TABMA Australia and Hardware Australia have announced their intention to join forces into a merged entity and create a single Association to represent the timber and hardware industry nationally.

The leadership team, comprising of the two Boards view this as a great opportunity to be ‘stronger together’, especially across national advocacy and policy issues when engaging with important stakeholders.

The two industries have seen a significant evolution, with many businesses switching or expanding their offering from timber to hardware and vice versa; for this reason a new organisation will be a representation of what the industry will be in the future. TABMA Australia and Hardware Australia are coming together to ensure their members are properly supported in this new and more diverse environment.

Hardware Australia chair, Paul Stewart and TABMA chair, Peter Hutchison recently met to discuss the ongoing relationship and the benefits of bringing their members together to create a larger national voice for the industry.

“The independent hardware industry needs a strong voice to compete in today’s market. We have been working closely with TABMA over the past four years and The Board of Hardware Australia feel that we are stronger together,” Paul explains.

A partnership between the two associations would benefit both groups of members with opportunities to expand their networks and create new business opportunities as well as having a truly national presence with a combined 700-plus members from all aspects of the timber, building materials and hardware sectors.

“TABMA Australia has been serving its members for over 80 years by staying relevant and providing members with quality services. The Board of TABMA Australia feel to continue supporting our members, our voice needs to be bigger and broader so that we can be stronger as an industry association,” Peter explains.