TODAY
The ATC Council NSW is active at the National, State & Territory Levels and continues in its efforts to expand the range and scope of our membership services & many others activities, such as, updating the Australian Standards, conducting training events, awards of excellence for our members & engaging with the consumer in order to meet their needs and demands to the betterment of the consumer and the Australian Tiling industry.
AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL NSW MISSION STATEMENT
To represent the Australian Tiling Industry and promote the sale of tiles & associated products, and tiling works, ensuring the consumer that; all those ATC NSW members who represent the industry, endeavour to provide a unique experience to the Consumer & one that focuses on customer satisfaction first.
The ATC NSW, understands that purchasing tiles should be a pleasant experience through our member tile shops. Our goal is to provide the customer with an enjoyable, honest service and with quality products. This is backed up with practical & technical advice and, as such, satisfying the individual needs of all customers.
We also believe it is important to have quality tiles that are available at competitive prices and sold in compliance with Australian Consumer law and warranty. We encourage all ATC members & staff members to undertake training and upskilling, and to strive to ensure that they will provide excellent quality products & excellent service as defined by the ATC Code of Ethics.
CODE OF ETHICS: MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of each Member of the Australian Tile Council Inc.
- 1. To regard our customers as our most valuable asset.
- 2. To provide quality ceramic tiles and associated products, promote the correct specification and laying of ceramic tiles within the building and construction industry.
- 3. To ensure all dealings with the public are fair, ethical and equitable.
- 4. To practice honesty and fairness in all advertising.
- 5. To recommend only products that are suitable for the customer's stated requirements.
- 6. To ensure that tiles, adhesives and other associated products supplied for any purpose comply with the appropriate Australian Standards and to strongly recommend that installation be in accordance with these standards.
- 7. To act promptly and responsibly on receipt of any complaint from a customer.
- 8. To co-operate with other Members of the Australian Tile Council Inc. in disseminating business, trade and product information for the benefit of the Council and the industry in general.
- 9. To take part in the work of the Council by attending general meetings, staff education programmes and other activities designed to increase the level of knowledge and skills required by all persons engaged in the industry.
- 10. To provide mutual support and assistance to other Members of the Australian Tile Council Inc. around Australia.
OUR HISTORY
Independent Ceramic Tile Merchant Associations have existed in all Australian States for more than 65 years.
In 1965 representatives of the Australian tile industry from the States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia met and agreed to form a federal body.
National meetings were held twice yearly, and each State took turn to host the Annual General Meeting. The major manufacturers were invited to make presentations on developments in the industry. A tradition was established of the manufacturers hosting a formal dinner for all participants on the evening.
In 1970, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory formed State/Territory Divisions and soon after joined the National Australian Tile Council as Division Members.
Nearly all sales at that time were of wall tiles and it was not until 1974 that floor tiles experienced significant sales growth. Matters of concern to distributors and retailers was an issue and as such the product of ceramic tiles and state regulations were prominent on each national and state agenda, and one of the early agreements coming from that period was a proposal of a National Code of Ethics for the wall and floor tiling industry.
Subsequently a Code of Ethics was established and remains in place for all the Australian Tile Council Division and its Members
In 1995 at the ATC, Launceston Conference the merchant associations members, agreed to change the name of this entity to that of The Australian Tile Council Incorporated. This move was endorsed by the major manufacturer representatives present, and a number of manufacturer and merchant delegates were immediately elected to the inaugural Management Committee.
This initiative enable membership to become open to "all bodies and persons who have a genuine interest in the responsible sustained growth of the Ceramic Tile market".
Further to that initiative; A National Constitution was adopted at the Brisbane Conference in April 1996, with each Division agreeing to bring their own constitution into conformity with the national document.
The new Constitution (1996) provided the pathway, for a new ATC Model of management to be established.
This Model was based upon a democratic process of electing a National executive committee from nominated State Delegates. That National executive committee being, comprised of National President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Public Officer.
Standing Committees were elected, with representation from Divisions having responsibility for technical, Membership and Promotion matters. Members joined in the State in which they operate, with those companies with offices in more than one State being required to join each Division individually. Each Division sets its own subscription rates.
Each State was obliged to become incorporated, as a State Division and be governed by its own committee. This model has remained for some 25 years.
Although, on two occasions, ATC NSW has operated independently to that of the National Model, however those management changes eventually ceased and ATC NSW returned to the previous Management Model that was established in 1996.
One of the first actions the new Council took was to lobby the then Federal Government when it became known that, the Federal Treasurer intended to introduce a sales tax on Ceramic Tiles in the 1995 Budget. An Australian tile Council committee was formed and funds raised from members to fight this introduction.
In conjunction with our Trade Consultant in Canberra and the accounting practice of Cooper and Lybrand a submission was made to a Senate hearing and to individual Ministers and politicians.
Other bodies within the building industry were also active in this matter but the Australian Tile Council was the only individual Association invited to appear before the hearing. The government did not introduce the tax.
Prior to the 1996 Federal Election the Council again made an approach to the major political parties and received assurance that there were no plans for the introduction of a similar tax in the future Budget.
National Tile Week was inaugurated in October 1996 and each Division conducted its own promotional activities.
The Asthma Foundation of Victoria has accepted Ceramic Tiles made or sold by members of the Australian Tile Council as "Approved Product" in the campaign to educate consumers on reducing the effects of asthma in the community. Members have exclusive merchandising material for display with their products to promote this approved status.
