B.A.T. Trim's Managing Director, Gerhard Flechsig has a background in engineering and tool making.
Following his arrival in Australia in 1971 he became involved in the tiling industry as a contractor. His practical experience in this area made him aware of a need for a range of metal trims to finish and protect exposed tile edges in both commercial and domestic situations. Following a fact-finding trip to Germany in 1985, B.A.T. Trims was formed to fulfil that need.

The Company's original premises comprised of 2,200 square feet of office and warehouse space, with a total of 3 staff who virtually worked their 'fingers to the bone' processing and packing orders. At first Gerhard conducted business solely in Victoria; export achievements were at that stage merely a 'hope for the future'. The entire product range consisted of six sections of trim. The thought of visiting, let alone exhibiting at major international trade shows, was the last thing on Gerhard's mind.

"Where we led, it didn't take long for others to follow; I quickly became aware of the need to produce a range of products and accessories that developed in harness with the expansion of the industry. Tiling tools were a natural addition to our product range. At first however, we had to be cautious. We had to time our moves and our product development carefully."

PLANNED EXPANSION REAPS REWARDS

The contrast between the B.A.T. Trims of 1985 and the company of today could not be more radical. B.A.T. Trims now has premises in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Germany which total 26,000 square feet.

An experienced team, which includes Gerhard's wife Monica, daughter Simone and son Michael, as part of a total workforce of 17 which services not only the whole of Australia, but also a growing market for BAT. Trims' products overseas.

Nowadays the total product range encompasses over 470 sections of trim in an amazing variety of sizes and colours. The company offers a complete range of tools including the renowned Rubi tile cutters and saws, plus bathroom accessories, sealants, and hand tools, right down to spacer pegs.

Not content with developing an outstanding product range, B.A.T. Trims have become the exclusive agents of the Glasstyle range of unique glass mosaics, decorative insets and trim and border tiles in South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. This is a natural progression; benefiting the company's retail clients who now have another incentive to deal with BAT. Trims.

AWARDS ON MERIT

The launch of B.A.T. Trims' products overseas, via B.A.T. Trims South East Asia and B.A.T. Europa, has coincided with a general recognition of the company's achievements, which has resulted in the winning of several important Export Achievement Awards and the Best New Product Award at the inaugural Tilex Exhibition, held at Darling Harbour in 1995. The winning product was BAT. Trims' Mortarloc expansion joint system, which has since been specified for a number of prestigious projects at home and abroad. Indeed the company has recently shipped materials to the U.S.A.

Not content with the acceptance his products have gained in a wide variety of markets, Gerhard and his staff are working on the production of a number of new ideas; particularly in the area of movement joint technology. This is in accordance with Gerhard's original philosophy.

B.A.T. Trims continues to exhibit a desire to develop and market successfully, a range of 'in-house' products, supported by a "diverse mix of tiles, tools and machinery" which has been deliberately chosen or designed for the tile industry of the 90's and beyond.

THE FUTURE

Gerhard is in favour of a "steady as she goes" approach but realises that he has to be open to the advantages of new technologies.

"We want to stay at the forefront. Our presence on the Internet as part of InfoTile is significant. It's important for a company which wants and needs to develop export markets, to make information about activities and product available to as many potential customers as possible. Sure the Internet is in its infancy in some regards and I don't profess to be a computer whizkid, far from it, but any medium that permits architects, designers, builders, tilers, whoever, to download information to their printer has to be considered. We've spent thousands of dollars producing product catalogues which can quickly go out of date. InfoTile allows us to amend, copy, replace graphics, almost at will. That sort of flexibility is vital."

At the end of the day it's BAT. Trims outstanding record as developers of new product that matters most. Items like BAT. Cove Trim which provides a radius between wall and floor tiles, thereby eliminating the risk of bacterial growth and the collection of dirt, is just one of a whole range of products which have won wide acclaim not only from retailers of tile, but also local Australian Councils and Health Authorities.

"This is our prime challenge," said Gerhard "to develop products that are functional and meet the specific requirements of the tile industry, which is not only driven by fashion but more importantly, in my opinion, the application of high technology to everyday problems and situations. That is a role we are ready to fill, not only in terms of product development, but in consultation with architects, designers, main contractors and tilers."