News

Profile

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:15:02 +1000

When Peter Kos decided it was time to join his father in the family business, Profile Glass, it was a turning point in their relationship. The Kos clan had been a typical Dutch immigrant family, with strong patriarchal control of its affairs. But now, working together every day with superheated glass meant that father and son had to strike a new balance for the business to go forward. Suddenly ?Dad? became ?Frank?, Peter says. Until then it had always been Frank Kos on his own.

From a farm shed in rural Victoria, Kos had created a unique business that specialised in bending and ?slumping? decorative glass ? slumped glass is formed in a kiln where a texture is added to the glass. A master plumber, Frank learned the glass business by trial and error. His business skills were acquired in much the same way. He took on the bending and slumping jobs that were too difficult or too small for the larger operators. The business grew rapidly, but Frank knew that to move to the next level he would eventually need help.

Meanwhile, Peter Kos was establishing credentials in medical technology and a career in microbiology beckoned. He had no thought of joining his father?s business until he realised the public health system couldn?t accommodate his creative and entrepreneurial spirit. Three years ago, Peter joined Profile Glass. The business has forged ahead, partly because their skills complement each other, Peter says.

Peter?s understanding of information technology enabled him to bring order to his father?s rather chaotic administrative system. Peter?s mother Marga now does the bookwork and a five-year business plan guides Profile?s fortunes. Better office systems allow the Melbourne company to pitch with confidence on more sophisticated projects.

In recent years, Profile has established a niche market supplying curved glass to Ford and Holden for prototype and concept vehicles. Holden turned to Profile Glass when it needed a visually striking glass roof for its Torana Turbo concept car for the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show. It was the culmination of the family?s journey to its combined potential.

?We made the windscreen, the roof, and the rear and side windows,? Frank says. ?This was the most prestigious job I had ever worked on because the expectations were so high. Everything had to fit precisely.?

At the same time, Profile also collaborated with up-and-coming Melbourne artist Rowena Martinich on the production of a series of exquisitely coloured glass leaves for her entry in the 2005 Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award. Leaf Morpho genesis consisted of five textured leaves, each 1 .2m x 2Gm. It achieved finalist status in the premier competition, showing that the Kos family business was now efficient enough to work with major industrial clients while retaining the creativity to help artists like Martinich realise a vision.

In response to a growing slate of work, Peter?s brother-in-law Terence Wright has now joined the business. Turnover has jumped five-fold in recent years to nearly $600,000. The business plan calls for that to double again as Profile moves into liquid laminating of safety glass, which will soon become a requirement for domestic use under Australian standards.

It?s definitely Frank Kos?s business ? ?I still make all the decisions,? Frank says ? but the next generation has found a niche in Profile Glass. ?It?s been a very smooth working relationship,? Peter says. ?The key is to keep private life and business totally separate.?

W.I.I.F.M.

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:18 +1000

The old age adage when considering something new is: What's in it for me!? Of course, we need to consider the end result of a specific action and joining a Chamber should be not different BUT Turn that around and (to use a comment by John F Kennedy) ask what YOU can do for the Chamber! Our chamber is a voluntary organization and needs the passion, enthusiasm and involvement of all members of our business community, large, small and micro. The synergy of ideas so generated will lead to the development of programs etc. whose purpose is to make this area buzz, and benefit all within our region. Join the Chamber but also contribute your ideas and thoughts to ensure that we maintain an environment where our kids and grand kids can enjoy the benefits that a vibrant business community brings, such as full employment, satisfaction, a sense of belonging, etc. We urge all of our businesses to Stand up and be counted. Remember, belonging is GOOD business. Contact the Secretary, on 9725 9200 or email to info@croydonchamber.com.au

Unconscionable & Unfair Mortgage Exit Fees

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:09:33 +1000

ASIC today released a consultation paper on new laws regulating mortgage early exit fees which are unconscionable or unfair.

Under the National Credit Code, early exit fees which are unconscionable can be annulled or reduced by a court. Under the Australian Consumer Law, an unfair term requiring an early exit fee to be paid can be declared void. ASIC also has a number of new enforcement powers under the new consumer law provisions in the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act).

ASIC’s Consultation Paper 135 Mortgage early exit fees: Unconscionable fees and unfair contract terms (CP 135) contains proposals about our expectations for compliance with provisions in the National Credit Code and ASIC Act that apply to setting the price of and explaining mortgage early exit fees.

‘These new provisions strengthen ASIC’s ability to challenge unfair early exit fees. Excessive early exit fees may deter consumers from switching to another mortgage’, ASIC Commissioner, Dr Peter Boxall said.

‘We strongly encourage stakeholders to provide feedback on our proposals, as this will assist us to further refine our guidance where necessary’, Dr Boxall said.

ASIC will continue to meet with industry, consumer representatives and other interested stakeholders to discuss the application of the National Credit Code and unfair contract terms provisions to mortgage early exit fees.

Background

Under the National Credit Code at Schedule 1 of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, a fee or charge payable on early termination of the contract is unconscionable if it appears to a court to exceed the lender’s loss arising from the early termination.

Such fees will also be unfair under the ASIC Act if the term requiring the early exit fee to be paid:

would cause a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations arising under the contract;

is not reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the lender; and

would cause the borrower detriment (whether financial or otherwise) if it were applied or relied on.

Both provisions commence on 1 July 2010.

The National Credit Code provisions will apply to existing home mortgage contracts. The ASIC Act provisions will apply to contracts entered or renewed on or after 1 July 2010 as well as terms in contracts varied on or after 1 July 2010.

ASIC will administer the National Credit Code and unfair contract terms provisions in the ASIC Act in a way that helps consumers avoid paying early exit fees which are unnecessarily high while also taking into account a lender’s right to recover their reasonable costs and be flexible with their charging. ASIC has formulated the proposals in CP 135 in light of this objective.

Once the laws commence, if a borrower thinks that an early exit fee they have been charged is unconscionable or unfair, they can:

complain to their lender and, if needed, take the dispute to the lender’s External Dispute Resolution Scheme;

complain to ASIC; and/or

challenge the fee in court proceedings.

Making a submission

This consultation paper seeks the views of stakeholders, consumer groups and consumers. If you would like Chamber to involve itself in this issue on your behalf, please contact President, Jim Burns via the email on this website.

Submissions on the proposals contained in CP 135, published today, close on Monday 9 August 2010.

Details on how to make a submission are contained in CP 135.

Young Chamber Forging Forward

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:30:51 +1000

Young Chamber provides an informal, vibrant environment for young people in business, to meet and share ideas. As a sub-committee of CCCI, Young Chamber exists to endorse “pro-business” principles, and deliver to Chamber's primary mandate of supporting and promoting commerce & industry in the outer-eastern region.

In practical terms YC brings together like minded people who keep pushing each other to do more, to do better, to innovate more easily & effectively, and grow the kinds of businesses that people can't help but recommend to others.

The Young Chamber Team organizes a buzz-full event for members each quarter that helps people grow their business, network, further their career, develop skills, and interact with other like-minded “stars” of local trade and commerce.

The events are valuable, relevant, and (importantly!) great fun!

Young Chamber. Opening new ways for doing business.

Federal Government has its eye on Ticket Scalping

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:03:39 +1000

CCAAC will examine the following matters as part of its review:

* whether there is consumer detriment and, if so, the level of detriment posed by ticket onselling practices;

* the views of stakeholders affected by ticket onselling practices, including consumer groups, ticketing organisations, auction/reselling websites, and peak sporting and live entertainment bodies;

* actions currently undertaken by industry that seek to limit ticket purchasing by scalpers for re sale;

* the identification of any non regulatory options that could address any harmful practices arising from ticket onselling practices;

* the effectiveness of consumer information to address any consumer detriment associated with ticket onselling practices;

* the effectiveness of current legislation related to ticket onselling practices;

* the impact of technology on ticket onselling practices; and

* the effectiveness of international approaches that address any consumer detriment related to ticket onselling and the appropriateness of these approaches for the Australian marketplace.

The attached Issues Paper examines current practices relating to ticket onselling and considers possible market responses, including both regulatory and non-regulatory options, and their cost and effectiveness.

Members who are concerned about this issue, and would like Chamber to help voice those concerns should speak to any of CCCI Board about forming up a Task Team to make it happen.

Submissions close in Canberra on 23rd July, 2010

Nothing exists by itself....

Tue, 18 May 2010 23:02:20 +1000

The Young Chamber is a People Network of young business leaders.

They’re all local, experts at doing their thing.

They meet. Relax. Discuss business. Exchange ideas. Have fun. Get connected.

If you own, manage or run a business of any kind,

or you want to fast-track your career;

if you work locally or globally;

want your working life to be easier, faster, better,

want to be more influential yourself,

improve your business and network,

both online & offline -

Join Today.

Call CCCI Secretary on 9729 5036

Or CCCI Treasurer on 9725 9200

Their road to riches is green

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:05:38 +1000

If you're like me, you find the demonstration of creative genius in new products coming onto the market in the green era, inspirational. Here are two: Recently nominated as one of the ten most innovative companies in USA by web magazine, FastCompany, SolarRoad subsidiary, CubeTube offers an indoor photovoltaic electrical generator, designed to power workstations by harvesting the energy that is released from normal overhead lighting, and which is otherwise be wasted. Think of the lowered office lighting bills & energy savings! CubeTube's patented cylindrical shape allows light harvesting in all directions including overhead. Their device clips to cubicle walls, or can be placed on desktops or windowsills. Available in US, the company claims the device is inexpensive, easy to install, and will quickly pay for itself in electrical savings. CubeTube will not be affected by weather changes because it works completely by harvesting indoor lighting. Sister company, SolarFilm offers a sprayable nano-based solar technology that creates energy by using heat, light, and magnetics. It's formulation uses photovoltaic (PV) and thermionic chemical compositions, making it one of the most advanced solar technologies ever created. In the mornings when the sun begins to heat the atmosphere, the thermionic generator will be active long before there is enough visible light to activate the PV cells. Likewise, at night, long after the sunlight has gone down, this material will still create electricity. The company say SolarFilm is durable, efficient, and extremely versatile. Each application is about the thickness of road paint, and it can be applied to a variety of surfaces, such as roadways, shingles, siding, and vehicle paints. Pollutant free, SolarFilm can be matched to any color, texture, or surface shape. Not yet released, the product will provide a consumer- and environment-friendly energy solution; which the company claim is is reliable, easily maintained, and safe.