Australian Border Force seize “Australian made” fakes

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is continuing its operational focus on trade enforcement, seizing ten Chinese-made pianos falsely claiming to be Australian made. Pianos are considered furniture products and as such have the same regulatory requirements as other...

FIGHTING FAKE DESIGN FURNITURE ON ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS

Thanks to AFA Partners Redpoints, and Gus Hazel of James & Wells for delivering this really informative AFA dedicated WEBINAR ‘Fighting fake design furniture on ecommerce platforms’. In case you couldn’t make it, here’s the link to the webinar on demand so...

JOINT FORCES TO DELIVER LARGEST AUSTRALIAN INTERIORS EVENTS IN 2019

What do you get when you join Australia’s largest gift fairs, hospitality show and Australia’s iconic Furnitex? Visitors will go on a journey of discovery and explore the many offerings of the furnishing industry showcasing the world’s exhibitors, international trends...

MALAYSIAN MANUFACTURER’S KEEN TO COMPLY FOR GLOBAL TRADE

Australia has long-standing trade relations with Malaysia particularly in the furnishing industry. The enforcement of the Illegal Logging Regulation has seen exports from Malaysia to Australia drop from 3 rd to 5th, with China taking a large chunk of the business....

GLOBAL APARTMENT HOTEL OPERATOR JOINS AFA MEMBERSHIP RANKS

Quest Apartment Hotels, Australasia’s largest and fastest growing global apartment hotel operator is the Australasian Furnishing Association’s (AFA) newest Member. But Why? Quest has commenced work on its first UK site in Liverpool city centre and the safety and...

DO YOU WANT UP TO $50k OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING?

Does this sound like you? · You need to find a smarter way, a quicker way, a better way to grow · You have great ideas but need to translate ideas into products and into commercial success · You have outgrown your current processes or resources. · You need to plan for...

ARE YOU SOURCING OR DISTRIBUTING DANGEROUS FURNITURE?

Fifty Australians a week injured by toppling furniture and televisions. An estimated 2,600 Australians receive hospital treatment for injuries caused by toppling furniture and televisions each year, equating to approximately 50 people per week. Since 2001 at least 22...

Possible azo dye risks associated with exposure to furniture

Recent activity in relation to health concern related to hazardous azo dyes in clothing and bed linen has prompted investigation about possible similar links to textiles and leather in furniture. Coupled with these concerns is the potential exposure to chemicals such as formaldehyde from bonded leather on imported furniture.

HELP?  WHERE HAS MY CUSTOMER GONE? – A GUIDE FOR FURNITURE SUPPLIERS

Last week’s two hour workshop in Perth, Western Australia, was hailed as a breakthrough for business leasers who attended the very informative detailed event. Presenter Carlinea Williamson from House of Home worked through how to identify new opportunities based on...

IS YOUR DESIGN I.P BEING RIPPED OFF?

FAKE DESIGN FURNITURE ON ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS WEBINAR – WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY 2018 International I.P Tracking Specialists Red Points will debate the problem of counterfeits and illegal replica products on eCommerce platforms, and consumer behaviour towards these products....

MANAGING ILL AND INJURED EMPLOYEES

by John Clements, HR Anywhere You hear that one of your employees is again absent from work and this employee has developed a pattern of not attending work.  You have requested medical certificates as evidence for the absence.  These medical certificates provided by...

DRAFT 2018 INDUSTRY SKILLS FORECAST AVAILABLE FOR FEEDBACK

The 2018 Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work prepared on behalf of the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee is now available for feedback and comments. The Industry Skills Forecast identifies skills gaps and emerging skills needs within industry...

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR BID ON MAJOR SAUDI CINEMA PROJECT

So what does the latest Hollywood smash hit ‘Black Panther’ have to do with furniture? For the first time in 35 years Saudi citizens have been able to go to the movies and the first movie was this blockbuster from Warner Studios which was followed by a major...

Consumer Complaints Continue To Rise

When you buy goods or services and they break too easily, don’t work or don’t perform as generally expected, you have rights under the law. The Australian Consumer Law (contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) creates a basic set of guarantees...

The Frustration Is Killing Us

Every now and then we receive quite lengthy well-thought out comments and feedback from our AFA Members which simply highlights the missed opportunities and ways in which our Members could better access our services. Here is an excerpt from a recent email for your...

Australian Industry and Skills Committee – Message From The Chair

As Chair of the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) reporting to the federal government, AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli joined around 90 IRC Chairs and Deputy Chairs who met in Melbourne recently. The focus of the day was on professional development, with...