Gemcell Australia

When an electrical supplier offers its customers over 8,500 products, some might say it has earned the right to call itself a serious player. Now, with its 25th anniversary behind it, CABAC deserves a few moments out to take a breath, but not a moment will be spent resting on its 350 page catalogue. Not when there are new products to add.

How does a company not only survive, but thrive for over 25 years in an ultra-competitive business environment, and then look forward with confidence to another 25 years of growth? In the case of CABAC, doing some things differently has reaped rich rewards not only for the company, but for its clients and in turn, for their customers as well. And developing products that are innovative, inventive and that save time and money for their users is largely the key.

The company's name is an amalgamation of the words "cable accessories", and the name certainly conjures up images of a fair representation of the products developed and distributed by CABAC. Among them are the versatile CABTRAY Cable Management System, CABAC's Underground Residential Distribution (URD) and their Next Generation House Service Connector, all designed, engineered and manufactured by CABAC. But more about CABAC's product development later.

One of the most extensive product ranges available in Australia

The extent of CABAC's product range is truly amazing and reflects the company's commitment to provide for its customers a product array so comprehensive that most products required can be obtained without the need to look elsewhere. CABAC's claim that it is Australia's largest one stop shop for electrical, data, cable management and test and measurement solutions is one that CABAC can back up with considerable confidence.

A professional team driven by your requirements

CABAC's customer support extends well beyond its exhaustive range. CABAC's team is continually striving to provide their customers with unrivalled service, from the sales team which is dedicated to providing quality products at competitive prices that meet specific business requirements, to the engineering and development teams renowned for their high levels of innovation, creativity and access to resources.

A service culture based on operational excellence

And if that leaves you a little breathless, consider that in addition to CABAC's range and customer support, the company nurtures a culture of operational excellence by implementing processes and practices that promote and ensure integrity, compliance and accountability in every professional avenue.

To ensure efficient distribution of its products out onto the wholsalers' shelves, CABAC has invested in sophisticated communication, stock and dispatch facilities incorporating computerised stock planning systems in conjunction with automated tracking services that ensure fast, accurate, reliable delivery.

One Call... One Day... One Delivery...

CABAC has articulated these codes of practice in their service guarantee: One Call... One Day... One Delivery... a bold call, but the company confidently claims that CABAC can consult, design and manufacture the right product - in most cases, by the next day.

A proven commitment to quality standards

Many companies claim commitment to quality control programs, but only the best are able to satisfy the requirements of Standards Australia Limited. In line with its commitment to quality, CABAC is accredited to AS/NZS9002, which is identical to International Standard ISO9002.

Manufacturing resources...service & technical support

CABAC's manufacturing facility is one of the most advanced in the world. Advanced engineering skills are utilised to design and manufacture products via a fully automated facility which combines advanced CAD/CAM design and CNC machining for quick and precise manufacture of both standard items and special orders to customer specifications. CABAC offers a free design service and also helps customers overcome problems in identifying or connecting non-compatible cables (Metric/Imperial/AWG).

Additional manufacturing resources include support from CABAC's parent company - LEGEND Corporation - specialising in electronics engineering and electronics manufacturing with facilities based in Adelaide and Singapore, plus CABAC's sister company - Integrated Electronic Solutions (IES) — a "fab-less" Semiconductor Company which designs and manufactures unique integrated circuits (IC), thick film hybrids and printed circuit board modules. The (PCB assembly) production is based at the Adelaide facility. Currently, CABAC's Asian-based partners are also used for silicone wafer fabrication, wire bonding and encapsulation.

Research and Development

CABAC provides an extensive range of testing, assessment, research and consulting services to support the development of better building products. By utilising state-of-the-art equipment to ensure integrity and performance of every product it markets, CABAC has established a first class reputation as a leading expert in design, testing and manufacture. A key competitive advantage is the group's engineering, research and development capability to support customers' applications.

In-house engineering facilities include a NATA certified laboratory to ensure that CABAC products adhere to national and international standards. CABAC is accredited to the AS/ISO 9001 Quality System. Testing conducted includes Electrical Testing, Heat Cycle Testing, High Voltage Testing, IP Ratings and Material Evaluation.

Efficient distribution and logistics

CABAC's primary warehouse and distribution centre is currently in Sydney, however to manage the rapid growth and extension of services it will be relocating to new larger premises in Sydney's west in June 2008.

The new facility will host central distribution, electrical engineering, research and development and state of the art highly automated production facilities for the manufacturing of specialised electrical products. Below is a brief synopsis of CABAC's latest product developments.

CABTRAY: Cable Management System

CABTRAY is an Australian wire mesh cable tray system designed, engineered and manufactured by CABAC. Fully tested to AS3013 Fire Test Standard, CABTRAY takes the European wire mesh concept to a new level of performance, with enhanced load carrying capacity to improve and simplify connection methods, mid-span jointing capabilities and superior labour saving economies.

Underground Residential Distribution (URD)

After three years of extensive in-house design and a rigorous testing process, CABAC has successfully developed the next generation of URD connection systems, which are responsible for the distribution of electrical energy to household residences and consumers via interconnection of the 240 volt underground electrical system installed by Electrical Distribution Authorities in various states and locations in Australia.

Key to the product's success was CABAC's focus on the termination point, resulting in a method that utilises mechanical (shear bolts) rather than compression connection systems.

Part of the innovative design is CABAC's patented multiple concept, where a number of significant features are incorporated into one component. This means that the lug itself becomes the termination and terminal block.

Three Australian power authorities and Fiji power authorities have already approved the system for use in their system and further approvals for network adoption by additional power authorities are in progress. In addition, Cabac has already begun planning further extensions to its URD connection system.

New Link Disconnect System

Following the success of CABAC's service distribution system, the company is also launching a new variation of the system, which will incorporate link disconnects. Designed in consultation with a number of power authorities, it includes noticeable improvements in its ease of use and longevity. The switch is now subject to a provisional patent and is due for release in late November.

The House Service Connector — Next Generation

This fundamental connection has been a major focus within CABAC's research and development program and this new release is a result of a comprehensive consultative process in partnership with key power authorities. CABAC has incorporated a number of new features and improvements which were highlighted as requirements throughout this process, including a patented "frangible node" method of connection, multiple entry point seals where two separate and definable points of contact are made, and visible window points. The connectors have been fully tested and meet all requirements of the Australian Standard AS4325 and the 6Kv underwater test.

CABAC Training Programme

Part of CABAC's commitment to serving the needs of its customers is to provide ongoing product and application training. The CABAC Training Programme is recognised and has been endorsed by Major Power Authorities and major electrical companies throughout Australia. The programme incorporates training in correct application practices as well as general knowledge on CABAC products.

A qualified CABAC instructor presents the training programme utilising CD-ROM and practical demonstrations of correct practices. A Certificate of Proficiency is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the programme.

Cabac 25th Anniversary Catalogue

To mark its 25th year of operation, CABAC has launched the new CABAC 25th Anniversary Edition Catalogue, which features over 350 pages of products and technical specifications to ensure customers are kept informed on new product developments.

The catalogue has a user-friendly indexing format that makes it easy to find the right product to suit your needs.

The CABAC family...acquired by a legend

In May 2006, CABAC was acquired by LEGEND Corporation (ASX: LGD), a listed Australian digital technology company that makes and sells memory and memory based consumer electronics products to customers across the globe.

LEGEND has manufacturing facilities in Adelaide and Singapore and sales offices in all capitals of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.

Although CABAC continues to trade as a separate company, this partnership has offered a number of benefits and opportunities to the company, which CABAC continues to pass on to customers.

CABAC has reinforced its research and development of products with the assistance of LEGEND, and has been able to utilise the skills of LEGEND to bolster and expand the data and computer peripherals market that CABAC has been expanding into in the past few years.

LEGEND's sales, distribution and export footprint has also greatly strengthened CABAC's market opportunities. This will serve as a platform for major expansion of CABAC's products and markets, including expanding our international presence.

CABAC products. Easy to buy — even easier to use

You can get more information about CABAC products at your Gemcell electrical wholesalers. Many of the CABAC products described above, and a wide range of CABAC products most used by electrical tradesmen are readily available at Gemcell. CABAC products not held in stock can be ordered at your Gemcell trade counter and most orders will be delivered the next day. That's why CABAC says: One Call... One Day... One Delivery... just ask Gemcell.