Our Heartfelt Condolences

We would like to let everyone know that Greg Pobjoy, one of our dedicated Victorian Committee members, lost his father in a tragic railway crossing accident in Melbourne this week.

We wish to pass on our condolences from the NCSA board and to offer any assistance we can be it now or in the future.


Friends from NCSA

The Importance of Proper Leather Care

The Importance of Proper Leather Care

Contrary to popular belief leather is not self maintaining. Whilst it is low maintenance, it certainly isn’t no maintenance. A simple, regular, maintenance program will help keep your leather looking and feeling like it did when you first bought it.

Without proper cleaning and protection, over time, body oils, sweat and acids that naturally come into contact with your leather will cause cracking, de-lamination and discolouration.  You will see this clearly in areas of high usage such as seat cushions, arm rests etc.

Leather Cleaning

Even the best quality leather is subject to staining and damage, and therefore cleaning is a vital part of leather maintenance. It is essential that you use only special leather cleaners, not general household cleaning products. Most good leather cleaners available to the general public have a neutral pH of around 7. This is a mild cleaner that won’t damage the leather finish. However, as many top coat urethane finishes have a pH of around 9, stronger cleaners are available to professionals for a more thorough clean.

Leather Conditioning

After cleaning, a quality conditioning cream should be applied. The conditioner penetrates into the leather, softening and moisturising the layers to help resist drying and cracking.

Anti-Soiling Systems

In recent years, designers and manufacturers have increasingly selected leathers in light colours such as whites, beiges and lighter earthy tones. These leathers are of high concern to all in the leather industry from manufacturer to the consumer because of the tendency of these leathers to soiling.

Denim transfer, dye transfer (from scatter cushions to tracksuit pants), ink stains, general spillages, dust and dirt are a challenge to keep the leather looking and feeling great for years.

To combat this, “Anti-soiling Systems” have been developed combining a mild cleaner and a protecting layer. After a thorough cleaning to remove all dirt and grease, a Protector such as Stahl’s “Stay Clean” Protector is applied. “Stay Clean” forms an invisible barrier that significantly reduces the tendency for soiling.

ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS CAN BE OBTAINED AT COMPETITIVE PRICES FROM

LEATHER FINISHING PRODUCTS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

PHONE: 1300 554 413

email: sales@leatherfinishingproducts.com.au

Web site: www.leatherfinishingproducts.com.au

·      SABA Conditioning Crème

·      SABA Leather Cleaner (pH 9) – for Professionals

·      “Stay Clean” Leather Cleaner (pH 7.6)

·      “Stay Clean” Protector

·      Note: “Stay Clean” Cleaner (250ml) and Protector 

(250ml) available in a Boxed Kit 

Towards 2024…the new building blocks

The Association's stability and growth has been built on initiatives such as 'Cleanscene', Australia's only Cleaning Trade Exhibition; supported by the NCSA encouraging a higher and more frequent level of interaction between allied Industry Associations; alliances with Industry organisations to facilitate management training; and promoting innovation through its 'Innovative Products' Awards.

Today's challenge is for the various Cleaning Industry Associations to work together to ensure a more sustainable industry that delivers the end product all our customers expect. An attempt to make this happen failed due to lack of commitment by several major Associations. NCSA is calling on those Associations to join together as mates and support each other.

Cleanscene 14 in  September is the ideal time to relaunch the Industry umbrella group, perhaps in another form, under another structure.

"…and the innovations keep coming" states Terry.

"In 2014, and in tribute to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and health of our Industry, I'm proud to announce the NCSA 'Legends of Cleaning' Awards which will call on all the allied Industry Associations to nominate their candidates to be considered as one of the Industry legends.

"Details of the Awards will be published on our new website: www.ncsa.org.au in the next month".

"In the various Associations, we have had Members who have built highly successful businesses which have grown from one man bands to  employing thousands of people; Australian Manufacturers and Service companies who have taken on giant internationals, winning major market share to be leaders in their field; Australian entrepreneurs who have built their business and attracted the attention of giant overseas companies, with open cheque books.

"The Legends of Cleaning honours their achievements of the past...and their potential to inspire the next generation of managers, small business owners and individuals."

Guaranteed success.

Is Terry confident of NCSA's new young guns laying solid foundations for  the future of the Industry?

Appropriately, his reply: "She'll be right ..mate!!!"

40 Years ..and back to the future

In its 40^th Anniversary Year, NCSA has returned to its roots.

Formed in 1974 by only 14 companies, the Association's charter was simple:

'By working together, we can grow the Cleaning Industry and therefore our own businesses'

Although intensely competitive, this spirit of 'working together' ..mateship, has resulted in the Association not only surviving, but prospering over the last four decades.

"Of the 14 foundation companies, 10 are still Members of the Association" says Terry Fraser

"This core group has now grown to over 138 Members across Australia."

CLEANING A TEAM EFFORT

'What can I do for you mate?!" ...an Association perspective.

It’s a uniquely Australian quality…mateship.

You'd do things for your mate, you wouldn't do for your family!

Mates have a lot in common: barracking for the same favourite team; wouldn’t be seen driving anything else but the same make of car; listening to the same music…and probably drinking the same beer!

Mates not only give you the best rates, but are also loyal and ready to help out when times are tough.

'Best rates'. 'Loyalty'. 'Helping out when times are tough'.

In today's increasingly tough economic times, its NCSA's contention that providing as much support as possible for its Members honours the spirit and essence of good, old Australian mateship.

"Over the last 6-8 months, NCSA has been looking very closely at what Members need and want to consolidate and grow their individual businesses.

As an Association, we can only justify our continued existence by becoming increasingly more supportive of our Members…by being better 'mates" states CEO Terry Fraser

"To provide that increased level of support, we have, since late last year, focused on consolidating the Association's finances, building a strong, experienced Executive and putting in place projects and initiatives specifically designed to be of greater benefits to Members.

Now, we're ready to launch those programs and get closer to individual Members, so we are more responsive to their needs.

An Association is, and should be 'its Member's best mate' when it comes to keeping them informed on important Industry matters; providing access to resources which are practical and helpful; encouraging a spirit of unity, not only amongst Members, but within the wider Industry"