Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 34 - April/May 2007
IJF measures up well
2006 was a significant year for IJF on a number of fronts. It signalled a record turnover level, along with almost every other financial indicator extremely positive.
2006 also put a plan to expand into the previously difficult Southeast Queensland market by purchasing an existing joinery company in Brisbane.
“This was a major step, as we took our manufacturing capacity outside our Kilburn facility for the first time,” says IJF national sales & marketing manager, Mark Warton.
Last year IJF also began implementation of a new total manufacturing IT system, which is already showing significant gains in information availability and flow, together with more accurate manufacturing scheduling.
“Probably the most critical trend we saw last year was the incremental interest rate rises throughout the year which were designed to cool investment spending,” Mark says, “and did just that with regard to the apartment construction market, which we service.
“The Sydney construction industry bounced back from relative quiet, but while Melbourne started 2006 with a bang, by year’s end it had almost dwindled to nothing.
“We were aware of this trend in both markets and responded accordingly with regard to planning production and alternative market sourcing.
“We also encountered growing competition from overseas-manufactured product in some areas, and we are working through our threats and opportunities with regard to this area.”
