Generations of Hot Water at Kogarah Plumbing

news and innovation from

Autumn 2012 // Issue 30

Talented team delivers on quality & safety in new Moss Vale factory

Over the last two years, Dux has invested significantly in upgrading its Moss Vale factory. The factory has now commenced production in the new assembly shed using new systems, processes and purpose built machinery.

Dux General Manager, Simon Terry, said, “Our project team has done an outstanding job in providing us with the world’s most advanced hot water assembly plant. The key focus for the new plant is to manufacture the highest product quality water heaters in a safe environment. To do that, it’s not just about buying the best equipment; you’ve got to assemble a great team. I’m very proud to say that we’ve brought together an Operations ‘Dream Team’ to lead the Moss Vale factory.”

Operations Manager, Steve McRae, has already been with Dux for some time and is in charge of all operations at the site. Steve has a distinguished track record in Australian automotive manufacturing, being previously General Manager of the seating division at Futuris, a core supplier to the Australian automotive industry.

Steve is a strong advocate of repeatable product quality, which is so crucial in the automotive industry. Steve said, “It’s a really exciting time at Dux right now. We’ve got the right balance of new equipment, processes and skills to manufacture outstanding water heaters right here in Australia. Not many companies are still investing in Australian manufacturing but at Dux we are, just like we have been for the last 97 years.”

Production Manager, Mick Braid, is responsible for providing welded tanks to the new assembly plant. Mick Braid has also been at Dux for a number of years and comes with an impressive past history. Mick Braid was previously a Production Manager with Land Rover UK and came to Dux with the latest thinking out of Europe.

Mick commented, “I’m so proud of what has been achieved at Dux in a relatively short time. The new assembly plant looks amazing

and the team should be congratulated on their great work. This is really at the leading edge and I’m talking about up against the best in the world.”

Dr. Jochen Werner was part of the original design project team for the new assembly plant and has been a crucial project member in the construction of the new plant. General Manager Simon Terry commented, “We’re delighted to have Jochen sign on to be part of our Operations Dream Team. Jochen has already become well known to many of us over the last couple of years and has been an invaluable member of the project team. He has a PhD in Engineering and brings to us the latest skills and knowledge out of Europe. He was employed by the Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) and has worked with prized German manufacturing companies

like BMW and Audi.

Besides the senior management team, Dux has also invested heavily to ensure that staff had the skills to manage the new processes. The Production Team Leaders undertook a Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing. The course was completed over 15 months with the first group of Team Leaders graduating in December 2011, with a marked improvement in factory performance and an increased understanding of business requirements.

Competitive Manufacturing covers Lean Manufacturing principles and requires the participants to complete several continuous improvement projects. Some of the CI activities completed included manual handling solutions, process improvements and 5S (factory appearance).

Mick Braid, Steve McRae and Jochen Werner

Dux in 2012 - celebrating 97 years

Save Energy with Dux’s Remodelled Solar Hot Water Range

Since the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator‘s (ORER) update of the solar hot water register and its Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) methodology in November 2011, the plumbing industry has seen a host of changes across the entire environmental hot water market.

The changes include new standards for energy performance requirements to give greater clarity on the true solar efficiency and running costs of each hot water system for all manufacturers, thereby changing the value of STC’s allocated to a hot water heater.

As a result, Dux Hot Water’s new remodelled solar hot water range achieves a high rate of STC’s and, in particular, its Sunpro® electric boosted solar water heater

achieves one of the highest STC’s on the market in relation to comparable systems from other manufacturers.

Achieving 37 STC’s for Zone 3, Dux’s Sunpro® electric boosted solar water heater is ranked as one of the best performing water heaters in its category. It provides homeowners with reduced electricity running costs, a lower environmental footprint, higher government rebates and therefore a reduced upfront cost, due to operational efficiencies.

Dux Hot Water’s other environmental water heaters, including its gas boosted solar and heat pump water heaters, also perform well, maintaining strong market position.

Commenting on the remodelled Dux water heaters, Steve Linton, Marketing Manager at

Dux Hot Water, said, “At Dux we’re very proud to have Australia’s most highly awarded range of environmental water heaters. Our systems continue to offer homeowners high STCs and therefore outstanding energy efficiency. The Dux Product Development team has done a remarkable job and it’s great to see their hard work being recognised.”

Dux’s environmental hot water heater range utilises a patented Hotlogic® processor, which constantly searches for and switches to the cheapest available energy source.

The Dux Sunpro solar range is part of Australia’s most highly awarded range of environmental water heaters.

For further information on Dux’s award winning range of solar water heaters, please visit www.dux.com.au.

Electric Boosted Solar STCs

D3F136T2AC

30

28

26

24

36

34

32

38

ZONE

3 S

TCS

Flags are used to denote ultimate company ownership only.More efficient collectors may be available as an additional option from all manufacturers, including Dux. STCs Source - Australian Government, Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. SolahartTM and the Solahart logo is a trademark of Solahart Industries Pty Ltd. EdwardsTM and the Edwards logo are trademarks of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd. RinnaiTM and the Rinnai logo are trademarks of Rinnai Australia Pty Ltd. RheemTM and the Rheem logo are trademarks of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd.

The all NEW

Sunpro really

delivers.

Introducing the unique next

generation gas boosted solar

from Dux

www.dux.com.au 1300 365 116

Mains pressure hot water unlike continuous flow boosted systems

Low megajoule consumption burner

Patented Panel Management System protects against overheating in summer & frost damage in winter

Fully compliant to the new solar legislation

Be Aware Of Misleading Warranties And Fly By Nighters

Dux in 2012 - celebrating 97 years

Mark Lydiard Promoted to National Sales Manager

With many new entrants to the solar hot water market over the last few years, it’s crucial for plumbers and their customers to do their research on hot water manufacturers and their warranty offers.

General Manager of Dux Hot Water, Simon Terry, recommends plumbers work with companies that are well known and respected in the industry.

He said, “Warranties are only good if the companies survive the term of the warranty. There are instances over the last few years of companies leaving the industry and no longer offering their customers any warranty.

Dux Hot Water is Australia’s largest locally owned hot water manufacturer and has provided the highest quality in products and service for nearly 100 years.

It manufactures water heaters in a state-of-the-art

facility in NSW’s Southern Highlands, using a quality endorsed production system.

Dux Hot Water is also owned by GWA Group Limited, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. GWA Group markets many of Australia’s best known brands such as Caroma, Gainsborough and Fowler.

The Dux range is subject to continuous research and development, resulting in many breakthroughs in the efficiency, reliability and longevity of hot water systems. Dux is committed to producing high quality products and to the on-going development of new products.

For more information or advice on Dux warranties please visit www.dux.com.au

Dux Hot Water has announced the exciting promotion of long serving employee, Mark Lydiard, to the role of National Sales Manager.

After 11 years with the company, Mark has continued to work his way through the ranks at Dux. He has been involved in many aspects of the Dux business over the years, serving a variety of roles, including Service Supervisor, Sales Account Manager and State Manager.

Prior to beginning his career with Dux, Mark worked in several areas within the plumbing industry. During his time with GWA, he managed service and sales teams before moving into the Queensland State Manager role in 2005.

In 2009, Mark returned to Melbourne to work for Dux in a national strategic role. This included being part of the due diligence team assembled to investigate the purchase of Brivis. Over the last two years he has headed up the Brivis Service Division.

Mark is committed to quality and superior customer satisfaction, stating these will continue to be his key focus. He said, “In my new role as National Sales Manager, I look forward to focusing on strategic customer engagement to continue to strengthen and broaden the Dux brand in Australia.

“I will continue to maintain and form partnerships with Dux customers and ensure they are 100 per cent happy with our products and services, while playing a major role in driving the company forward,” he added.

Commenting on the appointment, General Manager at Dux, Simon Terry concluded, “Mark has built extremely strong relationships across the industry and I’m sure his appointment will come as no surprise to our customers who, like us, have the upmost respect for his work. I have every faith in his ability to lead the Dux sales team during this exciting time.”

Dux National Sales Manager, Mark Lydiard

The team at Kogarah Plumbing

Generations of Hot Water at Kogarah Plumbing

Prof

ile

Kogarah Plumbing Service in Sydney is now a well-known name in the plumbing industry – having been established by the Campbell family 39 years ago.

As one of the oldest plumbing firms in the area, Kogarah Plumbing Service has been servicing Sydney’s South and has maintained family ownership since 1972.

Now run by David Campbell, the company was initially started by David’s Father, Barry. The company operated out of Barry’s home in Kogarah Bay for the first 31 years of operation.

Once Barry retired, it was then moved to David’s home in Blakehurst, followed by larger premises with a showroom in South Hurstville, where the company currently resides.

David maintains that it was his experiences helping out his father from a young age which enticed both he and his brother to become plumbers and carry on the family business.

He said, “I grew up in the family plumbing business and have always been a hands on person since I was a child. I love the

satisfaction of fixing things and so I guess it was all these things combined that made me become a plumber and then my brother also followed suit. Plumbing is a great trade and I absolutely love what I do.”

The majority of Kogarah Plumbing’s work is maintenance and hot water, and the company covers a range of services across domestic, commercial and industrial plumbing.

There are 10 staff employed within the business including apprentices, labourers, tradesmen and administration staff, as well as a number of sub-contractors.

Equipped with a fleet of maintenance vehicles and a strong team of professional staff, Kogarah Plumbing is fully equipped to tackle a multitude of tasks, being able to respond with timely and efficient customer service.

According to David, “Our business philosophy is to maintain the personalised service you would expect from a very small company but with the capability of a bigger company. Quality workmanship and outstanding customer service are also paramount, and it’s these things that give our

company a good reputation, plenty of word of mouth marketing and return business.”

Work is always carried out on time and in accordance with Australian plumbing standards. Kogarah Plumbing is also a dedicated Dux Hot Water ePlumber.

David concluded, “We have a great relationship with Dux. It is a great Australian company that has been extremely helpful to our plumbing business over the years and has high quality water heaters which we have been supplying to our customers.”

December 2009 // Issue 22Dux in 2012 - celebrating 97 years

Contact Dux Hot Water: Sales 1300 365 116 // Service 1300 365 115Website: www.dux.com.au

© Dux Manufacturing Limited 2011. All rights reserved. ABN 19 077 879 844. Lackey Road, PO Box 209, Moss Vale NSW 2577. ® and ™ indicate trademarks of Dux Manufacturing Limited. #Correct at time of printing.

Dux Apprentice is Highly Commended at the Illawarra Industry Council’s Apprentice of the Year Awards

A Dux apprentice starred at the annual Australian Industry Group Illawarra Region Apprentice of the Year Awards held last October in Wollongong.

Of the many outstanding apprentices nominated for the awards, an apprentice from Dux Manufacturing in Moss Vale, Tom Whymark, 28, of Yerrinbool in New South Wales, was one of six finalists and received one of only two highly commended awards at the ceremony.

The award covers the regions from the Victorian border through to Wollongong and the Southern Highlands and recognises the good work of apprentices.

The apprentices were judged on a range of criteria including workmanship, problem solving, initiative and communication skills.

Tom started with Dux as a casual process worker and then gained an apprenticeship at Dux Moss Vale manufacturing plant, through Southern Tablelands Group Training.

He is now in his fourth year of training with Dux – an exercise which has given him valuable technical skills especially in the areas of process maintenance and improvement.

Charlie Cugaly, Maintenance Manager at Dux Manufacturing said, “Tom is highly regarded at Dux and has developed into a very capable tradesperson. He works very well in our team and always gets the job done to a high standard.

“In the last six months he has been given an important part of the plant to look after as part of a new online maintenance system.

He has made significant improvements to the equipment in his area which has played an important part in improving the overall plant efficiency. We would like to congratulate Tom on his great achievement,” he concluded.

Congratulations Tom Whymark!