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It gives me pleasure to introduce myself as the new President of the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia. On behalf of the BMAA Board of Directors, I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Chris Nolan (Nolan Group) who stood down as President last month. Chris will remain on the Board until the AGM in late November.
Chris has worked tirelessly, particularly on the SuperExpo committee and on addressing changes to the National Construction Code – fire regulations on Class 2 – 9 buildings which has had an enormous impact on our industry. Chris has worked with a firm of fire engineers to prepare a submission to the Australian Building Codes Board proposing that changes be made to the Code, with the next version due to be released in 2022. In addition, he has set up a procedure for members to obtain a “performance solution” for specific projects. Chris was elected to the BMAA Board in November 2010 and we thank him for 11 years of service and wish him all the best for the future.
The BMAA Board has been working hard behind the scenes to lobby different levels of government on various matters. In summary, these are the issues we are currently tackling on behalf of our members:
• NSW State Government – Department of Planning, Industry and Environment re State Environmental Planning Policy. The Policy restricts the size of a complying awning to 10 square metres. BMAA has requested that the size be reviewed as it is impractical to comply with modern awnings which have improved markedly in the 14 years since the legislation was drafted.
• Queensland Building an Construction Commission (QBCC) and Queensland
Department of Energy and Public Works. Meetings have been held with both QBCC and Department of Energy and Public Works personnel to discuss licensing requirements in Queensland.
• Business Victoria and Premier of Victoria. Requesting that (i) installers, not currently permitted to carry out internal installations, be eligible to receive financial assistance and (ii) internal installations be allowed to re-commence.
Our Facebook Forum page has been a great success. It gives members the opportunity to communicate with each other; to share marketing tips, ideas, seek advice and source information. It is a closed Facebook group and companies should apply to participate. The forum is industry-focused and is not intended an advertising platform. This is a great tool for the industry to interact, to participate in focused discussions and connect with one another.
WincovER, the BMAA’s energy rating program for window coverings and outdoor shading, will be launched in the first quarter of 2022 in conjunction with our two soft-launch partners, Hunter Douglas and Ozroll. The timing of our launch reflects a few challenges we encountered at a technical level as well as the need to adjust business priorities during the pandemic.
During 2021, progress with WincovER was focused around finalising the technical development of the program. A new WincovER Desktop Application was developed to assist accredited simulators rate materials using the WincovER methodology. As we advanced with rating the roughly 60 products that confirm our initial launch, we took the opportunity to closely review the factors that influence the insulation qualities of a window covering installation. Simulations are based on predefined parameters like gaps and clearances. We had set these over a decade ago, so it was important that we review them at this time. In fact, the size of gaps and clearances with respect to the frame of the window play a key role: the bigger that gap or clearance, the less efficient and the lower the WincovER star rating.
The WincovER ratings in our soft-launch will include a range of indoor and outdoor end-products, including roller, roman, venetian, vertical and cellular blinds, as well as internal and external shutters, fixed louvres and roller shutters. Work has progressed on the WincovER website which contains the database of rating results in addition to information about the role that window coverings and outdoor shades play in making a home more energy efficient.
Not yet a BMAA member? Suppliers, fabricators and retailers who are not yet members of the BMAA – we urge you to support your industry association by becoming a member. This will help to continually lift our industry’s profile and tackle the various important issues that arise from time to time. Membership information can be obtained by visiting our website – bmaa.net.au or by contacting our office by email: [email protected]
2021 has been a challenging year with pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and increases in the cost of shipment. However we are now entering the industry’s “peak season” which coincides with the lifting of restrictions in both New South Wales and Victoria, and we look forward to a good summer ahead for the industry.
