Although Pioneer Hardware once serviced much of the independent hardware sector, the well-known merchandiser has now chosen to exclusively service Bunnings, and focus all of its resources and energy into the big green box. Pioneer Hardware General Manager Michael Sutton says the business has continued to evolve by offering its clients a broader and more diverse service to accommodate their needs as required.  “An example of our service includes the implementation of quick response projects which provide data to our clients so they can implement sales-focused plans ..read more

Serving both the independent and big box markets, A Team Merchandising is excited for the year ahead as it continues to grow and evolve to meet local market demands. In A Team’s early years, clients were strongly focused on both the independents as well as the big box. Although this focus was followed by an almost single-minded attention on Bunnings, the pendulum is now swinging back again. “The meteoric growth of Bunnings once saw our clients strongly focused on meeting their needs ..read more

When Gary Kozhushnik first launched his online tool business, www.discounttrader.com.au, 17 years ago, he never would have imagined the impact it would have on the industry or predicted the rapid growth and impressive evolution it would undergo in such a short time. Business: Discount Trader (www.discounttrader.com.au) Owner: Gary Kozhushnik Location: Notting Hill, Melbourne Buying Group: Hardware and Building Traders (HBT) Establishing an online tool business in an industry dominated by brick-and-mortar stores is no mean feat ..read more

AFWI and Albanese Government launch $100 million project  The future of sustainable forestry recently received a significant boost with the official launch of the Albanese Government’s $100 million Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) program. AFWI is a collaboration between the Albanese Government and the University of Tasmania, committed to advancing research and innovation in Australian forest and wood products. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, said the University of Tasmania AFWI Headquarters in Launceston would support a local AFWI research cen ..read more

High-quality building products that are hard-wearing and long-lasting is just one of the prominent trends expected to come out of the building industry this season. The growing need for high-quality products has become particularly evident in the impressive performance of VUETRADE’S high-quality stainless steel range which continues to gain momentum, according to VUETRADE’s National Key Account Manager, Jason Shedden. “The need for quality products has become evident with the continued growth of our T-Blade and Cap System, which uses the VUEBOLT, and is popular for larger posts on decks and p ..read more

As some of Australia’s largest industrial facilities move to eliminate carbon emissions under the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism, Cement Australia is just one of many companies that will undergo major changes in support of the legislation. Introduced just last year, the Safeguard Legislation has targeted Australia’s top 215 industrial facilities to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Cement Australia’s Packaged Products and Marketing Manager, Marc Furlong, says as a big energy business, Cement Australia will ensure its manufacturing is more sustainable, and will also off ..read more

Australian Forest Product Association announces new Chief Executive Officer The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) recently announced that experienced government relations professional, Diana Hallam, has accepted the Board’s offer to become the Association’s new permanent Chief Executive Officer. Ms Hallam has had a long and distinguished career working at senior levels of the Australian Public Service. She served as Chief of Staff to a former Deputy Prime Minister and held other senior political advisory and corporate roles with a focus on infrastructure, transport, and agricultur ..read more

620 years of collective service revisit Hyne Front Row L-R: David Lightbody, Carol McDougall, Wayne Hay, Paul Robinson, Yvonne Loveday, Ian Harvey, Noel Puller, Chris Hyne, Kevin Davies, Chris Robertson. Second Row L-R: James Hyne, Terry Baker, David Bennetts, Mal Katchel, Dale Green, Jon Kleinschmidt, Russ Smith, Angela Pappin, John McDonald, Brian Sellke, Kelly Hyne, Dave McInnes. Eighteen retired Hyne team members recently came together to reminisce while touring through Hyne’s Glue Laminated Timber Plant and Tuan Sawmill near Maryborough ..read more

Legrand Australia’s insights on the evolution of smart homes In the rapidly evolving landscape of smart home products, Legrand Australia takes pride in being at the forefront of innovation and providing solutions that improve lives. As we move into 2024, the demand for smart products among Australian customers continues to rise, as does the appetite for cutting-edge technologies. Smart products have seen a surge in popularity amongst Australian consumers in recent times, with a steady increase in appetite over the past year ..read more

As Australians embrace smart products into their daily lives more and more, the market is predicted to reach significant highs in sales and growth. ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions is one of the leading developers of door openings and products for access solutions in homes, businesses and institutions. Product Managers, Ben Tang and Tarek Mostafa of ASSA ABLOY, the global leaders in access solutions recently shared their insights and predictions for Australia’s increasingly smarter living and smarter homes ..read more