Message from the Chief Executive

MESSAGE FROM THE ASI CHIEF EXECUTIVE

INNOVATION IN FABRICATION

Our feature in this edition of steel Australia magazine is 'Innovation in Fabrication'. In recent years, Australia’s imports of selected steel fabricated products have been historically high compared to a decade earlier. Recognising the competitive pressures that the international procurement environment has brought to Australia’s doorstep, the industry has responded through innovation and investing in improved capability and mechanisms.

Innovation in construction of steelwork structures is endemic, driven by continual striving for cost-effective, timeefficient and risk-minimised solutions in a nationally and internationally competitive market. Every steel structure is ultimately a bespoke design, responding to external environmental influences and complex user requirements. The power of bespoke design is evident in the Sydney Football Stadium (page 36), and the work undertaken by ASI members DBM Vircon and S&L Steel to bring this steel structure to life.

Australian fabricators are also innovating in different ways, diversifying their business into new sectors. For instance, NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation has branched out into additive manufacturing of medical devices (page 34), and ArmorGalv has developed a thermal diffusion galvanizing technology (page 41). Others still‚ like Icon Metal (page 44), have invested in innovative approaches to company culture to shore up future success.

AUSTRALIAN STEEL CONVENTION

I'm pleased to announce that the Australian Steel Convention will be held from 9 to 12 October 2022 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

The program is shaping up to be exciting. Just some of the confirmed speakers include Donna Looney (Acting Head of Division to Industry Growth, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science), Professor Veena Sahajwalla (Director of Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, University of New South Wales). We've also lined up a special presentation from Future Crunch Founders, Dr Angus Hervey and Tane Hunter, as well as case studies on Lachlan's Line Bridge and Sky Walk. Plus, we have secured the Museum of Contemporary Arts as the venue for the cocktail party on the opening night, as well as entertainment by Diesel at the Convention dinner.

If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to register for the Conference via our website: steel.org.au.

2022 STEEL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The ASI Steel Excellence Awards will be held this year. The 2022 Awards will adopt the very successful format that was introduced in 2020. This saw statebased award presentations take place online. With a huge digital reach, finalists and winners will also be celebrated via video presentations, as well as the ASI website and social media channels.

All state-based finalists and winners will then be invited to attend the 2022 Australian Steel Excellence National Awards Gala, which will be held in Sydney later in the year.

This year’s award categories include: • Buildings (Large Projects) • Buildings (Small Projects) • Steel-Clad Structures • Engineering Projects • Young Designer, Detailer or

Tradesperson

Mark Cain Chief Executive Australian Steel Institute

We are also introducing a new category this year: Cold Formed Precision Buildings in recognition of the enormous expansion in that space.

I encourage all ASI members to start shortlisting projects for entry, and to encourage your customers and clients to enter their projects. Further details around the submission process and deadlines will be made available as soon as possible.

ASI's CHAIR

I'd like to welcome Tony Schreiber (General Manager, Orrcon Steel) as the new Chair of the ASI Board of Directors.

Tony has extensive experience in the industrial and FMCG industries across areas such as manufacturing, distribution, product development and innovation. Having worked in Australia, the United States, and across Asia, Tony has held management positions with Smorgon Steel Tube Mills, LiteSteel Technologies and BlueScope. He joined Orrcon Steel as their General Manager over six years ago.

Tony has been a valued member of the ASI Board since 2017, and was appointed as the Vice Chair in 2021. I look forward to working with Tony in the coming months.

I'd also like to acknowledge our outgoing Chair, Bernie Landy. Bernie has been a Director of the ASI since 2017, and Chair

since 2018. Prior to his posting in China, Bernie was also a valued member of ASI's Board. Bernie recently retired from his role as General Manager Australian Steel Markets at BlueScope Steel.

I'd like to thank Bernie for his dedication, sage advice, and service over the last five years, and beyond. With a career in the steel industry that spanned over 30 years, Bernie's contribution to the ASI, and broader Australian steel industry, has been invaluable.

I wish Bernie all the very best in the next phase of his non executive career.

UPDATES TO THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CODE (NCC)

The National Construction Code (NCC) is updated every three years, based on industry research, public feedback and policy directions provided by governments to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) between publishing cycles. The revised 2022 version of the NCC is nearing completion. It is expected that it will be published in mid 2022 and come into effect from 1 September 2022.

Updated content is included in the public comment draft (PCD). The ABCB is undertaking consultation, and seeking feedback, on the suggested amendments and inclusions. Some of the more significant amendments proposed in the final stage of the PDC include: • A stringency increase in the

thermal performance of homes from the current level, equivalent to 6-stars NatHERS, to the equivalent of 7 stars • Introducing whole-of-home annual energy use requirements (noting differences between

Class 1 and 2 buildings) • A new set of Deemed-to-Satisfy elemental provisions for Class 2 buildings • New provisions designed to allow easy retrofit of on-site renewables and electric vehicle charging equipment for Class 2 to 9 buildings, and • Enhanced condensation management provisions, including additional ventilation and wall vapour permeability requirements.

Over the last 18 months, the ASI has made many submissions to the various NCC working groups in order to provide feedback and recommendations on draft regulation on behalf of our members that service building products markets. We are very appreciative of the considerable time and resources that members have committed to constructively engaging with the NCC review process.

NEW ASI WEBSITE

The ASI is dedicated to equipping the Australian steel industry with the tools needed to navigate a changing landscape, and compete and win business. We want all our members to be prepared to maximise the opportunities presented by the dynamic—and at times volatile— global industry in which they operate. As such, the ASI recently designed, developed and launched a new website.

One of the main objectives for the new website was to personalise the experience that ASI members (and registered guests) have when interacting with the ASI.

Members have access to their own personal user area, complete with records of all their transactions with ASI, whether these are purchases, events attended, or electronic publications access. Offering improved functionality and streamlined usability for members, the website will enable us to better tailor our services to member needs.

The look and feel of the website is vastly upgraded, modern and uncluttered. Once logged in to the members’ only area, the user dashboard provides a raft of additional features. There are also useful features for ASI member companies, such as the ability to update your Industry Directory records or manage your company contacts. Be sure to visit the new site soon: steel.org.au