Australasia Outlook Issue 3

PEOPLE CULTURE TRAVEL PROPERTY BUSINESS WINE SPORT ENTERTAINMENT

LudowiciInnovation since 1858

BuiLd it GreenGreen Star and NABERS-rated buildings outperform non-rated buildings

A.i.M corporAtion New year, new targets

Moly Mines Developer of the world’s next major molybdenum mine

records growth in pnG

dHL

Exclusive interview with Mark Schell, General Manager at DHL Express PNG

3www.australasiaoutlook.com

AustrAliA’s mining tAx pAsses biggest politicAl hurdleAustralia’s plan to impose a 30 percent tax on its booming

iron ore and coal sectors has cleared its biggest political

hurdle yet, with legislation passing through parliament’s

lower house.

The vote was a major victory for Julia Gillard’s Labor Party

after 18 months of acrimonious debate that brought down

former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Mining companies ran

a public campaign against his original 40 percent tax plan.

Gillard wants the new tax on mining profits to pay for a

company tax cut and boost pensions, helping to spread the

benefits of Australia’s resources boom to other parts of

the economy struggling with the global downturn.

“This is a way in which all Australians share in the bounty

of the mining boom,” Treasurer Wayne Swan said.

The legislation will now go to the upper house Senate in

early 2012, where the government and the Greens have

the numbers to ensure the bills are passed into law.

The mining tax, being eyed by other resource-rich nations

in South America and Africa, is a key policy for Gillard, who

struck a deal on the tax with global miners BHP Billiton,

Rio Tinto and Xstrata in July 2010.

Opposition parties say that the tax would cause job losses

and raise the cost of living. They have promised to repeal

the legislation if they win the next election, due in 2013.

When the tax becomes law, mining

companies will have to pay about A$11

billion in charges in the first three years

of the tax.

Enjoy the magazine!

Ian Armitage Editor

editoriAl editor – Ian Armitagesub editors – Jahn Vannisselroy Janine Kelso Tom Sturrock Writers – Colin ChineryJane Bordenave Robert Michaels

businessAdvertising sales manager – Sean Brettresearchers – Nicholas DaviesStuart Shirra

sales administrators – Katherine EllisDaniel George

AccountsFinancial controller - Suzanne Welsh

production & designdesign & production manager – Lisa Ferronimages: Getty news: NZPA, AAP, SAPA

digitAl & ithead of digital marketing & development – Syed Ahmad

tnt publishing ceo - Kevin Ellis chairman - Ken Hurst publisher - TNT Multimedia Limited

TNT Multimedia Limited,10 Greycoat Place, London, SW1P 1SBtntmagazine.com

enquiriesTelephone: 0061 (0)2 8518 1223Fax: Email: [email protected]

subscriptions Call: 0061 (0)2 8518 1223Email: [email protected]

www.australasiaoutlook.com

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Contents

06 NEWS

12 QaNtaS diSputE The Qantas dispute is now in the

hands of the workplace ombudsman

14 BuSiNESS SurgEoN The fine line of bullying …

16 Major MakEovEr for ayErS rock

You thought Ayers Rock was just a rock right? Wrong!

18 cool NEW appS The best new apps for your smartphone

20 grEEN BuildiNg couNcil of auStralia A green star rising

24 Build it grEEN Green Star and NABERS-rated buildings outperform non-rated buildings

30 dHl rEcordS groWtH iN pNg Mark Schell, General Manager at DHL Express PNG, talks to ABO

fEatu

rES

fEatur

ES36 allStaff air-

coNditioNiNg Frank Wiedermann tells ABO how long-term thinking is crucial to his company’s success

42 a.i.M corporatioN New year, new targets

50 air coNditioNiNg ENgiNEEriNg SErvicES

(acES) In little over a decade, ACES has become a well-recognised air conditioning and engineering services company

54 Moly MiNES Developer of the world’s next major molybdenum mine

60 ludoWici Innovation since 1858

66 aBErgEldiE coMplEx iNfraStructurE Mick Boyle established Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure in 1994

72 capS auStralia A breath of fresh air

co

vEr

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6

Sport


Business

Australia’s Senate has approved a controversial law on pollution, after months of public debate and fierce opposition from the coalition.

The Clean Energy Act bill passed a vote in the lower house last month by just 74 votes to 72.

With its passing in the Senate, it will force the country’s 500 biggest polluting companies to pay a tax on their carbon emissions from 1 July next year.

The Senate vote is a victory for PM Julia

Gillard, who had given strong backing to the plan.

Climate action groups have hailed the passage of the carbon emissions tax, while business groups warn it will be a burden on industry and consumers.

There have been large public protests against the scheme.

Opposition parties say that the tax would cause job losses and raise the cost of living.

They have promised to repeal the legislation if they win the next election, due in 2013.

AustrAliAn senAte bAcks cArbon tAx

7

Sport


Business

Tiger Airways says it is unable to be profitable in Australia.

The airline is currently limited to just 22 daily flights a day, under restrictions imposed after the forced grounding of its fleet earlier this year.

Singapore-based Tiger said its Australian flying business suffered a A$20.70 million operating loss in the three months to September 30, a substantial deterioration from the A$S600,000 loss in the prior corresponding period.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) grounded Tiger’s Australian fleet of 10 Airbus A320s on July 2, saying at the time it believed permitting the airline to continue flying posed a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

CASA cleared Tiger to resume flying on August 2, albeit on a restricted schedule.

Tiger has applied to CASA to lift the maximum number of flights it can operate each day. A decision expected in a couple of weeks.

Business

Australia posted its largest ever quarterly trade surplus in the three months to September at A$7.3 billion, a 16 percent increase on the previous quarter.

Trade Minister Craig Emerson said exporters had recovered well from the weather-related disruptions to trade early this year, and proved resilient against global economic turmoil and the strong Australian dollar.

Data showed goods and services trade produced a surplus of A$2.6 billion in September, the seventh consecutive monthly surplus since the weather-related disruption that saw a small deficit in February.

It was the fifth-largest monthly surplus on record.“Australian exporters have responded magnificently to

extraordinary growth in Asian economies in the Asian century,” Emerson said.

record s u r p l u st r a d e

t i g e raustralial o s e s million in Q2

Sport

8

Qantas Euro crisis

Italy’s newly appointed Prime Minister Mario Monti has started work on forming a government to lead Italy out of its debt crisis, following Silvio Berlusconi’s resignation.

The appointment of Monti, an ex-EU commissioner, was announced by Italy’s president on Sunday 13 November.

Mr Monti said he wanted to build “a future of dignity and hope” for Italy’s children.

Financial markets have responded well to his appointment.

Lucas Papademos has been named as Greece’s new prime minister. He replaces outgoing George Papandreou who announced he was resigning after a disastrous call for a referendum on the eurozone rescue package.

The former European Central Bank vice-president will head an interim government being formed to make sure debt-strapped Greece gets its latest bailout payment, and to approve a new 130 billion euro international rescue package from eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

m o n t i

PaPademos

moves to form

named as new

new government

greeK Pm


The pilots’ union is appealing in the Federal Court against Fair Work Australia’s (FWA) decision to stop Qantas industrial action, claiming it wrongfully ruled against members who had only taken minor action.

The Australian International and Pilots Association (AIPA) said it launched proceedings before the Full Court of the Federal Court in Sydney.

The union said the only industrial action members had taken against Qantas before it grounded its airline last month was to wear red ties and make short announcements on the aircraft broadcasting system before takeoff.

The union said Qantas’s move to lockout staff was a “disproportionate” response to such minor action.

PioltsaPPeal fwa’sQantas ruling

Sport Euro crisis

9

The EU’s economic watchdog, the European Commission, has warned that the 17-country eurozone could slip back into recession next year.

Its central forecast is that the eurozone will grow by only 0.5 percent in 2012. That’s way down on the 1.8 percent prediction it made in September.

The huge cut in the forecast comes as the eurozone’s debt crisis has spread alarmingly to Italy, the single currency bloc’s third-largest economy.

German and French officials have discussed plans for a radical overhaul of the European Union that would involve setting up a more integrated and potentially smaller eurozone.

“France and Germany have had intense consultations on this issue over the last months, at all levels,” a senior EU official in Brussels told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Policymakers in Paris, Berlin and Brussels have raised the possibility of one or more countries leaving the eurozone.

Eurozone leaders want deeper economic integration, including on tax and fiscal policy.

“We need to move very cautiously, but the truth is that we need to establish exactly the list of those who don’t want to be part of the club and those who simply cannot be part,” the official added.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said recently that a two-speed Europe - the eurozone moving ahead more rapidly than all 27 countries in the EU - was the only model for the future.

EurozonE

GErmany and FrancE

‘Eu ovErhaul’

on thE brink oF rEcEssion

discuss plans For


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Injured Australian batsman Shaun Marsh is confident he’ll be fit to play in next month’s first Test against rivals New Zealand after he returned home to Perth from South Africa.

Marsh injured his back in the first innings of what was an embarrassing first Test loss to South Africa in Cape Town and was forced to return home.

He is hoping to be fit by the time Australia face the Black Caps in Brisbane on December 1.

The 28-year-old injured a disc in his back.“It’s feeling a lot better. Obviously the first

few days were pretty tough and it was a little bit disappointing, but hopefully I can get it right now and be available for selection for the first Test in Brisbane,” Marsh said.

Sport

marsh confidenthe’ll be readyfor nZ test

Lifestyle

Local detention centres are stretching police resources, South Australia’s assistant police commissioner Bronwyn Killmier says.

The state’s three detention facilities also lacked secure infrastructure, according to Ms Killmier.

She told a federal parliamentary inquiry in Adelaide that the Ellis Close immigration detention facility at Port Augusta north of Adelaide and the Inverbrackie centre in the Adelaide Hills stretched local police resources.

Whilst the company that runs the centres, Serco, handled minor incidents at the facilities, when things escalated, South Australian police (SAPOL) were brought in.

“SAPOL attendance particularly at these two rural detention centres removes officers from policing their local communities,” Ms Killmier said.

detention“stretching resources”centres

conditions weaken further


Sport

Business

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla both hit centuries as South Africa cruised to an eight-wicket win over Australia inside three days in the first Test.

Set 236 to win after bowling Australia out for 47 on day two, captain Smith and Amla put on 195 for the second wicket to all-but wrap up the victory.

Amla was caught on 112 by Michael Clarke in the gully with South Africa needing just 14 more to win.

But Smith hit the winning runs as he ended on 101 not out.

“It’s been quite incredible. Yesterday was a mind-boggle for all of us. We have showed a lot of resilience and we got better and better as the match went on,” Smith said.

With 8-88 in the match, 5-15 in the second innings (the fifth best South Africa performance on debut), Vernon Philander was the outstanding performer. “I couldn’t ask for a better debut in front of my home crowd,” he said.

Small business trading conditions and confidence have continued to deteriorate against the backdrop of an escalating European debt crisis, and weak consumer confidence and spending, a new survey shows.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ACCI) small business survey showed its conditions index fell to 41.0 in the September

quarter, from 42.1 in the previous three months, to its lowest level since March 2009.

The index remains below the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction and is 6.1 points below its five-year average.

The survey also showed the expectations index for the current December quarter falling below the 50-point level for the first time in two years.

sa beat australia

small business

What happens now? By Ian Armitage

Another big decision will be whether there will be just one set of hearings, or whether the process must be split into three for each union dispute.

The hearings, when they do start, will most likely be held in either Melbourne or Sydney, probably with video linking the two.

They will almost certainly be held in public, but may go into private conference when specific agreements need to be hammered out between the parties.

Although FWA’s job is to impose binding arbitration, it will hope to preside over as much voluntary agreement between the parties as possible.

The engineers’ union has already said that with just five or six issues to be sorted out before the panel, it is willing to co-operate with the process.

It is hopeful its dispute can be wrapped up 1.

The drawn-out dispute between Qantas and three of its unions is now in the hands of the workplace ombudsman, which must start the process of compulsory arbitration.

But with most of the parties agreeing the process could take months, Fair Work Australia (FWA) president Justice Geoffrey Giudice has a number of decisions to make.

He must first pick which members will make up the full bench panel to hear the arbitration.

This full bench could comprise FWA vice-presidents, senior vice-presidents, deputy presidents or commissioners.

These judges will likely be selected not only for their expertise in industrial relations but for their long-term availability.

It is unlikely Justice Giudice will sit on the panel because he is due to retire at the end of February.

QANTAS


by Christmas.But the pilots and the Transport Workers

Union are angry that the dispute has gone to compulsory arbitration, saying Qantas

employees will be stuck with a Work Choices agreement.

Their disputes with Qantas are the ones most likely to drag on for months.


dispute


What you need to know

Bullying in the workplace not only affects staff, it can also affect your business and its ability to operate. Yet despite this, research by Know

Bull! indicates that far from being curbed bullying in the workplace is on the increase.

Even as far back as 2001, Drake Personnel, one of Australia’s leading employment agencies said in an interview that, “the antics of one serial bully in the workplace had the potential

to reduce the performance of their victims by half, and that of other employees by up to 33 percent.”

“Okay” you might say, “bullying is a problem, but it is easy to spot so we can do something about it”.

Well, no.The problem with bullying is that most of it

happens on a subtle level.

The fine line of

Bullying

15

Business surgeon

You might not even see it as ‘all that bad’. But it is. Bullying causes hurt, stress and

suffering. And it can hurt your business.It is often hard to stop, it is harder to act

upon. But there are some things you can do.First off though, we have to determine

what bullying is. It often described as a ‘repeated act’ that causes feelings of intimidation or emotional distress to another individual. It can start out as a bit of a joke, and many good-humoured people will accept a joke at their expense if it’s in good taste and delivered well. Yet, if it continues beyond the point where the person on the receiving end is good-humoured about it, you start to move into the area of bullying.

It’s very easy to say that your organisation won’t accept bullying and it is even easier to say that you’re not allowed to send threatening emails, swear at co-workers, act in a sexist or racist manner or systematically intimidate someone – but the grey areas are incredibly difficult to navigate. These questions will help you and your HR department prepare for any cases of bullying:• How do you deal with a he says/she says scenario?

• What do you define as bullying within your workplace?• If you find someone has been bullied, what do you do? What happens to the bully?

The big issue is what will you do to prevent bullying, rather than simply deal with it when it happens?

Unfortunately, you probably won’t ever weed it out entirely.

As long as you have employees there will be the potential for bullying to occur. But putting good policy in place, drawing up plans and procedures, educating your staff on how to identify and report on bullying, or communicating with your staff about the company’s bullying policy can make a difference.

Why not start now?


bullying

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A y e r s r o c k i s A u s t r A l i A ’ s m o s t f A m o u s l A n d m A r k … A n d i t h A s j u s t g o t t e n b e t t e r by ian Armitage

gets A mAjor mAkeoverAyers RockYou thought Ayers Rock was just

a rock right? Wrong! Apart from visiting the big rock, visitors to the Red Centre are now also able to

play a round of desert golf as part of a major makeover at the Ayers Rock Resort.

The Northern Territory property has also signed a major agreement with the world’s largest hotel operator, Accor, to help it open up new markets, such as China and India.

In addition, the federal government will contribute A$4.9 million towards a National Indigenous Training Academy at the resort.

The Uluru property - recently purchased by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) -

employs 51 indigenous Australians.When ILC bought the resort in May only two

of the 670 staff were indigenous. By 2018, the ILC hopes that number will be at least one in two - or over 300 employees.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, which manages ILC’s tourism activities, said the main complaint it received from guests of the resort was that they had not interacted with an Aboriginal person during their stay.

“As one of our first initiatives, and with the help of local Elders, we have invited surrounding indigenous communities to the resort to sell their art and crafts directly to our guests, display cultural performances, take

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Property feature

gets a major makeoverAyers Rock

guests on bush tucker tours around the resort, explain their art, and so on,” says Voyages managing director Koos Klein.

“Since then we are getting letter after letter from overseas guests who have had an experience that they will never forget.”

Mr Klein said the resort’s overall objective was to reposition itself as an indigenous centre of excellence, offering guests a genuine indigenous experience.

The facility upgrade will include building a children’s play and education centre with an indigenous theme, a spa and wellness centre with indigenous treatments, a new conference centre and Australia’s first desert golf course,

which will have a view of Uluru and Kata Tjuta from every hole.

“Its facilities will be upgraded, but we could have gold and marble dripping from the walls, without the indigenous experience the resort would not meet our guests’ expectations.”

Ayers Rock Resort consists of five hotels, which will retain their names but be aligned to corresponding brands in Accor’s portfolio.Sails in the Desert will become a member of Pullman Hotels, Desert Gardens Hotel will be a part of Novotel Hotels, Outback Pioneer a member of All Seasons Hotels, Emu Walk Apartments a member of Grand Mercure Apartments and Lost Camel Hotel a member of Mercure Hotels.


18 australasia business outlook

Trying to find the best apps for your smartphone is a bit like finding needles in a barn of haystacks, so we’ve found some for you. By Ian Armitage

CHEESE & WINEApple App Store,

US $1.99Wine and cheese

pairings is something I know very little about. Fortunately this app - by Max Allen and Will Studd - provides information on which

types of wine compliment different types of cheeses and includes useful informational videos and articles. The most appealing and simplest feature

of Cheese & Wine is the Match Cheese feature. Never again will you have to make a random selection at the supermarket!

BIG WApple App Store, freeSmartphone shopping lists are all the rage and Big W will let you compile yours inside this app or search its

appscool new

1.

Trawling apps stores searching for the hidden gems is no mean feat. But I have a lot of spare time… and love it.

These are some of my latest additions and they’re a lot of fun.

GARAGEBANDApple App Store, US$5.49Should you suddenly get inspiration to write that next chart topper, you can now bust out a virtual keyboard, guitar or string section, add vocals and sound effects, mix the track together and export it as an AAC file. Fame achieved. Watch out X Factor!

19australasia business outlook

Technology FEATURE

appscatalogues for bargains. The best feature of this app is its barcode-scanning feature. It identifies objects using the iPhone’s camera and delivers their Big W price.

POPSAndroid Market, freeIf you’ve ever received a notification and thought to yourself, “I really wish my phone would play some colourful and fun animation every time I get a message,” then there’s no doubt that Pops is the app for you. Calling itself the “ringtone for the smartphone generation”, Pops is an app that lets you customise notifications for certain apps, namely Gmail, SMS, Facebook, and Twitter, with full-screen animations.

PAPPAYAApple App Store, freeAccording to Apple, there are over 500,000 apps in their App Store alone. Who in their right mind would want to sift through all of them to find the best, other than me? I’m hoping not many… That’s why you’re reading. Now, I’m going to shoot myself in the foot here, but this app does the searching for you. It takes app reviews and through a special algorithm combines the review data with user reviews on the App Store to magically tell you which apps are best. I’ve just made this feature redundant. You won’t be seeing it next month! END

cool new

By Romilly Madew, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia

Property feature

greenstar rising

In Australia, the green building movement only gained momentum after the Sydney Olympics in 2000 received worldwide recognition as the ‘Green Games’. With

venues and facilities that established new benchmarks in design excellence and best practice sustainability, Australia’s property and construction industry demonstrated that green buildings were indeed achievable.

But at the time, the industry had few metrics or agreed methodologies to measure green building, few assessment tools or benchmarks of best practice. There was no organised approach to knowledge-sharing or collaboration. Nor was there any way for the industry to promote or profit from green building leadership.

In 2002, a group of green building pioneers recognised the need for an independent organisation to develop a sustainable property industry in Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) had arrived.

The following year, in 2003, the GBCA launched Australia’s first holistic environmental rating system for buildings, Green Star.

That same year, Lend Lease announced that it intended to construct Australia’s first 5 Star Green Star – As Built project, demonstrating ‘Australian Excellence’. The

general outcry was “it can’t be done”. At the time, the benchmarks for a 5 Star Green Star rating seemed exceedingly high.

Nevertheless, Lend Lease designed 30 The Bond to excellent environmental standards, with Australia’s first widespread application of passive chilled beam technology to assist in energy reduction. The result was a building that produces around 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional buildings of similar dimensions at that time.

Lend Lease led the way, demonstrating that a green building could be good for both the environment and the bottom line. The race was on.

In 2005, another green icon emerged: Council House 2. CH2 achieved Australia’s first 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v1 rating and was not just a demonstration of environmental efficiency, but also showed that green building design can deliver impressive productivity benefits. A post-occupancy survey of CH2 recorded a 10.9 percent boost to productivity, with estimated annual cost savings of A$2 million.

Another ‘first’ came in 2008, when the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre became the world’s greenest convention centre with a 6 Star Green Star rating for sustainability initiatives which still remain one-of-a-kind today. These include the

eye-catching façade, which towers 18 metres high and is constructed of spectrally-selective glass which reduces heat gain. The extensive solar hot water system generates around 35 percent of the facility’s general hot water requirements, while the innovative displacement ventilation system provides excellent air quality to conference delegates.

Another influential green project was also certified in 2008: the Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development, in Queensland. The first Green Star education facility in Australia achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Education PILOT rating and acts as a ‘living laboratory’ for the advancement of teaching sustainability principles and practices. Bond University set the bar for sustainable schools; today we have more than 100 green education projects either certified or registered to achieve Green Star ratings.

Also setting new benchmarks was Housing NSW’s Lilyfield redevelopment, which achieved a 5 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential PILOT rating in 2009. Housing NSW invested in environmentally-sustainable initiatives such as gas-boosted solar hot water systems, 267 square metres of solar panels and a four kilowatt photovoltaic system to power common area lighting. The gas-boosted hot water system caters for 60 percent of hot water consumption and delivers annual savings of A$19,000 - or A$213 per unit - meaning the annual electricity bill for households will decrease by 25 percent. As affordable social housing units, a saving of A$213 per unit per year represents a major benefit for residents.

In 2010, Lot 12 TradeCoast Central was not only the first industrial project to gain a

Green Star rating, but did so with a range of innovations never seen before. The project achieved a number of Green Star innovation points, for features such as the precinct non-potable water storage and distribution system which reduces potable water consumption by 80 percent – the equivalent of more than 10,000 litres a day.

And earlier this year, Flinders Medical Centre – New South Wing became Australia’s first Green Star healthcare facility, providing positive proof that green healthcare facilities are affordable and achievable. Among the impressive green features, a 286 panel solar hot water system, the largest in South Australia, provides hot water across the entire campus and is expected to reduce energy costs by A$400,000 per year.

Today, Green Star is certainly ascendant. While a 5 Star Green Star rating seemed unachievable in 2003, today we have more than 380 Green Star certified projects around Australia, and a further 540 registered to achieve Green Star certification.

A range of international reports have confirmed that green buildings positively impact everything from operational costs to return on investment, and from reputational equity to productivity. The Building Better Returns report, published in September 2011 by the Australian Property Institute and Property Funds Association in association with the University of Western Sydney, has found that Green Star-rated buildings are delivering a 12 percent ‘green premium’ in value and a five percent premium in rent.

Similarly, the most recent IPD Property Index has found that 4 Star Green Star-rated

3D The Bond MCC

buildings deliver a 10.8 percent higher return on investment than non-Green Star buildings.

Since 2002, Green Star has penetrated the commercial office market to the extent that 18 percent of CBD office space is now Green Star certified.

Recently, the Chief Executive of Australia’s largest privately-owned development, funds management and construction company, Grocon, said it was a “liability to have too few Green Stars.”

So, what does the future hold? Certainly, the number of Green Star-rated buildings will continue to escalate, as developers, investors and tenants all recognise that green makes good business sense.

More and more projects will be aiming for ‘World Leadership’ ratings, as building owners, designers and construction teams learn how to design for higher levels of Green Star achievement on conventional budgets.

Even projects that don’t attempt to achieve a Green Star rating will be designed by the same architects and designers working on Green Star projects, so we can expect current Green Star benchmarks to become integrated into general practice.

While we can be proud of our achievements in new green building, the conversation has once again shifted – and we are looking at how we green our existing buildings, as well as how we embed sustainability into our neighbourhoods, communities and cities.

In the future we will no longer view our buildings in isolation, but as interconnected pieces of a larger community. The GBCA’s Green Star – Communities project is driving

this shift. The Green Star – Communities tool is set to become a national voluntary standard for the planning, design and delivery of best practice sustainable community development projects across Australia.

We have just finished testing the rating tool credits on 28 projects from around Australia, and are confident that the Green Star - Communities rating tool will usher in a new era of sustainable development, one which looks beyond environmental efficiencies in the built environment and looks at how we build entire communities that are liveable and sustainable.

At the same time, our Green Star – Performance tool, once complete, will be able to rate the ongoing operational performance of the 98 percent of Australia’s building stock that is not brand new. Building owners and managers will be able to compare their building’s performance with other buildings of similar size, and set targets to increase energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and improve factors that influence productivity, health and learning, such as indoor environment quality. Tenants will gain a reliable, comprehensive rating when they shop around for new office, retail or residential space.

Australia’s construction industry is now on the path of an important evolution. The Green Star environmental rating tools can support this evolution – helping the industry to reduce the environmental impact of buildings while improving their return on investment, boosting occupant health and productivity, and supporting a greener, cleaner future. END

Inside CH2 Lilyfield

Nabers FEATURE

A unique rating system has equipped the Australian property industry to lead the world in greening its buildings. The

NABERS tools have been used for more than a decade to rate more than 60 percent of Australia’s office space, providing the industry with a deep understanding of building performance from a trusted and independent source.

NABERS, a national initiative managed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, measures the environmental performance of buildings in comparison to the wider market using a simple rating system. This ability to measure the true impacts of environmental initiatives has encouraged innovation and best practice to achieve substantial cuts in the energy and water

Green Star and NABERS-rated buildings outperform non-rated buildings on a financial basis by a significant margin, especially at the upper end of ratings performance.By Matthew Clark


G R E E NB u i l d i t

Nabers FEATURE

use of buildings. The strength of the NABERS tools is in

their ability to take detailed and complex third party verified data on the performance of buildings, and convert it into an easily understood star rating. These ratings are used by building owners to measure and compare building performance, providing a baseline and a means of evaluating the success of sustainability measures. Ratings are also used to report and promote environmental achievements and to set targets.

A recent report on retrofitting buildings from the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that Australia is a world leader in retrofitting high-grade office buildings to slash their energy use and emissions. Speaking at a conference in Sydney, the WEF’s Global Leadership Fellow Robin Ried explained that it was the NABERS rating program and mandatory disclosure laws that had put it ahead of other markets in terms of tenant education and demand for retrofits.

Recent studies have demonstrated that buildings with high NABERS ratings have higher rents, lower vacancies and increased returns compared to low or unrated buildings. The scheme has evolved over time to also include rating tools for Indoor Environment and Waste performance for offices, and ratings for shopping centres and hotels. Ratings of Commuter Transport for workplaces and Energy and Water for data centres will be released shortly.

In August 2011, NABERS rating scale was extended from 5 to 6 stars to accommodate the next generation of sustainable office buildings, the top performers of which are moving beyond the 5 star rating achievement.

In developing this extension, the NABERS national steering committee canvassed industry views on the best means of recognising market leading building performance. Feedback overwhelmingly

supported an extension of the scale. The new 6 star rating is awarded for a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or water use from 5 stars, and represents market leading performance. The move ensures that NABERS continues to offer an aspirational target, to drive and measure innovation and cater for future building technologies, while limiting the impact on the tool’s existing markets.

Since November 2010, the Commercial Building Disclosure Scheme has required office space over 2,000m2 to disclose NABERS Energy ratings at the point of sale or lease, introducing the benefits of performance ratings to potential tenants and purchasers, and further increasing demand for efficient buildings. Since then the number of commercial buildings rated with NABERS in Australia has further increased, as has the awareness of the importance of incorporating sustainability initiatives moving forward.

NABERS is immensely proud of what we have achieved, with our innovative and game-changing tools. We will continue supporting the industry, which depends on the impartial and transparent star rating scheme to understand and communicate the sustainability of its buildings.

Why rate a commercial building? Increasingly, the market is being driven by tenant demand for high NABERS-rated premises, and owners’ desire to show the market they have efficiently run, high quality buildings and portfolios. NABERS has for some time been a core component of the value consideration, and this has grown since the introduction of CBD last year.

As pressure on capital spending continues, Australian property owners are using NABERS data to cost effectively improve the environmental performance of their existing property assets using existing technology and fine tuning operational procedures.


For commercial building owners and tenants alike, being environmentally efficient can help their bottom line. A building that uses less water and power, costs less to run. A NABERS rating can also educate and assist owners in benchmarking improvements to the indoor environment of their buildings to generate higher productivity and enhanced wellbeing among employees. A building that creates less waste saves on waste charges, sets a positive example for a business and its employees, and cuts pollution levels.

A NABERS rating tells you how efficiently a building is operating compared to other buildings in the market place and helps owners communicate their achievements. Shared knowledge encourages those hesitating to achieve higher levels of performance due to perceived cost and technological barriers.

NABERS has enabled the industry to more easily create a demonstrable business case for sustainability refurbishment based on more than just lower electricity costs and corporate reputation. Positive rental indicators can now also be incorporated.

The recent “Building Better Returns” project studied the financial performance of green office buildings in Australia. Results showed that buildings with a high NABERS rating have lower vacancies and incentives paid to tenants, lower operating costs, and reduced yields; and have up to a nine percent higher value and three percent higher rents.

The Investment Property Databank Green Property Investment Index measures the impact on investment performance from green initiatives in the Australian property market. The report released 31

August found that 4 to 5 star NABERS rated assets outperform other buildings, have lower capital expenditure rates, and are considered less risky investments. Lower vacancy rates and higher rents indicate strong tenant demand for NABERS Energy 4 to 5 star rated buildings.

A 2009 study looking at low energy high-rise buildings by Sydney University’s Warren Centre found a direct correlation between simply obtaining a NABERS rating and a significant reduction in operational expenditure. The study also found that most buildings have the capacity to easily make energy savings equivalent to half a star rating – or about a 10 percent reduction in energy use - simply by streamlining and fine-tuning the existing systems in the building. Highlighted too, were the innovative strategies being used to extract capital for environmental improvements from reduced maintenance or operating expenses, rather than from capital budgets. The study found that in some cases a return on investment could be achieved within 12 months.

Reducing operational costs is crucial in the commercial building sector and the NABERS tools are essential to meeting this objective.

The NABeRS RATiNg ToolS – whAT ARe They ANd how do They woRk?NABERS Energy assists owners and tenants to reduce energy use, energy costs and greenhouse emissions. Implementing energy efficiency practices can save 20 percent to 40 percent on many buildings’ energy bills. Energy ratings for offices are offered for just the base building or the tenancy, or as a


Nabers FEATURE

4

4

4

4

4

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4 4OfficesShopping centres over 15,000 m2 GLARBusiness hotelsHomes

energy water indoor environment waste


whole building rating if the building is owner occupied.

A Base building rating is based on the energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions of the building, excluding all energy use from tenants. It assesses greenhouse gas

emissions associated with energy consumed in supplying central building services to lettable office areas and common spaces, such as common area lighting, lifts and base building air conditioning. A Tenancy rating is based on the amount of energy used per

Nabers FEATURE

square metre of the tenancy associated with tenant lighting and equipment. When tenants’ and landlord’s energy use cannot be separated, a whole building rating is based on the intensity of the energy used and greenhouse gas emissions of the base building and tenancies. This includes all energy supplied to the building for the operation of the building and the occupants of the office space.

Water NABERS Water ratings are used by property owners and managers to track the impact of water upgrades for public environmental reporting and as a KPI in many building management contracts. As at June 2011, 38 percent of the national office market has been rated with NABERS Water and the take-up of this tool continues to grow.

NABERS Water for offices can only be used to rate the Base or Whole Building, as most water consumption in a building is influenced by the building owner.

WasteA NABERS Waste rating provides market recognition and a competitive advantage for buildings with low waste generation and high recycling rates. It encourages the minimisation of waste to landfill and allows building owners, managers or tenants to promote the waste and recycling performance of their building.

A NABERS Waste rating measures the amount of ‘materials generated’ (garbage, recyclables, re-use, etc) by a building and how much of that is diverted from landfill/disposal.

Indoor envIronmentA NABERS Indoor Environment rating assesses the relationship between a building’s indoor environment quality and the health, comfort and wellbeing of its occupants by analysing:

• Thermal comfort – which is directly linked to people’s productivity and is important for their comfort and wellbeing.• Air quality – a major concern to building managers, tenants, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, wellbeing and productivity of building occupants. Research shows a strong relationship between good indoor air quality and people’s performance at work.• Acoustic comfort – which directly affect occupant satisfaction and productivity. One research study shows that over 50 percent of occupants in office cubicles think that noise levels interfere with their ability to get their job done.

HoW to get a naBers ratIngObtaining a building’s first NABERS rating can take some time, so you should plan ahead. It will save you time and money if you compile all of the materials your assessor needs beforehand.

You’ll need to find an accredited NABERS assessor to conduct the rating. You can search the list of Accredited Assessors on the NABERS website at www.nabers.com.au.

You should ask the assessor what data will be necessary. As a rule of thumb, for an office Energy rating, the assessor will need to know the building type, location, size, number of tenants and tenancies and the number of people/computers. They will need to know the net lettable area, all bills for each energy source used for the preceding 12 months and details of any vacancies in the preceding 12 months. They will also need permission to visit your building to determine the number of active computers and to conduct staff surveys to determine the hours of occupancy. END

Nabers FEATURE

You can find more information on preparing for NABERS ratings on the

NABERS website at www.nabers.com.au


DHL is recording strong growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG) says Mark Schell, General Manager at DHL Express PNG Ltd.

By Ian Armitage

DHL

www.australasiaoutlook.com30

r E c o r D S G r o w t H I N P A P u A N E w G u I N E A

DHL Express & DHL Global Forwarding the air, road and sea freight subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL, is

recording strong growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG), in tandem with the country’s continued growth.

PNG is Australia’s closest neighbour and is currently one the world’s fastest-growing economies. Spurred on by the US$15 billion ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project, it expects to grow by over nine percent in 2011 - faster even than China.

The number of firms doing business in PNG is growing fast and yet there are still so many untapped opportunities in an economy that remains under-serviced in many areas.

“DHL is growing off the back of that,” Mark Schell, General Manager at DHL Express PNG Ltd says. “We are supporting the growing transport and logistics needs of PNG. We are, of course, a logistics partner with a huge global network, but we’re also capable of giving customers the personal attention they need.

“We help our customers constantly improve their transportation networks and gain a competitive advantage; we give them the means to get products to market faster and more efficiently.

“What’s more, DHL’s focus on selected industry sectors means customers benefit from working with specialists - not just in logistics, but also in their particular marketplace. With our industry-leading sector solutions, we provide our customers with real competitive advantage.”

DHL employs over a hundred staff across PNG (it has six branches, 40 vehicles and 15 agents) who provide over a 1,000 customers - including leading players in the mining, infrastructure, oil and energy sectors - with “world-class logistics”.

The company helps businesses in PNG expand their footprints, Schell says, while giving foreign-based companies access to trade.

DHL FEATURE


“We help businesses gain access to the global market by expanding their distribution to markets,” he stresses. “We provide a platform to distribute goods to their target markets.”

Unsurprisingly, Schell is excited about the future. “The PNG economy continues to grow. We see more trade activities locally but of course, the government should do its job to facilitate business trade, especially in the logistics market by putting up more infrastructure like roads and ports to speedup delivery to remote areas, and to improve the security.

“And it is in the government’s interest to do that - the major resources projects could double economic growth which would transform the nation.

“At the moment, we are seeing an increase in trade around the LNG project, but growth is all around. PNG is sometimes described as a pot of gold floating in a barrel of oil. The country’s potential growth over the next 10 to 15 years is huge.

“A lot of international companies are coming into PNG and they recognise the DHL

We help businesses gain access to the global market by expanding their distribution

32 www.australasiaoutlook.com32 www.australasiaoutlook.com

DHL FEATURE

Air Energi Pacifica Ltd is part of the Air Energi Group that offers 30 years experience in providing global workforce solutions. With regional headquarters in Australasia, Middle East, UK, US and Asia Pacific regions, Air Energi has operational experience in over 50 countries worldwide.

Air Energi Pacifica Ltd Level 1 Deloitte Tower

P.O.Box 571, Konedobu, NCD, Papua New Guinea Tel: +675 320 3095 | Fax: +675 320 3093 |[email protected]

www.airenergi.com

Global Manpower Solutions with a local PNG Presence

Our People We provide a full range of Recruitment, Workforce Services and Tailored Solutions to: Oil & Gas sector, Mining sector, Public & Private sector

Our Services Recruitment: Permanent Recruitment | Contract & Casual Recruitment

Workforce Services: Work Permit & Visa | Payroll Services | Contract & Temporary Workers | Meet & Greet Services

Tailored Solutions: Contractual Terms & Conditions | Remuneration Advice & Guidance | Salary Benchmarking | Discipline & Grievance | Performance Management | Training & Development Programs

Global Manpower Solutions with a Local PNG PresenceAir Energi offer 30 years experience in supporting some of the most significant capital development projects in the world. With regional headquarters in Australasia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, UK, USA and regions. Air Energi has operational experience in over 50 countries worldwide through a network of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and alliances.

Our People Our Air Energi Pacifica Team have a wealth of experience in the industry supporting assignments to: Energy Resources & Mining | Private Industry | Public Sector & Government

Our Services Recruitment & Manpower Solutions – Permanent Recruitment | Outsourced Recruitment Campaigns | Payroll Services | Contract / Temporary Casual Positions | Visa & Work Permits | HR & General Business ConsultancyTailored Solutions – Payroll Bureau | Logistics Advice | Travel, Accommodation & Transport Services | Meet & Greet Services

Contact Air Energi Pacifica – Level 1 Deloitte Tower, Douglas Street, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New GuineaPO Box 571, Konedobu, NCD, Papua New Guinea | Tel: +675 320 3095 | Fax: +675 320 3093 | [email protected] | www.airenergi.com

ELA MOTORS

Reliability and constant communication along with international web tracking provides Ela Motors with it’s 16 Dealership network ease of mind when it comes to following up on parts worldwide.

DHL with expertise in customs clearance, freight forwarding, via sea or air, cuts through a web of red tape and offers the ultimate door to door service.

From Japan and many suppliers to and from Papua New Guinea, the DHL network has proven time and time again that it is committed to meeting Ela Motors promise to their customers.

It all starts with DHL’s promise to Ela Motors to deliver on time.

Air Niugini has provided cargo logistics for Papua New Guinea since 1973. In fact the sky has been the key to development in the fledgling country. Air Niugini now provides essential air services not only within Papua New Guinea, but also within the South East Asia and Pacific region. The airline has over 1.2 million passenger movements each year through a fleet of twenty aircraft comprising 767s, F100s, Dash 8s, and three Q400s. Cargo load-carrying capacity is further enhanced by the addition of an L100 Hercules aircraft.

When it comes to challenges it is best to deal with experts in a company that knows the country better than anyone else. At Air Niugini Cargo we provide air logistics solutions for Papua New Guinea to ensure our customers take full advantage of the current resources boom and the enormous potential of our developing nation.

Connecting Papua New Guineato the world.

Australia

South EastAsia

Cargo logistics solutions for Papua New GuineaLearn more: www.airniugini.com.pgEmail: [email protected]


brand and are using us. “We have an ambitious growth strategy and will

be investing in our operations here. We have plans that are on the drawing board at the moment and we envisage the growth to be ongoing, so we are looking at things like expanding our network, bringing in more agents, opening new facilities, upgrading our IT and those types of things to capitalise on the growth potential.”

DHL is the global market leader in international express, overland transport and airfreight. It is also the world’s number one in ocean freight and contract logistics. It offers a full range of customised solutions – from air express, shipping to supply chain management – and its goal is to build “strong, long-term partnerships” with customers by providing “world-class services” across all its operations. “We are the world’s leading express and logistics company and our global network of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality. We also continue to be forefront of technology, guarantees fast and reliable services,” Schell concludes.

DHL has operated in PNG since 1972.END

Mark Schell

Based in the Melbourne suburb of Dingley, Allstaff Airconditioning is one of the leading mechanical services companies in the state of

Victoria. It is now in its 36th year of business and employs over 200 people at its Melbourne office and another 100 in its offices in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. Two years ago, the company was acquired by BSA, a public company that still remains in ownership today; the acquisition provides Allstaff with extensive resources, further enhancing the Group’s ability to compete on large infrastructure projects providing an enhanced geographical

footprint to leverage service and maintenance nationally.

Allstaff Airconditioning designs, manufactures and installs air-conditioning systems primarily for use in commercial and industrial settings. Their services may be contracted in their entirety for the complete provision of design, pricing and completion of projects. According to General Manager Frank Wiedermann, its clients are “mainly builders or project managers working on a large scale

Allstaff FEATURE

38 www.australasiaoutlook.comwww.australasiaoutlook.com

breathe

easy

General Manager of Allstaff Airconditioning,

Frank Wiedermann, tells Australasia Business

Outlook how long-term thinking is crucial to his

company’s success. By Jane McCallion

Allstaff FEATURE

39www.australasiaoutlook.com 39www.australasiaoutlook.com


construction”. He says these projects can be anything from a high-rise office block to a hospital or a university or a shopping centre; “We deal with pretty much every variety of commercial entity. The majority of our work comes through on the tender market, and we oversee the whole job through, from the tender process, through estimation, design, manufacture and installation ourselves”. They also provide specialised services for those who require only the benefits of their Engineering or Service expertise.

The company has two ‘projects’ divisions, which oversee projects depending on their size. The majority fall into the category of ‘major projects’, which have a total value of between A$0.5 million and A$30 million. However, it also has a ‘minor projects’ division, which deals with jobs valued between A$10,000 to A$1 million. There is also a service and maintenance division made up of over 40 qualified technicians, dedicated to the provision of quality service to customers in over 380 buildings in Melbourne.

Allstaff Airconditioning’s manufacturing plant is also located in Dingley, on the same site as its head office. Their modern facilities in Dingley comprise 2230 m. sq. of factory and 930 m. sq. of office area. At this site Allstaff utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture ductwork, air-handling units and other related systems. The factory modernisation enables highly efficient manufacturing with a plasma cutter and automated cut-to-length line for the precision shaping of the steel to be used in the production process.

The company also invests heavily in research and development and is constantly striving through this process to be as green as possible, Wiedermann says “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the product that we manufacture and install,” he explains “We try to be as green as we possibly can and we are also looking for initiatives to reduce our waste production

DUCTWAREDuctware is the most recent addition to the RMD Industries group, a privately-held Australian company established 60 years ago.

With warehouses in all capital cities across Australia and NZ, Ductware are the exclusive distributors for Ductmate Industries, Gripnail Corp., Ductcap and Rossi Damper kits.

They hold a wide range of innovative products which are focused squarely on solutions that aid productivity in duct manufacture. The range of Ductmate products in particular is the widest and most comprehensive in the world, as a result of their heavy emphasis on R&D programs over the past 40 years.

Additionally their products address environmental issues in building design by contributing to greater energy efficiency. Most products have also been independently assessed for applicable Green Star credits – such as sealants that contain zero VOC’s, or the innovative new self-sealing GreenSeam® snap-lock Duct system.

Ductware are a proud partner to Allstaff Air Conditioning.

Allstaff FEATURE


rate throughout the whole company, not just through the manufacturing process.”

The implementation of sustainability initiatives at Allstaff is not just good for its own business, but for those of its customers too “As an example, we want to help our clients and our engineering team oversee energy reduction initiatives, which will help them to reduce their energy wastage.” The organisation is currently looking towards carbon neutrality, both in its plant and throughout the whole company.

While Allstaff Airconditioning does the majority of the manufacturing of its duct and some equipment itself, it does outsource elements, such as electrical, control and other more specialised components. When outsourcing is required, the company tries to work with local businesses wherever possible. “We try to select a product that is preferably from a local supplier, but also with the strategy that we think will keep the cost to the customer down in the long run,” says Wiedermann. “What we mean by this is that it will reduce their power consumption; we are not a company that always goes for the cheapest product, instead we endeavour to work towards making a long-term investment. Short-term gain is not always the right choice and what we ultimately install will hopefully be a cost saver from a long-term point of view.”

Allstaff Airconditioning prides itself on being a long-term employer too. “One of the things we pride ourselves on is that we have a lot of long-term employees, including people who have been with us right from day one,” says Wiedermann. “Earlier this year we held our annual dinner dance and we gave out two awards for 35 years of service, four awards for 30 years of service, four for 25 years of service and four for 20 years of service.” He believes the reason behind this is that part of being a ‘people oriented’ business, the company offers excellent training and career progression opportunities, particularly through its Career Path Innovation programme.

“Over the years, we have been able to nurture and train a lot of people from the ground up. We have helped to educate them through different facets of the business. Everyone has an opportunity to get as far as they possibly want.” And he should know – 35 years ago he began working on a building site, now he is the General Manager.

However, while staff retention and satisfaction are high, the main problem which the company is currently faced with is attracting young people into the industry.

Allstaff FEATURE

centre plumbing plus

established in 1953, centre plumbing plus is a family owned business taking its name from centre rd in bentleigh where the store was first opened. today we continue to specialise and supply to the plumbing, building and mechanical services industries as well as to the general public via our hardware and showroom sections.

in a market now dominated by large national chains of stores it is with confidence that centre plumbing plus enters the new millenium with the buying muscle of plumbing plus, a company with which centre plumbing plus is a member, enabling us to remain, and to help our customers remain, competitive. With stores spanning both Australia and new Zealand, your centre

plumbing plus account can be used to purchase goods wherever you’re working.

At centre plumbing plus we constantly strive to offer you the customer, the best value, personal service and the most comprehensive range in the business. Our delivery service is second to none enabling us to get you your goods where and when you want them, anywhere in Victoria.

As a valued customer of centre plumbing plus please enjoy browsing our website; we are looking forward to doing business with you in the new century.

“This really is an industry-wide problem and probably the biggest challenge for all of us.” says Wiedermann.

To try and help overcome this, Allstaff Airconditioning is looking to approach schools and colleges to showcase the business; “We’re looking to put in place some initiatives where we can show them what a wonderful industry this is to be a part of. More than anything, a job in this industry means long-term employment; the reality is that every building which goes up has to have air-conditioning, whether it be a small office, computer data centre, large commercial

building, shopping centre, hotel or university, there are some fantastic opportunities within this industry for young people. Additionally, through personal development programmes for those people; giving them study leave, flexibility in the work place and so on, there are many other benefits to be had.”

This focus on rejuvenation is also at the heart of the company’s plans for the next five years. “The aging workforce is a real problem for the entire industry and we need to strategically put things in place now to make sure we attract the right young people into the company over the next five years,” he says. END

To learn more visit www.allstaff.com.au

Allstaff FEATURE


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Specialists in Mechanical Services


44

While there are as many types of entrepreneurs as there are businesses, most entrepreneurs share some

common traits. They tend to be visionaries. Two such individuals founded A.I.M. Corporation.

“ Both my partner, Michael Cartisano,

and I had long careers with the Lend Lease Property Group, during which time we gained a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of Project Management and its application across all manner of business,” Ian Cunliffe, Co- Founder and Managing Director of A.I.M Corporation, says. “We made the decision in 2004 to venture out


N e w y e a rnew targets


A.I.M Corporation FeaTUre

A.I.M Corporation FEATURE

on our own and formed A.I.M Partnership with the vision of providing turnkey Project Management and delivery services to clients with varying property-related needs.”

From that business, a diversified organisation has spawned.

“We’ve now set up several businesses across several market sectors and

geographic locations and have created a team of experienced personnel and strategic partners across a wide variety of projects, all with complimentary skill sets,” Cunliffe adds. “We have an ingrained commitment to total customer satisfaction across all our business units which has resulted in an enviable track record in successful

With 2012 approaching, Australasia Business Outlook talks to Ian Cunliffe, Co- Founder and Managing Director of A.I.M Corporation, and learns more about some pretty ambitious growth plans. By Ian Armitage




client management and quality project outcomes. Our vision or goal is that A.I.M. will become an international market leader in the development, project management and delivery of diversified, property-based opportunities. We will do that by pursuing excellence in professionalism, quality, customer-service, sustainability and social responsibility.”

Mr Cunliffe has over 30 years experience in the project management and construction industry. His skills include strategic development and management, business and project planning, team building and the ability to constantly focus on “getting the job done”. His partner, Michael Cartisano, is Group Construction Director and is a respected, “hands-on” Project Manager who constantly displays what Cunliffe describes as “ardent attention to detail and an acute ability” to solve difficult management, design and construction problems. “My role in the business is that of Managing Director and fundamentally I’m tasked with business development and strategic planning,” Cunliffe says.

And he has been busy. In fact, when we called he was in the middle of writing a strategy paper for a new overseas business opportunity.

“We are constantly looking for ways to add complimentary business opportunities to our portfolio and have always had

international aspirations. In 2008/9, we first ventured into the Middle East and subsequently founded a business specifically focused on healthcare called Green Hat Projects (GHP) in the U.A.E. A.I.M owns 25 percent of that business which, combined with the skill sets of our Partners, gives us a comprehensive, 360 degree coverage of healthcare facility planning, development and operation,” Cunliffe says. “It was formed out of the recognition that there was a gap, in this market due to the traditional lack of long-term planning at concept stage, coupled with a limited appreciation of integrated service delivery in line with the “continuity of care” concept now well established in Australia. That presented an

bAckyARd pool & solAR

Backyard Pool and Solar’s team has been servicing Sydney’s north shore, northern beaches and eastern suburbs for the past 10 years. We have grown to a company that can repair, supply and regularly maintain your swimming pool. Also we can supply, install or relocate your filtration and/or heating equipment. Backyard renovations are our specialty.

All of our servicemen and contractors are dependable, experienced and professional.

Backyard Pool & Solar was founded over a decade ago by Matt Walsh with the sole aim of the company to continue to strive towards excellence in the construction and

renovation of exclusive swimming pools for not only our clients but for a selected range of building companies of which AIM Partnership is an integral part of.

Our commitment to our building partners is to ensure that we provide them with professional and honest advice. From initial concept meetings with both the architect and the client we help to deliver an end product that is in keeping with their vision. We also offer a maintenance service to ensure that the swimming pool is kept in peak condition so that all that is needed from the client is to dive in and enjoy a relaxing swim.

We have also seen some changes in pool design over the last decade and instead of the old boring rectangle of water the pools are becoming far more sophisticated and are doubling as water features and private backyard resorts with the emphasis on quality fun with family and friends.

Log on to our website for more information.

Backyard Pool & Solar Pty Ltd E: [email protected] Ph: 0061 02 9417 6722Licence no: 210989C

BackyardPool.indd 1 26/11/11 11:53 AM

opportunity for GHP, and through strategic alliances and working relationships with Australian and international health service organisations and providers, that business is establishing itself as a major influencer and deliverer of healthcare initiatives in the international arena.

“Our initial involvement in securing circa $US450 million worth of hospital projects for the Iraqi Ministry of Health in and around Baghdad back in 2008/9 opened our eyes to the opportunities in the region,” Cunliffe says. “It is interesting to note that the Middle East business has also made us to look in our own backyard and consider synergies with the Australian market,” he adds. “We have since formed Green Hat Projects Australia, a business with a similar charter and which is 100 percent owned by A.I.M. We see a lot of opportunity and growth in this market and a concern here is potentially growing the business too quickly.

“Healthcare is a critical and highly specialised market requiring particular skill sets and disciplines that should only be entrusted to the most experienced organisations,” Cunliffe stresses.

The focus of GHP Australia is on the cost and time effective delivery of healthcare facilities and associated services in remote areas. “Our efforts are not so much

concentrated on major hospitals in CBD or suburban areas – we’re looking at regional and rural areas which, in many cases, are currently poorly serviced. Due to the lack of access to quality healthcare in a large number of remote areas in Australia we recognised there are many synergies with what we are doing in the Middle East.”

And, not content, the strategic planning continues.

“I have been spending a lot of time over the last 12 months looking at ways to improve healthcare in Australia,” Cunliffe says. “What we have done is align ourselves with selected health planning, architectural and engineering consultants, together with specialised medical equipment suppliers,

comfort heatComfort Heat Australia has many years of experience in working with quality residential and commercial builders, designers and architects on projects both large and small. Designing floor heating from floor plans ensures individual heating solutions and great outcomes in the completed project. Having experience in both electric and hydronic floor heating systems means access to the best options for each project, which means the best outcomes.

A.I.M Corporation featUre


Comfort Heat Australia has been one of Australia’s leading suppliers and installers of underfloor heating products for many years. With thousands of installations our products have been tested in the Australian marketplace. Having the ability to import from overseas and employ engineers during the design phase, Comfort Heat can ensure the floor heating will operate as expected.Providing both electric and hydronic floor heating systems also ensures the system design will not be biased to one product or another, but will be the best design for each individual project. Working with builders and designers of quality residential projects such as A.I.M. Partnership, Comfort Heat has experienced installers able to work on the largest projects.

Floor heating is fully controlled by floor sensing thermostats, is totally invisible once installed and does not emit any fumes or dust. These features make floor heating an ideal addition to any residential or commercial project and enables energy control and use of sustainable energy sources.

Designs can be provided from floor plans together with preliminary quotations. Call Comfort Heat today to see how floor heating can provide energy efficient heating to your construction project.

Phone: 1300 13 WARMe-mail: [email protected]

comfortHeat.indd 1 27/11/11 4:18 PM

To learn more visit www.greenhatprojects.com.au and

www.aimpartnership.com.au.

all with impeccable credentials in healthcare. The other interesting partnership we have struck up is with a modular construction company. Modular construction is nothing new but our Partner has applied some innovative thinking that has created a product with few, if any, peers. Again, if you are thinking of remote areas that are poorly serviced, we are developing prefabricated modules that address the current health needs in these areas. So we are looking at things like prefabricated wards, utility areas and diagnostic/consulting rooms as well as some of the more acute areas. Obviously, being modular, delivery times are drastically reduced and there are cost and quality benefits. Modular construction is proving to be a very attractive option for both public and private clients.

“We are now embarking on some strategic thinking in taking this modular construction

approach to the Middle East, building on our efforts in this market and adding to our 360 degree service offering. I was actually in the process of writing a concept paper when you called.”

Finally, when asked what the main factors are in starting and running a successful business, Cunliffe advises: “The basics are fairly simple - have a committed and like-minded partner, surround yourself with people smarter than you, apply Project Management techniques to everything you do and don’t be afraid to go outside

your comfort zone.“We are not afraid to have a go at things

and while there are solutions to every problem, the real trick is to correctly identify the problem,” he concludes.

END



My role in the business is that of MD and fundamentally I’m tasked with business development and strategic planning,

J & T ExTErnal CoaTings PTy lTdPhone: 0404865272 Fax: 02 9679 0201Web: jtexternalcoatings.com.au Email: [email protected]

External Coatings Pty ltd

• Texture Coatings • acrylic render • sand & Cement render

• Moroka Bag & Paint • Blueboard & Cladded Homes • Foam & Blueboard installation

J & T External Coatings Pty ltd specialise in acrylic renders, Texture Coatings and sand & Cement render. We pride ourselves in providing excellent work of the highest quality at an affordable price. no job is too big or small! servicing all areas of sydney & outer suburbs.

J & T

Free measure and quote.

ACES FEATURE


ces

Customer focus leads to continued success at Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES), says co-founder and managing director Phil Harding. By Ian Armitage

HIgH

Air Conditioning Engineering Services has become a well-respected, recognised air conditioning and engineering

services in Sydney. Remarkably, it has taken the company just

10 years achieve.Founded in 2001 by Phil Harding and Caine

Woodford, the business started small; it took off fast. The team achieved almost overnight success (and growth), and the market was extremely impressed by a strong work ethic and high standards. ACES was, and remains, extremely customer focused.

Harding, who is the managing director of the company, says it is no surprise that the business has grown into what it is today. “We saw a gap in the market for a provider that serviced customers properly,” he says. “We were unique, different, and the market soon realised that. We’re customer-centric, more focused than the bigger players. We do things they don’t, which at the beginning was things like after hours maintenance work; it has evolved since. To tell you a story, one of our first customers in that after service area was ABN Amro; we worked while their offices were closed and service disruption was minimal. They were impressed.

“We expanded from there really, naturally and continually setting the bar higher and higher, delivering on customer service.”

Although growth has been substantial, ACES remains a relatively small company, free of bureaucracy and red tape; it means, says Harding, that “things can be done properly” and “right first time”.

“There isn’t a lot of red tape here,” he explains. “We put 100 percent focus on the client. We concentrate very much on them, their needs and getting the job done. We’ve enjoyed growth and success as a result.”

ACES, he says, has an inverted company structure; he is at the bottom of the chart and clients are at the top.

‘They’re our priority,” he says. “The job of

managers here is to provide support to the people that look after customers. We instil that philosophy of ‘customer first’ in all levels of the business. It is a unique structure we have.”

So what does ACES do? Well, it provides mechanical services for air conditioning, as well as maintenance, breakdown service, and installation. But that’s not all; as trends change, ACES changes with them. “We are an innovative operation,” Harding says.

And ACES still has room for improvement and growth, he adds. It has experienced great success in Sydney and it is now time to move on and recreate its success in other places.

Melbourne is next on the list in recreating this model.

“We want to enjoy the same success in Melbourne and at the same time show the clientele that we’re capable of a little bit more,” he says. “We definitely want to emulate in Melbourne what we have done in Sydney.”

This will be a challenge for ACES, Harding admits, but we are more than up for it. With an average turnover of A$35 million plus, and over 80 staff, growing the business will happen gradually, but not without exceptional amounts of hard work and dedication.

“Those are two things we have in abundance. We are spending a lot of time

ACES FEATURE


We are continually setting

the bar higher and higher, delivering on

customer service


in Melbourne making sure we emulate the things that have been successful in Sydney.

“We generally have a very good and tight team and we are only as good as the people working in the business,” continues Harding, with pride.

“Where do we go from there?” he adds. “Well, we are currently in negotiations with a company that is based in the US with a view to becoming the agents for a data centre product that hasn’t been seen in Australia before. That product can dramatically reduce, according to the case studies, energy consumption in a typical data centre by about 93 percent. It depends on the location of the centre and we are marketing it as what we call ‘free cooling’; we can cool a data centre without the running costs. That is very exciting.”

As providers of air-conditioning, he says, ACES realises it is important for them to keep an eye on their carbon footprint and help customers do the same. As greater emphasis is placed on power usage, clients are looking for companies, which are ‘going green’, he says. Of course, there is the added advantage of cost savings. “We are definitely working towards becoming more efficient. We’re trying to be as green as possible,” says Harding. “We always advise clients about the best possible choices when it comes to energy consumption and are continually looking into better systems, and systems that provide better cooling with less cost. This represents the best of both worlds for clients: they reduce their footprints and save money.

“As a next step, we want to actually go to our customers before they come to us and engineer solutions that assist them in achieving their goals and objectives.”

And business is good. ACES currently has a significant order backlog and a positive outlook. It is one to watch in 2012 for sure.

“We have a bright future,” says Harding. “We want to be the best, focusing on professionalism and quality. We’re also putting competency and professionalism at a

mitsubishi electric

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Aces FEATURE

very, very high level; we want our installations, our service, and our overall delivery to be higher and better than anybody else in the business. We are ambitious.

“That said, and while growth is important in business, we never want to lose sight of our main priority – the customer. We have that personal touch, unlike a lot of our competitors; we never want to grow to a point where we cannot provide our clients with the highest calibre service.”

In 2001, the ARA Group was formed to merge a number of companies offering a range of services and products; ACES is a member, having joined in 2006. All companies are well established and are operated independently, Harding says. “ACES is still able to run autonomously but we have the strength of a group of companies turning over A$250 million behind us.”

The future is bright; the aces are high! eND

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Australasia Business Outlook talks to Dr Derek Fisher, CEO and managing director of Moly Mines, developer of the Spinifex Ridge molybdenum-copper project in Western Australia. By Ian Armitage

Moly Mines FEATURE


Developer of the WorlD’s next Major

Moly Mines is an ASX- and TSX-listed resource company focused on mining

iron ore in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, developing its world class Spinifex Ridge molybdenum-copper project - 170km

east of Port Hedland, and exploring for minerals, base metals and project

opportunities worldwide.Its major property is Spinifex Ridge

molybdenum-copper project.According to Moly Mines CEO and

managing director Dr Derek Fisher, the

mine’s target production is 10 million tonnes per annum, which will produce on average 11 million lbs of molybdenum in concentrate and 13.5 million lbs of copper in concentrate per annum for the first 10 years.

“In July we signed a project financing agreement with China Development Bank totalling US$454 million to construct the Spinifex Ridge molybdenum-copper mine,” Dr Fisher, giving us an update on the project’s progress, explains.

The commitment, he says, consists of a US$454 million 12-year syndicated senior loan, and a US$40 million working capital facility. Hanlong Mining Investment, Moly

Moly Mines FEATURE



Moly Mines FEATURE

Mines’ major shareholder, will also provide a US$6 million junior subordinated loan to fulfil its US$500 million commitment.

“There are actually two loans,” Fisher clarifies. “One is for US$454 million, which I’ve mentioned. That one has an interest rate of 4.2 percent at the moment. It is variable, and it has a 12-year term. The debt repayments on that are back end-loaded because the deposit is an open pit and it will take us time to get to the higher grade. The second piece of debt is a working capital facility. It’s a one-year piece, which will probably become a revolving debt piece. It’s about 3.3 percent; very low cost piece of debt.

“Finally, the six million dollars is really just a bridge that Hanlong have to put in place to bring it up to 500 million; that’ll be in the form of the shareholder loan.”

Fisher says the company has yet to drawdown on the US$454 million debt facility. “The appreciation in the Australian dollar against the US dollar has undoubtedly impacted us; it really has had a significant impact on the moly project,” he explains. “Also, there has been molybdenum price volatility. Molybdenum as a metal is denominated in US dollars; it’s marketed in US dollars. So in our terms the value of the metal has depreciated significantly, and that has impacted on finances. It hasn’t impacted on China Development Bank’s attitude to the mine, which is quite comforting. And we’re anticipating the Australian dollar to come back.

“The debt facility is available for drawdown up until mid-May next year, so we’ve got about 12 months.”

He adds: “Do I have a timescale for the construction of the molybdenum-copper mine? Well, we are following the molybdenum market closely. We have obviously got opinions as to where it is heading. The wildcard out there is what is going on in Europe and in the world


RAPIDRapid Crushing and Screening Contractors is celebrating 32 years as a service provider to the civil contracting, mining, and resource industries.

The Western Australian company specialises in the crushing and screening of all types of mineral ores including lump and fines hematite iron ore, gold and nickel, special class site preparation fill materials as well as concrete and road aggregates, roadbase, and armour rock.

Rapid has created a wide range of high production mobile and fixed crushing, screening and conveying plants ranging from modular/mobile plants to 600 tph and fixed plants to 1000 tph.

In July 2008, the company doubled the size of its offices and workshop facilities in Maddington WA – which now house a 30-tonne gantry crane.

The modern facility ensures Rapid can support the growth of its operations in a timely and efficient manner, without relying on outsourced facilities and manpower.

Rapid’s operations continue to expand with specialised crushing and screening services provided on sites operated by Woodside, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Norilsk Nickel, Moly Metals Australia, Karara Iron Ore and Chevron.

In November 2010 Rapid Crushing commenced a five year DSO iron ore project for Moly Metals Australia at its Spinifex Ridge Project in the Pilbara and is currently producing in excess of 1 Mtpa of product with capacity to increase production if required.

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Proud to be providing a 5 year crushing & screening contract for Moly Metals Australia Pty Ltd at their Spinifex Ridge Iron Ore Project in Western Australia

Moly Mines FEATURE



Moly Mines FEATURE

economy. At the moment, in the short term, I don’t see us making any development decisions. What I see on the horizon is not encouraging. But, look, I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you a timescale. What I can say is that we have a very bright future; I’m excited. There is so much potential here – it is the world’s next big molybdenum mine.”

In addition to the molybdenum-copper deposits at Spinifex Ridge, the project also hosts a number of iron ore deposits, and earlier this year, the company secured export for iron ore to September 2015, with access to the Utah Point facility at Port Hedland.

“We reached a steady state of production at the Spinifex Ridge iron ore mine. It is a nice little project and it gives us a very steady and strong cashflow. We’re mining at a rate at the moment of a million tonnes per annum, and we have a monthly shipment of iron ore going out. And it’s operating on budget, on schedule, and in fact ahead of schedule; we only began production in December last year, so it is remarkable. We’re shipping about 80,000 tonnes a month at the moment.

“The iron ore mine’s resource will never be much more than maybe 10 million tonnes. So it’s never going to be a big mine.”

According to Dr Fisher, the resources

at the iron ore mine at the moment stand at just under eight million tonnes. The reserve portion of that is about 4.5 million tonnes.

“I’m confident we’ll end up mining most of that eight million tonnes, and we’ve got some exploration going on, which will bring some more tonnes in. Ultimately I’m anticipating the resource will max out somewhere around the 10 million tonne level.”

Given that Moly Mines is borrowing US$500 million and has revenue from its iron ore mine, the company’s financial position is very strong. Dr Fisher says cashflow this year will be about US$125 million.

“We’re in a strong position; obviously once we make the investment decision to develop the moly deposit, life will change.

“In terms of the next 12 months, I’m sure it is going to be a very good time for us. We will be a very different

company by the end of next year. We have a lot of cash burning a hole in our pocket at the moment; we have a profitable operations; an undrawn debt facility; and we are on the hunt for something to use it on. It is a buyers’ market at the moment. We are in that sweet spot with cash and the quality technical team, good track record and I believe we will be a different company by the end of next year.” END

To learn more visit www.molymines.com

What I can say is that we have a very

bright future; I’m excited. There is so

much potential here – it is the world’s next big molybdenum

mine.

Moly Mines FEATURE


Innovationwww.australasiaoutlook.com62

ASX-listed global engineering organisation, Ludowici,

has been in business since 1858 and has all the

tools to make an impact in 2012. By Ian Armitage

InnovationS I n c e 1 8 5 8

Ludowici’s Headquarters located in Brisbane, Queensland.

Queensland-based Ludowici is 150 years in the making and might well be one of the oldest Australian businesses

you’ve never heard of. Yet, its management team continues to breathe fresh life into the company. Ludowici, which has a global footprint and support structure, with worldwide revenue of more than A$220 million, was founded by John Ludowici in Sydney in 1858; its principal activities in 2011 centre on designing, manufacturing and installing technologically advanced equipment for a variety of applications for the mining, industrial and infrastructure industries.

Throughout its history, Ludowici has remained relatively anonymous. Despite that, it has a strong brand and long-standing reputation within its niche, which includes a variety of products for large engineering projects.

“Ludowici’s activities today revolve around the mining, industrial and infrastructure markets,” says Neil Tindle, head of Ludowici’s Industrial and Infrastructure division. “We are a company that specialises in the design and manufacture of mechanical equipment for mining, industrial and infrastructure projects.”

Tindle, who joined the company in 2001 after emigrating from the UK and has held a variety of senior roles in Ludowici, says the company was the first Australian manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic packings and seals and is now the nation’s largest producer; there is now a “big opportunity” in infrastructure. “Ludowici’s current 2012 market guidance is that EBITDA will be at least as strong as 2011. Overall demand for the next 12 – 18 months remains robust,” he explains.

Water management systems are a growth area, too. “Growth is all around,” says Tindle. “Mining is obvious but there is a lot of

Ludowici FeATURe

63www.australasiaoutlook.com 63www.australasiaoutlook.com


Ludowici FEATURE

potential for Ludowici’s Industrial and Infrastructure division, particularly for the Water business.”

According to Leigh Radloff, manager of Ludowici Water, one of the most important global demands is the need for sustainable water management and “Ludowici Water was established to focus on this need.”

Ludowici Water has experienced rapid substantial growth in 2011 with further significant growth expected over the next five years.

“The strategy is to continue to grow to consolidate our position as preferred mechanical contractor on major industrial and infrastructure EPC projects,” says Radloff. “With over A$86 billion worth of projects on Infrastructure Australia’s 2011 infrastructure priority list and A$3 trillion of infrastructure required globally per annum, it is essential to position ourselves to capitalise on this demand.”

Ludowici Water has a team of specialised water engineers and technicians including process, civil, mechanical and environmental engineers able to provide complete solutions to customer’s water needs, from start to finish.

STILL GROWING STRONGLudowici has grown strongly in recent years thanks to an efficiency drive led by CEO Patrick Largier, a couple of successful and complementary acquisitions, and through organic growth of the Industrial and Infrastructure division including Ludowici Water.

The company’s profitability doubled in 2010 and it reported record operating profits (Ludowici rules off its accounts on December 31 rather than June 30) of A$11.6 million - more than double the year before. Earnings from continuing operations on a per-share basis jumped 61 percent to 44.8¢.

Acrodyne

Acrodyne specialises in actuation and control of valves and other rotating equipment and has sales and service offices in Melbourne and Sydney and an Instrument sales and service facility in Perth. Acrodyne services a broad range of industries including mining, water, power generation and off shore platforms throughout Australia and South East Asia.

Our enthusiastic and dependable team has a broad range of capabilities including design and drafting, machining, electrical, instrumentation and control, on and off site repair work, field commissioning and industrial training to better support and service companies such as Ludowicki/Watergates. We are flexible in our approach, understanding today’s business environment and are committed to providing exceptional customer service.

As a leading supplier in our field, we boast one of the largest ranges of actuation and control products from companies such as Limitorque, Acrogears, YTC, Trumbull, Beck, Noah, and Aunspach to name just a few. Many of these products are stocked locally and can be provided through our vast national reseller network or as custom designed assemblies providing creative solutions to end users many and varied application needs.

The dividend increased 8¢ to 20¢ a share in 2010.

The company earned A$160 million of its total A$223 million in revenue in 2010 from Australia.

Ludowici employs over 1000 people globally and has decades of experience.

“We provide solutions to our customer’s water management needs,” says Radloff.

If you needed a reason to back Ludowici in 2012, the fact it has recently won a raft of awards including Brisbane Lord Mayor’s export award, Business Person of the Year and winner of Australian Industry Group’s 2011 Icon of Industry award, can’t hurt. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement in

total A$223 million in revenue in 2010 from Australia.

Ludowici employs over 1000 people globally and has decades of experience.

“We provide solutions to our customer’s water management needs,” says Radloff.

If you needed a reason to back Ludowici in 2012, the fact it has recently won a raft of awards including Brisbane Lord Mayor’s export award, Business Person of the Year and winner of Australian Industry Group’s 2011 Icon of Industry award, can’t hurt.

To learn more about Ludowici, its products and its services, visit www.ludowici.com.au.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement in front of almost 300 business and government leaders. Ludowici was delighted to win the prestigious Icon of Industry award recognising outstanding achievement in the Queensland business community, saying that it “really sums up the unique, adaptable nature of the business” and its proud history over 150 years.

“Ludowici has exciting future growth prospects,” Tindle concludes. “This is an exciting time for the business.” END

Clockwise from top: Patrick Largier – Managing Director and CEO of Ludowici. Patrick Largier being presented with the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Australia Trade Coast Award for Business Growth. Neil Tindle – GM Industrial & Infrastructure.

KILNER’SKilner’s Engineering is a third generation general engineering and repetition machining company that offers a wide range of metal processing methods including Laser Cutting, Abrasive Jet Cutting, CNC Machining, CNC Turning and Metal Folding. This diverse range of processes enables them to deliver a high quality, finished product based on the specification provided. Their water jet cutting equipment offers an economical and accurate method for cutting non-ferrous material up to 100mm thick. The stainless steel construction of the machine and material supports allow sheets to be processed without contamination. Kilner’s are one of the only waterjet cutting companies in Australia which use a non-ferrous cutting table.

Ludowici FEATURE


Mick Boyle established Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure in 1994, its mission being to deliver the complex infrastructure needed to build better communities. He talks to Australasia Business Outlook. By Ian Armitage

Abergeldie FEATURE


Building BetterCommuniti

es

Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure is a leading engineering firm that operates as head contractor to state and local council

authorities, as well as utility suppliers and mining companies, delivering high quality, complex infrastructure solutions.

The business targets projects in areas, says managing director Mick Boyle, which require a “smart solution to complex problems” and it has expertise in a number of industries such as water and sewage treatment, electrical sub-stations, complex bridges and blind-bore drilling for mining projects.

Abergeldie is headquartered in Regents Park, NSW and has offices in Southern and Northern Queensland, the ACT and Newcastle. It has the ability to deliver projects across Australia and New Zealand.

“Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure was established by me in 1994 with its mission to deliver the complex infrastructure needed to build better communities,” says Boyle, who has led the development and growth of the business. “That mission statement has guided the company’s development, starting with a single office in Sydney and expanding throughout eastern Australia. Abergeldie started in Sydney working on small, complex civil infrastructure projects such as bridges, dams, and marine works. With the number and scale of projects growing, we opened up in Brisbane, and now have offices in Newcastle, Mackay and Canberra.”

Abergeldie is a licensed builder in the New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. It is also licenced for demolition works and has, over the years, further extended the range of its operations through acquisitions of related companies with which they had previously co-contracted on larger, more specialised projects, Boyle says.

“In 2000, with an eye on opportunities in the mining industry, Abergeldie joined

Abergeldie FEATURE


Communities


Abergeldie FEATURE

with John Zeni to establish Ardent Underground,” he explains, talking about one such acquisition. “This added blind bore drilling to our capabilities. In 2007 Abergeldie purchased 100 percent of Ardent Underground Pty Ltd, which now operates as Abergeldie Mining. In 2008, the company acquired John Young (Kelvinhaugh) Pty Ltd, after a long period of association, bringing in-house a depth of expertise and experience in civil process engineering. The civil process portion of the business now contracts as Abergeldie Young Process Engineering, offering design, supply, and installation services to a broad range of clients in the wastewater treatment, water supply, fuel, food and materials handling industries. We had been doing this kind of work ourselves on a reasonable scale, but we wanted more depth to our capabilities to and take on a broader market. John Young Kelvinhaugh had been a very well respected process-engineering operator, and with that acquisition we can now do a lot more, larger scale work, especially in the water treatment field.”

Abergeldie also saw opportunities in the steel fabrication industry, having for several years sub-contracted out a lot of high value work of that kind on many projects. In 2009, it acquired 50 percent of ASM Fabrications Pty Ltd, which specialises in the fabrication of aluminium, mild steel and stainless steel.

“What’s next?” Boyle asks, “we’re targeting 30 percent growth year-on-year for the next three to four years. Certain key target growth sectors have been identified but the business also is very capable of adapting to capture opportunities as they arise.”

The business is growing strongly at present, he says, and the team is focused on continuing this growth pattern.

“2011 has been a good year for us. FY Revenue dropped a little in line with the market reduction but the business was

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able to maintain healthy profit margins and develop a platform for future growth.

“At the moment, civil infrastructure is quiet in NSW and Victoria,” Boyle adds. “It has also been quiet in Queensland but we have noticed an increase in work over the last four to six months as the flood reconstruction work comes on line. Mining infrastructure in NSW and Queensland has increased in the last six months.

“The past year has certainly been quieter with many of the BER stimulus projects reaching completion and new projects being delayed by Federal and State elections, as well as by discussion about the mining tax. It also did not help that large parts of Queensland was affected by flooding in the first part of this year. These delays are now behind us and we are seeing more opportunities in the mining sector and in civil infrastructure work in NSW and Queensland.”

Boyle also says there is a trend towards

Winmalee Sewage Treatment Plant is a treatment facility located on the western outskirts of Sydney, NSW, Australia. The plant is operated by Sydney Water, with the plant servicing the population encompassing the lower Blue Mountains. The plant is located in an environmentally sensitive area and is located on an escarpment, near the town of Winmalee NSW. Site conditions are very constrained.

Sydney Water proposed some extensive modifications within their secondary biosludge reactor basin with additional pump capacity and pipe upgrades required. Prior to such works being undertaken the reactor basin needed to be emptied and sludge removed and transported to disposal.

The reactor basin has a filled volume capacity of some 8000m3. It was estimated that the average solids content was 8% throughout the basin with solids content higher at the bottom of the basin becoming less solid towards the surface.

ATEK Specialised Industrial Cleaning Services Pty Ltd , a specialist contractor in waste management, was engaged to provide a suitably economic solution to the problems presented by the site location, terrain conditions and environmental restraints.

The chosen solution involved the use of ProFab® geotextile dewatering tubes, vacuum truck technology, small amphibious dredging methods and the use of dewatering accelerants.

In total some 4200m3 of sludge in a transportable state was recovered through the use of the geotextile tube process. An additional 2500 m3 of sludge was captured in polymer treated settling tanks. All discharge water was returned within the STP system.

A traditional alternate treatment of pumping and cleaning with transfer of waste to a suitable waste facility has been estimated to be in excess of $500,000. The geotextile tube process was less than half of these costs.

Positioning the geotextile tube

Filling of geotextile tube commences

Sbr clean before During After

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Abergeldie FEATURE

Governments handing out infrastructure projects in large parcels to the larger companies. “A project worth hundreds of millions of dollars would usually be seen as beyond the capabilities of a company like ours, and we might not even be given a chance to tender,” he explains. “To combat this trend, we focus on parts of those project parcels that are just too complex for some of the larger companies to tackle because they do not have the special skills that we have developed over the years.”

Abergeldie may not take on all the biggest jobs, he stresses, but it tackles the hard ones that no one else can do - and does them well. Abergeldie’s blind boring expertise is a case in point. “By focusing on delivering complex projects, we are driven to innovate. Our blind boring capability is a good example of our ability to innovate. It is world leading. We have designed and built the largest blind boring rigs in the world capable of drilling 6.5m diameter to 600m deep in a single pass. Nobody is doing anything like that, anywhere.”

Blind boring is one of those areas of specialist expertise that has become almost a trademark technology for Abergeldie. Its application is much in demand. “Blind boring is particularly beneficial if it is a new mine situation,” says Boyle. “We have developed a method to drill shafts bigger than anyone else in the world with the blind bore method and we have developed a tunnel capability. Its application is much in demand among clients who need to drill a new mine shaft. Blind boring is particularly beneficial if it is a new mine situation, because you don’t have existing underground access at the time when you need a new shaft especially if the mine location has poor ground conditions.”

A core of good people is Abergeldie’s

greatest competitive and Boyle is aware of the importance of keeping them happy. “I think the most important thing is to keep doing interesting projects, because that is how you keep talented people interested,” he says. “What is the secret to our success? It is delivering good quality work for clients, and having high calibre people. When you have that kind of high-calibre team, you can meet and exceed your clients’ expectations, and we do. Exceeding client expectations also wins the respect of industry peers, which has paid off for Abergeldie in the form of a string of industry awards. A large part of the how and why of winning awards is about your client’s perceptions of your performance; do a good job that the client is happy with and the awards should logically follow.”

Boyle truly believes that Abergeldie really delivers on its promise to deliver complex infrastructure that builds better communities. “We do,” he says. “We also try to build a better community by donating a fixed percentage of our turnover every year to charity. A major part of the investment is in the sponsorship of a “Vinnies Van”, which supports the homeless in western Sydney. What is particular pleasing to me is that about 25 of our employees are volunteers that work regularly on that van. That is the type of people that make up Abergeldie and that is why we are successful.” END

For more information visit www.abergeldie.com

Abergeldie FEATURE


Clockwise from top left: Cotter Dam Viewing Platform, Canberra ACT.

Grahamstown Dam, Newcastle NSW.Potts Hill Substation. The Ponds Bridge,

Sydney NSW. Mitchelton Station.


CAPS Australia has extensive knowledge and experience of

compressed air systems, guaranteeing that opportunities are

quickly recognised and savings realised. By Robert Michaels

a b r e at h o fC A P S A u S t r A l i A

fresh air

CAPS Australia FEATURE


Air compressor systems are found in almost all industrial plants. They, of course, convert power, usually from an electric or diesel

or gasoline engine, into kinetic energy by compressing and pressurising air, which, on command, can be released in quick bursts.

Compressed air is generally considered to be one of the quickest, easiest and least costly ways to improve on energy efficiency.

Air compressors are the foundation of CAPS Australia’s business. As well as off-the-shelf compressors, CAPS (Compressed Air and Power Solutions) is able to build or convert a standard package into a customised solution. Indeed, it custom designs, assembles, supplies and services a wide range of compressed air, gas and power generation technology and blowers to manufacturing, mining and oil and gas, water and waste water treatment.

“CAPS extensive knowledge and experience of compressed air systems guarantees that opportunities are quickly recognised and savings realised,” the company told Australasia Business Outlook.

CAPS is a 100 percent Australian owned company, established in 1980 as an exclusive distributor and service provider of equipment associated with bulk powder handling applications. This includes a range of oil free low-pressure compressors for dense phase conveying and Robuschi Positive displacement blowers for a wide range of powder handling applications.

Brands represented include Ingersoll Rand, Conquest and Robuschi, just to name a few.

It is a leading market player and, with branches all over Australia, CAPS’s continuous growth is a true reflection of its service and capability.

“Since 1980, the company has continued to expand its operations while gaining


an enviable reputation for reliability and high-quality equipment, and now operates nine branch locations throughout the Australian mainland,” its corporate website says. “This network of services means CAPS Australia offers you the highest standard of equipment

and service, anywhere in Australia,” it adds.

CAPS Australia has offices in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Mackay, Newcastle and Kalgoorlie.

It provides 24/7 after sales support.

“CAPS Australia is an Australian-owned company


We have a strong international reputation that has been built on the back of great relationships with our customers and suppliers

with a strong emphasis on professional service and customer care,” its website adds.

The true value of CAPS Australia to its customers extends well beyond its products. “We undertake large and small contracts to supply, install and maintain all types of compression and generation equipment, and provide excellent after sales service to ensure your plant gives many years of trouble-free service,” CAPS says.

CAPS Australia has enjoyed remarkable

success, growing from a one-man business to a national company with offices all over the country. It has built a reputation for product reliability and excellence in service delivery, while its motto – more options, better solutions – reflects an extensive product range and demonstrates CAPS’s proven capacity for innovation.

“We a strong international reputation that has been built on the back of great relationships with our customers and



suppliers,” the company says.

Compressor systems account for 10 to 15 percent of all electricity consumption in Australia. Driven by the threat of climate change, diminishing natural resources and increases in fuel and energy prices, air compressor systems manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs.

With the introduction of

the Federal Government’s EEO scheme (Energy Efficiency Opportunities) in 2006, CAPS has focused attention to assisting participating companies with things like audits, assessment and submissions to reduce CO2 emission and access available funding.

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities program encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency, by requiring businesses to


To learn more visit www.capsaust.com.au

We are a wholly owned and operated Western Australian Company. Since 1987, Nu-phase has been providing control systems manufacturers and switchboard builders with a range of industrial weatherproof enclosure systems plus a variety of other components. At Nu-Phase we are always extending our range of electrical engineering products which includes Pepperl and Fuchs Factory Automation Products, Switchgear, an extensive range of specialty flexible cables including control cable, EMC compliant cables, SDI’s, Submersible cables and many other quality products.

Nu-Phase Electrical Engineering SuppliesUnit 1/730 Marshall Road, Malaga WA 6090

Ph: 08 9248 4388 Fax: 08 9248 4399E-mail: [email protected] www.nuphase.com.au

identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities.

The program is designed to lead to increased energy efficiency, CAPS says.

The firm is able to assist businesses meet EEO requirements, as well as assist with industry guidelines and other program support material to help large energy-using businesses understand their obligations.

END

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Australasia Outlook Issue 3

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