focusinterview.
Tony Palin
Tony Palin is best known locally as the owner of Carbrasive, which for 30 years manufactured and exported a range of special purpose abrasive products.
arbrasive was sold in 2008 to Elgi Rubber, an Indian based company. Tony and his wife Paula relocated to India for a period to set up the manufacturing plant, before returning home to Coffs Harbour.
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tradie. Eli Bailey Electrical Installer- Reg Latter ow long have you been a part of the team at Reg Latter, and what is your role? I have been working for Reg Latter Electrical for the past two and a half years.
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In 2010 Tony and his golfing mate Wayne Scott purchased the local business Sawtell Glass and Aluminium and rebranded the business:- ‘SGA Architectural Window Solutions’. Wayne and Tony over the last 3 years have developed the brand SGA and set up a modern and technologically advanced manufacturing plant and showroom located at; Unit 4/24 Isles Drive, Coffs Harbour. SGA’s management team is Wayne Scott, who for over 30 years has been the sales face of SGA and heads sales and marketing, Tony Palin leads the highly skilled production team and Tony’s wife, Paula Palin is the office and accounts manager. The management team believe the future for ‘SGA Architectural Window Solutions’ is optimistic, with leading building firms and developers offering the new partnership their full support. SGA has a genuine desire to be the foremost manufacturer of architectural windows, doors and commercial products in the
My role in the company includes a wide variety of electrical installation, fault finding and repairs, as well as quoting, project planning, grid connect solar design and installation, and Level 2 Service Provider work. How many people are employed locally by Reg Latter? We all see the vans; how many are there exactly? We currently have a team of 28, including three administration staff and have four utes, 12 vans, one bucket truck, one four wheel drive line truck and one 15 tonne crane truck. What initially drew you to this type of career? As a kid I always had an interest in computers, electronics and fixing things. I thought doing an Electrical Apprenticeship would be a practical way to turn my interests into a career. One of the best things about our trade is that there is always something new to learn. What do you like best about your job at Reg Latter Electrical? The variety. Each day I work in new locations with different technology and meet people from all walks of life. My job is never boring. I have also been given many opportunities to advance my skills and qualifications through training courses provided by the company. Can you share any DIY husband horror stories? I have seen plenty of DIY electrical work and have heard quite a few horror stories. Luckily I have never personally seen any major damage or serious injuries caused by DIY work. Electricity is definitely not something to play with, particularly if you are unsure of what you’re doing. As an apprentice we are taught how to work safely with electricity. Reg constantly re-enforces to us that the safety of ourselves and our customers is always the number one priority. Reg Latter 30 Isles Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 (02) 6651 8566 66 coffs coast focus.
Coffs Coast region. SGA welcomes anyone building a new home or renovating their existing home to visit the modern showroom and view the extensive range of ‘VANTAGE’ products on display. SGA have developed a bullet point list called the ‘SGA Advantages’, highlighting why their customers should consider SGA for every building project, large or small. SGA now offer the highest bush fire rating windows and doors available to the local market and as demonstrated recently in the Blue Mountains, these high rating windows can mean the difference between life and death. SGA pledge to their clients that they will always offer ‘a quality product at a fair price’. Tony and Wayne take pride in the knowledge that every SGA client receives products which are of the highest standards, as all manufacturing processes are audited annually by the Australian Window Association to ensure they comply with relevant Australian Standards. Unit 4, 24 Isles Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone. (02) 6658 0000 Email. sales@sgaaws.com.au
G.J. GARDNER. H O M E S
GJ Gardener
The property market’s upswing is gaining momentum, with a surge in auction activity and signs of a quickening in price growth, according to Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan.
istorically low interest rates and benign economic conditions are also helping. The ANZ Bank agrees, according to their most recent Australian Housing Chartbook the extended period of weak housing sales is being replaced by a surging sales market.
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Rick and Susan Fischer, the new owners of GJ Gardner Homes Coffs Coast, welcomed the news of this positive upturn in the market. This couple are passionate about their new home construction business, using an expert team to build the highest quality homes. Rick explains that they want to give their clients a great building experience with the outcome being a home the client will love which also will be a sound investment for their future. He believes that what makes their business different is their absolute focus on being ‘local’; they have a local team of designers, new home consultants, local trades people and suppliers. Why does this matter? Local builders know the coast’s soil, the
best times for building, what climate and environmental issues to consider and how to find the optimum housing position on a block of land which takes into consideration the Coffs climate. Soon Rick and Susan will open their new office, a New Home Design Centre, which will allow them to showcase the 24 new house designs added to the G. J. Gardner Homes range for 2014. These architecturally designed homes are modern, spacious and have been created to be cost and space effective from the front door to the back door. Celebrate the vibrancy of family life, enjoy all the comfort great design brings – with so many new designs to choose from there is one perfectly tailored for your family’s lifestyle. G.J. Gardner Homes Phone. 02 6653 6335 3 Green Bluff Rd, North Sapphire, NSW 2450 Email. coffsharbour@gjgardner.com.au