Whether your formwork business is a family business or other entity, in the 'managing your business' section of the knowledge channel the FIA aims to bring you articles that will help you run a successful formwork business.

As a bonus to non-members we have included the full article in this news item. The knowledge channel is a member only resource and is one of 5 main reasons to join your dedicated industry association.

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FAMILY BUSINESS EVOLUTION AND HOW TO AVOID A FORCED SALE

The next five years in Australia will see an influx of family businesses for sale or, perhaps more accurately, forced sale. The increase in supply of businesses on the market will have a downward push on the value of family businesses.

While the earnings of a family business may be maintained, the valuation multiple of the business will begin to erode and if the business is part of the retirement plan of the founder, the end result is to retire on less money.

It is important to take steps now, to ensure your business can maintain its value over the next business cycle, by properly managing the evolution of the business.

While the evolution of every family business is unique, there are some common elements.

During the start-up phase of a family business, the focus tends to be short-term, predominantly on ongoing financial performance and to a lesser extent, overall performance success.

As the business picks up momentum, consideration is then given to strategy, and more thought is put into the long-term success of the business, for the family.

Early stage “strategy” development for a family business generally focuses on the mission (what the business is about), the vision (what you want the business to become) and the values (culture) that the family business stands by, which is generally consistent with the values of the family.

Increasingly, early stage strategy development for a family business also focuses on the market beyond domestic, whether it has an adequate financial structure and, for those that have seen the impacts of a recession, survival and growth when the inevitable downturn happens.

Every successful family business eventually arrives to a “critical point”: governance. The term is widely used in the sphere of family businesses yet few family businesses successfully implement it. I call this part of the family business evolution cycle “professionalising the family”. So what is it?

Governance is associated with decision making, clear business goals, family ownership and control, and even human resources. It is important to delineate between the business itself, the owners of the business and the family members who do not have ownership or necessarily work in the business but have a lot to say about the day-to-day running of the business.

Once a business has good governance in place, it is well-positioned to reasonably maintain its value even in a falling market.

One big challenge for family businesses is family dynamics. These can become far more influential than the customers or suppliers of the business, and ultimately affect the worth of the business. Family values, commitment and conflict start to become the norm and can place strain on both the business and the family over many years.

Succession planning is key, and although many businesses pay lip service to the concept, relatively few have a concrete plan in place. Issues to consider include: Do you sell? Do you transition to family members? And what are the implications for your employees?

Unfortunately many family businesses in Australia will disappear over the next five years simply because the next generation family members are just not interested in taking over, for a variety of reasons.

Ultimately, businesses have the choice of having to make a “forced sale” of the business or a “for sale” where you will get what your business is truly worth. Only by planning for succession at least five years before your planned exit of the business, can this scenario be avoided.

Don’t let your death, or the death of your family business, be your succession plan.

By Tony Kabrovski
Partner, Business Advisory Services, HLB Mann Judd
(02) 9020 4109 tkabrovski@hlbnsw.com.au

The Formwork Industry Association is proud to launch the first dedicated education series of events targeted to Formwork Contractors. 

In line with achieving its mission, the FIA's education series, along with the newly launched social series, strives to continuously improve competence and safety across the formwork industry by bringing the industry together for learning and knowledge sharing to raise standards and minimise risk.

The first FIA event tackles the highly relevant and import issue of 'Falls From Heights', the biggest killer on construction sites in NSW, with most falls occurring from 4m or less. SafeWork NSW will discuss safety tips on working from heights and how to minimise risk for your workers.

The second half of this workshop will look at 'Managing SafeWork Inspections'. Often viewed as a hinderance by contractors we will look at why these inspections are important and show how SafeWork NSW and Formwork contractors can work together to ensure these inspections are a positive business experience in managing the safety of your workers and business.

In the New Year we address SafeWork Method Statements and bring to you an event targeted at 'Removing The Confusion on SWMS'. Hear why and how to complete your SWMS to save you time and money and reduce your compliance and risk issues.

We will also look at 'Contract Negotiation Tips For Formwork Contractors' and are keen to hear your feedback on the subject matters you would like us to address in our education series. Send us an email with your thoughts and suggestions. Follow the links below to access your member rate at these events.

EDUCATION SERIES

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reduced member rate
at these events,
SIGN UP for membership NOW!

The Formwork Industry Association social series of events continues in partnership with your FIA Partners.

In line with achieving its mission, the FIA's social series, along with the newly launched education series, strives to continuously improve competence and safety across the formwork industry by bringing the industry together for learning and knowledge sharing to raise standards and minimise risk.

Following the successful launch event, with over 100 formwork contractors and associates from the construction industry attending, the FIA social series is set to be an enjoyable opportunity to learn more on safety, experience our partners products and services and network with your industry peers to share best practice and develop business contacts across the discipline of Formwork.

Coming up on the 21st November we have a Dincel Symposium on 'How Dincel Improves Site Safety'. Held at their manufacturing headquarters in Erskine Park this event will include 4 x 30 minute rotation presentations on a number of subjects. This event is FREE to FIA Members and includes a factory tour and lunch.

In February we have a 'Doka Open Day' where you'll have the chance to get stuck in and try out Doka's products as well as receive demonstrations on how safety is a priority for them in their development of formwork industry products. Coupled with a few educative workshops this is a day to bring your team along to. With BBQ and refreshments provided this is, again, a FREE event for FIA Members. Pop in for a few hours or attend the whole day, the choice is yours.

For a full list of FIA Social and Education Series Events follow the links below.

FIA EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERIES EVENTS

To secure your
reduced member rate
at these events,
SIGN UP for membership NOW!

A butterfly rising elegantly skyward.

Aurora – the new signature building in Melbourne.

In the city centre of Melbourne, the formwork solution from Doka and Lubeca is helping build the Aurora Melbourne Central, a luxurious residential tower with a design all of its own. The combination of Lubeca's platform system with the Doka protection screen Xclimb 60 tailored specifically for the Australian market enhances efficiency and safety in the construction process.

Aurora Melbourne Central on La Trobe Street will be the tallest residential tower in Melbourne's CBD. It will also be the only residential complex to have its own direct access to the underground City Loop rail station. The residential tower, expressing luxury and elegance in its every detail, will have 92 floors and stand more than 271 metres tall from the footpath.

Architects Elenberg Fraser designed the Aurora Melbourne Central for Malaysian based developer, UEM Sunrise. For this out-of-the-ordinary project, Tier-1 Australian contractor Probuild, one of Australia’s largest construction companies, selected Doka and Lubeca as suppliers of key elements of the formwork solution. When completed in late 2019, the highrise will accommodate 959 residential units and 252 serviced apartments, plus commercial office and retail spaces. Formwork knowhow from Doka and Australian Doka subsidiary Lubeca is helping to ensure rapid progress on the build. The buildings core is being built with two separate platform systems, and this speeds up the cycle times. Consequently, the Aurora Melbourne Central build is rising in the steady rhythm of a four-day cycle. The project ranks as Doka Australia's biggest single contract to date.

Out-of-the-ordinary design As well as being one of the tallest buildings in Melbourne, with its unique curves and fascinating glass façade complete with vertical fins and integrated LED lighting, the Aurora tower will be an architectural highlight on the city's skyline. Seen from above the building looks like a butterfly.

From the 68th floor upward it transitions into a heart shape. Alexei Simm, Project Director at Probuild said that even with the unique geometry and non-typical elements, record levels of daily curtain-wall panel installation had been achieved to date, due to the integration of lifting structures into the Doka screen design.

Innovative façade screen formwork with Xclimb 60 Working in close cooperation with Doka Australia, the highrise experts at headquarters in Amstetten developed an innovative façade screen solution for the Aurora Melbourne Central build. "As well as being totally unique, the Aurora build is also in many ways a trailblazer project.

It's a very long way from Amstetten to Melbourne, but even so more than 90 % of the material, that's 4100 mÇ of formwork, was delivered to site on time. 

This is the first time that a Doka protection screen 24 metres in height has been used, and it has proved to be a superb solution", asserts Richard Wimmer, Project Manager in the Global Expertise Center Highrise.

The Protection screen Xclimb 60 enables construction work to be carried out on the top building levels of highrise projects in great safety, and protected from the weather. 

"The façade panels are installed from inside of the building. So the workers are in a fully enclosed environment without risk from working with slab edges and without adverse weather affecting progress.

That's a quantum leap forward in improving safety and the direct result of Doka's innovative drive", emphasizes Christian Unger, Managing Director Doka Australia, summing up benefits of the façade screen solution.

Xclimb 60 is a hydraulically climbed system that can also be lifted quickly by crane when crane capacity is available. It is continuously structure-guided, so it can be operated even at high wind speeds. In combination with an integrated monorail system it makes the façade panels safer and faster to install, which also helps save costs.

VISIT DOKA'S PARTNER PAGE

About Doka:

Doka is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and distributing formwork technology for use in all fields of the construction sector. With more than 160 sales and logistics facilities in over 70 countries, the Doka Group has a highly efficient distribution network which ensures that equipment and technical support are provided swiftly and professionally. An enterprise forming part of the Umdasch Group, the Doka Group employs a worldwide workforce of more than 6,200.

In short:

Project: Aurora Melbourne Central
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Type of structure: Residential building
Height: 271 metres
Floors: 92
Developer: UEM Sunrise
Construction work by: Probuild
Architect: Elenberg Fraser
Start of construction: July 2016
Scheduled completion: Late 2019
Systems used: Products: Doka protection screen Xclimb 60 with single-rail system, Lubeca platform system. Services: Project management, Engineering, Ready-to-Use Service, Assembly, Logistics, Formwork instructor on site
Formwork planning: Doka Australia, Global Expertise Center Highrise (HQ Amstetten), Lubeca

FIA in conjunction with SafeWork NSW have recently posted three additional safety videos in the FIA Knowledge Channel on 'Falling from heights'.

Follow the link to the FIA Knowledge Channel to view these videos and download the SafeWork Fact Sheets.

Here is a sample of the Safety Video on 'Voids'.

FIA KNOWLEDGE CHANNEL 

Falls from heights is the biggest killer on construction sites in NSW, with most falls occurring from four metres or less.

Falling from any height can lead to death or long-term injuries.

Falls from heights are a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries at work in New South Wales.

Most people who are seriously injured or killed, fall from a height of four metres or less.

Ladders, incomplete scaffolds, falling off a truck, a roof edge or falling through fragile roof sheeting are the major causes of injuries.

More than 12,000 workers were injured after falling from a height between 2014 and 2017. 25 died and more than 240 were permanently disabled.

These incidents largely happen in the construction, manufacturing, transport, postal and warehousing and agriculture industries.

Hazards and risk controls

Eliminate the problem if it is reasonably practicable to do so. Here are some safety tips.

Firstly, talk to everyone in your workplace. Listen to their views about working at heights. Draw on everyone’s experience and ideas.

1. 1. Work on the ground or on a solid construction.
   If you don’t have to work at heights, don't. Working from the ground is always the safest option.
   Designers should be looking for alternatives to working at heights during the design-phase of the project.
2. Use a fall-prevention device.
   If you have to work from a height, you need to manage the risk of a fall. A fall-prevention device is best because it will prevent your workers from falling. Examples include temporary work platforms, guardrails and scaffolding. All help to keep you safer when working at heights.
3. Use a work-positioning or fall-arrest system.
   When it's not possible to use a fall-prevention device, a work-positioning system or a fall-arrest system are your next best options.

A work-positioning system enables a person to work supported in a harness in tension in a way that prevents the person from falling eg industrial rope access. A fall-arrest system stops a person who has fallen and reduces the impact of the fall eg industrial safety nets or fall arrest harnesses used with lifelines or individual anchors.

If you use a work-positioning or fall arrest system, have emergency and rescue procedures in place.

SafeWork NSW technical help

Codes of practice

For practical information about working on the ground or from a solid construction, fall prevention devices, work positioning systems, fall arrest systems, ladders, administrative controls, emergency procedures, and the design of plant and structures, see the Code of practice for managing the risk of falls at workplaces.

For specific guidance for housing construction, see the Code of practice for preventing falls in housing construction.

Legal obligations

There are specific laws about working safely at heights: See clauses 78 – 80 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

There are also general work health and safety laws that will apply to you in any situation, including when working at heights.

FIA KNOWLEDGE CHANNEL

Dust control in construction in Australia

Dust is perhaps the most significant threat that workers face on a construction site. SafeWork Australia reports that 69 per cent of reported hazards are airborne irritants and well over half of these reports are directly related to dust. The dangers of dust may not be immediately apparent but after long-term exposure it can have serious negative impacts on health.

FIA Partner Hilti have designed this resource to help construction professionals like you understand the risks of dust exposure, what the limits are and some of the ways in which you can significantly reduce dust emission from drilling, breaking, grinding, chasing and cutting tasks. They also have some alternative fastening systems to eliminate dust at source.

An emotional heart tug is what formwork company and FIA Partner, Doka Australia, is harnessing with a new safety campaign launched on World Day of Safety on 28 April. 

The innovative campaign, Stay Safe – For Moments that Matter. “This campaign aims to put safety firmly on the radar for our customers’ every waking moment. The video shows a ‘real’ Australian family going about a typical working day from the morning to the evening in a real Aussie location,” says Marketing Professional for Doka Australia, Nelli Hegi.

The series follows the story of the family as they wake up together, drive their child to preschool, then go to work and return home safely. “In a split second that scenario can change and not for the better. A work accident, even a near miss, perhaps not even involving that family member brings the message home that safety is paramount,” says Nelli. This campaign is a first for Doka Australia and highlights the heart of what the company does – bringing people home safely. It does this through rigorously developing and refining its formwork systems through trials to ensure they meet stringent safety standards.

There are 14 common hazards and risks in formwork and falsework, according to the authority, Worksafe Australia. In fact, formwork failures on high-rise sites lead to the most injuries and deaths in the construction sector, says US site Concrete Construction.

Those rates have prompted Doka to get the message out that safety on site is paramount and that Doka “has your back, too, with its approach to safety,” says Nelli. Doka’s General Manager, Christian Unger, said the campaign aims to get to the core of Doka‘s business – to make sure its formwork systems keep people safe on site. "We are keen to create an emotional connection with the audience and continue our conversations with our customers that Doka offers a safer system and we care about the people on site.”

Watch workers from seven industries take a safety moment.

A factory worker, farmer, corrections officer, chef, nurse, truck driver and construction worker share their safety experiences.

Share this with your friends and colleagues by clicking the share icons below. 

Keep an eye out – you’ll hear more from these workers throughout National Safe Work Month!

READ MORE ABOUT NATIONAL SAFE WORK MONTH

TBT...

A video from 2017's campaign

This video is a part of a series developed for National Safe Work Month 2017, focusing on their seven priority industries as identified in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022.

Facilities Manager Andrew Brewer shares how his organisation addresses common work health and safety risks such as manual handling with engineering controls and educating staff. He focuses on continual improvement and setting the bar higher for staff and the organisation.

The Hon Kelly O'Dwyer MP, Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, has launched National Safe Work Month for 2018.

Watch the video below.

"Every year in October, employers and workers participate in National Safe Work Month," said Minister O'Dwyer.

"It's a time to commit to building safer workplaces for all Australians. A time to ensure your workplace is free from physical and psychological harm, and that every Australian has a right to do their job safely and free from harm.

"We're lucky that Australia is one of the safest places in the world to work, but even though we're doing well, no industry should be unsafe to work in and no death or injury is acceptable.

"This October, I ask that you take a moment to consider what workplace safety means to you.

"While an incident can happen in a moment, a moment's forethought can prevent harm. This October, take a moment for workplace safety."

READ MORE ABOUT NATIONAL SAFE WORK MONTH