spain bets on Biesse. The Biesse CNC processing centre was operating at 30 meters above ground level to produce the carpentry for the majestic Cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudì.

Our global network consists of 30 branches and 300 certified dealers in over 120 countries, enabling us to always be close to our customers.

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Upfront The countdown to the 2014 AWISA Exhibition in Brisbane AUGUST 6 -9 is well and truly on.

With over a hundred exhibiting companies, visitors will appreciate the vast range of machinery, hardware, components, surface materials, software – everything under the one roof from all the leading brands. The AWISA exhibition is the place to ask questions, see working demos, learn the latest in application techniques, compare products and catch up with the innovations in design, materials, and technology.

No doubt the four day exhibition will be the

Contents

JULY/AUG 2014 vol. 30 no.4

☞News

05 No problem with supply of veneered board 06 Laminex celebrates 80 years 07 Have your say on GECA's new adhesive standard

ideal opportunity to find the products and solutions to give your company the edge.

Go to www.awisa.com for full details. We look forward to seeing you there!

☞Design & Trends 08 New tough gloss panel from Nover

Enjoy this issue!

10 Volinaro - the new designer drawer

Cheers,

13 Sorting it out

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

☞Manufacturing 41 Quality: really it is all about the finish 43 First of its kind dust control 44 The facts about cordless tools

☞Features

18 AWISA 2014 preview

☞Front Cover Nover

www.nover.com.au www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Vicky Cammiade Publisher

Philip Ashley Technical Writer

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

Member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association

News

Key market data now at your fingertips

No problem with supply of veneered board

A new timber industry resource is part of FWPA’s website upgrade.

The new website www.fwpa.com.au gives members of FWPA – from growers to processors and sellers – access to a new online dashboard of market information.

Comprising a public area with interactive charts showing trade figures and a members only area with proprietary market data and more specialised information, the new resource promises to be of value to the whole industry.

“Efficient allocation of resources and understanding market behavior are essential drivers of industry sustainability and growth,” said Ric Sinclair, FWPA’s Managing Director. “The aim of the new dashboard is to provide industry decision makers with a central point of access to a range of public domain data, in addition to proprietary data which FWPA is aggregating on behalf of industry.”

“The new resource will provide industry participants and policy makers with data and commentary on key industry drivers,” explained Jim Houghton, Statistics and Economics Manager at FWPA. Jim went on to say that the online dashboard is designed to complement the national Forest and Wood Products Statistics published by Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Information is also available from the data aggregation services that FWPA is undertaking for industry. This includes detailed monthly sales volume information from the softwood data aggregation service. This service has recently been expanded and now covers more than 90% of monthly industry sales.

FWPA is also working to develop data aggregation systems for other industry sectors such as the hardwood sawmillers and forest growers. As data from these services becomes available summary information will also be provided through the dashboard.

Other information of a more specialised nature is only available to FWPA Members and Associate Members through a dedicated log in. When complete this will be structured to provide a broad range of interactive data in three key areas, international, national and domestic. ●

ONE of Australia’s largest suppliers of veneered board, Amerind, was recently placed in receivership.

Customers of Amerind in the furniture and cabinetmaking sectors have expressed concern about the future supply of veneered board and the industry’s capacity to fill the gap.

Rod Sharp, President of the Timber Veneer Association of Australia, has put those fears to rest. “TVAA’s panel producer members would welcome inquiries from former customers of Amerind”, Rod said. “Other producers in the TVAA membership can supply all the products that Amerind previously handled.”

TVAA also has a number of technical publications available for download from its website, which will be helpful to architects, specifiers and people in the industry. ●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Axolotl awards WITH an in-depth knowledge of design, processes and materials, Axolotl is often called upon to design and create awards that truly defy the status quo.

The NSW Creative Laureate award, both designed and made by the Axolotl team, boasts a stunning copper warratah blossom, contrasted by the concrete base.

For over 10 years Axolotl has also created the designEX awards, creating something new each year. This year the awards were cast in solid concrete, juxtaposed by silver and gold gilding. ●

Laminex wins Good Design Award LAMINEX has collected a 2014 Good Design Award, the second year running, for its Wall Panel Solutions – a range of wall panels with an innovative mounting system.

The range of solutions were amongst the top entries in the Hardware and Building category of one of the world’s longest standing design award programs.

Launched on the market in April 2014, Laminex Wall Panel Solutions gives architects and designers the ability to easily co-ordinate wall panels and joinery using the extensive range of Laminex panel options. To complement the range of globally-inspired panels, Button-fix – a multi-configurable mounting system exclusive to Laminex Australia – enables wall panels to be easily installed and removed.

More than 220 products were vying for recognition as part of this year’s Good Design Awards. A panel of leading international and Australian design experts evaluated entries for

their form, function, safety, sustainability, quality, commerciality and innovation.

Laminex Australia General Manager – Marketing, George Bej, said it is a privilege to receive a prestigious award as the brand celebrates its 80th anniversary.

“This year, Laminex celebrates 80 years of providing its expansive array of decorative surface solutions for both residential and commercial projects.

“It’s an honour to again be recognised for innovation as we celebrate our longevity and commitment to providing customers with products that are useful, inspiring and forwardthinking.” ● SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 5

News

Vionaro wins the Red Dot Design Award GRASS has once again found acclaim for outstanding product design – this time for the cubist drawer system Vionaro.

This design solution for all living area and kitchen storage requirements won the approval of the expert jury of the renowned Red Dot Award, who were impressed by the minimalist overall system design. This is the fourth time that Grass has won the renowned international design prize.

The jury praised several features of the Vionaro drawer system – its functionality, high level of innovation, formal quality and ecological compatibility. They also enthused about the slim drawer side that only measures 13 millimetres and that is fully in line with the trend towards minimalist forms and high-quality materials for furniture interiors.

The drawer sides, available with a height of up to 185 millimetres, are available in either aluminium or steel while the single section steel drawer side is welded with state-of-the-art laser

technology, which provides additional stability.

Vi-onaro combines all the advantages of a double-wall drawer system with the external styling and storage space of a concealed slide system. The slim, streamlined designer drawer is based on the Dynapro slide system that itself won the product design Red Dot Award 2010.

Brand philosophy With the Red Dot Design Award Grass once more underlines its focus on developing innovative and sustainable products with a high appeal.

"The latest studies on the future developments in furniture design were used as the basis for the design of Vionaro, that does full justice to the trend towards minimalism in all respects," commented Ronald Weber, Chairman of the Grass Executive Board.

"It is very important for us to combine functionality and design on the highest level in our products. This succeeded really well with the very slim, fully jointfree Vionaro drawer side.

“Both aluminium and steel Vionaro versions can be mounted on the same slide system as a wooden drawer, which has great additional benefits for customers, as they are able to offer completely different price or design lines with one single slide," Weber continued.

Trend-setting innovation Grass has always placed great value on the development of innovative products that not only react to the current market demands but actively inspire new trends.

The 12 technical property rights show how many ideas and developments are incorporated in Vionaro. The Dynapro slide on which Vionaro is based also has a number of additional patents. ●

Laminex celebrates 80 years of trendsetting Laminex is a name synonymous with decorative surfaces and an undisputed design leader in the building industry.

Laminex started out 80 years ago as the creator of laminated resin timing-gears for car engines, literally operating out of a ‘tin shed’ in Melbourne. Since then, Laminex has continually evolved to offer an expansive array of decorative surface solutions across both residential and commercial applications.

Laminex Australia General Manager – Marketing, George Bej, said that for the past eight decades, Laminex has maintained its market and customer relevance through innovation, product development and a customer-centric strategy.

“Laminex, originally created and developed in Australia by Robert M Sykes, fast became a household name and, today, remains one of Australia’s most highly recognised brands.”

6 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

In the 50s, 60s and 70s, Laminex led the market with stylish, attractive and resilient surfaces, developed and manufactured in Australia. At the time, the only alternatives available were products such as oil cloth, paint or vinyl, and Laminex had superior

decorative qualities and performance properties to all of these.

According to George, 80 years on, Laminex continues to be recognised by its peers as a pre-eminent design leader in decorative surfaces for both the domestic and commercial markets.

“You can literally use our functional and design-leading products in any room of the house, as well as through myriad architectural projects.

“We’ve stayed at the forefront of design by investing significantly in understanding global and domestic trends in fashion, decors, finishes and material technologies, all of which, have underpinned our decades of market leadership.

“Today marks a milestone for the Laminex business model, which has survived wars, technological upheaval, economic cycles and globalisation.” ● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Have your say on GECA’s new adhesives standard A new, revised standard for Adhesives, Fillers and Sealants from Good Environmental Choice Australia is now out for public comment.

GECA chose to update its adhesives standard late last year, reflecting increased demand from manufacturers to demonstrate the environmental credentials of their products. The new standard has updated criteria and now recognises joint sealants and fillers, with a stronger focus on industrial and commercial adhesives.

Key criteria include: Products must not contain substances which have been classified as known carcinogens, toxins, mutagens, or toxic to reproduction.

Heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic and others, must not be intentionally added to the product.

Products which may lead to the release of respirable powders/ dust (eg, products such as fillers, which may be sanded) must not contain any added crystalline silica (quartz) or mica. If used, effective measures must be in place to control exposure of workers.

The final product must only contain limited amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Formaldehyde, or formaldehydeshedding substances, must not be intentionally added to a product.

Emissions to air and water during the manufacturing process must be effectively managed and documented. There must also be waste minimisation and energy management procedures in place.

Limits on substances toxic to aquatic life.

Following the public comment period, the finalised standard will be submitted to the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Once approved, products certified under it can contribute to achieving points under the relevant GBCA’s Green Star tools.

GECA welcomes comments from the public and industry professionals until 31 August. A draft copy of the standard is available here: http://www.geca.org.au/products/ards/59/●

VACUUM LIFTING SOLUTIONS Our vacuum lifters can lift and move a huge range of products from 10kg to 2,000kg.

A SCHMALZ TUBE LIFTER CAN MAKE LOADING OF YOUR CNC AN EASY JOB FOR A SINGLE OPERATOR

Xylexpo numbers up by 7.1% MANY of the fears that loomed over the eve of Xylexpo, the biennial international exhibition of woodworking technology and furniture industry supplies, held at the Fiera Milano-Rho expo centre from 13 to 17 May, vanished into the air as soon as the gates opened.

Since the first day, it was clear that the event had preserved its status: the flow of international operators was sustained and further consolidated in the subsequent days.

Towards the end there was also a ‘rally’ of Italian visitors.

Although the Italian market is still facing serious difficulty, the exhibition reaffirmed its international scope and its attractiveness for the industry. After all, we are talking about an exhibition that has reached its 24th edition and, despite the difficulties of recent years, has made all the necessary efforts to be a "key reference" for exhibitors and visitors.

Xylexpo 2014 hosted 440 exhibitors, in three halls, covering a net exhibition surface of 27,000 m2. There were 123 exhibitors from 27 countries, with Germany in the first place (51 companies), followed by China, Spain, Austria, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. ● www.suppliermagazine.com.au

THE VACUMASTER 180° VACUUM LIFTER ALLOWS A HORIZONTAL LOAD TO BE LIFTED AND ROTATED 180° BY A SINGLE OPERATOR FREECALL

1800 992 211 sales@millsom.com.au www.millsom.com.au

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 7

Design & Trends

New tough gloss panel from Nover Nover has announced an all new, Nover-exclusive, high gloss panel product – Luxe by Alvic.

Luxe is an ultra-high gloss, exceptionally scratch resistant, patented and unique European panel product.

Nover says that Luxe is the only high gloss panel product with a 7.5 newton scratch resistance rating – making it the toughest known gloss panel product of its type on the market. In addition to being ultra-durable and scratch resistant, Luxe also has a 0.7 colour consistency rating, meaning any colour difference between the panels cannot be seen by the naked eye.

8 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

This makes it especially easy to work with over time as it allows the ability to use sheets from different batches without any visible discrepancy issues.

Luxe is a quality European product. It is aesthetically attractive, very reliable, durable, and easy to work with – requiring no special tools. It is an innovative product that is patented, registered and comprehensively warranted for five years (vertical application).

Luxe has also been featured in many high end European fit-outs including Zara stores, Vodafone stores and the VIP area of Real Madrid’s home stadium.

In addition to the news of this new product, Nover has advised the extended distribution of their complete European hardware offer from Indaux and the Krome wireware and lighting ranges. These will all now be available throughout Australia.

Nover has an existing network of branches that cover the Eastern States. Now, customers in South Australia and Western Australia will also have access to these quality products via the recently concluded distribution agreements between Nover and Halliday Hardware in SA and between Nover and Worldwide Timber Traders in WA. Nover is dedicated to being a strong and distinctive national supplier with a complete offering and local presence. This collaboration with well established, trusted and stable partners means that Nover is now able to supply a complete Krome wireware, lighting and Indaux hardware offer to customers across Australia with distribution points in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

Nover’s overall product offering is available through the all-new 2014 Nover catalogue at www.nover.com. au. Released in May, the new Nover catalogue features over 750 pages of relevant, quality products. ●

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

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Design & Trends

Vionaro – the new designer drawer With Vionaro, movement system specialist Grass has created a sensational design solution for all applications in the kitchen and living room environment.

The slender 13-millimetre drawer side in this complete system is based on the concealed drawer slide Dynapro. As well as being successfully proven in practical use, Dynapro also won the red dot award for visionary design in 2010.

The extreme lightness of being is all the rage but this trend is not limited to our physical awareness – it extends to the world of work as well as to our living spaces – wherever we want to feel at ease. Light, sustainably produced materials are conquering all areas of our lives.

“The new style is minimalism. A profound and fantastic development is taking place”, said an inspired Harald Klüh, global brand manager at Grass. “We dispense with everything that is not absolutely necessary and concentrate on the simple but very elegant and efficient basics.”

Cubist design in aluminium or steel One of those basics is Vionaro, the most radical development to come from Grass. The cubist drawer system provides the perfect complement to the successfully proven concealed slide Dynapro, forming a complete solution that meets even the most discerning design aspirations.

“Vionaro has everything that Dynapro has: perfect running characteristics thanks to synchronised movement, combined with the lowest opening pull forces and outstanding load capacity of up to 60 kilos. And, in addition, the three-dimensional adjustment facility that has become inseparable from the name of Grass”, 10 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

explained Günter Grabher, who is responsible for the development of movement systems at Grass.

Vionaro features two drawer sides that are just 13 mm thick and have an immaculate, entirely uninterrupted surface. These are set on the Dynapro system in a perfect Cubist design.

The drawer sides come in a choice of elegant aluminium or a steel version with a flush, uniform connection to the back panel, which can be supplied in either wood or steel. With its elegant simplicity, Vionaro provides wide creative scope for inclusion in every conceivable furniture design and covers all segments of the market.

The perfect 13 mm for modern living spaces Perfection in the design of the front connection ensures the utmost stability and completely homogeneous surfaces. “We’re proud to have created a milestone in movement with Vionaro that’s just made for modern living spaces”, said Grass chairman Ronald Weber. “With Vionaro, Grass has succeeded in going a long way towards fulfilling the wishes of the furniture industry for a slide that ‘doesn’t take away space and cannot be seen’.”

Grass movement expertise in Dada kitchens

For their latest model line of Armani kitchens, the designers were looking for a drawer solution that would harmonise perfectly with the aesthetics and functionality of their top-class creation.

“We immediately noticed that Vionaro comes very close to our idea of what a movement system should look like,” said a delighted Andrea Molteni, Dada’s head of design and development. “Further system milestones from Grass will be instrumental in moving forward future kitchen developments at Dada.”

For Grass, the relationship with the Italian luxury brand is a prime example of successful brand collaboration: “When two brands get together on the basis of constructive mutual support, success is just a question of time”, said global brand manager Harald Klüh. “We see great potential in this development – for our brand partners and, of course, for the Grass brand.” ●

For the management of Italian kitchen maker Dada, which is part of the globally active Molteni Group, Vionaro marks the successful start to a potentially long-term collaboration with Grass. The brand-name kitchens from the traditional firm of craftsmen based in Mesero near Milan are to be found in such locations as the 144 exclusive Armani residences in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

The ideal form is simple and clear: Vionaro – the slim-line classic design of tomorrow.

13 millimetres - that‘s all it needs for perfect design.

VIONARO The new cubist design system combines the track-proven concealed slide system Dynapro with perfected design in an extremely slim-line form.

GRASS Australia/New Zealand Pty. Ltd. Australia: Phone +61 3 9421 3048 E-mail: info-australia@grass.eu New Zealand: E-mail: info-newzealand@grass.eu

Beauty, love of detail, precision of movement and perfect industrial manufacturing – virtually no other movement system achieves such a harmonious combination of rational and emotional aspects like Vionaro.

Whether in aluminium or in steel, the sleek drawer sides provide a clear design statement. The new drawer system from GRASS features a sturdy front connection, stepless horizontal and vertical adjustment plus tilt angle adjustment integrated in the drawer sides. www.grass.eu

Design & Trends

Shedding light on future kitchen design Innovative lighting and highly creative storage solutions were two of the strongest trends at the recent Eurocucina exhibition (part of Salone del Mobile, Milano) that showcased the very latest in international kitchen design and appliances.

A leading supplier of cabinet hardware in Australia, Lincoln Sentry, said that the innovations on display at Eurocucina will revolutionise our kitchens in terms of both design ethos and the ergonomics of even the smallest of food preparation spaces.

What’s more, these features are already starting to appear in Australian kitchens.

Lighting will be one of the key considerations when planning a kitchen said Lincoln Sentry, with clever, unobtrusive, energy efficient, increasingly affordable lighting devices being used inside drawers and cupboards, under kickboards, in cornices and under overhead cupboards to create highly personalised task and mood lighting.

“This is a design trend that consumers will readily embrace – both for the dramatic effect it will have on the overall kitchen experience and the easy installation of such a ‘gamechanging’ addition,” said Alicia Draper, program manager, Lincoln Sentry.

According to Lincoln Sentry, products at the forefront of this trend are the LED Q-Pad, Stick 2 and Cove lights from Hera specifically designed for customised illumination of everything from drawer and cupboard interiors to undermounted kickboards and overhead cupboards and even ceiling and wall cavities. Each light is low voltage (24V), long life (minimum 30,000 hours) and features integrated motion sensor switches. Power consumption is negligible, while the lights themselves will outlast the life of the kitchen.

Storage has entered a new realm in terms of smart solutions for what has previously been ‘dead’ space with the addition of customised internal organisation of drawers and pantries. New storage concepts can create up to 55% more storage space by virtue of smart accessories to create a space for everything – cooks’ knives, cutlery, spices, plates, foil and film.

Blum’s Orga-Line creates a designated space for all kitchen items, ensuring every centimetre of space is fully utilised – including hard to reach corners and deep, previously inaccessible cupboards.

Other Blum innovations that will feature prominently, according to Lincoln Sentry, are the Tandembox intivo and antaro customised drawers providing storage options designed for difficult areas such as pantries, corners and under the sink.

Lincoln Sentry offers a wealth of solutions for all aspects of home storage including the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, wardrobe and bedroom.● 12 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Sorting it out The evolution of the bathroom into health spa/relaxation hub has thrown the spotlight on storage. The introduction of freestanding baths, larger showering bays and even soft furnishings has put pressure on storage options to deliver more for less.

Leading bathroom hardware supplier, Lincoln Sentry, is experiencing huge demand for its clever storage options that can increase existing storage space by up to 55% – while simultaneously delivering order and easy accessibility to the myriad toiletries we all seem to accumulate.

According to Alicia Draper, program manager for Lincoln Sentry, this new set of smart solutions utilises previously dead space – such as corners and undermounted basin surrounds – while optimising every

centimetre of space in drawer and cupboard areas.

“Blum’s Tandembox intivo and antaro, for example, offer customised drawers to house all items in the most compact manner – everything is kept in its place and is easily visible on first glance. And systems such as Orga-Line create a designated place for even the most oddly shaped items, making sure no space is ever wasted,” Ms Draper said.

Traditional wasted space in bathrooms, such as the area around an undermounted or in-bench basin or the corner of an L-shaped vanity, are seen as prime opportunities by Lincoln Sentry. Customised drawers are available for all of these spaces,

including inner drawers that create two separate drawers within a deeper drawer cavity.

Cupboards for storing towels and larger toiletries and accessories also get the Lincoln Sentry make-over with the combination of Tandembox and Orga-Line plus ease-of-motion options such as Servo-Drive – the drawer requires only the lightest of touches to open smoothly and effortlessly – and Blumotion for easyglide soft closing.

Irrespective of the limited space or awkward angles Lincoln Sentry believes there is a storage solution for everything that will both optimise the space and offer aesthetics that will either harmonise or complement the rest of the bathroom.●

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Design & Trends

Create bespoke interiors with Laminex Metaline Laminex makes it easy for design professionals to create bespoke interiors with two new decors in the Laminex Metaline splashbacks and panels range. The introduction of Reflections and Bronze Metallic takes the total offering to 23 decors in the innovative, aluminum-based range of panels.

Reflections debuts as a mirrored surface*, giving design professionals a durable alterative to glass.

Bronze Metallic captivates the popular metallic trend. Versatile and earthy, Bronze Metallic can be harmonised with natural materials for a minimalist look. It can also be used as a hero decor to create sophisticated and stylish commercial interiors.

Laminex Premium Surfaces Marketing Manager, Marc Paulusz, said the highly sought-after additions have been included to offer ontrend, flexible and functional surface solutions.

“Over the years, Laminex Metaline has grown to be a trusted, cost-effective, smarter alternative to glass and tiles.

We’ve increased our options to ensure the range continues to deliver design-leading interiors,” Marc said.

Metaline offers design professionals with a flexible and functional surface solution. With the ability to fold and bend to fit any application, Metaline is ideal for a range of commercial applications, from curved pillars to reception areas, lift linings and feature walls.

The range of splashbacks and wall panels also accommodates power points and taps, making them adaptable to fit any location.

Metaline’s unique flame retardant qualities have been independently certified by SAI Global and are suitable for use behind both gas and electric cooktops.

Easy to install, versatile and cost efficient, the Laminex Metaline range

is durable, stain, mould and heat resistance. Backed by a seven year limited warranty, Laminex Metaline gives design professionals peace of mind year after year.

Copper Metallic will be launched as another metallic décor to the range in the up and coming months. *Mirrored side has a reflecting power of 80%.●

t i l t a d j us t

14 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Trends for 2014 - Slide it. Love it.

There’s a movement that’s becoming increasingly popular - sliding doors in the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom. Design, functionality and ergonomics are central aspects that define this movement in new innovations made by Hettich.

Hettich is using this as an opportunity to place a particular focus on sliding doors at AWISA 2014 and invite visitors to come view the comprehensive range.

Visit Hettich at stand 3505 & 3513 1800 687 789 hettich.com.au

Product Update Stylelite high gloss panels

STYLELITE high gloss acrylic boards are the only product of its type that features Australian made sheet and board across a popular range of solid and metallic colours.

The EGR Sheet Extrusion Division based in Salisbury in Queensland, has been extruding StyleLite sheet since 2009 and now exports both sheet and board in rapidly growing volumes to North America, Europe, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, South Africa, New Zealand and South America.

EGR’s high gloss sheet and prefinished board have been developed for Australian conditions with superior UV resistance, ease of fabrication and reparability. StyleLite kitchen and joinery board features top quality Australian made E Zero MDF and is laminated using high performance PUR hot melt technology.

The StyleLite board program locally continues to expand with new distributors joining the StyleLite family such as DMK Forest products in Brookvale, NSW and the Gold Coast, PJC Distributors covering the Albury/Woodonga regions, Laminate North in Far North Queensland, and Joinery Supplies in Tasmania. StyleLite board is now stocked in 27 locations around Australia to service the growing demand for a top quality, Australian made high gloss board solution.

The EGR StyleLite board program services different market sectors and now includes MDF for kitchen and joinery applications in single and double sided options; lightweight plywood core for the RV and caravan sector and thinner/lighter wardrobe specific panels to replace heavy glass or plasterboard panels.

16 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

New software guide CABINETS by Computer has launched a free “Software For Your Business Guide” at www. cabinetsbycomputer.com.au.

The guide provides unbiased software recommendations online to cabinet makers and joiners based on the type of business that they run.

The aim is to help ensure that the industry is purchasing and implementing software that is the best possible fit for their business. All this will culminate in better productivity, increased profits and more time. It is an ideal tool for those who are just beginning to research software solutions for their business.

Understanding the type of software your business needs can be surprisingly difficult. There are so many different brands, packages and functionalities available on the market. It can be overwhelming just knowing what you require – let alone making a purchase.

The guide distinguishes the main types of businesses in the cabinet making industry by the machinery that is owned (if any) and primary business focus.

Software solutions are then provided based on this information. The key benefits that each type of software will bring to the business are also described. With AWISA just around the corner, the timing of the release could not be better.

Rubbish and recycling solution for commercial premises ARE you working on a commercial project where rubbish and recycling requires a solution?

Why not consider including a Hideaway Bin within a coffee station or design in a recycling centre and incorporate Hideaway Bins to assist with waste separation?

The two by 40 litre Hideaway Bins were incorporated into the coffee stations at the Fisher and Paykel head office recent remodelling project. Not only are Hideaway Bins designed to be mounted at bench height, they pull out towards the user making the units both ergonomic and functional. They also remain discreetly hidden away when the units close complementing the minimalistic design of this office environment.

The control of odours and bacteria is paramount within a commercial space. Hideaway Bins include a friction fitted lid that remains in the cupboard when the unit is open, but closes down over the buckets when the unit is closed assisting in odour control. The lid also has a Clinikill antibacterial powder-coat where the infused silver ions fight bacteria, yeast and fungi keeping the bin solution hygienic.

Hideaway Bins are designed with quality materials to ensure the units withstand the challenges posed in a busy commercial environment. The framework is made from high grade steel for strength which has been powder-coated for durability and ease of cleaning. The high quality runners are designed to hold upwards of 40kgs and also over extend so all bucket combinations can be easily removed from beneath the bench top.

The buckets are made from a food grade polypropylene and come complete with a liner holder designed to hold the bin liner in place. All buckets are designed to fit the standard bin liners available from local supermarket chains.

Hideaway Bins are easily available across Australia through Hettich, Nover, Galvin Hardware and Dorset Distributors.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Striplox growth backed by national distribution

Smart solutions for confident exterior timber projects

STRIPLOX’S award-winning rapid joining products are experiencing strong industry take up since the launch less than six months ago of the Striplox 90D, Striplox Mini 120 and Striplox Pro55.

Hundreds of end users around Australia are repeatedly using Striplox in their every day builds and bespoke projects to reduce costs and improve quality of finish with the innovative concealed systems.

Dean Urquhart Sales and Marketing Manager is not surprised by the tremendous results and growing interest both here in Australia and internationally saying: “In recent years the industry has been stagnant of fresh ideas and remains cautious to change manufacturing processes. The Striplox products really push the boundaries of delivering new designs and efficient manufacture. “ All of the range allows for easy integration of Striplox into current production processes and tooling to reduce manufacturing time, transportation and labour costs. This is a revolution taking the world by storm.

“Our national distributors in Australia are Häfele Australia Pty Ltd and Nover & Co Pty Ltd and we believe that these leading hardware suppliers are keen to supply their clients the innovative range and financial benefits achievable by using Striplox,” said Urquhart.

Geoffrey McDonald, Director at Ultimate Cabinets agreed: “After trialling the Striplox Mini 120 in a two-pac finished entertainment centre and understanding the ease of use, strength and the ability to assemble on site with minimal effort, I will be using the entire Striplox range in future projects.”

Striplox has also been launched in USA, Canada and New Zealand with the company’s sights firmly set on becoming a recognised international solution provider in the cabinet making, shop fitting, furniture manufacturing, signage, exhibition, modular construction and panelling industries.

Encouraged by the positive industry feedback and rapid early growth, Joinlox, the innovative company behind the internationally patented range of Striplox solutions, is already extending the current lines with a number of exciting new product lines to be launched at the up coming AWISA show.

Leading wood care brand Sikkens (owned and manufactured by by AkzoNobel) has taken the guess work out of choosing a timber coating with the new range of Sikkens Cetol 100ml sample pots.

A high performance range of pigmented transparent timber coatings for various projects, the Sikkens Cetol range penetrates and protects the natural timber from moisture and damaging UV light, which leads to unsightly weathering.

Available in 10 colours for decking and two colours for windows, doors, screens and cladding, Sikkens Cetol 100ml sample pots make it easy and affordable to test a coating prior to full application. Utilising these sample pots offers the best possible indication of how a finished project will look, and provides architects and builders piece of mind that their clients will be happy with the end result.

Delivering the highest levels of fire protection THE Laminex Australia Trade Essentials Fireguard is a versatile, specialty MDF achieving the highest level of Building Code fire safety specifications.

Trade Essentials Marketing Manager, Theresa Weymouth, said Fireguard panels are made by combining timber fibres with a resin binder under extreme heat and pressure.

“Fireguard is stronger and denser than plywood or particleboard,” she said. “It delivers optimum fire protection and is ideal for elevator linings, public corridors, school and hospital furnishings, and office partitions.”.

Available in Standard Red or Black, Fireguard panels are easy to work with and can be sawn and routed. Panels are available as 2400mm x 1200mm sheets with the Standard Red available as 12mm, 16mm and 18mm, and the Black panels in 16mm and 18mm.

Fireguard also has FSC credentials and low formaldehyde emissions meeting the Australian and New Zealand Standard as a Formaldehyde Emission Class E1 product (≤ 1.0mg/L).

avi n

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Striplox_Supplier_Ad_July2014.pdf 1 1/07/2014 4:32:13 PM

Rapid Assembly Systems

1800 JOINLOX

Fa st Ea sy Co st S

Engineered to Innovate

striplox@joinlox.com

joinlox.com/striplox

Left: The main entrance to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, corner Merivale and Glenelg Streets, South Bank, Brisbane.

Below: Brisbane city at night, with the AWISA 2014 venue across the river behind the green lights to the right of the wheel.

Bottom: The Biesse stand at AWISA.

Airtrain Visitors arriving at the airport will find it easy to get to the show. Brisbane Airport is serviced by Airtrain. There are Airtrain stations in the domestic and international terminals, and the service takes only 20 minutes to the city. Passengers should get off the train at the South Brisbane station.

Visit www.awisa.com for details of the special AWISA fare.

AWISA 2014:

show time is here With over 100 exhibitors, AWISA 2014 in Brisbane is as impressive an event as any AWISA show has ever been.

The show takes place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 6 to 9 August and full details are available at www.awisa.com.

“AWISA could not be happier with the success we have had in attracting exhibitors to our first show in Queensland,” said Geoff Holland, AWISA general manager. “The show is for the woodworking industry from throughout Australia and New Zealand to visit.

All major machinery companies are participating, as are all major hardware companies. In terms of size it is interesting to note that our top ten exhibitors occupy on average over 400 m2 of space each.”

“Visitors will see a huge range of machinery, hardware, materials, software and services. For those active in the cabinet, joinery, furniture, timber and panels industries, AWISA is a must see event. Where else, in a day or two, can you be brought right up to date with everything that is new for your industry.

Plus, hopefully find the time to socialise with work colleagues, suppliers and even competitors,” he said.

Admission and registration AWISA 2014 is a trade-only exhibition and admission is free. All visitors are

18 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

asked to register – either at the counters in the foyer prior to admission or, preferably, by pre-registering, which can be done through the AWISA website: www. awisa.com.

Safety and children AWISA 2014 is a workplace with woodworking machinery on display and in operation. In the interest of safety, children over six months of age and under 15 years of age will not be admitted to the exhibition. However, a professionally run children’s hospitality suite is provided, with activities and entertainment to suit the various age groups being looked after.

Car parking The venue has a 1500 car capacity car park underneath the exhibition halls, with access off Merivale Street, Melbourne Street and Grey Street. The full day rate is $25.00. Should this car park fill, the nearest is the 800 car capacity Parkland’s undercover car park, access off Little Stanley Street.

Show hours Wednesday 6 August 2014 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Thursday 7 August 2014 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Friday 8 August 2014 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday 9 August 2014 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.

Venue Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre South Bank, Brisbane

AWISA 2014 Phone 02 9918 3661 www.awisa.com

Accommodation There are over 50 hotels within two kilometres of the venue – in the South Bank area immediately adjacent to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and in the Brisbane CBD just across the river.The Lido Group has been appointed to handle visitors’ accommodation.To book visit www. awisa.com/hotels. For air travel contact your favourite airline or travel agent. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

open the door to great machinery and design

AWISA 2014

the show for wood and panel processing AWISA 2014 is the international exhibition of machinery, materials, fittings and services for the Australian and New Zealand cabinet, joinery, furniture, timber and panel industries.

6-9 August 2014 Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

BRISBANE

www.awisa.com

Exhibitor list 2014 Admonter Natural Flooring

3211

Finlease (Aust) Pty Ltd

2418

Millsom Hoists Pty Ltd

Advanced Timber Systems

2314

Flex Corporation

3610

Multicam Systems

Airtight Solutions Ltd

2316

Forestry Tasmania

3509

Multimaster

3205

Alsert Doors

3105

Forestworks

4111

New Age Veneers Pty Ltd

3213

Altendorf Asia Pacific Pty Ltd 4416, 4511

Form-tek Products Pty Ltd

3216

Obara Australia Pty Ltd

2513

Andstine Services

2506

3501

4201

Furnishing Industry Association of Australia

Oliveri

Austech Saw & Tooling

3214

Oz Shelving

3502

Austedan Fabrications Pty Ltd

2416

Furniture Cabinets Joinery Alliance 3407

Planit

4301

Becker Pumps Australia

4414

Polytec

3404

Bench Standard

4228

Gabbett Machinery Pty Ltd 4102, 4205, 4211

Precise Precut Pty Ltd

3112

Beyond Tools

4517, 4424

Proform

3101

Pytha Partners Australia

3602

QST Systems Pty Ltd

3207

Quickcam Systems

2419

Quin Global

2512

Recycling Technologies Group

2414

Rhino Panel Equipment

2422

Robland

4517

Sharp Plywood

3117

Slice Veneers

3507

Solid Setup

4224

Solu Pty Ltd

3616

Stefano Orlati

3201

Biesse Group Australia Pty Ltd 2117,

2219, 2319, 2214 Blum Australia Pty Ltd

3419, 3613

Gregory Machinery Pty Ltd

4517

Hafele Australia Pty Ltd

3301

Hawley's Pty Ltd

4430

Hettich Australia

3505, 3513

Hideaway Bins

3603 3105

Boge Compressors (Australia) Pty Ltd

4427

Hodge Systems Pty Ltd

Briggs Veneers Pty Ltd

3606

Holz-Her

2107, 2111

Brisbane Marketing

3601

Brisbane Saw Service

4217

Homag Australia Pty Ltd

2201, 2301, 2313, 2501

4419 4306, 4313

C.R. Kennedy Survey Solutions 3103

Hordern & Company Pty Ltd 4330

Cabinet Makers & Designers Association 3614

Housing Industry Association 3503 HPP Group

3122

Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers 3102

Idacs Pty Ltd

3116, 3121

Cabinets Online

Imos AG

3210

Camco Cutting Tools International 4110

Impact CNC

2508

Carb-i-tool (Aust) Pty Ltd

4221

Integrated Joinery Solutions 3609

CDK Stone Pty Ltd

2401

Internetit Pty Ltd

Compusoft EQ Pacific Pty Ltd

4305

Kaeser Compressors Aust Pty Ltd 2102

Tambortech Doors

Decorative Imaging

3617

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd

2103

Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute

The Wood Tech Group

DMK Forest Products

3619

Kockums Bulk Systems Pty Ltd 4413

Thingamejig

Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd

3621

Lamicolor Pfleiderer

3607

Titus Tekform Pty Ltd

Elumatec Australia

4415

Leda Machinery Pty Ltd

4319

Tuckwell Machinery

2405, 2411

Empower Software

2420

Leitz Tooling System Pty Ltd

2417

Ville-Tec

2405, 2411

Lematic

2514

Virutex

2105

Weinig Australia Pty Ltd

3504

Wilson & Bradley Pty Ltd

3519

Wood Machinery Maintenance

2405

3124

3104

3119

Striplox 3401 Surteco Australia

3206

TABMA 2507 3105

Thatcher Engineering

2422 4401, 4501 4223 3110

4424

Engineered Wood Products Association

3402

Leuco Australia

Epac Productions Ltd

4305

Linak Australia Pty Ltd

Eurofit Hardware Pty Ltd

3215

Lincoln Sentry

Ezi-Duct Pty Ltd

2101

Magenta Publishing

4328

Woodtron 2505

Fein Power Tools Pty Ltd

2402

Materials Handling Pty Ltd

4327

Xtreme Doors

Felder NSW Pty Ltd

4521

MD Tools

4307

Festool Australia

4203

Micronair

2213

Filblast

2415

Microvellum Software Pty Ltd

4202

20 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

3219, 4222

2107, 2111

3204

List correct as at 10 July 2014

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Second FCJ Industry Leaders Forum The second FCJ Industry Leaders Forum, co-hosted by the Furniture Cabinets Joinery Alliance (FCJA) and the Australian Government Department of Industry, has been deliberately scheduled to align with AWISA’s 2014 industry exhibition.

The Forum will be held at 2.00pm, Wednesday 6 August 2014 in the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale Street, Brisbane.

Both the FCJA* and the Department of Industry have undertaken considerable work in identifying the potential challenges, strengths and opportunities for growth that exist for Australia’s furniture, cabinet and joinery industry. The Industry Leaders Forums are designed to bring together senior executives in the industry to review these issues and help refine strategies to secure a strong and sustainable future for the industry.

To help stimulate the discussions at the Brisbane Forum, feature speakers will include: • Jim Snelson, Chief Executive Officer of Borg Manufacturing (Polytec/Parbury),

22 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

who will elaborate on the key elements underpinning the growth of the Borg Manufacturing business over the last 25 years as well as the future opportunities and challenges for the industry as a whole; • Dr Sasha Alexander, from the University of Western Sydney, who will draw on his experiences in exploring a value chain approach for the Australian wood furniture industry and from various commercial product design collaborations, including office furniture systems in Denmark/ Sweden; • Dr Peter King, from the Future Manufacturing Flagship CSIRO and the Australian Design Integration Network, who will expand on his findings in the recently released Report, Design for Manufacturing Competitiveness, highlighting both how design adds real value to a company’s activities and how to capture the value being created; • Speakers from the FCJA to elaborate on the core issues as they see them, especially in relation to regulation and

the need to ensure full compliance (especially for imported products); • Government officials who will outline the Australian Government’s industry policy agenda and the new integrated delivery model for the Department’s grants and services to industry These presentations will inform the subsequent Roundtable discussions, which will build on the outcomes of the First Industry Leaders Forum that was held in Sydney in April.

Another three forums are planned after Brisbane, with the next scheduled for Melbourne on 22 October 2014, another in Perth around March/April 2015 and then the final Forum in Canberra in June/July 2015.

Anyone interested in attending any of these Forums, or in receiving further background on work already undertaken, should contact the FCJA’s policy adviser, Peter Kreitals via email: peterk@kreitals.com.au. *The Furniture Cabinets Joinery Alliance Limited (FCJA) is the peak representative body for the collective furniture, cabinet and joinery industries in Australia. It was initially established in February 2011 in order to provide a more cohesive and co-ordinated voice for the overall industry sector. The founding members of the FCJA comprise: • Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA); • Cabinet Manufacturers & Designers Association (CMDA); • Australian Window Association (AWA): • Australian Shop and Office Fitting Industry Association (ASOFIA); • Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association (AWISA).

While initially an informal alliance of the above founding organisations, the FCJA was incorporated as a legal entity (a company limited by guarantee) in January 2014 and is now a formally established “association of associations”, and membership is open to all industry bodies (both state and national) representing any subsector of the broader furniture, cabinet or joinery industry.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

A new way to look at cabinetmaking Impact CNC has a new way of looking at nested based manufacturing. NBM is the process of manufacturing cabinets on a flat-bed CNC router using advanced yet simple nesting software to arrange parts layouts to maximise material usage and eliminate waste. Drill holes and panel cutting are completed in the one operation, while a single operator is edgebanding the previous sheet.

Their customer feedback indicates that many cabinet makers, who are interested in automated CNC manufacturing, are put off by the hefty price tags and complicated machines generally on offer. Instead of adding more and more features (which can push the machine cost to well over $100,000), Impact CNC has come up with a machine that does what’s needed at a significantly lower price.

The Tornado is the flagship model in Impact CNC’s range of quality, easy-

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

to-use, affordable CNC routers. While competitively priced, Impact says it still has the speed, durability and accuracy to be used as a cabinetmaking workhorse.

The Tornado has been on the market in Australia since 2011 and will be on display at AWISA. It offers outstanding cut quality and comes standard with all the features required by small, medium and many large operations. Best of all, a Tornado nested system costs less than a typical skilled employee, allowing a cabinetmaker to increase production without adding extra staff.

Features • Both the steel frame and gantry are manufactured to the highest standard.

• All three axes are powered by lightningfast AC servo motors, which provide the ultimate mix of torque, speed and power.

• The X and Y axes run on precision linear bearings and rails to ensure smooth, accurate travel.

• Included on all Tornado machines are helical rack and pinion drives and beltless gearboxes to guarantee highaccuracy.

• Cutting on the Tornado is performed by a 9kw HSD auto tool-change spindle.

• Impact CNC’s six tool automatic toolchange rack makes multiple-tool jobs fast and easy.

On top of all the standard features listed above, the Tornado comes with an impressive list of options to improve efficiency even further. It comes in a number of different sizes, from 2.5m x 1.3m right up to 4m x 2m.

This exciting machine will be on Impact CNC’s stand along with more of the company’s range at AWISA Brisbane.

Hall 2 – Stand 2508.

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 23

Gabbett Machinery on display

The Gabbett group features a large cross section of manufacturing systems on display at AWISA - with everything from nesting machines, panel saws and edgebanders through to solid timber joinery machines on show.

Five-axis machining The main advantage of a five-axis CNC machine is the versatility and flexibility of the machine. All components, all designs, all specials projects can be done – in a timeframe and method which makes them practical and profitable.

Designs utilising five-axis machines virtually have no limitations. Accurate mitre joints, dowel holes on angled faces, shaping and profiling on a 5 axis machine can allow for some amazingly unique furniture.

The SCM group has been at the forefront of five-axis technology for many years, with three European factories specialising in the R & D and manufacture of five-axis technology. The group’s latest release has seen worldwide acclaim and will be demonstrated at AWISA 2014.

It’s a versatile, five-axis CNC with a great

24 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

value pricetag making this technology available to everyone.

SCM K400 An automatic, flexible machine for all types of edge tape, the K400 edgebander has been designed to handle carcase work, 2mm edgetape and solid timber through to high gloss edging. Its strength is its flexibility, making it ideally suited to workshops where no two jobs are the same.

The simple to use automatic controller means set-up times are minimal – meaning you spend more time edging.

With corner rounding, premilling and misting sprays for high gloss edging, this is a versatile, simple and easy to use edgebander.

Affordable nesting machines Affordable, small to medium sized nesting machines are gaining much attention and, this year, the SCM group will be displaying the Pratika310MF at AWISA. While the model number is mouthful, the specifications on this machine read like a kitchen manufacturer’s wishlist

– small footprint, HSK toolholders, automatic toolchanging, dedicated drilling head, oversized vacuum pump, aluminium table and a heap of safety features make this the ideal machine for all cabinetmakers.

This new machine ticks all the specification boxes – but what about on a practical day to day user level? That’s where the newly release Xcab software comes in.

Xcab nesting software Next generation machines need next generation software – so AWISA will see the latest nesting cabinetry software released by Gabbett Machinery – Xcab.

Cabinet design, nesting components and direct download to the machine make for fast, simple and efficient operation.

Ferrari for your workshop SCM’s L’invincible range is renowned for its Italian engineering and styling. Solid, robust machines designed to work day in and day out. It features a new design, upgraded control systems and increase safety systems. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Experience the future of furniture today Häfele is world famous for constantly producing fittings that redefine what’s possible with furniture. At AWISA 2014 you can see this ethos in action.

Hafele invites all visitors to AWISA to join them at stand 3301 for an exclusive two-part interactive presentation. Firstly, you’ll experience Hafele’s latest hardware technology in its purest form. The intention is clear, use the simplest applications and allow each product to truly shine.

Secondly, Hafele invites you to the ‘Grand Kitchen’ to demonstrate how these new and exciting innovations work together to simplify everyday life.

The stand will also showcase the very latest in Häfele engineered products such as the Slido sliding and folding fittings, Loox LED lighting technology, plus new products from Hafele’s European partners Grass, Kessebohmer and Salice.

3d Kitchen on display 3D Kitchen design and production software will be exhibited at the Brisbane AWISA show in Brisbane Several sales and technical staff from the 3D Kitchen company will be in attendance, including Chris and Rose Adams, the owners and developers of the software.

“We welcome all attendees to vist our display to discuss how 3D Kitchen will benefit their business both in streamlining www.suppliermagazine.com.au

the operation, and for those who require it, totally automating systems from design through to CNC nesting,” said Chris Adams.

“You will find us on the Leda Machinery stand number 4319, where we will be demonstrating our range of software options from Pro Design through to Pro Toolpath, so you can see, in real time, the huge advantages 3D Kitchen provides to the cabinetmaking industry.

“Our latest software range including newly released functions will be demonstrated for the first time at this AWSIA show.

Visitors will be pleasantly surprised at the software’s ablilities and the very competitive price that 3D Kitchen offers.

“See for yourself why 3D Kitchen is held in such high regard by a large variety of industry professionals,” he said.

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 25

Product news from Hettich Zero joint with thin film technology

Perfect edging

Alongside the launch of the new sliding door systems under its "Slide it. Love it" banner, Hettich will have on show an award winning product line‐up – Sensys 165 degree wide angle hinge, ArciTech and the new Push to open Silent function, both products receiving the prestigious iF Product Design Award 2014.

Sensys wide angle hinge The Sensys wide angle hinge gives furniture doors a wide opening angle and closes them evenly and gently. The integrated Silent System leaves no margin of doubt with its outstanding performance: exceptionally wide self‐closing angle of 35°; ideal Silent System function over a temperature range of +5 °C to +40 °C and maximum access from a 165‐degree opening angle.

Zero protrusion permits the use of internal drawers without spacer profiles.

Hightech for perfect edging More automation. More flexible. More stable.

G lu Jet hybrid technology Ultra-fine glue line with peerless flexibility

M ore stable Exceptional stability – welded base frame design

M ore automation P rofit from 50 years of Up to 20 NC servo-axes with a HOLZ-HER technological positioning accuracy of 1 / 100 leadership in edgebanding mm M ore flexible Six series and more than 30 units for your application profiles

Weinig Australia Pty Ltd Phone +61 2 9609 5911 Email weinig@weinig.com.au

HOL_ANZ KAM 1_2 hoch_Austr_90x260_RZ.indd 26 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 2

Winner: Red Dot Product Design Award 2014 and iF Product Design Award 2014 go to the Sensys wideangle hinge from Hettich.

Push to open Silent for ArciTech Engineered by Hettich, ArciTech and the new push to open Silent function culminate in a system drawer that combines a mechanical push to open mechanism with the convenience and luxurious feel of Silent System. In particular, the system impresses with narrow gaps between drawer fronts and an opening distance that's second to none. The result: classy handleless design and high user convenience from using standard ArciTech drawer elements for cost‐effective production.

The all‐mechanical principle of push to open Silent for ArciTech drawers works like an electromechanical system: it opens drawers all by itself and closes them softly and gently. Opening force, triggering sensitivity and front panel gap can be adjusted.

13.09.12 15:57

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

This function can be added at a later date without having to modify the drawer.

ArciTech with the innovative Push to open Silent opening function.

ArciTech drawer system – Made for the future An ArciTech drawer is distinguished by its excellent running action and exceptional stability. The Actro runner's prism principle gives it impressively smooth, even running performance.

Catering to loading categories of 40, 60 and 80 kg, ArciTech can cope with any demand. The broad product line‐up based on a single platform will see the release at AWISA of the new silver and anthracite drawer side profile colour in addition to white.

ArciTech is available in two drawer side profile and six rear panel heights. For the high‐end segment, the range comes with the option of a 126 mm side profile height with Design Sidein glass or TopSide and rear panel height of 250 mm.

Find out more by visiting Hettich Stands 3505 & 3513 at AWISA Brisbane.

InLine XL sliding doors are also being used more and more in the kitchen to hide away electrical appliances and provisions.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 27

CMDA at AWISA CMDA is inviting all industry members to visit its stand at the forthcoming AWISA exhibition and to take the opportunity to discuss current industry issues and view some of the services the association provides as well as entries in the CMDA’s recent award program.

In the last issue of Supplier magazine there was a feature on the CMDA 2014 Awards and I also made reference to some of the feedback in my article. In recent meetings a number of comments have been passed about the innovative use of product and design skills that were exhibited in the 2014 award entries.

A non-industry executive recently observed that in the current environment, with significant competition from nontraditional distributors of cabinetry, the challenge for our industry is to use our skills and abilities to provide a point of difference.

The fact that there were less entries in the lower value categories than previous years is probably reflective of the changing distribution opportunities and client demand. It is clear that the market is going to remain competitive and that, over time, many of the imported competitive products will improve in quality. The challenge for the Australian industry is to provide the necessary quality and service combined with design and innovation that will meet the needs of the consumer.

The 2014 AWISA exhibition is an ideal time for you to step back and look at your business, the various new products and machinery available and to discuss your thoughts on the industry with industry representatives such as members of the Cabinet Makers and Designers Association on stand 3614.

Industry co-operation CMDA is an active contributor to the Furniture Cabinet and Joinery Alliance (FCJA) and will be participating in the FCJA Industry Leaders Forum to be held during the AWISA Exhibition.

The formation of FCJA has created the opportunity for a number of industry associations to work in a collaborative manner with the interests of the whole industry as their primary focus. The 28 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

CMDA Board is committed to the long-term support of FCJA and is also keen to explore opportunities to share some of its expertise with like-minded organisations.

The Australian furniture cabinet and joinery industry is a significant contributor to Australian employment and the national economy and is large enough to ensure the viability of a number of industry bodies, especially as there is a need to address specific state-based issues.

There are a number of issues, however, which affect all sectors of the industry where a united industry position is important especially at a national level.

FCJA is the body that CMDA sees as fulfilling this peak role and it encourages similar like-minded organisations to take advantage of the significant opportunities available.

Non-conforming product I recently participated in a workshop to discuss the issue of non-conforming product in the building and construction sector facilitated by the Australian Industry Group. The next stage in this project is a commitment by both government and industry organisations to develop an improved building and construction product conformance framework to reduce the incidence of nonconforming product in the industry.

This project has broad support from many sectors supplying the building and construction industry and has the potential to assist the cabinet industry with regard to product conformance and assist in developing the “level playing field” that many in the industry see as a primary objective.

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4386 – Kitchen units The review of this standard is currently on hold following the withdrawal of some of the original committee members. The industry urgently needs to identify some additional participants for the Standards Australia BD–89 technical committee if this project is going to continue.

Although this standard is one of the 75% of Australian standards that are voluntary, the importance of it for industry should not be underestimated.

An Australian consumer purchasing a product where an Australian Standard is specified is entitled to take action against the supplier if subsequently it is found that the product is not consistent with the specified standard.

CMDA is of the belief that once this standard is reviewed and published that all manufacturers of fitted furniture should promote their point of difference – by way of their conformance with the standard.

Currently I am chairing the BD–89 committee and would welcome any comments from attendees at AWISA or by email to richardb@cmda.org.au.

CMDA Awards 2015 AWISA 2014 will see the launch of CMDA’s 2015 Awards program – come along and obtain information and discuss the program and its benefits with past entrants.

Victorian RBP seminar program A series of seminars is underway to assist Victorian businesses to become Registered Building Practitioners (RBPs).

These seminars follow the completion of negotiations to improve the application process for cabinet makers and installers.

The Victorian Building Authority has recently fined non compliant businesses and CMDA sees this as a priority with the objective of all members compliant

by July 2015.

I look forward to catching up with you at the AWISA exhibition, stand 3614.

Richard Brooks www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Italian innovation on display Biesse will be making a strong statement about Italian flair and innovation at the upcoming AWISA show.

“AWISA will be an important event and the perfect opportunity to reveal our latest machine innovations and cutting-edge technology,” said Biesse’s chief executive officer Luke Tenaglia.

“We will also be showcasing our integrated systems and software.”

Internationally acknowledged for its exclusive Italian flair, Biesse is a European industry technological trend-setter, machinery design and manufacturer. Not only does Biesse have an impressive select range of new leading-edge machines but also the engineers and technical experts to back up their products and assist customers to strengthen their business performance.

Biesse will be making a strong statement about Italian flair and innovation at the upcoming AWISA show.

Luke Tenaglia reveals that Biesse’s latest machine innovations and cutting-edge technology will be on display at the AWISA show.

At AWISA, Biesse will be demonstrating how to optimise material flow and space with their storage and handling solutions – a perfect combination of Biesse optimisation and Italian genius.

Visitors to the Biesse stand will be able experience vertical drilling and insertion, which is done on-the-fly with zero set up time.

Also on display will be Biesse’s must see five-axis Rover CNC router with unlimited machining possibilities.

Live demonstrations of bSolid 3D

See You At

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CAD/CAM software will be running throughout the show -- an advanced intuitive software tool that anyone can use.

The award winning Airforce edgebanding solution also on exhibition creates no joints or glue lines, creating perfect harmony with the panel. It is a perfect combination of Biesse innovation and quality.

The art of sanding will be taken to the next level when technology meets over 60 years of experience with the 30 Viet wide belt sander series.

AWISA

2014 SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 29

29

Luke Tenaglia confirms that Biesse has a point-of-difference with other machinery manufacturers: “Biesse is the technology-driven industry frontrunner in terms of new machinery development. We take pride in our technical innovations and leading industry knowledge.

“We’re about selling production solutions and we’re able to demonstrate to existing and prospective customers new concepts and operating systems that can be implemented in their businesses. Our products are capable of adding value and profitability to our customers’ bottom line.

“Cer tainly, we place top priority on growing relationships with customers – getting to know their businesses and improving our capacity to offer real solutions,” Luke added.

With its substantial international experience in the woodworking industry, Biesse understands the needs of every-day manufacturers with the ever changing market and industry requirements. The development of lean

manufacturing has lead to a change in philosophy in working processes.

With these changes Biesse is able to deliver high quality world-wide industry solutions. Lean manufacturing is made easy by Biesse’s user-friendly technology giving advantages across its CNC router nesting range.

Biesse’s Rover CNC router series, with optional automated labelling, loading and unloading features assists manufacturers to reduce costs and boost flexibility.

The Selco panel sizing system, with twin pusher assists manufacturers to achieve an increase in productivity whilst optimising the management of production peaks.

Luke said that Biesse CNC machines are essentially “plug-and-play” and designed with “future-proofing” principles.

“For example, a cabinet making business can star t with a basic model and add components, like loading and unloading tables and labeling attachments and so on.”

Biesse’s latest Intermac stone machinery solutions will also in operation at the show. Luke points out that this line of machines offer a complete solution for kitchen bench top manufacturing needs. Intermac will demonstrate state-of-the-art stone technology, which is capable of producing under-mounted basins, edgeprofiling and polishing.

According to Luke, expanding into stone bench top production is easier than many think. “Most people assume it is difficult, expensive and specialised.

However, Intermac has an economical solution which allows you to go into production with a single machine which can produce two kitchen bench tops a day.”

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Business

Finance ain’t rocket science After 25 years of funding machinery into the manufacturing sector, one thing is clear – the client has already approved the machine purchase in their own mind, they know why they are buying it, what it will earn or save them and the risks involved, writes Michael Ryan.

Whether the machine is being purchased to improve the process (through production speed, capacity, cost of production including reduced labour), needed to cover additional workload or to reduce existing outsourced subcontractor costs, the business owner has already gone through a mental “approval” process behind buying the gear.

Firstly, all too often, this very concept and what it really means is lost on the banks or at least not heard as clearly as it needs to be.

Secondly, it is worthwhile addressing the relative “skin in the game” if it all goes wrong.

For the bank, any default can create a potential loss and the approving officer may be “hindsighted” on the transaction to see if they had made an error in approving the loan on the information initially presented.

For the client, it gets very personal – by that I mean they typically have their personal guarantee on the line and, with that, an obligation to make good any debt shortfall even if that means their need to sell other assets to clear the debt or face the prospect of bankruptcy.

So, it is fairly easy to see who has the most “skin in the game”.

Good finance is not about jumping through hoops for the bank, it is absolutely about assisting the bank 32 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

in understanding why the decision has been made to buy the machine, how it will be paid for and the defence trenches in place in the event something goes awry.

This needs to be communicated well and into “bank speak”. If it is not, either a finance approval won’t happen or if it does it will be “roped and chained” far more than it needs to be.

Let’s not get confused about any complexity here, finance comes down to three fundamental questions: 1) Can you afford the payments?

2) If it all goes pear shaped can you sell the gear and pay out the debt?

3) Have you always honoured your commitments (historic finance report card)?

Whether the asset cost is $20,000, $200,000 or $2million, these three fundamentals apply.

Yes, it is true that the larger the asset cost, the more detail needed around these three questions. If we are seeking the finance approval for a $1million transaction, we typically address over 20 individual areas; however, these are all, in reality, simply subsets of these three fundamental questions.

As an example, under “can they afford to pay” or, to put it another way, are there areas that may indicate a “significant risk” to their ability to pay, the following will

typically be addressed: • do their present trading results indicate they can pay even if the machine being financed does not contribute to any additional income/profit? If no, what tangible savings or additional incomes can be “reasonably” expected?

• are there existing debts that are currently running off, which will free up cash to service the new debt?

• does the client have a good spread of clients and or industries that they supply to so as not to be too exposed to losing a single client or industry sector and, if exposed, is that an acceptable risk (ie major or Government contract)?

• how much do they owe (creditors) versus how much are they owed (debtors)?

Owing as much as you are owed is probably not a good thing. Are the majority of both ledgers trading in reasonable 30 – 60 day terms or is there something there that looks like an issue? How are their cash levels or access to cash levels (cash at hand, overdrafts etc )? Is their tax up to date?

• what is their management structure? If the MD falls off his twig, can the business carry on. In essence, can the business continue if the MD is out of play?

On the asset exposure side, if a $300,000

machine is seen to have a $200,000 auction value, the perceived shortfall exposure is $100,000 on day one.

Lenders can be comfortable with this exposure if they know the client has other equipment, which are either wholly owned or have “equity” in them meaning the resale value is greater than their debt.

Similarly, great comfort is obtained where the business owner has good equity in property (either personal or through the business). Let me make it clear here, they are not after a mortgage, simply the “comfort” of knowing the borrower has resources that can assist in paying any shortfall if called upon to do so.

These questions simply address: “if it all goes pear shaped can you sell the gear and pay out the debt?”

There is nothing complex about the areas shown above, they are in so many ways simply common sense and definitely not “rocket science”.

Any savvy company owner has already addressed such matters in their own mind as a function of contemplating the purchase of the equipment.

After all, they are the ones who are taking the real risk and will suffer the consequences of an incorrect decision.

Michael Ryan is a Senior Finance Broker at the Finlease Group. He can be contacted on 0417 279 891.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Finance tips Keys for Sustained Growth Business owners now have access to a dozen competitive lenders

Old fashioned, face to face service can make the whole process easy for business owners, you will find Finlease a breath of fresh air compared to the banks.

via a dedicated â&#x20AC;&#x153;one stop shopâ&#x20AC;? with Finlease.

The buying power of $350mil p/a Competition can reduce your costs.

is what Finlease brings to business owners in the area of equipment and vehicle finance.

Having access to a wide range of lenders competing for your business, Finlease can source the best outcomes for you both in terms of interest rates and conditions.

Spreading your debt exposure across a range of lenders can not only ensure you are not exposed to just one or two who can suddenly make life difficult for you. You will be given the option to have pre-approved facilities arranged at no cost, so immediate finance is available for those unexpected purchases.

better than a bank Call Michael Ryan 0417 279 891 Email: michael@finlease.com.au

A dedicated Finlease account manager in your area can provide finance alternatives across your entire range of equipment, IT, vehicle and property requirements.

Long term support Finlease is here for the long haul.

By making the whole process easy, Finlease will be working hard to have you as a long term client as repeat business is the best business for all parties.

your equipment finance partners

Ph 1300 FINLEASE (346 532)

www.finlease.com.au

Software

Integration: more than just the latest buzz word

By Anne Charlton, Operations & Marketing Manager, Integrated Joinery Solutions Integration is not just the latest buzz word. It is the key to success for joinery manufacturers when it comes to CAD/CAM software.

As the brains of the modern joinery business, CAD/CAM software has the potential to move your business forward by reducing manual processes which are time consuming and error prone – both costing your business money.

Software can: • support best practice processes; • make the best use of resources and eliminate double handling; • speed up production, reducing time to market and providing a solid advantage over imports; • open new markets and allow you to react quickly to changes in the industry.

Integration Integration is the buzz word of the moment and in this context is it simply sourcing software that contains both design (CAD) and production (CAM) functionality from the one developer (the company who develops and writes the software).

This is very different from a solution that bundles multiple softwares from different developers by overlaying a single user interface and marketing under a unified product name. And it is very different from a solution from a distributor (ie, the local reseller of the software solution) achieved by supplying multiple different 34 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

software solutions from different developers.

Whilst these may try to give the impression of being integrated systems, and indeed can be marketed as integrated systems, they are subject to none of the benefits of a truly integrated CAD/ CAM software solution.

The PAST In the past software has tended to specialise in one aspect of the joinery process, called “dedicated” software solutions. Developers have typically focussed on either design (CAD solutions) or production (CAM solutions).

For businesses looking for a complete design and production solution this has meant that they have had to operate multiple softwares from multiple developers and often multiple distributors to achieve a full working solution.

As each software solution is not developed with the other solutions in mind this approach will always have limitations in forming an integrated solution and can result in compromises in the design and production process.

The industry has recognised that this has not supplied the results needed and is now moving toward solutions that offer an integrated software solution from design right through to production, as well as integrated support from the one distributor.

And for some visionary developers this integration concept is being extended to quoting functionality.

Benefits of Integration • Data exchange With dedicated CAD or CAM software the developer is focussing on only one aspect of the process. They are likely to have expertise in this one area but often do not consider anything outside of their area of expertise. This can lead to issues with data exchange.

When you use more than one software solution you are asking one software solution to exchange data with another unrelated software solution.

The result is that you need an Interface to exchange data from one software solution to the other. And each time you utilise an Interface there is room for error, much like a conversation that is translated back and forth between languages.

With an integrated solution you overcome this by not needing as many, if any, interfaces. Your solution talks the same language and this is vital when you need accuracy in production.

• Version slippage Using multiple solutions leaves you open to version slippage.

Obviously as independent companies, the dedicated software developers do not liaise with the other software companies in the market place. They work to their own timetable and develop their product in line with their own priorities. This can result in one part of your process developing in a direction that is not compatible with your

other solutions. And you may find it is less cost effective as you will need to upgrade multiple products.

• Vision With an integrated solution, as all functionality comes from the one developer, there is a more logical development flow.

Upgrades will improve both the design and production aspects of the process, resulting in real, meaningful productivity gains on an ongoing basis.

Visionary developers are now recognising the need for integration to extend to Quoting capability taking integration to a whole new level.

• Improved process Integrated solutions can support a much more efficient process as you no longer need to separate out the design and production processes into consecutive steps i.e. one after the other. With an integrated solution you will find that many processes that have traditionally been actioned in the production phase, after the design is completed, can now be bought forward.

In fact, an integrated solution can fundamentally change your business processes, as it takes a project approach. The developer understands that the design needs to be sent to production and gives you the tools to use a more concurrent approach to processes which cuts your time to market.

Design is no longer seen as a standalone process. It is www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Fully Integrated Software & Support

now an end to end process, encapsulating both design and production.

• User interface A major benefit of an integrated solution is that you are working with the one user interface for both CAD and CAM. You do not have to go from one layout to another for the different processes.

You become familiar with the layout, buttons and shortcuts increasing the speed of your operators.

• Learning Using an integrated CAD/ CAM solution provides for a better learning experience.

No longer do you have multiple softwares to master, with different terminology and features to memorise.

It is the one solution, with one language, look and feel. You will be taught by the one provider and will be taught using the more project approach outlined above.

• Ongoing support If you have, or are currently, using software from multiple providers you may have been part of the blame game already. You may have been bounced between support providers who are keen to lay

the blame elsewhere. With an integrated solution the blame game is not an issue. You will be supported on the entire process, with no buck passing.

Integration; more than software The importance of integration extends beyond the software solution itself. It also extends to the local distributor of the software and its ongoing support and services, which is the final part of the process.

An integrated distributor will be about much more than the software sale. They will be focussed on working with you in partnership for the future. As such an integrated distributor will be one who does not want to pass the buck to another company when it comes to technical support and services.

An integrated sales and support distributor will have a vested interest in ensuring the software is right for you as they know they will be responsible for its ongoing support. They will invest in developing their own team of technical experts to work with you at all stages of the process. An integrated and experienced distributor will provide a full range of after sales support such as setout and library building with inhouse employees.

All the building blocks for success Fully integrated CAD/CAM/Quote Supports reduced time to market Minimises data exchange errors Integrated support from joinery experts Range of after sales services

See TopSolid’Wood in ACTION AWISA 2014 Hall 3 Stand 3609 Your Joinery Automation Experts

31/20-24 Gibbs St, Miranda NSW 2228 sales@integratedjoinery.com.au www.integratedjoinery.com.au Ph: 02 9526 8300

Software

Pytha software under new management Pytha is a brand familiar to most who work with 3D CAD software and, under the new management of industry expert Michael Rowe, there are many reasons to take another look.

Combining his strong software sales experience with a passion for developing efficient business systems, Michael is leading a strategic charge to ensure Pytha matches modern businesses’ need for production efficiencies and flexible payment plans.

Ricky Curmi, Director of RC Detailed Joinery is always looking for ways to improve efficiency and cut cost within the business and choosing to implement Pytha has made this happen.

“Pytha improves our workflow from design to production allowing our team to deliver better quality products and get them to our clients faster,” he said.

“Michael and his team continue to provide fast professional service and support to our CAD team as they understand the time pressures in our industry. As a business owner I would

recommend Pytha to anyone looking to take their business to the next level.”

And Wayne Boyle, Project Manager – Setout at Arc Joinery agrres. “After considering the options, and spending time with the new Pytha Partners support team, it was clear that there was no need to switch. The support team is clearly committed to developing the skills of our production department and they obviously have a solid, practical knowledge of manufacturing and expert technical knowledge of the software.”

Issues facing manufacturing Two of the issues affecting manufacturers in recent years are cash flow management and the skill shortage of proficient CAD operators.

As Michael and his team actually have first hand manufacturing experience, they know that these issues underpin challenges in achieving good levels of productivity and as a result have developed two key initiatives to addresses these challenges head on.

Firstly, to combat the issues of cash flow, customers of Pytha can now opt for payment plans for their software licences. This alleviates cash flow pressures whilst ensuring they aren’t missing out on using the latest technology available.

In a new and exciting development, Pytha Partners, in conjunction with TAFE NSW, has launched an education program for apprentices and cabinetmakers. Pytha will now be taught to all shop fitting apprentices at Lidcombe TAFE with other TAFEs to follow around Australia very soon.

In addition, convenient and affordable courses will be made available to cabinetmakers who wish to expand their skills and scope.

This major initiative will work to address the shortage of skilled set-out operators and provides new avenues for those wanting to apply their valuable manufacturing knowledge to new roles.

Seamless integration The PYTHA platform has been regularly updated over

the years, so it is easy to use and comes with hundreds of features making it ideal for designing, rendering, custom joinery plans and integrating seamlessly with CNC machines.

“The new CAD/CAM integration is incredibly powerful and the newly integrated library menu means operators rarely need to start from scratch,” said Michael.

“Still to come in 2014 we’ll be seeing smart parametrics, a built-in renderer, improved 2D plotting and the free viewer.

“These additions were needed to really make Pytha shine. We now have a very strong tool box for our customers – competitive pricing plans, affordable training, a focus on manufacturer needs and unparalled customer service.

“We invite everyone to take another look. Even if you have seen a demonstration of Pytha six months ago, you will be impressed by the changes.”

Pytha Partners Australia, the sole distributor of Pytha software, training and technical support in Australia and New Zealand will be exhibiting at AWISA.

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE ALL NEW PYTHA 3D CAD SYSTEM

PYTHA has: New features New affordable pricing plans New training systems New support portal PYTHA is taught in TAFEs SEE US AT AWISA 6-9 AUG 2014

PYTHA is the leading 3D CAD System for: Shop and Office Fitout Firms Architects and Interior Designers Exhibition and Event Designers

Custom Joiners Ship Builders Caravan Designers

Under new management in Australia & New Zealand

BOOK YOUR DEMO TODAY! 0434 268 002 mrowe@pythapartners.com.au www.pythapartners.com.au

Six furniture manufacturers reveal how Empower Software has improved factory productivity

By Sean O’Sullivan, B Com (Hons) Otago University

SARAJANE FURNITURE, COWRA, NSW Core products manufactured (Core business)

Furniture

Any key background information

SARAJANE FURNITURE, COWRA, NSW “Empower software is designed for and well suited to furniture and joinery manufacturing.

We have had a quick return on investment.

Our factory productivity has increased by 45%” Glen Scott, MD, Sarajane Furniture, Cowra, NSW

Key Points • • • • •

• •

• •

•

Easy to put in, set-up and learn.

Quick to install – we were using it well within two weeks.

Affordable at $16k – including set-up and training.

Quick return on investment.

The software is designed for and well suited to furniture and joinery manufacturing as well as any manufacturing or any industry that requires tracking of work-in-progress and tracking costs.

We have recommended the tool to other manufacturers, who have installed it and are also happy with it.

You don't need to do it all at once – you just start to track the areas you think are the issues – it may not be that area at all. Implement it slowly in one area at a time; You can see at a glance where everything is up to at the click of the mouse; It is invaluable when things get out of sequence as you can slow down or speed up various areas with extra staff without causing major issues because the office knows where everyone is; You have accurate time information for planning.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Number of factory floor staff

102

Total number of staff

118

Annual revenue (approx)

$30 million

Factory and office size m2

55,000 m2

Number of CNCs

3

Geographical area serviced

Australia wide

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower

Time sheets filled out at start and finish of jobs, collated at end of day and entered onto spread sheet, so we had times on jobs but had to wait until next day for update of progress

Years in business

35

Associations and any positions held Staff groups tracked on Empower

Everything is tracked as it is all linked to getting the work out, from planning to cutting to machining to assembly to polishing to wrapping to loading to invoicing to loading to truck dispatch.

Years using Empower

2010

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

10

Number of managers using Empower

All managers use Empower

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

45% gain in factory productivity

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 37

SILVER LYNX FURNITURE, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

PFITZNER FURNITURE, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Simon Bowler, General Manager, Silverlynx Furniture

Andrew Pfitzner, Director, Pfitzner Furniture

Key Points

Key Points

• Managing the relationship between budgeted labour times per product and process and what actually happens in the factory, operation by operation, batch by batch, range by range is essential. Actual labour times must match budgeted labour times or a business could run the risk of underperforming and/or failing.

• Time cards and time management systems are not new, what PCs on our factory floor and Empower Software allows us to do is record times on jobs in a cost effective and accurate manner. Empower does report times on jobs and work in progress live from the factory floor to management in our offices.

• Every time our actual labour times exceed our budgeted labour times on jobs the issue is either people, process or cost. These are the three critical components of our production that Empower tracks and reports live.

• Our factory staff really enjoy using Empower and look forward to the challenge of improving their individual productivity pie chart results each week.

• Empower Software is an essential production and productivity tool to our business.

• Minimum 25% increase in factory productivity in first year.

• Efficient, accurate and live time recording on jobs and reporting of work in progress.

• Hours worked for wages. A lot more accurate than staff completed time books.

• Assessing efficiencies of tradesmen and apprentices and, where need, advising them where to better manage their times on jobs.

• Management of machine operators.

PFITZNER FURNITURE, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Core products manufactured (Core business)

Timber dining tables, chairs and cabinets; bedroom furniture and bespoke custom made pieces

Any key background information

Pfitzner operated retail outlets in Adelaide and Sydney as well as the factory

Number of factory floor staff

12

Total number of staff

20 full time equivalent

Annual revenue (approx) Factory and office size m2

1700

Number of CNCs

1

Geographical area serviced

Australia wide

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower

Manual job cards / PC recording by re-entering times

Years in business

42

Associations and any positions held

Furniture Industry Association of Australia

Total number of staff

Staff groups tracked on Empower

All factory staff in all work centres

Annual revenue (approx)

Years using Empower

6

Factory and office size m2

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

5

Number of managers using Empower

3

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

Minimum 25% in the first year. Resulted in no overtime required at any time including Christmas

SILVER LYNX FURNITURE, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA Core products manufactured (Core business)

Bedroom furniture

Any key background information Number of factory floor staff

Number of CNCs Geographical area serviced

National distribution

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower Years in business

52

Associations and any positions held

Australian Furniture Association

Staff groups tracked on Empower Years using Empower

2

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

5

Number of managers using Empower

3

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

38 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

FOREST FURNITURE, HAMILTON, NZ

FOREST FURNITURE, HAMILTON, NZ

“Forest Furniture won the 2005 Waikato Times Retail Excellence and the Deloitte Best Small Business Awards, which was, in part, due to the Empower factory tracking and reporting system.

We can say with confidence that using Empower has enabled us to increase our weekly output by 20% on the same staff numbers. Empower is an invaluable business tool that we would not be without.”

Core products manufactured (Core business)

Traditional hand made furniture, mainly in solid rimu and solid kauri. Over 400 different standard furniture designs covering chairs, tables, desks, cabinets and drawers as well as one-off custom furniture to client or architects designs.

Any key background information Number of factory floor staff

Market and sell through own three retail stores

Total number of staff

9

Annual revenue (approx)

11

Factory and office size m2

Paul Entwisle, Owner/Operator, Forest Furniture, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Number of CNCs

1

Geographical area serviced

Company owned retail stores in Hamilton, North Shore Auckland and East Auckland

Key Points

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower

Prior to Empower we used job sheets which factory staff filled in to try and track times taken on processes and products.

This manual system was inaccurate time-keeping by factory staff and consequently inaccurate recording and reporting by management. This made it impossible to get accurate costing on our processes and products and it made it impossible to talk to staff about times taken on processes and products.

• There has been a paradigm shift in my business. Prior to Empower factory staff had ‘absolutely no idea’ of the times I had budgeted in which to complete processes, products and orders. Now, using Empower, all my factory staff are patently aware of both the budgeted times and their personal achieved times for completing processes and products.

Using Empower, for the first time, management and factory staff are “in the same boat and rowing in the same direction” – that is, management and staff work together on productivity improvement initiatives and everyone continuously meeting all budgeted times.

• Now that we have Empower the PCs in the factory accurately track all times taken on all processes, all products, all orders, and the output of each factory staff member • The budgeted and achieved times reported in Empower are highly accurate, which all staff fully accept. This enables me to talk to staff about ‘their times’ and have constructive discussions about productivity improvements required.

• Empower provides us with invaluable information to accurately set the pricing of all our products.

• Forest Furniture won the 2005 Waikato Times Retail Excellence and the Deloitte Best Small Business Awards, which was certainly in part due to the Empower factory tracking and reporting system. Empower is an invaluable business tool, which we would not be without.

ROSE AND HEATHER FURNITURE, AUCKLAND, NZ Core products manufactured (Core business)

Solid kauri furniture manufactured to traditional joinery methods. Range includes all household furniture

Any key background information

Retail though own stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland

Number of factory floor staff

12

Total number of staff

20

Annual revenue (approx)

$2.5 to $3.0 million

Factory and office size m2

1900 m2

Number of CNCs

1 SMC router

Geographical area serviced

Australia and New Zealand

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower

Staff completing their job cards at day end, which recorded nonsense times and did not motivate staff to work to budgeted times.

Years in business

30

Staff groups tracked on Empower

Factory staff

Years using Empower

8

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

3

Number of managers using Empower

5

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

120% factory productivity gain. Over two years of using Empower production doubled whilst staff numbers reduced by 20%.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Years in business Associations and any positions held Staff groups tracked on Empower

All our factory staff

Years using Empower

10 years

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

1

Number of managers using Empower

1

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

We can say with confidence that using Empower has enabled us to increase our weekly output by a 20% on the same staff number. This is the equivalent wage cost saving of approximately $60,000 a year.

ROSE AND HEATHER FURNITURE, AUCKLAND, NZ “120% factory productivity gain over two years. Using Empower we doubled our production whilst at the same time reduced our factory staff by 20%.” Willy McGregor, General Manager – Factory, Rose and Heather Furniture

Key points • 120% factory productivity gain over two years. Using Empower we doubled our production whilst at the same time reduced our factory staff by 20% • Empower was quick and simple to put in and we got full pay back within the first few months.

• Empower is a very powerful labour management tool that transformed our factory productivity, business and profitability.

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 39

PEPPERTREE FURNITURE, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA “At 26 weeks of using Empower Software we had a 46% increase in factory productivity; at 26 weeks we had an 86% increase in factory productivity and at three years we had a 100% increase in factory productivity. On factory productivity increases alone, generated by Empower Software ,our annual profit has increased by approximately $200,000.”

Mark Tozer, MD, Peppertree Furniture

Key Points • Empower is the tool that our factory staff use to bring their jobs in on budgeted time.

• Our factory staff culture is far better as a result of being time and job focused.

• Each factory staff gets paid a bonus for meeting their personal productivity goals. This comprises capping their downtime and meeting times on jobs.

• From day one Empower simply reported area by area, in small bite size pieces, each issues that I could address, precisely where I needed to start focusing to get things in order and up to scratch, which I simply followed through on.

The reality of seeing the numbers, sometimes massive slippage and financial cost associated with not meeting production times, forced my hand to address the issues.

And when there had to be discussions and difficult decisions about work centres not meeting budgeted times, the management and staff were able to view the numbers and openly and positively discuss them, which resulted in process improvement and productivity gains.

• We have used Empower accurate actual times on products to go back and accurately cost our labour and set consistent margins across our products and quoting. This has enabled us to significantly increase our profit margin across our sales.

PEPPERTREE FURNITURE, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Core products manufactured (Core business)

Panel and steel tube framed furniture at a panel machining and assembly division as well as a steel works division. Empower works equally well in both divisions.

Any key background information

A second manufacturing business in Adelaide manufactures whiteboard. Empower Software is used there as well. Peppertree Furniture also owns a large retail business to sell its products through.

Number of factory floor staff

20

Total number of staff

25

Annual revenue (approx)

$4 million

Factory and office size m2

4100 m2

Number of CNCs

Two Sleco beam saws, two Biesse borers, one SCM edgebander and a Stefani edgebander.

Geographical area serviced

All states Australia wide

Staff times on jobs recording prior to Empower

Factory staff manually filled in their ‘lie sheets’ at day end

Years in business

35

Staff groups tracked on Empower

All factory staff

Years using Empower

2009

Number of PCs on the factory floor with Empower

8 secondhand PCs plus Empower software on the CNC machines

Number of managers using Empower

3

Estimated productivity gains using Empower

After 26 weeks of using Empower Software we got 46% increase in factory productivity as well as 86% increase in factory productivity. At three years we had a 100% increase in factory productivity.

On factory productivity increases alone generated

by Empower our annual profit has increased by approximately $200,000. I thought that my factory was productive before putting in Empower but really had no way of knowing whether I was productive or not at the time. Looking back on it I no know that my factory was terribly unproductive prior to Empower I recently engaged 'Manufacturing Focus', one of Australia's prominent productivity experts to audit my manufacturing business. Their auditor spent four days in my business and then presented me with a 16 page report from which I summarise the key points as follows: "Empower is a fantastic tool, but Peppertree management and staff have got a bit lazy and dropped back in their use of the tool. If Peppertree commits to using Empower fully including focussing on efficiencies, downtime and rework it will help deliver what we calculate is an additional $1.3 million in annual production”.

Phone, e mail or go to our web site - and we will send you a FREE information package including a proposal to implement Empower Software in your business.

Email: manufacturing@xtra.co.nz or visit www.empowersoftware.biz Managing Director: Sean O' Sullivan Auckland +64 9 307 1115 office NZ mobile +64 27 228 4211 Email: manufacturing@xtra.co.nz

Manufacturing

Quality: really it’s all about the finish Today’s commercial and residential design trends place particular importance on immaculate high gloss and bold colour finishes.

There is nowhere to hide with the quality of sanded and polished finishes, so prepainting preparation is critical.

This fact has been the making or downfall of building and interior fit-out spray painting companies around the country.

Based in Braeside, Victoria Spray It Painting & Polishing is a widely experienced family-owned company catering for both commercial and domestic painting and polishing projects. Managing director John Georgiou says the company understands the value of experience and reputation and continually strives to be the first choice when it comes to high quality paint finishes.

By teaming up with Biesse in relation to their sanding and polishing activities, Spray It Painting & Polishing has made an important step forward in the quality and efficiency of their pre-painting work.

John Georgiou.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

“We worked closely with Biesse to carefully analyse our machine sanding requirements and to build the machine around these needs to achieve the best and most efficient solution considering quality, workload and budget,” John said.

“Yes, Biesse and Viet have been vital ingredients of our business success. Their technological back-up has been great and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the future.”

Biesse’s chief executive officer Luke Tenaglia congratulated Spray It Painting & Polishing on their leading position in the Victorian spray painting industry.

“I am pleased and proud that, through the use of the highly regarded Viet S3 wide belt sander, the company has been able to provide clients with painted and polished surface finishes of unmatched quality.”

“We like to think that Biesse has been able to provide one of the real points-of-difference to Spray It’s commercial success. There is no doubt that following the installation of the Viet wide belt sander Spray It has been able to improve their production, and increase their quality and consistency.

“The Viet S3 is a much more robust and heavy duty solution sanding solution than other comparable machines,” he said.

Luke adds that with today’s house designs placing real importance on function and aesthetics, finishes are a vital element. “For example,

in today’s kitchens and bathrooms smart cupboards, clever use of space and efficient storage systems are all part of modern home fashion trends. Equally so are quality high gloss and bold colour finishes and it is here where Spray It, supported by Biesse, delivers for architects and home owners.”

Spray It Painting & Polishing has been operating a Viet S3 wide belt sander since January of this year. Now a part of the worldwide Biesse Group, Viet has been a global leader in wide belt and brush sanding solutions for half a century.

Long renowned for its commitment to providing the highest quality finish and reliable performance, Viet machines are engineered to meet demands of any size, from entry level to the most advanced applications.

This aside, Viet continues its strong tradition of developing enhanced sanding and polishing technology.

The Viet S3 series ensures wide belt sanding solutions of the highest quality. The considerable range of versions, plus accessories and the unlimited potential to customise to meet the needs of manufacturers make Viet S3 machines suitable for both simple and complex manufacturing lines, with special attention to finished products.

According to John Georgiou, Spray It Painting & Polishing prides itself on reliability and competence to complete any job on time, within budget and to a high

Luke Tenaglia is pleased that Biesse has been able to provide one of the real pointsof-difference to Spray It’s success.

quality. “The company’s staff are highly trained and qualified so customers receive a superior standard in both quality and service.

Every project we undertake, regardless of the size, provides us with an opportunity to strive to build on our reputation,” he says.

“Our large modern facility and new equipment gives us the ability to take on high volume projects, providing our clients with a quality finish, on time, on budget and without sacrificing our attention to detail.”

Spray It Painting & Polishing offers commercial decorative finishes for office and retail shop fit-outs, general office fit outs and amenities and residential projects, both large and small.

“The types of work we can undertake include kitchen and bathroom joinery, internal and external doors; and furniture, such as desks, chairs 42 and table tops. We also

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 41

Manufacturing 41 resurface doors and furniture,” said John.

Commenting on the improvements the Viet sander has made to their sanding operations, John says it has lifted productivity and resulted in superior finishes. “Being able to precisely control sanding not only improves the quality of the final products, but also allows for the optimisation of the painting process.

“Sanding is the most critical element of our work and accounts for about 80% of the effort – so getting it right is absolutely essential,” he said.

He adds that when sanding manually, even the most

experienced worker does not know how much undercoat is actually sanded and this is usually compensated for by applying several coats of undercoat so that after the manual sanding there is enough product left on top to spray a topcoat.

“We have found the sanding automatically with a Viet produces absolutely flat surfaces and this quality flatness of the surface greatly differentiates a good high gloss painted panel from a lower quality one. It is virtually impossible to get a perfectly flat surface with manual sanding.

“Also, when sanding with

The Viet S3 series ensures wide belt sanding solutions of the highest quality for both simple and complex manufacturing lines.

a Viet S3 the amount of undercoat sanded is consistent and consistently lower and this allows for the use of less undercoat creating a number of benefits, including cost savings and higher quality,” John said.

“The Viet sander also allows us to do fine sanding of melamine board in order to

get it ready for the top coat.

Manual sanding the melamine always creates the risk that if the melamine surface is accidentally sanded through and the underlying MDF exposed the topcoat spray product can be absorbed creating areas where, over time, colour variations can appear.”

Xcab – Nesting software designed for the Australian cabinetmaker It’s a clichéd statement, but there is no point putting road tyres on a Formula 1 car.

All the power, capacity and ability in the world will not compensate for the fact that the poor tyres are a limiting factor.

Nesting machine software is a similar example. The best machine in the world is useless if it’s cumbersome to drive.

The newly released Xcab software from Gabbett Machinery features a visual based control. This allows the operator to intuitively follow the cabinet design and nesting process from start to finish.

Containing a comprehensive cabinet library, Xcab is ready to use straight out of the box.

However, one of its strengths is the customisation options.

Have a cabinet design you do on a regular basis, or a construction method unique to your company?

No problems.

Customise the standard cabinet design, then use this as your ‘default’ setting. Xcab 42 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

is designed to allow your company to be unique.

True shape nesting gives you the best possible return from every sheet you nest. Cutting down your wastage and your overheads ensures you get a quick return on your investment.

Xcab is powerful enough to handle different panel thicknesses and colours – allowing you to process both cabinetry in 16mm and doors in 18mm. Xcab automatically separates out doors and sends them to your SCM nesting machine.

Need painted or vacuum formed doors? Again, no problem. Use Xcab to automatically generate a door list for your supplier.

As mentioned, one of the nicest things about Xcab in the interface. Large graphic images of the cabinets you are nesting are shown on screen – it’s a simple and easy to follow process getting a kitchen designed and nested.

You can view the cabinets as a solid component, a transparent component or even an exploded view. This gives you a great view of your selected construction method and machinings.

What’s the best part about Xcab? It is designed for SCM nesting machines and the Australia cabinetmaker. Tailor made to suit the Australian cabinet industry, Xcab links seamlessly to the SCM range of machines.

The ability to purchase your nesting machine and software from under the one roof gives

you a turnkey solution from day one – that’s great peace of mind.

The upcoming AWISA exhibition in Brisbane will see the official Australian launch of Xcab with onsite demos being held throughout the four days of the exhibition.

You can view Xcab on stand 4102 (Gabbett Machinery).

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

First of its kind dust control Australian Dust Control has installed the first dust extraction system of its kind in Australia.

In keeping with the company’s reputation for innovative product design, Australian Dust Control recently installed Australia’s newest reverse flow dust extraction filter unit, the ASF2 DAK, at Ashmore Joinery on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The custom built machine utilises the finest in European technology and is the first of its kind in Australia. The filter unit holds the highest rating on the European safety standard, ATEX, and the new style explosion vents mark an unrivalled development dust extraction design.

Director and co-owner of Ashmore Joinery, Lewis Gray, described the filter unit as “the best dust collector he has

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

ever purchased” and says he is delighted with its troublefree performance.

Along with the new filter unit ADC installed a complete turnkey system in the new Gold Coast factory, including a 55kW fan coupled with a variable speed drive to control suction levels and optimise power usage.

On the topic of the installation, Lewis praises ADC’s efficient, reliable service: “Within a week ADC had set up our new dust extraction system in preparation for our factory relocation. We couldn’t be happier with their service, and look forward to many years of trouble-free operation”.

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 43

Manufacturing

The facts about cordless tools During the last ten years, cordless tools have expanded not only in their range of uses but also in power and battery life. Everyone has a favourite brand but what are the real facts behind cordless tools and, in particular, the batteries?

By Philip Ashley, Technical Writer, Supplier Magazine In the modern furniture factory, high-tech equipment is the most visible sign of a company's technical savvy and manufacturing ability. The fact is, though, that most of the time spent manufacturing is in the assembly of the product, not the machining of the parts. Machine time is often calculated in seconds or minutes but certainly not in hours.

For the typical Australian cabinetmaker or kitchen and bathroom manufacturer much of the cost of manufacturing is in the assembly. On a typical workbench you will see furniture parts, assembly aids such as screws and dowels, and cordless "power" tools.

During the last ten years, cordless tools have expanded not only in their range of uses, but in power and battery life. Everyone has a favourite brand but what are the real facts behind cordless tools and in particular, the batteries?

First of all, your cordless tool will very likely come with a lithium Ion battery.

Whatever the voltage of your LI-Ion battery, it will be lighter and smaller than anything else, can be made in a 44 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

variety of shapes and will have little or no "memory" effect.

It is the size and weight that make the LI-Ion battery so popular. Power tool manufacturer's can make a more powerful tool with the same overall weight as a lower voltage tool using other battery types.

LI-Ion batteries are used in laptops, cell phones and camera's and you might have read that they can in rare cases, burst into flames!

You have to be one of two people per million for this to happen, but it's worth knowing. Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 was reported to be carrying LI-Ion batteries when it disappeared and this incident, along with another aircraft incident in 2010 where lithium Ion batteries were also cargo, has raised some interesting debate.

Other battery types Other battery types are the oldest design nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH).

There is a noticeable difference in the energy stored in each of the three battery types. A one kilogram LI-Ion battery can store 150 watt-hours of

electricity while a NiMH battery of the same size is capable of between 60 and 100 watt-hours. Put simply, the LI-Ion battery will give you double the life of the NiMH battery of the same size. The NiCd battery is even less.

It is possible to take the battery pack apart and replace the batteries with better ones but the time it takes seems hardly worth it.

Power is unaffected â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 volts is 18 volts no matter how it is driven. Another advantage of the LI-Ion battery is that it loses only 5% of its charge per month compared to 20% for the NiMH battery type.

that reduces the surface of the active material in the battery. The crystals on the battery's cadmium plate grows from one micron to fifty microns when the battery is in poor condition.

Completely discharging the battery once a month brings the crystals back to 3 microns and improves battery performance.

Battery life So how can your employees get the most life out of their cordless tools?

Memory effect The "memory effect" was discovered by NASA in the 1960s during their satellite program. They found NiCd batteries discharged to a precise amount each day and, when recharged, would eventually "remember" the amount of discharge and deliver only that amount even when asked to deliver full capacity. A more common issue on modern batteries is the development of a crystalline formation www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Number one is to stop using it once the power starts to go. It's time to put it back in the charger.

Second is that a full battery should never be put on the charger as this causes overheating and possible cell leakage.

Keep it cool: deterioration of the internal battery components through chemical action is slower at low temperatures. Charge the batteries in the shade or a cool room between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. This might seem a wide range but a battery charging in the sun can reach temperatures much higher than this.

When a battery is removed from the cordless tool, let it cool for a few minutes before putting it on the charger.

Your batteries will last much longer if they are kept cool but be cautious about putting them in a refrigerator as this causes condensation inside the battery. I say this because there is a misconception that freezing a battery gets rid of the "memory" but there are

conflicting reports about this practice.

All batteries have a lifespan or number of possible charges. As an example, NiCd batteries are reported to have a cycle life of at least 1,000 charges.

The newer LI-Ion batteries have a cycle life far less than that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 300 to 500 in fact, but they charge quicker and hold more power. One charge and discharge (use) is part of that lifespan so it's important that the battery is charged to get the maximum number of cycles.

Many companies get their employees to put all batteries on charge every night but this may decrease the life of the battery if it is not fully discharged (flat). All batteries discharge (even LI-Ion) so it's best to charge the battery just before it's needed, although this will not be an issue in a production situation.

If you have old batteries that don't seem to hold charge any more, try taping the trigger on so the battery completely discharges.

When you recharge them again you might find they run a little better.

A little-known fact battery manufacturer's don't talk about is that LI-Ion batteries start degrading as soon as they are made and last only a few years whether you use them or not so keep this in mind.

Making cordless tools last Cordless tools suffer from wear and tear so it's important to spend a few minutes a day looking after them. The last thing you need is to get to a kitchen installation and have problems with your cordless tools. If it's possible, use compressed air to blow the tools clean every day.

Keep your cutting tools (if you use them) such as drill bits and router cutters sharp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a blunt tool will use up more power than a sharp one.

Service the tool every year and store it in its original packaging or other suitable kit. Chucking it in a tool box may allow screws, washers etc to get into the internal workings.

To prevent poor battery performance, completely discharge the battery once a month. This "exercises" the battery and is a form of reconditioning.

The US Navy recently did a study on batteries on three aircraft carriers. The result was that the annual cost for batteries that were "charged and used" only was $40,500 and that reconditioning the same batteries brought the annual cost down to $4,500. Quite a saving!

Selecting the tool Of all the cordless tools in your workshop, the most-used www.suppliermagazine.com.au

will be the drill-driver. Makita tends to sit at the bottom of the price range but this doesn't make it a cheap tool.

Price alone doesn't make for a good tool either.

What you are looking for in a good cordless tool is amp-hours. This indicates the battery capacity, sort of like the amount of fuel in your car. The more amps, the longer it should last.

Volts is another thing: high voltage will certainly deliver more power but the battery charge will be used up far more quickly.

Balance your need for power with your need for battery life. If your main task is fastening small screws, a low-voltage system (7.2V to 14.4V) is ideal. If you regularly need to fasten screws, drill holes and use saws, 18V is better.

Another thing you should consider is the weight of the tool and the design. A heavy tool can be quite easy to use if it's well-balanced. On the other hand, a light tool can be tiresome if the grip (for example) is too big and it's not comfortable to hold.

As 18 volt tends to be most cordless tool manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widest range you're going to get more tool options so this would appear to be a good starting point. However, you will make a big mistake if you don't also consider the chuck type, speeds, clutch, weight and balance as well.

Cordless tools are part of any manufacturing or installation system. A little bit of care and attention, coupled with some basic knowledge of your battery will certainly lead to more productive hours and less headaches, something every company should welcome.

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 45

Manufacturing

Nesting machine for every workshop With the introduction of the SCM Pratika 310MF range to SCM’s popular CNC range, Gabbett Machinery can now offer a user friendly nesting machine at a fantastic price.

An extremely versatile nesting machine, the SCM Pratika 310MF is able to size, drill and rout nested panels. The electrospindle is also capable of housing aggregates heads, which opens up the capacity of the machine to do a multitude of other machining applications.

With compact dimensions and unique safety features, the SCM Pratika 310MF can fit into a very small footprint. The machine has unique protection bumpers, which are mounted on the mobile upright. The inclusion of bumpers means that there is no need for floor safety mats, cages or lasers curtains.

The absence of the cable carrier means the machine can be loaded from three sides – including the rear.

This also means the machine takes up significantly less floorspace than a ‘typical’ nesting machine – making it suitable for every workshop.

Available in the standard sheet size of 2400 x 1200mm, the exclusive

46 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

SCM Aluminium multifunction worktable can easily be split into sub areas due to a simple patented magnetic system.

The table is also capable of holding an extensive choice of MPS and MODULSET suction cups, which allow you to hold solid timber components using your machine like a traditional ‘pod and rail’ machine.

The SCM Pratika 310MF also features a remote machine control unit with a 7” LCD display and touch screen capability.

The electrospindle is the heart of the machine and utilises HSK couplings. The HSK tool taper is preset to house machining head aggregates for applications such as horizontal drilling and routing, sawing and even angled boring, making

your work on the machine fully customisable.

The HSK tools can be housed in the automatic tool changer, which is based at the end of the machine.

The tool changer has eight spaces.

The drilling head is oversized and features independently driven spindles. The spindles can be equipped for all drilling you require for your production.

Combined with the new Xcab manufacturing software, the SCM nesting machines are a turnkey solution designed to give you the best return from day one.

AWISA 2014 sees the official release of the Pratika 2014 into the Australian market – with limited quantities available on prerelease.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Training

Training gets an upgrade for furnishing SMEs Gary Dunshea from Manufacturing Skills Australia provides an update on how recent changes in furnishing industry training aim to make skills development more relevant for SMEs. The development of workforce skills hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been easy for furnishing SMEs and many have struggled to get the results they need.

However, strategic skills development has never been more important and enterprises need to be informed about the options available.

Searching for technology driven productivity and innovation breakthroughs will be high on the agenda for many of those attending the AWISA exhibition, but even these will still depend on having the right skills in the right place. Today, it is more important than ever that SME manufacturers get the most out of their workforce, so they can effectively manage the intense competitive pressure they are under.

Changes in business focus have placed a greater demand on skills, not only in productivity improvement and the use of technology driven processes, but also in design, customer service, sales and marketing.

A particular priority for furnishing SMEs is in the development of supervision and business management skills as enterprises seek to improve their outcomes.

Developing the right skills has become increasingly www.suppliermagazine.com.au

difficult for highly specialised furnishing enterprises, as small numbers of trainees in thin market areas has rendered many training programs unviable for training providers. One of the biggest challenges for furnishing enterprises is finding a training provider that offers programs in the skill development areas they need. On top of this, some traditional programs have not evolved to meet the current skill needs of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern furnishing enterprises.

Manufacturing Skills Australia is the body responsible for maintaining national qualifications and training packages and consults widely with industry stakeholders to

determine how their skills development outcomes can be improved. It has now completed a major review and update of the Furnishing Training Package to lift its accessibility and relevance to industry.

New look training for furnishing enterprises The new MSF Furnishing Training Package features more flexible, rationalised qualifications and a suite of new skills sets and specialisations that target some of the thin market, specialist skill needs.

These aim to make training more attractive to training providers, while also providing learners with greater options to pursue specialist skills.

It also supports training for busy business operators looking to upskill in specific areas.

A new Certificate III in Timber and Composite Machining will provide specialisations in timber, flat panel and technician that will help any business using modern CAD programs or CNC machinery.

The Certificate III in Cabinetmaking provides specialisation streams in traditional cabinetry and kitchen and bathroom cabinetry manufacturing and installation.

Other improvements include incorporation of management skills, pathways into higher education and packaging of common skills across related furnishing industry sectors as well as the ability to tailor qualifications to meet enterprise needs.

The new Training Package will soon be available for delivery, with many options supported by government funding.

Furnishing enterprises interested in exploring training options can contact Gary at MSA on 02 9955 5500 or review the new Training Package on MSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: www.mskills.org. au .

SupplierJuly/Aug 2014 | 47

Timber & Veneer

What is it with walnut?

You only have to look at a history of Jaguar, Bentley or Rolls Royce interiors to know that black walnut has always been synonymous with luxury.

However, now walnut is taking hold in the homes of Australia and giving the ubiquitous oaks a run for their money.

Recent figures show that American walnut imports in to Australia nearly quadrupled in January to April 2014 versus the same period last year.

Rachel Feldhusen of wrightfeldhusen architects incorporated significant quantities of American black walnut in a recent residential project in East Fremantle, a nominee for the upcoming

2014 Australian Institute of Architects WA Architecture Awards.

“I’ve been using a lot lately due to its smokiness,” she said.

“It’s one of the few timbers that is rich in colour without being red. Its tone is great to work with and encourages a complementary palate – it works well with charcoals, whites and natural stone.”

Greg Natale, Belle Interior Designer of the Year agrees.

“I love American walnut. Its mid brown colour goes with everything, it never dates and it’s great in the Australian light.”

It’s not just the colour that appeals. David Norrie, esteemed furniture designer-

maker from Sydney’s Splinter Workshop said whilst certainly “the dark silky tones of American walnut help accentuate and add grace to good design”, it’s also a pleasure to work with.

“It machines, planes and sands with ease and permits a restrained, almost sublime oil finish,” he added.

Melbourne based architect and furniture designer Rosanna Ceravolo is similarly gushing: “It’s just a stunning timber. I love the velvety texture of it and the variation in colour. I could actually stare at a piece of walnut all day”.

“Walnut has always been the high end design choice

for furniture,” said Roderick Wiles from the American Hardwood Export Council, Oceania. “What is interesting, though, is how it is now being used more extensively in interiors, flooring and joinery in Australia for an understated luxe effect.”.

American walnut grows predominantly in the central United States and is one of the few American species that is planted as well as naturally regenerated. Like most American hardwood species, walnut is not only renewable but an expanding resource, despite only accounting for a little under one per cent of the entire US hardwood forest.

Grain bar takes top honours Winner of the category Best Use of Timber Veneers in the latest Australian Timber Design Awards is Sydney’s Grain bar, located on George Street.

The award is sponsored by the Timber Veneer Association of Australia (TVAA) and the judges were impressed by the high standard of entries. The Grain bar was selected from a group of five finalists, all of which feature wood veneers used in striking ways.

The design of Grain transcends the usual boundaries of interior design and takes it to a level where the interior is a work of art in itself. The team at Dreamtime Australia Design describe Grain as an “artisan” bar, by which they mean many of the interior fittings are hand48 | SupplierJuly/Aug 2014

made, commissioned works.

These include a floor to ceiling wall panel of New Guinea rosewood, which sits behind a custom-designed Tasmanian oak table. The oversized entry doors were hand-made and feature a patchwork of different Australian hardwoods.

Walls are clad in American cherry veneer, adding a subtle shade of red. One wall has a back-lit section of laser-cut perforations which allow the veneer to glow, bringing out its natural red colouring.

A stunning island fireplace is clad in vavona burl veneer (another name for the giant redwood, Sequoia sempervirens). The burl is actually sliced from the root of the redwood tree and is

therefore a very exclusive veneer, needing great care in handling. It has been book-matched to bring out its intricate pattern.

The artisan theme in the Grain Bar is carried through to the preparation of drinks where patrons are served by “mixologists” who craft unique infused alcohols and cocktails made in-house. The name itself – Grain – was selected to reflect the link between grains used in alcohol distillation (grain alcohol) and wood grain.

The interior of Grain borders on the theatrical, yet at the same time creates an elegant, warm and comfortable environment assisted by the imaginative use of wood veneers. www.suppliermagazine.com.au

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Events

AUGUST 2014 6-9 AWISA

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane www.awisa.com

Advertisers 3D Kitchen Design

9 & 51

Australian Dust Control

43

Biesse Group Australia

2&3

20-23 IWF 2014

International woodworking machinery & furniture supply fair

Atlanta, GA, USA www.iwfatlanta.com

Contact Exhibitions (AWISA)

Empower Software

37-40

22-24 Wood Tech India 2014

Woodworking machinery, timber, wooden doors & windows, flooring, power tools, fittings & accessories, parquetry, furniture & furnishing, fixtures, raw materials

Chennai, India www.woodtechindia.in/

Gabbett Machinery

SEPTEMBER 2014 2-5 Wood & Technology - Trä & Teknik 2014

International Wood Products and Technology Trade Fair Gothenburg, Sweden www.svenskamassan.se/en

Integrated Joinery Solutions

3-7

Lincoln Sentry

IFM 2014 International Famous Furniture Woodworking Machinery and Material Fair (IFM) (Autumn)

Houjie, DongGuan, China www.3fifm.com/IFM12 4-7

Internationale Holzmesse 2014 Forestry & sawmill industry, joinery, carpentry, wood processing and for the supplying industry & trade

Klagenfurt, Austria www.kaerntnermessen.at/messe/ 10-13 FMC + FMC premium China 2014

Furniture Manufacturing Premium (FMC Premium) for furniture raw materials & components suppliers worldwide.

Concurrent with FMC the trade show for furniture-related woodworking technology

Shanghai, China www.fmcchina.com.cn/en-us/fmp

Finlease Pty Ltd

Hafele Australia

33

Grass Australia/NZ

19

21

11

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ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph:Â + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.suppliermagazine.com.au www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade Email: vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Curtis Email:jennifer.curtis@elitepublishing.com.au

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Hettich Australia

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Philip Ashley

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NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

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Kitchen King (Hideaway Bins)

12

Kockums Bulk Systems

31

13

Michael Weinig Aust Millsom Hoists Nover & Co

26 & 27

7 Front Cover

TECHNICAL WRITER philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au Ashley Cooper CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: production@elitepublishing.com.au PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Press Pty Ltd OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES

Pytha Partners Australia

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Representative Agent for Taiwan,

SIgn Essentials (Impact CNC)

23

Worldwide Services Co Ltd,11F-B, No. 540 Wen Hsin

Solu

14

Tel: +886 4 2325 1784

China and Hong Kong, Robert Yu, Road, Section 1,Taichung, 408, Taiwan Fax: +886 4 2325 2967 Email: sales@wwstaiwan.com ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Supplier Magazine, FB Magazine, Flooring Magazine,

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16-18 The Led Show 2014

Conference & expo focused the LED industry

Los Angeles, CA, USA www.theledshow.com/index.html

Member of the International Woodworking and Furniture Supplier Magazine Association

17-19 Fenestration 2014

Windows, doors, skylights and curtain wall technology, components and prefabricated units

Canberra, Australia www.awa.org.au/conferenceinformation/home

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.

18-20 Windows & Doors Warsaw 2014

Windows and doors technology

Warsaw, Poland http://warsawbuild.pl/main/ ***For more information on the fairs or to confirm dates, check the individual 50 |please SupplierJuly/Aug 2014websites.

www.suppliermagazine.com.au

Win a free

3D Kitchen SOFTWARE package With EVERY ISSUE of Supplier magazine!!

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

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4. The offer does not include future software updates 5. Email applications to… vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au … subject “Free Software 2014” … supply full business name and contact details

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AWISA 2014 EXPERIENCE THE FUTURE OF FURNITURE TODAY.

Join us at Stand 3301 for an exclusive interactive presentation. Experience Hafele’s latest hardware technology in it’s purest form.

Our stand will showcase the very latest in Häfele engineered products, such as the Slido sliding and folding fittings, Loox LED lighting technology, plus new products from our European partners Grass, Kesseböhmer and Salice.

If you design, plan or construct furniture, it will be the best stand you’ll visit this year. We guarantee it.

For more information visit www.hafele.com.au info@hafele.com.au

www.hafele.com.au

1300 659 728