Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 11

75 76 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 11 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 11 more as they break into the scene. Some stay, some move on to other things, but we can say confidently that nobody comes through our company without learning something valuable that will come in handy as their career progresses.” Mr. Muller explains that a lack of skilled tradesmen is a real issue for the industry. “There’s always a shortage of skilled workers, and that has only gotten worse since the pandemic. So if we can train up these apprentices and give them a really good start to their career, keep them aligned to industry standards, and make sure they have experience with best practices, it’s our responsibility to do so.” Another challenge currently being tackled by Germax Interiors include the widespread shut-down of the hospitality sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the majority of the company’s clients operating in the hospitality sphere, particularly 5-star hotels and their restaurants, a number of projects have been postponed or cancelled. As a result, Germax Interiors has redoubled in their efforts to secure small-scale projects, which are more effectively completed under fluctuating government restrictions. Simply gaining access to project sites has been difficult, Mr. Muller says, but staff are hopeful that restrictions will ease soon as Australian vaccination numbers continue to rise. Germax Interiors have used the shut-down effects of the pandemic to their advantage, undergoing an internal restructure and using extra time within the factory to update operations, and training processes in the factory, and continue developing office operations to suit changes in the market. Mr. Muller explains, “We have seen a shift in demand over recent years for providers to spend more time in the office making sure things like design, drawings, programmes, and collaboration processes are top notch. The use of technology has been a valuable asset to us, and we use it to support our manufacturing processes, so we have more time to spend on the more technical side of things. For example, we use CNC machinery and AutoCAD and TopSolid 3D drawings to covert written programmes into furniture and joinery products.” The future looks bright for the furniture industry, Mr. Muller says. Continued technological advancement and design innovation will produce more demand on manufacturers and installers for complex, multi-functional projects. Germax Interiors would like to conclude with thanks to their extensive network of vital suppliers and business partners, including Built, SHAPE, Koskela, and Wilkhahn. With their help, Germax Interiors will continue to provide custom furniture and joinery solutions that are cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, highly functional, and designed to further develop the Australian market. GERMAX INTER IORS PREFERRED VENDOR/ PARTNER n Häfele Australia PTY LTD www.hafele.com.au