MARCH 2012

A message from the GM Pryda appoints National Sales Manager

2012 will be a challenging year for the frame We chat with Pryda’s new
and truss industry and one in which Pryda is National Sales Manager –
ready to tackle head on. More than ever, our Steve Priestley.
teams across Australia and New Zealand are
Let’s start with the basics.
prepared to help customers identify and achieve
How did you get to be where
productivity improvements in the factory and in
you are today?
the detailing office.
I migrated from England 21
Implementation of Pryda’s Production Manager
years ago with my wife. I
and Viewer programs is an effective means
lived in Adelaide for 7 years
of monitoring and measuring productivity.
before moving to Melbourne.
Applying an enhanced internal analytical tool, the
Over that time, I held project
Pryda Plant Analysis, will also help customers
management and production management roles with
gain an understanding of trends within their
manufacturing process. Remember, you can’t companies such as Unilever and Sugar Australia.
manage and improve what you can’t measure. When did you start with Pryda?
On the design side, we will be undertaking In July 2007, I made the move to Pryda as Production
further time and motion studies of detailers and Manager. I was later appointed Operations Manager for
estimators to highlight best practice use of Pryda Australia, and later New Zealand, which covered the factory
Build to customers, while also helping to refine at 29 Healey Road, warehousing and distribution, and the
development. By the way, it is interesting to equipment division.
see advertising about integrated roof, wall and
floor models from our competitors when Pryda You’re a very busy man! What do you do with your spare
Build has been enabling that for some time now. time (assuming you have any)?
Furthermore, the load transfer capabilities that will I love to spend time with my family - I have 2 boys and a girl!
become available later this year is exciting. I renovate properties with my wife and we get down to the
beach a lot to walk our 2 labradors. We also have a cat called
Pryda Australia’s new National Sales Manager,
Steve Priestley, will play a key role in Pryda’s Yoda who plays fetch (just for the record – the dogs don’t
approach to continuous improvement in 2012, fetch!).
particularly in light of his proven track record in Most importantly, who do you follow in the football?
‘lean’ manufacturing operations and coordinating
I’m a Port Power supporter.
teams to deliver results.
As National Sales Manager, what are your priorities?
And finally, on a sad note, we bid farewell to
Alan Kearon after twenty one wonderful years Firstly, I’m finding out what makes my new team tick. I have
with Pryda where he has made an enormous the State Managers, Fabricator Account Managers, Product
contribution. On behalf of all the staff at Pryda, Managers and Software Support Team reporting to me. Just
we wish Alan and Sue every success in the next as importantly, I’m building on relationships I already have with
stage of their lives. Alan has developed many our customers and getting to know our customer base. I think
close relationships in and outside of Pryda and I that 2012 will be a challenging year for Pryda, but I see my role
know he will want to maintain these relationships as putting in place the systems, procedures and policies to
in the future. help grow our customers’ businesses.

Jan 12.indd 1 1/03/2012 12:48:47 PM

 Fabricator Profiles
Trade Building Supplies WA
Trade Building Supplies take great pride in the fact that they are locally
owned by a Territory family. Arriving in Darwin in 1968, Bob and Jenny
Treumer thrived in the early Territory environment; proving with guts,
determination and a lot of hard work can make dreams become a reality. In
fact, all of their business ventures: Trade Building Supplies, Trade Tools Direct
and Bob Jay Builder’s, are underpinned by these core values. Bob and Jenny
spent many years building in often very remote parts of the Northern Territory,
and Bob’s high work ethic and commitment to a job has been the basis for
his success.

Trade Building Supplies began in 2004 and has evolved into a dominant
supplier of building products in the Northern Territory. Some of the specialty
products are plywood products; fibre cement and MDF sheeting; timber
flooring; merbau decking; form ply and concrete products; merbau/ jarrah
and structural hardwoods and Trade’s quality solid timber doors, as well as
Hume and Corinthian doors etc.

The economic growth boom within the Northern Territory’s construction

industry meant a truss plant was the next logical step in the evolution of Trade
Building Supplies. In 2006 an air jig and portal press, Clicka and Mango saw
were installed and the first trusses were being made. Within 12 months, Bob
had started building a purpose-built truss factory on land next to the existing
Trade Building Supplies warehouse. Capacity was increased with the addition
of another jig and bottom chord press to meet the demand in growth that
Trade Building Supplies had generated.

By 2009 truss capacity needed to be increased and the building supplies

part of TBS was desperately needing more room and looking to the building
occupied by the truss plant.

In 2010 another new bigger purpose-built truss plant was built. At the same
time and to further enhance the TBS truss manufacturing capacity, a new
2400 equaliser was installed alongside the existing equipment and an
ALS286 linear saw. It gets hot in Darwin, and plant manager Darren Pope,
regards the pair of 8 metre diameter ceiling fans that hang above the work
areas in the factory as a “godsend in this climate”.

One of the unique things about Trade Building Supplies is the fact that from
the beginning they have concentrated on producing trusses from treated
Hychord almost exclusively. Traditionally, Darwin had been very much a
“hardwood town” and the increasing difficulties in getting volumes of high
quality solid section hardwood saw the inception of Hychord trusses into
Darwin by TBS.

General manager of Trade Building Supplies, Darren Truemer, believes that

Hychord trusses manufactured by Trade Building Supplies are light, strong
Captions from top to bottom:
and perfectly straight creating great efficiency both in the factory and on site.
1. Neil White, Darren Pope (Plant
Manager), Robert Reid, Paul Henshaw Darren says “Trade Building Supplies believe in setting the bar high and our
and John Jebbink. 2. The new TBS truss goal is uncompromising service to Darwin and the vast Territory community
manufacturing facility. 3. Hychord trusses in a friendly, efficient and thoroughly professional manner. Proof of this
awaiting delivery. 4. Note the giant 8m
comes with Trade Building Supplies winning 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011
diameter ceiling fans. 5. Purple Hychord
HIA: SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR and 2009 & 2010 MASTER BUILDERS N.T:
everywhere makes for a very colourful
work environment! SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR.”

Jan 12.indd 2 1/03/2012 12:48:52 PM

 NZ - Canterbury Frames and Trusses and the Christchurch rebuild

The South Island welcomes a new fabricator this year with the opening of Canterbury Frames & Trusses in Rolleston,
just south of Christchurch. The newly licensed Pryda fabrication plant owned by Mark Melbourne has commenced the
manufacture of frames and trusses for merchants and builders in and around the region.

Mark’s introduction into the industry was working in fabrication plants and after a few years he took a position with
Pryda New Zealand as a Technical Representative. For the last seven years Mark has run a successful contract detailing
business in Christchurch and was looking for the next step.

Mark stated, “The prospect of starting a new business during a building recession in New Zealand was not a decision
taken lightly. The prospect of a major rebuild in the Canterbury area made the decision feasible.”

With the number of earthquakes and aftershocks numbering over 10,000 since September 2010 in the Christchurch
region, damaging or destroying more than 100,000 homes, there is going to be a significant increase in building activity
in the region over the next ten years.

The business proposition was viable so the hunt was on for a suitable location in or around Christchurch. After a few
disappointments due to the scarcity of suitable sites a large and fairly new building ideally suited for manufacturing of
frames and trusses was found at the prestigious i-Zone Park in Rolleston 12Km South of Christchurch. The site has
great access for transport and the ability to store finished product inside or on large concrete pads. Due to the close
proximity and easy access to the new more stable subdivisions of the western suburbs, Westland Place, Rolleston was
the ideal choice for Mark’s plant

The experience Mark has gained over the years places him in a great position to start his plant. Mark is able to look at
the industry from various angles to ensure all issues, right up to the delivery of the product are covered.

Canterbury Frames & Trusses prides itself on the product they are producing. Mark’s aim is to provide high quality
frames, trusses and timber supplies to the local market at a competitive price and on time.

Top & Left: Owner Mark Melbourne in front of the new plant and in his office.
Below Centre: Inside the plant with a press on an overhead gantry
Below Right: Outside the office

Jan 12.indd 3 1/03/2012 12:48:55 PM

 New Zealand News

Pryda New Zealand is GS1 Net ready to assist their industry partners
Internationally recognised bar coding has been in New Zealand for approximately 30 years and started initially within
the supermarket industry. In the mid 1990’s, the hardware industry recognised the importance of bar coding to ensure
efficiencies and accuracy for their stores.

It was at this time that Pryda New Zealand became involved and began bar coding all their retail cartons and/or
individual products. To assist the customers’ shopping experience labels were yellow for stainless steel and white for
galvanised product.

During this period the information supplied to the merchant chains was either in writing, cheat sheets or by allowing the
merchants to scan the product in-house and assigning the bar code to their own product code. These methods, whilst
an improvement on the past, were open to all sorts of mistakes and were rather laborious.

In 2005 the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network was introduced which allows product data to be shared with all
relevant trading partners and ensures that all parties are working on a common set of data.

GS1 New Zealand is now working with hardware retailers and suppliers to drive best practice principles across the
sector. GS1 pooled the knowledge and experience of the key retailers and suppliers from across the New Zealand and
Australian hardware industry.

The list of confirmed participants includes Mitre 10 New Zealand, Independent Timber Merchants (ITM), Mitre 10
Australia, Bunnings, BOC, Reece, Natbuild, John Danks and PlaceMakers. The Hardware Group has been set up to
help develop, promote and deliver user guidelines, training courses and implementation programmes for the use of GS1
standards.

Pryda New Zealand has worked closely with their industry partners Mitre 10 New Zealand and Independent Timber
Merchants (ITM) along with the assistance of GS1 New Zealand to become GS1 Net ready in December 2011.

With very little effort, Pryda New Zealand can now maintain their product information and provide this to any of their
partners in the retail merchant sector.

Pryda New Zealand looks forward to working with their industry partners to further enhance efficiency and the shopping
experience for their customers.

New product from Pryda New Zealand

Pryda New Zealand has designed and is releasing to the
market the Pryda Frame Fix (PFF). The PFF has been
designed to allow a service hole of no greater than 60mm
to be drilled through a top plate (including a top plate
packer if used) or wall stud to allow services such as air
conditioning or central vacuum pipes to be passed through
the member.

• Easily specified by using the Pryda Code PFF

• Timber grade can be SG8 or better

• Packed in cartons of 10

• Unique design provides greater top plate uplift

resistance capacity

• Quick and easy to install using Type 17 hex head

screws. All holes shall be filled

• One size is designed for use with 90 x 45mm and 135 x 45mm timber

• Fitting inside the frame leaves the outside of the frames clean meaning no rebating of frame required.

Jan 12.indd 4 1/03/2012 12:48:56 PM

 Software News
Production Viewer increases productivity straight up

Imagine no printing, paper sorting, or

spending time adding extra information
to production sheets to eliminate
production questions, whilst receiving
real-time feedback on job status, stock
usage, projected stock usage and
production time delays.

“From day one, I saw the benefit of the

Production Viewer software and Craig
Jones, our Pryda Fabricator Account
Manager, worked closely with us at
setting up the ideal solution in our Above: large screens are used for
factory,” said Brendan Aulsbrook from easy ‘distance’ viewing. Above right:
South Coast Timber Supply in NSW. Wall frame manufacture made easy
with easily accessed details. Right:
“On the first day the software was fully Simple but effective data ensures the
operational, its potential really shone displays are kept tidy.
through.” Brendan added, “You can’t
afford NOT to have this software in
your business.” Since the program’s Pryda Production Viewer integrates with the Pryda Build
introduction, production immediately package and can provide prefabricated truss plants with a
increased by a conservative 7.5 per vast range of feedback, which will benefit the business and
cent.” increase productivity. No longer is there a need for factory
staff to interrupt detailers for a re-print or to ask for more
South Coast Timber Supply has recently taken a giant
information. Instead, they can now dimension on the fly
step forward by introducing Pryda Production Viewer and
and pause any particular workstation to show the position
Manager software suite throughout the plant.
and status of a plant’s downtime.
Its factory system comprises 13 computers and displays,
Time saved, benefits both factory staff and detailers/
utilising roof, wall and floor viewing software in a paperless
estimators, and drastically reduces the need for paper
environment.
printing and sorting in the office. The job is distributed to
Not only does the software enable South Coast to view each workstation seamlessly, however, manual overrides
the full wall frame at the production stage, it also has enable the production manager or scheduler to make
been set up for the sub-components, openings, bracing adjustments to suit the workload at any given time. This
and bundling stations, allowing for a faster and a more allows detailers to spend more time focusing on important
simplified approach to production. tasks rather than having to control factory production.

Roof and floor truss production staff also utilise the same Office staff can monitor individual job progress within the
piece of software, meaning employees can swap between process – not only for assembly but also for cutting. Plants
workstations without the need for extensive retraining. using manual saws have not been forgotten with Pryda’s
Saw Station software eliminating the need to print cutting
“It has certainly saved a lot of wasted footsteps in
sheets.
production time,” he said. “Because each workstation
is networked directly to the office, there is no need for “Production Viewer seamlessly feeds back live
anyone to walk around with a USB stick – and having no manufacturing data to the Pryda Production Manager
paper plans means the wind can’t blow anything in the software that allows fabrication plants to run varied
factory away.” analysis reporting and accurately schedule and distribute
all prefabricated work across the factory floor,” Fabricator
According to Brendan, Pryda Production Viewer has
Systems Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Ian
created a continual manufacturing environment where the
Currie said. “Production Viewer is an integral component
next set of information is always at hand and the schedule
of Pryda’s manufacturing software suite.”
set out to follow. For fabricators, this piece of software is a
must. continued next page ...

Jan 12.indd 5 1/03/2012 12:48:58 PM

 Software News
Pryda Webinars
Got a spare 30 minutes? You’ll need a computer connected to the internet and
Did you know that with only 30 minutes and an internet a way to hear what we’re saying – either a computer
connection, you can learn about an advanced feature with speakers and microphone (usually inbuilt), or a
in Pryda Build i? Pryda’s Software Support Team run telephone. Note that the microphone is only needed if you
fortnightly webinars helping detailing and estimating staff want to ask questions. You can get by just fine without it.
learn about new techniques and features to produce their All you need to do now is click on the link in your e-mail
jobs more efficiently. confirmation message and follow the prompts.
Want to come along? Oh no, I missed a webinar...
Over the next quarter, the following topics are scheduled: ...or, I really, really want to watch that one again. All past
webinars are available for viewing at Pryda’s Learning
Date Topic
Portal. We’ve also provided the training plans and
14 March Top Hats
notes for you to download so you can try out the new
28 March Multi levels
techniques yourself. Visit: http://pryda.ecampus.com.au/
11 April Referencing plates and sloping walls
to login or register for an account. There’s a link on the
24 April Raised portico main page for account requests.
9 May Box gutters
But don’t take our word for it
23 May Studs under trusses
6 June Point loads This is what other participants have said so far:
20 June Truss status • “Learnt a few new shortcuts. I liked that it didn’t take
too much time out of my day to attend the session.”
We’ll send out an invitation if we have your e-mail address • “Even though I am familiar with the features shown,
on our list. If you and your staff have not received an I have learnt a few tricks to help me use them better.
invitation from us previously, please drop us a line at: It’s always good to see how other people use Pryda
techrep@pryda.com.au and we’ll add you to the list. Build i.”
Follow the links from the invitation to register. It’s that • “Great webinar, Thanks very much!”
simple. • “Thanks for another great and informative demo”

On the day of the webinar... Add to that, that 90% of people answer that they are very
All webinars start at 11am (Melbourne time). If you haven’t likely to use the techniques demonstrated in the webinars,
attended a webinar before, we recommend setting up and we think you’ll find it’s 30 minutes well spent.
about 15 minutes before it starts. Hope to see you at the next webinar!

Production Viewer increases productivity (Cont’d. from previous page ... )

Reporting falls into three main categories:
- Schedule – based on what is scheduled ahead allows the business to pre-empt potential problem areas, allocate
production time for work coming through, and forecast the usage of timber, plates and ancillary related items.
- Analysis – shows variance of estimated versus actual production times, stock used over any given period,
production delay summaries, and production usage by job, date and workstation.
- Production – enables the business to easily print cutting and production sheets should this information be required.

The Production Viewer’s consistent view of the information allows fabrication plants to switch the roof truss production
viewer to produce floors, eliminating the need for multiple PC’s at each workstation. Simple wireless remote controllers
means production staff do not have to walk to the PC to progress to the next setup.

Pryda Production Manger suite is a software package that should definitely be introduced into all prefabricated truss
businesses in 2012. Contact your local Pryda office for help in working out the specialised setup needed to gain the
most from your business and plant.

Jan 12.indd 6 1/03/2012 12:48:59 PM

 Technical News
Planning is key for commercial jobs
Because they are more complex than domestic jobs, commercial jobs can seem daunting and overwhelming, but Pryda
is here to help. We’ve developed a checklist to help you get the information you need, when you need it.

One of the most important factors is to gather information at the quotation stage. For example, if you require design or
inspection certification, you’ll need to contact Pryda’s design department for a quote and include that in your costs right
from the beginning.

Similarly, the difference between selecting a commercial building type in Pryda Build i, when it should have been an
essential building type, can seem like a small mistake. However, this can result in different design for the girders which
again can end up being a costly small mistake. It’s important to get these things right, from the start.

The same applies for engineering documentation. If there are items that require clarification it is always best to contact
our engineers at the quotation stage. We’ll then communicate with the building’s engineer to clarify any issues and
convey the outcome back to you. Doing this at the quotation stage ensures your costs are accurate and don’t require
major revision down the track.

There are four major areas that we recommend you focus on in your planning. Firstly, speak to the builder about the
need for design and inspection certification and details of the building surveyor. Next, look at the architectural drawings
for things like ceiling fixings, roof battens and other features like light-wells and walkways. The structural drawings will
provide information regarding loads, bracing, wind speeds and support. Lastly, you’ll be able to find whether you need
to allow for mechanical units or special fire and acoustic requirements by referring to the service drawings.

Get these things right

and we think you’ll find
commercial jobs that little
bit less overwhelming.
Plan carefully right from
the beginning and get all
the information you need
to submit an accurate
quotation. And if your
plant is quoting on a
lot of commercial jobs,
Pryda’s engineering
department can offer
training on how to best
approach these jobs.
We’re only a phone call
away.

1. Oliver Stone 10. Working Dog 19. Mark Armstrong

Quiz Answers

2. John Batman 11. English 20. 1992

3. Kata Tuta 12. Southern Cross 21. Kim Hughes
4. A codling 13. Fossils 22. A Puggle
5. Moby Dick 14. South Australia 23. The 1950s
6. Martin Riggs & Roger Murtaugh 15. Thailand 24. Ben Williams
7. Australia 16. The delinquent 25. A pie floating in pea soup/
8. AC/DC 17. 2: Melbourne and Sydney mushy peas
9. William Shakespeare 18. Florence Griffith Joyner

Jan 12.indd 7 1/03/2012 12:49:00 PM

 PRYDA QUIZ Product News
1. Who was the director of the film Platoon?
2. Who purchased land on the western New Specification Guide for Floor and
shore of Port Phillip, Melbourne, from
the local Aboriginals?
Rafter Truss Systems
3. What is the aboriginal name for the Pryda Australia has
Olgas? released a new
4. What is a baby cod called? Specification Guide for
Floor and Rafter Truss
5. Which famous novel opens with the line
‘Call me Ishmael’? Systems. The new
guide includes new
6. What are the names of the two cops in
design details, design
the Lethal Weapons films?
considerations and span
7. Which country would you find the
tables.
world’s longest fence?
8. Who had the hit Whole Lotta Rosie? This is an important
document that you
9. Who was the first non-royal to appear on
should consider
a British postage stamp?
distributing to your
10. What is the name of the production
customers.
company that produced The Castle and
The Dish? Copies are available
11. What is the official language of Nigeria? from our website at
www.pryda.com.au/floor-
12. Charles Kingsford Smith flew across the
Pacific in a plane named what? and-rafter-trusses.

13. What does a paleontologist study? Alternatively, hard copies

14. Which Australian state has no convict are available free of charge by contacting Michelle Twite on:
heritage? 1800 810 741
15. Which country was called Siam until
1939?
16. What was Kylie Minogue’s first feature
film? 2012 AFL Footy Fixture
17. How many Australian cities have hosted The 2012 AFL Footy Fixtures are now available from Pryda.
the Olympic Games?
If you would like copies,
18. Who was known as Flo Jo?
please contact Carol
19. Who designed the Sydney 2000 Olympic
Grosveld at Pryda’s head
torch?
office on: 1800 810 741
20. In which year did the Sydney Harbour
Tunnel open? Alternatively you can
download a PDF of the
21. Who did Alan Border succeed as
Australia’s test captain? fixture from the Pryda
website: www.pryda.
22. What is a baby echidna called?
com.au/truss-frame-
23. In which decade was the Esky launched manufacturers.
in Australia?
24. Who won the first Australian Big Brother?
25. What is a pie floater?
(Answers page 7)

Pryda Australia A Division of ITW Australia Pty Ltd

2 - 10 Nina Link, Dandenong South, Vic 3175 Website: www.pryda.com.au
Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Email: pryda@pryda.com.au
Representatives in all States. Tel: (03) 9554 7001 Fax: (03) 9554 7000

Jan 12.indd 8 1/03/2012 12:49:02 PM