OUTLETThe Official Reece Customer Update

We welcome your feedback so please send any comments by e-mail to outlet@reece.com.au or by fax to (03) 9274 0131.

ISSUE#104 June 2010

To celebrate the Rothenberger Tool Sale, as well as the Soccer (sorry, Football) World Cup, Rothenberger is giving away a trip for two people to any of the 32 competing countries. From Brazil to France, Italy to Japan, you can choose the country you’d most like to visit.

Every time Reece account customers spend $100 on Rothenberger products, they’ll automatically go into the draw to win the major trip prize or one of five runners up prizes of 50” Samsung HD Plasma TVs.

There’ll also be a mid-sale draw of ten 48” FFA Socceroos Foosball Tables. (And yes, if you win one of these, you’ll still be in the running for the other prizes.)

Entries close 31 July 2010, so get into Reece today and start stocking up on quality Rothenberger products.

So hurry. And don’t miss out.

For details of entry and full terms and conditions visit www.reece.com.au/toolsale

ROTHENBERGER

TOOL SALE NOW ON

Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.™

Our ongoing campaign dedicated to supporting our industry and your business.

www.reece.com.au/outlet2

Keeping Mt Beauty beautiful.

In the Alpine Shire, at the Mt Beauty township, located in the north-east region of Victoria, an innovative project is currently underway to capture and reuse an estimated 375,000 - 500,000 kilolitres per year of Class 2 water. This Class 2 water source is generated daily from the North East Water Treatment plant located at Mt Beauty.

The Alpine Shire Water Reclamation project’s main focus is to harness this water so it can be reused and distributed throughout various points in the Mt Beauty township to enable sports grounds; golf course greens and tees; gardens; lawns and other public open spaces to be watered to permit grass growth during periods of hot and dry weather.

The project consists of a primary underground tank with a feeder line to located hydrant assemblies in parks and reserves. From these points water is pumped to irrigation systems or the CFA.

Reece was engaged as the Council wanted to deal with one supplier for products, resource material and design.

Staff from Reece Irrigation, Reece Irrigation Design and Reece Civil, as well as product specialists in the GRAF Carat System have been working hard to bring the project to life.

The solutionStage 1 of the project has been the installation of 16 linked GRAF Carat underground tanks, connected via a system of 100mm rigid pipe work. Each tank will hold 6,500 litres of water. The GRAF Carat underground tank system was selected for a number of reasons:• Easeofconstruction• Lowercostassemblyandinstallation• Modularexpansion,enabling6,500litre

modules to be added as required • Immediateavailability

Around 500 cubic metres of soil needed to be excavated to accommodate the tanks, which will hold a total of 104,000 litres of water.

The resultsTo get the water where it’s required, a dual vertical multi-stage pumping station will automatically pump water from the storage tanks whenever an irrigation hydrants valve is opened. The project, one of the largest to be undertaken in Australia with GRAF tanks, is still ongoing. However it only took a council contracted team (under the guidance of a local plumber), about a week to install the tanks.

Next summer the results will be speaking for themselves, in the gardens, lawns, schools and golf courses of the town. And, of course, in clean drinking water saved for the community.

60 Secs at the counter

This month we spent 60 seconds with Brendan Ivory, Trade Counter Manager at Devonport in Tasmania. He’s been working at Reece for the last two years.

GRAF Carat Underground Tanks keep the town green.

Your 60 seconds starts now1. What is the hot topic (plumbing focussed) at your Trade Counter?The Government funded schemes have been a topic of conversation at the branch. Some of the guys have been involved and it’s been good for their business.

2. What area of plumbing do your customers mainly focus on?Our guys mainly focus in the domestic/residential area of plumbing. We have a population of around 40,000 in Devonport.

3. Other than plumbing what are your customers talking about? The guys are talking about the new Reece Footy Tipping format this year, which has received the official ‘thumbs up’ with positive feedback.

4. What is the most memorable or funniest questions you have been asked?It would have to be when a bloke came in and asked one of the guys if he had any premium nipples.

5. In your opinion what do you think is the major issue is plumbing in 2010?Environmental issues are still a major focus for our customers. Mainly having to learn new techniques and training for water conversation, dealing with rainwater tanks installation and grey water technology.

ROTHENBERGER TOOL SALE NOW ON

Sale starts 1 June 2010

ends 31 July 2010 or until stocks last

To find out more about the GRAF Carat Underground Tank talk to your local Branch Manager or visit www.reece.com.au/graf

www.reece.com.au/outlet 3

Back in blackIt’s an election year, which is possibly why the focus of the budget is on fiscal responsibility, getting the country back in surplus by 2013. But there are some goodies for small business. Here are some of the proposed initiatives that could help your business as well as the national deficit:

Tax breaksIt is proposed that SME’s will be able to immediately write off assets up to $5000 in the year of purchase, instead of just $1000.

Simplified accountingAll assets worth more than $5,000 (other than buildings) will be depreciated at 30%. At the moment there’s a second pool with a depreciation rate of just 5%, so this will greatly simplify your accounting, as well as writing off many assets more quickly.

Training and apprenticeshipsThe Government aims to spend about $660 million in training, apprenticeships and adult literacy and numeracy programs over the next four years. These initiatives include 39,000 additional training places in high-demand sectors (such as plumbing), plus support for 22,500 apprentices.

Company tax reduction.The company tax rate is proposed to be reduced to 28% from 2012-13, to encour-age an increase in investment and jobs.

Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.™

Crane Truck Delivery Changes

The ‘Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.™’ campaign was a Reece initiative introduced back in 1997. As a leader in our industry, our commitment is not only to stopping members of the public biting off more than they can chew, but also to protecting the livelihood of the people we serve: you, the plumbers.

It wasn’t long before the message got out. And in fact the support we’ve put behind this campaign has actually gotten stronger over the years. The objective continues to be educating the community and increasing business for plumbers. It’s part of an on-going commitment to the trade, along with other supports we offer, like supplying the latest business tools, (such as our e-learning training modules) and keeping you up-to-date with the latest information on anything that may affect your business (such as, this month, the Federal Budget).

The message has helped plumbers in a rapidly changing market. The industry continues to support the campaign, with many of our customers displaying bumper stickers and wearing the Reece t-shirt, with its ‘Don’t risk it, use a licensed plumber.™’ message, on the job (and around the world).

We continue to spread the word to our retail customers through materials such as the Hot Water Decisions Guide, sale catalogues, signage we produce for sporting clubs or TAFE colleges, and by encouraging our retail consumers always to speak to and use a licensed plumber.

It’s a message that’s connected with the community, and which has helped support the plumbing industry. And that’s why we plan to keep spreading the message for many years to come.

A number of incidents relating to crane truck deliveries have recently been reported to the media. The safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance to us. Therefore, we have made the decision to alter our Company Policy regarding these deliveries.

The Policy changes are designed to protect the health and safety of staff making deliveries and the people and property at the delivery site.

How has the Policy changed?

• Duringordertaking,customerswillnow be asked information about the delivery site, specifically whether there is clear “line of sight” at all times during unloading. If no line of sight exists, then the customer will be asked whether they will be providing a licensed dogman. If not, two licensed staff members will be sent on the delivery.

• Ifonlyonepersonissentonthedelivery and either the site is not as described or the promised licensed dogman is not available, then the load will either be placed in a safe place, or returned to the branch for different arrangements to be made.

(Crane operators will also be recording risk assessments of the delivery site, including the license details of any extra dogman used during the unloading).

The requirements for dogging licenses are governed by State safety legislation. To view the legislative requirements, visit www.reece.com.au/outlet.

Score a trip for two to one of the 32 countries competing in the Football World Cup.For every $100 a Reece account customer spends on any Rothenberger product they automatically go in the draw. See www.reece.com.au/toolsale for details.

Plumbing isn’t easy. That’s why there are plumbers. And, as we all know, a non-plumber can rapidly turn a simple job into a DIY disaster if they tackle it themselves. Which is why we’ve gone to great lengths over the last 13 years to support you by communicating the risks of doing it yourself to your customers.

For more details and information on these proposed initiatives visit www.treasury.gov.au

www.reece.com.au/outlet4

OutletisapublicationbyReecePtyLtd(ACN004097090)CopyrightThesematerialsarecopyright.Nopartofthemmaybereproduced,adapted,translatedortransmittedwithoutthepriorpermissionofthecopyrightowner,ReecePtyLtd,exceptunderanypermittedcircumstancessetoutintheCopyrightAct1968.LiabilityReecemakesnowarrantieswithrespecttoanyofthematerialscontainedinthispublication and Reece does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of, or reliance on, any information contained in this publication.

Outlet is printed on Monza Recycled which contains 55% recycled fibre (25% post consumer and 30% pre consumer) and 45% elemental chlorine free pulp. All virgin pulp is derived from well managed forests and it is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified mill.

Main Price Changes.For the full list of price changes or if you have any queries, please see your Reece Branch Manager or visit www.reece.com.au/outlet for further updates.

Supplier Products % Increase Date Effective

HG TURF Natural turf products VAR% 31 May 10

CSRBUILDING(BRADFORDINSULATION) Insulation products 3.5 - 4% 01 June 10

UNISTRUT Frames & pipe supports VAR% 01 June 10

SOLAHART Thermosiphon products 4% 01 June 10

PPI CORPORATION Irrigation products 6 – 10% 01 July 10

DAVEY PRODUCTS Irrigation products 3% 01 July 10

LANARK Bathroomware VAR% 01 July 10

ARCHITECTURALDESIGNERPRODUCTS(ADP) Bathroomware 5% 01 July 10

DEKSINDUSTRIES Roofing products VAR% 05 July 10

In The Pipeline Products for smarter plumbingPlumbing is changing, and there’s a lot more to it than pipes, trenches and taps. In The Pipeline keeps you up-to-date on a wide range of products.

The Milwaukee Hammer Drill and the Everhot 325 Split System Heat Pump. Two very different products, but each, in its own way, exciting, innovative and practical.

The Everhot 325 litre split system heat pump is an innovative hot water system at an affordable price.

Features>325LCapacity> 7 year warranty> Uses up to 65% less energy

than an electric water heater > Split design allows the tank

and module to be installed up to 4 metres apart

>Boostercapacity180L> Total Weight 138 kg

(module 50 kg, tank 88 kg)

The new Milwaukee 18 volt Cordless Hammer Drill.

Everhot 325 Split System Heat Pump

This tough little drill from Milwaukee has one of the most compact and ergonomic designs in its class, and is faster, tougher, and more durable than ever.

Features> Supplied with 2 X M18 3.O

amp,18VoltLi-IonBatteries:for a high runtime, increased durability and performance

> Hammer mechanism delivers 29,000 impacts per minute with powerful 51 Nm torque

> One hour charger

>BatteryfuelgaugeandLEDlighttoilluminate the drilling application

> Heavy Duty 2 Speed Metal Gear Box (0-450 / 0-1700 rpm)

> Digital Power Management, overload protection prevents damage to the tool and battery in abusive situations

> 5 year tool warranty and a 2 year battery warranty

Kawana236 Nicklin Way Warana Qld 4575Ph: (07) 5437 8099 Fax: (07) 5437 7699Manager: Trevor Mcfarlane

EXPANDING THE NETWORK New Branch

*Energy reduction of up to 65% based on Australian Government Approved TRNSYS simulation modelling and apply when replacing an electric water heater with a Everhot Heat Pump water heater in Zone 3

The Everhot 325 Split System Heat Pump delivers innovation at an affordable price.

Uses up to 65% less energy than an electric water heater*

Zone 1 2 3 4

RECs 28 23 28 28