November

Dux Hot Water have launched the country’s first comprehensive website for calculating Federal and State Government hot water rebates at the click of a button. The www.hotwaterrebate.com.au site helps simplify and explain the various rebates available for hot water systems while also making claiming an easier process.

Smartbuild.com.au are not an Australian manufacturer but they are certainly a case of true Australian innovation. The company founders have an ambitious vision: to provide to the hardware industry what sites like realestate.com.au did for real estate and carsales.com.au did for the automotive industry.

The difference between trade marks, business, company and domain names often causes significant confusion for the public and traders alike. Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams explain these differences and the importance of protecting the most valuable assets of your business.

October 2008

After six months of careful development and planning H.B. Fuller are pleased to announce the launch of the new www.hbfuller.com.au website.

The Hardware Association of QLD are holding their annual industry awards on Saturday, November 22 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Hardware Association of South Australia (HASA) will recognise excellence in the South Australian hardware industry at the 2008 Gala Awards Night at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday, November 1.

Total Tools will open a new store in Queensland and another in NSW prior to Christmas as the company’s five year plan rolls into action – with another three planned for the New Year. Although the exact locations are still a secret, they will be mostly ‘greenfield’ sites in key areas.

Almost everybody knows that Wal*Mart is the world’s largest retailer, but who are the others and how many of them are from the US? US correspondent Bob Vereen reports.

1-11 Site Boxes are high end high margin trade items that require almost no technical expertise to sell

September 2008

Retailing is never an easy occupation and right now things are tougher than they’ve been in a decade. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports.

The China International Hardware Show - Powered By Practical World ranks amongst the top three hardware industry events in the world, along with the International Hardware Fair / Practical World in Cologne and the National Hardware Show in the US.

With a five year growth plan in the works and qualified new staff ready to do the hard yards, Total Tools are well on their way towards opening new stores in line with their new strategy – and this means they are looking for more franchisees to join the network.

Many portable gazebo and marquee are notorious for their poor quality, but this not always the case. Simon Braunthal has some enlightening news…

Technology has come a long way but many sales people in the hardware and building industry still lag behind. Geoff Dart has the story…

All employers will be affected by two fairly recent changes to the superannuation guarantee law…

August 2008

Heavy paint cans can pose a risk to those who handle them every day but visible pictograms can reduce the risk. Michael Hambrook reports

Leading Hardware Distributor Dynalink recently held their National Sales Conference in Melbourne.

Richgro’s annual national sales conference was held on the Gold Coast in June.

The recently introduced Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 will restrict the sale and advertising of spray paint cans in Victoria in an effort to tackle the graffiti problem. The Act commenced on April 17, 2008, with restrictions on spray paint cans coming in on June 30, 2008.

Green and new products attracted buyers from all over the world at the 2008 National Hardware Show. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports.

David Hayward discusses the differences between ‘peaking’ and ‘cupping’, the importance of good planning and preparation, and what your customers can do to avoid or repair the problems

www.smartbuild.com.au is a highly affordable new system for promoting your store

July 2008

HASA's annual general meeting will be held at the Adelaide Oval Function Centre's Bradman Room on August 6th.

Danks invited more than 450 major trade members from Home Timber and Hardware, Thrifty-Link and key trade suppliers to Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino in late May 2008 to participate in a two day Expo and series of seminars.

The annual Hardware Association of Queensland Golf Day was held on 28 May at the Indooroopilly Golf Club. The day was a great success and HAQ would like to thank all who contributed.

Industrial design students from the University of Technology in Sydney are developing new designs for power tools with the intention of making them more accessible and easier to use.

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental deaths amongst Australian children under five years, with 35 unnecessary toddler drownings recorded last year alone.

Not only are overweight and obese employees at greater risk of ailments, but they are also more prone to injuries. Professor Garry Egger shares some startling findings.

Total Tools Kilsyth is the pilot store for the group’s progressive expansion program.

June 2008

Every hardware store should have a few compressors on offer, but there's more to selling them than just performance. Peter Gard tells you what you need to know.

Danks invited more than 200 of its major retail and trade suppliers to the River Room at Crown Casino in late April 2008 to enjoy dinner, celebrate the financial year, and share plans for next year's spectacular 150th anniversary celebrations.

1-11 is pleased to be associated with James Brock and his team in the exciting and hugely popular V8 Ute Series.

With the green dollar commanding more momentum than ever, Bob Vereen delivers part II of a report on green retailing.

A unique form of cooling technology for hard hats will soon be introduced to the Australian market by Wrights Hardware.

Not only are gifts and homewares a great way to entice women customers, but they are also an attractive growth category. George Lancaster has the story.

May 2008

Australianbiz.com.au tells you what you need to know about claiming a personal tax deduction for super contributions.

Selleys' brand new pointing system for roof tilers is the first of its kind to exceed tough revised Australian Standards.

From the biggest multinationals to the smallest local stores, the green market represents a tremendous opportunity. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports.

The Federal Court of Australia recently ordered the forfeiture and destruction of around 150,000 imported Energizer batteries seized by Australian Customs.

Glee, Europe's largest annual garden and leisure trade exhibition (21-23 September 2008, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England) is urging Australian garden sector, outdoor living and giftware suppliers interested in exhibiting to act quickly as space is filling up fast.

H.B. Fuller is much bigger than you may have thought. Based in Minnesota in the USA, they are one of the largest adhesive companies in the world, supplying solutions to some of the world’s biggest brands like Coke Cola, Nike and Adidas. H.B. Fuller is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is a Fortune 300 listed company.

Mitre 10’s Merchandise Expo was also held for the first time on the same occasion. Attracting more than 775 Mitre 10 suppliers and members from across Australia, the Expo featured an increased number of new-to-market products which will appear in Mitre 10 stores across the country later this year.

April 2008

Driving more profits with less investment sounds too good to be true, but if a retailer isn't achieving exactly this, then it's heading in the wrong direction. Julian Josem reports.

Wal*Mart appears to be making inroads into DIY. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports.

Adhesives leader H.B Fuller has improved its service levels to the Australian hardware and trade industry last year with a restructure of retail and trade sales activities.

A NSW Mitre 10 outlet has perfected the art of trade.

The addition of a motorised power sprayer to the 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner range takes the hard work out of an otherwise tedious and tiresome job.

Winter is coming which means there are opportunities to sell winter products to the pool market. Obviously it helps to give the right advice, so Manny Crespo offers some handy tips.

March

Gateway Mitre 10 Home and Trade in Mt Gambier recently presented Mt Gambier and Districts Health Services with a much needed CTG telemetry unit valued at $7,000.

The secret to longevity in public relations and promotional marketing is thinking beyond the brief without blowing the client’s budget.

Irwin Industrial Tools is treating V8 supercar lovers across the country with something a bit different with the Ultimate Tradesman Challenge.

A Shareholders Agreement is a written agreement that covers the basic foundations for how the shareholders and/or directors of a company will act. It sets out a framework covering such issues as company funding, structure, management, operations, direction succession and so forth, so as to help the owners deal with any future disputes.

Nuriootpa is the Barossa Valley’s main commercial centre. Home to famous wineries like Penfolds and Wolf Blass, it is here that Juncken’s Home Timber and Hardware underwent a remarkable transformation after 112 years of operation…

Australia may appear to be reasonably insulated from the word ‘recession’ appearing in the US and UK media. Nonetheless, retailers should consider re-thinking their strategy when that word rears its ugly head...

February

Moore Stephens share some strategic insights into acquiring or divesting of a business in today's ever more rationalised market...

Irwin Industrial Tools recently committed to another two years of Britek Motorsport sponsorship on top of confirming Marcus Marshall as the new driver for the #26 Ford Falcon in the 2008 and '09 V8 Supercar Championship Series'.

The Hardware Association of Victoria will hold its annual Golf Day on the 13th of March at the Waterford Valley Golf Club in Knoxfield.

ILID’s Visible Light Technology (VLT™) doesn’t just turn paper ticketing on its head – it’s also friendlier to the environment. Corinne Said explains…

The holiday season was instrumental in stimulating developments in web based retailing. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports on some of the findings…

A South Australian Mitre 10 store has mastered the art of constant improvement…

Mitre 10 is the first and only Australian hardware group to benefit from a new world-class distribution centre being built in Derrimut, Victoria.

Danks will open a new warehouse distribution facility in Welsh Pool Western Australian in the first half of 2008, about 2km from the current main facility in Kewdale.

January

Environmentalism and sustainability are very hot issues for our time. They are also rapidly growing into lucrative opportunities for retailers. Tom Prince investigates...

The ageing CDMA mobile network is due to be replaced with the Next G™ network on January 28, so Telstra is encouraging retailers to also enjoy the added potential productivity benefits that come from the Next G™ network. Preliminary research compiled on behalf of Telstra and Ericsson by economist firm Econtech found respondents already using the network enjoyed an average increase in business productivity of 9.3 percent.

December

Lehman’s Hardware is anything but your typical hardware store. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports…

My earliest memory is... loosing my mother during the weekly shopping expeditions in the fish market... making my way back to the bus station only to wait for the rest of the day to be collected - aged 4 - my first challenge.

The Hardware Journal was privileged to attend this year’s China International Hardware & DIY Show, held at the Shanghai New International EXPO Center in Pudong, on October 23 to 25. Ray Quek reports from this global commerce and trade hub to cover the mammoth hardware event…

National Building Suppliers Group (Natbuild) recently held their national conference in Mackay, Queensland. Hosted by local Natbuild member Porters, the event was by all accounts a resounding success…

What is the best way to attract and retain good people in the current market? Geoff Dart from Moore Stephens has the answer…

November

What are the latest developments when it comes to safety and security? Merilyn Newnham has the story...

The housing slump means many pro dealers are doing it tough. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports…

There could soon be a change in federal government so what are the likely implications for employees and employers? Wal Beattie has the story…

Do you need a boost in sales, a more efficient store, or simply want a jump on the competition? An in-store kiosk may be just what you need…

Master Lock – a market leader and innovator in padlock and security solutions – recently extended its range of ‘Select Access' Key Safes.

This is the full transcript of an interview conducted by AHJ's Tom Prince and Adam Gordon with Mitre 10 CEO Bernie Bicknell.

October

How are timber businesses leveraging technology to its fullest potential? Andrea Dixon from timber technology provider Disprax has the story...

Internet forums are a wonderfully progressive way for businesses to get their message out. Amanda Gome has the story...

The rise in interest rates means businesses must take control of their debtors to ensure they don't end up in financial difficulties...

Thornton Home Timber and Hardware was the proud winner of the Home National Store of the Year award at the Danks National Conference...

What makes for really outstanding service? Jurek Leon has the story…

With so much competition for skilled employees, what can small business do to retain their staff? Rachel Felton tells you how…

Aquadux is delighted to announce that it is the sole distributor for Marley Rainwater products in the Australian market. Aquadux is part of Aliaxis group of companies, which places it next to players like Marley Plastics NZ, Dynex and Philmac, just to name a few.

September

Graffiti prevention is a controversial issue, especially when retailers have to spend money on preventative measures. The Hardware Association of Victoria has the latest on this issue…

Danks Holdings put to rest any speculation of a possible merger with Mitre 10 in a recent announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange.

Bunnings Warehouse and Dulux donated $230,000 to the Australian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC). The money was raised in a campaign for Dulux Weathershield products where $1 from every litre of paint sold was then donated to AFAC.

Square design – synonymous with the modern, the trendy and the upmarket – is found in anything from tapware to doorhandles to light fittings. Tom Prince investigates…

The Hardware Journal is pleased to provide some industry updates. Tom Prince touches on recent developments…

With so many opportunities in the home handyman market, an area that is often overlooked in the DIY world is the growing home handywoman market.

August

For independent retailers and small chains the competition is tough, especially wherever big-box retailing is firmly entrenched. US correspondent Bob Vereen reports on survival strategies that can be employed to increase sales and net profits…

Consumers are demanding more environmentally safer products and garden chemicals are no exception…

A Combined Rural Traders outlet offers expert advice – and it's a lot more than just over the counter…

Home Timber & Hardware's marketing team have not rested on their laurels. For six months they've researched, tested and developed a marketing strategy that is set to hit the mark with consumers.

Detail Retail has a new range of fixture applications that offer both affordability and great flexibility…

How do you get the most out of your team? John Stanley has some solid advice on what empowerment really means…

With concern for the world's forests at an all time high, more and more companies seek to enlighten buyers about how environmentally responsible they are through the use of labels. Sadly, many of these claims cannot be substantiated, leading to widespread cynicism. The Forest Stewardship Council is an internationally recognised and independent body that is setting the record straight…

July

Australian manufacturing has changed in many ways since W.H. (Henry) Sutton started thread grinding tools in 1917. One thing that hasn't changed in 90 years is Sutton Tools' commitment to locally manufacturing export quality cutting tools and the Sutton family roots.

A whole range of incentives are available to assist small businesses but owners are often unaware of what is out there…

Innovative new products were one of the main attractions at the 2007 National Hardware Show. Bob Vereen reports…

In commemoration of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Crescent brand, a limited edition Crescent Anniversary tool range has been released offering exciting products with fantastic bonuses and value added packs. 100 Years is a long time for any product or brand to successfully exist and Crescent has continued over the years to offer quality and innovation in hand tools to its customers. Many people would not be aware of the important role that the Crescent Wrench has played in memorable historic events.

Since 1952, Bailey has been proudly manufacturing ladders in Australia and has become a firm favourite of the nation's tradespeople and safety conscious home users. Hills Industries' Product Manager for Ladders, Mr Chris Mayo, said Bailey – a Hills Industries company – had firmly established itself as Australia's leading manufacturer of ladders for domestic, trade and industrial use.

The drought has affected just about everyone – even your humble assistant editor has resorted to showering with the aid of a timer and a spacious bucket for his pot plants. With water restrictions varying across the whole country retailers are facing a considerable challenge. Indeed, some are doing it very tough, but for others the drought can represent an opportunity. Tom Prince speaks to a selection of those ‘in the know' about how the drought can be chance for diversification and expansion…

Older apprentices have a lot to offer. Sometimes a bit of help is all they need. Sue Kent from MEGT explains…