Executive Profile

Executive Profile Steve Griffiths, CAFS General Manager and Owner of Independent Filter Service

In a prior life, Steve worked and studied in the behavioural science field in Sweden and Australia, which occasionally comes in handy running a business with over 20 staff and hundreds of customers. Outside of managing the company, he is Vice President of the local junior Australian Rules Football club. Steve is married to Michelle and they have 3 sons, 15, 13 & 11.

“...our customers have been impressed that we are members [of NAFA] and can readily provide industry backed knowledge and guidelines. ”

How did you get your start in the filter industry?

As a 10 year old I used to wash out panel and pad filters for pocket money in the backyard of our house in suburban Melbourne. In later years, I would occasionally work part-time as a filter serviceman when I was a university student. Back then I didn’t seriously consider or appreciate the opportunities the filter industry had to offer. I traveled to Europe as a backpacker in my 20’s and ended up living in Sweden for 6 years. After returning to Australia in 1995, I helped set up the company’s first computers in the office and started working full time in the filter industry in 1998.

How do you motivate your employees?

Our employees are motivated by taking ownership of their regular sites and liaising directly with the facility manager and specific customers. We provide financial incentives and peer recognition for successful upgrades and going above & beyond the normal installation. We also empower service staff to put together quotations and equipment schedules after site audits.

On a bi-monthly basis we hold a company staff lunch on a Friday which usually involves the popular choice of pizza with a few beers. Our regular bi-monthly lunch helps build excellent camaraderie between all our employees.

Did you have a business mentor and if so, who is/was it?

Originally it was my father Dale, and to this day I still discuss ideas about the business with him. He is a fit 83 year old that still enjoys coming to work once or twice a week.

In more recent years I also seek opinions and ideas from fellow managers in our company and friends who own businesses in other fields. Listening and learning from what other industries have done to improve productivity has been very beneficial.

What’s the best piece of business advice anyone ever gave you?

I have been given 2 pieces of advice that have helped me: • Get to know your customers personally to learn what each one values. • Try to work with people you like and trust, because most weeks you will spend more time with them than your own family.

What is the most challenging aspect in the running your company?

In Australia one of the most challenging aspects is the lack of regulation in the air filtration industry that has allowed cheap generic “no brand” filters manufactured in Asia to flood the local market. This has driven down prices and lowered the importance of performance and quality.

Do you have any words of wisdom for up and coming filter professionals?

Keep learning, NAFA is one of the great sources for that.

How has your company benefited from NAFA membership?

NAFA has provided a major part of our staff training and reference base.

Even though NAFA is not widely recognised in Australia yet, our customers have been impressed that we are members and can readily provide industry backed knowledge and guidelines.

Obtaining several Clean Air Awards has also improved our profile and proved to be a very good marketing tool.

The people I met at my first NAFA meeting in 2009 are considered friends today. Some have become customers, but many others have helped me network and grow my business in ways that I couldn’t do myself. Our company is grateful for the opportunities provided by NAFA membership. ■

Independent Filter Service, based in Melbourne Australia, is a second-generation family owned business that has just celebrated its 44th year.

We manufacture, supply and install air conditioning filters for commercial and industrial applications. Our quality Australian made filters are manufactured in our factory using Australian produced materials. We also import quality American made high efficiency filters.

Our filters can be found in many different types of building such as Health Care Facilities, Commercial Office Towers, Retail Facilities, Universities, Quarantine Facilities, Melbourne Airport, as well as stadiums like the MCG and Rod Laver Arena.

We have over 20 long term employees that take pride in providing prompt and specialised service delivery for many air conditioning mechanical contractors who rely on our filter products and services.

Captured Air Kitchen Exhaust Filter

Features

Low Pressure Drop Comparable to other Kitchen Exhaust Filters

Use in Existing Air Handlers or New Systems

Available in a Variety of Sizes:

20” x 24” x 4” 16” x 20” x 4”

Filled with XB-17 for Removing Odors Such As:  Oils & Greases  Cooked Herbs & Species  Burned Food  Smoke  Fried Food  Odorous Fumes

The Captured Air Kitchen Filter is designed for removing odors from kitchens. This filter removes smoke, grease, and other odors commonly found in commercial kitchens.

Inside the filter is Hydrosil’s odor control media also known as XB-17. XB-17 contains active potassium permanganate and activated carbon for effective removal of odors. For unique applications, a custom blend may also be used. A gasket may be installed surrounding the frame of the filter to ensure a tight seal against the air handling unit. This filter can be installed indoors or outdoors air handling units. By arranging the filters in a v-bank configuration, as shown to the left, you will increase filter area and reduce static pressure.

Call us for solutions to your gas phase pollutants

Please contact Hydrosil International Ltd. or your local distributor