AWIA Newsletter - July 2008

Welcome to our latest newsletter which has a focus on recent events such as Wire 2008 in Dusseldorf, National Manufacturing Week in Sydney plus our upcoming Conference.

It is pleasing to report to all members that planning is well advanced for the AWIA 2008 Conference at the Gold Coast on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th October.

All members are faced with a raft of challenging circumstances in their business at present from rapidly escalating material costs, ever growing wage demands, higher transport costs, growing amount of imported products as well as the impacts of changes in employment legislation amongst many.  The conference will allow members to catch up on the latest economic and industry trends and to look for ways to counteract the impacts of some of these forces.

Wire 2008 Dusseldorf Report

 Messe Dusseldoff with 19 fully booked exhibition halls, totalling some 150,000 square metres of net stand space rented and more than 123,000 (73,000 for the wire section) visitors from over 90 nations gathered were extremely pleased with the event. This is the impressive summary of the week at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Center, which saw roughly 3,000 exhibitors showcase the industries’ latest offerings at the three trade fairs METAV, International Fair for Manufacturing Technology and Automation, wire, International Wire and Cable Trade Fair as well as Tube, the International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair over five days.

Wire’s area (1,129 exhibitors) more than satisfied the expectations held by manufacturers of machinery for the production and processing of wire and cable as well as the makers of process technology tools, materials producers and suppliers of special wire and cables.

This year saw the Wire exhibition get back towards the hay days of for the 80/90s with numbers visibly up on recent events. Such was the demand from exhibitors some were unable to get space in their selected halls. Comments by exhibitors showed very good order books and delight in the enhanced exhibition and new facilities.

For the first time the train brought visitors directly into the exhibition entering into the new under cover station beside two very impressive new halls.

The AWIA was well represented by members from the reinforcing, wire forming and fencing groups. However, for the first time we did not see any spring makers from Australia and New Zealand at Wire 2008.

The highlight on any exhibition is of course new products and visitors were not disappointed. Some of our supplier members have given us information on new products. This is not a comprehensive summary and more information is available upgraded equipment and new models from each of the suppliers.

In order to be able to easily downloaded, the photos and other details are reduced in size. Contact the supplier for original material and full details.

In alphabetical order

Reinforcing

Progress introduced their new MSR 20 twin head bending machine for up to 1 x 20 mm or 2 x 16 mm rod with simultaneous dual bending. For further information, click here

Progress has also launched its enhanced ProFit range of production software for design and production of  rebar and welded mesh. For further information, click here.

Spring Making

Numalliance (Latour & Macsoft) has launched their FRX4 machine for making springs and complex wire shapes. For further information, click here

Wafios launched their new FSE 93 multi-axis coiling machine for making compression springs up to 12 mm at the show. For further information, click here.

Wafios also presented for the first time the FMK 2 up to 2 mm and FMK 3 for up to 3 mm torsion spring coiling machine. For further information, click here.

Tube

Numalliance (Latour & Macsoft) launched their Numabend CNC tube bender for up to 80 mm with automatic tool cassette change over. For further information, click here.

Wire & Strip

Numalliance (Latour & Macsoft) has introduced new Numastrip 452/505 machines with multiple axes for making complex products from strip. For more information, click here.

Wafios introduced their new BM (L) series complete with robot arm for manufacturing 2 & 3 D wire products. For further information, click here

National Manufacturing Week, Sydney, 27-30 May 2008 Report

 
With the excellent results for our members who participated at NMW week in Melbourne during May last year, this year was followed up by another excellent event and with impressive results.

Even with overseas exhibitors limited to allow space for local manufacturers, the show was booked out. The exhibition experienced thousands of visitors both local, interstate (up 9%) and from overseas (up 64%).

Five of our members took up the opportunity to take space at NMW at a discounted rate via the AWIA, one up on last year. All experienced very good results with inquiries getting into the hundreds. This year saw our first fencing company get involved. All are booking space for next year’s event.

Protective fencing	Better Springs	Heat Treatment
Jubilee Springs	Marsh Springs	AWIA exhibitors and committee at dinner

If you would like more detail on the event and when next years event in Melbourne is, click on the following link and then in the 2nd paragraph down load the Post Show Bulletin.

As with previous exhibitions, the AWIA is able to offer discounted stands prices for our members. For more information on exhibiting, call Malcolm Michael on 02 9484 9856.

Wire Association International 2008 Donnellan Memorial Award Presentation Held June 9th 2008.

In our last newsletter we announced the late Barry Loudon was awarded the Wire Association International 2008 Donnellan award. As a reminder of Barry’s achievement, the following is a summary of what the award is about and Barry’s contribution from our previous newsletter.

Each year the Wire Association International (WAI) gives an award to a person who they believe has made an outstanding contribution to their organisation and the wire industry.
The WAI is a large organisation with almost 2,500 members throughout the world and the competition for this award is very strong. This is a very prestigious award voted on by the WAI Board of Directors and given only once per year. This time they have given the award to Barry and one other of their members as co-winners.

Over recent years Barry attended many meeting for the WAI in the US and travelled to Dusseldorf for the AWIA members at his own expense in travel costs and in time. A member of the WAI since 2001 as well as being on the WAI Board of Directors for 2005 and 2006, he was on the WAI
-    Ferrous Management 2005
-    Technical Council 2003 to 2005
-    Membership Committees 2004 to 2006
-    Education committee 2006.

Barry also had important roles at BHP and these, along with his contribution to the WAI, helped him win this award.

In recognition to Barry’s efforts, the WAI paid for one of Barry’s daughters to go to the WAI Wire Expo conference and exhibition in Pittsburgh to accept the award on Barry’s behalf.  We wish to also thank Colleen Loudon for paying for their other 2 daughters to also attend and accept the award. The WAI also paid for all of the girls accommodation and organised tours.

Only last week I received a call from one of our members who attended the conference to say he saw the Loudon girls at the presentation and said they were exceptional and did us all proud.

The WAI Executive Director Steve Fetteroll was responsible for organising the girl’s trip has also contacted me. Here is part of what he had to say:

“The Loudon girls were the highlight of the awards breakfast and probably the whole show.  Catherine's remarks at the breakfast brought many to tears and at the end, everyone gave them a genuine standing ovation. Thank you for facilitating the trip.  It was great that all three girls were there to receive the award.  They were magnificent representatives for Barry and the family as well as Australia ”. 

The Loudon girls with the other WAI award recipients	Catherine Loudon addressing the conference.

On behalf of the AWIA we again wish to thank the WAI for their initiative, the Loudon girls for making themselves available to attend the award and for Colleen Loudon’s support to help the girls get to Pittsburgh. 
Malcolm Michael
Director/Secretary
Australasian Wire Industry Association

Manufacturing Company on the Move

We have all seen the effect on manufacturing by China and other low cost production countries. In a time when we have a number of companies shutting down or reducing their facilities it is very pleasing to see success stories in Australia and New Zealand .

One of these is Marsh Springs & Metal Products (previously known as Thomas Marsh). The following is a brief overview of Marsh Springs recent activities showing there are still plenty of opportunities for our manufacturers.

For over 50 years MARSH Springs & Metal Products (Thomas Marsh & Co) have specialized in the design and manufacture of Springs, Metal Components and Wire Forms.

 Founded in 1953 and directed by Mr. Tom Marsh, the company steadily grew in size gaining a solid reputation in reliable service.

Tom’s eldest son Greg has now been directing the company for over 25 years. During that time the company has expanded to meet the needs of a broad customer base throughout Australia .

In November 07 ‘MARSH Springs  & Metal Products’ moved to their new purpose built, 6000 sq meters state of the art, manufacturing facility in Carole Park, Brisbane.

The new location is ‘just around the corner’ from the old premises which the company had occupied for 20 years, and had well and truly outgrown. The move was completed in 4 days with minimum disruption to manufacture output.

 “The new premises has allowed us to streamline our operation, improve in flexibility and efficiency, and plan for future expansion” explains Greg Marsh.

With separate store and warehouse facilities, and ‘flow through’ transport capability, the new MARSH Springs manufacturing plant is able to cope with ever increasing JIT demands from their customers.

MARSH Springs & Metal Products join other major commercial identities such as Blackwoods, Paradise Foods, in the new section of the Carole Park Industrial Estate and look forward to servicing the nation from these premises for some time to come.   

Upcoming Events

• AWIA Annual Conference October 10-11th 2008, Gold Coast Queensland (see more details below)

International Upcoming Events

September 23-26, 2008
Wire China
Shanghai, China
The All China - International Wire and Cable Industry Trade Fair, organized by Messe Düsseldorf China Ltd. and SECRI Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute, will be held at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center. Contact: Messe Düsseldorf North America , tel. 312-781-5180; fax 312-781-5188; e-mail info@mdna.com
For further information, go to: www.mdna.com  

October 15-17, 2008
Spring World 2008
Rosemont, Illinois, USA
Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre, this event is sponsored by the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers (CASMI). Contact: Tom Renk, tel. 847-433-1335; fax 847-433-3769; e-mail info@casmi.org
For further information go to: www.casmi.org

WIRE & CABLE   I N D I A    2 0 0 8

November 20-22, 2008
Wire & Cable India 2008
Mumbai, India
Contact: Cheryl Fernandes, Business Fairs, Confederation of Indian Industry, tel. 91-22-24931790, ext. 470; fax 91-22-24939463

For further information, go to: www.ciionline.org

January 10-14th 2009Fencetech 
New Orleans, USA

The USA ’s premium exhibition on fencing will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre with more than 400 exhibitors making this one of the biggest fencing exhibitions in the world.
For further information, go to: www.americanfenceassociation.com/fencetech/index.aspx  

AWIA National Conference 2008

10-11th October 2008,
Gold Coast International Hotel, Gold Coast, Queensland

Our next national conference will be held at the 5 star Gold Coast International Hotel situated in the heart of Surfers Paradise

Close to all of the fun facilities of the Gold Coast this is a great venue for our conference and to allow members to plan a holiday with their kids.

Building on last year’s excellent conference, we will be having our general seminars applicable for all of the businesses of our members plus specific seminars for the different manufacturing groups. In addition we will have optional activities for those who wish to stay on for the rest of the weekend.

Put this in your diary now and get ready for a great conference.

The Gold Coast International Hotel, also known as the GCI Hotel – the very heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Ideally situated within easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants and nightlife and within only minute’s drive to world-class golf courses, theme parks, nature and wildlife reserves. 

As well as our conference centre you can arrive early or stay on and have a romantic getaway for two or treat you and your family to a holiday. 

You can relax in the comfort of your surroundings, or with a world of adventure at your door you can explore everything the Gold Coast has to offer.

AWIA 2008 Conference Program Overview

The following is a summary of the conference. A more details description will be sent to all members and posted onm the web site in July.

Thursday 9th October - Evening

Welcome cocktails and optional dinner at the Teppanyaki Restaurant

Friday 10th October

Delegates                                                                 

General Business session for all delegates                    

Technical Sessions for Chain link, Temp Fencing, Spring & Wire

Partners will have a day trip to Byron Bay and the hinterland.

Evening

Annual dinner & dance for delegates and partners         

Saturday 11th October

Delegates                                                                     

General Business session for all delegates                        

Technical Sessions for Chain link & Fencing

Partners will have a half day activity to be advised soon

Evening

Trivia night and BBQ dinner for delegates and partners      

Sunday 12th October

Optional tour to Tangalooma Island Dolphin Resort or return home.

Regards,

Malcolm Michael
Director/Secretary

Australasian Wire Industry Association
Ph +61 (0)2 9484 9856
Email: malcolm@wireassociation.com.au