Over seventy-nine years ago, in the Scottish town of Paisley, a young woman was meeting with a friend at a local café when she decided to order a bottle of ginger beer. After drinking a glass of the refreshing beverage, she started to pour herself a refill from the opaque bottle, when out flew the decomposing body of a snail.…
Several years ago I attended a business clinic held by the NSW BIA and the single point I remember was, ‘In times of uncertainty, how business responds, is critical to its survival’. The uncertainty facing the marine industry today is real and it would be fool hardy for a company director to ignore the underlying economic factors causing this uncertainty…
While it can be hard for businesses to keep afloat with the barrage of constantly changing laws and regulations, some impending legislative reforms are too important to ignore. In less than six months, a radical (yet long overdue) federal scheme will come into force that will impact on manufacturers, retailers, lenders and borrowers alike. Right now, all across Australia, businesses…
Roll-up, roll-up, the boating show season is once again upon us. Over the next few months, thousands of boating enthusiasts will descend on marinas and exhibition centres across the country, all eager to see (and in some instances, buy) the latest and greatest of what our industry has to offer. For suppliers, retailers and BIA members, these shows offer the…
It has been a difficult few years for many Australian retailers in the maritime industry. The global financial crisis slowed sales across the board, and the surge in the Australian dollar and greater consumer confidence in online shopping has meant increased competition from cheaper overseas markets. These ‘grey marine products’ offer an affordable alternative to consumers, and many within the…
Due to such an excellent response to the September publication of ‘Unfair contract terms’ this article will look specifically at unfair contract terms where the contract does not fall under the spotlight of the newTrade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No 1) 2010 (Cth), herein known as the ‘ACL’, that is where the contract isnot considered a ‘Standard Form Contract’. ACL Refresher…
The marine industry for many years has and remains one of the most unregulated areas of commerce and industry. The question to be asked is ‘can the marine industry afford to remain unregulated?’ in face of mounting pressure from; international markets, government, local market forces and recent courts decisions. And while there are many within the industry (and boating public)…
With the enactment of the new Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No 1) 2010 (Cth), which will be referred from here on in as the ‘ACL’, I can already hear the reader sighing and muttering “not more legal hoops to jump through”! However, it can be argued that this legislation has not burdened business further, as the principles underpinning…
One thing as certain as death and taxes, is change to law, and while not all legal changes are palatable, they occur as a result of different catalysts. In the United States of America the most recent catalyst for change (pending an appeal) is the Texas case where Brunswick, the builder of Sea Ray and Mercury Marine was ordered to…
Boating industry members have been exhibiting their products, services and trade displays at organised boat and trade shows for many years. Boat and trade shows provide a unique and exciting opportunity for exposure to the industry and public, networking and ultimately generating future income. Expenses incurred by the exhibitor at boat shows vary greatly depending on such things as the…