As part of the TMA’s strategy to secure the future of the organisation for industry and association members, the TMA committee has reached an agreement with former executive director of the TMA Eric Siegers, and owner of The Market Bytes Pty Ltd, that has seen The Market Bytes purchase the right to own and operate the Timber Advisory and Display Centre (TADC).
The Market Bytes will be entitled to use TMA branding in support of the TADC, subject to future contract negotiations between the TMA and The Market Bytes. As a result of this purchase the TADC will be revamped and relaunched.
The centre is the only facility of its type operating in Australia, and provides information on market trends, timber choices and uses, and professional advice on purchasing materials from TMA members and TADC retail exhibitors. The TMA committee has said the organisation is still dedicated to assisting builders, renovators, architects, specifiers and the general public with unbiased information about the timber industry.
The TADC is supported by many other industry bodies, and the statement from the TMA said the organisation is “look[ing] forward to strengthening relationships between the TADC and industry.”
These industry bodies include:
- Wood Products Victoria (WPV)
- Timber Importers Australia
- Timber Training Creswick (TTC).
As part of the agreement, The Market Bytes trading as the TADC will provide the TMA with a secretariat service, market analysis, and additional information on industry trends. Timber advisors employed at the TADC will continue to direct potential customers to TMA members and retail exhibitors as they have done so in the past.
The TMA insists that members will continue to receive the highest level of support across many areas. This includes support in industrial relations and occupational health and safety, training, business services and marketing assistance.
The TMA has also announced that Emma Watt will continue to provide industrial relations and human resources support to all TMA members. The TMA statement said:
“Emma Watt and the TMA have an agreement to move forward together in any negotiations with other bodies.
“It is apparent to the TMA committee that for associations such as ours to survive, and thrive, in the future we must grow our membership. We have been holding discussions with likeminded registered organisations whose members are also characterised by their independent (and family) ownership.
“The TMA Committee has been looking for synergistic opportunities to ensure strength for the timber industry and for members into the future,” the association said.
The TMA statement added that moving forward the organisation is primarily interested in developing and maintaining a close relationship with another organisation that is, like the TMA, registered under the Fair Work Act 2009 and maintains a focus on independent, small to medium, family-owned enterprises within the timber industry.
“The TMA committee is excited about the upcoming changes and we maintain that they are in the best interests of our members and the entire timber industry.”
TMA members who have any questions for the committee can, in the first instance, email the vice president, Mr Peter Alexander, at petera@peuker.com.au or, alternatively, Mr Ron Caddy on ron@lamcal.com.au