Men in Sydney do anything for a Shed!

Sheds are a must for Sydney Men!

This article is on the new growing trend for men in Sydney to buy strata titled sheds in complexs complete with power, phones and even windows in some. The article is by Bronwen Gora From: The Sunday Telegraph  April 29, 2012 12:00AM called

“Sydney Men Go Crazy for Big Storage Sheds”

This is Mick Tsolakis and Garry Constanti, inside their huge shed at Alexandria this week, say they are delighted to have the extra room. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Sunday Telegraph. Its a great alternative when you haven’t got room in the backyard – and also a good investment! But it’s not the same as walking into the backyard to your own steel shed!

Stratco to close NZ shed base!

Stratco is shutting their NZ manufacturing base in Auckland?

After 20 years in Auckland – Stratco apparantly closed the doors to their factory last week!

Stratco Manufacturing Auckland

Another Shed Company bites the Dust

Shed Companies are dropping like flies in these difficult trading conditions and with an extremely competitive industry this is no surprise.

Unfortunately as of 01/03/2012
RimShaw Enterprises Pty Ltd, Trading as BuyaShed
has been placed in Liquidation.

For all enquiries please Contact:
Worrells – Solvency Accountants
Phone:             07 3280 6206
Email: ipswich@worrells.net.au 

The Big question is who is next?  I have personally fielded 10 calls today with people speculating as to who is next, and if the industry is  right then it is a big player indeed.

As with all rumors their accuracy is dubious, irrespective there is a very good chance for a significant shake up in the industry and there is usually a period of consolidation during difficult times.

I really hope that no consumers are taken down in this mess, as happened with The Shed Warehouse,  that shed company has  seriously damaged many peoples lives.

Sheds in Bowen QLD 4805

Today we are looking at sheds and the key demographic that influence shed sales in Boween in Queensland.

Average Population Growth per year from 2005 to 2010.: 0.80%

Within 50 km of Postcode

Population within 50 km :     45,877

New homes within 50 km :    92*

Average lot size :                      675

Average Income :                    $35,677*

Within 100 km of Postcode

Population within 100 km :     66,083

New homes within 100 km :   264*

Average lot size :                       629

Average Income :                      $45,743*

Within 200 km of Postcode

Population within 200 km :      152,166

New homes within 200 km :     609*

Average lot size :                         809

Average Income :                        $40,456*

* This represents the last 2010 year.

Sheds in Beaudesert QLD 4285

Today we are looking at sheds in lovely Beaudesert in Queensland.

Average Population Growth per year from 2005 to 2010: 1.1%

Within 50 km of Postcode

Population within 50 km :     156,820

New homes within 50 km :    157

Average lot size :                      70

Average Income :                    $31,156

Within 100 km of Postcode

Population within 100 km :     248,699

New homes within 100 km :   397

Average lot size :                       675

Average Income :                      $29,149

Within 200 km of Postcode

Population within 200 km :      397,398

New homes within 200 km :     995

Average lot size :                         687

Average Income :                        $32,548

Sheds in Airville QLD 4807

Shedeye is going to start to share a whole heap of info that we have collected.  We have profiled states and suburbs (and every shed distributor) to work out why some areas sell more sheds than others.

The evidence on why there are more shed and garage sales in particular areas suggests that there is a direct correlation to population, population growth, new home growth, the average lot size and the average income.

Average Population Growth per year from 2005 to 2010 : 1.4%

Within 50 km of Postcode

Population within 50 km :     10,294

New homes within 50 km :    21

Average lot size :                      797

Average Income :                    $39,136

Within 100 km of Postcode

Population within 100 km :     26,820

New homes within 100 km :   28

Average lot size :                       732

Average Income :                      $35,868

Within 200 km of Postcode

Population within 200 km :      41,657

New homes within 200 km :     160

Average lot size :                         784

Average Income :                        $33,698

New shed at Wacol raises questions!

Queensland steel industry feels the heat from cheap Chinese suppliers

This the heading from the Brisbane Times Article on January 23rd 2012. Basically a local Queensland company has won the contract to build the new Hitachi Headquarters at Wacol. The uproar is about the source of the steel, of which Southern Queensland Steel (next door to new building) failed to win the contract to supply the builder Spaceframe with the steel!

Here’s a picture of the new site for Hitachi and the Spaceframe building sign out the front.

Hitachi Machinery New Wacol Headquarters Site

 Here’s what Mr. Ian Cairns of the ASI stated in the article:

The Australian company that lost the contract, Southern Queensland Steel, confirmed the situation but directed questions to the Australian Steel Institute, of which it is a member.

The Australian Steel Institute blames Chinese government subsidies and the undervalued yuan for creating an unfair advantage for Chinese suppliers over local companies and increasing pressure on an industry that employs about 100,000 people nationwide. 

So what is the answer to this? Here are some of the questions raised by this deal between an Australian builder and the chinese steel supplier:

1. Spaceframe is a Queensland company with many projects under its belt, both here in Australia and in Asia and the Pacific. It also has offices in China (see their website above) and is a very progressive company (family owned & run). Why is that Spaceframe can obtain prices from China for pre cut steel and yet the giants of the Australian Steel Suppliers are unable to do this?
2. Southern Queensland Steel has both local and imported products – if builders want quotes on large quantities of precut steel – then they should be able to offer the same imported Chinese steel supply! BlueScope imports steel, One Steel imports steel, Orrcon imports steel along with just about all major steel manufacturers.
3. Why is the ASI (a part of BlueScope) suddenly blaming the Chinese government for all this. Surely among some of the ASI’s vast membership – one would think the buying power from China would be greater than that of Spaceframe?

Ian cairns of the ASI went on regarding subsidies and the value of the Yuan versus the dollar!

‘‘We’ve got an undervalued currency from a major competitor, and of course we have a resources boom that is fuelling our currency as well, to the detriment of manufacturers,’’ he said.

‘‘So we’ve got a double whammy, where you could almost argue that the dollar is overpriced by 30 per cent and the yuan is underpriced by 30 per cent.’’

‘‘So before we even start [competing] we are 60 per cent off the mark.’’

But Ian, surely your members would be better off taking advantage of this to supply steel rather than pay more for Australian steel and not sell it? The members of the ASI could definately buy at a better rate from China than Spaceframe.

Also the engineering and design for many of these projects are now being sourced from overseas and having multiply specifications that allow steel to be supplied globally. When local builders can source direct from China and it’s hugh number of suppliers, why can’t the steel suppliers also do this. Much of the material used in manufacture of the local domestic shed industry is imported. Maybe the steel suppliers of Australia will have to open up offices in China to combat these cheaper prices.

New Shed on the Block

Tetra Shed – Modular Shed Building!

Australia has had its revolution in steel sheds – advantages and problems come with this style yet a new modular shed style is emerging in the UK, USA and Europe. The shed is called TETRA-SHED and has just won the 100% Design Award  in the UK and is currently under negotiations with an Australian Shed Manufacturer.

Tetra Shed is different and modular, capable of adding multiple sections as shown below:

The Large Scale Modular Tetra-Shed

 And another picture showing smaller modular grouping:

Tetra-Shed smaller groupings

But the big surprise is the quailty and appearence of the shed by itself:

Outside Tetra-Shed Single Module

 And the inside is spectacular:

Shed Stunning Interior!

 With the above photos, it is very obvious that this system is easily adapted to the Australian mining, educational and accomodation industries. All of the industries and manufacturing groups are represented here, with the cladding being substituted with sheet Corten Steel, Stainless or even old corrugated for the backyard number.

Current BCA & ASA compliance is under way and will be available in 2012!

ShedSafe – An Industry Body or A Brand – Part 3?

Shedsafe – A Question Mark?

Just answer one question please ?

What is the Base Metal Thickness required by ASI?

This is Part 3 and only a question? Within Shedsafe terms and conditions to join the group (brand) – the above item J. is applicable.

So – Shedsafe only allows BMT or TCT approved by the ASI – THE QUESTION IS what is the answer please. How thick is the BMT in all your shed members 0.35BMT or 0.42BMT or what? The ASI has now got to answer the question.

Innovation Award Submission 2

Corrugated – a New Revolution

Shed Roofing Profile Innovation Submission 2

This entry to the Shedeye Innovation Award is slightly different to the others entries regarding new products in many ways. This product involves the cladding of sheds, residential & commercial roofing and also is an innovation in the rollforming industry. This is not the site to explain the importance of this new release of a profile sheet and its implications to the roofing, heritage, architectural and other areas of the steel roofing and cladding industry. Almost a reinvention of an iconic corrugated iron from as early as 1829 to the present, this product actually provides a new release of an old product but with superior spanning capabilities being produced on a uniquely designed current rollforming line based in South Australia. The technology utilised and patented by Revolution Roofing will return the “common” corrugated iron roof sheeting back to a rounder, fuller, shapely and deeper profile based on the original 19^th century Walker “Gospel Oak” profile.

Once again the supplier and innovator of this product has had a difficult time in choosing which of the three new TRUE OAK designs to enter in the Shedeye Innovation Awards?  Their choice was between three of these revolutionary new profiles, True Oak Mid, True Oak Deep and True Oak ’5′ and details available on their website REVOLUTION ROOFING.

True Oak Corrugated

But of the three – True Oak Deep was selected because of its ability to be used in sheds as a 0.35BMT product as roofing as it is the only roofing rollformer that has span tables (not cyclonic) for this gauge of roofing.  With the same cover as everyone else, and still  at a cover of 762mm – it offers a product for the shed industry without change to the sheeting layout in regard to the cladding and roofing. The only adjustment will that have to be made is flashings (only minimal), as the depth of the rib is 21mm which is the very reason for the increased strength.  The features of True Oak Deep are 40% deeper and 40% stronger than standard corrugated with the ability to go down to 3 degree pitch in roof. The profile is much stronger underfoot than standard corrugated and less susceptible to denting by foot traffic.

Here are the Span Tables for True Oak Deep:

True Oak Deep Span Tables

The best explanation as to the details of this profile is best explained in the diagram below with the comparison of True Oak Deep and Standard Corrugated.

Comparison

That’s the technical stuff in brief – but a photo paints a thousand ribs or less and deeper!

To top this new innovation off, Revolution Roofing is offering a True Oak 20 Year Watertight Installation Guarantee. This back to back material, corrosion warranty is only available when the product is installed by a Revolution Roofing Licensed Contractor. Not only will this benefit shed suppliers, but also shed erectors once they become an approved Revolution Roofing Licensed Contractor and supplier. New roof photo of church here in SA.

True Oak being installed

Of all the aspects of this exciting design re-invention is probably the foresight of the founder (Mr. J. Easling) to undertake LCA of this product which is a first in the rollforming industry. This is now the only roofing profile to be under review for the GREEN TAG certification (by Ecospecifier) and will be available to all architects and engineers.  

The details for information from Revolution Roofing on this submission is available at www.revolutionroofing.com.au  

Shed Fire Safety!

Shedeye Science.

Shed and Garage Fire Safety

Number 0001 of the Shedeye Science Series.

All garden sheds, domestics sheds and garages are a potential fire hazard – not from the shed itself – but from the behaviour of the owners and what they store inside the structure. Currently there are no rules in relation to alarms or safety procedures for sheds and garages. All Australia States have useful information on fire safety in Class 10A buildings as shown below for each state:

• QLD -  http://www.fire.qld.gov.au/communitysafety/home/shed.asp
• NSW – http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1148
• WA – http://internet.fesa.wa.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx
• SA – http://www.mfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp
• TAS – http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/
• NT – http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/index.cfm?fire
• VIC – http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/
• ACT – http://www.firebrigade.act.gov.au/

Just about every shed or garage (whatever variety) in Australia is utilised for storage from household furniture, cars, workshops, garden equipment & chemicals, pool chemicals, motor bikes, electric machinery, gas, fuels & oils, paint and junk. A great many of these items are highly flamable and hard to extinguish when ignited. This list is only small and some of the above combinations of the items above can be very dangerous. It is wise to consult with the above websites on the dangers of these various combinations. The Queensland Fire website has a specialised Shed Fire Safety report that could be extremely valuable to all shed owners in Australia. If in doubt call your local Fire Brigade if you are unsure of any of these instructions given in the report. Rural sheds have a different set of rules regarding fire safety and the above websites should be able to assist in this area.

Below is a photo of a double garage steel shed that resulted in costly damage to property, motor vehicles and a costly visit by the local fire brigade. Along with insurance claims and the lengthy time period for replacement – there is also the very high risk of injury or death to people. The causes of all shed fires have to investigated by the fire department to provide data for insurance claims and statistics.

The Results of fire in a double garage!

The Queensland statistics for Fire Safety Measures conducted in 2008 are below.

Fire safety measures

Of the 1,589,354 Queensland households an estimated:

• · 97.3% (1,547,001) has smoke alarms;
• · 93.5% (1,485,847) has a safety switch or circuit breaker;
• · 78.6% (1,249,457) removes external fuel sources from around their home;
• · 51.8% (822,561) has a home fire evacuation plan;
• · 44.1% (700,487) has a non-mains external water supply;
• · 42.4% (674,103) has a fire extinguisher;
• · 31.5% (500,398) has a fire blanket;
• · 9.9% (156,829) have a bushfire survival plan; and
• · 2.7% (43,218) has a fire sprinkler system.

But how many have applied these concerns to your garage or shed? How many sheds have fire alarms installed, and how many are fitted with fire extinguishers. These two items should be compulsory for the backyard shed in Australia. There are roughly 10,000 house fires per year, causing more than 1,500 injuries and 70 deaths. Currently there are no statistics for shed fires only in Australia but a search of shed fires on Google will result in many hits.

The problem with sheds being utilised as living space is not only illegal, but does not comply with BCA Class 1 building regulations and hence a very high risk fire hazard. Power connection to a shed also requires a Licensed Electrician for all electrical work in the shed. Extension leads providing power and lighting to the shed are highly dangerous and illegal. All electrical installations must comply with Australian Standards and the BCA as well as being completed by a licensed electrician.

Safety in our domestic garage or shed is important and these items above should be discussed during your investigation or quoting stage from a shed reseller. The cost of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers is very small in relation to the overall shed cost.

Do a quick check on your shed – before it too late. Make sure you check out the relevant fire services in your state for safety procedures and regulations. Workplaces in Australia required Material Saftey Data Sheets on all chemicals, liquids etc not only for fire harzard reasons but for poison dangers also. We ask employers to provide this for the saftey of all employees – yet don’t apply the same rules to family and friends. The number of shed fires have increased recently in the news and endangers life and property.

Is Your Shed Shedeye Science Safe this Weekend?

The number of posts in the Shed Forum on this topic highlights the number of sheds have been burnt down in the last year.

See Article in the Shed Forum!

Sheds in QLD cost more.

Sheds in Queenslands rural areas to cost $27,000 more?

Pineapple Packing Shed

Under the new draft put forward by the Queensland Government, an extra $27,254 is to be added to farmers if they wish to build a new shed for packaging, storage or transport on their own property as construction on Strategic Cropping Land (SCL) now will come under the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).

If this draft is accepted through the QLD parliament – then the extra $27,000 plus will be added on top of all the other fees and charges neccessary to construct a shed on agricultural land. So the local council that usually has influence over these local building applications will have to cede to the rule of the State Government. The red tape increase for a shed supplier in Queensland will also become a nightmare as dealing with all the DERM requirements regarding environment and resource management will be out of the normal field of the shed industry facilities.

The new requirements apply to sheds over 750 square meters and to packaging facilities, accomodation for workers and tourists. The additional fee would prevent the increase of an agricultural business expanding operations that would normally employ more people and generate more income.

A DERM spokesman said  “DERM will act as a concurrence agency for any development requiring assessment under the Sustainable Planning Act.” We are talking about the shed industry and agriculture here – and the DERM spokesman (not person) states this! Being a concurrance agency for any development leaves the door open for the department to step in at any time during a development. This draft should be altered drastically or it will effect the large shed construction industry in Queensland.

The problem with a draft is that the QLD government take submissions (only the ones they chose) and then enact the legislation very quickly. The shed industry in general – if it had an Australian Association of members, then it could lobby the government and may be able to prevent this going through.

Mango Packing Shed

The Queensland Times is the only publication that is reporting this new draft and a lot of support is needed if the draft is to be stopped. The rural and agricultural industries in Queensland have been through enough without another regulation that if not obeyed could end up in court. The recent Tax Summit also highlighted the need to reduce the red tape – and this one will effect many industries. Shedeye is preparing a submission to lodge in relation to this draft proposal, invites all in the industries to send submissions to Shedeye to compile this submission in opposing the implementation of this draft.

Steel shed price Rise

Steel Price Rise Due in next 3 to 7 Weeks

BlueScope Distribution has notified customers of an impending two tier price rise in the coming weeks. It involves a base steel rise of between $60 to $120 per tonne on most product groups. As well they will be implementing specific surcharges to recoup key costs. These surcharges will be provided shortly.

Steel Shed Prices will rise with Australian Steel?

This comes after a significant bonus of over $3 million was paid to Key BlueScope Management (11 people) as a reward for leadership – not profit incentive? The notification states that volitilty in steel prices, rising labour costs, rising freight costs, rising processing costs, rising warehouse costs, and a rise in general utilities are the reasons. Along with the iron ore and coal price increase that has caused the steel price rise – the others will be included in the additional surcharges.

They state they have begun to receive notice from their steel suppliers (BlueScope Steel) of pending price increases. This does not look good for further sales of BlueScope Steel in the shed industry. With imports on the rise at cheaper prices currently – this price rise will further erode steel sales by BlueScope.

It will also follow by a notification by One Steel on its price increase – so many of the big shed manufacturers will be importing direct to keep competitive in the shed industry. Many of the big reseller shed companies will want to lock in prices for as long as possible to avoid this increase. Negotiations are already occurring between some of the big rollformers and BlueScope, along with talks between rollformers and shed companies.

Have you been told of this price rise?