The Splash July 2022
Welcome - Why You Should Read The Splash Every Month
Welcome to the first edition of The Splash.
It's the new monthly newsletter we're putting out to keep you up to date with ways we can help you.
And to keep in touch because chances are, there are probably some ways we can help you with splashbacks, both printed and painted.
Here's 3 good reasons to read.
#1. It only takes 5 minutes (at most). You're busy, so it's a bite-sized chunk you can digest over a coffee, between calls or at the traffic lights (as long as you're not the driver).
#2. A bit controversial. I'm not here to feed you the standard line. I'm in industry just like you and I make sure I'm up to date on what's going on and the best ways to react. Sometimes conventional wisdom isn't the best and throwing different ideas into the melting pot can help.
#3. Handy hints and ideas. I'll be giving you ideas about more than just products. I'll be sharing some unorthodox ideas about running a business, surviving tough times and thriving when the going's good.
One of the best sources of ideas for all of us come outside our industry. If we continue to recycle the same ideas all the time, we get stale. It's likely that something I say might give a new idea a spark. And likewise, your feedback to me could help us too.
Feel free to reply to me any time. You can get me at hugh@innovativesplashbacks.com.au
The Bigger View: What's happening in the industry?
I've been keeping up to date as much as possible about the construction game.
There's no doubt there are tough times ahead.
However, the good news is that whichever way I look at it, I can't see things slowing down.
According to the recent census, the average Australian household size has dropped over the last 5 years from 2.6 people to 2.5 people. That might not sound like much, probably about an arm or half a leg. However with over 8 million households in Australia, it works out to another 300,000 dwellings being required over that period ... without even factoring in immigration.
No slowdown in sight - According to an article in the Australian Financial Review, we're expecting to need 163,400 more houses than we're on track to build over the next decade. That's not the total number of houses ... that's the number we're expected to be short based on what we're doing.
Good news if you're in the building industry! Bad news if you want to buy a home though.
And this is why I'm not expecting construction to slow down one bit.
Of course, the rising cost of materials and labor shortages are putting huge pressure on everyone. That's why architects and designers are more important than ever in designing buildings to achieve their vision while keeping costs down.
I'm sure as soon as all the fixed price (ie now unprofitable) contracts are through the system, the sun will shine again.
Case Study:
Innovative Splashbacks Delivers A Quadruple Win For A Major Aged Care Facility
When acrylic splashbacks were specified for the TLC Aged Care facility between Geelong and the beachside town of Torquay the builders made a decisive choice.
They rejected the acrylic splashback in the design and contacted Innovative Splashbacks to supply them instead.
The splashbacks were being installed throughout the facility in consulting rooms, tea and coffee points and behind wash basins.
The total amount required was slightly under 100m2, colour matched to a competitors acrylic colour.
There were four key factors for their decision.
Key Criteria #1. Confidence.
The builder had worked with Innovative Splashbacks before and knew they could trust the quality of the product and the delivery time.
In fact, this is the third TLC Aged Care facility they built using the product.
They knew the quality would be extremely high quality and it would be delivered on time.
Key Criteria #2. Price.
Because Innovative Splashbacks are cut to size the builder knew they would only be paying for what they used.
Had they used set sized sheets there would have been approximately 20% – 25% wastage.
Effectively they would be paying for material to be thrown away.
They also saved time on-site as well because the sheets didn’t need to be cut.
Each panel was marked during production with its location and dimensions so it was simple for the installers to pick it up and adhere it to the wall.
Given the tight timeframes, this helped keep them on track. It’s especially important for projects where penalties are payable for late completion.
Key Criteria #3. Set and forget .
With so many finishing touches to complete on the facility, the last complication the builders needed was having to manage the splashbacks.
Instead they simply asked their joiners to measure up each area, then send the measurements through to Innovative Splashbacks.
During production each splashback was subject to our stringent 100% panel quality checks. Including checks to make sure the measurements were exactly as requested.
Each panel was marked with the location and the dimensions. This way the joiners could quickly pick up each panel, take it to the right location and install it quickly. There was no extra measuring or cutting required.
Key Criteria #4. Fast delivery times.
The nature of a build like this means final measurements are not always ready until close to the installation time.
This makes it important to produce and deliver the splashbacks quickly.
This order was produced in 7 working days from the final measurements being taken and ready for delivery.
The colour was known in advance which meant it was formulated and ready to be mixed.
All the resources needed to produce the splashbacks were scheduled and other orders were finalised in advance.
And Innovative Splashbacks have developed processes which allow us to produce splashbacks very efficiently and quickly at the high quality our customers demand.
Also, Innovative Splashbacks do not produce splashbacks for large hardware chains which means our production schedule is never blocked out weeks in advance to produce high volumes of set colours.
The focus is, and will always be on architects, builders and individual home owners.
As a guide for larger orders, we typically produce 50 square metres in 5 working days.
Matching colours takes 3 extra days however it can be done in advance if the colour is known.
Having said this, because of the tight lead times - in this case the 100 square metre order was produced in 7 days. We often produce orders this quickly when a project requires it.
Innovative Splashbacks were the obvious choice for this project. The client was able to get their order cut to size, delivered on a tight schedule and for a significantly lower overall cost than other alternatives.
It’s no wonder Innovative Splashbacks are the product of choice for a growing number of architects and builders.
We get plenty of reviews from our customers. Here's a couple I want to share with you.
"We completed our ensuite and 2 Nd bathroom with acrylic panels. From our first communication with Elli and Tracey they were very professional and helped over many weeks with how to make correct measurements to using the correct silicone for the panels. The 5 panels arrived in a timely manner and were well packaged. We are super happy with not only our panels but the service we received before and after out pretty purchase. Thank you once again. We highly recommend this company." Denise Culpitt
"Many thanks to Elli and Tracy for their brilliant advice in choosing an amazing landscape image for our bathroom splash-back. As well as for the high quality production detail (see pics), and important installation advice, leaving us with a wonderful bespoke bathroom vista. We go to another world when we shower! Many thanks again." Harry Bradshaw
Wow Factor Of The Month
It's time to show off one of our favourite jobs of the month.
One of our customers is from the far north west of Australia, and has a house on a canal.
They love fishing too, and wanted a marlin in a print for their kitchen.
And since it's visible from outside, boats going past slow down to have a sticky-beak at it. It's certainly a boat-stopper!
A Final Word
I'd love to get your feedback.
You can drop me a line at elli@innovativesplashbacks.com.au.
Or you can call me on 0418 548 743.
Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.
