The delivery service that we provide for our clients is one of our key drivers and something that we are always looking to improve. Recently we have invested in state-of-the-art GPS fleet management technology to improve our casket and coffin delivery services.
Our delivery vehicles have been fitted with specialised GPS systems – similar to those used in passenger cars – which sends data about our vehicles in real-time back to our analysis software. The data we receive includes the vehicle’s location, the vehicle’s driver, what speed the vehicle is travelling, the estimated arrival time at the next location and a range of other useful information. The data is collated by our software and gives us detailed reports which can be highly beneficial for our dispatch team and our clients.
The main benefits for us are in efficiencies in route planning and fuel savings, as well as being able to know the location of our delivery vehicles at all times. Plus, we can ensure that our drivers stay within safe driving times to assist with fatigue management.
The great benefit of our fleet management system for our clients is that we can login to our system on any desktop computer or smartphone and give a real-time location of our clients’ delivery vehicle and an accurate time of delivery. We can also send the driver updated messages about any changes to their delivery schedule for the day.
Total scam losses in Australia exceeded $229 million in 2015
105,200 scam complaints made to ACCC in 2015
15 per cent increase in complaints from previous year
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s report Targeting Scams, reveals that $85 million was reported as lost to the ACCC’s Scamwatch program last year, with 105,200 scam complaints being made. In 2014 the ACCC received 91,600 scam complaints, with around $82 million being reported as lost.
“This Fraud Week, the ACCC is urging the community to ‘wise up to scams’ following a $3 million increase in scam losses reported to the ACCC and a 15 per cent increase in complaints. In particular, we are encouraging older Australians to wise up and watch out for scams that target them so they don’t have their hard earned savings stolen,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard.
For the first time, the ACCC has also studied statistics from other authorities that receive scam reports to get a clearer picture of the significance of the losses caused by scam action in Australia. After removing those scams reported to the ACCC, reports to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) revealed losses of over $127 million in 2015 from 25,600 complaints.
Various scam disruption programs also detect Australians sending funds to high risk jurisdictions and a combined estimate of losses to this unreported scam activity is $17.1 million.
“If you add Scamwatch and ACORN data with losses detected through scam disruption work, total scam losses exceeded $229 million last year. We know that in reality the actual total is higher still as many people never report that they’ve been scammed,” Ms Rickard said.
“The ACCC’s report reveals that investment scams and dating and romance scams resulted in the largest financial losses. There are many other scams which affect older members of the community but these two scams account for half of the money reported lost by over 55’s in 2015.”
In 2015, Scamwatch reports for fraudulent investment schemes across all age groups doubled to over $24 million, with 1,262 complaints. If you add in the investment scams reported to ACORN the total amount reported comes to over $41 million. Of those reported to Scamwatch, almost $6.3 million was lost to victims over 55, with 213 complaints from this age group.
These scams pose a significant risk for Australians looking for investment opportunities, especially those looking to grow their retirement funds.
“Investment scams come in many guises including business ventures, superannuation schemes, managed funds and the sale or purchase of shares or property. Scammers dress up ‘opportunities’ with professional looking brochures and websites to mask their fraudulent operations and trick unsuspecting Australians. Before parting with your money, do your own research on the investment company and check they have a Australian Financial Services Licence on ASIC’s MoneySmart website. Don’t let anyone pressure you into making decisions about your money or investments,” Ms Rickard said.
Scamwatch is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. For more information about scams or to report a scam visit their website www.scamwatch.gov.au.
We are delighted to announce to the funeral professionals of Western Australia that we have opened in the state. The new venture was announced by CEO, Rohan Kerr, at the NFDA conference in Perth this week.
Our new warehouse in Wangara will be stocking a selected range of Ashton designed caskets and coffins, our Batesville Casket Company caskets from the US, our patented Expression Coffins, and our latest contemporary Return to Sender range of coffins from New Zealand.
Our Western Australian operation will be run by our new Business Development Manager Andrew Hunt. Andrew has been in the funeral industry for almost a decade, as a supplier to the industry, and is familiar with many of the state’s funeral businesses and knows the WA market well. Andrew will be scheduling meetings with funeral homes over the coming weeks to outline our commitment to the state and to demonstrate our extensive product and service offerings.
For enquiries about supply of caskets and coffins, please contact Andrew Hunt on 0477 766 050 or email andrew@ashtonmanufacturing.com.au.
Andrew Hunt, Ashton’s Business Development Manager (WA)
We took our superhero Expression Coffins to the 2016 Sydney Supanova pop culture expo and asked some of the attendees to tell us what they thought of our Expression Coffins.
66% of survey respondents are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, up from 55% in 2014, and 50% in 2013
Sales of consumer goods from brands with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability have grown more than 4% globally, while those without grew less than 1%.
Millennials are the most willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings—almost three-out-of-four respondents (73%), up from approximately half in 2014.
Commitment to the environment has the power to sway product purchase for 45% of consumers surveyed
Committing to sustainability might just pay off for consumer brands, according to the latest Nielsen Global Corporate Sustainability Report. In the past year alone, sales of consumer goods from brands with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability have grown more than 4% globally, while those without grew less than 1%.
“Sustainability is a worldwide concern that continues to gain momentum—especially in countries where growing populations are putting additional stress on the environment,” says Grace Farraj, senior vice president, Public Development & Sustainability, Nielsen.
Brand trust
Topping the list of sustainability factors that influence purchasing for nearly two-of-three (62%) consumers globally: brand trust.
“This indicates an opportunity for consumer-goods’ brands that have already built a high level of trust with consumers to evaluate where best to introduce sustainable products into the market to drive growth,” says Carol Gstalder, senior vice president, Reputation & Public Relations Solutions, Nielsen. “On the flip side, large global consumer-goods’ brands that ignore sustainability increase reputational and business risk. This may give competitors of all sizes, the opportunity to build trust with the predominantly young, socially- conscious consumer looking for products that align with their values.”
Willingness to pay a premium
Sixty-six percent of global respondents say they are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, up from 55% in 2014 (and 50% in 2013). And it’s no longer just wealthy suburbanites in major markets willing to open their wallets for sustainable offerings. Consumers across regions, income levels, and categories are willing to pay more, if doing so ensures they remain loyal to their values. Sustainability sentiment is particularly consistent across income levels. Those earning $20,000 or less are actually 5% more willing than those with incomes greater than $50,000 to pay more for products and services that come from companies who are committed to positive social and environmental impact (68% vs. 63%).
“Consumer brands that haven’t embraced sustainability are at risk on many fronts,” says Gstalder. “Social responsibility is a critical part of proactive reputation management. And companies with strong reputations outperform others when it comes to attracting top talent, investors, community partners, and importantly, consumers.”
Age matters
Despite the fact that Millennials are coming of age in one of the most difficult economic climates in the past 100 years, they continue to be most willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings—almost three-out-of-four respondents (73%) in the latest findings, up from approximately half in 2014. The rise in the percentage of respondents under 20, also known as Generation Z, who are willing to pay more was equally strong—from 55% of total respondents in 2014 to 72% in 2015.
“Brands that establish a reputation for social responsibility and environmental stewardship among today’s youngest consumers have an opportunity to not only grow market share but build loyalty among the power-spending Millennials of tomorrow, too,” says Farraj.
The environment
When it comes to sales intent, commitment to the environment has the power to sway product purchase for 45% of consumers surveyed. Commitment to either social value or the consumer’s community are also important (each influencing 43% and 41% of respondents, respectively). Retail data backs up the importance of these influencers. In 2014, 65% of total sales of consumer goods measured globally were generated by brands whose marketing conveyed commitment to social and/or environmental value.
“The hierarchy among drivers of consumer loyalty and brand performance is changing,” says Farraj. “Commitment to social and environmental responsibility is surpassing some of the more traditional influences for many consumers. Consumer-goods’ brands that fail to take this into account will likely fall behind.”
TV ads
TV ads highlighting a company’s commitment to positive social and/or environmental impact are influential in the path to purchase for 34% of global respondents. Brands that actively reinforce societal commitment must amplify and socialize their message using multiple sources and distribution channels.
Says Gstalder: “While marketing good deeds is encouraged and expected by consumers, authenticity and credibility are essential. Using multiple communication methods is important to demonstrate good deeds, such as third-party validation (news coverage), annual reports, affiliation with a respected non-profit or civic organization, employee volunteerism, advertising, or reporting actual work in the community on a web site. A balanced approach is key for brand communicators, with the emphasis on demonstrating good deeds versus self-serving promotion.”
About the global survey
The Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability was conducted between Feb. 23-March 13, 2015, and polled more than 30,000 consumers in 60 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.
Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries that cover more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.
For the last 6 years Ashton Manufacturing has sponsored an entry in the Anglican Church Grammar School’s annual billy cart grand prix.
The boys did a great job this year coming second in their heat, as you will see in the video.
The special paint job was completed by our team. Our polishers used orange metallic automotive paint which was overlayed with a skull design, which was a special request from the boys.
As of the 31st March 2025, Ashton's Head Office QLD will be changing office hours to the following: Monday - Thursday 8am - 4:30pm, Friday - 8am - 2:30pm
![Online scams costing Australians millions [infographic]](https://ashtonmanufacturing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Couple-scam-Media-article-image-1080x675.jpg)
