About WFAANZ

Company: Saint-Gobain Solar Gard

What you love about the industry: So many things (not in order of importance):

• Window film is such a technical product in its construction and applications it fires up my engineering brain. It’s solely why I accepted the job with Solar Gard 18 years ago even though I was about to start work in the petrochemical industry
• The customers, of which many I have long working relationships with. I often use the word ‘partners’ as it feels like suppliers and installers work as a team in this industry so it’s like a partnership to succeed together
• We are making a real positive difference to the world when you think about the millions of windows now made safe for human impact. In fact when I was 12 years old I ran into a float glass door in my home (no safety strips in those days LOL) which completely shattered leaving a permanent scar on my forearm to this day, it’s a good feeling knowing our industry can stop that happening to other kids

Why you wanted to be part of the WFAANZ committee: As an industry it’s vital for all of us to do what we can to grow our industry together. Window film is only a small part of the glazing industry and competition from other glazing products and entities is fierce so we must band together as an Association to protect our interests. It’s the duty of all of us to chip in and offer whatever we can to help whether that be simply supporting WFAANZ by being a member right up to the huge amount of work done by the President, Secretariate and the volunteer Committee. 

In the coming years governments all over the world, especially Australian and NZ, will be forced to address the energy efficiency of existing residential and commercial buildings if they are to reach their CO₂ reduction targets. Largely the inefficiency of lighting has been addressed already with the rollout of LED lighting. The next major area of energy efficiency is the building envelope of which windows are the biggest problem. Never before in our industry’s history has such an opportunity confronted us and we can very much be in the box seat considering our products are highly effective, comparatively much cheaper and more sustainable than window replacement. Here again though we need to organise ourselves and fight as an industry to be included as part of the government’s plans to tackle building energy efficiency because they won’t do it for us. Without WFAANZ and the great work spearheaded by 3M we could have faced the reality of missing out on the building energy efficiency revolution that’s coming our way.

Let’s not forget too it was WFAANZ that fought to protect the auto tinting industry in the 90’s against government bans. Fast forward 20 years and it was WFAANZ who was able to lobby State and Territory governments to largely harmonise the VLT laws and allow darker VLT behind the driver. Without WFAANZ we may have ended up with no auto film industry.

There is strength in numbers and without WFAANZ we are simply a bunch of very small fish in a very big sea.

What’s your favourite pastime outside of work: I like to eat and my wife can’t cook so cooking is one thing I enjoy doing especially when entertaining. My weekends are typically consumed with playing rugby union, golf, socialising or being at the beck and call of my wife and two kids for some new outing!

Company: All About Window Tinting

What you love about the industry:  The tinting industry is an everchanging environment.  Every car is different, and every flat glass job presents its own challenges.  There is always things to learn and techniques to master.   

Why you wanted to be part of the WFAANZ committee: As an Associate Member, I was somewhat vocal about WFAANZ and wondered what work they did.

In a nutshell, it was suggested that I stop complaining and become involved.  I started on the Exc. committee at a time where there were very few installers represented and almost no Auto guys. Afterall, this was my chosen field.  It pays the mortgage and feeds my children and I simply wanted a voice in regard to the direction.  About 3 or 4 years ago, the Treasurers role had become vacant, and I saw it as an opportunity to really make a difference to the industry and help the people within it.

Why is WFAANZ important to the industry: The window tinting industry is very small in comparison to other industries supporting either the Automotive or Building trades.  Being small, its easy to be overlooked or even worse, irrelevant. 

Simply put, TINTING MUST HAVE A COLLECTIVE VOICE. 

WFAANZ has two functions. 

Firstly, be the voice and representative body to both Government and Government Agencies.  This includes the National Transport Commission and State based ‘Road Authorities’.  A rapidly emerging sector is the Sustainability Authorities and associated sectors were WFAANZ and window film is now well represented.  The environmental benefits of Solar Control Window Film are now being heard in the sector and without WFAANZ being committed to the cause, there would be a very real chance of being overlooked.

The second focus of WFAANZ is support of our installers.  Not only in Marketing the Industry, but also in Education and Training.  Providing Auto tinters state based legislation and handling web based enquiries, albeit mostly the Technical side of VLTs. 

The webpage also supports and lists the members and those who are WERS accredited.  WFAANZ provides technical support to installers and follows up on the many enquiries from the members.  

Favourite pastime outside work: I’m definitely the outdoors kind. A hunter, fisher, gatherer that loves the wild of the Aussie Bush and just about anything that burns fossil fuel. Cars, boats and bikes are my favourites, as such still coming to terms with the EVs revolution.

I’m a member of Fishing, 4x4ing, hunting and football clubs as I believe you need to give a voice to those things that either make you happy or they will ban everything! 

The only thing I love more than adventure is my family, they keep me grounded and focused. 

Company: ACPR

What you love about the industry: That’s a really easy one – the people. My background is in marketing, so across the course of my career I’ve dealt with people from many different sectors. The Aussie and NZ window film industry is packed with the most down to earth, genuine, hard working and pasionate people. There’s a stack of colourful characters out there who keep me on my toes. Figuring out how to best support their business through this industry association is a job I take immense pride in.

Why you joined the committee: I was first hired to handle the PR and marketing for WFAANZ. Throughout the years I have become a constant of the association, fully entrenched in the running of the non-profit organisation, the committee, its members and fostering external relations with other markets and government bodies. I have recently been serving as President, as my unique experience in this industry and impartiality (as I’ve never been hired by a particular brand or company) is in keeping with the association’s independence.

Favourite pastime outside of work: family time with the three kids and hubby (Friday night fire pit/footy/homemade pizza night is a fave in Winter – the beach in Summer), cooking, movies, books, music, dancing and laughing.

Company: Sydney City Solartint

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Company: Premier Tint

What you love about the industry: With a background in Construction it’s exciting to be part of creating beautiful workspaces and helping enhance customers’ home experiences whilst helping to reduce their energy bills, which in turn is great for the environment.

Why you joined the committee: Being new to the industry it was important for me to be a part of a committee that helps drive our industry to be better, enable me to learn from experts within the field and be part of future changes to our industry.

Favourite pastime outside of work: Apart from being a busy mum of 4, I love to climb mountains pre covid, I’m an avid soccer player and love a good night out with good cocktails.

Company: The Tint Shop

What you love about the industry: I only participate in the Architectural market and this offers scope to work with a range of clients and products in a variety of environments. Whilst there is a challenge in every job, this aspect keeps the interest level up and as it is a visual product, you get to see the results. Client feedback always makes my day and makes it worth getting up the next morning. Really, would you do a job for 25 years if you did not still love it?

Why you joined the committee: Joining WFAANZ was a ‘no brainer’ for us. It supports our industry and communicates issues we need to be aware of, providing resources that we can tap into and was especially important in the early days. We find this as a key point of difference when dealing with clients. Joining the Committee was another ‘no brainer’ as it provides a forum to provide input from an Installer’s perspective. You also get to connect with others in the industry that you would not normally, and also to be better informed regarding issues and directions the industry is heading.

Favourite pastime outside of work: My 14 year old son, who I spend way too little time with, and I have also taken up drawing portraits which I find is a great escape.

Company: Avery Dennison

What you like about the window film industry: Ever evolving due to new technology

Why you joined the committee: To obtain further industry knowledge and make a difference if possible.

Favourite pastime outside work: Reading

Company: MEP

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Company: TintFX Group Pty Ltd

What you love about the industry: The results and benefits that window film gives, and the quick transformation window film provides for clients.

Why you joined the committee: To share information and knowledge throughout the industry.

Favourite pastime outside of work: Boating with friends and family.

Company: MEP Films (NZ) Ltd

What you love about the industry:  A/.Providing our customers and ultimately consumers with a quality durable beneficial product. B/. The supportive team of small business owners and real Kiwi battlers that I have as customers.

Why you joined the committee: A mandatory position in my role as MEP Films Representative for New Zealand.

Favourite pastime outside of work: Motorcycling, both classic motorcycle racing (3 x NZ Champion in class), and touring rides around NZ with a group of old former competitors and friends.

Company: MEP

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Company: Tint Daddy’s Gold Coast Australia

What you like about the window film industry: My husband and I started in the industry by buying a window tinting shop in Tulsa Oklahoma over 30 years ago.  We loved the cars, drag racing and the whole scene that comes along with that.  We did not know how to tint, but learned very quickly. Today we share that love for cars with one of our son’s, who is the Manager and one of the tinters at Tint Daddy’s now.

Why you joined the committee: This industry has been so good to me and my family, I want to give back where I can.  I felt that it is important to be a member of WFAANZ so that the  tint shop owner has a bit of a say.   I firmly believe that it is a dying art or craft, if we do not have a say in the industry it will not exist much longer. The industry in AU is such a small community,  I think the common thread that WFAANZ can create will ensure the longevity and change required to see our industry to grow and evolve.

Favourite pastime outside work: We do not get a lot of time outside of work, but when we do we enjoy our family, I have two beautiful dogs and living on the Gold Coast we enjoy boating in the broadwater.