EPISODE498: Penny Tralau & Ashley Easterby – The IAQ Market Down Under – Highlights of the Aussies’ learning tour of US restoration firms and job sites

This week we talk to Australian restoration and IAQ veterans Penny Tralau and Ashley Easterby about their experiences and insights after attending the recent RIA Convention and their extensive tour of southern US restoration projects, labs and facilities. Their tour guide was none other than IAQ Radio contributor and “Restoration Industry Global Watchdog” Pete Consigli. All three will be joining us today to talk about what they learned, how our IAQ/restoration industry looks from the outside, how that affects the Aussie market and most importantly what we can learn from each other. Penny and Ashley based their road trip in Fort Lauderdale and then visited sites around the South. Their tour included stops at microbiology lab, a high end water/mould intrusion site visit, and a visit with a pro that specializes in real estate inspections. Their tour also included stops at a high profile restoration companies offices/plant, visits with equipment rental companies and concluded a site visit to a 70 plus condo project in Key West. Ashley Easterby has over 38 years’ experience in owner/operator small business in Australia and an extensive understanding of the need to build and maintain successful relationships and strategic alliances to ensure a successful business. In 2002 he was instrumental in the formation of a group of like minded Water Damage Restoration companies into the leading independent restoration network in Australia. This network provides restoration services with national coverage for the needs of Corporate Clients & Insurance Companies via a transparent, local and cost effective service. Penny Tralau has a background of 9 years in Restoration and Remediation Services. In the beginning, the work was primarily water loss but very quickly became interested in and specialised in Mould. Penny has a unique approach to mould, providing unbiased assessments to homeowners, builders and insurance companies. Penny is also a founding member and secretary of the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) of Australia and a Council member of the Restoration Industry Association