ACCESS in ACTION
38
| ACCESS
in
ACTION | MAY 2013
The access market right
across Australia seems to be
flat, and from my experience
and all reports, this has been
impacting rental turnover and
capital sales across the board.
Unfortunately for the
longevity of our industry, this
tightness appears to be
resulting in a break out of
discounting that is damaging
margins, with little to no
change in market share for
those effecting these
discounting practices.
Instead of a price war, a lift
in the level of professionalism
across our industry would be a
welcome outcome and would
certainly be preferable for the
long term profitability of the
entire industry.
It has been my experience
that chopping rates to gain
market share rarely works. It
damages your own and your
competitor’s margins with very
little change to volume sold
or hired. The net result is a
devaluation of the business.
We need to learn from the
experiences of others. Coles
and Woolworths recently
reported the result of the retail
war on the price of milk (for us
call that a 19E scissor).
Coles’ volume is up 11%;
total revenue down 2%, while
Woolworths’ volume is up
3.7%;
total revenue from milk
sales down 3%. (Age Business
News Cover Story - Saturday,
29
March 2013). Cutting rates
to increase volume can result in
less revenue and less profit.
Further, it appears the
current instability in Canberra
with the calling of the election
some eight months out, is
having in impact on our
industry. Elections always result
in a slowing in activity. The
election being called so early
has created a high level of
uncertainty among buyers.
Several industry leaders have
called for the election to be
brought forward before
business confidence is severely
impacted. When increased
investment is required for
sustainability in our industry
the current situation in
Canberra and the resultant
slowdown from industry
uncertainty is unwelcome.
In another instance of
political frustration, the action
by our Associations to have
the PPSA legislation changed is
also being stalled by Canberra’s
turmoil. Changes in ministerial
responsibility and lack of focus
at governmental level on our
industry’s issues have meant
our efforts are not getting the
attention they deserve.
On a positive note, the EWPA
is working hard with WorkSafe
to curtail the activities of the
organisations known to be
selling unsafe second hand
machines with engineering sign
offs that don’t meet Australian
Standards. As we all know,
this has been a big issue for a
long time and the industry as a
whole has to stand together to
stamp out any practices which
may result in unsafe machines
operating in our country.
WorkSafe is looking at all
legal avenues to bring these
practises to an end. The HRIA
will continue to pressure the
authorities to close down
organisations that threaten to
damage the reputation of our
industry in this way.
This year, the EWPA
Apprenticeship program has
been made available through
TAFEs across Australia.
Increasing access’ value – not devaluing
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Training Director: Phil Middleton
Tel: 02 9622 6060
Technical Director: Peter Wenn
Tel: 03 9568 7211
EWPA National Executive
President: Tim Nuttall
Tel: 03 9547 7700
Vice President: Rick Mustillo
Tel: 02 9817 7610
Past President: Bernie Kiekebosch
Tel: 03 9801 7274
NSW President: John Glover
Tel: 02 9735 7600
Victorian President: Tim Hille
Tel: 03 9555 1116
Queensland President: Mitch Ely
Tel: 07 5431 4000
SA President: Mike Williams
Tel: 0439 811 126
WA President: Will Reilly
Tel: 08 9456 4400
Executive Director: Phil Newby
Tel: 02 9998 2222
National Operations Manager:
James Oxenham
Mob: 0410704 979
ELEVATING WORK PLATFROM
ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
PO Box 1304 MONA
VALE
NSW 1660
Tel: 02 9998 2222
Fax: 02 9998 2299
info@ewpa.com.au
www.ewpa.com.au
Telescopic Handler Association
of Australia
President:
Stuart Walker
T: 02 9517 3174
Elevating work platforms
are highly specialised pieces of
equipment and being classified
as high risk equipment include
many safety features which
require expert knowledge.
Our industry was in need of
a more focused apprenticeship
that is relevant and specific to
EWPs and that is what we now
have in place with the
Certificate III Automotive
Technology - Elevating Work
Platforms. The new program,
made reality thanks to the
efforts of Auto Skills Australia
and John Glover (EWPA NSW
President) draws on training or
learning modules relevant to
EWPs from existing mechanical
qualifications.
Apprentices can now become
skilled in key units of
competency providing
knowledge and skills relevant
to our work places. This is a
fantastic outcome resulting
from a lot of hard work.
Congratulations to all involved
in the development particularly
John Glover who led the
program from start to end.
Finally, I strongly encourage
all EWPA members to get along
to the HRIA Convention. It is
guaranteed to be packed with
value and entertainment.
Tim Nuttall
EWPA President
“
Instead of a price war, a lift in the level
of professionalism across our industry
would be a welcome outcome....”