In search of a change of pace, German-born brothers John and Erich F Hofmann arrived in Fremantle in 1959 with no presumption that they would go on to establish a world renowned manufacturing company. Hofmann Engineering's humble beginnings sprouted in the family's Dianella backyard in 1969, and over the ensuing decades, the company - now run by its second and third generations - has become one of Western Australia's largest family-run businesses. While the mining boom has produced a lot of manufacturing business for the company throughout WA, the industry as a whole ...

When most people think of sandalwood, the first thought that pops into mind is the fragrance: that sweet, woody aroma that strikes a beautiful balance with its earthy base and floral notes, bringing a sense of calm to the user. Of course, TFS Corporation knows that the significance of sandalwood goes much deeper than that. As the world's largest supplier of Indian sandalwood, Perth-based TFS grows approximately 5,000 hectares of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) in the northwestern Kimberley region. While a portion of the valuable hardwood produced by TFS's plantations ...

In a Sydney garage back in 1990, two entrepreneurs named Mark Bonello and Terry Kinsella founded a book selling business, known as Lifetime Distributors "The Book People" (Lifetime). What started as a small operation aimed at equipping office tearooms with reading material and gift ideas nearly 22 years ago has grown into the largest - and only franchised - display marketing business in the world. "I never started the company with the goal of getting rich. My goal was doing something I believed in and making a company that will last," says Bonello. In ...

Athletes from around the world will soon be heading to Spain for the 34th edition of the Zurich Barcelona Marathon.   Taking place on Sunday March 25th this year, the event has been held in the Catalan capital since the mid-1970s and now attracts more than 15,000 participants.   The marathon course begins and ends at the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, the tree-lined street that links the Placa d'Espanya with the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.   Runners will pass many of Barcelona's famous landmarks as they complete the circular 42 km route, including the ...

MaerzMusik, Berlin's annual festival of contemporary classical music, is known for celebrating innovative and experimental artists.   This year's event is due to run in the German capital from Saturday March 17th to Sunday March 25th, with a special focus placed on the work of John Cage and Wolfgang Rihm.   According to the organisers, the two composers can be viewed as "poles of a contemporary musical cosmos". This year marks the 20th anniversary of Cage's death and Rihm will celebrate his 60th birthday in March.   MaerzMusik will use a series of events ...

This week, Terrys Fabrics is offering homeowners advice on how to update their homes without having to spend too much money. The easy techniques the fabrics specialists is providing offers an inexpensive yet effective way to breathe new life into any home. As Terrys Fabrics says, sometimes the simplest of ideas can turn out to be the best. Brightly coloured or patterned fabrics can easily be turned into cushions covers which will instantly change the look of a room. Cheap curtains and duvet covers like the Patchwork Duvet Cover can make big changes in a room and what's ...

As if making a loved one smile was not enough reason for customers to send flowers, Flying Flowers has launched its new range of charitable bouquets. With a different charity targeted every month, the range makes giving to charity and sending a surprise simple. At Flying Flowers making bouquets comes as second nature. After thirty years experience in the industry, each and every arrangement displays a perfect combination of colour and style and that is the same for the charitable bouquets which Flying Flowers creates every month. Each month the flowers specialists ...

More and more homeowners are deciding to stay put and make home improvements in order to increase the value of their current property. As people continue to feel the squeeze, Double Glazing Prices looks to help save money and time with its innovative quote system. Home improvements are the perfect way of investing in home and family. Those looking to make their homes more energy efficient and safe should consider a double glazing installation. At Double Glazing Prices, the team has implemented a service which looks to find homeowners the best deals on double glazing ...

An exhibition dedicated to maverick film director Tim Burton will open in Paris next month.   Running at the Cinematheque Francaise from Wednesday March 7th to Sunday August 5th, the event is set to feature screenings of all his films and plenty more to satisfy the most avid fans.   As well as his movies, visitors will be invited to consider Burton's creative talents as a painter, video artist, photographer and sculptor.   More than 700 works will be on display in total, including props and costumes from some of the films.   The exhibition, which was created in ...

The Phuket Invitational Car Rally will see families exploring different parts of the island in a fun and enriching way in March 2012.   Billed by organisers as a "family car treasure hunt with a difference", the event will be held on March 11th and sees participants travelling around Phuket's most beautiful and interesting locales.   Though set up by race professionals, the rally is aimed at a general audience and is geared towards being accessible for all, focusing on interesting stops and quirky trials that are well within everyone's capabilities.   Up ...

The 2012 GFI HKFC Tens will be taking place at the Hong Kong Football Club on March 21st and 22nd, with top players and teams from around the world set to participate.   Starting life as a social rugby contest in 1986, the event has grown into one of the premier tens tournaments in the world, with the venue's high-end artificial pitches guaranteeing fast-paced, exciting games.   Though the line-up of teams for the 2012 contest is yet to be confirmed, hundreds of international stars from more than 20 national squads have competed in past tournaments, including Jonah ...

Malaysia's Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve is once again hosting its annual Raptor Watch 2012 event on March 10th and 11th.   The special festival takes place each year during the first weekend of March and celebrates the return of migratory birds of prey, also known as raptors, back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere.   Organised by Malaysian Nature Society in partnership with the Malacca state government, the event will give budding ornithologists an opportunity to glimpse 25 different species, including the greater spotted eagle and white-bellied sea ...

Hong Kong's reputation for delicious food, outstanding art and shopping is highlighted in today's launch of the 2012 HotelClub Hotel Awards in Hong Kong. Thirty winning and finalist hotels are recognised this year for their excellence in the unique specialties that the region has to offer. HotelClub Hotel Awards is a flagship programme that honours exceptional hotels from the most popular destinations around the world. The 2012 Hong Kong hotel award categories are uniquely tailored for specific local customs like the symphony of lights show and the famous tram line. ...

Next month's Kidz at Play event at the Marina Barrage could appeal to families spending time in Singapore.   Taking place on Saturday March 10th and Sunday March 11th, the occasion offers a chance for young people to enjoy a line-up of special activities including movie screenings and a food fair.   The Marina Barrage, which was built in 2008 to create Singapore's 15th dam in the heart of the city, will be transformed into a giant playground for the event.   Films due to be screened during Kidz at Play include family favourites such as Toy Story 3, Kung Fu Panda 2, ...

Pattaya's dusitD2 baraquda will be hosting an all-night party on March 3rd 2012 called Sound Siam, organised by IIBar Productions and Coca-Cola.   The event will take place in the hotel's modern, stylish Deep Bar and will offer a night of live music performances from top DJs, as well as a plentiful supply of liquid refreshments.   Bangkok's talented female pair of DJ Kade and DJ Nicky will be joined by DJ Gift and Pattaya's own DJ Wonder in serving up a menu of house and electro beats into the early hours.   Meanwhile, at the bar, a wide variety of shots will be available ...

Fans of Filipino singing sensation Charice will be flocking to Seoul on March 21st 2012 to catch the latest performance of her Infinity Tour.   The 19-year-old will be wowing audiences at the AX-Korea venue during what will be her fourth visit to South Korea this year.   Charice has won acclaim and recognition for her powerful voice and emotional music since blazing on to the international scene in 2007, with songs such as Note to God and My Inspiration becoming worldwide hits.   The star has performed for US president Barack Obama and sung duets with icons such as ...

Some of the biggest names in world music will be congregating at Kuala Lumpur's Sepang International Circuit for the upcoming Future Music Festival Asia.   To be held on March 17th 2012, the event will be the first Future Music Festival to take place in Asia, having thrilled Australian audiences with sold-out performances by global icons in recent years.   Topping the bill for the Kuala Lumpur show are The Chemical Brothers, Tinie Tempah, Pendulum, Chase and Status, The Wombats and Grandmaster Flash, with dozens more artists offering support.   Among them are Eddie ...

The Bangkok International Book Fair will be taking place once again from March 29th to April 8th 2012 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.   Known as a thriving hub for the south-east Asian book market, the event attracted 1.6 million attendees in 2011, browsing products from 412 exhibitors hailing from 18 countries.   The purpose of the show is to convey the concept of books being the "gateway to the world", whether fictional realms of fantasy or the real world of facts and information.   Entry to the event is free of charge, allowing guests ...

Mobile marketing for personal trainers and other fitness pros just got even better: FitNews.TV, a fitness marketing solution designed for personal trainers, coaches and teachers looking to build their brand and business, now offers members a 20 percent discount off all of its annual marketing plans. An affordable online and mobile marketing solution for anyone in the fitness industry, FitNews.TV also offers a one-month trial for just $1. Plans range from a basic email and social media marketing plan at $9 per month to a "rock star" email, social media and ...

Energy consumption, reduction and alternatives are hot topics among local Long Island business leaders who own, operate and rent properties, including building owners, managers and tenants. But the topics are important as well to local entrepreneurs, managers, energy solution providers and consultants, construction industry professionals and those in related fields. HIA-LI, the recognized voice for business on Long Island, along with corporate sponsor Stony Brook University, will host an industry-expert panel to provide a Long Island Energy Update at its monthly executive ...

It is all too easy to underestimate the capacity of hackers to compromise the infrastructures belonging to individuals, organizations and businesses. In recent years, the issue of computer and network security has become of great concern to governments and businesses around the globe, following a number of high-profile attacks on major websites and servers. As a result, these organizations are now turning to so-called 'ethical hackers', who use their hacking skills for the purpose of testing defenses, so that they can be improved and streamlined. The Cyber War or Advanced ...

Santa Clarita residents have come to enjoy all of the amazing city parks, amusement parks, and annual festivals that make this small town a wonderful place to call home. There has been one addition, however, that has altered the lives of countless residents: DUI checkpoints. With funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety, local law enforcement agencies have received hundreds of thousands of dollars to increase DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols (California OTS Campaigns and Funding). For drivers that have been affected by these huge increases in arrests, ...

Today, Punchbowl.com, the leader in start to finish party planning and digital greeting cards, announced a new collection of free eCards for Leap Day. With customizable accents like envelope liners, postage, and rubber stamps, senders can create memorable greetings as unique as this quadrennial holiday. Approximately 187,000 people in the United States have a Leap Day birthday. Since a Leapling's birthday comes just once every four years, it is a very special occasion and deserves plenty of fanfare. Free eCards for Leap Day are a convenient and thoughtful way to say ...

Today, Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc. announced plans to open a new bakery cafe at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in the Terminal 3-Concourse B Food Court. This 1,280 square foot location will open later this year. The cafe will be Bruegger's sixth airport location in the U.S. "We have a tremendous amount of brand recognition in the Cincinnati market," said Chris Cheek, Vice President of Franchise Development for Bruegger's. "Our airport locations are a welcome sight for our loyal customers and a great introduction to those who haven't ...

The Music Teachers Network, a division of Service Oasis, Inc., improves service to its clients with a newly redesigned website. The new website features simplified navigation as well as streamlined content to provide clients with better access to important features of the business. "We continue to develop and improve our online tools to enhance the speed and quality of our in-home lesson services to busy families," according to Amy Simon, Manager of Client Services. "Our new website is a reflection of our trusted brand and our dedication to top-quality, ...