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BRIEFS: April 8

It’s all a big mistake

On a recent visit to New Zealand to see a man about a horse (or two), Harvey Norman boss Gerry Harvey said that he hadn’t really intended to get into retailing – he was distracted at the time.

‘I never intended to end up with a furniture and electronics business, I wanted to be a farmer,’ he told a NZ publication.

‘So I went into business to raise enough capital to buy a farm – but then it went so well I thought I should keep going while I could.’

Harvey, 70 last September, has a new goal of becoming the leading breeder of horses in NZ. He was over in NZ to open a new multi-million dollar stud.

In Australia Harvey is the co-owner of leading thoroughbred auction company Magic Millions – and consequently handles more than half of all thoroughbred sales across the Tasman.

‘Personally I own about 1000 horses, 150 are in work with around 50 horse trainers in Melbourne and Sydney, and I have about 500 broodmares and a few stallions,’ he said.

– How many 15 cent prints would that lot cost to keep in oats!?

No Lucky!

Photo paper manufacturer China Lucky suffered the embarrassment of having its booth seized at the PMA show in Anaheim following a successful court claim by US distributor, Royal Marketing.

The items seized will be auctioned off and the proceeds will be applied to the outstanding balance, approximately US$3.2 million.

On March 27, 2009, a jury found China Lucky liable for negligent misrepresentation, breach of warrant and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing arising out of its business dealings with Royal Marketing.

Royal Marketing’s complaints centre on supply of sub-standard paper.

After the trial concluded, Royal’s vice president, Farshid Ourian noted that, ‘When one of our customers was told by a China Lucky technician who had visited his lab, that he was supposed to add ammonia, I thought he was going to call the police to have the guy physically removed.

‘Each of our clients were utterly shocked at what they were being told by the China Lucky representative.’

China Lucky paper was distributed in Australia by BCI International. Importation ceased after BCI lost its major customer, Ted’s Cameras. BCI’s Russell Hester noted that there were also occasional compatibilty
issues with some lab equipment.

Trouble at mill

Thousands of workers from Nikon’s Thailand plant, the camera manufacturers largest facility, took industrial action in late March to protest what they described as exploitation.

Thongchai Sitthidet, chairman of the Nikon labour union, said management suspended nine labour union board members after they encouraged fellow workers to demand better benefits from the company.

About 8000 workers on the production line stopped work until management responded to their demands, which included wage increases of around $2 a shift.

Representatives from the Labour Ministry have offered to mediate between the workers and company management.

The union said if Nikon management did not respond to the workers’ demands or government agencies did not help them, the union would intensify its efforts by joining the Red Shirt rally led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

– from Bangkok Post

Creative Light at L&P

L&P has been appointed the Australian distributor for Creative Light products. Creative Light is an international photographic lighting accessory company based in Sweden created by photographers for photographers.

Creative Light manufactures a full and expanding line of softboxes, reflectors, umbrellas and accessories.

More business secrets revealed at PMA

‘Business educator’ Tony Gattari will share his business secrets for marketing, negotiating and retailing success with delegates at this year’s PMA conference, June 4 – 6 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention and Exhibition centre.

In the 1990s, Gattari was an executive in Harvey Norman’s computer and communications division. Within a few years he was promoted to general manager and increased the division’s turnover dramatically during his tenure.

‘At the height of his success,’ says the PMA press release, ‘Tony left Harvey Norman and began his own venture, Smartbuy, in the field of online retailing.’

In March 2002 Gattari quit retailing and set up Achievers Group ‘a boutique business development company’. His objectives, according to the Achievers Group website, are ‘to have fun, help people, take the mystery out of business and make money.’

PMA says that Gattari is a powerful business speaker who has educated thousands of business owners around the world.

He has contributed to several books focussed on success in business, has ‘starred’ in a number of business training products and has also created and presented a business building program on Pay TV.

Gattari’s appearance has been sponsored by Nikon Australia.

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