wo r d s
WORDS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the autumn edition of Windows .
The new year is well and truly underway with activity appearing to continue at similar levels to last year . This is good news for our industry , particularly on the east coast , as most members enjoyed a very busy 2016 . Although the building industry peaked in terms of new home starts in 2016 , there is still a solid pipeline of work to support strong ongoing demand over the next twelve months .
The annual voting for the Directors that represent you on the AWA Board took place in February . These appointments were announced at the AGM on 3 March . Full details can be found on the AWA website .
Your Board remains focused on the long term strategic issues facing the industry and our members . All Directors , who volunteer their time to the Association , are committed to ensuring the AWA continues to be the peak membership organisation of the Australian fenestration industry . As per our stated mission , the Association will continue to endorse compliant , sustainable and fit-forpurpose products and to provide services to members that support your efforts to operate successfully .
Thanks for your continued support of the AWA . The Association looks forward to working with you and supporting you throughout what will hopefully be a successful 2017 for your business .
Enjoy the magazine .
BRENDAN O ’ REILLY Acting Chairman of the Board
Welcome to 2017 . The World Economic Forum ( WEF ) tells us that ten years ago the top five global concerns were ( in order ):
• The breakdown of critical information infrastructure .
• Chronic disease in developed countries .
• Oil price shock .
• A China economic hard landing .
• Asset price collapse .
In 2017 , the top five global concerns are ( in order ):
• Extreme weather events .
• Large scale involuntary migration .
• Major natural disasters .
• Terrorism attacks .
• Data fraud and theft .
As we swelter through a long , very hot summer , I will point out that three of the top five current global concerns involve people and weather . I commented here last November that I have no doubt that Australia ’ s signing up to the Paris Agreement will impact the way we build and the materials we choose to build with . The WEF report reinforces this and leaves little doubt that there must be a reinvigorated effort in design innovation of windows and door systems to address these emerging needs .
Over the next couple of years , the AWA will work extensively with all parties to understand the trajectory for increasing regulatory requirements , to better inform the industry to prepare and maintain its efforts on addressing non-conforming building products , as the two issues surely work in tandem .
I hope your year is a successful one and look forward to meeting you at one of our many events over the next few months and , in particular , at our annual conference when we celebrate Fenestration Australia in the tropical resort islands of Fiji .
Here we are moving well into 2017 already , welcome to Windows autumn edition .
This edition of Windows includes regular features : David Esler who discusses the challenge of keeping your high performers , our compliance section looks at the AWA accreditation program and how it has driven success for our members over the last 20 years , Bryan Pickard discusses quantum meruit and what it means , learn about social media marketing and how to utilise it by reading a great article from Stephanie Dale , and Harley Dale talks about the Trump era and what impact , if any at all , this will have on the Australian residential building market .
Our member profile features Dave O ’ Connell , founder of Weatherall Windows , who talks about his life in uPVC windows .
In our technical section , we discuss the acoustic testing program arranged with CSIRO , as well as crevice corrosion .
There are plenty of new products in the products section and a list of important dates in the directory .
We have a case study exploring leaking timber framed windows from Simon Owen and feature two case studies on security screen solutions for two very different projects .
We also look at how training fast tracks profits and quality in your business .
We hope you really enjoy our autumn edition of Windows .
GARY SMITH Marketing & Communications Manager
TRACEY GRAMLICK Executive Director & CEO
2 Australian Window Association