Meet Our Affiliates
Meet our Members – EJ’s Simon Bottomley
EJ is the global leader in design and manufacture of access solutions for sewer, stormwater, electricity, telecommunications, gas, water and lighting to support the world’s growing infrastructure. Fueled by innovation, EJ’s processes continue to evolve – creating solutions that provide an unparalleled customer experience.
How does your organisation support AHSCA QLD members?
EJ staff regularly attend the AHSCA QLD meetings and present once a year on new product updates and the relevant Standards. EJ is always ready to help with AHSCA sponsorship and was proud to be a partner for the 40-year celebrations. EJ also meets with the members to provide new catalogues, inhouse training and professional advice on the correct product selection for specific projects.
What trends do you see across the design, specification and inspection of hydraulic, plumbing and fire protection systems?
We see a trend towards ensuring more compliance of the products being specified and installed. The new Australian Standards AS3996:2019 is a relatively new upgrade and it has a much stricter design and testing requirements. EJ has invested in a new 100 tonne load testing machine, NATA authorisation & FEA software. Testing to the new Standard has required significant pattern costs to upgrade products across our range.
What is the best project you have supported?
This is very hard to narrow down as there has been so many great projects; from Brisbane’s Southbank Parklands to the Sydney 2000 Olympics & Sydney Opera House; to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. One of the best projects for EJ in the Asia Pacific region was the Port of Brisbane & Port of Townsville upgrades where we worked with consultants on access covers & grates for the extra heavy Class G (900kN) ratings and launched the new Hinged Hatch product (for quicker & easier access) from our USA foundry.
How did you become part of the industry?
EJ is a 5th generation family business, founded in 1883 in Northern Michigan, USA. The foundry was first established to manufacture parts for the timber cutting industry and then advanced to the production of street castings. We now specialise in manhole covers, grates, hydrants and valves.
The Australian region was an established family business, HaveStock, founded in 1985. My parents, Tim and Irene Bottomley managed the business in Northgate, Brisbane. I grew up helping Dad in the factory during the school holidays; this experience taught me the value of a hard day’s work. After graduating from university, I worked in the sales and marketing, with the focus on engaging with customers to help grow the business.
In 2000 HaveStock was acquired by Selwyn Davis of Everhard and in 2010, HaveStock was subsequently acquired by EJ and became the Asia Pacific (AP) region. In this time, I have had the role as Regional Director and General Manager. Our headquarters and main assembly works for the AP region, are at Brendale; EJ also has factories in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
As an entrepreneurial family-owned company, we have a long, successful heritage of meeting change with innovation and this is exciting to know that we can keep up with providing useful and long lasting products that help societies operate. I love seeing our products in the footpaths and streets of the various towns and cities around Australia. It is amazing how many are out there in all types of settings.
What is the one thing that AHSCA members need to know about your organisation, products and services?
We are 140 years old and this test of time proves we do the right things, invest in our capabilities & people, make durable products and we stand behind our brand. We have a long history of fostering strong customer relationships and we go over and above to provide customers with the products required for successful projects.
Learn more about EJ and their product range HERE
Meet our Members – HTC’s Daniel Barwick
HTC Group are your pre-construction flow and pressure testing people, offering the most accurate and reliable results in towns main flow and pressure testing, to help with your fire hydrant designs. Services also include fire hydrant commissioning (Form 71), inspection certification (Form 12) and fire hydrant maintenance (Form 72). HTC Group are committed to meeting our client’s needs using superior quality testing with innovative technology.
How does your organisation support AHSCA members?
HTC Group develop professionally through expanding our capabilities and we are thrilled to set a new customer service standard in the fire industry. We believe in the small but valuable role we have relating to fire hydrants and reticulation mains and this support is not limited to just our clients, but we extend this to AHSCA members.
I have presented at an AHSCA member event and helped develop hydrant testing methodologies with water Utilities in Queensland and Victoria. We have also provided the input design pressure for fire hydrant and sprinkler designs. HTC Group values the opportunity to network with industry peers and in doing so, we appreciate learning and receiving the support from other members.
What trends do you see across the design, specification and inspection of hydraulic, plumbing and fire protection systems?
With the QBCC tightening licensing requirements, a Hydrant Certifier Licence Course is currently being developed by the FPAA and NFIA to train hydrant certifiers. This will lift the quality of documentation reaching the Building Certifier and will help to close the gap between the requirements of AS2419 and operational systems. We are developing publicly available software to simplify this process and keep reporting time to a minimum.
What is the best project you have supported?
We provide support to a large water utility, which involves investigating components to identify any with reduced hydraulic performance. Water utilities’ manage thousands of kilometres of in-ground assets and understanding where to spend the maintenance budget to keep street hydrants performing optimally, is a monumental task. We are proud of the advanced method we use to compare the as-new friction loss with the measured friction loss, to identify components that can be replaced. This allows maintenance funds to be focused where they have the greatest impact.
How did you become part of the industry?
From humble beginnings back in 2006, the business was founded by Keith Lees as he conducted water mains, fire hydrant flow and pressure testing for his hydraulic consultant colleagues. Keith widened out to service the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane region establishing a fine reputation in the industry. I purchased the business in 2015 and we now have a small but dedicated team that uses the most up-to-date technology and equipment to offer a consistent and high-quality service. Our most recent news is the rebranding of our company name; Hydraulic Testing and Certification is now HTC Group.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
I’m really excited about the potential to improve how hydrant systems are certified and commissioned. This can help close the gap between AS2419 and installed systems. It is paramount that they are installed safely and as per the design.
What is the one thing that AHSCA members need to know about your organisation, products and services?
Daily challenges arise in achieving reliable fire solutions and compliance. HTC Group are here to provide you and your team with assistance in overcoming these obstacles. We are experienced in coordinating with Fire Engineers, Hydraulic Consultants, Plumbers, Builders, Developers, Water Utilities, Body Corporates and Building Occupiers/Owners.
We are open to feedback; if there is any part of our service offering, we can improve, we would really value you letting us know about it.
Learn more about HTC Group services by clicking HERE
Meet Our Members – OzFlow’s Gavin Heitman
OzFlow combines over 30 years of experience in developing and introducing innovative building and construction solutions with more than 70 years of German design and manufacturing expertise to bring smart, strong, hygienic and low maintenance stainless steel drainage solutions to the industrial market.
How does your organisation support AHSCA QLD members?
OzFlow regularly attends AHSCA QLD meetings and personally meets with members at their place of work, providing product training and assistance. Where there is a need for customised solutions, we draw on local experience and collaborate with our German manufacturing partner, Wiedemann Technik, who has been developing stainless steel drainage solutions for more than 70 years.
What trends do you see across the design, specification and inspection of hydraulic, plumbing and fire protection systems?
Our company primarily caters to the needs of food and beverage manufacturers as well as pharmaceutical facilities, where there is an increased use of Building Information Technology (BIM) and 3D modelling software to improve design and construction processes as well as provide asset management benefits. We are also seeing a significant shift in adherence to strict hygienic design principles and increased importance placed on compliance to Australian Standards.
What is the best project you have supported?
I love the variety of projects we have been privileged to be a part of; our products have been designed and installed for distilleries, breweries, abattoirs and pharmaceutical facilities across the country. Each project is “our best” as we endeavour to work at the unique challenges each one presents while working closely with designers, builders and plumbers to achieve cost-effective outcomes.
What is your background in the Industry?
Before becoming Managing Director of OzFlow, I was involved in developing products for use in the transportation and management of water in society; including stormwater conveyance and stormwater quality, roof water and rainwater harvesting systems, copper and stainless-steel press fit systems and stainless-steel drainage solutions . In over 30 years, I have come to appreciate that water is essential in every aspect of life, and I find it so rewarding to be a part of this industry.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
Being a trusted supplier to the food and beverage manufacturing sector, I am thrilled about the opportunities that present leading up to the Brisbane 2032 – Summer Olympics.
We’ll continue to see an increased demand for locally manufactured, high-quality food and beverages; and the Olympics will offer the setting for businesses to showcase their products for exposure to new global markets. With a call for more efficient production processes, I’m interested to see new innovative solutions being developed, especially in automation.
It’s an exciting time for our industry and OzFlow is geared up to collaborate with the design and construction of upcoming projects in the pipeline!
What is the one thing that AHSCA members need to know about your organisation, products and services?
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient partner for your business needs, OzFlow is based in Queensland and can provide you with fast and responsive solutions. We keep local stock of standard products and unique requirements are met with a quick turnaround of custom solutions. Our products are 100% made in Germany by Wiedemann Technik, offering more than 70 years of perfection in stainless steel, ensuring the delivery of strong, efficient and hygienic solutions. We are eager to assist AHSCA Qld members find innovative solutions for individual project needs.
Learn more about OzFlow’s services by clicking HERE
AHSCA Queensland’s Affiliate Member and Sponsor of our April 2023 webinar, Saniflo SFA, is a market leader in commercial and residential macerating pump technology.
We caught up with Nick Moore, National Business Development Manager of Saniflo SFA, bringing more than 40 years of experience in manufacturing and retailing, quality plumbing solutions. Read all about it here, <website article link>
Meet our Members – Saniflo SFA’s Nick Moore
As the French inventor of the famous macerating systems, Saniflo SFA is among the top companies in bathroom fixtures, worldwide. Synonymous with quality and technical expertise, our ‘made in France’ products comply with the strictest requirements and consistently meet customer expectations.
How does your organisation support AHSCA members?
Saniflo SFA are keen to provide timely education and support and recently sponsored the AHSCA Qld webinar, provided exclusively for hydraulic consultant members. Discovering Inground Pump Stations discussed the issues surrounding inaccessibility to gravity drainage and the alternate solutions available.
I have taken a personal interest in being proactive in improving this knowledge in the industry by sitting as committee member for various industry bodies including MPAQ & HCAA. I have written CPD for architects, consultants and plumbers and further developed student workbooks and teacher presentation materials to cover the relevant elective CPCPSN3026 “Install sewerage pump sets” within CPC32420 Cert 111 in Plumbing.
Our advice encompasses training and solutions to constraints found in hydraulic services and design.
What trends do you see across the design, specification and inspection of hydraulic, plumbing and fire protection systems?
Our company collaborates with architects and design professionals to ensure that hydraulic pump solutions are seamlessly integrated into the overall building design. We have noticed an increased demand for efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly solutions due to the growing need for make-shift homes, granny-flat accommodation, tiny houses and purpose-designed off-grid living.
What is the best project you have supported?
The varied range of projects I have worked on each have their unique constraints and victories. An example of one that I am proud of, is a residential waterfront property located on the Gold Coast with damage to existing drainage lines, situated under the house. Compromised by limited access and insufficient land fall, the only solution was to install an inground pump station and bypass the damaged drain. Learn more by reading the case study, https://www.saniflo.com.au/blog/case-study-inground-pump-station-solution-n141
How did you become part of the industry?
With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and retailing quality plumbing solutions, I joined Saniflo SFA 11 years ago and I enjoy working with and assisting hydraulic consultants to have successful solutions when encountering situations where there is no access to traditional gravity drainage. I am proud to be National Business Manager of Saniflo SFA servicing Aussie plumbers since 1988 as a market leader in commercial and residential macerating pump technology.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
Unifying industry consultants by improving technical expertise and methods, used consistently, nationwide. Knowledge is key to everything in our business, and we focus on sharing technical information with hydraulic consultants through organisations such as AHSCA, to contribute towards the future of our industry.
What is the one thing that AHSCA members need to know about your organisation, products and services?
As a global group, we are backed by 60 inventive years of industrial and design expertise and unbeatable quality; our easy installation claim is supported by a proven success rate that has allowed installation of bathroom fixtures, laundry rooms and kitchens, both domestically & commercially, to be installed almost anywhere and without any major work. Our pumps defy gravity and enable many plumbing solutions previously thought impossible. Please reach out especially if you have a project that is considered complex. Visit SFA’s website HERE
