Corporate News
Special meeting of the Furnishing Industry Advisory Group
A Message to all AFA Members and interested parties from Furnishing Industry Advisory Group - We are holding a special meeting of the Furnishing Industry Advisory Group to discuss important developments relating to the ‘Cabinet Making’, ‘Furniture Making’, ‘Timber...
Governance
Corporate governance includes the rules, relationships, systems and processes under which authority is exercised and controlled within a business. It comprises the mechanisms by which businesses, office holders and those in control are held to account. These aspects...
Standing up desks are the way to go nowadays but what about foot fatigue?
What you wear on your feet is going to make a difference in both your level of comfort while working and your feet may feel a level of fatigue. It’s not a good idea to stand for an extended period of time in shoes that are uncomfortable in any way, which means that...
9 Effective Cost Saving Tips for Manufacturing Companies by Marjorie Dunn
As manufacturers, you’re no doubt always looking for cost saving ideas that can help grow your bottom line so you can grow your business. Rather than making large cuts to one or two departments, this goal is often best achieved through several small cost...
Offcuts + Resin Combined to Form New Furniture
The seat of the stool is made up of offcuts from the white oak legs that are then set within resin until it cures. The translucent resin fills the splintered gaps, becoming a one-of-a-kind work of art in the process. HATTERN is a South Korean design studio that...
Running a small business can be mind boggling
As many AFA Members are small business owners they often don't have the time or resources to be on top of all of the latest information in regards to legislation, it can be mind boggling! That is where Industry Associations can help. By becoming a Member you receive...
COMMERCIAL FURNITURE SUPPLIERS – AS/NZS 4442 Desks & Workstations OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
As a Member of Standards Australia Committee CS-088 Furniture - Domestic and Commercial, AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli, calls on industry members to comment on the draft of AS/NZS 4442 prepared by the Committee. AS/NZS 4442 covers Office desks, office workstations and...
Understand Fair Work’s leave changes and avoid $63,000 fines
Did you know that from the 29 July 2016, annual leave changes apply to any employee on one of the 112 updated awards or for those who are award/agreement free. Annual leave forms part of the National Employment Standards (NES) which applies to all employees covered by...
Concessional contributions caps to be slashed from July 2017
A reminder to all AFA Members, the Government has scrapped the over-50s concessional (before-tax) contributions cap of $35,000 from July 2017, and replaced it with a $25,000 cap. The government has also cut the general concessional contributions cap (for under-50s) to...
Ransomware attacks stopping SMEs in their tracks from Inside Small Business
New research reveals that more than one-third of businesses have experienced a ransomware attack in the last year. Twenty-two per cent of these ransomware attacks had an impact on businesses they had to cease operations immediately. “Businesses of all sizes are...
Transferring your family business
Are you planning to pass your family business to the next generation? Check out these tips to ensure a smooth transition. Did you know family run businesses account for 70% of all businesses in Australia! However, many people don’t know how to successfully hand over...
2017 Victorian Premiers Design Awards open for entry
The search is on for the best in Victorian design and creativity. The annual Victorian Premier’s Design Awards celebrate Victorian designers and businesses that use design to create better products, services, businesses and ultimately a better state of Victoria. The...
Pallet Made Vertical Herb Garden
Here's a unique take on the vertical garden, from AFA Member CrativeAustralia – all natural and upcycled. Absolutely perfect for small spaces and empty walls. Fill with fragrant herbs or colourful plants for a beautiful, rusticwallscape. The Crative Vertical Garden,...
Having a voice in the quality of secondary schools’ engineering & manufacturing curriculum
The Victorian Department of Education & Training (DET) is seeking to place secondary school teachers who teach engineering and manufacturing vocational programs into a work placement. The opportunity is now available for employers to get involved and support local...
Engaging Women in the Build Environment
If we are going to reach 50% women in leadership roles by 2025 in the Built Environment industries we need to work together in new and innovative ways. Continuing from the success of UNSW's 2016 initiative, please join them for an evening with 20 Built Environment...
The importance of ergonomics in a potentially hazardous workplace
Manufacturers’ Monthly spoke with Ted Dohrmann, managing director at Dohrmann Consulting based in Melbourne, about the importance of ergonomics in a potentially hazardous workplace in an industrial setting. Ergonomics is the science of fitting work to people....
Victorian radial sawmill taking concept to commercial reality with timber technology
The deafening din is the same as any sawmill, but the timber rolling off the conveyor belt is far from conventional. It has been radially sawn, a milling technique that delivers some enormous advantages over existing methods. "Basically we cut up timber differently to...
Networking event: Emerging 3D technologies for SA manufacturers – August 10th at 1 pm
Discover how you can extend your capabilities as a manufacturer using new and emerging 3D technologies. Hear some innovative examples of how local and international manufacturers are using emerging technologies like advanced visualisation, photonics, 3D...
4th International Green Interior Awards Night in Sydney – Winners
The AFA Congratulates all of the Winners of The International Green Interior Awards for 2017. This Awards program is in its 4th year and is the leading global awards program that is 100% focused on the integration and creation of green interior products, not...
World Design organisation announces World Design Capital shortlist for 2020
The World Design Organization (WDO)™ announced that Lille, France and Sydney, Australia have made the shortlist to become World Design Capital® 2020, for their effective use of design to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental development in their cities....
Colour Palette for 2018
Thinking about redecorating next year and don't know what colours to look for? Here's a colour prediction for 2018, and if you do it now you will be ahead of the trends!
Canadian furniture designer’s quirky pieces resemble Walt Disney’s wildest creations
A Canadian designer has allowed his whimsical imagination to run wild with a line of furniture that looks pulled directly from one of Walt Disney's animated classics. Judson Beaumont, 52, of Vancouver has designed dozens of eye-catching custom pieces, including a...
Australia Post finalises sale of Sydney’s General Post Office
Australia Post has announced that it has finalised the details of the sale of the Sydney General Post Office (GPO). At the same time, it said it would seek National Heritage listing for the GPO, “in recognition of its historical importance and to reinforce existing...
MX Drawer System from Häfele – Let life come to you
AFA Member Häfele, believe that time and space are two of life’s luxuries and their new concept lets you make the most of both. The MX Drawer System is the forward-thinking alternative to dark cumbersome cupboard spaces. Why? It makes life better by delivering...
Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012: Furniture and Furnishing Specific Tailored Due Diligence Tools for the Furniture and Furnishing Industry
WHY? In recent months the AFA has held a number of meetings with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) following the first twelve months of auditing of the due diligence requirements. Alarmingly the AFA learnt that 76% of furnishing related...
Amazon launches in Australia
While Amazon has been selling furniture for years, it has decided to tackle the sector more forcefully in America, which could then flow into Australia. The online retail giant is activating a major push into furniture and appliances, including building at least four...
Green Interior Awards Celebration
The AFA is proud to be a partner with Green Living for the 4th International Green Interior Awards Celebration, Thursday. 27th July 2017 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm AEST at Brickworks Design Studio 50 Carrington Street Sydney. Enjoy an evening of celebration with your team and...
Fair Work Increases Minimum Wage Rates
The following information has been released by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Get set for a 3.3% increase to base rates of pay The Fair Work Commission has announced a 3.3% increase to minimum wages following its 2017 Annual Wage Review. The increase will apply to base...
Snapshot of Furnishing Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work on the Furnishing Industry Training Package
As Chair of the Industry Reference Committee for the Federal Government’s Furnishing Sector IRC, AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli can report that great progress is being made in the review of ALL training packages in this industry sector. The Furnishing Industry Skills...
GST- free Threshold removed
Australian retailers will have to wait another year before the GST-free threshold is removed for online purchases bought from overseas, after the Federal Government passed an amendment to the Bill, proposed by the Labor Party, for the Productivity Commission to...