Seminars in the Land Down Under

The Australian Chapter held its annual equipment ID seminar in eastern Melbourne, this March. Attendance was strong with a good number of new candidates as well as leading Australian banks and financiers in attendance. We had members from every Australian State, New Zealand and our own International Governor, David Crick, ASA.

Attendees of Australia’s Equipment ID Seminar during one of the sessions.

The summary of themes from the Seminar could be ‘cars are art’, ‘Forestry Sector isn’t environmental terrorism’, Banks really do need a better ‘story’ on the appraisal and lastly ‘the technology overlays in so many new growth sectors is mind boggling’.

The two day event commenced with a fascinating and in-depth review of the appraisal process and pitfalls in luxury/classic cars from Australia leading Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist Robert McDermott and a number of his examples of poor description and some of the enormous values being realised for rare cars clearly highlighted any appraiser in this space needs to have significant experience and contacts to verify the ‘real’ value. The following presentation was from Komatsu Forests which, in a country with a slowing mining sector is a shining example of a growing sector with significant growth forecast. The technology advances in harvesting over the last 20 years will be exponentially changed in the next decade.

We stepped up a notch with one of our own Chapter Members, Craig Bowring from Westpac Bank, giving a lively insight into equipment finance/leasing and the criticality of professional, in depth appraisal reports.

The afternoon was a field trip to Bombardier Rail Manufacturing Facility in eastern Melbourne. The bus trip out was eventful as the driver (Louise) made a wrong turn and we ended up doing a 3 point turn into a bordello driveway…it made for a few smiles and witty comments.

Eventually we arrived at Bombardier where they provided an overview of rail in Australia, Bombardiers own position and the building programs covering most states in Australia. This was follwed by a detailed tour of their Tram and Passenger Train building facility following the start to end of the build on both sectors. Chapter members were fascinated by the huge amount of manual welding involved in the process, not to mention the 24 kilometres of electrical cabling used in each wagon!! The facility would also have to be one of the cleanest manufacturing facilities most members had ever been too.

Day 1 finished with a fabulous dinner where members enjoyed local seafood, red wine and other ‘refreshments’. It never ceases to amaze the Committee that fierce competitors in the work place can come together and get on so well over a beer. The banter was lively and in true Aussie style it went well into Day 2.

Day 2 was ‘looking into the future’ with presentations from Cummins on engine technology and emissions (which raised some interesting anecdotes and issues from chapter members) followed by Kenworth Trucks on the future of technology on heavy trucks to improve both driver safety but improve fuel burn and engine outputs. A number of the new technologies are currently under trial and the way of the future will be truly amazing as it evolves.

The next sector was ‘yellow metal’ and the technology theme continued with some functions and real time diagnostics were things that 15 years ago we would have thought impossible.

This was followed by 3D Printing which was possibly one of the most fascinating presentations. This technology has been around for 30 years but the changes in the films, polymers has seen quantum growth and advancements. The growth charts and technology applications caused a strong audience questions and several members might move from appraising to 3D!! It really was remarkable what can be achieved with these machines.

The seminar was closed out with a very unique presentation on Textiles and Fabrics and their application in sectors such as filters, mining, fire retardation and building. Kerryn (Presenter) had bought with her real examples of new technology products such as composite Beams, tubes which were so light they could be carried to a building site. Her passion about her industry and also recycling was contagious and it was a fabulous was to finish off our Chapters 4^th Seminar.

The Australian Chapter Committee wishes to publicly thank the organiser of the hugely successful 2016 Seminar, Richard Crago ASA.  Richard did a tremendous job so well done.

‘Seminar 2017’ has been locked in and it will be held in Australia’s preeminent red wine growing region – Barossa South Australia, famous globally for its red wines. March 2017 should be locked into every calendar for all ASA members globally!! Come down under and enjoy the seminar that promises to be the best yet.

Written by: Steve Wall, Acting President