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ATP 2020 Review: Supporting Australian Small Business


Well hasn’t 2020 been an interesting time. The confusion and uncertainty starting in March, for me specifically this was in the form of apprehension of future sales, the burden plus uncertainty of overheads and the looming reports that nonessential trade would have to stop. My immediate reaction was to cancel all large overseas and supplier orders and move production completely in house, just like the ‘good ol’ days’.

Keeping a close eye on the news and doing all I can to keep customers and local vendors happy, while trying to have contingencies in place if we were to go into a ‘full’ lock down was rather stressful, to put it simply. After the first two weeks the initial shock seemed to wear off and financial relief packages were implemented. This bought on a sudden boom of orders, in fact double what I would normally expect in ‘regular’ times. Completely unprepared at a time when I was thinking this was the end and preparing to simply survive. Having previously cancelled my large orders, now it was time to put the pressure on and see what my suppliers could do, many of them were in social distancing protocols and some less than half their normal staff, manufacturing times were doubled at best, some had simply shut their doors and this required finding alternatives.  

Panic is the only word I could use to describe this period, double orders, delayed supply and no more international deliveries, in or out. Once I worked through the first batch along came the second onslaught, this time three times my ‘normal’ sales, wow! I was seeing some of my business friends struggle, some close or take breaks while others were thriving, it added to the uncertainty that’s for sure. It was around this time I made the decision to drop all international suppliers permanently and use only Australian made or owned companies and wherever possible support small business. This led to some redesigns in processes, a new way of working and along with a much higher cost to make products. I decided that this is how I can help the economy, to do this I personally absorbed the additional costs and helped any small business I could with my support. This notion spewed over to everything in my life, considering where my groceries came from, if my fuel was independent, who actually makes my shirts? Supporting Australia in any way I can with my dollars!  

Around the end of July things seemed to get easier, the demand was just as high, but my local supply chain and new production systems were in ‘full swing’, sure I was still working too much, but I considered myself lucky to be working at all. Phrases like ‘Make hay while the sun shines’ and ‘Take it while it’s there’ were all thrown around regularly, but this actually lead me to the dreaded ‘burn out’ that I have always thought I was impervious of. I don’t really know how to describe it, for me this was like my body lost all of its power, but my mind was still raring to go, every minute every day. I took some self-care steps but that came with immense guilt! There was the invisible pressure of my customer promise, the pressure I put on myself about the amount of capital now in circulation and my inability to stop or let go and the constant fear that sales will simply stop! 

September and November was the time to ‘trim the fat’, what am I doing that in unnecessary, what am I overlooking and what I am making hard for the ‘sake of it’, I’m sure the business owners know what I’m talking about!! Looking at the future, using ATP to support other small Australian businesses and grow into something positive for the community, not just a ‘job’ for me. Supplying my customers quality products without compromise and always to the standard you expect, the standard I expect!

Coming back to the inevitable ‘catch can price rise’. As of today it takes 19-21 Australian companies to bring you just one catch can and countless jobs within those companies too. The support of my little product, my brand, goes so far beyond just me. Committing to quality through Australian suppliers has made the cost of producing catch cans significantly higher. I made a promise to myself that I would absorb the cost for as long as possible, and I have, however this is unsustainable if ATP is to continue to produce high quality catch cans 2021 and beyond and continue to commit to supporting fellow Australian small business. So as of January 11th the price of catch cans will be increasing. I appreciate your continued support with my commitment to assist small Australian business, it truly means the world!

On reflection 2020 has been a great year, even though there have been unbelievable ups and downs. Everything has forced me to grow and really measure what’s important, not just in ATP but all of my life! I am so grateful for your support and everyone who was so patient while I got on top of the madness, thank you. My suppliers and vendors, I could not have made it through this year without you, thank you.

2021 it’s time, come at me bro!

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Weekly BLOG and Product Progress– Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Shop update.
Week 17 (2020) in the workshop has been very eventful, I have the little CNC router running nonstop making parts while waiting for outsourced laser cut parts to be completed. It’s messy and loud but I’m doing all I can to get products back on the shelves.

There are also some delays and border closures for international shipping and not to mention getting parts in from overseas also has it’s challenges too. Exploration of small Australian manufactures has begun to assist with some of the parts I use frequently like AN fittings and filter media. The whole COVID-19 situation has made me remember a time five or 6 years ago when ATP would exclusively support small Australian businesses and I believe it’s important to put this idea back to the forefront of small batch manufacturing, now and in the future.

Thank you all so much for your support, I truly appreciate it.

Adam

Product update.
Keep up to date with ATP’s small batch production. Here is where you can see the status of products as they go through the manufacturing process and see how long before backorders are expected.

Estimated time to completion
8-6 Weeks = Laser Cutting
6-4 Weeks = Metal Forming
5-3 Weeks = Welding
3-2 Weeks = Brackets & Prep
2-1 Weeks = Powder Coating
<1 Week = Assembly and Packaging
0 Weeks = In Stock


Nissan
S13 Catch Can – (4) Welding (5) Laser cutting
S14 Catch Can – (5) Metal Forming

R32 Catch Can – (2) Welding (10) Laser Cutting
R33 Catch Can – (5) Welding
R34 Catch Can – NEW PRODUCT ‘Pre production’ no current ETAMitsubishi
EVO 456 Catch Can – (5) Metal Forming
EVO 789 Catch Can – In Stock (5) Laser Cutting
EVO 456 Air Box – Assembly and Packaging
EVO 7 Air Box – Assembly and Packaging

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Weekly BLOG and Product Progress – Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Shop update.

Week 16 (2020) has been a super busy week here at ATP, with the whole COVID-19 situation going on outside, I have been here in the shop chipping away, making catch cans.
This week has seen the completion of some custom jobs including a gearbox catch can, a custom S13 coil pack cover with some neat looking countersunk bolts (more on this later) and you may be aware that I take custom requests, even on my own products, I have just begun three R33 catch cans that are requested in raw finish. Raw finish is treated as custom since I cut all the parts in house on my CNC router to ensure there are no scratches or mishaps, this we can’t guarantee with outsourced laser cut parts unfortunately.  

Week 16 also saw a visit to the fine gentlemen up at Otaku Garage to drop off the long awaited R34 catch can combo sample tank for test fitting. We are hoping to have it fitted and finalised this week and get ready to start taking pre-orders soon for the first ever production run!

Thank you all so much for your support, I truly appreciate it.

Adam

Product update.

Keep up to date with ATP’s small batch production. Here is where you can see the status of products as they go through the manufacturing process and see how long before backorders are expected.

Estimated time to completion
8-6 Weeks = Laser Cutting
6-4 Weeks = Metal Forming
5-3 Weeks = Welding
3-2 Weeks = Brackets & Prep
2-1 Weeks = Powder Coating
<1 Week = Assembly and Packaging
0 Weeks = In Stock


Nissan
S13 Catch Can – (4) Metal Forming
S14 Catch Can – (5) Laser Cutting

R32 Catch Can – (2) Welding (10) Laser Cutting
R33 Catch Can – In Stock (5) Metal Forming
R34 Catch Can – NEW PRODUCT ‘Pre production’ no current ETA

Mitsubishi
EVO 456 Catch Can – In Stock (Limited) (5) Laser Cutting
EVO 789 Catch Can – In Stock (5) Laser Cutting
EVO 456 Air Box – Powder Coat
EVO 7 Air Box – Powder Coat

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Product Progress and Stock Guide – Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Keep up to date with ATP’s small batch production. Here is where you can see the status of products as they go through the manufacturing process and see how long before back orders are expected.


Estimated time to completion
8-6 Weeks = Laser Cutting
6-4 Weeks = Metal Forming
5-3 Weeks = Welding
3-2 Weeks = Brackets & Prep
2-1 Weeks = Powder Coating
<1 Week = Assembly and Packaging
0 Weeks = In Stock


Nissan
S13 Catch Can – In Stock
S14 Catch Can – (1) Brackets & Prep; (5) Laser Cutting

R32 Catch Can – (3) Welding; (10) Laser Cutting
R33 Catch Can – In Stock
R34 Catch Can – NEW PRODUCT ‘Pre production’ no current ETA

Mitsubishi
EVO 456 Catch Can – In Stock
EVO 789 Catch Can – In Stock
EVO 456 Air Box – Powder Coat
EVO 7 Air Box – Powder Coat

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2018 – The year of giving back!

Well Friends, 2018 has well and truly kicked off and we have already hit the ground running!

We had such a big year in 2017 – moving the shop across the country and changing our product offering to better reflect my brand. When I think about 2018, I think – how do I even begin to top that?

Fortunately, I am big on development and always seek out a good challenge. This means I’m never short of a fresh idea 🙂

Wrapping up week two of 2018, and I have already made some website updates, began to roll out my new minimalist logo, began production on some 2018 revised products and somewhere in there I even renovated the workshop with a nice new layout and some new equipment.

Personally, I want 2018 to be about giving back to the community that essentually made me. Not a day goes by that I don’t consider how grateful I am to be able to create parts and bring ideas to life everyday and it’s all thanks to you. I am going to start rolling out a range of gifts with every website purchase. If you’ve bought from me before you know there is always a Chupa Chup in the package somewhere – but it’s time to give a little more back (stay tuned). I am also going to be donating $5 to Brake (http://www.brake.org.au/) on behalf of every customer that spends over $200. Brake is a driver training charity that attends high schools to inform and teach the next generation of automotive enthusiasts to respect their cars and drive safely on our roads; information that I am very passionate about and, with the help of you, excited to support.

I would love to know what you would like to see from AT Performance in 2018 and also let me know something that you would like to achieve in this new year.

Thank you so much for your continued support. Now, let’s go make something!

Adam.

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2017 Review & Thank You!

2017 — what a truly awesome year!

It’s hard to believe that only 12 months ago we were in the early stages of wrapping up the last of our custom fabrication jobs, filling final orders in our Edinburgh North shop, and packing it all up to fulfil our goal of moving to the Gold Coast.

We found a beautiful workshop in Stapylton, took a month or so to buy new and improved equipment and get everything set up, then began filling orders once again. As you can expect it took a little while to find our feet in a new area – getting the lay of the land, finding new suppliers, meeting the neighbours and getting settled in to a new home.

After the big move we took the opportunity to review and streamline our services and products, and decided that if we reduced the custom ‘one off’ jobs we could better focus on quicker turnarounds, product improvements, and research and development. We have been able to invest a lot more time into design this year, and that has enabled us to improve existing products, and create other product lines that have been rattling around in the background for years.

2018 is looking to be bigger and better again, and we are so excited to get back into it and bring you even more AT Performance. We are always improving and designing in the background, and working to get you the best products we can.

I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your support over the years. If you’ve clicked on a post, told a friend about us, popped in and said hi, or made a purchase from us — THANK YOU. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this and we are extremely grateful.

Wishing you all a safe and happy 2018.

Adam & Jess