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Wow! What a year it has been with many highs and lows and now it is rapidly drawing to a close. 2009 started off scary with the unknown due to the Global Economic Crisis things went quiet and orders slowed but after a few weeks of 4 day weeks and a week off at Easter things turned the corner and things have never been better, we have taken on many new and exciting projects, new staff members and with it all culminating in November when we were awarded Australian Small Business Champions – Manufacturing for 2009. It is a very stimulating time here at King’s Fibreglass and as we now strive forward into 2010 we look ahead to new and exciting developments for the year to come.
We won! – Australian Small Business Champions 2009 - Manufacturing
We did it we won. On Saturday the 14th of November we attended the Awards Gala Night, which was held at The Westin in Sydney. Precedent Production put together a great night with entertainment fine food and wine and best of the all the awards presentation. It was a nail biting experience sitting at the table waiting as they went through the 37 categories but about half way through the night it was our turn – Manufacturing. As they introduced the nominees it was all silent and we all held our breath while they opened the envelope to announce “KING’S FIBREGLASS”, then we let out an almighty cheer. It was so exciting to see Glen up on stage receiving his Gold statuette and finally being recognised after all the years of blood sweat and tears to get King’s Fibreglass to where it is today. It was a very special moment and then after lots of happy snaps we were able to enjoy the rest of the evening and celebrate. It was an experience we will never forget. Overall it turned out to be a fantastic weekend in Sydney and upon arrival back a work on Monday morning Glen was greeted to an astounding applause by all the staff as he walked in with his gold statuette in hand. Now it’s all steam ahead as we work towards maintaining our prestigious title.
Tasty Truck Launch - Thursday 26th November 2009
On Thursday the 26th November, Glen King was kindly invited to attend the official launch of the all-new Tasty Truck. Along with all the staff members all the companies and individuals involved with the development of the new van were in attendance to hear Colin Lear – Owner give a wonderful speech in regards to the development of the new truck and all the hard work and efforts that went in to the project which has come to fruition after some two years research and development. Colin along with his family took us through the journey it takes to make up one of these van from the initial van purchase through to the end result and the transformation is astounding with many companies working in coordination with each other to produce a spectacular looking vehicle. Colin was supported with a visual presentation showing the steps along the way and Colin kind acknowledged each company with gratitude and thanks for making this all possible. Glen was very proud to here Colin’s praises for King’s Fibreglass and all the staff acknowledging our professionalism and high quality of fibreglass manufacturing which makes up a large part of the truck from the internal work to the external roof. Congratulations Colin and Tasty Trucks on a magnificent launch and an even more superb new TASTY TRUCK…
Borland Racing – New Formula Ford for 2010
I recently had an insightful conversation with Paul Zsidy of Borland Racing about one of latest project they have us working on which is their Formula Ford Car for 2010.
The works on the car itself is into full swing as we have been working on the new moulds, as the car will be ready for the start of the new season next year in both the National and State Series.
Paul explained this model is an evolution of the previous and very successful current model Formula Ford. The main focus when developing the new model was increased driver safety and visibility for the driver with also greater head protection. The aerodynamics of the vehicle is also a major focus. After many special tests taken out in wind tunnels in England and then real world tests performed in Australia Borland Racing have come up with a new body shape that provides better airflow to the engine and also to lower the centre of gravity and so reducing the polar moment of the vehicle so the weight of the car at either end is greatly reduced. This will allow for better handling of the vehicle and reduced drag. The car will be safer to handle and will go faster and better in a straight line. It will also produce less draft.
Now in full production 6 new cars are being built for the new season 2010 with some staying here in Australia and some going across to England to race.
You will see Borland Racings new model Formula Ford racing in its debut at The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in March 2010, which is the opening round for the National Season.
Congratulations Borland Racing on the new car and we look forward to seeing it perform on the track next year.
Mobile Coffee Trailer – Now in New Zealand
Our Mobile Coffee Trailer are in the land of the big white cloud.
Altura Coffee based in New Zealand has purchased two of our Mobile Coffee Trailers and will become our agents in New Zealand for this product.
From all respect Chris has had the trailers out and working hard and from all comments they seem to have made a big impact on the streets of New Zealand. Altura Coffee is extremely happy with the finished product they received from us.
We wish them luck and continued success and we hope to continue doing business with them now that the trailers have hit their shores I’m sure the interest in our Mobile Coffee Trailers will escalate with the Kiwi’s.
If you have any queries or would like to see the trailer please contact the office on 03 9729 4945, we would be more then happy to help.
Monthly Milestones
Celebrating birthdays at King's Fibreglass
* 2nd January Bradley Dykes
* 9th January Ross McLeod
* 30th January Troy Simpson
* 15th March Jian Yong Ye (Kim)
* 19th March Andrea Johnson
* 25th March Glen King
* 25th March Michael Deeks
Best Wishes and many happy returns to you all for a great birthday.
Celebrating anniversaries at King’s Fibreglass
* 1st February Rick Ashlin – 3 years
* 18th February Helen Attard – 7 year
Congratulations and best wishes to you all on achieving this milestone. Thank you for the past years and we look forward to many many more years to come.
Welcome to the King’s Fibreglass team…
We would like to welcome on board our newest team members at King’s Fibreglass; firstly we have Steve Debono whom is working in our Chopper Section, along side Joe, Kim and Troy. Secondly we have Zechariah Lefel whom has taken on the building of the Tasty Truck Vans and also other RV parts. And last but not least, Steven Emmett, whom Glen has known for many years but was working for another company well he finally bit the bullet and came on board and has taken on duties in our Trailer Section along Andres and Dean. Welcome to you all and we are very happy to have you all join and be apart of our team.
Sponsorships for 2009
In other news, here’s what’s been happening in the world of the teams and events King’s Fibreglass proudly support.
Borland's Racing Developments
Borland Racing had great success this season with their Formula Fords and also the Fiesta Formula Fords. New driver back to the team is Ashley Walsh whom raced in the last race of the season in Surfers Paradise as a practice run to get back into the Australian Racing scene after being away racing in Europe over the last few years. It was a great debut and he settled straight in as he won the round. Ashley continued on his winning streak while he was in Queensland and he entered his first Triathlon and he finished in 4th place. Well-done Ashley!
Just two weeks after wrapping up the 2009 Super league Formula championship in 10th at Jarama in Spain, John Martin returned home to his roots at the Island Magic meeting at the wheel of his 2005 Spectrum Formula Ford 1600 and his scintillating drive through the field was rewarded with 1st place for the FF1600 and 4th place outright in the Phillip Island Formula Ford Trophy. John kindly thanked Mike Borland and Paul Sid of Borland Racing for providing John with the opportunity to race the spectrum again and experience a fun weekend, which brought back many memories.
Even Paul Zsidy himself got on the track on the same weekend to have a race but unfortunately he didn’t get to complete the race thanks to a large rock flicked up by the car in front of him taking out his radiator. Better luck next time Paul.
In the National Series Scott Pye finished in overall 3rd place. In the Victorian State Series of Formula Ford Fiesta Series Luke Ellery finished in 1st place and in the 1600 class of the series Jesse Fenech also finished in 1st place. So it was a clean sweep for Borland Racing in Victoria. Congratulations to all on a terrific season.
To date the Borland Racing Factory Team for 2010 in the National Series have announced Ashley Walsh whom is the 21year old driver who recently returned from racing in Europe and also Caleb Rayner the young gun from Melbourne as there drivers for the National Series for 2010 season.
At State Level Borland Racing have announced their drivers to be another 16-year-old young gun from Queensland Ben Jurczak racing in his championship debut. Also Nicki Templer, she finished 4th in the Victorian Formula Ford Fiesta 1600 series in 2009 and also Cameron Spence.
Good luck to all the drivers for the new season in 2010.
Rayner Racing
It was a great season for Caleb and he closed the season finishing in 3rd place overall in the Victoria Formula Ford Fiesta State Series. Well-done Caleb on a great year of racing.
Next year Caleb will have the added support of Borland Racing behind him, as they will be transporting his car to all the National Rounds and also sharing data with Caleb. He will be one of the drivers for the Borland Racing Factory Team for 2010.
Good luck Caleb for next season.
Johnson Racing
On the 21st and 22nd of November Damian competed in his last race for the Sports Sedan series at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. In the 50K plate for Sports sedans Damian finished in 7th Place out of a large field of 22 drivers. Well-done Damian.
On the 4th, 5th and 6th December it was off to Winton Motor Raceway for the HQ Holden 4 hour enduro race. Damian teamed up with Graeme Gilliland for this 2-driver enduro race. On the first half of the race, which was on Saturday, Damian finished in 22nd place and on the second half of the race on Sunday Damian completed the race in 15th place. Great result Damian.
Congratulations and well done on another great season of racing and good luck for the new season in 2010.
Five Minutes with… Paul Zsidy
It is time to get to a know a little bit more about our wonderful customer and friend Paul Zsidy from Borland Racing Development…
Nickname…Zidzy
Can’t live without…my wife Jillian and my 1987 Porsche
Greatest fear…Growing old and regretting not trying something
I relax by…Weekends away in the country with my wife and car
If I had one wish…Spectrum winning the Formula Ford Festival held at Brand Hatchet – England.
I would like more…time
Greatest love…Jillian and the people in my life
First road car…1964 Mark I Cortina (which I bought when I was 13)
I would never eat… Yak’s Testicles
Superstitions…None
Dream Car…List is endless but if I had to pick one it would be 1974 Porsche Carrara RS.
Five people I would invite to dinner…Ayrton Senna, Ferry Porsche, Mark Webber, Glen King and Eric Bana.
What makes me smile…Life
Music in my car right now…Everything from classical to heavy metal
Most famous person I’ve met…Glen King, Eric Bana and Mark Webber
Biggest regret…Not starting a motor sport career earlier
Hobbies…Motor sport, fitness and wine
I am proud of…The person I am
I really need to…Relax more
My worst vice is…Motor sport and wine (but not together)
Teenage years were… Hard work
Person I’d most like to meet… Air Vitamin (famous rally car driver from Finland)
Most embarrassing moment…The phone call from Mike Borland asking what happened to the flight I’d booked
My best vice is…stubborn and determined
Dumbest thing I ever did…Booked return flights for the team from Darwin to Melbourne on Sunday 12.30am instead of Monday 12.30am. (Had them coming back before the race)
Personal Hero…Ferry Porsche
First Job…Working on Lucerne Farm in Central Queensland at age of 12
Recent fad I admit to trying…Golf
What motivates me…Success
Best advice ever given…Take big bites and chew like hell
Culinary specialty…Barbeque Steak
Five words that describe me…Determined, out-going, zannie, loyal, regular
MY FAVOURITE THINGS
Movie…The Usual Suspects
Sport…Motor sport
Sunday breakfast…Bacon and eggs
Piece of clothing…Race suit
TV show…Top Gear
Ice cream flavour…Rum and Raisin
Colour…Blue
Music…Chilled
Drink…Bundy or wine
Holiday spot…Mornington Peninsula and the Barossa Valley
Junk food…Pizza
Kitchen appliance…Microwave
THIS OR THAT
Boxers……X………/Briefs……
Tea..……… /Coffee…X…
Blondes………….. /Brunettes…X…
Brains…X… /Beauty…X…
Sand………X………./Snow….…
Right-handed…X…. /Left–handed……
Black…………….. /White…X….
Dogs……… X………/Cats……
Listening …….…/Talking……X…
Morning person…X... /Night owl…
Love……X……..……./Money……
Die poor………X….…/Die young……
Thanks Paul for all your time and honesty.
It is great to learn more about the man behind
Borland Racing Developments.
Christmas Break-Up
For Christmas this year we are having our break up party at the Dorset Garden Hotel on Wednesday the 23rd of December. We will be treated to a beautiful 3 course Christmas lunch and drinks while we celebrate another working year that has come to an end. We will also be waiting with baited breath on which Glen will announce as employee of the year and most improved employee awards.
New King's Honda Civic for Me!
On Thursday the 3rd of December, I was surprised (and shocked) by Glen, whom presented me with my own King’s Fibreglass vehicle. The beautiful Honda Civic 40th Anniversary edition was waiting for me down at our Kalman Drive premise. Andrea, Ross and Glen’s wife Cathy were also there to watch me cry as I saw my children John and Ryan holding my personalised number plates and my husband there to witness the event. It was a very well kept secret by all and an extremely big surprise that I never could have imagined.
Thank you, Glen I don’t know what else I can say for such and generous and beautiful car. I can’t believe all the trouble everyone went to for me and I will drive it with pride amongst the rest of the King’s Fibreglass Fleet. What a great boss!
Thought of the month
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and blessings all through the year…
He that expecteth nothing is never disappointed…
Until the next update, we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year. Keep safe and enjoy the break.
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