Shows
Pryda PodPryda’s 60th birthday - A trip down memory lane with Chris Rogers (Managing Director of Estim8)As we celebrated Pryda’s 60th birthday this year, we’ve enjoyed reflecting on the people and milestones that have shaped the business into what it is today. In the Season 3 finale of the Pryda Pod, we're taking a look back at Pryda’s 60 year journey with Chris Rogers, one of Pryda’s earliest employees. Chris is a living encyclopedia of Pryda so if you’ve ever wondered about the origin of the name Pryda or why we decided to adopt the colour red, we hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Chris began h...
2024-12-1639 minPryda PodRebuilding homes and communities impacted by natural disasters with Wade Gadsby (Chairman of reACT Charitable Trust)In 2023, Vanuatu was hit by two major cyclones causing severe damage to hundreds of people’s homes and livelihoods. Responding to a call for help from New Zealand-based REACT Charitable Trust, Pryda donated a variety of building materials including screws, timber connectors and nailplates, aiming to rebuild 100 homes for families in need, strengthening these simple island-style homes against further cyclone damage. REACT Charitable Trust is an organisation helping communities rebuild after devastating natural disasters, providing essential materials, volunteers and connecting other grassroots organisations to support those in need. In this episode, we are pleas...
2024-11-1226 minPryda PodUnlocking your productivity potential with Peter Robinson (Fabrication Solutions Manager ANZ)In a competitive construction materials market where supply outweighs demand, manufacturers and suppliers are looking for opportunities to reduce costs through productivity and efficiency. How do you measure performance? What are the cost levers outside raw materials? How do you create an environment that engages your people to want to get better? In this episode, host Adam talks to Peter Robinson, Pryda’s Fabrication Solutions Manager for Australia and New Zealand, whose career has spanned many facets of construction and operations. Peter is passionate about productivity, which extends from running his own factory opera...
2024-06-0725 minPryda PodTimber Efficiency Research with Joe Gattas (Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, School of Civil Engineering)In this episode, we're pleased to welcome Joe Gattas, the Associate Professor at the University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering. With expertise in Structural Engineering, Joe also specialises in Computational Building Design, which harnesses digital tools to enhance design and fabrication processes. In a recent research, Joe and his team have found improving timber production efficiencies by just 5% could unlock supply for an extra 8,000 homes to be built in Australia each year. We explore some of the opportunities arising from his research and tools to track the future timber needs of the construction ind...
2024-04-2927 minPryda PodUnderstanding imported timber with Kurt Schrammel (Managing Director of Vida Wood Australia)One of the notable changes in the timber supply market recent years is the increased availability of low-density species imported into Australia. In the first episode of the Season 3 Pryda Pod, we're pleased to have Kurt Schrammel, the Managing Director of Vida Wood Australia to talk about the range of imported timber available in Australia – predominantly European species and Canadian species - and understand how the materials are ranked and perform, to ensure the timber of your choice is compliant and meets the same engineering performance specifications of local timber. With 25 years of expertise in tim...
2024-03-2027 minPryda PodEnd of year refresher with the comedy duo: AKA guest engineers: Jerry Roberts & Martin ChrysalisAs we head into the holiday season, we wanted to make sure our listeners didn’t get rusty and forget the fundamentals of timber frame and truss design. For an end of year special, we handed the Pryda Pod reigns over to the comedy duo: AKA guest engineers: Jerry Roberts & Martin Chrysalis. These guys are masters at breaking down engineering concepts, and they’ve given the truss and frame industry their best shot. Thank you for your support during season 2 of the Pryda Pod. This year we explored a broader range of topics including safety, sustain...
2023-12-1323 minPryda PodResilient Timber Homes Design Competition with Paolo Lavisci (Competition Program Manager)The Resilient Timber Homes Design Competition is run by WoodSolutions, with an aim to attract new home designs across Australia that best showcase the positive aspects of building with timber, in particular the ability to withstand adverse weather events. As the competition has been wrapped up, we are bringing you an exclusive conversation with Paolo Lavisci, the Program Manager of the competition. Paolo shares highlights and the winning designs that stood out in the ability to withstand either riverine floodwaters or the severe tropical cyclones. Show notes and further reading: Resilient Timber...
2023-11-2720 minPryda PodBuilding a safety first culture with Mark Cooper (General Manager of Dahlsens’ Building Centre)At Pryda and ITW Construction Asia Pacific, a safety-first culture is a fundamental part of how we work. Ensuring a safe environment enables us to show up every day at work and play to our full potential. Being safe is not only for our benefit but for our workmates and our loved ones. In this episode, we delve into what safety-first culture really means and how it’s embedded in a company with a strong safety culture. We’re pleased to have the conversation with Mark Cooper, General Manager of Dahlsens’ Building Centre. Since Joining Dahlsen...
2023-11-0328 minPryda PodThe possibility of sustainable home construction with Anton Engelmayer (founder of Calm Living Homes)In this episode, we have an enthralling conversation with Anton Engelmayer, a visionary builder who has a fiery passion for sustainable building. With a carpentry background and over four decades of experience in the industry, Anton has been passionate about renovation and extension to make the most of existing assets. Sustainable building practices have been a driving force throughout his career. He is the founder of Calm Living Homes, with a mission to help homeowners create residence not only beautiful but healthy to live in. For Anton, a well-built green home is not only superior i...
2023-10-0317 minPryda PodCircular Economy with Spencer Morris (Structural Engineer, ITW Reid Construction Systems)Have you ever heard of the circular economy? In this episode, we are diving deep into this fascinating realm of how the circular economy can make a significant impact on the construction industry, and especially how it can be translated into actions within Frame and Truss construction. This episode is hosted by Pryda Marketing and Engineering Manager Adam Dawson, and joining him is Spencer Morris, a Structural Engineer from ITW sister company, Reid Construction Systems. Spencer is a passionate advocate for sustainability both inside and outside work; he is part of the SEAT team, a p...
2023-09-0432 minPryda PodRobots in Building Inspections with Ravi Sanyal (Techmatics Robotics)On this episode we are joined by Ravi Sanyal, CEO and Product Manager at Techmatics Robotics, who is on a mission to save building inspectors and engineers from unsafe work in tight spaces with the help of clever robotic technology designed, developed and built in Christchurch, New Zealand. Techmatics builds high-quality inspection bots with custom software for video transfer and capture. The robot has been built as a multi-use platform and can be customised with a robotic arm or other sensors for confined space inspections such as, underside of the car and sub floor of the house. T...
2023-07-1320 minPryda PodThe end of 90mm framing with Kim Aitken (Truss House)In this episode we’re pleased to welcome back Kim Aitken, the founder and co-director of Truss House. This time we’re tapping into Kim’s knowledge of building science, design and regulation, and her experience in the Canadian and New Zealand markets to help us explore the question “is this the end of 90mm framing?” Kim believes that the global network of Frame and Truss designers, fabricators and merchants hold the key to ending an era of code minimum homes. Her journey brought Kim from her home country of Ireland to Scotland to study engineering and onto Canada...
2023-06-2329 minPryda PodThe future of timber framing - with Dr Kazem Ghabraie and Dr Mahbube Subhani (Deakin University)In our first episode of the Pryda Pod, Software Product Owner Nicky Woodward took us behind the scenes of Pryda’s development roadmap. Today we’re zooming out and looking at the long-term outlook of timber framing. Hosted by Pryda Software Delivery Manager Mina Kardani, in this episode we have the privilege to welcome guests Dr Kazem Ghabraie and Dr Mahbube Subhani from Deakin University. Dr Kazem Ghabraie specialises in topology and structural optimisation, while Dr Mahbube Subhani's research focuses on timber engineering and its structural applications. Listen as these two experts share their insights on inn...
2023-06-0233 minPryda PodReinventing Nailing – with Peter Johnston (Innovation and Product Manager, Paslode)How do you reinvent something as simple and common as nailing? In this episode, we’re exploring the process of innovation in construction and a new method of installation for the most common timber connectors and structural components.Joined by ITW Paslode’s Innovation and Product Manager Peter Johnston, Peter will share with us the development process for Paslode’s new PPN-Master™ (Positive Placement Nailer) tool. PPN is a powerful and reliable cordless tool that has been developed in Australia to help tradespeople quickly and efficiently install metal connectors and comply with industry standards. Further reading a...
2023-05-1125 minPryda PodImproving construction planning and operations with advanced weather modelling – with Wade Lamberth (Chief Executive Officer, WeatherEye)Wherever you live, chances are you’ve had your best laid plans ruined by inclement weather recently. Adverse weather conditions are causing major disruptions in the construction industry, adding delays, costs and complexity. In this episode, we are joined by Wade Lamberth, CEO at WeatherEye, a weather risk consultancy founded by former Royal Australia Navy meteorologists. With his experience in the Navy as a maritime warfare officer, Wade is bringing his military planning expertise to help the construction industry to utilise better decision making and manage operational risk more efficiently. Using climatology data from...
2023-04-1832 minPryda PodRecycling - good for the planet and the bottom line - with John Recourt (MB PreFab Big River Group) and Russell Norton (The Mulch Centre)Today's episode is one of the first steps we're taking in our Pryda for the Planet campaign. We want to celebrate and promote businesses going above and beyond in the pursuit of more sustainable practices. This is a two part episode. First we'll be joined by John Recourt (HR & WHSE Site Manager) from MB PreFab Big River Group. John is on a mission to eliminate waste from the fabrication process and find sustainable alternatives to disposing of timber off cuts, plastics, metals, cardboard, paper, printer cartridges and more. MB PreFab is achieving some fantastic results and they're on...
2023-03-2429 minPryda PodMental health & wellbeing in construction with Fleur Heazlewood (Managing Director, The Blueberry Institute)This week on the Pryda Pod, we're having an important conversation about mental health and wellbeing. The past few years have presented many challenges for people working in the construction industry - cost increases, labour shortages, weather delays, supply chain uncertainty - which are further compounding the challenges of a large backlog of work. This week we're joined by Fleur Heazlewood, Managing Director for The Blueberry Institute and award-winning author. With over 20 years' corporate experience and as a past CEO, Fleur is an expert in creating sustainable healthy high performance for leaders and their teams. In this e...
2023-03-0829 minPryda PodHigh performance truss housing with Kim Aitken (Truss House)In Episode 2 of the Pryda Pod, we’re exploring the next evolution of frame and truss design and construction. What if you could combine all the elements of the roof, floor and walls into a single truss to build higher performing, more climate resilient and widely accessible housing? Kim Aitken (Founder and Co-Director of Truss House) and her team in New Zealand are on a mission to simplify high performance housing for everyone using conventional nailplated trusses to achieve truly impressive results at a fraction of the cost of competing systems. Show notes and fu...
2023-02-2231 minPryda PodEverything you need to know about the NCC with Peter Zagorski (HIA Technical Services Director Vic & Tas)Welcome back to season 2 of the Pryda Pod. To kick off the new season, we're discussing the National Construction Code (NCC), a topic requested by many of our listeners. The release of the latest NCC will bring about the most significant changes to hit our industry in 25 years. Here to take us through what to expect and how builders and designers can prepare for these changes, is Peter Zagorski, HIA's Director of Building Services for Victoria and Tasmania. Peter has over 40 years' experience in the building and construction industry including roles as a municipal building surveyor, building in...
2023-02-0829 minPryda PodHome truths and timber's exciting future with Pryda's wise wizards of timberIt's our last podcast of the year and Pryda's wise wizards of timber are here to share their words of wisdom (try saying that fast!). Adam is joined by Greg Hay (Software Product Owner), Ian Currie (Business Development Manager), Bernard Kennelly (Marketing Development Engineer) and Ian Hayward (Engineering Manager). Between them, they have more than 100 years of experience in the timber industry in a range of roles across Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Design and Product Development. The team share their reflections on what's changed in the industry over their careers, the fundamentals that never seem to change and p...
2022-12-0832 minPryda PodThe global timber supply chain with Hayden Slatter (National Product Manager for EWP at ITI)This week we explore the global timber supply chain with Hayden Slatter (National Product Manager for Engineered Wood Products) at ITI Australia. Hayden has more than 20 years' experience in the Australian timber industry spanning fabrication, retail, sawmilling and wholesale importing. The episode begins unexpectedly with Hayden sharing the surreal experience of being in Wuhan, China in late 2019 for supplier meetings and foreshadowing what was to come. Throughout the episode, Hayden shares some excellent advice about checking timber quality, building synergies with your suppliers, and of course, making sure that we're prepared in the event of potential f...
2022-11-3028 minPryda PodHidden Dangers of Construction Part 2 with Dr Tim Law (Architectural Scientist)Our first episode with Dr Tim Law (Architectural Scientist and Building Surveying Lecturer at Victoria University) was so popular, we had to invite him back!In the first episode, Tim opened our eyes to the negative impacts of mould - the hidden dangers lurking behind your plasterboard, beneath your floors and above your ceilings. In this episode, Tim shares ideas about how to combat these issues and build healthier homes. Show notes and further readingTim's first episode on the Pryda PodMould sensitivitiesMyths and half-truths around Condensation and Mould Just How Serious i...
2022-11-2429 minPryda PodAchieving certainty in your building program with Matthew LennoxFounder and Managing Director of Stormseal, Matthew Lennox has over 30 years of experience in building and project management. We're diving into Matthew's experience in protecting homes from further damage after storms and other disasters, and exploring what benefits could be brought to the home building process if frames were protected and enclosed almost as soon as they went up. Show notes and further resourcesStormsealHow to follow us: www.pryda.com.au / www.pryda.co.nz LinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeFollow h...
2022-11-1626 minPryda PodShaping the future of frame and truss with Kersten Gentle (CEO FTMA Australia)Our guest this week will be familiar to many of you: Kersten Gentle, CEO of FTMA Australia. Kersten details FTMA Australia's journey from humble beginnings to now representing over 53% of Fabricators nationally. Kersten also shares key focus areas for growing the industry - from attracting new talent, training opportunities, providing more HR & admin support for Fabricators and how we can all be advocates for the timber industry. Show notes and further readingFTMA AustraliaTimber Framing - The Ultimate Renewable resourcesCarbon Warrior How to follow us:
2022-11-0228 minPryda PodResilient Timber Homes Program with Paolo LavisciAdam is joined by Paolo Lavisci, Program Manager for the Resilient Timber Homes Program, Forest & Wood Products Association. Paolo has been a key contributor to the growth of timber use in taller and more complex structures, changing the mindsets of many market participants and helping developers, builders and consultants to take advantage of the benefits of wood-based structural systems by managing their risks and optimising their results. Show notes and further reading: Forest and Wood Products AustraliaFollow us: www.pryda.com.au / www.pryda.co.nz LinkedInI...
2022-10-2626 minPryda PodLightweight Framing in Commercial and Mid-rise with Nick Hewson (VIRIDI Group)This week the focus is on lightweight and mass timber framing, and the opportunities for Fabricators if they develop the right relationships and understanding. Adam is joined by Nick Hewson (Chief Design Officer and Head of Product Development at Viridi Group). Nick is a timber structure evangelist and a chartered structural engineer with 17 years’ experience in the construction industry. He’s worked on every size of project from tiny domestic renovations to huge multi-billion-dollar contracts, and this diversity is one of this great strengths, giving him a vast library of experience to call on and develop the most...
2022-10-1927 minPryda PodHidden Dangers of Construction with Dr Tim Law (Architectural Scientist)In this week's episode, Adam is joined by Dr Tim Law, Architectural Scientist and Building Surveying Lecturer at Victoria University. Tim spends most of his time thinking about a parallel universe that many of us don’t stop to consider – the world behind your plasterboard, beneath your floors, and above your ceilings. As we learn more about the negative impacts of mould on human health, keeping these parts of a home dry and healthy is only becoming more important. Thankfully we have highly qualified and passionate advocates like Tim to teach us what everyone involved in wall framin...
2022-10-1227 minPryda PodThe Future of Hardwood with Julia Hall (CEO McCormacks Australia)In Episode 2 of the Pryda Pod, Adam chats with Julia Hall from CEO McCormacks Australia, the major supplier of F17 hardwood in Victoria. Julia is an expert in the supply and use of timber from the forest all the way to the frame, having previously worked for Timberlink and Pryda. Julia is a passionate advocate for the sustainable use of timber in construction and it’s a passion she shares with her local community in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges as the founder and President of Rescue Logs, a charitable organization set up to support community recov...
2022-10-0527 minPryda PodUnder the Software Hood with Nicky Woodward (Pryda Build Design Product Owner)Welcome to the Pryda Pod - the podcast supporting construction industry productivity, profitability, and best practice, with a focus on timber framing. In our first episode, Adam Dawson is joined by Software Product Owner, Nicky Woodward. Nicky pulls back the curtain on Pryda’s software development processes and takes us through the inner workings of how great ideas become great features, as well as how we iron out any bugs. Join us next week, where Adam will be joined by CEO of McCormacks Australia, Julia Hall for a focus on all things hardwood and its imp...
2022-09-2125 min