Latest News

Bass Electrical Engineering Accredited EcoSmart Electricians

Bass Electrical Engineering recently received accreditation as EcoSmart Electricians. EcoSmart Electricians is an initiative of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA). Bass have electricians who are trained in energy efficiency and environmentally friendly electrical products, technology and installations.

The EcoSmart Electricians initiative provides residential, commercial and industrial customers with electricians who have the knowledge and expertise to install state of the art technologies and products that not only reduce the amount of electricity consumed, but provide efficiencies in both dollar terms and the benefits to our environment.

Bass Electrical Engineering is proud to be part of this environmentally friendly initiative. If you would like more information about EcoSmart Electricians click here.

Group Safety Manager of the ARA Group, Paul Gibson, Awarded 2009 Queensland Work Safe Award

In a ceremony organised by the Queensland Government at the Exhibition Centre in Brisbane on Tuesday, 27 October, Paul Gibson received a “Highly Commended Award” in the category “Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety”. Paul Gibson is the Group Safety Manager of the ARA Group. Paul developed a "court room scenario" to determine the effectiveness of safety management systems and implemented this scenario in all ARA Group businesses throughout Australia.

The process involves determining a high risk activity that is being undertaken in the business, nominating an employee who potentially could be exposed to the risk and playing out the hypothetical accident in a court room scenario to establish if the system and company management could demonstrate compliance to the legislation.

This concept has vastly improved the Company Management’s understanding of OHS legislation, its application, responsibilities at all levels of the organisation and the management’s comprehension of their own safety management system. The process actively engages the directors, managers and supervisors in a front-line mock trial that is relevant to them, the business unit and employees.

The “court room scenario” style of audit has been expanded further in 2009 to other areas of health and safety risk to the business units with a proven outstanding success towards improvement and further enhancement of the ARA Group safety management system.

The Queensland Work Safe Awards are run by Workplace Health and Safety. Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick announced the winners. The Awards attracted close to 600 entries and acknowledges the great work many people are doing to create safer workplaces. It rewards the achievements of Queensland companies and individuals who are leading the way in injury prevention and rehabilitation of injured workers.

ARA Group Awarded 2009 OneSteel Award for Innovation in Workplace Health & Safety

At an award ceremony held at the National Fire Industry Association (NFIA) Ball in Melbourne on Friday 9 October, The ARA Group was awarded the 2009 OneSteel Award for Innovation in Workplace Health & Safety. Paul Gibson, Group Safety Manager of the ARA Group prepared the award submission on behalf of the ARA Group and Automatic Fire, Victoria.

This award, administered by NFIA, is a national award recognising the most innovative health and safety initiatives in fire industry workplaces, implemented at any time during the previous three years. It is an Award of Distinction – presented to an organisation or individual that has been outstanding in developing, promoting and enhancing health and safety innovation in their sector.

The award was judged by an independent panel. Chairman of the judging panel, Mr Keith Bleechmore said for the first time in the judging of this award, instead of an individual, the recipient was a company trying to make awareness of OH&S a priority with its management team.

Paul developed a "court room scenario" to determine the effectiveness of safety management systems. He implemented this scenario in all ARA Group businesses throughout Australia. The process involves determining a high risk activity that is being undertaken in the business, nominating an employee who potentially could be exposed to the risk and playing out the hypothetical accident in a court room scenario to establish if the system and company management could demonstrate compliance to the legislation.

This is the second award Paul has won for his “court room scenario”. The first award was the 2009 Queensland Work Safe Award.

Automatic Fire (NSW) won the OneSteel Award in 2006 and Automatic Fire (Vic) won the award in 2008.

ARA Group Endowment

In June 2009, the ARA Group established the ARA Group Endowment. It has been funded initially with $55,500.

Effective immediately ARA Group management and staff can commence making tax deductible donations either in individual lump sum donations or on an ongoing basis through payroll deduction. All employee donations will be matched by the ARA Group so long as our profits allow for this to be done. A Board of Advisors of ten staff will be formed to make decisions where donations from the ARA Group Endowment will be made. The only limit on where our donations can be given is that the recipient must be a registered Australian charity.

It is envisioned that cheque presentations will be organised by the Board of Advisors to give the charities the opportunity to receive their cheque and to inform staff about the particular work being supported by the donation. This may open up volunteering opportunities for ARA Group staff within these charities.

At the time of the tragic Victorian bush fires last year, the employees of the ARA Group responded in a very generous way, giving $35,000 and that was matched 100% by the ARA Group. It is clear the ARA Group care about the communities where we work. Through the establishment of the ARA Group Endowment, we now have a permanent means to really contribute to our communities on an ongoing basis and in a meaningful way. It is our dream to build a capital base in our Endowment that will be substantial in the years ahead in addition to our current gifts to charities.

We have partnered with ANZ Trustees in this endeavour. As ANZ Trustees is a charitable foundation, this partnership will simplify the administration of our Endowment. The ARA Group Endowment is a completely separate account within ANZ Trustees. The majority of our contributions will be invested in Australian equities. This partnership is the most efficient way to create something very special. Everyone in the ARA Group can be very proud of what we will accomplish for our communities.

ARA Group becomes Champion Sponsor of Taronga Zoo

The ARA Group has great pleasure in announcing we recently became a Champion Sponsor of Taronga Zoo. The ARA Group’s sponsorship provides support to the Taronga Foundation’s contribution to conservation. View Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos’ website at:
www.taronga.org.au

Monarch’s North American Licensee Chosen to Participate in Solar Home Project

The North American licensee for Monarch Renlita Overhead Doors, Renlita Doors North America , LLC, is honoured to have been chosen to participate in a design project with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The university’s school of architecture is competing in an international solar home decathalon. The project is named “BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home”. BeauSoleil means “beautiful sun” in French, or "sunshine" in Cajun French. The design, incorporating a Renlita Series 3000 Door, for a 100% solar home has been commissioned and is in the process of construction. The home is designed to meet the local county (Miami Dade) wind load - 130 mph, is 100% solar powered with photovoltaic cells and solar water heating.

Following the competition in October, the design is slotted to go into full production as an affordable solar home for middle-class residents of Louisiana and surrounding areas.

To learn more about the BeauSoleil project, view: www.beausoleilhome.org
View following link to see the Monarch Renlita website and their range of Overhead Doors: www.monarchdoors.com.au

Acquisition of International Security Control Solutions Pty Ltd

The ARA Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of International Security Control Solutions Pty Ltd (ISCS), a leader in the supply of access control and CCTV peripherals and systems to the security industry in Australia. The transaction was completed on 9 April 2009.

ISCS sells a complete range of access control and CCTV products to integrators. ISCS is the leading wholesaler of HID products in Australia including but not limited to HID proximity cards and readers. View the ISCS website at: www.iscs.com.au

Cameron Holdsworth - 2008 School Based Apprentice of the Year

Congratulations to Cameron Holdsworth of Bass Electrical Engineering (formally TPE). Cameron won the 2008 School Based Apprentice of the Year award at the Southern Regions Annual Award Night, organised by Illawarra Group Training on 27 March 2009.

This event recognises outstanding trainees, apprentices and host companies and their hard work and efforts in 2008.The award covers The Illawarra, Southern Sydney, Southern Highlands and Canberra regions.

ARA Property Services awarded Refurbishment Contract for Victoria Police Building

On 29 January 2009, ARA Property Services (on behalf of the ARA Group) was awarded the contract to carry out refurbishment project works for the Victoria Police Building located at 412 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. This project is valued at more than $850,000. The works include mechanical services, fire services and hydraulic services. The project commences in February and is expected to run until September 2009.

ARA Property Services is the incumbent facility maintenance provider for the Victoria Police Building. ARA Property Services’ success with the Refurbishment Contract will ensure the integrity of services outlined above is maintained.

ARA Group Acquires D & R Pipe Fabrications

Effective Friday, 23 January 2009, The ARA Group acquired Brisbane based business D & R Pipe Fabrication. D & R is a small fabrication business that has been operating for more than 40 years. Located in the Brisbane suburb of Kingston, D & R fabricate fire protection equipment and pipes.

D & R will report to Brian Davies, Managing Director of ARA’s Fire Protection business, and service the Group's sprinkler operations. We welcome the team at D & R to the ARA Group.

Bass Receive Award in Recognition of Excellence in Safety Performance

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) presented Bass Wollongong with an Award in recognition of their excellent safety performance.

A formal presentation dinner was held in The Illawarra on 5 December. The Ai Group praised Bass efforts in creating a safe work environment and achieving a Zero Lost Time Injury record for the year.

The awards are an initiative of Ai Group’s Illawarra Industry Council to promote safer workplaces.

ARA Group Launches Parking Guidance Australia

The ARA Group is excited to announce the launch of Parking Guidance Australia (PGA). PGA has been formed by the ARA Group in conjunction with new strategic partners.

PGA provides a complete solution to guiding drivers directly to an available parking space.

The PGA system calculates free parking spaces and gives drivers accurate directions to reach those spaces by the shortest possible route, with easy to understand informational and directional signage. The system informs motorists and facility managers of the occupancy status throughout the parking facility through the use of detectors, signage, and software.

PGA impressively addresses common car-parking problems with effective solutions that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual car parks. For more information on PGA, view the following link: www.parkingguidance.com.au

Outstanding OH&S Achievement by the Bass Group

Congratulations to the Bass Group on achieving a significant OH&S milestone. During the last 3 years, they have completed 1.75 Million man hours without a lost time injury being recorded. The Bass Group is comprised of Bass Ingleburn, Bass Wollongong, Transelect and TPE.

This achievement is the outcome of consistent effort and commitment by all employees and an acknowledgement that through OH&S education and implementation, projects can be carried out safely.

Congratulations to the OH&S teams from Bass, Transelect and TPE.

Environmental Automation signs Distribution Agreement with Yamatake Corporation of Japan

On 26 September 2008, the Directors of the ARA Group and Environmental Automation (EA) Ed Federman and Leo Browne, signed an exclusive Distribution Agreement with Yamatake Corporation of Japan. The Agreement is for the territories of Australia and New Zealand. The signing ceremony took place at the Tokyo headquarters of Yamatake Corporation.

The partnership with Yamatake will enhance the building automation systems and energy saving solutions already on offer by EA. There is an increasing need for energy saving for existing buildings and energy management is one of the most prioritized areas of corporate social responsibility. Yamatake's energy management system is world class and EA will have full access to the complete range of products and engineering support.

EA offers customers the most advanced energy solution services so they can attain the highest levels of energy performance whilst maintaining comfortable interior environments.

Yamatake Corporation
Yamatake is the leading building management solutions provider in Japan, currently holding an 80% market share. Yamatake has extensive research and development facilities and proven technologies spanning more than 100 years. Australia is seen as a having a key role in Yamatake's expansion into the world market.

Founded in 1906, Yamatake utilizes its measurement and control technologies to realize safety and comfort, and to contribute to the global environment. The Yamatake Group has operations in 15 countries, a total of 8,000 employees, and sales of US$2.2 billion. The Group strives to realize safety, comfort and fulfillment in people's lives and contribute to the global environment through "human-centered automation."

Environmental Automation
EA was established in 1947 as Thomas Clark. EA designs, installs, services and maintains building management systems, energy management systems and access control systems which are suitable for a wide range of building applications, including commercial office buildings, industrial buildings, hospitals and universities.

Visit the EA website for more information on EA and their capabilities: www.eabms.com.au

Transelect Project Wins Judges Choice Award at the NECA NSW Excellence Awards

Transelect won the Judges Choice Award and a Certificate of Commendation at the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) NSW Excellence Awards Ceremony held at Star City on Friday, 26 September 2008. Transelect’s award winning entry was for innovation in high voltage reticulation for the BHP Billiton 66KV Transmission Line Project at Douglas Park, NSW.

Transelect initially considered using concrete poles for the project. With a wait of up to 9 months for concrete poles, Transelect decided to use BlueScope Steel’s SURELINE® steel sub transmission poles. The SURELINE® poles were delivered within 6 weeks.

The innovative aspect of the project developed because SURELINE® poles had several non-standard facets, from design through to construction. Transelect was required to provide a significant level of additional design and supporting data to Integral Energy for Integral to undertake analysis of the poles before accepting the SURELINE® poles into the Integral Energy network.

The average age of the Transelect team who physically constructed the project is 24 years. Congratulations to Transelect for this wonderful achievement.

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney

Congratulations to the ARA team who participated in this year’s 100km walk as part of Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney and who raised more than $32,000.

Oxfam Trailwalker began in 1981 and is the world's greatest team challenge and one of the toughest. The goal is to get your team across 100km of Australian bush in less than 48 hours - and, to raise at least $1,000 to help overcome poverty and suffering around the world and support Oxfam's work in 26 countries, including Indigenous Australia.

The ARA Team were amongst 500 teams who walked 100km on the weekend of 29-31 August, principally on the Great North Walk and the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track in the bushland of northern Sydney. To date, more than $2million has been raised. The ARA Team consisted of Joseph Osei, Nora Kovacs, Jane Browne, Xavier Hicks, Nick Brown, Jana Com, Graeme Josephs and Gary Stoker. The ARA Team was ably supported by Wayne McManus, Peter Browne, Leo Browne, Ben Rodger, Mary Ramirez, and Kerry Slavin.

View the following link for more information about Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney: Oxfam TRAILWALKER Sydney

ARA Group Acquires Tony Pollard Electrics Pty Ltd

On 28 August 2008, The ARA Group completed its acquisition of Illawarra based company, Tony Pollard Electrics Pty Ltd (TPE).

TPE was founded in 1989 by Tony Pollard and has operations in Unanderra, Sydney and Nowra. TPE is comprised of TPE Integrated Services and Transelect. TPE Integrated Services is an electro technology company, specialising in all aspects of electrical, communications and security maintenance. Transelect is an accredited service provider in the area of high and low voltage power supply, design and construction. This includes infrastructure works on the electrical distribution and high voltage networks for Integral Energy, Energy Australia, and Country Energy.

The TPE acquisition fits the ARA Group’s strategy of services and installation. We are very excited about the added capability in the area of high voltage power.

Click to view the Tony Pollard Electrics website

ARA Group Acquires Estair Commercial Air-Conditioning

The ARA Group acquired Estair Commercial Air-Conditioning (Estair) on the 1st of August 2008. Estair’s business is the design, fabrication, installation, service and maintenance of air-conditioning, heating and ventilation systems.

Estair is a Victorian based company with 28 employees. Estair will join the ACES team in Victoria. ACES is really looking forward to working with the team at Estair and welcomes them to our group.

ARA Group Acquires Crimewatch Video

The ARA Group acquired Crimewatch Video on the 31st of July 2008. Crimewatch Video (CWV) is a specialist closed circuit televison (CCTV) systems integrator.

CWV was one of Australia’s first specialist CCTV companies. The business was founded in 1988 and celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. Previously based in Willoughby, NSW, CWV will now be operating out of the ARA Group building at Stanmore. CWV services customers throughout Australasia, in banking, retail, gaming, commercial, military, law-enforcement and heavy industrial markets.

The ARA group welcomes CWV and looks forward to working with the team and to the increased capability this acquisition brings to the group and to our customers.
View the Crimewatch Video website here.

ACES Client Achieves 5 Star Energy Rating

ACES currently maintains the air-conditioning systems at their client site, Darling Park Office Tower 3, a 29,600 square metre building in Sussex Street, owned by GPT Wholesale Office Fund. As a result of the recent commissioning modifications and ongoing maintenance, Darling Park Tower 3 was awarded a five-star energy rating from NABERS. The NABERS OFFICE scheme is a national program that benchmarks the greenhouse performance of office buildings.

Darling Park Tower 3 is the first CBD building larger than 20,000 square metres to achieve this top rating using a variable air volume air-conditioning system without the assistance of green energy.

This outcome sets a benchmark for large buildings and is a major achievement for ACES. To read more, click here to see the article which appeared in the Australian Financial Review, Thursday 5 June 2008.

ARA Group a finalist in the Australasian Law Awards 2008

The ARA Group has been chosen as a finalist in the Australasian Law Awards 2008 and has been recognised as being an achiever in the Australian legal industry due to the Advanced Group Restructure. The restructure of the Advanced Group represents Australia’s first pre-packaged voluntary administration. The acquisition was made on agreed terms with the Advanced Group’s banker, ANZ Bank, its directors and shareholders. The deal involved a pre-packaged voluntary administration and deed of company arrangement, under which the ARA Group became the sole shareholder of the Advanced Group. Blake Dawson was the legal firm representing the ARA Group and Sims Partners were the accountants.

ARA Group acquires Applied Building Services

Effective 1 May 2008, the ARA Group acquired Applied Building Services, a mechanical services business located in the ACT. Applied Building Services will join the team at Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES). Over time, the Applied Building Services name will be changed to Air Conditioning Engineering Services, resulting in ACES branches in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.

Applied Building Services has been operating in the mechanical services market in the ACT for more than 10 years. Owned and operated by Peter Crowe, the business has a strong customer focus and maintenance base. The culture and customer focus at Applied Building Services will complement the high standards and quality service delivered by ACES.

Peter has more than 20 years industry experience and has agreed to become part of the ACES management team and stay on as Branch Manager. The ARA group and ACES look forward to working with Peter and his team to build on what is already is a great business.

ARA Group Acquires Bas Tech

Effective January 2008, the ARA Group acquired Bas Tech, a Melbourne based building automation company. Bas-Tech will combine with and trade under the name Environmental Automation under the management of Frank Lang, Environmental Automation’s Melbourne Manager.

AIC wins 3 Year Maintenance Contract with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

AIC Solutions is proud to announce they have won a 3 year maintenance contract with the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for the provision of all CCTV services to Sydney Harbour Foreshores and the Rocks area. This entails the servicing of more than 170 fixed pan tilt zoom (PTZ) and wireless networked cameras.

ARA Sponsors Variety Club's Christmas Party for Special Children

The ARA Group was proud to be involved with the 2007 Variety Club's Melbourne Christmas Party for Special Children. For the past 14 years, thousands of Victorian children with special needs, whether they were victims of abuse, had a life threatening illness, suffered a disability or were disadvantaged through circumstance, had the opportunity to attend the Variety Club's Christmas Party for Special Children. The Children's Party took place in December at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and was attended by more than 5000 children.

The ARA Group provided a sponsorship package for the event and employees from ARA Group Melbourne companies Datatech, Automatic Fire, AIC Solutions and ARA Property Services, volunteered their time to assist with party set up on the day prior to the party and handed out presents to the children on the day of the party.

The ARA team had almost as much fun as the children when they watched the happiness on the children's faces as they received their presents.

ACES Awarded National Contract

More congratulations for ACES. Further to the announcement in June, 2007 when ACES were awarded a 3 year contract for the Citigroup building at 2 Park Street Sydney, Citigroup have just announced that ACES have been awarded a National Mechanical Services Agreement.

ACES will be responsible for all mechanical services for Citigroup buildings in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The contract is for 2 years and is effective 1 October 2007. More about Air Conditioning Engineering Services...

BP presents Bass with 2 Awards for Service Excellence.

Last week at a Presentation Dinner for BP NSW (Australia), Bass Ingleburn was presented with two awards for Service Excellence for services delivered to BP. The Awards were for "Best Service to BP, Large Contractor" and "Best Large Overall Contractor of the Year".

Bass have been providing electrical engineering and electrical contracting services to BP's Solar Division. The awards were for recognition of Service Excellence across every division of BP. Congratulations to the Bass team. More about Bass Electrical...

ACES Awarded Two Major Service Contracts.

ACES have recently been awarded two, three year service contracts. One is for the Citigroup building in Park Street, Sydney and the other is for the three towers at Cockle Bay (pictured). These are exceptional opportunities for ACES and The ARA Group. Congratulations to Phil Harding and Jamie Fullagar for their great efforts to secure these contracts. Ian Curl's team at Autometrix will be working with Phil and Jamie to barcode the equipment that we will be maintaining and to set up the respective data bases. More about Air Conditioning Engineering Services...

ARA Group acquires the Advanced Group.

Effective 28 February 2007, the ARA Group (ARA) has great pleasure in announcing the acquisition of the Advanced Group of Companies (Advanced). Advanced was placed into Voluntary Administration on 21 December 2006. At that time, the Adminstrators granted a licence to ARA to continue to trade the Advanced group during the Administration period, with a view to restructuring its operations.

We are pleased to announce that the restructure is now complete and we have achieved the following results:

Maintained employment of over 70% of the workforce and saved 150 jobs.
Financially restructured a group of companies that was insolvent.
Provided an ongoing and essential supply of services to virtually all customers.
Resulted in a far better outcome to all creditors and employees than if Advanced had gone into liquidation.

This most recent acquisition enhances the services ARA is able to provide to customers. It reinforces the ARA’s position as a leading building services and specialized building products company.

The ARA Group now has:

Turnover of approximately $200 Million.
800 staff.
Increased organisational capacity and capabilities.

Capabilities from Advanced will be integrated with ARA companies in the following way:

Advanced Security Systems will integrate with AIC Solutions – AIC Solutions is a specialist security installation and service business providing tailored solutions to customers’ needs with a diverse range of access control, closed circuit surveillance, digital video recording and integrated systems.
Advanced Mechanical Systems Pty Limited will integrate with Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES). ACES is an air conditioning service business.
Advanced Building Automation Systems Pty Limited is changing its name to Environmental Control Solutions Pty Ltd (“ECS”). ECS will trade as a stand alone business in the building automation industry.

Advanced Building Technologies Pty Limited (“ABT”) will continue to trade as a stand along business. ABT provides customers with an integrated property maintenance and facilities management service.

ARA Group acquires Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES).

Effective 1st November 2006, the ARA Group fulfills its strategy to be a one-stop shop for our customers by acquiring Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES). This most recent acquisition provides our customers with the complete range of essential building services carried out by ARA Group employees. More about Air Conditioning Engineering Services...

ARA Group acquires Excell Control and Wollongong Electrical Engineering.

Effective 1st July 2006, the ARA Group acquired Excell Control and Wollongong Electrical Engineering. Based in Wollongong on the NSW south coast, these two companies specialise in the industrial and electrical installation service market.

Distributers of industrial, automation and process control products, Excell Control represent many leading brands including Rockwell Automation, Macelec, Weidmuller and Brady to name a few.

Established in 1982, Wollongong Electrical Engineering are specialists in electrical and instrumentation construction, manufacturing, maintenance and electronics repair.

ARA Group acquires Rhino Fire Protection.

Effective 30th August 2006, Rhino Fire Protection was acquired by the ARA Group. Joining Automatic Fire Protection, Rhino Fire Protection offer the complete range of fire protection and installation services to our Victorian customers.

AIC Solutions awarded Services contract for 9 TAFE colleges.

AIC Solutions has been awarded a Services contract for nine TAFE colleges for the maintenance of their electrical security systems. A specialist business, AIC Solutions offers a diverse range of access control, closed circuit surveillance, digital video recording and integrated systems, tailored to the needs of their customers. More about AIC Solutions...

Bass Electrical wins a 2 year Services contract for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

The Foreshore Authority land holdings include two major precincts: The Rocks and Darling Harbour. Bass Electrical wins a 2 year Services contract for the supply of electrical equipment for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. More about Bass Electrical...

AIC Solutions expands into Melbourne and Brisbane.

October 2006 - AIC Solutions expand into Victoria and Queensland, opening offices in Melbourne and Brisbane. This expansion offers AIC Solutions the opportunity to offer their professional system integration services, including system design, sales, engineering, installation and service on a nationwide basis. More about AIC Solutions...