Sutton Tools has recently launched FOUR new series of industry-strength clamps.

ONE-HAND ALUMI CLAMPS

This range of four sizes is designed for heavy industrial and professional applications—when you need to hold weighty materials in place. The aluminium alloy body is designed to withstand immense pressure, with a clamping force of up to 350kgs. These clamps feature buffer jaw heads with automatic bounce-back action when released. The bar is made of strengthened carbon steel.

ONE-HAND DUAL CLAMPS

In another four-size range, the nylon composite clamp body is strengthened with a carbon steel bar. The Deep V grooved or flat TRP grip pads are changeable, allowing you to clamp different shaped objects firmly without damaging their surface. The dual clamps have a jaw depth of 85mm and provide a maximum clamping force of 200kg.

PARALLEL CLAMPS

Coming in three sizes, our parallel Lockjaw clamp is easily converted into a spreader. Its carbon steel bar allows the clamp to slide quietly while making it a lighter weight and the aluminium alloy clamp body is finished with powder coating. With large flat TPR pads and a jaw depth of 100mm, the parallel clamp has a maximum force of up to 400kgs!

RATCHET CLAMPS

Finally, we’ve redesigned our standard Lockjaw ratchet clamps and the large 102mm, medium 63mm and mini 38mm hand clamps are now manufactured in robust nylon composite. The ratchet mechanism has an easy release trigger. Each size has V-grooved clamping pads and TPR grip handles for firm handling.

New Lockjaw clamps, from left to right: The 63mm Ratchet clamp; 300mm One Hand Aluminium Clamp; 300mm One Hand Dual Clamp; Parallel clamp

Australia has recently introduced a new Standard for Postinstalled Concrete Anchoring. Published by Standards Australia in late 2018 titled AS 5216:2018 “Design of post-installed and cast-in fastenings in concrete”. The new Standard was developed by an expert committee (AEFAC) representing relevant organisations in the fastening industry. This New Standard requires cast-in and all post-installed fasteners to be considered either as safety critical or non-critical. * Safety-critical applications are defined as fastenings where failure may result in collapse or partial collapse of the structure, endanger human life and/or cause considerable economic loss. Non-critical applications would be fasteners into concrete where failure is not likely to endanger human life or result in a substantial economic cost. The determination of a Safety- Critical Application should be made by the design engineer or the person responsible for the installation if they have the necessary design skills. All safety-critical fasteners must be designed for the appropriate design loads as set out in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019. Many post-installed fasteners that have typically been used in the past will no longer be suitable for safety-critical applications in cracked concrete. Retailers, you also have an obligation to ask the question of your customers, “are these fasteners being used for a safety-critical application?” as well as educate your customers on their statutory requirements and the need for correct design.

For any enquiries on the above information please contact ICCONS your code compliant specialists!

NEW Ramset™ ChemSet™ REO502 PLUS the latest Chemical Anchoring Epoxy Adhesive from ramsetreid™.

Ramset™ ChemSet™ REO502 PLUS supersedes the REO502 Jumbo and REO502 Easy Flow products with a new formula which can be installed in Dry, Damp and Wet concrete and even Flooded Holes without any additional loading time. When installing ChemSet Anchor Studs or threaded rod in flooded holes, there is NO reduction in design load. Ramset™ REO502 PLUS comes in an award-winning robust cartridge which is made in Australia and has been designed for Australian construction conditions. The 600ml cartridge fits easily into the Ramset Universal Applicator Gun, along with our ChemSet 101 and 801Xtrem™ products.

Features includes:

• ETA

• Cracked Concrete

• Seismic C1

• Use in Dry, Damp, Wet or Flooded holes

• Rotary Hammer or Core Drilled Holes

• Easy dispensing in cold weather

• Low Odour

• VOC Compliant

• 50 Year Design Life

• Long Working Time

Above: the Ramset Universal Applicator Gun, and the ChemSet™ REO502 PLUS

Let’s talk abrasives in the workplace

Worker safety is a hot topic in industry today. Companies have had to adjust their procedures and lift their standards to comply with the latest regulations. However, when it comes to abrasives these standards are often forgotten or ignored. By purchasing cheap abrasives with unknown origin and no defined safety standards, you put your workers at risk of injury, or even death. You are also likely to be actually increasing the cost of your abrasive process.

WHY CHOOSE PFERD

PFERD is a founding member of  OsA (The Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives), with research and development that’s dedicated to providing users of abrasives with the safest, best performing and most cost effective products.

PFERD VALUE – REAL VALUE WHEN USING ABRASIVES

No matter the industry segment using abrasive products, Australian workers are seeking real solutions. Abrasives that offer a healthy and safe environment as well as perform. Working together, we can help you with the latest products and solutions. We are recognised for our range of abrasives, trusted for our quality and sought after for our service and technical know-how. The combination of individual consultation, innovative high performance products and on-site training, have made PFERD into an acclaimed brand for quality abrasives.

PFERD – REAL SOLUTIONS:

• Safe use of abrasive training

• Onsite abrasive training

• Onsite abrasive training

• Abrasive cost / benefit analysis

For more information, contact your nearest CSS member store.

Fire and smoke can cause the greatest damage to any building and in many cases; it leaves the building beyond repair. Aside from the physical damage done to the building, this can also leave behind a significant financial and emotional burden to those impacted by it. Fireban now includes four products that are designed to seal the gaps from room to room, floor to floor to slow the spread of fire to give people time to evacuate, the fire services time to respond and the owners a better chance at saving their investment. Fireban Fire Protection will fill and seal linear joints and penetrations where air and subsequently fire, could move. The range has applications across various substrates and systems such as concrete floors and walls, precast and tilt up panels, brickwork & blockwork, rendered masonry, plasterboard and fibre cement sheet. Bostik Fireban range complies with the latest relevant standards and works effectively to slow the spread of fire. Choose Bostik Fireban to protect the spaces in which we live, work and play.

Dayton Superior is the leading single-source provider of concrete accessories, concrete chemicals, and concrete forming products for the commercial, industrial and multi-residential construction industry. From bar chairs to bridge formwork, from pure epoxies to precast lifting hardware, from clutches to reinforcing connectors, from sealers to splices, from face lifters to form liners … and every product in between, Dayton Superior offers over 17,000 hardworking products, systems and solutions for all aspects of the commercial concrete construction industry. Dayton Superior has more than 100 years of history and experience in tilt and precast systems. The first tilt up wall was cast in Illinois way back in 1893, and soon after—1901 to be exact— the long and unparalleled pedigree of Dayton Superior began. Dayton Superior is fully integrated, with over 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities across four continents. Within the tilt and precast concrete arena, Dayton Superior is renowned for offering some of the industries deepest engineering and technical knowhow. Dayton Superior has hundreds of engineers offering you more than 1,500 years of experience, multiple accredited laboratories and more than 120 patents. Dayton Superior Australia is pleased to be able to offer the Australian market our suite of unparalleled solutions from 100 years of experience in global tilt and precast markets and are a proud supplier partner to the CSS Group.

The world’s first cordless 1” High Torque Impact Wrench just made it easier to say ‘goodbye’ to compressors and generators. MILWAUKEE® Tool just elevated the productivity for users who fasten up to 44mm (13⁄4″) bolts with the introduction of the first and only cordless 1″ high torque impact wrench. An incredible breakthrough for cordless power tool technology, the M18 FUEL™ 1″ High Torque Impact Wrench with ONE-KEY™ is also the world’s most powerful cordless impact. It utilises advanced M18 FUEL™ technology to deliver up to 2440Nm of nut-busting torque while remaining 3.1kg lighter than the leading corded option currently available. The M18 FUEL™ 1″ High Torque Impact Wrench is the epitome of what we’re able to accomplish through M18 FUEL™ cordless technology – it’s not only the first of its kind but it’s also the most powerful cordless impact in the world. This tremendous power breaks down so many barriers on the jobsite and in the shop: Users will no longer need their compressors and generators, nor will they need to spend the time and money needed to maintain them.

MOST POWERFUL CORDLESS IMPACT IN THE WORLD

True to all M18 FUEL™ solutions, the new M18 FUEL™ 1″ High Torque Impact Wrench combines three exclusive innovations – the POWERSTATE™ brushless motor, REDLITHIUM™-ION battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence. However, to deliver the world’s first cordless 1″ impact wrench, MILWAUKEE® reengineered the motor and electronics packages to deliver seamless communication with the battery and the best performance catered to this tool and its applications.

Milwaukee Racing is back for its sophomore season in the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. Team owner Phil Munday takes us inside his race-day garage.

After a solid debut season in 2018, the team at Milwaukee Racing is back competing in the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, and team owner Phil Munday has his eyes on the top prize. “It’s my life long goal to win the Bathurst 1000 and the Peter Brock trophy,” he says. “I had a great friendship with PB and winning that trophy would be the pinnacle for me.” Munday credits the legendary Mt Panorama champion for igniting his passion for motorsport, and after eight top 10 finishes in 2018, he’s looking for improvement in the team’s sophomore season. “Last year was a learning curve for us. As a new team, we needed to understand what is required to win,” he says. “We took a lot out of that and know what we need to do better this year. Ideally, I’d like to get a few podiums this year and finish the season in the top 10—hopefully eighth or higher. And of course winning at Bathurst is always my ultimate goal.” With a new Mustang on the track and two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Will Davison behind the wheel, Munday and the Milwaukee Racing team have as good a shot as any of taking out top honours at the iconic race. However, Munday is quick to point out that Supercars success requires a team effort that is bigger than any one person. “We have a team of seven or eight guys that basically dedicate their whole lives to the team. It’s a long season— from February to November—and we’re in a new race location every two to three weeks. It’s a monumental effort.” And Munday knows plenty about the importance of teamwork. After purchasing his first panel beating shop at the tender age of 19, he went on to build a hugely successful empire of around 100 stores nationally. Now retired, Munday is putting all his efforts into Milwaukee Racing. “When I started the business as a teenager, a customer gave me the best advice I could have ever received— always staff your weaknesses,” he says. “Success is about surrounding yourself with the best people, and I believe I have done that with our racing team. Racing is such an incredibly highpressure environment, and the guys do such a wonderful job of sustaining their performance over long periods of intense pressure.” Munday takes us inside his race-day garage and breaks down the key roles that make up the Milwaukee Racing team.

TEAM OWNER

“I’m in the garage on race day. I try to stay out of the decision-making on the day, but I’m there to observe how the team is running and will bring up anything I’ve noticed in the debrief. We’ll discuss things as a team and come up with ways to improve.”

TEAM MANAGER

“Our manager oversees how everything is running on race day. He’ll make decisions about things like when to pit.  And if the car is damaged during the race, our manager will jump in to direct the team to get it fixed.”

DRIVER

“Will does much more than just get in the car on race day. There’s a debrief after every track session, and he’ll tell us what he’s feeling in the car. We also collect a lot of data, but it’s Will who is actually in the car, so it’s vital for us know exactly what he’s feeling.”

DATA ENGINEER

“The data engineer is constantly monitoring data that comes in from the car during the race. This is important to catch any issues early and make sure the car is operating at its optimal levels. Long races like Bathurst require up to six hours of intense concentration. We’ll add a second data engineer for those.”

ENGINEER

“It’s the engineer’s job to take all the information from the driver and the data engineer and relate that to the mechanics. The engineer will also look at all the data to get to the bottom of any issues and work with the mechanics to get it fixed.”

MECHANICS/PIT CREW

“All our mechanics have specific roles, but if there’s an accident or damage to the car, it’s all hands on deck. The mechanics also double as the pit crew during races. It’s a high-pressure environment but we all come together to get the job done.”

For some, success occurs organically. For others, strategically. Alemlube creative marketing manager Geoff Barlow, however, believes the secret to surviving 50 years in the competitive construction supply sector comes down to your ability to prove yourself both flexible and adaptable. “While our main focus has been and always will be our customers, our relentless pursuit of innovation and progress results in continued and ongoing improvements in our products, our product range and our internal systems and procedures,” Barlow says. It is a philosophy adhered to by the company since 1970 when Ian Williamson established Alemlube Lubrequip P/L (as it was then known) near the family home in Brookvale, in Sydney’s northern beaches. A salesman all his life, Williamson founded the business after spotting a gap in the market to supply reliable, cost effective lubrication equipment solutions, well supported by a comprehensive after sales service package. Williamson threw open the doors to the showroom with just a few core products after being appointed the exclusive Australian Distributor for Alemite USA’s range of pneumatic pumps, hose reels and grease nipples.

A new generation

Upon his death in 2007, Williamson’s sons Mark and Ross took the helm as co-directors with Mark leading the sales and marketing side of the enterprise and Ross taking charge of operations and IT. In 2010 the pair changed the company name to Alemlube and in 2014 made their first acquisition, a competitor brand by the name of Tecalemit, which specialises in the design and manufacture of lubrication equipment, fluid transfer, fluid measurement and workshop equipment for the agriculture, automotive, industrial, mining and transport industries. But rather than taking the traditional route and absorbing the business into its existing offering, the brothers reasoned it would make more sense to retain the status quo by allowing the two businesses to continue to operate independently in their respective markets. Today, the cornerstone of the business remains the supply and service of greasing equipment, drum pumps, flow meters, spill containment equipment, air operated diaphragm pumps and hose reels.

Helping more customers

Barlow says as with the advance in technology, these product groups have advanced in their manufacturing processes while also adding new features, versatility and reliability, all of which has proven of great benefit to the end user. This has had a direct impact on the success of Alemlube as a whole with the company now operating a brand network that includes 150 staff across offices and warehouses across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Owning all but three of these properties, the company also services the Papua New Guinea and New Zealand markets, its success prompting it to open an office in Auckland in 2011 from which it is able to service clients across both the North and South islands. There, as in Australia, the business is split into two separate divisions with the first involving the design, supply, installation and commissioning of lube systems to equipment manufacturers in the contractor, construction, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, mining and oil and gas sectors. The second is concerned with the design, supply, installation and commissioning of air and oil lines and workshop equipment to automotive, transport, hire company, construction, contractor and mine site workshops. This arm of the business also supplies vehicle hoists, tyre changers, wheel balancers, wheel aligners, on car servicing equipment and air conditioning recharging machines to car, light commercial, bus and truck workshops.

Customer focus

Yet while there is consistency in its products, the same cannot be said of the group which purchase them. Barlow says unlike customers in other business, the typical Alemlube customer is painted “with a very broad brush”. “Ranging from small family owned business to large buying groups consisting of many members some with multiple outlets. The Alemlube customer service team answering enquiries and taking orders on the phone is the all important first point of contact and each member is fully equipped with product knowledge and equipment solutions advice,” he says. Barlow says the key difference between Alemlube and some of its competitors comes down to the strength of their respective sales teams. With local customer service and sales support on the ground in every state, no other company in the lubrication sector appear to have adequate resources to match it, he says. “Our sales force is extensive and far reaching. All mainstream active customers are visited on a regular rotational basis and kept up to date with new and existing product information and product development. The company also prides itself on prompt after sales service where and when required.”

Golden jubilee

Celebrating its golden jubilee year in 2020, the next 12 months will see the Northern Beaches-based brand continue its frenetic pace, with a new website to bed in and the opening of its new Victorian branch set to eclipse the size of its largest warehouse in Eastern Creek by a staggering 33 percent. While Barlow says the company is not actively looking for new acquisitions, it won’t rule out adding additional resources, noting the company “is always looking to improve its offer” and will expand its workforce if required.

Why tradies need the right insurance

As a trademan, it goes without saying you know your industry. But you might not have the same thorough understanding of your insurance needs. Not having an in depth knowledge of the insurance market, the exposures you face and the appropriate insurance policies that will mitigate against your exposure can have a significant affect on your business, your livelihood and that of your family.
Some examples of a loss a tradesman may face are;

• theft of tools from a site or a vehicle

• malicious damage

• weather perils

• public Liability exposures such as;

  - leaving an electrical cord somewhere resulting in a trip and fall exposure

  - put a foot through a ceiling

  - dig a ditch that someone falls in and injures themselves

  - accidently dig up the phone/ internet lines

Even the most cautious tradies can find themselves staring down the barrel of a compensation claim if something goes wrong on a job. This is when it pays to ensure you have the correct insurance in place to mitigate against the exposures and using a trusted broker, with knowledge about your business and the different exposures you face can be a great investment in your financial security, and it can save you money and time in the long run. Some of the consequences of not having the correct insurance program in place or setting the correct limits include;

• Uninsured exposures, resulting in you being out of pocket for a loss

• Under insurance clause being applied by the insurers in the event you have not insured for the correct replacement values

• Exclusions and clauses being applied to the coverage resulting in diminished cover or no cover for losses you may have thought were covered

• You will be liable for legal defence costs if you are not adequately covered for Public Liability exposures, or have had exclusions applied (eg sub contractor exclusions)

Many tradesmen know they need cover for their tools and equipment, their vehicles and even their business premises, and that Public Liability is an absolute must. But there are other risks and insurances available they may not be aware of where significant exposures are present.
Examples include:

• Business Interruption, acts like business income protection

• Professional Indemnity, if you give advice

• Income Protection, Accident and Life covers that protect the individual and Key Person

• Cyber Liability, especially with using online payments

• Credit Insurance, if your debtors go bust

• Management Liability, to protect company directors/officers against personal financial risks

Not every business needs every kind of cover however a reputable insurance broker will talk with you about your business and what’s happening in your industry to determine the level of exposure you have and provide you with the appropriate advice to cover off these exposures.

Article supplied by EBM. As one of Australia’s leading privately owned and operated insurance brokers EBM has insurance solutions to suit you. For more information please visit www.ebm.com.au or phone 03 9425 189

Top insurance tips Pinching pennies isn’t worth the risk when inadequate insurance can leave you exposed to multi-million dollar claims.

• Make sure your subcontractors carry their own workers’ compensation and public liability insurance. Insist on obtaining a copy of their certificates of currency. To be on the safe side call and check that the policy is valid and for the amount stipulated.

• Carefully read your insurance policies, schedules and product disclosure statements to confirm that the insurance product is right for you. For instance, it’s not unheard of for insurers to exclude claims relating to drop saws for carpenters or restrict cover for glaziers where they’re working above two storeys, but for these provisions to be buried deep in a policy.

• Get quotes from all of the available insurers in the market. However, don’t take out the cheapest policy just for the sake of it—it may not save you money in the long run.

• Consider using a broker. Brokers do not work for insurance companies— they work for their clients, providing advice on the best insurance options and work to get claims paid. They’re also familiar with the requirements for having claims paid out, which is invaluable for a number of reasons aside the obvious, including the fact that where a claim is declined there is an obligation to disclose the same for seven years.

• When researching insurers, check out their claims ratings and don’t go for an insurer with less than a four-star plus rating.