EDITORIAL | ASSOCIATIONS
WFAANZ HITS A QUARTER CENTURY
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand, WFAANZ.
In 1992, the New South Wales state government completely banned auto film- sending shockwaves through the industry and making the need for an association an urgent priority.
01 25th Anniversary edition of Window Film News magazine, September 2017.
George Mariotto, long standing WFAANZ committee member, reflects,“ I don’ t think people realise how close the Aussie auto tint industry was to extinction. The industry, particularly in New South Wales, went into panic mode when the state government banned auto tint in‘ 92. The reason was clear – illegal, dark film was so out of control that the New South Wales government’ s response was to ban it outright.
“ Stores that were tinting 20 to 40 vehicles a week suddenly dropped to two vehicles a week,” George continues.“ It took over three months to overturn the ban, during which time the industry Australia-wide was going through an enormous period of uncertainty. It is important to note that several stores and one-man operations went out of business during this time.
“ Prior to this point, submissions made to relevant state transport authorities by individual companies usually fell on deaf ears, as it was seen to be a self-serving commercial interest. Not to mention that by the early 1990s, most state transport authorities were‘ anti-tint’, and therefore our submissions generally never got past first base.”
Once three or four film companies banded together as an industry association, then called the International Window Film Association Australasia( IWFAA), the strength of a collective was forged.
WFAANZ employed a lobbyist to spearhead discussions with the New South Wales government, and after considerable time, effort and money, the ban was overturned and the New South Wales government agreed to a 35 per cent Visual Light Transmittance( VLT) regulation, 10 per cent external reflection and no retrospective‘ film removal’ requirement for customers who kept their vehicles. Upon sale of the vehicle, the film was to be removed.
George said,“ WFAANZ played, and continues to play, an important role in positively changing the mindset of
individuals employed in these government authorities to enable fairer discussions and therefore outcomes.
“ I can tell you with 100 per cent conviction,” George concludes,“ We wouldn’ t have had that successful result if we didn’ t join forces as an association. And, equally as important, is that the victory sent a signal to all the other road and traffic authorities, resulting in their adaptation of the New South Wales regulation.”
Nothing demonstrates this better than the recent announcement by the Queensland state government of the changed VLT requirement of 20 per cent for windows rear of the driver( the minimum VLT was previously 35 per cent). This revision is the result of the 2016 National Transport Commission recommendations, in which WFAANZ participated.
Incorporated in April 1992, the Association was originally called the International Window Film Association Australasia( IWFAA), a branch of the International Window Film Association( IWFA). In 2005, the Australian chapter formed WFAANZ, a stand-alone association exclusively covering the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Current president, Ally Cronan, comments,“ WFAANZ was built on a foundation of independence. It’ s mission was to protect all Aussie tint businesses- whether they be auto or flat glass, commercial or residential, small or large. This value is still reflected in everything we do today. We’ re not about pushing particular products- you’ ll notice brands of film are never mentioned in anything we do. We want to grow the industry as a whole. I’ ve loved being part of WFAANZ for the last ten years, particularly working with the dedicated, passionate and often colourful characters out there who make up our membership. Here’ s to the next 25!”
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For more information about WFAANZ, our members, our charter and our achievements, please visit our website www. wfaanz. org. au or our Facebook page www. facebook. com / WFAANZ
26 Summer 2017