building bigger and better - timber trader news | news and ...€¦ · no. 360 // july 2016 page 20...

NO. 360 // JULY 2016

PAGE 20

FRAME 2016 A HUGE SUCCESS AGAIN

PAGE 38

IN CASE OF FIRE: TIMBER vs. STEEL

PAGE 26

LICENSING AND QUALIFICATIONS

Building biggerand better– 4

TTN_360_July_2016_Cover.indd 1 17/06/2016 4:09 PM

MADE IN GERMANY

HIGH QUALITY

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdPH: (613) 9540 0130FX: (613) 9543 3766

Contact us today to discover how Hundegger can save you money whilst increasing throughput with the most efficient and versatile machine on the market!

EM: [email protected]: www.hundegger.com.au

Innovation in timber engineering

POWERED BY

Is your production powered by Hundegger?

SC-3 LINEAR SAW

Hundegger_TTN30th_FP_2015.indd 1 23/09/2015 3:59 pmTTN_357_April_2016_Cover.indd 2 1/04/2016 4:24 PMTTN358_03_Talkin timber.indd 2 2/05/2016 10:14 AMTTN360_03_Talkin timber.indd 2 17/06/2016 2:06 PM

www.timbertradernews.com TIMBER TRADER NEWS / JULY 2016 3

PUBLISHING DATAPublisher: Ian Brooks(02) 9126 [email protected]

Editor: Alison Turner(02) 9126 [email protected]

Advertising: Julie McConachy0409 381 [email protected]

Subscription ManagerJulie Hughes (02) 9439 [email protected]

Art Director: Julitta Overdijk

Paragon Media Pty LimitedABN: 49 097 087 860Suit 14, Level 2/174 Willoughby RoadCrows Nest NSW 2065PO Box 81, St Leonards, NSW 1590, AustraliaTel: 02 9439 1955 / Fax: 02 9439 1977 Email: [email protected]

Circulation: proprietors, managers andexecutives in all sectors of the timberand building materials industriesincluding merchants, building materialcentres, hardware stores, timber windowand door manufacturers, truss andframe manufacturers, timber flooringretailers, stair, balustrade and solidtimber furniture manufacturers andtheir associated suppliers and industryassociations throughout Australia.

Established October 1985ISSN 1035/4298Print Post Approved: 100002694

Published 12 times per year by:Email: [email protected]: www.timbertradernews.com

Subscriptions for 12 editions:Australia: $99 (+GST)New Zealand: NZ$109 (+NZGST)Overseas Airmail: AU$250

PERSONNEL

Sales Director:Julie McConachyPhone: 0409 381 [email protected]

PUBLISHERIan BrooksPhone: 02 9126 [email protected]

To paraphrase the Prime Minister, “there has never been a more exciting time to be

an Australian” timber engineer. In the past 30+ years that my business, Timberbuilt has been engaged with designing and prefabricating commercial scale timber structures, there has never been a time when there has been such a confluence of factors as positive for the use of structural timber systems in place of steel and concrete as there is now.

Increasing community awareness of the environmental advantages of timber is being reflected by widespread interest in timber structural systems by architects and developers. Recent changes in the BCA facilitating the use of timber systems for structures up to 25m in height provides even more opportunity. At the same time, builders are showing interest in exploring the potential of timber as a means to improve productivity in construction. While these factors provide considerable opportunities for the truss and frame sector, I’d like to focus on “mass” or “heavy section” timber systems.

The availability of CLT – a fully prefabricated system supplied ready for installation – has caught the interest of builders. Lendlease and Strongbuild are making significant investments for prefab manufacture. Xlam’s announcement of a CLT manufacturing facility is more evidence that this opportunity will not be a “false dawn”.

It’s also likely that with the evolving interest in timber there will be extended opportunity for not-so-new materials such as LVL and glulam to provide large section beams and columns both in conjunction with CLT and for stand-alone beam and columns. Opportunities are likely to emerge for development of new LVL derivative products for floors. If this market development does catch on, there is likely to be the opportunity for industrialisation of glulam manufacture in Australia to give the economies of scale evident in Europe and North America.

While the expansion of opportunity for timber for multi-level buildings has captured much attention, innovation in rigid frame jointing options that benefit the efficiency of installation of portal frames also provide further opportunity for the use of LVL and glulam for construction for low rise warehouse and factory buildings. These types of buildings remain of great

With Bruce Hutchings, Director, Timberbuilt Solutions

Monthly updates from top industry identities

TALKIN’ TIMBER

Abbey Timber ................................................... 27AKD Softwoods Pty Ltd ................................... 17Australian Sustainable Hardwoods Pty Ltd ........ 6Bliss & Reels Pty Ltd ....................................... 33Hundegger Australasia....................................... 2Hurford Wholesale ............................................ 9

Hyne Timber .................................................... 19LP Building products ........................................ 23McCormack Hardwood Sales ...................... 5, 32 MiTek Australia Ltd ................................ 30, OBCMultinail Australia Pty Ltd ................................ 35Outdoor Timber Treatment ............................... 22

Simmonds Lumber .......................................... 29 Vekta Automation .......................................... IBC Vida Wood ........................................................ 37 Wrights Forest Products .................................. 25

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX – JULY 2016

interest to Timberbuilt and hopefully some entities building new manufacturing facilities will see fit to construct their buildings in timber!

Underpinning the commercial application of the new timber technologies is the use of 3D software modelling and CAD/CAM manufacture of components to high levels of precision ready for site assembly. Comprehensive prefabricated timber systems, detailed and manufactured to match as-built intersections with other structural elements and with BIM interoperability used for design of services layout, façade installations, etc, offers the potential for substantial construction efficiency, productivity and safety dividends. I say potential, because these technologies do not in themselves guarantee the desired outcome; persons using such software need to relate the virtual model to the real world to be effective.

There will be challenges for both the construction and the timber industries. The current “design, bid and build” process for the construction industry does not accommodate the current situation where the in-depth knowledge of timber engineering design, the technical and commercial understandings of materials and prefabrication capabilities is more likely to reside with prefabricators than consultant designers. At this stage of market development, the benefits of an early alignment with a prefabricator having the requisite technical knowledge will far outweigh any compromise of the underlying principles of the design, bid, build process. A further issue for the construction industry to obtain maximum benefit from 3D and BIM capability is the willingness to allow for time and cost of the planning process at the heart of pre-fabrication. A “we’ll work it out on-site” approach can be expensive and wasteful by comparison.

The availability of competent, tech-based prefabrication will be a key factor for market development and I expect Timberbuilt will have an increasing number of competitors in the not-too-distant future. We’ll just have to rely upon continuation of the standards for technical competency and quality we’ve demonstrated over many years and the capabilities we’ve developed for the use of 3D software and CAD/CAM manufacture to stay ahead of the pack.

MADE IN GERMANY

HIGH QUALITY

Hundegger Australasia Pty LtdPH: (613) 9540 0130FX: (613) 9543 3766

Contact us today to discover how Hundegger can save you money whilst increasing throughput with the most efficient and versatile machine on the market!

EM: [email protected]: www.hundegger.com.au

Innovation in timber engineering

POWERED BY

Is your production powered by Hundegger?

SC-3 LINEAR SAW

Hundegger_TTN30th_FP_2015.indd 1 23/09/2015 3:59 pmTTN_357_April_2016_Cover.indd 2 1/04/2016 4:24 PMTTN358_03_Talkin timber.indd 2 2/05/2016 10:14 AM TTN360_03_Talkin timber.indd 3 17/06/2016 3:49 PM

4 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / JULY 2016 www.timbertradernews.com

DisclaimerUnless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing editorial material to Paragon Media, including text and images you are providing permission for that material to be subsequently used by Paragon Media, whole or in part, edited or unchanged, alone or in combination with other material in any publication or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether produced by Paragon Media and its agents and associates or another party to whom Paragon Media has provided permission.

Visit our website

7

26

20

Average Net Distribution: 1,599Period ending September 2015

ON THE COVER: Australand Floor cassette at Parkville 5 storey apartment site.

Source: Audited Media Association of Australia; CAB Total Distribution Audit. For further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TimberTraderNews

E-newsletter subscribers: 1084

CONTENTSRegularsTalkin’ Timber 3State of the industry 5

NewsNews update 7

Association updateAssociation news 12

Company profileAbbey Timber 13

Cover featureState of the art 14

Watt about the workplaceManaging a disciplinary meeting 18

Industry events 20

5 minutes withGary Walker, Belmont Timber 24

TimberFloor NewsContract warranties 26

Brice on boardsLicensing and qualifications 28

AutoBuild NewsSunbury Trusses – Village life 30 SAPPHIRE™ Structure tees off 32

FTMA newsletterWith Kersten Gentle 34

GN guidelinesRansomware: what is it? 36

Truss talk With Paul Davis 38

PH

OTO

(M

IDD

LE):

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HE

E.E

U/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!TimberTrader News is the industry’s top resource, including sector news, profiles on industry personalities and in-depth features.12 month subscription is only $99. www.timbertradernews.com/subscribe

AUSTRALIA’S MOST RELEVANT AND WELL-LOVED TIMBER INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

TTN360_02_Contents.indd 4 20/06/2016 1:12 PM


State of the Industry June 2016Results from the June survey show a decrease in budget performance in comparison to last month’s survey

45% ExceededJUNE : 0% Made 18% Just missed 36% Missed badly

MAR JUNEMAY APRJUNE MAYJULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2015 JAN 2016 FEB

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

HARDWOODThe Proven Performer

INTRODUCING THE NEW“H3” IRONASH TREATED F17 KD HARDWOOD&“H2” IRONASH TREATED F17 KD HARDWOOD

ALL NOW IN STOCK!DISTRIBUTORS OF:Supa17/F17KD Hardwood & Supalam F17 KD Hardwood

ALSO:Tas Oak & Vic Ash Flooring, Archs, Square Dressed Boards, Door Jamb Sets, Lining, Cladding and Decking.

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE

43-45 Overseas DriveNoble Park VIC 3174Phone: (03) 9701 2777 Fax: (03) 9701 2677

Phil McCormack : 0438 255 118 Nick Arfaras : 0438 255 115 Glenn Lawrenson : 0438 255 116 Matt Leplaa : 0403 724 184

“It does seem a little quieter the

last couple of months.” – small QLD

wholesaler/supplier/machinery/services

KEY FINDINGSPerformance against budget• 45% made or exceeded budget

(29% lower compared to May) – consisting of medium businesses (60%) and small businesses (40%).

• 55% either missed budget or missed budget badly (29% higher compared to May) – consisting of small businesses (67%) and medium businesses (33%).

Staff hires• 18% employed more staff (22%

increase compared to May). Of the companies who employed more staff, all exceeded budget.

• 73% reported no changes (13% increase compared to May).

• 9% reduced staff (9% increase compared to May). Of the companies who reduced staff, all missed budget badly.

METROPOLITAN vs. REGIONALThe majority of survey respondents for June were located in Queensland (50%) and New South Wales (30%) with respondents also from, South Australia and Victoria.

82% of respondents were from a metropolitan area with 44% who made or exceeded budget (36% decrease compared to May), while 18% of

respondents were from a regional area and had 50% who missed budget (14% increase compared to May).

Profile of survey participants this monthThe participants for June’s survey included frame and truss fabricators (36%), followed by merchants (27%) and wholesalers/suppliers/machinery/services (18%).

PARTICIPANT COMMENTS“Lack of work available caused a decrease in performance.” – From a collection of small metropolitan timber retailers.

“Business showing signs of picking up but still a way to go as yet in our opinion.” – Small metropolitan wholesaler/supplier/machinery/service.

This survey is a guide only as to the ‘state of our industry’.

Sample size for June: 11

TTN360_02_Contents.indd 5 20/06/2016 2:48 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

IRON ASH 1 page print.pdf 1 15/02/2016 9:49 AM

TTN_March_2016.indd 4 8/03/2016 11:48 AMTTN357_05-06_Association news.indd 4 1/04/2016 4:25 PMTTN358_07-09_Association news.indd 6 29/04/2016 3:13 PMTTN359_07-09_Association news.indd 6 20/05/2016 11:41 AMTTN360_10-13_news in brief.indd 6 17/06/2016 2:08 PM


Master Builders 2016 Election Campaign

Master Builders Australia, the voice of the $200 billion building and

construction industry, is calling for parties to commit to policies to drive a stronger building industry, stronger economy and stronger communities.

On June 9, Master Builders launched a national advertising campaign calling on the major parties to commit to bringing back the Australian Building and Construction Commission and keeping negative gearing.

The advertising campaign supports Master Builders’ Strong Building, Strong Economy Campaign, which lays out Master Builders key priorities for the next Federal Government.For more information go to strongbuilding.com.au

A new hub

The TADC has changed its name. After a long process of evaluation

and consultation the Timber Advice and Display Centre has changed its name to the Timber Hub.

This is an exciting change to the centre and captures the essence of what the centre has been doing over the 40 years of providing information to broader industry.

“It’s high time that the centre take on a new persona” says Eric Siegers, CEO of the centre. “We do such a great job of connecting with customers; we want to make it easier for them to remember our name. The Timber Hub is much more relatable and memorable.”

This change is one of many going on with the centre, from the way displays are undertaken to developing information that the industry can use. The centre will be much more about connecting customers to suppliers, and building relationships that build the overall proposition for the timber industry.

Forest and wood products industry strong as ever

NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET? BIG NEWS? DON’T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

If you are launching a product or your business has an industry announcement, send it through to [email protected] for the chance to be featured here.

The peak body for the forest and wood products industry in Victoria, the Victorian

Association of Forest Industries (VAFI), has welcomed the news from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences that shows the Australian forestry sector had grown strongly overall in 2014-15.

Tim Johnston, CEO of VAFI, says the Australian forest and wood products statistics: September and December quarters 2015 report shows that demand for timber continues to be strong, and highlights the competitiveness of the sector in both domestic and international markets.

“These figures are extremely positive for the forest and wood products industry, both Australia-wide and also locally for Victoria,” he says.

“We continue to see an increase in the value of the logs harvested in the state, particularly across the hardwood and softwood plantation sector, and with strong domestic demand we can hope to see this continue.”

The forest and wood products industry is an important economic contributor in Victoria, generating more than $6 billion of sales and service income annually, and provides opportunities for encouraging

growth, population diversity and maintaining a sustainable local industry. Much of the income generated by the industry remains in local communities, particularly so in regional areas.

The industry also creates and supports a large number of jobs, directly employing around 21,000 people across Victoria and indirectly supporting another 40,000 to 50,000 jobs through flow-on economic activity.

“Timber is renewable, recyclable and an excellent substitute for more carbon-intensive materials, offering us a positive and sustainable future,” Johnston says. “It is encouraging to see the industry continue to be strong and I look forward to seeing more growth in the future,” For a copy of the report visit agriculture.gov.au/abares/publications

NEWS UPDATEP

HO

TO:

PJH

PIX

/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

“We continue to see an increase in the value of the logs harvested in the state.”

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

IRON ASH 1 page print.pdf 1 15/02/2016 9:49 AM

TTN_March_2016.indd 4 8/03/2016 11:48 AMTTN357_05-06_Association news.indd 4 1/04/2016 4:25 PMTTN358_07-09_Association news.indd 6 29/04/2016 3:13 PMTTN359_07-09_Association news.indd 6 20/05/2016 11:41 AM

INDUSTRY NEWS

TTN360_10-13_news in brief.indd 7 17/06/2016 2:09 PM


Beating the jungle drum

Jungle Jive: Sustaining the jungles of Southeast Asia takes a constructive

look at jungle conservation, arguing that implementing economic measures that value jungle trees is the way to sustain them and their biological values. The central thesis of the book is the need to inject a dose of economic realism into a subject that has been long on superlatives and emotion, but short on commercial reality. It advocates that making trees too valuable to destroy is a critical piece of the jungle survival puzzle.

The book advances an argument for developing economic incentives to retain healthy, functioning, viable jungle eco-systems across Southeast Asia. Such a prescription will help to create a set of circumstances where tropical jungles

are seen as economic assets, not liabilities, and where governments, corporations and local communities have a vested interest in keeping trees standing.

Jungle Jive: Sustaining the jungles of Southeast Asia is author John Halkett’s fifth tree-related book. John runs a forest consultancy business in Sydney, and has expertise in temperate and tropical forest management and forest-based industries. He has also worked in the United States, Canada, Papua New Guinea, across Southeast Asia, Myanmar, China and Africa. In addition to his books he has written numerous scientific papers and writes for trade publications.Copies can be ordered from the publisher’s website at connorcourt.com

“The refined interior pallet is soft and warm, which helps to create a tranquil learning environment.”

Winner of the Renovations/Modernisations award in the

2016 Learning Environments Australasia Awards, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School’s design was described by the jury as “a triumph of understated simplicity, informed by both theory and practice”.

BVN worked closely with the school principal and directors of Sydney Catholic Schools to understand the physical requirements of this new school being developed around a theory of student-centred learning.

The result according to the Award jury is “an elegant and playful reimagining of school on many levels that started with the re-purposing of a commercial services building into a place of learning that honours diverse ways of coming to know.”

This is Stage 1 of the new primary school that is reusing an unattractive 1970 three-storey former Telstra training centre in North Strathfield – which presented many challenges to turn it into an inspirational educational space.

The jury found that: “The refined interior pallet is soft and warm, incorporating natural materials, tones and textures, which help to create a tranquil learning environment that will age gracefully with use.”

As well as the design being “insightful” the jury noted: “The understated element of surprise, present in the joinery, is an example of how to provide learners with opportunities for exercising autonomy

School wins with strong designwithout adding operational complexity to the day-to-day practice of teaching and learning.”

The existing concrete structure is partially exposed and a central spine defined by elevating it one step up creates a bridge connecting the length of the space. This in turn provides various learning spaces such as the floor that is a collection of wooden boxes that children can remove and use as seats while turning the pit into a reading or play space.

“The heart of this project is a clearly articulated theory of student-centred learning, sensitively translated and imbued throughout with a strong design ethic,” concluded the jury.

NEWS UPDATE

Imported & specialty timbers

Hardwood flooring

Decking & cladding

Australian cypress

Unseasoned structural hardwood

F27 KD structural hardwood

Plywood & panel products

Engineered flooring

Wall lining

PLUS a whole lot more

www.hurfordwholesale.com.au

QLD (07) 3442 6300NSW (02) 4646 1406SA & NT (08) 8376 6694VIC WA & TAS (03) 8794 3300

Timber Trader Full Page Ad.indd 1 18/04/2016 10:57 AMTTN360_10-13_news in brief.indd 8 17/06/2016 2:09 PM

Imported & specialty timbers

Hardwood flooring

Decking & cladding

Australian cypress

Unseasoned structural hardwood

F27 KD structural hardwood

Plywood & panel products

Engineered flooring

Wall lining

PLUS a whole lot more

www.hurfordwholesale.com.au

QLD (07) 3442 6300NSW (02) 4646 1406SA & NT (08) 8376 6694VIC WA & TAS (03) 8794 3300

Timber Trader Full Page Ad.indd 1 18/04/2016 10:57 AMTTN360_10-13_news in brief.indd 9 17/06/2016 2:09 PM


The facts are now beyond doubt. Timber doesn’t just compete with traditional

concrete in mid-rise construction – it wins!“Timber should be a default option in every

feasibility study,” said Richard Smith of MBM international construction cost consultants in his presentation at Frame 2016.

He presented the outcome of a detailed

analysis for cost comparisons in an eight storey lightweight timber framed apartment building compared to a traditional concrete frame structure confirmed this result.

Richard added, “The unarguable fact that timber can compete with traditional construction in terms of cost and time is literally just the beginning, and offers an

opportunity to change our construction landscape.”

The presentation also included analysis of the construction cost differences and savings, including the changes to the design approach and thinking of tall lightweight timber framed buildings compared to traditional low-rise timber frame dwellings.

Do you have an appreciation for exceptional building design?

Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV) wants you to vote for your favourite design project in its 21st BDAV Building Design Awards.

The People’s Choice Award showcases projects nominated in the annual BDAV Building Design Awards, which celebrates Victoria’s best residential, interior, sustainable, heritage conservation and non-residential design projects including commercial, industrial, hospitality and public buildings.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now open at bdav.org.au and closes midnight Sunday, July 17. The award will be presented at the BDAV Building Design Awards dinner on Saturday, July 30.

BDAV President Alastair McDonald invites Victorians to cast their vote and

NEWS UPDATE

Victoria’s best in building design

For a full list of nominations and more about the BDAV Building Design Awards, visit bdav.org.au or contact the BDAV on (03) 9416 0227. The 2016 BDAV Building Design Awards are proudly sponsored by BlueScope Steel, WoodSolutions and Webber Insurance Services.

Cost outcomes – timber systems vs. concrete

“We’re seeing an increasingly high standard of residential and commercial design work.”

celebrate the high calibre of building design across the state.

“Year after year, we’re seeing an increasingly high standard of residential and commercial design work, which reflects the exceptional talent of local building designers,” McDonald says.

“Building designers are continuing to push the creative envelope, while still focusing on the importance of sustainability and the clever use of materials.”

Previous winners of the People’s Choice Award include well-regarded building designers Paul Hemingway (2015, The Phoenix Project – main picture) and Jarrod Sinclair (2014, Bendigo Bank, top right).

The BDAV Building Design Awards profiles excellence in building design and promotes the importance of the building design profession to both the building industry and the wider community.

Left: 2015 winner, The Phoenix Project by Paul Hemingway; below: 2014 winner, Bendigo Bank by Jarrod Sinclair.



NEWS UPDATE

Local Melbourne builders lead the way in online customer service

A pair of local Melbourne builders have launched a new online

login portal that literally allows clients to follow the progress of their development as if they’re on site.

Roda Developments Director David Maiolo says the idea came about when he realised some of his clients were travelling hundreds of kilometres to see the progress of their new home or multi-unit development. These days, with such busy lifestyles and hectic Melbourne traffic, he thought there must be an easier way.

“We understand that building your dream home or new development is a huge investment and we wanted to make our clients feel as involved as possible from concept to completion without impacting on their daily lifestyle,” he explains.

Directors David Maiolo and Robert Romanella have a long history in the construction sector and established Roda Developments in 2006 on the basis of deep building knowledge and a shared vision of personalised customer service, integrity and high quality workmanship.

Maiolo says “Personalised client service is at the heart of everything we do. We take the time to meet with clients and personally discuss their project from the ground up. By creating our own client login portal we’re simply extending the same concept into an online platform, making it more accessible for our clients to see the progress of their project at a time that suits their schedule”

The system works by providing a unique personalised login at the start of construction. The portal can be accessed anytime through the homepage of the website and each fortnight it’s updated with progress photos and a brief description of what’s scheduled in for the coming fortnight.

The portal is easy to use, and clients can leave questions and comments for the Roda team whenever they need.

After recently re-launching the website, part of the brief was integrating personalised customer service as a top priority. What’s more, the website is completely mobile-optimised so clients can check the progress of their project on the go. Visit rodadevelopments.com.au

Fyshwick Builders Suppliers turns 70

This year, Fyshwick Builders Suppliers Pty Ltd celebrates 70 years of service

to Canberra and surrounding regions.Established in 1946 by Silvio Cadona,

Fyshwick Builders Suppliers (AKA Cadona Dal & Co/S. Cadona & Sons) is a long-running, family-owned and operated timber merchant and building supplier.

To this day, the business is still owned by the Cadona family and John, Silvio’s son, remains the general manager.

“I believe one of the factors influencing the success of Fyshwick Builders Suppliers is the reputation we have created in the greater Canberra community,” John says. “We were one of the first established, and are the longest-running family-owned timber merchants in Canberra. We have supplied high quality materials at competitive prices throughout all years of operation. Further, while we have evolved with the industry, we have maintained our old fashioned values and service. This is something appreciated by all of our customers.”

John has officially worked for the business for 54 years; when he was young he would work Saturdays and school holidays in the yard and workshop. He took over from his father as general manager approximately 20 years ago.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand many changes to the industry in my years,” John says. “We’ve seen a big increase in imported, mass-produced building products flooding the market, which has ultimately led

to a compromise in quality. In addition to this, the larger corporate chains are expanding, leading to the demise of the old traditional family owned timber wholesalers and merchants. There is now a greater emphasis on price, with less care taken in regards to quality of timber products. This makes it increasingly difficult for smaller family-owned and operated businesses like ours to compete.”

But John also knows that there are many things his business can offer that the big box corporate can’t provide.

“We offer a wide range of high quality timbers and other building materials,” he says. “Our personal, small-scale approach to doing business means our staff are knowledgeable and able to offer advice and assistance to our customers. We also have a strong connection to the Canberra community and the Australian timber industry.

John intends to retire “sometime in the next decade”, and hopes that someone will be willing to buy the business and continue its legacy.

Want the full story? Subscribe to the TimberTrader News fortnightly e-news at www.timbertradernews.com/subscribe/newsletters



ASSOCIATION NEWS

TABMA Colin Fitzpatrick

TABMA NSWUnder the leadership of Steve Cunningham, TABMA NSW currently has 172 trainees and apprentices placed in NSW. Despite a growing decline in the placement of trainees and apprentices nationally TABMA continues to defy this trend and further growth is expected in 2016/17.

TABMA QLDLed by Alicia Oelkers, TABMA Queensland has at June, 53 trainees and apprentices placed around the state. Importantly, TABMA has been awarded by the Queensland Department of Forestry a grant to work on a workforce development project within the state’s forest and timber industry. The project is designed to gather feedback from industry on skills shortages, training gaps and employment opportunities at present and where they may exist over the next five years. Once that information has been collated, TABMA will work on providing solutions and link the industry with relevant stakeholders to ensure our industry has a sustainable and skilled workforce moving into the future. TABMA will also promote the forestry and timber industry in Queensland to job seekers and the broader community as a long term career.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Alicia via email at [email protected]

TABMA SACurrent apprentice and trainee placements in South Australia stand at 23 and growing. Led by Alicia Oelkers and her SA team and in conjunction with Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), an industry forum was held in Adelaide on May 25 to promote the industry and discuss strengths and weaknesses. The forum was very well attended and its success means another such forum will be held in 2017.

TABMA VictoriaTABMA’s decision to enter Victoria has been very successful with membership now at 16 and growing. Rhonda Moore

TABMA can boast that we now have placements in every state plus the ACT.

PH

OTO

: D

MY

TRO

ZIN

KE

VYC

H/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

has been tasked with the role of developing our position in the state by concentrating on placing trainees and apprentices with members and non-members. Her success so far has exceeded expectations. We are particularly grateful for the support and assistance that has been provided by Kersten Gentle of FTMA and Rob Rule of Timber Training Creswick.

TABMA TasmaniaWith the assistance of Brett McKay of McKay Timber, TABMA has established a beachhead in Tasmania, enabling us to contact various organisations with a view

to placing trainees and apprentices. We are most grateful to Brett for his support which is already bearing fruit, enabling TABMA to boast that we now have placements in every state plus the ACT.

TABMA WAIn conjunction with Food, Fibre and Timber Industries WA, TABMA is developing a strategy to further our growth in Western Australia. This strategy has already led to placements and in the 2016/17 year TABMA members will see increased activity in a state where we see tremendous opportunity.

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

TTN360_12_Association news_Abbey.indd 12 17/06/2016 3:02 PM


Abbey Timber specialises in the supply of timber decking and flooring, with one of

the largest ranges of decking species, sizes and grades available in Sydney. A division of Castlewood Products, Abbey Timber was founded by the late Alex George Favelle and his eldest son Robert. Robert’s son Andrew, now the director, joined the business in 1984 and has now been with the company for 25 years.

“My grandfather and father started Castlewood Products Pty Ltd in 1975 as a manufacturer of timber products that were sold to BBC Hardware Australia-wide outdoor furniture retail stores,” Andrew says. “I completed my carpentry apprenticeship and finished my trade as a staircase manufacturer. With this experience I came on board with Dad just as my grandfather retired to establish Abbey Stairs of Distinction.

“After completing only a couple of stair jobs I could see the need to help expand the picket fence and gates that Dad was manufacturing with a website and internet advertising. This worked well and the business grew overnight.

We were buying a lot of Cypress to build the hardware gates and thought there is a market for Cypress flooring and decking. We started Abbey Cypress and quickly grew our Cypress sales, especially flooring, to a handful of flooring companies. These floor companies continually asked for hardwood flooring and, seeing an opportunity to expand timber sales, I closed the stair company down and went full steam ahead selling all types of flooring and decking and establishing Abbey Timber to put everything under one banner.” The company now employs 15 staff spread over a 5500sq/m site in Moorebank, NSW.

“Although we have targeted our sales to the trade side of the industry by offering discounts to the trade we still have a large retail market that is strengthened by our sales staff having a variety of building and construction experience,” Andrew says. “We like to spend time with our customers to ensure they get the best options for each project and help advise on the specs required to do each project they may have.”

Abbey Timber’s range of decking features

more than 20 different species and six different sizes. To complement its decking options, the business also offers an extensive range of solid timbers for building decking frames, pergolas, privacy screens and carport structures, available in treated Pine, Cypress Pine, unseasoned

Abbey Timber has enjoyed continual growth and success over the years, and it’s all in the family.

COMPANY PROFILE

Clear the decks!

“Every year over the last 10-plus years we have seen continual growth.”

structural hardwoods and seasoned structural hardwoods.

“Every year over the last 10-plus years we have seen continual growth, with an average of 15 per cent every year,” Andrew says. “The timber industry is healthy and showing no signs that it will slow up anytime soon. We’re fortunate that we deal a lot with renovators – even when new homes are experiencing low sales people are always renovating older properties.” For more information on Abbey Timber, head to abbeytimber.com.au

Andrew (centre), daughter Shana and his wife Melanie all work for the business. Shana is the fourth generation to work with the company.

A wide selection is offered.

Onsite at Abbey Timber.

TTN360_12_Association news_Abbey.indd 13 17/06/2016 2:14 PM


COVER FEATURE

State of the artPrefabricated timber products have come a long way. And this is just the beginning.

Timber construction has continued to evolve since the first ancient man

coddled together a cosy shack out of sticks and logs to shelter his family. Fast forward to today, and we are seeing new and exciting technologies that are allowing architects, builders and engineers to create buildings that could previously only be dreamed of, or at best, constructed through long hours of hands-on manual labour.

Combine these new technologies with the recent change to the Building Code that allows the use of timber and wood products in multi-storey buildings, and it’s easy to see that we’re at the beginning of what could be an incredibly exciting time for the timber construction industry.

One company that has already contributed much to this time of exploding opportunity is Hundegger. And Hundegger Australasia’s managing director Charlie Hutchings is champing at the bit to move forward into this new and challenging age.

DREAM BIG – BUILD BIGGERHutchings has been working in the timber and construction industry since he was 14, working for his father’s business, Timberbuilt Solutions, during his school holidays. After graduating from university he came on board full-time in a marketing role, doing some construction work on the side.

“At the time we were looking to automate [his father’s] business and invest in some

machinery, and that’s when I was first introduced to Hundegger and their business,” Hutchings says. “I was asked if I would consider representing their products in this market, and that’s where my story with Hundegger began. Within a few weeks I was over in Germany training at their HQ, and upon my return the reputation of our machinery was gaining momentum and our presence in the frame and truss market began to take off throughout Australia and shortly thereafter New Zealand.”

Hundegger’s state-of-the-art woodworking machinery has been helping timber manufacturers around the world dream and create bigger for the past 37 years.

“Our core business has been very much

TTN360_18-21_cover feature.indd 14 17/06/2016 2:15 PM


The future is here Far left: Hundegger Robot

Drive; this picture and below right: Hundegger

K2i machines; below left; Charlie Hutchings.

COVER FEATURE


COVER FEATURE

“The key to making it work is sharing information and data – making sure that they’re all working together.”


based on joinery machinery,” Hutchings says. “Essentially, machines that do the work of what a master carpenter or a joiner would be doing. Our core line of machinery is what’s known as the K series – and that’s where all our other products have basically funnelled from.”

YOU CAN’T STOP PROGRESSPrefabricated frames and trusses have been substantial in their impact on the timber construction industry, making things more streamlined on site, reducing cost and waste and making things safer for everyone.

“But yes, it’s a double-edged sword in many ways because it has also meant that it’s deskilled a lot of site requirements, which is both good and bad,” Hutchings says. “Carpenters have become rarer –

they’ve been replaced with builders capable of constructing the entire house. It’s put that level of expertise into a controlled environment and systemised it. The positive is, it does allow for high volume production, so I think that the act of bringing these basic prefabricated products to the market has been quite significant. And in my view they are just the precursor to a whole swag of other offsite manufacture that will follow.”

Of course, there will always be a need for people on-site, but what their skill base will be in future is the big question.

“I think there will be more highly-skilled assembly people on site, perhaps those who have skills derived from a mix of building, carpentry or even onsite steel erection,” Hutchings says. “But I think the smarts need to come from the design and

the manufacture offsite to enable it to be not overly complex and not requiring any modifications onsite, but merely to assemble them in the intended order and means.”

Just as when the original engineered and prefabricated wood products were introduced, there will be challenges for the industry to face as new products and software become utilised.

“I think for the frame and truss industry, it’s understanding where its place may be and how it might integrate and adapt to further offsite systems and products,” Hutchings says. “In that, I think it’s important for the frame and truss industry to make the decision as to what path they might go down as far as adding capabilities to what they’re doing at the moment and how they’re going to mesh and work with these other companies that will inevitably emerge which will specialise in different products, such as closed panel or CLT – there’s obviously a whole array of things that are coming our way.”

EMBRACING CHANGEOne challenge that has appeared in the past and may again is acceptance within the industry of utilising this kind of technology. Some may be unwilling to embrace it.


COVER FEATURE

“I think the opportunity is right now and I think it’s exciting, but we need to be making smart decisions.”

Reliable and sustainable


“There is quite a lot of education that’s going to need to happen for people who are used to doing things the good old-fashioned way,” Hutchings says. “Probably the key to making it work is sharing information and data – so sharing of 3D models and having that data input from all the different parties – making sure that they’re all working together is going to be key.

“It’s the software that’s driving the whole thing – how that model’s been generated and how different modelling information is shared with all parties.”

There are many new and exciting developments currently underway for Hundegger. The company recently installed a six axis robot processing machine in a new Sydney facility. But the most exciting news right now is the upcoming release of Hundegger’s Turbo Drive, a small, super- fast and versatile component cutter that’s entirely servo-driven with ball screw axis and the latest software and mechanisation.

“We base our product development on what our customers want,” Hutchings says. “Last year we held a forum with customers from all around the world who we flew into our headquarters in Germany. We basically sit down and listen to what the customers have to say – that’s very much what led the

development of our Turbo Drive machine and more importantly its software – optimisation capabilities and the way it looks. It’s all very much driven by customers from all over the world having their say on what they want.”

Hutchings’ own vision for the future is seeing more people investing in more

exciting and innovative production facilities and equipment.

“I think the opportunity is right now and I think it’s exciting, but we need to be making smart decisions,” Hutchings says. “We also need to be thinking – the battle that’s in front of us at the moment is not against the potential market share loss to existing frame and truss manufacturers, it’s looking at how we can conquer and take over more buildings in general. How we can convert projects that are otherwise going to be done in concrete and steel into more timber solutions as a whole. That’s what we’ve got to be thinking.”

The new Building Code allowing for taller timber buildings will certainly make a difference in this regard.

“All these things are in our favour,” Hutchings says. “We need to be seizing it and we need to be trying to think about how we are going to utilise existing resources and what additional resources need to be added to the mix to make the offer a very attractive one to the builder/developer or end product user.”

The future is bright indeed. Where will we take it? The sky, it seems, is the limit. For more information on Hundegger, visit hundegger.com.au


WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACEwith Emma Watt

Emma Watt is an industrial relations consultant with almost 20 years’ experience in the timber industry.Phone: 0411 708 073 | Email: [email protected]


Employers occasionally need to manage a disciplinary meeting, sometimes at short

notice. For most employers, this is not something they do often, and they do it knowing that if there is a dispute, the employer’s fair management of the meeting will be under scrutiny. So no pressure!

Managing a disciplinary meeting well comes down to whether the process is procedurally fair. But what does that mean?

In the most practical sense, it means that the employee has a genuine opportunity to respond to your concerns, and knowing how seriously you take the situation.

Documents you create during this process have two purposes. The first is to ensure the employee clearly understands what’s happening; the second is to be able to prove (if necessary) that you took certain steps.

SETTING UP THE MEETINGWhen you set up a meeting with an employee, they need to be crystal clear about the subject of the meeting. Give the employee a letter, directing them to attend a meeting and informing them of the specific allegations that they’ll be asked to address.

If the employee has trouble with literacy, it’s still wise to give them a letter, but to read it to them, and to make a note that you did so.

It’s also wise to advise the employee

Managing a disciplinary meeting

“The purpose of this kind of meeting is to allow an employee to respond to allegations.”

not be victimised for reporting a problem.If an employee could potentially lose

their job based on these allegations, it’s only fair that they know how you came by the information. Otherwise, there’s a risk that you’d fail to allow the employee a genuine opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Always ask the employee for their side of the story and a response to the allegations. Remember – if an employee is aware they may lose their job, they’re unlikely to be thinking clearly. The fairest thing to do may be to provide detailed allegations in writing, and to ask for a response at a meeting on another day, or in writing.

The purpose of this kind of meeting is to allow an employee to respond to allegations. A decision about your action as a result of that response should be based on that response, and that may mean that you need to adjourn the meeting to consider what has been said.

Going into this kind of meeting with an outcome in mind (eg. I’m going to dismiss this person) leaves you open to assertions that the opportunity to respond was not genuine. It’s never a good idea to prepare termination documentation prior to this kind of meeting, as that indicates a mind made up.

THE END OF THE MEETINGYou need an opportunity to consider any new information you have been given, or to consider the impact of non-response – the “no comment” meeting. This is the point at which you’d finish the meeting and take the opportunity to consider all the information in front of you. Be sure that the employee is clear about what will happen and when.

Suitable responses might range from doing nothing, through verbal or written warnings, to dismissal. The appropriate response will depend on many factors – and will be the subject of another article!

that they may bring a support person to the meeting. This is not usually someone to advocate on the employee’s behalf – case law has demonstrated that a support person is not there to answer questions for the employee. An exception is if the employee brings a union organiser to the meeting.

If one possible outcome of the meeting is the employee’s dismissal, then be sure to include that in any letter notifying the employee of the meeting. Bottom line: the employee should not be surprised by anything during the meeting. This type of meeting is difficult enough without the employee feeling put on the spot.

DURING THE MEETINGStart by explaining the nature of the problem in detail. For example, if the employee is consistently late, provide specific examples of days they were late. If the employee is alleged to have made inappropriate comments to another employee, detail exactly when this occurred, and what the employee is alleged to have said.

If you have any material that led you to make the allegations, the employee must be shown the evidence. This might be clock cards, if the employee is often late back from breaks. Or it might be CCTV showing the employee fetching a knife from the kitchen and threatening another employee. Anything you’ve used to come to the view that the employee has done something wrong must also be shown to the employee.

It’s not unusual for other employees to report bad behaviour on the condition of anonymity. This isn’t sufficient reason to refuse to disclose the source of the allegation. Employees have a duty to report others’ infractions. The employee against whom the allegations have been made should be reminded that reporting employee(s) must

MORE DAMAGE THAN FIRE AND STORMS COMBINED

Your home insurance doesn’t cover pest damage of any kind - including damage caused by termites, white ants and borers.

T2 BLUE PROTECTS FROM THE INSIDE OUT

T2 Blue is actually treatedwith a light organic insectrepellent, that not only resists but deters termites from attacking.

THERE’S TWO OPTIONS FOR RESISTING TERMITES

The NCC Part 3.1.3 states that termite resistant materials used for the primary building elements OR termite ‘barrier’ systems may be used.

whyT2blue.com.au

Build withconfidence.

Provide a 25 year termite guaranteewithout using ‘barrier’ systems

TTN360_18_watt about workplace.indd 18 17/06/2016 2:22 PM

MORE DAMAGE THAN FIRE AND STORMS COMBINED

Your home insurance doesn’t cover pest damage of any kind - including damage caused by termites, white ants and borers.

T2 BLUE PROTECTS FROM THE INSIDE OUT

T2 Blue is actually treatedwith a light organic insectrepellent, that not only resists but deters termites from attacking.

THERE’S TWO OPTIONS FOR RESISTING TERMITES

The NCC Part 3.1.3 states that termite resistant materials used for the primary building elements OR termite ‘barrier’ systems may be used.

whyT2blue.com.au

Build withconfidence.

Provide a 25 year termite guaranteewithout using ‘barrier’ systems

TTN360_18_watt about workplace.indd 19 17/06/2016 2:22 PM

INDUSTRY EVENTS


The speakers program had equal representation from architects and engineers, developers and builders, timber and building materials and timber prefabrication.

The 2016 Frame conference was highly successful, with architects, engineers,

developers and builders attending in record numbers along with a strong showing from timber, engineered wood and prefabrication, with over 250 delegates participating.

Session presentations revealed an amazing line-up of timber building projects now under-way in Australia, with delegates expressing surprise at the rapid progress in timber construction since last year’s Frame event.

Major projects announced included apartments and a range of residential developments from 4 to 10 storeys in

Frame 2016 conference successThe Frame Australia Conference and Exhibition brought delegates from across the country – and plenty of good news for the timber construction industry.

Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to be built in both lightweight timber frame and CLT construction systems.

The tallest CLT building in Australia is currently underway, and other projects above five storeys described by speakers included buildings requiring some 6000 cubic metres of CLT in each development.

In addition, some huge mid-rise housing developments commencing this year will use lightweight timber framing produced in “closed wall” construction systems to be manufactured in new automated prefabrication plants currently being installed in Melbourne and Sydney.

Developers at Frame revealing plans for timber construction in residential and commercial buildings in the next 12 months included Grocon, Frasers Property, Mirvac and Strongbuild, along with architect and engineer presenters disclosing features of innovative designs for timber buildings that have not yet been announced.

David Waldren, head of culture and innovation at Grocon Group, advised that Grocon had recently submitted a planning permit application of a new office building in Collingwood which includes a five level 100 percent timber structure as part of the campus development.

This will be Grocon’s first all-timber structure, and work is presently underway for a CLT apartment building to be built in Sydney not long after.

Later in the session, Barry Young from Taylor Thomson Whitting (TTW) made mention of another Grocon project that had been conceived with TTW using a massive glulam structure in a “bearer and joist” arrangement for a commercial office building.

The speakers program had equal representation from architects and engineers, developers and builders as well as timber and building materials and timber prefabrication.

Highlights included an opening address by Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, who launched the report Megatrends and the Australian Forest and Wood Products Sector: Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Growth.

And Rob De Brincat of XLam Australia

[slug] events

Top photo: guests are welcomed to the conference bright and early; this photo: a speaker panel holds court.

TTN360_20-22_events.indd 20 17/06/2016 2:19 PM


Session presentations revealed an amazing line-up of timber building projects now underway.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

B

D

C FE

A: where’s Wally? Look close and you might spot our publisher, Ian Brooks. B: panel member Sean O’Malley, Planet Ark. C: guest speaker Barry Young, Director, TTW. D: all-timber Lend Lease library building in Melbourne’s Docklands. E: Eileen Newbury, Marketing & Communications Manager, Forest & Wood Products Australia F: a WEINMANN frame.

A

TTN360_20-22_events.indd 21 20/06/2016 9:09 AM


made the official announcement of a game-changing new development in the Australian CLT market with a manufacturing plant for Cross Laminated Timber in the Albury/Wodonga area due for completion next year.

Robotics and automation in prefabrication was a hot topic for fabricators, and Charlie Hutchings of Hundegger Australasia presented videos of some of the world’s latest technologies. These were keenly watched to see the future directions for plant concepts now being implemented not only internationally but in Australia, which is the beginning of a major transformation within the local timber and engineered wood prefabrication industry.

With this extraordinary growth in building projects and new prefabrication plants in such a short time, the Frame Australia 2017 Conference and Exhibition is already being planned to keep pace with the market changes that are destined to be the greatest opportunity for timber in building that has been seen in decades.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

A: builders at work on the Australand Parkville Construction. B: the conference was a great opportunity for networking. C: wood-framed multi-storey building “The Green”, a 57-unit development in Melbourne’s Parkville. D: a conference-goer asks a question. E: a great opportunity for sharing ideas.

B C

D

E

A

ECOWOOD with colour built in!

ColourWood IS DURABLE AGAINST DECAY AND TERMITE DAMAGE AND SAFE FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE IN CLOSE HUMAN CONTACT.IDEAL FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND CIVIC APPLICATIONS, WHERE OUTDOOR ABOVE GROUND AND IN-GROUND TIMBER IS SPECIFIED.

www.outdoortimber.com.au1300 TREATED

• Ecowood / ColourWood Fencing Products • Ecowood / ColourWood Decking

• Ecowood / ColourWood Landscaping Timber• Ecowood / ColourWood F7 Premium Sleepers

WOOD PROTECTION

• ColourWood Now Available •

ColourWood

Take advantage of the benefits of Ecowood with colour built in by specifying ColourWood for all your structural, outdoor and in-ground building needs:

» Family friendly, recommended for environmentally sensitive areas or frequent human contact applications.» Durable, attractive outdoor wood products, guaranteed against failure from decay and insect attack.» With Colour built in, ColourWood saves time and money by eliminating the need for additional

ColourWood

stains to be applied after installation.

LP® SolidStart® Engineered Wood Products Provide Strength, Consistency And Much More.

LP® SolidStart® Engineered Wood Products offer major advantages in house framing: exceptional quality, consistency, durability and strength. Available in longer lengths than traditional timber, LP SolidStart LSL, LVL, I-Joists and Rim Board give you greater design flexibility, faster installation and less waste. They’re engineered to work together to provide a proven building system that delivers real benefits—not just during construction, but for decades to come. The LP SolidStart family. Build with confidence. Build with us.

© 2016 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. PEFC is a trademark of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. SFI is a registered trademark Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

PEFC/29-31-102

LPCorp.com/AU

[email protected]

The Proven Choice In House Framing.

I-Joists

LVL LSL Rim Board

16-INT-A-0003 M1mp AU Family of Prod Print Ad.indd 1 3/21/16 4:16 PMTTN360_20-22_events.indd 22 17/06/2016 3:45 PM

LP® SolidStart® Engineered Wood Products Provide Strength, Consistency And Much More.

LP® SolidStart® Engineered Wood Products offer major advantages in house framing: exceptional quality, consistency, durability and strength. Available in longer lengths than traditional timber, LP SolidStart LSL, LVL, I-Joists and Rim Board give you greater design flexibility, faster installation and less waste. They’re engineered to work together to provide a proven building system that delivers real benefits—not just during construction, but for decades to come. The LP SolidStart family. Build with confidence. Build with us.

© 2016 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. PEFC is a trademark of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. SFI is a registered trademark Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

PEFC/29-31-102

LPCorp.com/AU

[email protected]

The Proven Choice In House Framing.

I-Joists

LVL LSL Rim Board

16-INT-A-0003 M1mp AU Family of Prod Print Ad.indd 1 3/21/16 4:16 PMTTN360_20-22_events.indd 23 17/06/2016 2:20 PM


5 minutes with...

5 MINUTES WITH

Gary Walker, Marketing Director, Belmont Timber

How long have you been in the timber industry? I have been involved in the timber industry now for over 40 years and have enjoyed the journey very much. My first official job after completing university was with Rheem Australia. I began as a financial accountant based at Rydalmere, NSW, where I worked for three years before joining Belmont Timber in 1976. After a number of years the opportunity arose for me to take on a marketing role which I felt would be a new challenge. I’m still enjoying the role today.

Tell us a little about Belmont TimberThe late John Walker started Belmont Timber in 1950, so it has been trading in excess of 65 years. Belmont Timber started in Alexandria as a small timber manufacturer and moved to Fairfield with only five employees. Over the next 30 years, the business purchased a number of the adjoining properties and is now covering approximately five acres with more than 60 full-time employees.

From a timber manufacturing perspective, Belmont initially supplied scantling timber while growing to produce ready-cut

hardwood frames for the Housing Commission throughout NSW. The hardwood frames were originally supplied from Port Macquarie and transported by rail or trucks to regional areas.

Our pre-assembled softwood frames and trusses business was the next progression in our growth within the timber industry. Ultimately, our success has come due to the business partnership and assistance of Mitek, which is our major engineering company. Approximately five years ago, Belmont became involved in traditional hardware, expanding into lead, cement and other ancillaries, which have now become a larger part of our portfolio.

The reason Belmont is in the position it is today is due to the long-standing and genuine relationships with other small and medium-sized family owned businesses. The personal involvement with each of the principals within these companies has enabled our plant to expand into different areas we hadn’t thought possible.

How has the industry changed since you started out?The industry has changed enormously over the years, with the ever-developing

technology. Most significant is the concept of manufacturing automation. We are now utilising a number of computerised machines, which are all connected throughout the factory by a network, linking our detailers direct to the end result. Some of our devices include plate markers, window packs, stud-nogging and frame nailers.

More specifically in relation to roof trusses, our Hundegger has made a substantial difference in relation to the volume of cutting of the components. This one machine now cuts a greater volume and allows for greater efficiencies to take on additional business.

What do you think makes the timber industry so special?In my opinion, and although cliché, it truly is the people. The majority of our clients are family-run businesses, so not only do we discuss business with them, we become involved with their families and friends – attending weddings or sharing the birth of a new family member. Conversely, becoming so close to so many people and being in the industry for so long, I have also attended a number of funerals – saying goodbye not

TTN360_24-25_5 minutes.indd 24 17/06/2016 2:25 PM


5 MINUTES WITH

only to clients but also to true friends.On a side note, when not negotiating

or talking about a job due yesterday, I personally enjoy brainstorming new directions and concept with our clients. Whether it’s as simple as potential new products, evaluating the ways that we can work together more effectively or, ultimately, exploring options to help both respective companies grow long into the future.

How much of a difference has equipment like Framequip Auto Nailers made to your business?Belmont Timber has installed two Framequip Auto Nailers and we’ve found that they’ve helped increase production substantially. With the knowledge of the industry, Robert Armour has designed a stud nogg machine that enables us to produce our frames more safely. In essence, it has avoided significant injuries within the factory, resulting in a safer working place, which is a continuous concern for management

What new developments do you expect to see in the coming years?When I first joined the industry, there were minimal engineering products and as the industry was not growing enough Radiata pine, Belmont began importing from the

“This industry has been good to our business and we hope we can continue giving back.”

US to help complement supply. Now with LVL and I joists, the industry has changed its supply dramatically.

More recently, all our major current clients only use engineered timber for their floor joists and some use engineered timber for window heads to minimise deflection. Due to this, Belmont supplies a stronger pre-assembled wall frame. We also use engineered timber for some of our bottom chords in our roof trusses, resulting in a straighter ceiling line with roofs that have larger spans. I believe other manufacturing plants may follow the same trend.

What do you see for the future of the industry? Firstly and excitingly, with the frame panelisation acceptance, there have

been forecasts of growth within the Australia timber industry of 15 to 20 percent. To note from a design stand- point, the future is very exciting, with the changes to the National Construction Code allowing muti-storey buildings to be manufactured out of timber. There have been approved buildings for five, six, seven or even eight levels being planned. Another formalised change is the trussed floor cassettes that can be installed.

Belmont Timber plans to continue in the housing industry servicing our clients for years to come. It will be important for our company to continue updating our machinery, keep up with changing technology and ensure we train our staff appropriately. If there are new products in any areas of our business that our clients require, we will investigate, evaluate and then supply if it is the right fit for both parties.

Lastly, this industry has been good to our family business and we hope we can continue giving back to the industry in the future. John Walker received an AOM for his contribution to the building industry and I hope we can continue in his footsteps.

TTN360_24-25_5 minutes.indd 25 17/06/2016 2:25 PM

VICTORIA NEW SOUTH WALES

TimberFloor News is proudly endorsed by:

R

TimberFloor


Contract warranties If your customers don’t know this they will have zero warranty.

Parties contemplating purchasing timber from one party, installation from another

and sanding and finishing processes from another should be made aware that they effectively have zero warranty on the main foundations of the floors of their home.

At litigation, there is a long history of continual argument between these parties, all of who say “it’s not my fault” and that it was someone else’s responsibility, Invariably, it’s the home owner who is ultimately left holding the bag.

With such an important foundational part of your home, the best advice is to secure a contract with one party who will accept full responsibility for everything, from the sub floor onwards, so as to encompass the whole of the wood floor installation.

Parties are advised that good trade practice requires that all site finished wood floors should stand for a minimum of seven to 10 days to settle after installation, and before sanding and finishing procedures commence, regardless of any prior acclimatisation.

Also, be aware that rapid application of coats, without proper curing between successive coats, will not deliver the same performance that’s achievable when all coats are properly and fully cured.

Regardless of what manufacturers want to publish on their cans for marketing purposes, it must be understood that all site finished coatings should be regarded as “green” until fully cured. Full curing of all site finished coatings should be regarded as a minimum of four weeks. Alpine climates and very humid weather may extend these minimum periods.

PROTECTION OF WOOD FLOORSIt’s essential that all parties know and understand how important it is that no wood floor should ever be covered with plastic sheeting as it will cause the floor to sweat and may even cause it to distort.

Placement of furnitureIn renovation work, there’s sometimes a great need to return furniture to a residence as soon as possible. After the resurfacing of wood floors, furniture may be carefully placed on the floor (not dragged) so long as it has purpose-made, good quality felt floor protectors fitted, but not within the first 48 hours after the application of final coats. Most good floor protectors are manufactured in either Sweden or Canada.

MaintenancePeople with rental properties that contain wooden floors are encouraged to provide their tenants with appropriate advice on good maintenance of their wood floors:

a. You do not wash any wood floor system.

b. If using a normal string mop, it must be a well wrung-out mop, and should not allow free water to be mopped onto the floor. Parties should be aware that where people might claim that they do not wash or wet mop their floors, the floor itself will tell its own story – edges will darken and go grey in colour and damage may lead to cupping or curling of boards in extreme situations.

c. The National Wood Flooring Association of Australia (NWFAA)

Good trade practice requires that all site finished wood floors should stand for a minimum of seven to 10 days to settle after installation.

TTN360_26-27_Timber floors news.indd 26 17/06/2016 2:25 PM


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

If properly cared for and protected, a beautiful wood floor can last for many years.

encourages contractors to supply every client with an electrostatic dust control mop which is used completely dry and is used for 97 percent of floor maintenance.

d. Sand and grit require a vacuum cleaner and/or soft broom.

e. All residents living near beach side suburbs need to understand that sand under footwear is just like using sandpaper on a wood floor system.

f. NWFAA recommends that landlords encourage responsible tenants in three ways to look after the wood floors that you are providing:

1. Provide written advice as to maintenance as set out above.

2. Provide a photographic record of the state of your floors at the time of tenancy.

3. Buy a collection of quality floor protectors of your choice (various sizes) and give these to your tenant for their use to protect your property.

4. Provide them with an electrostatic dust control mop which is used completely dry and is an absolute boon for anyone with allergies or asthma sufferers.

Many of our people report excellent feedback from the employment of these practices, which encourage people to both appreciate and to care for quality wood floor finishes in residential situations.

Laminate acoustical plank flooringIn residential tenancy situations where extreme wear and tear are required, landlords should give consideration to high quality European laminate floors, which have been found to be almost indestructible. It must be emphasised that there is a vast difference between Chinese and European laminate floors. P

HO

TO:

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HE

E.E

U/S

HU

TTE

RS

TOC

K.C

OM

We are the Cypress & Hardwood Specialists

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 41 Heathcote Road, Moorebank, NSW 2170P: (02) 9774 2944 E: [email protected] www.abbeytimber.com.au

• Flooring • Decking • Screening • Cladding • Structural Hardwoods • Feature Wall Panelling & More

discounted lower than builders.

TTN360_26-27_Timber floors news.indd 27 17/06/2016 2:26 PM


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

the improvement is merely by way of decoration and will not affect or improve the structure of the building, except where sub floor preparation is required.

In October 2003, on behalf of the Timber Flooring Association of South Australia, we submitted a proposal to the Licensing Operations of the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs:

Submission• Review the licensing categories for

the timber flooring industry. • Review the qualification required for

licensing in the timber flooring industry.

Proposal• To propose a list of licensing categories

that reflects an accurate definition of work within the timber flooring industry.

• To determine the scope of work within the categories.

• To provide an accurate description of range of task within each category.

• To provide training, education and assessment for existing or new license holders.

Recommended categoriesFloor finishing and covering restricted to:• Installation of floating floors.• Installation of cork flooring.• Installation of direct stick timber flooring.• Installation of structural timber flooring.• Sanding and finishing of timber and

cork flooring.• Sub-floor preparation.

“We believe there is a direct link between the deregulation of our industry and the increase in consumers and contractors seeking assistance.”

BRICE ON BOARDSwith Sharon and Ray Brice

Licensing and qualificationsIt would seem that while the government

is coaxing and pushing the workforce at large towards regulation and qualification acquisition, it has overlooked the timber flooring industry, whose broader scope of works was once a classified trade, “finishing trades – floor finishing” under the Building Work Act. This required operators to hold the relevant licence, supported by – among other things – formal recognition of the skills, knowledge and ability to perform their trade.

So it was with interest that I read Gerry Swindale’s comments in “Buyer Beware” in the May issue on the shortcomings of and expectations of the timber flooring industry. In particular his observations regarding the government’s decision (1999) to withdraw builder/contractor licencing requirements for floor finishers and the subsequent increase in requests for inspection and report services from consumer groups, which he attributes to the poor quality of work undertaken by an increasingly unskilled and under-trained work force.

We, like Mr Swindale, believe there is a direct link between the deregulation of our industry and the increase in consumers and flooring contractors seeking assistance in relation to floor installation conflicts. As noted in one licence application decision prior to the withdrawal of our industry sector – the purpose of the act is to provide a proper measure of regulation to the building industry; to impose substantive obligations on those in the industry regarding contracts and workmanship; and to provide a means of resolving disputes between builders and their customers. This then might, in part, explain the increase in requests for assistance.

However, the overall situation begs the question: how have the tasks associated with timber floor installation changed to be no longer deemed as building work? By definition under the Act, “building

work” means “improving”. The Oxford Dictionary defines “improving” as “making or becoming better”. For example, a person hanging a picture is improving the building. Given the play on words in the classified trade of floor finishing, such improvements must be of a structural nature.

These examples taken from the Commercial Tribunal SA application hearing may help to clarify this distinction:

• Removing and replacing a floor is clearly building work, because it involves altering, repairing and adding to a building.

• Sanding a timber floor or grinding or filling a concrete floor comprises building work because it amounts to altering a building, ie, the structure of the floor.

• Sealing and coating a timber floor amounts to building work because it is improving the floor as part of the structure of the building.

• Adding a compound to a concrete floor amounts to building work because it is adding to the structure of the building.

• Adding additional nails to a timber floor to provide better fixing between the floor and its supports amounts to building work, either because it involves repairing a building or because it is improving the structure of the building.

When it comes to floating floors it could be interpreted that the floor does not amount to building work, for while it may improve the building in an aesthetic sense,

TTN360_28-29_Brice on boards.indd 28 17/06/2016 2:27 PM


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

Ray and Sharon Brice specialise in mediation training and project management. They have four decades of experience in the flooring industry. Phone: 0407 591 697 | Email: [email protected]

ExampleShould a contractor install and finish a cork floor, the contractor would require the following endorsements on a licence:• Sub-floor preparation.• Installation of cork flooring.• Sanding and finishing of timber

and cork flooring.

The scope and range of tasks in this submission were written in conjunction with a registered training organisation to facilitate the registration and/or licensing of timber flooring contractors.

Some years ago we were required to assist in a court hearing. The judge asked the flooring contractor to summarise his qualifications. The contractor replied, “Fifteen years”. The judge repeated the question: “What qualifications do you hold?” Once again the contractor replied, “Fifteen years”. Frustrated, the judge asked, “Who taught you how to be a flooring installer?” The contractor replied, “My father”. The judge then asked, “Is your father a qualified teacher?” The answer was no. The case did not proceed beyond this point and the contractor was fined and tasked to employ a recognised installer qualified to undertake the rectification work.

That was more than 10 years ago; around the time that licensing for floor finishing was withdrawn.

Now, in the absence of licensing and adequate training, the burden of qualification and skills acquisition lies with individual

operators. We are only aware of one major flooring group who, in recent times, has initiated an accreditation scheme for its flooring contractors. While they set a good example, I believe statutory regulation of the timber flooring industry would undoubtedly ensure a greater obligation to the acquisition

of appropriate industry skills, qualifications and an ongoing commitment to professional development. It would also provide a uniform standard for those tasked to inspect, report or mediate flooring issues, thereby minimising complaints and the cost of floor failures and complaints.

“How have the tasks associated with timber floor installation changed to be no longer deemed as building work?”

Direct importer of all Merbau products including Decking, Flooring, F/J Laminated Posts, Handrail components & solid E4E. DNA Lumber® is a quality product maintained with our own graders on site.

#1 distribution arm for Parkside Timber in all Spotted Gum Products which are ACQ treated, along with direct access to Australian species of flooring & decking.

Supplying a vast range of all Panel Products including Bracing Ply, Particleboard Flooring, OSB Flooring, CD ply & much more.

Leading distributor for CHH in Untreated, T2 Blue & H2 LOSP Red Framing sourced from Australian Plantations.

Major importers of Chilean & NZ Radiata FJ Mouldings in Untreated, H3 LOSP, Pre Primed H3 LOSP & Primed only.

“The right choice”

SYDNEY Head Office1 Durham Street Rosehill NSW 2142Phone: (02) 9638 7333 Fax: (02) 9684 6466

[email protected]

Sydney - Brisbane - Melbourne - New Zealand








[email protected]









[email protected]









[email protected]









[email protected]









[email protected]









[email protected]









[email protected]


#1 distribution arm for Parkside Timber in all Spotted Gum Products.

Range of all Panel Products including Bracing Ply, Particleboard Flooring, OSB Flooring, CD ply & much more.


S Y D N E Y - B R I S B A N E - M E L B O U R N E - N E W Z E A L A N D

SYDNEY Head Office 1 Durham Street Rosehill NSW 2142

Phone: (02) 9638 7333 Fax: (02) 9684 6466

Direct importer of all Merbau products including Decking, Flooring, F/J Laminated Posts, Handrail components & solid E4E.


[email protected] www.simmondslumber.com.au

TTN360_28-29_Brice on boards.indd 29 17/06/2016 2:27 PM

AutoBuild


Village life

The team at Sunbury Wall Frames and Trusses have been working flat-out,

and this Pryda fabricator can see no signs of slowing down any time soon. The company is currently providing materials for two retirement villages in the Melbourne area, including a new Bupa project on the Bellarine Peninsula – Bellarine Lakes, the largest Bupa retirement village in Australia.

The village is being built on a former 18-hole golf course. Nine holes have been allocated to the $60-$70 million development with the remaining nine holes, a bowling green and the community centre part of the available facilities. Sunbury designed and manufactured the enormous roof trusses required to build the community centre (a 1300 square-metre building), and is now supplying trusses and wall frames for the Bupa complex.

The project kicked off in 2013, and when it’s finally finished (projected to be in 2018) the 48-hectare project (70 percent of which is the golf course) will contain 350 dwellings, including 265 two- and three-bedroom fully detached villas with

single and double garages, 45 one- and two-bedroom apartments over two storeys and 28 condominiums.

“Initially the Bupa complex was to be built using steel frame,” says Danny Schneider, Sunbury’s managing director. “Kane Construction, who is the builder, decided to change that to timber construction and we were initially engaged to manufacture the roof trusses.”

The Bupa building complex was broken up into five segments while being constructed. The wall frames to the first two segments were constructed on site (stick framed) with loose materials being supplied by Sunbury Wallframes and Trusses and the roof sections supplied as prefab trusses. The balance of the wall frames and roof trusses were prefabricated off-site by Sunbury Wallframes and Trusses. Pryda Engineering provided support with the independent certification of the roof design along with some truss re-design to allow for lighting penetration to the ceilings.

As well as the two retirement villages, Sunbury Trusses also has a number of

“We’re maxed out on our walls – we’re at peak production.”

M i T e k C O M P L I A N C E

MGB

0735

-04/

16

It doesn’t take a genius to use compliant, Engineered Building Products (EBPs) – it’s simply common sense. Builders and certifiers

alike can trust each and every one of MiTek’s EBPs...because they all comply with the National Construction Code Series and Australian

Standards. Plus, MiTek provides data sheets for each and every EBP and support media via the MiTek GUIDE and the EasyCat App.

VIC (03) 8795 8888 NSW (02) 8525 8000 QLD (07) 3861 2100 SA (08) 8234 1326 WA (08) 9412 3534 New Zealand (09) 274 7109

For more information about MiTek’s ‘compliant’ Engineered Building Products, call your local state office or visit: mitek.com.au

H O M E O F G A N G - N A I L B U I L D I N G S Y S T E M S

COMPLIANCE isn’t rocket SCIENCE.

It’s ENGINEERING!

Quality ISO 9001

A huge Bupa construction is keeping one Melbourne business very busy indeed.

TTN360_30-31_autoBuild.indd 30 20/06/2016 12:28 PM


AUTOBUILD NEWS

other big projects in the pipeline. “We’re running two shifts at the moment

and we’ll be running 24-7 again soon. We’re maxed out on our walls – we’re at peak production – and will be at peak production for everything else very soon.”

Sunbury Wall Frames and Trusses is a family-owned and operated business with over 20 years of experience. Located in New Gisborne, 30 minutes north-west of Melbourne, Sunbury is a specialist supplier of domestic and commercial high quality prefabricated roof trusses, floor trusses and wall frames. For more about Sunbury Wall Frames and Trusses visit sunburytrusses.com.auFor more about Pryda visit pryda.com.auFor more about Bellarine Lakes visit bellarinelakes.com.au


MGB

0735

-04/

16

It doesn’t take a genius to use compliant, Engineered Building Products (EBPs) – it’s simply common sense. Builders and certifiers

alike can trust each and every one of MiTek’s EBPs...because they all comply with the National Construction Code Series and Australian

Standards. Plus, MiTek provides data sheets for each and every EBP and support media via the MiTek GUIDE and the EasyCat App.




COMPLIANCE isn’t rocket SCIENCE.

It’s ENGINEERING!

Quality ISO 9001

Another huge delivery from Sunbury Trusses is delivered to the Bupa retirement village building site.

TTN360_30-31_autoBuild.indd 31 20/06/2016 12:27 PM


AUTOBUILD NEWS

An excellent example of MiTek SAPPHIRE™ in action can be found

in a recent job licensed MiTek fabricator Frames & Trusses NSW did for a builder working on the Stonecutters Ridge Development. Situated 45 minutes north-west of Sydney’s CBD, this 904-lot project will provide a variety of home solutions for families looking for resort-style living.

Approximately 60 percent of the development is dedicated to open green space including four parks and an 18-hole (par 72), Greg Norman-designed, championship golf course. Quite a few of the lots even border the Colebee Nature Reserve. There’s a variety of lot sizes; many with wide frontages and golf course or park views.

“We’ve done several homes in the Stonecutters Ridge development already,” says Geoff Barron, Frames & Trusses manager and estimator/detailer. Geoff started using SAPPHIRE™ Management in conjunction with 20/20 last year. “I’ve really enjoyed SAPPHIRE™ Management and the all-encompassing role it plays in our business. It’s made a huge difference to the way we process information. SAPPHIRE™ Management gives us real-time data on everything from workflows, reporting, quotes in and out, the status of orders – even monthly Eqa reports and a whole lot more. The only thing it doesn’t do is the accounting… and make coffee!

“Our local FSM (fabricator support manager) Amanda Ling has been a

SAPPHIRE™ Structure tees off

huge help bringing us up-to-speed with SAPPHIRE™, so we couldn’t wait to see what SAPPHIRE™ Structure could do. And the Stonecutters Ridge project seemed like the perfect job to test it out.”

What quickly became apparent was the host of features and benefits SAPPHIRE™ Structure delivers. Following are a selection Amanda highlighted in the Stonecutters Ridge project:

Wall Input:• With Wall Input it’s easy to extend a wall

to another wall in one simple move.

• Because frames only need to be input the once the overall input of the job is faster.

• If a wall is put in the wrong position SAPPHIRE™ can easily move it – with all other walls around it being repositioned at the same time.

• Wall information can even be altered in 3D mode – and the viewer can see all adjustments made automatically.

• Quick opening – speeds up the input of openings.

• SAPPHIRE™ Search and View – makes it easier to find and check wall inputs. Panels can even be filtered allowing the viewer the option to see only load bearing panels, panels of a certain height, etc.

• Design the lintels and opening studs by selecting wall design and the loads from the roof will transfer to these materials and provide the results.

• SAPPHIRE™ can check measurements in 3D to ensure both frames and trusses will work together on site.

Phil McCormack : 0438 255 118 Nick Arfaras : 0438 255 115 Glenn Lawrenson : 0438 255 116 Matt Leplaa : 0403 724 184

43-45 Overseas Drive, Noble Park Vic. 3174Phone: (03) 9701 2777 Fax: (03) 9701 2677

HardwoodThe Proven Performer

DisTribuTOrs OF:

F17/supa17 KD Hardwood solids up to 5.4msupachord KD Hardwood

supachord ‘H2’ KD Hardwoodsupachord ‘H3’ KD Hardwood

supalam17 up to 7.2m

M00560 McCormack Timber Trader 190x60 A.indd 1 15/09/2014 11:03 am

“I’ve really enjoyed SAPPHIRE™ Management and the role it plays in our business.”

A Sydney project has shone a light on the benefits of using MiTek’s software

TTN360_32_autobuild_MiTek news.indd 32 17/06/2016 2:28 PM


AUTOBUILD NEWS

Roof Input• SAPPHIRE™ Plane Input is easier

as it shows the plane shape being created whilst selecting on the planes.

• When inputting framing files, SAPPHIRE™ displays what the framing file will look like on the live plan before placing the framing file. Plus altering of framing files is easy.

• SAPPHIRE™ Search and View allows filtering of undesigned trusses and finds trusses quickly by a right mouse button click on a truss and select on zoom to object. This works for any entity.

• Window placements work with dual screen.

• Entity groups – allows the movement of entities into groups eg: the Stonecutters Ridge job required a girder layout, so the visibility switches entity group setup was altered – clearly displaying the trusses required.

• Adding or altering a web is very easy in Engineering View.

• Editing any entity in plan view, elevation view or 3D view is very easy and in real time.

• With SAPPHIRE™, dimensioning tools are available in all views, too.

• Output of the job is extremely quick – with one click of a button .

• All SAPPHIRE™ layouts are customisable.

When asked about the advantages of SAPPHIRE™ Structure, Geoff is quick to praise: “The whole-of-house feature is a game-changer for our industry,” he says. “Every other program has walls and roof

Exclusively represented in Australia & New Zealandwww.randek.com

Ph: +61 (0)3 9850 [email protected]

Equipment for Prefabricated House Manufacturing.

Wall Panel Production Lines Floor Cassette SystemsAutomatic Truss System

“What quickly became apparent was the host of features and benefits SAPPHIRE™ Structure delivers.”

trusses as separate entities – some say theirs talk to each other – but they’re still separate. Importantly, there was no lag – it all happens instantaneously. We used SAPPHIRE™ right through the job – from the initial order to manufacturing and dispatch. Plus, were able to monitor the progress of the job all the way and get valuable information on every aspect of the production process.

“SAPPHIRE™ is an unbelievably powerful program. I have great confidence in the engineering credibility of SAPPHIRE™, too. We can always get MiTek to check our work, but there’s no need – SAPPHIRE™ gets it right first time, every time. Plus, we can even tailor it to our way of doing things.”

TTN360_32_autobuild_MiTek news.indd 33 17/06/2016 2:28 PM


work expected to start before the end of the year. This new plant will have the ability to produce 60,000m3 of CLT, which is equivalent to one Forte Building per week. That is one eight storey CLT building per week. Is the market ready for this amount of CLT? And if it doesn’t go in to mid-high rise buildings what will it be used for – domestic housing? I doubt it.

CSR also presented at Frame with a focus on the changing markets. In their presentation they outlined the four key changes in the industry worldwide, namely globalisation, digital design, energy efficiency and prefabrication. They also outlined what they perceived to be the key drivers for prefabrication internationally, which included extreme weather, high environmental performance, difficult access and sales turnover.

The CSR Velocity Ingleburn plant in NSW produces 600 homes a year using panels where the whole house is designed and manufactured offsite and the panels moved to site for easy construction.

Lead Lease is building their plant to do exactly the same and it will be bigger, producing more panelisation for Class 2 buildings and above in the commercial markets. Add to this the presentation by NSW based Strongbuild who manufacture their own panels and we are seeing major changes to for the commercial midrise market and some domestic markets.

For the past few years HIA’s Harley Dale has been pointing out the move in housing. With a move away from detached dwellings and with the developments mentioned above, it’s time for the frame and truss sector to have a good look at our future and work on a business plan for the next five years.

But how does this affect the “traditional” frame and truss market? The impact on the traditional residential market is not

“Now is the time for all fabricators to look at their business and decide where they want to be in the future.”

“We support you!”

GOLD SPONSORS

For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable

application form visit:

www.ftmaaustralia.com.au

For more information contact Kersten Gentle:

0418 226 242

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

FTMA NEWSLETTERwith Kersten Gentle

Frame Australia has been going for 18 years and this was the first year

that I have attended that – instead of talking about what might be coming and what we should be doing, what might help our industry – we were finally talking about what IS happening.

For the fabricators attending Frame it was in some ways as frightening as it was exciting to see the massive changes which will impact on the wider timber industry. I say frightening as it is what we have been expecting but something I don’t believe the frame and truss sector is truly ready for with the new commercial markets.

For years now, FTMA has been warning fabricators to look at the changing residential and commercial industry and now it’s beginning with lightweight systems – no longer just prefabricated frames and trusses. Cassettes, panelisation and CLT are here and one can’t help but wonder what impact this will have on our sector’s future.

XLam used the Frame platform to give their eagerly anticipated announcement of the plant they will open in Wodonga, with

TTN360_34-35_FTMA newsletter.indd 34 17/06/2016 2:29 PM


AUTOBUILD NEWS

significant, however it will change over the coming years. The biggest impact is the new commercial market opportunities, but many fabricators perceive this to be a greater risk and perhaps do not want to step in to this area.

Don’t get me wrong, we know that fabricators are already doing commercial jobs of four to five storeys high in traditional frames and trusses without the need for panelisation, which is not essential. In fact, a recent visit by a key industry US representative stated that panelisation wasn’t being used as much as traditional prefabricated frames and trusses, but this was largely due to their cheap labour costs

For more information contact Kersten Gentle on 0418 226 242.

Above left: Bruce Wallace of Bendigo’s The Truss Joint with Mark Cooper of Bunnings at Frame Australia. Right: Mark Conlan of Emcee Frame & Truss from Warrnambool with Vekta Automations Ed Serrano catching up at Frame Australia.

onsite compared to our costs, where offsite manufacturing saves big dollars when it comes to installation onsite.

There is no doubt that this new style doesn’t fit with all fabricators and I am not suggesting at all that this will happen overnight or that our industry will no longer exist. But it is something we must look at and address together. The nail plate companies have looked at this emerging trend, with some putting a lot of effort in to the new cassette systems and others looking at how our sector can move in to the midrise area without too much investment.

Our industry still has a strong future and there are plenty of areas in which

our industry can gain market share, such as the panelised flooring systems replacing the concrete slab. It is time however, to look at market trends, to look at opportunities and threats and focus on what is happening NOW and explore the impacts in the future and begin to plan.

FTMA Australia will be hosting a National Roadshow in August/September which will be used as a reality check for our industry. It will feature expert speakers leading discussions on these opportunities. More information will follow but in the meantime, now is the time for all fabricators to look at their business and decide where they want to be in the future.

Mini 6Wide enough to do most of your work and narrow enough that you rarely need to climb up on the table!

Highly adaptable. You can use the machine to press either floor trusses or standard trusses!

www.multinailmachinery.com

“The new Multinail Machinery Mini 6 we installed recently has significantly increased our production capacity by removing any small truss production from our main truss lines”

Geoff Baxter, BB Truss & Timber

TTN360_34-35_FTMA newsletter.indd 35 17/06/2016 2:29 PM

Visit mitek.com.au for all guidelines


AUTOBUILD NEWS

By Daniel Heathershaw, IT Manager

ANOTHER MITEK ADVANTAGE – JULY 2016

GN GUIDELINES NO.228

You may have heard stories about Ransomware, or even seen it on

the news – stories of small businesses, hospitals and even government agencies that have had their files encrypted and a ransom demanded to decrypt them. But what is it, what are the consequences of becoming infected and how do you prevent it? In the first of this two-part series I’ll explain the basics of Ransomware, and in Part 2 I’ll delve into the consequences and some of the strategies you can use to protect your company.

WHAT IS IT?Ransomware is a type of malicious software (Malware) that is designed to prevent you from using your computer and accessing your files. There are a number of different variants of Ransomware. Some will encrypt the files on your computer and any computers you’re connected to, and some will prevent you from using your computer by displaying a full screen message that leaves you only one option – to pay up! The end goal for the criminals is to make you pay to have your files decrypted or your computer unlocked. A fairly simple business plan, but business is booming!

HOW DO YOU GET INFECTED?Ransomware is spread in a similar fashion to most other types of Malware.

Ransomware Part 1: What is it?

“The end goal for the criminals is to make you pay.”

1

1 2 3

4 4

32

Internet

Ransomware Controller Server

Victims Server

Victims Computer

USB Harddrive

• Email is one of the most common methods, and infection usually occurs by opening an email or an attachment from someone you don’t know. You’ve probably all received an “invoice” or “AusPost” email that you’ve been tempted to open. Clicking on a malicious link in an email can also lead you to an infected website or install Ransomware directly.

• Browsing the internet and visiting an infected website can result in a Ransomware infection. Even websites that you use every day can be hijacked and become a source of Ransomware infections.

• Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can contain links that will result in an infection.

• Skype and other instant messaging programs can also contain bad links.

HOW DOES RANSOMWARE WORK?Explained below is a basic description of how some common variants of Ransomware work:

1. A person receives an email containing a malicious attachment, or visits a hijacked website.

2. The malicious software is installed and executed on the person’s computer. The Ransomware then attempts to connect with its controller server on the internet.

3. Once connected, the Ransomware is assigned a unique encryption key which is sent to the victim’s

computer and used to encrypt files.4. The Ransomware will now seek out

and encrypts files on any connected USB drives or mapped drives.

WHAT’S NEXT?As always, education is the key. Don’t open any emails that you’re not expecting or look suspicious, and don’t browse to any websites that you’re unsure of. In Part 2 I will discuss the consequences of an infection and some of the easy steps you can take to prevent an infection or mitigate the risk.

VIDA AB is Sweden s largest privately owned sawmill group. VIDA has some 1000 employees in South Sweden. The core business of VIDA group is targeted at sawn and planed softwood timber. Operations also include house manufacturing, production of pallets, pallet collars, cable drums, composite products and trade of bio fuels. 80% of the production is exported to five continents.

Every VIDA product is made from renewable raw material – the Swedish forest. To ensure sustainable production for generations to come, responsible forestry in general and regrowth in particular are VIDA undertakings. The company supports its raw material suppliers, a majority of which are private forest owners, with a range of services, advisory as well as harvesting etc. VIDA is certified by PEFC and FSC.

VIDA Wood Australia has a wide product range to meet our Australian customers’ needs. Our mission is to support your business.

BLA

CK

.SE

v i d a w o o d o f s w e d e n s e r v e s a u s t r a l i a

– a global supplier of Scandinavian softwood

Hestra

Hästveda

Urshult

Alvesta

Vislanda

Hjältevad

Borgstena

Nössemark

vida wood australia pty ltd phone: (07) 3147 8797 fax: (07) 3147 8773 e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Exclusively Distributed in Victoria byVTW Australia.

Melbourne, 85-95 Fitzgerald Road Laverton North Geelong, Fyans Street South Geelong

Ph. 61 3 8360 8340 F. 61 3 8368 2477Email. [email protected]

VIDA_TTN.indd 1 11/05/2016 12:27 PMTTN360_36_GN guidelines.indd 36 17/06/2016 2:59 PM

VIDA AB is Sweden s largest privately owned sawmill group. VIDA has some 1000 employees in South Sweden. The core business of VIDA group is targeted at sawn and planed softwood timber. Operations also include house manufacturing, production of pallets, pallet collars, cable drums, composite products and trade of bio fuels. 80% of the production is exported to five continents.

Every VIDA product is made from renewable raw material – the Swedish forest. To ensure sustainable production for generations to come, responsible forestry in general and regrowth in particular are VIDA undertakings. The company supports its raw material suppliers, a majority of which are private forest owners, with a range of services, advisory as well as harvesting etc. VIDA is certified by PEFC and FSC.

VIDA Wood Australia has a wide product range to meet our Australian customers’ needs. Our mission is to support your business.

BLA

CK

.SE

v i d a w o o d o f s w e d e n s e r v e s a u s t r a l i a

– a global supplier of Scandinavian softwood

Hestra

Hästveda

Urshult

Alvesta

Vislanda

Hjältevad

Borgstena

Nössemark

vida wood australia pty ltd phone: (07) 3147 8797 fax: (07) 3147 8773 e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Exclusively Distributed in Victoria byVTW Australia.

Melbourne, 85-95 Fitzgerald Road Laverton North Geelong, Fyans Street South Geelong

Ph. 61 3 8360 8340 F. 61 3 8368 2477Email. [email protected]

VIDA_TTN.indd 1 11/05/2016 12:27 PMTTN360_36_GN guidelines.indd 37 17/06/2016 2:30 PM

Paul Davis is an independent structural engineer managing his own consulting firm Project X Solutions Pty Ltd. The views in this column are Paul’s and do not reflect the opinions of TimberTrader News.Phone: 02 4576 1555 | Email: [email protected]


AUTOBUILD NEWS

TRUSS TALKwith Paul Davis

After my recent revelations in TimberTrader News that I once

started a bushfire, I should help make amends by giving some advice on how to protect buildings from fire caused by naughty young boys like I once was!

As part of my work I go to lots of buildings that have had fires in them. On some memorable occasions I have had to attend with the fire brigade in difficult situations to help them access unstable buildings so as to put the fire out.

You would imagine that a steel-framed building would perform a lot better in a fire than a timber-framed one.

It’s not the case. For a start, it’s almost always the contents

of the building that burn first, rather than the building structure itself. So it doesn’t matter what the construction, if there is fire there will be heat!

If the worst happens and there is a fire, a timber-framed building maintains significant structural strength when heated, even while on fire. By way of contrast, steel-framed buildings “spaghettify” as soon as they heat up to the sort of temperatures experience in even a moderate building fire. Even the heaviest-duty steel portal frames end up a twisted mess if there are lots of contents and the fire brigade can’t get it out promptly.

So, if your objective is to get out of a burning building alive then you should pray that it’s timber-framed rather than steel!

The fact that there is no particular problem with timber in a building on fire is illustrated to a degree by the bushfire standard. It does not discriminate as to the internal construction materials. You’re pretty much free to use whatever timbers you need for the main house structure.

Rather than worry about what the structure is, the main thrust of the bushfire code is to reduce the chances of a fire getting into the building in the first place.

Despite the fact that I live in a bushfire-prone area, the requirements for the design

“You would imagine that a steel-framed building would perform a lot better in a fire than a timber-framed one. It’s not the case.”

the BAL there may be a requirement for particular timbers or detailing to external timbers. There is, of course, the Australian standard. But that is not just user-unfriendly – at over $100 it’s also expensive.

By way of contrast, the deal of the century is that you can get an excellent explanatory publication from the wood solutions website (woodsolutions.com.au) for absolutely nothing! It explains in a high level of detail and with some nice pictures just what the different requirements are for different BALs.

One notable element that can affect your designs is the requirement for a sheet metal roof in a flame zone to have a 15mm plywood lining on top of the rafters. That will have several effects upon your design:

• Make sure it’s clear to you and your customer whether or not you’re supplying the ply.

• There is an increase in roof weight of between 7.5 and 10 kg/m² (assuming that it’s a pine plywood).

• There is a reduction in the restraint spacing to the top cord. This is because the fixing of the ply will be at 300mm spacing rather than the batten spacing of 900mm or more. This has the potential to reduce the cost of trusses.

• You’re not going to need any flat metal strapping other than potentially for temporary construction stabilisation. The plywood will make a most excellent roof bracing system!

By the way, my exploits as a boy were not restricted to lighting bushfires. There was the time we set the science lab curtains on fire. There was the time we killed Mrs Cameron’s grass – a long story: the fire cracker bombs, the attempt to build a metho power rocket and the warfare with our mortal enemies from the adjoining suburb.

It’s actually lucky I made it through childhood to be able to write about it!

for bushfire is something that I’m not that strong on. Part of the reason for that is it seems to be a movable feast. Rules have continued to evolve and change. Since the tragic Black Saturday fires in Victoria there has been four changes to the standard – and I know that my local fire authority for one has imposed their own requirements on top of that.

Whatever the case, it seems that more new buildings and extensions are being assessed as being in a bushfire affected zone. Determining what the bushfire attack level (BAL) is and then what to do about it has become an industry in itself. It’s not likely that you will have to do the assessment of the BAL. However, you may well want to keep in mind the potential need for someone to assess the BAL. You don’t want to be supplying timber for a deck on an owner’s order and then find that nobody ever determined that the deck was in a high bushfire zone and that the timbers you supplied are unsuitable. They’re going to blame you for sure, even if you delivered exactly what they asked for!

There is, however, a very good chance that you’ll be required to work out what needs to be supplied to meet the BAL requirements involved. Depending on

vekta.com.au

Vekta Automation: proudly Australian owned and made.

VEKTA: IT’S AUSTRALIAN FOR AUTOMATION

Part of the Razer range

What Australian made means for you:

w Technical support from the actual Engineers and software developers of the machinery – not just a sales representative. In other words – your language and your time zone – we are open when you are.

w With over $200K in spares, parts can be sent out the day you need them. Reduce your down time and get back to work sooner.

w Installation and training are a high priority – Vekta guarantees a follow up trip three months after the installation of your Razer. When you invest in Australia and Vekta, we invest in you.

Vekta Automation is a dynamic and innovative Australian owned and operated company specialising in the truss and frame industry.

The Vekta Razer Line and the Vekta P3 Printer are helping businesses all over Australia and New Zealand improve their safety, efficiency and output. Automation is an investment for the future of your business, your local economy and Australia- why invest overseas when you can invest in your own country?

TTN360_38_Truss talk.indd 38 17/06/2016 2:30 PM

vekta.com.au

Vekta Automation: proudly Australian owned and made.

VEKTA: IT’S AUSTRALIAN FOR AUTOMATION

Part of the Razer range

What Australian made means for you:

w Technical support from the actual Engineers and software developers of the machinery – not just a sales representative. In other words – your language and your time zone – we are open when you are.

w With over $200K in spares, parts can be sent out the day you need them. Reduce your down time and get back to work sooner.

w Installation and training are a high priority – Vekta guarantees a follow up trip three months after the installation of your Razer. When you invest in Australia and Vekta, we invest in you.

Vekta Automation is a dynamic and innovative Australian owned and operated company specialising in the truss and frame industry.

The Vekta Razer Line and the Vekta P3 Printer are helping businesses all over Australia and New Zealand improve their safety, efficiency and output. Automation is an investment for the future of your business, your local economy and Australia- why invest overseas when you can invest in your own country?

TTN360_38_Truss talk.indd 39 17/06/2016 2:31 PM


It doesn’t take a genius to use compliant, Engineered Building Products (EBPs) – at the end of the day it’s really common sense.

Non-compliant building products can compromise the structural integrity of a building. However builders and certifiers alike

can trust each and every one of MiTek’s EBPs. MiTek have a huge range of ‘compliant’ EBPs designed to meet specific load-

bearing and engineering requirements. They all comply with the National Construction Code Series and Australian Standards.

All are tested and certified to ensure peace-of-mind and performance. Plus, MiTek provides data sheets for each and every EBP

and support media via the MiTek GUIDE and the EasyCat App.

MGB

0736




COMPLIANCE isn’trocket SCIENCE.

It’s ENGINEERING!

Quality ISO 9001

MGB0736 Compliance Full pg TT Ad_FA.indd 1 12/05/2016 07:09TTN360_38_Truss talk.indd 40 17/06/2016 2:31 PM