The official e-newsletter of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Australia Ltd
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MAY 2013 |
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER UPDATE
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At the official launch last month of our Association's new recreational vehicle manufacturing accreditation program (RVMAP) by the Federal Minister for Road Safety, the Hon Catherine King MP, a number of key announcements were made. The most notable concerned the implementation of RVMAP by the end of April.
I am very pleased to advise that the first round of physical inspections/compliance audits commenced at the end of April and, to date, we have completed audits involving some 23% of our manufacturer members. This is an extremely pleasing outcome after just four weeks of commencement of the new compliance/accreditation program. In addition to conducting an audit of a manufacturer's finished vehicle, our technical advisor takes the opportunity to fully apprise members about RVMAP and, in particular, outline their obligations and responsibilities between audits. The most common issues highlighted during the audit process so far concern weights, safety chains and external lighting. When a member undergoes an audit and is deemed to have satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of the RVMAP audit process, they will be issued with an RVM Australia accreditation certificate that will remain current until the date of their next audit (ie initially six months' time). Those members that are required to rectify certain matters identified during the audit process are given ten working days to do so before they receive their certificate. Importantly, there will be no more excuses for manufacturer members not being audited in accordance with their audit cycle because RVMAP has been specifically designed to ensure that every member is audited within one month either side of their next audit falling due. I should emphasise that RVM Australia has committed to complete an audit of all manufacturer members, regardless of their geographical location, by late August/early September in accordance with another key announcement at the April launch. Finally, I am confident that RVMAP is a significantly improved audit/ compliance program compared to our former compliance offering, and it will enable RVM Australia as the peak body for Australia's manufacturing industry to reinforce with the Federal Government our credentials to assist in better managing the importation of RVs into Australia. |
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Murray Longe joins our Technical Team
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Boost for our Technical Team
As part of our commitment to boosting the Association's technical resources, we recently recruited experienced automotive engineer Murray Longe to join Daniel Sahlberg on our technical team. In his role as Contract Technical Adviser, Murray will work primarily on the RVMAP roll-out and other technical initiatives.
Qualified in both engineering and business, Murray has diverse experience in the automotive and IT sectors. He began at Holden before moving on to Nissan, where he was in charge of component compliance and sourcing. He then managed the aXcess Australia project which designed and built a world-class concept car to showcase Australia's automotive component sector to the world market. More recently, Murray moved into the online directory sector, first at Sensis and then with his own successful venture which created online media businesses.
Please make Murray welcome when he visits your factory.
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This month I had the pleasure of attending the CRVA national conference, which was held on the Gold Coast at Jupiter's Casino. The event was, again, attended by well over 500 delegates.
This year's conference theme was "A Celebration of the Past and a Peek into the Future". With Max Walker of cricketing fame performing the role of master of ceremonies, the conference program was diverse and thought-provoking. The introduction of a new youth program for under 35s was a positive initiative and the range of workshops gave delegates a great opportunity to get involved. This year RVM Australia was afforded a workshop to inform interested delegates on recent developments especially with the new recreational vehicle manufacturing accreditation program (RVMAP).
Overall the conference was a resounding success and well supported by an excellent array of exhibitors and sponsors.
David Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
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TECHNICAL
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Vehicle Towing Mass Guide - May 2013
The latest Vehicle Towing Mass Guide - May 2013 - is now available to RVM Australia members.
This guide is produced and distributed by CTIA of Qld in conjunction with the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland as a reference for members of the Australia caravan industry's affiliated organisations and their members.
The guide has been prepared to assist persons who are required to give advice to members of the public seeking to make decisions regarding towing and/or trailer-vehicle purchases.
The table includes data about many vehicles (not exceeding 4.5T GVM) that have been sold in Australia from 2002 onwards although some older popular towing vehicles have been included. It also incorporates an additional section of commercial vehicles sometimes used for 5th-wheelers.
Data included - where available - is the vehicle year, model, manufacturer's braked and unbraked towing masses, tow ball downloads, specific towing conditions and vehicle weights.
We remind RVM Australia members that this document is strictly for their reference only. Members are prohibited from copying, publishing or distributing this document in any way without the written permission of the publishers.
RVM Australia members may click here to request the 2013 Vehicle Towing Mass Guide.
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Click here to download the Consultation Paper
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Public consultation on the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and regulations
RVM Australia has been invited to participate in the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport's review of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and associated regulations.
Members are welcome to attend workshops being held in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, and also forward any comments to David Duncan, CEO, for incorporation in an industry submission.
Background
The Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport is seeking stakeholder views on the currency and operation of the
Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act), and its associated Regulations, which are administered by the Department. These views will assist in determining whether the objectives of the legislation continue to meet the aims of government and needs of Australia, and whether the stated objects of the Act are appropriate to serve these objectives. Introduced in May 1989, the objective of the legislation was to give effect to the Australian Government's commitment to road safety and environmental quality on a nationally consistent basis.
To stimulate discussion and feedback, the Department has released a Consultation Paper and is inviting submissions from any interested parties. The Paper poses a number of questions to assist respondents in framing their responses - either as general comment on the objectives, relevancy, effectiveness and impacts of the Act or as a response to any or all of the contained questions.
Submissions on the Consultation Paper should be emailed to MVSAreview@infrastructure.gov.au. All submissions received will be made public through uploading to the MSVA Review website.
The closing date for submissions to be received is close of business on Friday, 21 June 2013.
The release of the paper will be supported by a short series of half day workshops to further discuss stakeholder views. The Consultation Paper and details of these workshops and how to register are available on the Review website above.
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Supplying a suitable jack is mandatory
We remind manufacturers that supplying a jack is a requirement of RVM Australia membership, and is another example of what sets our members apart from non-members.
Read more>
The jack and fittings must comply with AS/NZS 2693:2007. The Australian Standard can be purchased here.
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HEALTHY TOGETHER HUME
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By registering with Healthy Together Hume, you will receive the following support:
- access to professionals who specialise in improving health in the workplace
- professional development specific to the manufacturing sector
- structured tools and resources for becomming a healthy workplace
- incentives and awards to encourage and promote your workplace
- networking events that allow you to engage with other workplaces.
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CRVA UPDATE
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CRVA would like to thank delegates who attended the 2013 National Conference recently held at Jupiters Gold Coast.
For three years in a row, over 525 delegates registered for this important once a year national industry event, with many stating that the conference exceeded their high expecatations. The event saw record sponsorship and we were excited to award All Parks Insurance the Best Stand Award for 2013.
Over the three days, delegates enjoyed three fantastic social nights with a Welcome Function on Wednesday, a Rock 'n' Roll dinner on Thursday and a Night at the Movies themed Industry Gala Dinner on the Friday night.
Read more>
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MEMBER PROFILE OF THE MONTH - SEATRA INTERNATIONAL
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This month we welcome another new member, Shaun Lockwood from Seatra International.
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Trail-A-Mate is a hydraulic
jockey wheel that converts to
a jack when you need it.
You simply swap the wheel
for a solid base plate.
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How long have you been in the industry, and what got you involved in it?
Seatra International entered the industry 19 years ago to address the need for a safe and reliable caravan jack come jockey wheel. We set out to design and manufacture a product that would not only be safe and easy for people to use on their caravans but also cost-effective. We were conscious of the need for our product to be within reach of the general public.
Tell us about your product/service range
We produce a range of models to suit different needs, ranging from the Trail-A-Mate 100kg and the Trail-A-Mate MkII 1500kg to the Stabil-Mate and the Sidewinder 500kg. We are proud to announce that, due to overwhelming demand, we now include an extendable wheel brace when you purchase any of the Trail-A-Mate range of jacks. This special wheel brace has a thin walled 19 and 21mm double ended socket to suit caravans and trailers with recessed wheel nuts.
What were the major reasons for you joining RVM Australia?
We joined RVM Australia mainly because we have such similar philosophies about safety. At Seatra we are single mindedly focused on offering products that are not only safe, reliable and manufactured to Australian Standards, but have a proven track record to have lasted as long as we have been in business!
What future do you see for the RV industry in Australia?
I have no doubt the RV industry will grow substantially in the foreseeable future mainly due to the ageing population and Australian's inherent desire to see our ever-changing vast and spectacular country. With so much on offer, who wouldn't want to travel this great land, especially knowing that now you are in the safe hands of the Trail-A-Mate range of products.
If you'd like information about joining RVM Australia, email Gabrielle O'Brien.
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INMOTION ARCHIVE
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CONTACT US
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RVM Australia Ltd
Suite 3, Level 1
21 Burwood Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Tel: 03 9815 2015 / Fax: 03 9815 2012
Website: www.rvmaustralia.com.au
Chief Executive Officer - David Duncan
Technical Advisor - Daniel Sahlberg
Technical Advisor - Murray Longe
Manager - Finance & Admin - Gabrielle O'Brien
All information provided in the RVM Australia eNewsletter is provided for general informational purposes only. The information in the RVM Australia eNewsletter is provided to you "as is" by RVM Australia in good faith and has been derived from sources believed by RVM Australia to be reliable and accurate at the time of providing it. However, information can change rapidly and it is not possible to guarantee that all items will be accurate at all times. RVM Australia does not warrant that the information contained in the eNewsletter is accurate, complete, current or suitable for your intended use.
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