Issue #107
September 2010

• Join the fight against cancer
• Rothenberger tool sale
  Winner Announced
• China takes the lead in
  reusing wastewater
• Warning: Gas attack
• 60 seconds at the counter
• Attention QLD plumbers
• In the pipeline
• Main price Changes
• Expanding the Network
• DIY Disaters Competition returning soon

60 seconds at the counter

This month we spent 60 seconds with Jim Sloan from South Australia.

Jim's been in the industry for over 40 years, first as a plumber, then for the last 17 years at Reece. He is currently the Store Manager at O'Halloran Hill.

Your 60 seconds starts now

1. What is the hot topic (plumbing focussed) at your Trade Counter?
   OH&S, particularly work site safety. Unfortunately there was a recent loss of life on a local work site making the dangers of the job and safety a focal point for our customers.
2. What area/s of plumbing do your customers mainly focus on?
   They cover all spectrums of plumbing, including general maintenance, new homes, gas and construction as well as commercial plumbers and builders, which keeps us very busy.
3. Other than plumbing what are your customers talking about?
   With the end of the footy season approaching, they're talking footy. However it's mainly about the lack of a SA competitive team.
4. What is the most memorable or funniest question you have been asked?
   Standing at the counter surrounded by fittings, fixtures, pipes etc, we once had a lady come in and ask, "Is this a plumbing store?" Umm ...
5. In your opinion what do you think is the major issue in plumbing for 2010?
   The lack of water. This is a real issue in SA as we're at the end of the Murray- Darling System. Obviously we need to develop a sustainable water source for the future, this is the reason for the current desalination project underway here.