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Chris Nolan of the Nolan Group and Tony de Maaijer of Ziptrak were admitted to the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia (BMAA) Hall of Fame at a Gala Dinner held on 14 June during Super Expo 2019. Here, the BMAA outlines the significant industry contribution both have made.
Tony de Maaijer – Managing Director of Ziptrack
The Ziptrak story starts back in 1983 when Tony and Gustie de Maaijer established a roller shutter company in Adelaide named Fischer Shutters. In the late 1990s, Tony started tinkering with vertical PVC blinds which led to the development of the first track-guided blind system in Australia. The new and innovative product, named Ziptrak, has grown to become a household name, synonymous with quality and innovation.
Australian retail sales in the track-guided category are now conservatively estimated to have surpassed $100 million. The development of Ziptrak has resulted in job creation throughout Australia with many small and large businesses that distribute, fabricate and retail Ziptrak products.
Under Tony’s direction, Ziptrak Pty Ltd has vigorously pursued international markets, proudly delivering an Australian invented, designed and made product to 13 countries. Ziptrak Pty Ltd is now in the process of building a state-ofthe-art factory at Adelaide’s new Manufacturing Innovation Hub.
As a long-standing BMAA member, Tony has heavily supported the new energy rating program and worked diligently to enhance the status and success of the blind and awning industry. His successes, humble nature and work ethic are admired by younger generations moving through out industry.
Chris Nolan – Managing Director of The Nolan Group
The Nolan Group is a national distributor of industrial textiles and outdoor blind and awning fabrics and related fittings and the company trades from seven locations nationally. While the Nolan Group operates in several diverse markets, the blind sector is an important part of the business and the company supply to a number of the major fabricators in the industry.
Chris was elected to the BMAA Board of Directors in November 2010. His contribution to the Board over the last nine years has been extremely valuable. In 2013, Chris generously provided office space to house the BMAA office, and BMAA has been operating out of the Nolan Group’s premises in Brisbane for six years.
A significant issue that is affecting our industry is the amendment to the National Construction Code where an exemption that external blinds and awnings previously received from the flammability requirements was removed. Chris has embraced this issue and has taken up the cudgel to represent the industry in negotiations with the Building Code of Australia representatives.
Lastly, Chris has been the Chairman of the committee that has organised the three BMAA/STA extremely successful SuperExpos that have been held.
The BMAA established the Hall of Fame in 1999 to celebrate excellence and honour and recognise the outstanding achievement of individuals who have made a very real and positive contribution to the development of blind, awning and shutter manufacturing in Australia.
