The country’s leading Windows and Doors manufacturers will be gathering in Melbourne this month for the industry’s major national event. From exhibitors to specialist speakers, it’s a chance to learn what’s happening and what’s coming up.

Most window and door manufacturers and suppliers in Australia are very busy people. It takes a lot of work to keep producing and selling quality product in a competitive market, and having the time to top of that to stay abreast of broader industrial trends can be something of an ask. Luckily, WADIC, the Window and Door Industry Council has their collective backs and is committed to keeping members up to date with everything from changing legislation to the results of materials testing.

For the second time, WADIC will be gathering industry leaders in Melbourne for a day-long event to coincide with the council’s AGM. Held at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens, there will be a range of leading exhibitors and expert speakers presenting throughout the afternoon.

At the conclusion of the day, two hours have been set aside for networking over nibbles and drinks – a chance to catch up on how things are going in the wider industry and make some new connections!

Testing results

Sharing product testing is a major WADIC role and the expo is the ideal place to release some of the latest results.

Centor Australia’s general manager Asia Pacific Garry Stone and Brio/Allegion Australia’s national key accounts manager Darren Chapman will be showing videos of their four sets of tested bifold systems, which will nudge the height up to 2870mm with one bifold assembly meeting Cyclonic Level 3 requirements.

The results include doors that bend like bananas and others that deflect so much they blow out of the frame. From the testing, Stone and Chapman will share recommendations about water ingress and the way the seals should be placed as well as a series of what to do and not do lessons that were learned along the way.

Thermal ratings

Mark Foord of Fewings Joinery sits on the Australian Fenestration Committee and will be updating attendees and answering questions on thermal ratings, a regularly changing issue where it can be hard to keep up with the latest requirements.

As WADIC’s resident specialist on the topic, Foord is well equipped to inform attendees on what is happening with changes within the Department of Environment and Energy regarding materials performance to meet specified ratings and how these will impact members.

With Foord’s session structured around a Q&A format, it’s an ideal opportunity for members with specific questions to get an authoritative answer – one that may help more than a few in the audience.

Employment issues

Courts and other industrial bodies have been handing down a wide range of rulings lately, some of which suggest that small and medium enterprises may need to be more careful about their management practices and record keeping, others which make life a little easier for employees.

Brian Beecroft, CEO of the Timber Trade Industrial Association (TTIA) will be on hand to answer questions about redundancies and unlawful dismissals, along with all other issues pertaining to industrial relations or OH&S. For those who don’t want to ask questions in person, send them to Bronwyn.Foord@wadic.org.au and WADIC will make sure they get an answer from the TTIA expert team.

WoodSolutions expertise

After an exceptional WoodSolutions presentation on the future of timber construction from Boris Iskra at the previous WADIC Expo, he will be speaking again, along with Eileen Newbury from Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA).

As national codes and standards manager for FWPA, Iskra’s expertise extends out to issues of ratings and compliance, while Newbury has been at the forefront of driving several industry-wide promotions of timber. WoodSolutions, the FWPA’s communications arm, has been busy promoting timber use across Australia, particularly in mid-rise, commercial, educational, government and social construction. Results of those programs will be discussed, along with broader trends and opportunities for timber elements in construction.

Compliance questions

One of the biggest issues in building at the moment is compliance. While window and door manufacturers and suppliers have a far better reputation than some others in the construction market at the moment, a rapidly changing climate and increasingly extreme weather events mean that we need to be thinking ahead for what will suit future wind loadings.

WADIC has heard that large sliding assemblies have had wind loading issues during testing and that wind ratings in certain areas have escalated.

The Expo will not only present what has been learned in this area, but provide an opportunity for the industry as a group to pool resources and see how we can overcome some of these challenges that we will all continue to face in coming years.

Digital adventures

WADIC Expo 2019 will also see the launch of the Council’s new website. Designed to showcase WADIC members, the site will be more relevant for their member needs and give members a greater presence.

Potential clients will be able to search for the closest manufacturer by area and more information will be included on what each member can offer, including cabinetry, furniture, aluminium or PVC options as well as timber and more.

Members will be able to log in and adjust their own information and the levels of membership log in will be live – at last!

This new state-of-the-art website has been created by Digibrand, who are also undertaking to digitise our WADIC Compliance Manual. The Expo represents an excellent opportunity to learn about the new WADIC HUB advantages. Whether you are a supplier or a manufacturer, the HUB will become a valuable tool for your business.

Sponsors and suppliers

The Expo is made possible through the generous support of WADIC sponsors. This year, they include:

Gold sponsors:

  • Weinig;
  • Leitz;
  • TABMA;
  • Wood Solutions;
  • Fenestration Solutions Australia and
  • Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers

Silver sponsors:

  • Centor

Bronze sponsors

  • John Cook & Sons;
  • Britton Timbers;
  • Cowdroy;
  • Bayswood Timber;
  • Mathews Timber and
  • JP Hardware

There will also be 20 supplier member companies with exhibiting stands on the Expo floor on the day. These will be open all afternoon and attendees can see and sample products and ask questions directly to the product experts. These include:

  • Bayswood Timber;
  • Biesse;
  • Breezway;
  • Brio;
  • Britton Timbers;
  • Cabinet Makers Insurance Brokers;
  • Centor;
  • Cowdroy;
  • Felder;
  • Fenestration Solutions Australia;
  • John Cook & Sons (ITI);
  • Leitz;
  • Mathews Timber;
  • Pacific Cedar;
  • Schlegel;
  • TABMA (apprenticeship recruitment);
  • Weinig and
  • WoodSolutions (FWPA)

The 2019 WADIC AGM starts at 9.30am on 11 October, with the Expo commencing at 12.30 and speakers starting at 2pm. Networking and refreshments run from 5–7pm. Melbourne’s Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens is at 380 William Street.

Financial members receive two tickets free, additional tickets and non-member tickets are $100, refundable for non-members with a WADIC membership purchased at the expo.

To book, email eliza.grossback@wadic.org.au. For more details on WADIC, visit www.wadic.org.au

Image: Eileen Newbury from Forest & Wood Products Australia will be one of the speakers.