business life - wmcpr.com.au

Issue 58Nov 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

New City Plan for 2017-21 2

EOI: Group Training Programs 2

Tiqbiz gains 1,000 app users 3

Get on board and join the Bayswater Business Precinct 4-5

Share the Joy Christmas Appeal 6

10,000+ new street lights 6

Confoil an active workplace 6

Company congratulations to ANL Lighting and Okka Pies 7

Garnet achieves crayon success 8

Networking groups in Knox 9

Welcome to Knox 10-11

Smart Manufacturing 12

Grant and award success for IDT 12

$300,000 grant for Baxter 13

Planning for an emergency 13

National Tree Day wrap-up 14

Ambulance station investment 14

Milestone celebrations 15

Official opening at CSR Bradford 16

Vacancies provide opportunities in south east 16

business life

Knox GRP up, unemployment down Figures released have shown that in April 2016 the Knox economy was providing a GRP estimated at $8.08 billion, up almost 8% from June 2013.

Gross Regional Product is the measure of the overall wealth generated by the local economy. The Knox GRP continues to remain just over 3% of the comparable figure of the Greater Melbourne GRP.

Knox participates in a global economy with the value of exports generated estimated at $8.04 billion. This represents 40% of the $20.5 billion gross revenue produced by its industry and accounts for 7% of the exports generated by Greater Melbourne (REMPLAN, April 2016).

Manufacturing and wholesale trade continue to be responsible for the majority of the goods and services produced in Knox and sold to consumers, businesses and

governments based outside its boundaries.

Between 2013 to 2014 the Knox unemployment rate increased from 4% to 5.7% with a similar trend experienced at the Greater Melbourne and Australian reporting level.

Since then, unemployment in Knox has declined to 4.6% in 2016 remaining steady through to June 2016 sitting 1% below both the Greater Melbourne and Australian unemployment rates (5.6%).

This suggests that the transferrable skills, knowledge and abilities of the Knox resident and regional workforce is a key strength of the municipality for Knox companies.

Companies such as Cummins located on Scoresby contribute to Knox’s local economy.

Business consulted on new City PlanKnox Council has begun the process of developing the new City Plan 2017-21.

To be developed in close consultation with the Knox community, the new City Plan will identify the priorities that inform Council's strategic direction over the next four years.

Key to this will be the critical role played by local business, residents, community groups and other organisations in helping shape this future vision.

Council is confident that Knox is well placed to meet any challenges it faces and can embrace opportunities that will help make the city an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Key to this will be a prosperous and

thriving local economy, and input from

local business is an integral component in

the formulation of the next City Plan.

To this end, a range of community consultation events and activities have occurred stimulating conversation about what’s next for Knox, including:

• A municipal survey, results will be available in December 2016

• 8 consultation sessions with over 220 participants, focusing on face to face discussions about services and projects that matter.

• A community panel has been appointed to discuss in detail and provide feedback on all of the priorities to emerge from Council’s engagement activities.

Building on these initiatives new Knox Council CEO, Tony Doyle, recently met with a number of local business people at the City Plan business breakfast focus group (photo shows participants at this event).

With extensive experience in the financial services sector and also local government, Tony understands how a thriving local economy can drive social and economic well-being.

As part of a broad-ranging discussion at this

focus group, participants discussed ‘what's next for Knox’ including what's changed over the last four years and desired priorities for the next City Plan period.

These discussions covered a range of areas, including:

• Availability of a skilled workforce and employment opportunities.

• Education and training.

• Services to support business growth.

• How community health, arts and culture, environment, transport, democracy and cultural diversity interacts with, and supports, local business.

For further information about the City Plan, please contact Council on 9298 8000, email [email protected] or visit www.knox.vic.gov.au/cityplan

Tony Doyle, Knox Council’s new CEO, brings leadership and financial skills to the role as well as a passion for working in partnership with communities.

business life

2 knox business life | issue 58 November 2016

EOI for group training programsLocal companies have the chance to participate in two group training programs in 2017.

The first program, Doing Business Better, starts in early 2017 and is a new productivity optimisation program that helps participants: “Increase productivity, do more with the same, reduce costs and create value in everything you do”.

Designed for manufacturing, service and administrative organisations, it offers productivity diagnostic and lean manufacturing/lean office needs analysis to identify key opportunities for:

• Productivity and business process improvement

• Readiness for lean systems

It includes three practical workshops and a documented framework to plan for optimising productivity.

The second program, Decisions that Drive Profits, is designed and structured for participants to address the key issues involved in developing a business strategy as a strategic document.

Each business will be supplied with practical tools and reports that summarise their business strategy for the next three years. The final report comprises templates that are a summary of each session.

The program also supports key managers to better align their work and life balance.

Chris Jones, Managing Director of Bayswater’s Leitz Tooling Systems, recently completed this program with two staff members.

“We have attended a number of courses run by the council,” said Chris. “They are always well structured and you get

High tech export from Wantirna SouthTiqbiz has achieved the milestone of 1,000 organisations using their messaging app along with more than 300,000 people across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Malaysia, USA, South Africa and India.

Established in 2012 and based in Wantirna South, Tiqbiz has developed a comprehensive suite of messaging and notification tools that allow organisations to broadcast information at scheduled times to large groups anywhere in the world.

Called Tiqbiz, the app was initially developed for local schools when the Tiqbiz team saw that social media did not meet their needs as a communication tool.

Adam D'Atri from Tiqbiz said it has evolved to also become a powerful messaging platform for businesses, clubs and councils that need a communication platform they can control and one where information can be sent to people without being commented on or attacked by trolls.

“From large international colleges to small regional schools and multinational corporations to sporting associations, Tiqbiz is a very flexible tool that has a wide range of applications.

“In an average month Tiqbiz sends out 80,000 notifications, has over six million page views and translates into 35 different languages.”

Knox City Council has engaged Tiqbiz to provide a communication solution for Council's Emergency Management Team. The app is being used to provide push notifications to council

staff who are engaged in emergency management practices such as working in any emergency relief centres that may need to be established in response to an emergency either in Knox or a neighbouring municipality.

Administrators love the app because it puts control into their hands in managing all their messaging and notifications, namely:

• Control what is sent• Nominate who receives it• Regulate replies• Collate responses• Deliver time-sensitive announcements• Request feedback from specific people• Schedule push notifications

Adam says dealing with the company is as easy as using the app.

"One of the fun aspects of working at Tiqbiz is Billy the office dog who started here as a pup and is now an integral part of the team. People who visit the office are greeted by Billy before they get past the front door.

“That said, the team here has developed a world class product and we are very serious about becoming a global player in the very competitive digital environment.”

tiqbiz.com

Adam D’Atri (right) and the Tiqbiz team with Billy, the friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

issue 58 November 2016 | knox business life 3

EOI for group training programsLocal companies have the chance to participate in two group training programs in 2017.

information that you can take away and use, not some hypothetical theory.

“A lot of the time you think you are on the right path and it is great when the things covered in the course confirm it. It’s very satisfying. We have started to implement a number of strategies we developed in the program.”

Another course participant, David Conlon from Deltacom Intercoms in Rowville, said it didn’t take long to drill down to where the company was at, what it was trying to achieve, what issues were being faced and how to move things forward.

“It was a very positive experience and we have already started to make some changes in the business. I don’t think we would have come to this point without attending this course,” David said.

Both programs are subsidised by the Victorian Government and run over a two to three month period.

To express your interest in participating, please contact Kate Harris, Project Manager Economic Development at [email protected]

Programs are offered subject to suitable interest from the business community and subject to funding approval from the Victorian Government.

Chris Jones and Kevin Stott from Leitz completed one of the Council’s group training programs.

David Conlon and Warren Gould from Deltacom.

An estimated 4,500 businesses and 23,000 people are employed in areas within Bayswater, Bayswater North, Kilsyth and Croydon, which make up the BBP.

From the heavy vehicle cluster headlined by PACCAR (Kenworth trucks) to specialist manufacturing skills in fibreglass, metals, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and construction materials, the BBP contributes more than $12 billion to the economies of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.

The area is home to the Australian headquarters of global corporations such as Siemens, Henkel, ARB and PACCAR as well as many manufacturing start-ups, which means the precinct is in constant renewal.

The BBP project is a joint initiative of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges Councils and Regional Development Australia. It has been established to support local leaders and help position businesses in the precinct to best adapt to the global changes impacting manufacturing, and to support and enhance this important Business Precinct more broadly.

If you are aware of the BBP, you will probably know that there have already been four networking/professional development events since June. They have focused on peer learning and business networking.

Recap of BBP events• Two ‘Bayswater business stories’ plus

networking with each attended by 40 local business owners.

• A ‘Learn from the Leaders’ event where a small group of businesses had a behind-the-scenes tour and time with a local manufacturing leader, PACCAR (Kenworth Trucks).

• A ‘Meet the SEMMA board’ (South-East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance) breakfast networking event attended by 30 local business owners.

Kate Harris, the Knox representative on the BBP Project, said the events receive great support from ANZ with three of the events hosted by them at their new business banking centre right in the heart of the precinct on Dorset Road.

“One of our events included a soapbox where attendee business cards were

Get on board and join the Bayswater Business PrecinctTradition, technology and know-how in advanced and specialist manufacturing make the Bayswater Business Precinct (BBP) an economic powerhouse.

drawn at random and those selected were provided with the opportunity to introduce themselves, their business’s capabilities and say who they would like to connect with.

“It’s impossible to network with everyone at one event so this provided the opportunity for a few people to communicate their unique selling proposition to the whole room. It was well received.”

One of the lucky speakers was Ian Cubitt from Catten Industries, which specialises in precision sheet metal fabrication.

“I’ve enjoyed the events and have done some good networking before and after the formal part, connecting with a number of businesses. This led to our sales people quoting on a job and we’re also following up with a number of leads,” said Ian.

“Listening to the speakers was also good, hearing how they have built up their businesses and the story behind their business. This is something you don’t usually hear and it’s all relevant to building your own business.”

BBP provides connectivityAnother impromptu speaker was Tom Mason from The Pharmaceutical Plant Company (PPC), which has the largest herbal extract manufacturing facility in Victoria.

Ian Cubitt from Catten Industries, which has a Bayswater customer base of 13 percent.

“The importance of a group such as the Bayswater Business Precinct is the connectivity of it all. The whole idea of making people aware of other businesses has got value. I lived in Singapore for five years and they have fine-tuned the concept of centres of excellence where every size of business from an incubator to a multinational looks within their network for opportunities and leveraging off each other,” Tom said.

Tom Mason from The Pharmaceutical Plant Company checks the capping machine setting on equipment in the factory that manufactures more than 130 herbal extracts and an extensive range of essential oils and homoeopathics for medicine, food and cosmetic products.

business life


“One example of this is a connection we recently made with a business two doors down from us. We have big fermentation tanks that have to be warmed up in the colder weather and virtually next door is a company that makes the exact product we need to solve this problem.

“So these networking events create the environment where people can increase connections and find people who know people who can help you. It can be a lot more effective than looking on the Internet because you are getting a personal referral.”

BBP events are also a valuable place to learn about business grants available for businesses. A number of Knox businesses

have recently received grants including Crusader Hose, which manufactures layflat hose and fire hose products.

Crusader’s Francois Steverlynck is in the process of installing an annealing line and received $200,000 towards its construction and installation. When fully operational, it will create five new jobs and transition seven staff members.

The grant was awarded from the Victorian Government’s Future Industries Manufacturing Program, which supports high growth industries to grow and create jobs.

Preference to use local supply chain“Our preference is to always use the local supply chain so when we needed a boiler for our new line we contacted Concept Boiler Systems which had been recommended to us through local business networking. We are delighted with the results,” Francois said.

Connecting with their respective Councils at BBP events and through email notifications, businesses in the Bayswater Business Precinct have the opportunity to hear about subsidised business growth and mentoring programs along with seminars facilitated by the Council.

One person who has taken advantage of these programs is Tony Bowyer from Automation Systems & Controls (ASC), an automation, vision and safety solutions engineering company.

“I am currently undertaking a mentoring program with Knox City Council and have attended a number of seminars, all of which assist me and the business. I’m also going to join SEMMA to take advantage of the good connections in the group,” said Tony.

“ASC values our local supply chain and

BBP event reviewA free BBP breakfast meeting in September saw business owners and senior managers from more than 30 companies hear from Adrian Boyle, Executive Officer of SEMMA along with three SEMMA board members:

• Todd Hartley from Hilton Manufacturing

• Christina de Sousa from Mountain Harvest Foods

• Greg Northrup from AFL Global (communications)

The audience learned the value of membership and were apprised of the benefits that businesses have received from SEMMA, such as collaboration opportunities with other members, suppliers and customers.

Plenty of networking took place before and after the presentations with many business cards changing hands.

To register for upcoming events, please visit: www.bayswaterbusinessprecinct.com.au

Andrew Gillespie from Concept Boiler Systems hands over his locally made boiler to Francois Steverlynck from Crusader Hose.

This robot from Automation Systems & Controls is just one example of their automation solutions.

have numerous valuable suppliers that provide us with products that are used in our automation systems. For example, local suppliers provide us with components for our visual systems where cameras inspect packaging on a production line to make sure the right label is applied and placed correctly, and that it’s free of flashings and other defects. And it can do this at 120 labels per minute.

“The BBP is worth the investment in my time because it is beneficial to listen to business leaders at the events and hear about the challenges and issues they face. They seem to have the same issues that affect us so it instills confidence knowing that you are not alone in your struggle.”

SEMMA board members at the September event were Peter Angelico, ABECK; Christina de Sousa, Mountain Harvest Foods; Greg Northrop, AFL; Adrian Boden, SEMMA; and Todd Hartley, Hilton Manufacturing.


Knox Sharing the Joy AppealThe 2016 Knox Sharing the Joy Appeal is on. Businesses are invited to participate in providing resources and funds to Knox households experiencing hardship at Christmas.

Knox Community Christmas Support (KCCS) delivers practical food hampers and gifts. Last Christmas saw 373 households assisted with food hampers, 481 gifts and $3730 in gift vouchers given to households with children.

The aim this year is to substantially grow the number of businesses who can support the Appeal with in-kind or cash donations for building food resources and gifts. There are also opportunities for corporate volunteering at the Knox Community Christmas Support Hub in late November to mid-December.

Non-perishable food items such as tinned

ham, tuna, fruit and vegetables, fruit cakes and puddings, crackers, chocolate and lollies, coffee and tea are all welcome. Gifts or gift vouchers for children from new to 18 are also desired.

Cash donations are tax deductible and can be given via the Give Now portal at: www.givenow.com.au/knoxsharethejoy

For more information, please contact Wayne Guest, the KCCS Coordinator on 9761 1325 (Wed & Thurs).

Volunteers packing the hampers ready for distribution to Knox households.

Confoil recognised as an active workplaceA Bayswater manufacturer has received state recognition as a Health Promoting Workplace.

Australia’s only manufacturer of quality aluminium foil trays and ovenable paperboard trays, Confoil, gained the award after meeting workplace benchmarks for Physical Activity.

Whole-of-site efforts between staff and management led by Sandra Bresnehan, Quality and Employee Services Manager, and Andrew Schrek, Workplace Health & Safety Coordinator, has seen Confoil planning and implementing a variety of ways to reduce employee sitting time, and increase activity across the work day.

Staff are now going for short walks during breaks and have competed in the Global Corporate Challenge’s 10,000 step challenge.

Other changes have included stand-up toolbox meetings, introducing stand-up desks and bike racks, and promoting events and ideas that get people moving on the lunchroom noticeboard.

More than 140 staff will benefit from the healthy changes and are already reporting that their workplace “enables variety, rotation and the ability to constantly move”; which we know plays a role in positive health and well-being.

With support from management, input from staff and healthy workplace policies to support staff health and well-being, Confoil will see ongoing reward for its efforts.

www.confoil.com.au

business life


10,000+ new street lightsKnox Council is in the process of upgrading regular street lights with new high performance LED lighting.

More than 10,000 lights will be replaced ensuring the city plays its role in reducing emissions, saving energy and lowering its carbon footprint.

The existing 80-watt mercury vapour lights

will be updated to LED globes, which are four times more energy efficient and will last five times longer.

The project will save energy and money, and drastically reduce greenhouse emissions:

• Energy consumption and associated costs will be reduced by around 78%.

• Energy and maintenance cost savings of over $21 million will be achieved over the life of the streetlights.

• 78,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions will be reduced by 2033. This is the equivalent of removing 18,140 cars each year for the next 20 years.

Around 98% of the old light is recycled including the glass, insulation, mercury and metals.

www.knox.vic.gov.au/streetlights

Okka Pies wins Gold, Silver and Bronze! Bayswater-based Okka Pies has won four medals including two gold at the recent Australian Food Awards.

Okka Pies specialises in pie drive fundraising and catering packs for DIY style parties. Its pies are also available at independent supermarkets and are sold

from its Mountain Highway store.

Lynda Hultgren, Director of Okka Pies, said it is the first time they have entered this prestigious competition.

“We are thrilled to have won so many medals. We’ve been making quality pies since 1991 that people love. We put it down to our unique blend of herbs and spices, premium meat and vegetables, and pastry made fresh on site."

The Australian Food Awards

(AFA) is Australia's leading national food awards program conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.

The AFA present a valuable opportunity for all producers, large and small, to benchmark their products and establish their credentials in the premium food industry.

The winning pies are:

• Gold medal winner — Beef Pie

• Gold medal winner — Cauliflower and Cheese Pie

• Silver medal winner — Cherry Tomato, Spinach and Fetta Quiche

• Bronze medal winner — Chunky Beef and Pepper Pie

okkapies.com.au

Congratulations

ANL Lighting celebrates 25 years For more than 25 years, ANL Lighting in Wantirna South has been distributing lamps, light fittings and lighting accessories to wholesalers, retailers, electricians, architects and lighting designers across Australia.

Now, the company’s 65 staff are proud to have been presented with the 2016 Australian Achiever Award for Customer Service in Victoria’s Building Services and Supplies category.

ANL firmly believes that their customer’s satisfaction is at the heart of everything they do and attributes their award success to that devotion.

The award encompasses multiple aspects

of customer service including time related service, addressing client needs, care and attention, value, attitude, communication and overall perception.

ANL lighting serves scores of Knox businesses with its range of thousands of different products.

ANL Managing Director, Eddy Awad, said, “We pride ourselves on extensive knowledge of both new and existing

lighting technology and are always on the lookout for the most energy efficient light source available.

“A large amount of time and money is spent on researching, perfecting and selecting new items to bring into our existing product range, to make sure they are reliable, energy efficient and of high quality.”

www.anllighting.com.au

The team at ANL Lighting is proud of its Customer Service Award.

Ken and Lynda Hultgren, owners of Okka Pies, with their awards.


Matt Meszaros and Kim Little show off their products, which includes the classic Strand crayon range.

5 million and counting That’s how many crayons second generation business, Garnet Manufacturing, makes each year.

When the business first started in 1934, crayons were the principal product made. Now, more than 80 years later, owner Matt Meszaros has taken the business into new directions and developed an export market.

In addition to its flagship Strand crayons, Garnet has added Leviathan and Carson brands to its range and now manufactures and supplies 50 different products. However, the biggest change for the business has been the introduction of a non-toxic acrylic paint range.

“We’ve got vibrant coloured paints for pre-schools and kindergartens, and every age of student. The non-staining paint is specially formulated so it’s easy to wash

and comes in 5-litre and 500ml sizes,” Matt said.

“In addition to our educational products being sold through large distributors, our industrial products can be bought from stores such as Bunnings, Blackwoods, Dy-Mark, Masonry Hardware and Signet.

“We are also contract manufacturing oil pastel products and export a range of different products to Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Zealand and Indonesia.”

Purchased own premisesIn 2013, Matt moved the business from Bayswater North and purchased premises in Rushdale Street Knoxfield and is pleased he did.

“It provided twice the space and allowed us to reorganise the production line, hold more stock and have a small display showroom where we can have walk-in sales.

“We use many local suppliers for items such as cartons, labels, dyes and pneumatic components and even buy from a couple of businesses that are in our street such as Eastern Bearings and Air Energy,” he said.

After purchasing the business from his uncle in 2010 at age 25, Matt faced an enormous challenge in 2013 when

Garnet’s biggest educational distributor closed and went bankrupt.

“They were our largest customer and our main distributor for Western Australia. We worked hard to form new relationships with suppliers who moved into the market and had great help and support from schools and individuals who kept our Strand crayons on their stock lists.

Online store created“After seeing this crisis through we decided to add another string to our bow and created an online store as well as an eBay store. Both have been invaluable in the marketing of our new paint range.

“The manufacture of both our new paint and pastel ranges has seen us innovate by adding new machinery and processes, with the formulation of new products being our main focus. “

Matt has growth plans on his mind and is eyeing a larger share of the Victorian and New South Wales educational markets, and looking to appoint four new distributors next year.

“Fiji and Indonesia have presented us with great opportunities to expand our customer base so we are very busy taking up the challenges that running a small business presents,” he added.

www.garnetmanufacturing.com.au

business life


Networking in Knox

Thinking Local Thinking Local is an independent business network that allows experienced local business owners to connect, support, share knowledge, motivate and gain referrals to help their business grow.

Knox Thinking Local has 25 members and meets every Friday at the Knox Club from 7–8.30am with up to 30 people attending each meeting. A new mid-morning group has just formed, which is on the same day at the same venue from 9.30–11am.

Andrea Jenkins from Jenbury Financial has been a member for a year and has established some great connections with other like-minded business owners and feels confident referring her clients to them.

“Thinking Local has a focus on education and I usually always leave the meetings with extra knowledge provided by other members and guest speakers who really add value to me and my business.

“Members are respectful, professional and are fun to be around. It’s a relaxed group managed by Claire Halliday so we don’t have committees or need strict rules.”

www.facebook.com/thinkinglocal

I am a business owner in the City of Knox This closed Facebook Group is a networking tool for local business owners who:

• Run their own business or are interested in starting one

• Are employed by a small business

• Have a legitimate interest in supporting small business by providing advice

There are currently 288 members.

www.facebook.com/groups/businessknox

Eastern Business Alliance

The Eastern Business Alliance (EBA) is a new group of local businesses that have a common purpose:

To provide service and product at an ‘above expectation’ level of satisfaction.

To be a member of EBA each business must demonstrate an extremely high level of professionalism, consistency and dedication and guarantee their products and services.

Only one business per category is permitted. However, it does allow more than one member from each business to be part of the group. Visitors and guest speakers are encouraged.

EBA has 15 members and meets every Thursday from 7–8.30am at Brewed Café, Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully.

For more information contact Doug Pieper on 0417 889 948.

Eastern Business Alliances

BizConnect South East Bizconnect was established in 2015 by a group of local business owners with the aim of creating a referral network for like-minded business owners in Melbourne’s South East.

The group meets fortnightly to discuss thoughts and ideas, build relationships and swap referral opportunities.

Its primary focuses are:

• Facilitating business engagement

• Achieving growth for our members

• Supporting our local community

Members enjoy exclusiveness with only one position available for each business type.

BizConnect has 14 members and meets every second Thursday at Eating House Rowville at 7.30am. New members who want to enhance their profile and build new relationships with like-minded business owners are welcome.

bizconnectsoutheast.org

Knox Business Connects Knox Business Connects (KBC) was established with the aim of creating an environment for businesses and their owners to:

• Build strong alliances

• Gain helpful knowledge from experienced business owners

• Seek professional assistance from group members with relevant qualifications

• Be a support base of encouragement

KBC has 23 members and with visitors welcome at each meeting, often up to 30 people attend each week. While start-up businesses are unable to join as members they are welcome as visitors.

KBC meets every Thursday at Chosen Bean Café in Mountain Gate Shopping Centre at 7am.

To see if this group is suitable, please contact Craig Kenny (during working hours) on 1300 769 643 or email [email protected]

knox-bc.com.au

BNI (Business Network International) BNI is a global business networking organisation with hundreds of successful groups in Australia and 7,000 groups worldwide that pass on millions of referrals worth billions of dollars every year.

The philosophy of BNI is built upon the idea of ‘Givers Gain’. BNI offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts, networks and most importantly, business referrals. On average, BNI members increase their business 20 percent the first year.

The BNI Eastern Chapter (Wantirna) has 33 members and meets every Wednesday at the Knox Club from 6:45-8:15am.

The BNI Champions Chapter (Scoresby) has 22 members and meets every Thursday at 1330 Cafe & Conference Centre from 6:45-8:15am.

BNI has open categories for individuals who bring enthusiasm and integrity to the meeting. Just one person per professional specialty is allowed in each chapter. Both chapters are a dynamic, committed group of business people who know how to refer business to each other.

First time visitors are welcome and should search the members list of the chapter to see if their category is open. Presentations from local business owner members are held at every meeting.

bnime.com.au


We’ve done the hard work for you and investigated what business networking groups are based in Knox. Here are the ones we’ve found.

Knox Health & Sports ClinicKnox Health & Sports Clinic (KHSC) is a brand new medical centre located at 171 Stud Road, Wantirna.

The attractively designed KHSC encompasses a multi-disciplinary holistic approach by providing a variety of treatment approaches and services for both physical and inner health.

All the therapists and practitioners are experienced and qualified in their fields and include psychologists, counsellors, hypnotherapists, podiatrist, osteopath, chiropractor, naturopath and remedial massage therapist.

KHSC is already helping people with special needs and has many ideas on how to assist different community’s needs.

The facility is on three levels with the top level set up as a seminar room that can hold up to 70 people and comes with its own kitchen for catering purposes. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the comfortable environment.

www.knoxhealthandsportsclinic.com.au

Paramount Safety ProductsFollowing its acquisition of Pratt Safety Systems in Thomastown and growth of its business generally, Paramount Safety Products has outgrown its existing Bayswater facility and moved to Rowville.

With five well-known brands behind it including Pratt Safety Systems, Linq Fall Protection, Signviz Signage, THORZT electrolyte drinks and Australia's leading range of quality personal protective equipment, ProChoice Safety Gear, Paramount has relocated to a 4,044sqm facility in Henderson Road.

Paramount employs more than 75 people in Australia and New Zealand, 20 of whom are located at the Rowville head office.

The company’s products are available from retailers of safety equipment and workwear and industrial tool suppliers such as Safetyquip, Hip Pocket, Total Tools and Totally Workwear. Products include general safety equipment, protective workwear, head and hearing protection,

safety glasses and goggles, safety gloves, respirators and hi-vis clothing. It also manufactures safety signs.

The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017.

www.paramountsafety.com.au

Redefine Life Natalie Wild has established Redefine Life, a new counselling and support services centre at 171 Boronia Road, Boronia (next to Boronia Village).

It provides a range of support services including counselling, speech pathology, chiropractic, naturopathy, hypnotherapy and life coaching.

Redefine Life works with people in all stages of recovery, both physically and mentally, offering support without judgement.

Natalie said that each practitioner has a specific area of expertise as well as working with general counselling issues.

“Our goal is to offer as many therapies as possible under one roof, so if someone is looking for a particular therapy, they should keep checking the website for updates,” Natalie said.

“We also have a student counsellor who will give the first counselling session free and charge only $20 for any consecutive sessions.

“Prevention is better than a cure, so we say to people that if something has crossed your mind more than half a dozen times with no resolution, it’s best to talk it through with someone like us in a confidential and supportive environment.”

www.redefinelife.com.au

Natalie Wild from Redefine Life.

New office tenants at Caribbean ParkBendigo Bank is a new tenant at 35 Dalmore Drive, Scoresby while Eric Insurance has increased its tenancy and now occupies a whole floor of 1800 square metres.

The office precinct in Caribbean Park opened in late 2015. Up to 235,000 square metres of office space is proposed during the next few years.

business life


Welcome to Knox...

Repco logo to shine in KnoxGPC Repco’s Group Support Office is relocating to a new purpose-built office within Stamford Business Park, Rowville.

Bringing with it a rich history of close to 95 years, GPC Repco is Australasia’s leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories selling to both trade and retail customers through a network of over 400 stores across Australia and New Zealand.

The company’s existing office in Mulgrave where they have been for 20 years no longer meets the operational

requirements of this growing business.

The new 4000m2 facility will support the broader GPC Asia Pacific businesses such as Repco, Ashdown Ingram, Motospecs and other brands.

Almost 300 employees from both Repco Australia and GPC Asia Pacific will be based at the new office.

www.gpcasiapac.com

An artist’s impression of the new building which GPC Repco will move into next March.

Gecko Sports Knox Gecko Sports is Australia’s leading sport and fitness program for children. The first centre was opened in 2007 and programs are now run at more than 100 locations across Australia.

Andrew Blackwood has recently purchased the Knox franchise and is operating from the YMCA Knox Leisureworks in Boronia and the Eastern Indoor Sports Centre in Ferntree Gully Road in Knoxfield.

“Programs have been designed by exercise scientists and expert sports coaches to help children improve speed, strength, balance, endurance, coordination and flexibility while most importantly increasing confidence and having fun,” Andrew said.

“We also offer sports-based birthday parties for kids aged 5-12 years and can design a program specific to the birthday boy or girl based around their favourite sports.”

With a background in physical education, Andrew has a passion for coaching, fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

“My goal is to be able to help families be happy, healthy and have the energy to be able to do the things they love. Gecko Sports is the perfect platform for that!”

geckosports.com.au

Andrew Blackwood with kids who enjoy his Gecko Sports programs.

Storage King KnoxfieldThe largest self storage organisation in Australasia, Storage King, has opened a facility at 585 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield.

The new high security premises caters for all sizes from one square metre upwards for both commercial and domestic storage.

It provides easy access seven days a week. The website offers many helpful hints and tips including:

• DIY videos (eg Packing your items & decluttering)

• Visual space estimator

Storage King is a long-time supporter of the McGrath Foundation with more than $115,000 raised and donated to the charity

over the past three years.

Every year each facility takes on a pink hue in October when all the tea chests are pink and $1 from each sale goes towards the Foundation.

Storage King Knoxfield also participated in the national ‘Garage Sale Trail’ in October with proceeds also being given to the McGrath Foundation. Wantirna Lions provided a sausage sizzle on the day.

www.storageking.com.au/knoxfield


Inaugural Smart Manufacturing 16 Held in Dandenong’s CBD in May, Smart Manufacturing 16 promoted Dandenong and South East Melbourne as the largest and most innovative manufacturing zone in Australia.

The purpose of the inaugural event was to showcase the range of products manufactured, assembled and developed in Melbourne’s south east region including Knox.

Producing more than half of Victoria’s manufactured output and 30 percent of Australia's exports, the ‘Manufacturing Zone’ covers the municipalities of Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox, Monash,

Frankston, Casey and Cardinia.

The region is home to more than one million people, 5,000 enterprises and provides in excess of 90,000 manufacturing jobs.

The seven councils came together as a united front to represent the vision of the zone. They joined businesses and agencies in seeking government and private investment to create an extra 10,000 local manufacturing jobs.

Two Knox businesses exhibited: Nelson Global Products, which makes pipes, exhausts and parts for the trucking industry; and Composite Materials Engineering (CME), which formulates, manufactures and compression moulds long glass fibre composite materials. Both companies gained leads during the one-day event.

Manufacturing in Knox

Manufacturing is Knox’s largest employing industry sector with 23 percent of jobs, $9.114 billion in economic output and it being a major contributor to the city’s GRP.

The council’s strategic involvement in the

Smart Manufacturing program aimed to:

• Facilitate export and import replacement.

• Enhance Knox’s business and investment attraction program to grow the employment base.

• Attract and assist new investment in Knox within the advanced manufacturing, health, ageing and business services sectors.

CME’s Ben Hughes and Brian Hughes who were pleased to have a stand at Smart Manufacturing 16 earlier this year.

Streets were closed off to showcase exhibitors at Smart Manufacturing 16.

Awards for Local manufacturerThere’s a winning feeling at local pharmaceutical manufacturer, IDT Australia.

The Boronia-based company was recently awarded a $265,937 grant from the Victorian Government under its Future Industries Manufacturing Program (FIMP), closely followed by receiving a Commendation in the prestigious Victorian Governor’s Export Awards.

Speaking about the importance and value of the grant, Company Secretary and CFO Ms Joanna Johnson said, “These funds will be used to purchase and upgrade laboratory equipment and infrastructure supporting our analytical testing capabilities, which in turn will boost our exports.”

IDT will match the FIMP grant with a co-contribution of $3 for every $1 of grant funding.

The Export Award Commendation in the Health and Biotechnology category recognises IDT’s recent efforts to expand both its historical drug development services business and also the development of a new proprietry specialty generic drug business.

When asked about the Commendation, IDT’s Managing Director Dr Paul MacLeman said the company was delighted to receive it as the award acknowledges Victoria’s most successful and innovative exporters.

“IDT’s board and management have invested a great deal of effort in developing and growing the business by working to optimise the returns on the assets, people and infrastructure of the company.

“We have always been an export-focused company servicing the global pharmaceutical industry with the majority of our sales coming from overseas.”

Winners of the 12 categories including IDT are automatically placed as finalists in the Australian Export Awards, a national awards program held in November.

business life


IDT Chair, Graeme Kaufman (with Award) and IDT staff enjoy the accolade at Government House.

How prepared are you for an emergency? Your business is critical to your financial well-being and so naturally you want to protect what you can.

It may be either human-induced or a natural disaster such as a flood, fire or severe storm as was recently highlighted in South Australia, which experienced a state-wide power blackout.

Whichever it is that may strike, November is the perfect time to review the organisation’s emergency management plan.

Planning for the impact of an emergency rather than the emergency itself will provide a greater chance of business survival.

Emergency management planning, also known as business continuity planning, can:

• Help identify risks and how to best mitigate against them, particularly to critical areas of your business.

• Prepare for risks that you cannot control, and respond and recover if an incident or crisis occurs.

• Assist your business in responding and recovering if an events occurs. It also covers continuity and recovery planning to help the business prepare for and survive any emergency situation.

• A good emergency management plan prepares for unexpected disruptions to your business and improves its chances of surviving any emergency situation.

An emergency management and recovery plan template from business.gov.au details the process of creating a solid, well-structured and tailored plan.

Printable versions of these plans are available:

• Emergency management recovery plan guide.

• Emergency management recovery plan template.

• MyBizShield tablet app.

• Prepare your business checklist.

• Take action checklist.

• Business recovery checklist.

Emergency management plans should be regularly reviewed, at least every year.

Council recommends the best way to get alerts and updates from Council during an emergency is to follow the official Knox Council social media sites on Facebook and Twitter. It will also try to keep businesses and residents updated on road closures, public transport delays and other news and events in the event of an emergency.

More information can be found on these websites:

www.knox.vic.gov.au/emergencies

www.business.gov.au/info/plan-and-start/templates-and-tools/emergency-management-template-and-guide

SAVE THE

DATE Smart Manufacturing 2017 (SM17) will be held over two days in September next year. Showcasing South East Melbourne as the largest and most innovative manufacturing zone in Australia, SM17 will again include a symposia designed to provide advice, insight and practical solutions for local manufacturers, businesses and the next wave of industry ‘up-and-comers’.


$300K grant for BaxterBaxter is expanding its business thanks to overseas demand for its products and the trend for ‘Made in Australia’.

This growth prompted Baxter Laboratories in Boronia to apply for and receive a $300,000 grant from the Victorian Government as part of the Local Industry Fund for Transition program, which is designed to create jobs for retrenched automotive workers.

The grant will see the skincare and pharmaceutical manufacturer employ six skilled workers as part of its $1.8M next-generation project that will utilise the latest collaborative robotics.

Specifically, the new manufacturing process will automate Baxter’s capping of pump bottles and palletisation, both of which will provide an increase in capacity to help the company meet sales demands.

Director Brent Baxter said while he is proud they are creating six jobs, he is also pleased there’ll be a considerable knock-on effect for other businesses in the area such as Andrew Donald Design in Bayswater, which is working on the machinery to be installed.

www.baxterlaboratories.com

Brent Baxter on the packaging line at Baxter Laboratories.

Construction full steam ahead at new Ferntree Gully ambulance stationWorks are underway in building a new state-of-the-art ambulance station in Ferntree Gully, which will be a boost for 42 paramedics from the Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Doveton and Lysterfield crews.

Minister for Ambulance Services, Jill Hennessy, recently toured the construction site of the massive new $1.4 million station on Dobson Street.

The paramedics former home, built in the late 1960s, has been demolished to make way for a purpose-built station that gives paramedics larger and more modern facilities and room to grow into the future. During the construction period the paramedics are sharing the Ferntree Gully CFA station.

It will feature four ambulance bays, four bedrooms, a large training room and off street car parking for staff.

"The new Ferntree Gully ambulance station will make a huge difference to this community's hardworking and dedicated paramedics who for too long worked in cramped and outdated conditions," Jill Hennessy said.

"With construction now underway, this important project is on track to open in the first half of next year.”

It is estimated that the $1.4 million investment into the new ambulance station will generate an additional gross revenue (total sales) of $1.2 million directly back into the Knox economy.

The old ambulance station in Dobson Street, Ferntree Gully.

The new ambulance station will have four bays similar to this station.

More than 100 people from 15 companies planted 2000 indigenous plants as part of Planet Ark’s annual National Tree Day in July; Council’s biggest, most well-attended corporate planting yet.

It was a valuable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) opportunity for businesses to contribute to their local environment and community. The plants will provide important habitat and food sources for local wildlife and support the surrounding wetlands.

Thanks to the following businesses for participating: SuzoHapp, austbrokers Countrywide, GlaxoSmithKline, Jim’s Conveyancing Knox, Nintendo, Melbourne Tree Care, Jenbury Financial, Greenscape Tree Consulting, People’s Choice, WMC Public Relations, ALS Global, Joy Foods, Solar 4 RVs, Confoil and SodaStream Australia.

To find out about other corporate social responsibility opportunities for your business, visit www.knoxbiz.com.au or call Council’s Economic Development team on 9298 8000.

Some of the happy planters at Lakewood Reserve in Knoxfield.

National Tree Day best yet

business life


Milestone celebrations

A'blaze Hair Artistry Melinda Turner, Director of A'blaze Hair Artistry at 1565 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield, is proud to be celebrating 20 years of professional hair styling.

“Vision, passion, desire and a commitment to ongoing training and education is the key to our success and achievements over the years,” she said.

“My team and I ensure that we deliver only the highest standard of quality in hairdressing, beauty and professional services and products.”

Opening in 1996 with one shop, two team members and eight workstations, the salon quickly grew and took the opportunity and foresight to expand into the shop next door, delivering the salon 17 workstations and a beauty room.

ablazehairartistry.com.au

Melinda (front centre) and the team from A’blaze Hair Artistry.

Confoil Confoil, Australia’s only manufacturer of quality aluminium foil trays and ovenable paperboard trays, turned 50 this year.

To recognise this significant milestone, the Bayswater business held a celebration at its Mountain Highway facility for its 150 staff.

Louise Bailey, Confoil’s Marketing Coordinator, said a lot of the staff have worked for Confoil for 15 years or longer with different generations of families also working for the company.

“We are proud to still manufacture in Australia and employ local people. We thank our customers and suppliers for continuing to support us,” she added.

A foil 50 for a foil tray company that’s turned 50.

Melbourne East Regional Plan 2020 The Melbourne East Regional Plan 2020 is future-focused. It is how regional leaders are intending to meet the demands of an increasing population, changing demographic and evolving workforce needs.

The plan outlines what needs to be done to sustain and grow the exceptional livability of our region as population grows, infrastructure ages and future workforce needs evolve into more high tech and high skilled employment opportunities.

All the eastern metro councils including Knox, state and federal government agencies, interested businesses and communities have collaborated on this plan to address regional challenges and, simultaneously, take advantage of the opportunities for positioning Melbourne East as a global business hub.

According to the Plan, through this united voice, it is possible to leverage the comparative advantage of our knowledge and production economies and the strength of current investments in health, professional services, education, research and high tech manufacturing sectors.

It says the time is ripe for collaboration across the three levels of government, the private sector and communities in a bold, technology-enabled and outcome-focused regional economic partnership.

As the economy of Melbourne East (ME) grows, so too will community requirements and expectations for both soft and hard infrastructures. The forming of the Melbourne East Regional Economic Partnership focuses stakeholders on initiatives that will retain the exceptional livability of the region, whilst growing the economy at the same time.

The ME Regional Economic Partnership underpins an ambitious and innovative plan to sustain and grow the reputation of Melbourne East as Australia’s premier lifestyle and business destination.

www.aboutme.org.au


Knox City Council Economic Development

• provides a first point of contact for businesses

• provides information and advice

• promotes the City’s features to attract new investment

• helps businesses become internationally competitive

• promotes www.knoxbiz.com.au

• works with business, government and regional organisations

• assists with site selection

• facilitates training for businesses

Contact

Knox Civic Centre511 Burwood HwyWantirna South 3152

Ph 9298 8000Fax 9800 3096

www.knoxbiz.com.au

www.knox.vic.gov.au

[email protected]

Publication

Knox Business Life is published two times a year. Suggestions and contributions are welcome and should be forwarded to Knox Council’s Economic Development unit.

Knox Business Life is published by the Knox Council Economic Development unit.

Concept design by PARISOTTO DESIGN. www.parisottodesign.com.au

Printed by BROUGHAM PRESS. www.broughampress.com.au

Produced by WMC PUBLIC RELATIONS. www.wmcpr.com.au

Knox City Council denies any liability for any loss, damage or injury resulting from any person relying on information obtained by or through this newsletter. Some information that may appear in this newsletter is provided by a third party; such information is made available in good faith as a community service. Authorised and printed by Knox City Council, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152.

business life

Official opening at CSR Bradford CSR Bradford’s new facility in Knox was officially opened in August by Wade Noonan, the Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment.

Australia’s leading insulation provider consolidated its Dandenong, Laverton, Clayton and Tullamarine sites into one at Dalmore Drive in Scoresby.

During the construction period, the company’s $10m investment, which included the installation of new machinery, is estimated to have increased the economic output, including all direct, industrial and consumption effects on the Knox economy, by up to $20.7m, and created 44 jobs.

By year’s end CSR Bradford will have 100 staff on site across the 23,800m2 factory, warehouse and office.

With CSR Bradford's business built around an energy efficient and comfortable built environment, it is pushing to raise the energy star rating in the National Construction Code to 8 Stars and has built an 8-star demonstration house to showcase its new building construction techniques.

www.bradfordinsulation.com.au

Anthony Tannous, CSR Bradford’s Executive General Manager with Wade Noonan, Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment, and Knox Council CEO, Tony Doyle at the official opening of CSR’s new Scoresby facility.

Vacancies provide opportunities in south east Colliers International, a global leader in commercial real estate services, recently undertook research into the potential impact on property and land availability as a result of changes in the automotive industry.

A forum was held in September at which local councils, manufacturers, land owners, developers and government agencies heard from expert speakers who explored the opportunities and challenges that our changing manufacturing landscape presents and considered the innovative opportunities available today and in the future.

Hosted by Colliers, the Cities of Dandenong, Kingston, Knox, Monash and the Eastern Innovation Business Centre, the forum highlighted that almost 350,000m2 of space could be vacated across Melbourne's south east manufacturing precinct.

Early indications are, however, that more parts suppliers are diversifying their business and their customer base than was previously thought.

For more information, the report can be downloaded from: www.colliers.com.au/find_research/speciality_reports_and_white_papers/motor_vehicle_white_paper_2016/

Many people attended a forum to learn about property changes in Melbourne’s south east.

business life - wmcpr.com.au

Documents